This book is all about life throwing curveballs and figuring it out anyway. Eve has a solid routine, a close best friend, and no real plans to shake things up—until a one-night stand ends in a surprise pregnancy. She’s not sure what to do, but her best friend’s older brother, Shep, quietly steps in to support her… and somehow ends up being exactly the person she needs.

The relationship between Eve and Shep is so soft and sweet—it’s slow, steady, and full of little moments that feel big. I loved how this wasn’t about huge drama, but more about two people showing up for each other when it counts.

This book was written for you if:
1. You love a cinnamon roll love interest who shows up without being asked.
2. You’re into stories that mix friendship, big life shifts, and quiet romance.
3. You want something tender, thoughtful, and super readable.

Cara Bastone might just be my all time favorite author, and once again she doesn't miss. I absolutely adored Ready or Not. I was a bit hesitant with the surprise pregnancy trope, as it isn't my go to. But if anyone can write this trope and write it well, it's Cara. Fantastic character development. She does found family the best!!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and loved the character development throughout. Sometimes the pregnancy trope can be a bit cringeworthy, but the author did a really good job here.

This was a lovely and highly page-turning look at tragedy, trauma, and redemption. I especially enjoyed the found family meets biological family themes and the wide cast of excellently drawn supporting characters.

4.75 stars

After soft DNF’ing this book on three separate occasions, turns out 4th time’s the charm. And wow did I love this one. To quote Shep, I experienced “acute euphoria” while reading, blushing over the sweetness between the two leads and losing count of the times I caught myself giggling.

In what is arguably the sweetest friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read, Eve and Shep are a love story for the ages. Eve is floating through life when an unexpected pregnancy changes everything. In the following 9 months we watch her grow exponentially as her body grows to build a home for her little one; forcing her to make decisions about the life she wants. And who she wants in it. As she learns how to lean on those around her, she realizes that one of her most important relationships has shifted, allowing for a new love to blossom built upon a history of dependability. Shep is a top notch MMC. So many times I found myself saying ‘he’s such a great guy.’ Like when people talk about “golden retriever boyfriends,” they’re talking about Shep. A good man in the storm, Shep showed up for Eve again and again, with no demands on her time or her attention; helping in whatever way she needed. Filling in the gaps when he knew she was overwhelmed or struggling. And he loved her so so much. I love an “it’s always been you” love, and Eve and Shep were that x10.

However, more than a love story between two people just destined to love one another romantically, this was a book about the myriad of ways love shows up for us when we allow ourselves to be open and receptive to it; the found family we’re able to create as we bond and build close connections. We see this with Willa and Eve, with Eve and Isamu, with Nurse Louise and Eve, Shep and Ethan, and more. The found family and community in this one was high, and truly one of my favorite parts. It highlighted that uncomfortable moment when you realize your friends are growing in different ways than you are, and that it’s ok. It doesn’t mean you love each other any less, you just need different things. It means shifting the way you show up for one another.

This book says, you don’t have to be perfect or have reached your full potential to be deserving of love.

Additionally, I have a deeper respect for mothers and their roles in our lives.

I would’ve loved an epilogue with a peek into Eve and Shep’s dynamic as parents and the way their village evolved to make room for their newest member. How Ethan stepped up to support and co-parent, and how his and Eve’s relationship shifted. Additionally, I would’ve loved to see how Willa and Eve’s friendship shifted as Eve embarked on her motherhood journey. As well as Eve with her brothers and Eve embarking on the new chapter in her career but still a really lovely read!

I am a sucker for a surprise pregnancy romance. And while I do feel like this skirted the edges of the "romance" genre, it was just sweet enough and just light-hearted enough I didn't care. The characters were beautiful, and developed. I think this is a book that moms would relate to and appreciate more than I can.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Ready or Not by Cara Bastone in exchange for my honest review and feedback. I absolutely loved the cover of this and knew it immediately would be a fantastic read! It was more than fantastic - I absolutely loved this book. Such a sweet, touching read that will truly leave you with tears running down your face. You are absolutely missing out if you don't take the time to read this book!

Accidental pregnancy isn’t my favorite trope but I still really liked this book. I feel like a lot of books in this trope always have the father as the man you want the mother to end up with but this one had a different direction which was nice to see. Although, at times I couldn’t help but hope she would end up with the father of the baby as that’s what I’m used to with this trope. Shep as a male main character love interest was great though. Not your typical guy but all the personality and love you hope for in a partner. I would give this book 4/5 stars and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves romance books and the accidental pregnancy trope.

I absolutely loved this book!

Now I'm not typically a fan of accidental pregnancy tropes but my word did this other hit it out of the park for me!!!

We open with Eve finding out she becomes pregnant from the out of character one night stand she has with Ethan a super hot bartender.

When she gets a less than warm response from him she decides she's having the baby on her own.

The group of characters made this story. In comes Shep who is Willa's- Eve's BFF's older brother to support Eve in anything she needs. Especially since Willa struggles with fertility and he knows she can't support her friend Eve how she needs too.

This story's character development, love and growth for both Shep and Eve was all because the baby and the author just did an amazing job telling this story.

The humor, self awareness and friendships made the story all the more complete. Eve's internal dialogue was a Riot! Shep's absolute adoration for Eve, Willa's resilience and how she challenges Eve to make decisions for what she wants....I could go on and on!!!!!!

This was definitely an original plot for me. It took me a little bit to get into, but I really enjoyed it! The characters and the writing just felt very mature. And of course the slow burn between Shep and Eve was 🥺

Cara Bastone has always been an "auto buy" author for me and this book is another reason why. The book centers around Eve who finds herself pregnant after a one night stand with the bartender/bar owner Ethan. The book has depth in the explorations of friendship, finding love, complicated relationships, and fertility issues. Having had my own share of fertility issues, my heart broke for Eve's best friend - Willa. I loved the slow burn romance with Shep and Eve finding her confidence and figuring out what she wants. A beautifully written book with complicated yet endearing characters, this is another great book by Cara Bastone.

Eve has found herself unexpectedly pregnant after a one night stand. This unplanned pregnancy seems to bring to life all of the relationships in her life; her dead parents, her brothers, her best friend willa, willa's brother shep, and even the baby daddy. Her life is a bit in chaos and she's just trying to work through it day to day. As Shep starts to insert himself into Eve's life more and more, she starts to view him differently. He's so handsome, sweet, thoughtful and a little goofy. Is he starting to like her too? Will the baby and baby daddy complicate everything?

I absolutely loved this book! Eve is such a lovable character and she loves her people. She never made any outwardly bad decisions and that made this book that much more enjoyable. Buying this one for a shelf trophy!

Felt a little too cheesy and gave me a weird vibe of mid 2010s romance books that I can usually excuse IF they are written in the 2010s. It just felt very much of an age of Facebook that felt a little off.

Okay, so I went into this thinking that I would like it, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did.

Eve is messy. She's chaotic, she's a bit selfish, she's dramatic, and just overall has no idea what she's doing. I LOVE her for that. I think too often in romance books we get a fmc who is just a little bit too close to perfect and that absolutely isn't the case for Eve. She doesn't like her job, pregnancy is rough, her baby daddy is with someone else, it's just a mess.

Shep is a sweet angel who deserves everything good in this world. He's constantly showing up for Eve. Making sure she's okay, buying her groceries, and cooking her food. He's just always there for her. I'm not usually the biggest fan of friends to lovers because I never feel there's enough tension, but there's definitely tension and longing.

I'm really glad I ended up picking this one up.

I liked this, it reminded me of love, Rosie in a way so if you like that movie you’ll like this books as well!

This book is my new personality. I loved Eve’s growth throughout and can someone please tell me where I can get a Shep??? (I struggled with his name though, because all I could think of when reading it was Shep from the Bravo show 😹)

That moment, you know the one… will live in my mind forever.

This book has the most gorgeous cover! I really loved the first part of this book. But I felt like it fell apart in the second half. I feel like Shep was not a fully fleshed out character. He had no flaws. I preferred Ethan.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is a heartfelt, charming, and relatable romantic comedy that explores the unexpected twists life can take, even for those who are perfectly content with the familiar. The novel centers on Eve Hatch, a woman who prides herself on her predictable life in Brooklyn—close to her best friend, a steady job, and a comfortable routine. But when Eve finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand, her world is turned upside down.

Bastone masterfully captures Eve's emotional rollercoaster as she navigates the ups and downs of unplanned pregnancy, friendship tensions, and evolving relationships. The plot delves into Eve's journey of self-discovery, questioning what she really wants in life beyond the safety of the familiar. Her relationship with her childhood best friend, Willa, becomes strained at a time when she needs her the most, leaving room for a surprising bond with Willa’s older brother, Shep. What begins as a simple act of support from Shep soon blossoms into something more complicated and unexpected, as Eve starts to see him in a new light.

The chemistry between Eve and Shep is palpable, and their dynamic adds warmth and humor to the narrative. Shep’s surprising kindness and attentiveness as he helps Eve navigate this uncharted territory shows a depth of character that goes beyond what Eve anticipated. The tension between them grows as Eve begins to realize that maybe the life she’s been coasting through isn’t the one she truly desires.

The novel beautifully explores themes of family, love, and finding unexpected connections. Eve’s journey through the highs and lows of pregnancy, friendship, and romance is deeply relatable and offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be "ready" for life’s surprises. Bastone’s writing is witty, heartfelt, and brimming with charm, making it impossible not to root for Eve as she navigates her new reality.

What truly stands out in Ready or Not is the emotional growth Eve experiences. She begins as a woman who prefers routine and certainty, but by the end of the book, she’s learned that life’s most rewarding moments can come from the unexpected. The novel reminds readers that love and family aren’t always planned, and sometimes, the best things in life are the ones that catch you by surprise.

Ready or Not is a delightful and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction. With its endearing characters, heartfelt moments, and a sweet, slow-burn romance, Cara Bastone has crafted a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever faced unexpected change and discovered something beautiful on the other side.

This book was so good. It had everything I love in a book; banter, humour, found family and a great happy ending. I loved that there was no conflict between Shep and Eve. Sometimes a good romance book doesn’t need the couple to fall in love, break up and get back together.

I liked every relationship in the book. The ones between Eve and her brothers, the ones between Eve and her friends and Shep and the relationship between Eve and Ethan. Although I did feel like Ethan got the short end of the stick a little bit I was pleased he still got a happy ending.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was AMAZING! For sure one of my favorites of the year! This concept was so fun! I was freaking swooning over Shep! Ugh and the things he did for Eve! The bicycle seat?! Ugh this surprised me and just ended up loving it so much!