Even If It Breaks Your Heart

Nineteen-year-old Case Michaels, who comes from a long line of cowboys and bull-riders, feels as if his entire life has been derailed by the tragic death of his best friend, Walker Gibson. The only thing keeping Case together is the list of things that Walker wants Case to accomplish in his absence. One of the list items, “Befriend Winnie Sutton,” leads to him spending time with Winnie, an unignorably talented (and beautiful) barrel-racing hopeful who put her dreams on hold to care for her younger siblings. As the two teens grow closer while working on Case’s family ranch, they realize that they have a few things in common: they were both close with Walker, they both have goals they’re terrified to pursue, and they have a mutual attraction that won’t seem to go away. In this incandescent slow-burn romance, deliberately paced and resolute prose by Hahn (Friends Don’t Fall in Love, for adults) paves the way for swoony banter and rough-and-tumble rodeo action. Case and Winnie’s relationship is a joy to watch unfold, every payoff feels earned, and subtle meditations on grief quietly ground tear-jerking emotional beats, making for a poignant romantic drama. Ages 13–up. (Feb.)