#AmReading YA

---

Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn
Published by Wednesday Books on February 6, 2024
Age/Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

A heart-buckling ride of a romance by beloved author Erin Hahn, Even If It Breaks Your Heart is about two teens finding out that sometimes, the hardest part of discovering what you want is getting the courage to pursue it.

The only thing keeping nineteen-year-old Case Michaels together after the death of his best friend, Walker, is a list Walker left behind of things he wants Case to accomplish in his absence. So far, though, Case hasn’t even been able to continue riding bulls in the rodeo circuit, something he’s done his entire life, balking at the thought of competing without Walker by his side. But the list? Case is determined to follow it to the letter– and he follows it all the way to Winnie Sutton.

Eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton just wants to keep her family together. She graduated high school early to work long shifts at the Michaels family ranch so she can support her younger siblings and a father who’s more than happy to let Winnie fill the responsible parent role. If she sometimes sneaks out to ride the horses herself and forget about life for a while– well, that’s no one else’s business– until the day she crashes headfirst into Case Michaels. Case sees her riding skills and immediately ropes her into competing for the ranch and becoming his friend.

Winnie and Case couldn’t be more different, but Case can’t help but be inspired by Winnie’s badly-hidden passion for riding and competition. And there’s something about Case that makes Winnie want to try grasping onto a dream for herself, whether that’s a shot at a rodeo trophy, the annoyingly handsome rancher’s son who won’t leave her alone, or maybe both.

Anyone who poo-poos happy endings is dead wrong. As I sit here, tears rolling down my face, bursting with joy for these characters, I know they are wrong.

I have been a longtime fan of Hahn's work, and this book is a prime example of why I adore her books. Hahn has crafted a beautiful story of grief and love and dreams which was elevated by its amazing characters and rodeo highlights.

I was never a horsey girl, but by golly, I had a great time on the ranch. I loved meeting all the horses, attending training sessions, and going to the rodeo. It's a VERY different world from where this Brooklyn-born east coaster grew up, but I was fascinated by it all. Hahn included just the right amount of details to give a clear picture of this life while not making me feel lost in it.

As a reader, I need to feel invested in story, and Case and Winnie quickly won my heart. Sad cowboy Case was still grieving the loss of his best friend. When Walker handed Case a list of things he would never be able to accomplish, Case felt obligated to fulfill Walker's dreams. That included pursuing a career on the Professional Bull Riders circuit, but Case recognized his future did not include this.

Winnie was sacrificing her dreams to care for her siblings. When her mother left, Winnie went from being a nine year old to a mom serving as caretaker for her younger sister and brother and working to support them. When her talent as a barrel racer was recognized, an opportunity arose which she felt she had to decline in order to continue supporting her family.

The beauty of the relationship that was born between Winnie and Case was that they developed a strong friendship first. Linked by their mutual affection for Walker, something new and wholly their own blossomed between them and eventually turned from friendship to love. I adored all the ooey-gooey parts. It was really sweet when they both started acting on their feelings, but I also found their support for one another special. It was fantastic the way they encouraged and pushed each other to pursue their dreams, and heck, that's why I was crying at the end. How can you not be overjoyed to see people excel and succeed? It made me happy.

This was a story of healing and chasing your dreams, about friendship and love, and I had an incredible time taking this personal journey with Case and Winnie. I ached for them, hoped for them, and reveled in their success. I secretly hope Hahn will return to this world. I saw someone else mention that, and maybe Hahn will consider a book for Brody. (please!)

---

The Getaway List by Emma Lord
Published by Wednesday Books on January 23, 2024
Age/Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

Riley heads to New York to reunite with her best friend, complete their Getaway List, and find herself in the process.

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, I am never disappointed with an Emma Lord book. This is my fifth book by Lord, and she continues to delight me. We were back in New York City for this book, and I feel this is a setting where Lord always shines. Her affection for the city shows, and as a native New Yorker, I loved visiting familiar places. Speaking of familiar places, I was giddy from the two nods to her other NYC books. If there's one thing I adore, it's those Easter eggs.

Much of this book was dedicated to Riley reclaiming her future. I was devastated for Riley when her college plans went up in flames, but I had to give her credit for taking the initiative to figure out her next steps. As a mother, I was none too pleased with the way she fled, but it was important for her to exercise that autonomy and reclaim what she had lost.

Luckily, Riley had a nice soft place to land with her best friend. Though she had not seen Tom for several years, their bond was still rather strong. It seemed Tom was also dealing with some internal struggles, and it was fantastic that they had each other during this tumultous time.

Then, there was the Getaway List, a sort of bucket list that Riley and Tom had written when they were younger. Early tasks led to the expansion of their little framily, and each person added was a great one. Together, the five of them checked off the tasks, and I had so much fun watching them do it.

These list items weren't just fun for Riley, they resulted in a lot of self reflection, and I thought it was a great way to propel her on her personal journey. One part of that journey being the recognition and acknowledgment of her growing feelings for Tom.

Overall, I found this to be a wonderful tale of friendship, romance, and self-discovery which was filled with humor, wit, and warmth. I loved spending time with this group as they checked items off the Getaway List and figured out their futures.

*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

What would be on your getaway list?
Let us know in the comments!