This was a cute easy read. Would I recommend it? Ehh, maybe. If you’re looking for a mindless read, then this is the one. With so many books on my TBR, I want to enjoy my books. This was just not for me, but that’s okay!

I absolutely loved this book. The way the character development continued to evolve throughout the story was perfect! Once I started reading this book I literally could not put it down (I tried i really did). I can't wait till I can read more from this author

I usually don't like romance novels that use the pregnancy trope but this one is the exception! Such a cute and well written book and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by Cara Bastone!

This was my first book by Cara and it was perfect! I loved the storyline and character development. I enjoyed that the plot was not a typical subject and it was fun to watch Eves story unfold. Shep was a perfect love interest. I would certainly recommend this book to friends.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you cara for giving me the privilege to reviewing this book, I have never been a fan of the pregnancy trop HOWEVER this book did it for me and will probably be the only book i will read that contains pregnancy. SHEP>> shep was probably the best character in this novel and holds a special place in my heart.
Tropes:
Accidental pregnancy
Best friends brother
Slow burn
Friends to lover

This book was PURE magic for me!! I loved the setting. I loved the uniqueness of the situation these characters found themselves in. I loved the characters- even Ethan- he redeemed himself in my opinion. In most of the best friend sibling romances I have read- the girl has had the unrequited crush on the boy for forever. I LOVED how this one spun that on its top. SHEP!! I truly adored him. I loved his patience, the way he treated Eve like a queen. I almost started crying when he pulled out his bike with the baby seat!!! Cara did such an amazing job weaving their feelings for each other. It was truly wonderful to watch Eve slowly realize that her feelings were what they were. And then realizing that most people knew how Shep had felt for her- that was epic. I also liked the added element of Ethan- the baby daddy. I think that is what made this accidental pregnancy storyline so different. Normally the FMC falls for the MMC who got her pregnant, but Cara changed it up yet again. Ethan though had a big shift himself- I loved how Eve helped him see how his relationship with Eleni may not be what he needed. And how after ghosting Eve for a minute he REALLY stepped up.

Eve is pregnant. She had a one night stand a month ago and this is the result. What is she going to do? I mean she obviously liked Ethan, but can a relationship be started on something like this? She finds out that avenue is closed when Ethan tells her that he is back with his ex. Now Eve has her BF Willa in her corner though Willa is on the struggle bus with this because her and her hubby have been trying for a baby for a while with no results. So who starts to help the most is Willa's brother Shep. The same Shep that Eve grew up with. The same one that Eve is starting to realize is more handsome than she remembered. He just seems to be there. He sends her silly texts. He sends her encouraging texts. He reminds her to eat. He is just there and she is realizing that she might have feelings for him she shouldn't have. I mean this is her best friend's brother! But then she starts to see he may like her too. Then the NIGHT happens- the baby kicks for the first time around Shep and things completely spin on their axis. Because now Eve knows there is some charged energy happening between them. Before she makes it clear that she wants to explore this Eve has to decide if this is what she really wants? She has observed that Shep is a lifer. Once he is committed, he is committed. But the more he shows up it seems that the answer is crystal clear. She wants Shep in her life and not just as a friend anymore.

Cara did a WONDERFUL job describing all of these different relationship dynamics. Willa and Eve- best friends who have been through it all except Eve getting pregnant though WIlla has been trying for forever. Eve and Shep who have known each other for 25 years but now are both single and in the same city. Eve and Ethan who slept together and are having a baby together but Ethan has to figure out if the baby being in his life is more important than his toxic girlfriend. Like I said this book was WONDERFUL to me!! I can't recommend it enough. It is an extremely SLOW burn though yall- hold out though because it's worth the wait.

Thank you to Netgalley and Cara for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is a heartwarming novel that follows Eve Hatch, a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn after a one-night stand leads to an unplanned pregnancy. As she navigates this new reality, Eve finds support in her best friend Willa's older brother, Shep, who becomes a steadfast presence in her life. The story beautifully explores themes of found family, personal growth, and the complexities of unexpected love.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding it both heartwarming and beautifully written. I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook, and the narration by Alex Finke was exceptional, especially in capturing Eve's sense of humor. The dynamic between Eve and Shep was compelling, and I appreciated that the romance, while significant, wasn't the sole focus of the story. The realistic portrayal of a young woman figuring out her life resonated with me. I highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking a heartfelt and authentic read.

4.5🌟

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Team for this Advanced Digital Readers Copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is an utterly charming rom-com that had me hooked from the very first page. The chemistry between the two main characters, Nora and Luke, is undeniable, and their journey from strangers to something more is filled with both heart and humor. Bastone has a knack for creating relatable, well-rounded characters, and their witty banter and sweet moments together make for a truly enjoyable read.

What I especially appreciate about Ready or Not is how it balances lighthearted fun with deeper themes of vulnerability and personal growth. Nora and Luke’s emotional arcs are just as engaging as their romantic sparks, making the story feel both satisfying and meaningful. The pacing is spot-on, and the dialogue flows naturally, keeping me turning pages until the very end.

If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt romance with just the right amount of tension, humor, and warmth, Ready or Not is definitely a book you won’t want to miss. It’s the perfect blend of sweetness and depth that leaves you with a smile and a warm, fuzzy feeling.

I liked this book! Almost at no point did I expect what was going to happen next, but I believe that was the point :-)

I LOVED THIS!! I listened to this on audio and immediately fell in love with Shep and Eve. Shep was the perfect golden retriever man, and I loved him and Eve together so much! He’s was literally perfect for her and I finished with the biggest dopey grin on my face! This was my first book by this author and now I can’t wait to read so many more!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ready or Not is the first book I’ve read by Cara Bastone and it won’t be the last.

I finished the book last night but needed to take a bit and chill otherwise my review would have been all caps screaming about how much I loved this story and how it showed a realistic view of pregnancy. Eve is funny and smart and loves fiercely. She doesn’t quite always know what she wants but she has an amazing made family of her two best friends, Willa and Shep and her way older brothers. I love how her whole network comes together to support her when when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant after a one night stand.

This tale felt realistic on so many levels and I want to applaud the author for writing a romance but not the typical romance where the main female character ends up madly in love with her baby’s father.

No, this slow burn friends to lovers story is perfection and I feel that the author gave it the maximum amount of build from Shep and Eva growing from childhood friends.

Also, when Eve finds out she’s pregnant and lets Willa know, Willa can’t handle the news at first because she’s been in her own journey to try to get pregnant and has been this far unsuccessful. I felt like this was a very raw and realistic interaction and even though it hurt them both, it didn’t sugarcoat their feelings.

I am adding this author to my auto read list and am looking to read more by Cara Bastone.

Eve Hatch’s life is turned upside down after an impulsive one-night stand leads to an unexpected pregnancy. With the baby’s father entangled in his own complications, Eve leans on her best friend Willa and Willa’s older brother, Shep, who step in to support her during this life-altering journey.

I genuinely enjoyed this story, even if it took me a while to finish. The premise was engaging, and Eve’s growth over the nine months was both relatable and heartfelt. While I found myself comparing it to Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young, this book has its own charm.

The baby daddy drama was frustrating at times; Ethan really needed to step up. However, Shep’s character brought a lot of warmth to the narrative. He was incredibly supportive and selfless, which I appreciated, even if he sometimes felt a bit too perfect.

Overall, this book offers a compelling take on unexpected motherhood, with plenty of humor and heart. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting read about personal growth and friendship.

Ready or Not, was engaging, well developed and filled with love and hardship in all its forms. Every relationship Eve has is complex and complicated but at their core filled with love and respect. Eve’s story was filled with so much truth, how raw and real life is with some humor and lots of love along the way. Shep was the perfect partner and friend that Eve needed, her family was hilarious and even the baby daddy had his moments, I’m grateful their relationship never turned more than co-parents because the way he let his on-again, off-again girlfriend dictate his future relationship with his child did not earn him any bonus points.
Willa’s reactions to her friends unexpected pregnancy while she struggles with her own pregnancy and fertility journey are such honest and real reactions, humans have these worries and fears and honestly jealousies about things sometimes beyond their control, but Willa owned up to it and worked hard to be as supportive as she could be while still being honest as to how hard it was on her. While Eve was shocked to this at first, Eve and Willa’s empathy grew for each other and their friendship stood the test.
A great read, a wonderful story and one of my favorites to date.

Cute storyline! Enjoyed the characters!
Thabk you netgalley and thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read this book!!

Really loved Eve and Shep’s story. Shep is perfect: strong, supportive, gentle, patient. - I’m not going to lie. Accidental pregnancy isn’t one of my favorite tropes. But I gave this a chance knowing that the pregnancy wasn’t between the love interests. And I’m so glad I did!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. I picked up this book purely because of its vibrant cover, and I'm glad I did. Set against the backdrop of NYC, it delivered a heartfelt story blending women's fiction and romance. The narrative follows Eve Hatch, a career-focused "Brooklynaire" who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand, forcing her to navigate the challenges of impending single motherhood. I appreciated the authentic portrayal of Eve's self-discovery as she grapples with her fears, her evolving relationships, and the surprising support from Shep, her best friend's brother. The slow-burn romance felt genuine, and the cast of quirky, well-developed characters brought depth to the story. However, some plot points felt predictable, and the tension between Eve and her friend Willa could have been explored more deeply. The pacing also lagged in spots, but the overall charm and heartfelt moments kept me engaged. A realistic and touching journey of growth, this book is a rewarding read for anyone who enjoys stories about love, motherhood, and finding one's way. I’m hoping this turns into a series because I’d love to see more of these characters.

Eve faces an unplanned pregnancy after a one-night stand and finds support from her best friend's older brother, Sep, who she's known for many years. Honestly, I found Eve to be profoundly annoying and lacking any dimension of intrigue. The plot and Sep were the only saving graces.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had heard so many great things about this, but I was still blown away by how wonderful it was. The characters were all so realistic, grappling with life in such a poignant way and with such beautiful friendships at the heart of it.

Im going to start out by saying that I typically do not like the surprise pregnancy trope in books. A sentiment I’ve seen in a lot of reviews of this book. However, I truly really enjoyed READY OR NOT. I’ve had a hard time articulating my thoughts surrounding this particular book when it comes to the accidental pregnancy.
I should probably say that on a personal note- my first son is the result of an unplanned pregnancy. And I think that what I don’t like so much about other books I’ve read is that sometimes that plot point is used for shock factor, or to move the book along and a lot of times it just feels icky to me. Allllll of that to say- this book did NOT feel like that. One of the things I remember most about finding out about my own pregnancy- one where I was young, unmarried and the relationship was only a year old- was that I wanted to be able to do what was best for all of us. Myself, my partner, and our child. I remember grappling with a decision and then once I made it- I remember thinking no matter what, I wanted to make sure that we would always be the best parents we could be- even if we didn’t work out in the end. (SPOILER ALERT- we did 🙂) And this book felt like that. Like a really realistic and relatable version of my own story.

Eve had to navigate all of the challenges and changes to relationships that one can encounter when something as life changing as becoming pregnant happens. Friendships and priorities change and it can definitely be confusing and difficult. I loved following as she figured out how to communicate/coparent, had some hard friendship discussions and even allowed herself to find love unexpectedly. This is a book that will live rent free in my mind for a very long time ♥️