EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART

In finding each other, a bull-riding champion and a barrel racer on the rise also find their true callings as a romance rooted in friendship blooms.

Ever since his best friend Walker’s death, Case Michaels has engaged in destructive, risky behavior. Case met Walker at the age of 10, in line for their first bull rides, and Walker’s friendship and passion motivated Case, even though he was less invested in the sport. Winnie Sutton helps support her two younger siblings by working on the Michaels’ ranch in the Texas Panhandle, tending horses and leading trail rides for rich guests. Winnie is a rodeo natural but hasn’t had the time or resources to compete. When Case is sent to work in the stables as punishment for one of his latest escapades, their paths cross—a catalyst for them to examine their lives, let go of the roles that have defined them, and find their true potential. The three-dimensional characters carry the slow-burn romance as Case and Winnie prioritize friendship while developing feelings for each other. Winnie learns to accept help from a community she’s held at bay, and Case, who’s grown up with a great deal of privilege, leans into challenges outside the rodeo arena. Through details about horses, rodeo life, and the ranch, Hahn creates a world that feels lived in, like a pair of comfy jeans. Main characters are cued white.

A deeply satisfying romance in which personal growth and dreams are realized.