Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Title: Ready or Not
Author: Cara Bastone
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: February 13, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC from Dial Press, a division of Random House Publishing Group, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad

T H R E E • W O R D S

Heartfelt • Wholesome • Authentic

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be pretty much the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn that’s close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, it’s comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life... until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.

The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve’s loyal friendship with Willa is feeling tense, right when she needs her the most. And it’s actually Willa’s steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help Eve. He has always been friendly, but now he’s checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is... suddenly kinda hot? Then, as if she needs one more complication, there’s the baby’s father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.

Up until this point, Eve’s been content to coast through life. Now, though—maybe it’s the hormones, maybe it’s the way Shep’s shoulders look in a T-shirt—Eve starts to wonder if she has been secretly desiring more from every aspect of her life.

Over the course of nine months, as Eve struggles to figure out the next right step in her expanding reality, she begins to realize that family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Ready or Not was on my radar way before it was announced as a Book of the Month choice because the premise sounded so wholesome and just right up my alley. This is my first time reading Cara Bastone and I was pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed it.

This friends-to-lovers, slow burn romance featuring an unexpected pregnancy was done just right. There were so many real-life obstacles and tender moments between the characters that I felt myself among friends. Each of the characters was so real and endearing. I particularly loved Shep and nurse Louise, even though her role was small. The romance was definitely not the main focus, and yet it felt so organic. The theme of found family was very progressive and important in this day and age.

There were some laugh-out-loud moments and it was definitely interesting getting Eve's internal monologue. The character's reactions (even Eve's) to the pregnancy were varied and genuine. Despite covering a shorter period of time (nine months), the pacing and writing style was spot on.

Overall, Ready or Not was an enjoyable read. The realistic relationships and characters development were definitely the strength. I would definitely be willing to explore more of Cara Bastone's work, and there is a little part of me hoping these characters might return in a follow-up or even a series.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the friends-to-lovers trope
• readers who like endearing characters

⚠️ CW: pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, medical content, sexual content, death, death of parent, cancer, grief, vomit, abortion, cursing, toxic relationship

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Sometimes the good news hurts more than the bad."

"Sometimes the bad feels better than the good."

YES YES YES YES!!!! This story hit me right in my feels and I honestly just don't want to read romance books without babies ever again. This is an incredibly heart-warming story of Eve, who becomes pregnant during a one night stand. Her childhood friend, Shep, stands in to help her along the way. And I'm sure you know what happens next.

For lovers of Hannah Bonam Young's Out on a Limb!

A perfect balance of spice, plot, lightheartedness, deep feeling and the right timing.
Eve has an unplanned pregnancy. Through the process she learns to finally say what she wants instead of just letting life happen and pass by. The author’s descriptive writing brought me right into her NYC neighborhood, especially the bar “Good Boy” and her adorable, pathetic (and not baby proof) apartment. I want Willa as a bestie on the dance floor and to straighten me out when I’m being dumb. I can’t say too much about Shep without spoiling anything, but can tell you I’m a big fan.

I have a new book boyfriend and his name is Shep.

“….there are a select few who are other-centered. And when things happen around them, they ask themselves, What does this mean for everybody? And that sounds like Shep. It doesn’t surprise me that you’ve come to have a crush on someone who considers you.”

Eve Hatch after a one night stand finds herself pregnant. The baby’s father is conflicted about what that means for him and how involved he wants to be.

However Eve has found support in her best friend’s brother Shep. While her best friend Willa has her own personal struggles with the news she does come around to be there for her.

Shep was the shining star in this book. In all the little ways he showed up for Eve. Down to the extra pickle when she mentioned it, buying groceries and keeping her company. He was ultimate golden retriever energy and he melted my heart.

This wasn’t just a love story though. It also was about friendships and how they can change over time, and career aspirations and how they can change. Expectations that we have of ourselves and others.

Normally I’ve done audiobooks of Cara Bastone books that I’ve loved but I really loved reading this one too.

This book is definitely making it into my top of the year. Wow this was truly excellent! It made me wonder why I sit through books that don’t make me forget I’m reading, that don’t have excellent craft and character work, books that dont give me a new perspective on life. Thank you to @thedialpress for the ARC!

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This is the first book I’ve read by Cara Bastone and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it if you enjoy this type of book.

This is a super sweet love story. If you like happy endings this is the book for you. This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to more. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I am picky about romance books, and tend to avoid books about pregnancy because of my personal experiences with infertility. However, I do love a good best-friend’s-brother trope so I decided to give it a chance. I was surprised to find that it dealt with the topic of infertility in a very relatable way. It made the pregnancy aspect of the book less upsetting for me, and I ended up really loving the relationship between Eve and Shep, and how Ethan fit into the picture. Shep may be a new favorite book boyfriend for me!

I loved this book! Pregnancy tropes are usually a no but I gave this book a chance because I really love Cara's stories. No surprise that this book is well-written, thoughtful, and pampered with swoony worthy moments. I liked the complexity of everyone's relationship and the ability for people and their perspectives to change. Don't let the pregnancy trope scare you from the amazing rom-com!

The author's voice is so funny, right from the start. The story flows in 3 parts: each trimester. Also, the cover art really pulled me in.

Eve gets pregnant after a one night stand. The story starts up during her first doctor visit, confirming the pregnancy. Her bestie is being weird about it, the father is practically a stranger, and her parents died years ago. Eve feels very alone, but her bestie’s brother Shep steps up to be there for Eve. A true golden retriever.

We get to watch the everyday life of Eve, as she navigates her unconventional pregnancy. She also slowly comes to learn that while she’s the center of her own world, she’s not the center of everyone’s. She’s one of many people, all going through their own problems.

Who am I to say if this is realistic or not. To me, I was surprised that for someone not actively looking to have kids, Eve didn’t think for a moment about not keeping it? Especially because she’s not happy about the pregnancy. Her friend did though, and made sure to bring up finances. Possibly the one realistic reaction.

Again, who am I to say? How many men from a one night stand would be supportive? How many non-profit office administrators can afford to live along in a Brooklyn brownstone? Not many, but somehow it works.

Overall, this was a beautiful story!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

First of all I'd like to thank the people at Net Galley for an early copy of "Ready or Not" and give my apologies for not making my thoughts available before this beautiful, funny book was released out into the world.

I read most of this book in one sitting, it was hilarious and warm in the ways that feel's like you're hearing a story from the mouth of an old friend. Eve is such an inviting character like that. She's relatable and funny and a hot mess in a way that is both reassuring and hilarious to watch. This is a pregnancy trope book which isn't always people's cup of tea, but man it's mine and it's so adorable to watch the changes that happen with Eve throughout this story. It makes me more sure of how amazing and powerful mothers are, especially those who are single mothers without a strong village like Eve's to rely on.

I do have a few tidbits that didn't make this book a five-star read for me. The first is that the romance between Shep and Eve was so good at first and I could immediately tell he had been in love with her for a long time. However, when they finally got together it all felt sort of one-sided (like he loved her more) and rushed on Eve's part like she couldn't slow down to appreciate all the ways he had been telling her he loved her. I also didn't love Ethan. I don't know how to expand on that, I just didn't enjoy him or his arc in this book. Lastly, I think the ending was a bit rushed and I felt a bit still unsettled by how quickly things flew by.

Other than that, this was a really sweet read and definitely something I'd gravitate toward again.

Ready Or Not by Cara Bastogne
Rating (4/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cara Bastone’s Ready or Not released February 13th. I received an e-arc from Dial Press, via Netgalley. Also , it was one of picks from BOTM for February. First time reading anything by this author and it won’t be the last. A fun enjoyable read! I loved reading Eve’s story as her pregnancy progressed and she moved closer to motherhood. I would have loved an epilogue ; the ending felt a little incomplete. Maybe 🤔 a sequel in the future…

4.5 ⭐️

What a cute book! I loved it! Romance and pregnancy shown in a realistic way!
Funny, sad, and heartfelt! I giggled and cried!

Eve gets pregnant from a one night stand with a "bartender" named Ethan. Eve decides she wants to keep "being pregnant," no matter if Ethan wants to be involved with the baby or not. She is met with shock and hurt feelings from her best friend since childhood, Willa (who has been struggling to get pregnant herself); however, Willa's older brother, Shep, is thrilled for Eve. Eve hides her pregnancy from her coworkers, her boss, and her family as long as she possibly can. Eve navigates most of the pregnancy alone, other than with the help of Shep. The book follows Eve's emotions and relationships through her nine months of pregnancy. Eve finds romance in an unexpected place. True and deep devotion! It's adorable, it's so cute. I cried during her labor scene. It was beautiful! It was the first pregnancy book that I absolutely loved!

The book has a lot of character building, it is a slower paced one, but it feels so complete and well rounded at the end.


** Slight spoilers start here **

I enjoyed how this book showed a different side of pregnancy. Not everyone has a happy and joyful experience or is met with happy and joyful responses from others, unfortunately. When Eve tells Willa that she is pregnant, Willa ignores her and makes the situation and news about herself (though we learn a little more about her feelings and the cause of them). My mother did the same thing to me when I told her about my first pregnancy. I wasn't met with excitement and she ignored me for months. I knew that feeling and how hurtful and isolating it is. Eve felt like she didn't have one of the most important people there for her, as did I. Pregnancy can bring out emotional responses from others that you might not expect.
Eve hides her pregnancy out of shame and embarrassment. Eve isn't able to fully experience being pregnant or feeling pregnant (I also was in denial at times that I was pregnant and that there was an actual baby inside of me). Some mothers don't bond with the baby in the womb at first. It took others referring to Eve's tummy as a "baby" before it hit her. Pregnancy, especially the first one, can be so confusing and have so many feelings, both from the mother and from the people around her. This book really showed that and I am so glad it wasn't another happy go lucky story that isn't real for everyone (though I am VERY happy for those who have pregnancies like that).

I loved that Shep and Eve came together and finally expressed their feelings for one another.
I loved that Ethan also came around and realized what he really wanted and not what Eleni wanted. The birth scene with both of the men there (and Nurse Louise) and cheering Eve on was soooo beautiful. I loved the ending and how much love was surrounding Miriam. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for access to the ARC. I appreciate the opportunity so very much!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! Originally I found that it was quite spicy so I was a little bit afraid I wouldn't like it. However, the spice doesn't really start until like 80% of the way through the book and doesn't detract from the storyline at all. I really loved how funny this book was! The main character was super likable, probably because of how funny she was. I also liked all of the side characters as well! The storyline was very unique for a romance. I've never read one that revolves around a a pregnant main character. I would definitely recommend this read!

4.5 stars!

I am usually *not* a fan of the accidental/surprise pregnancy trope, but Cara Bastone's "Ready or Not" is an absolute delight of a book. It is funny, earnest, sweet... just one of the loveliest books I have read in a long time. It is bursting at the seams with joy and warmth and love. It really tugged on my heartstrings, which is hard for most books to do given my usually-frozen-heart (lol). I loved the main characters, Eve and Shep. What a wonderful pair of people! Eve is such a goofball, but not in a cringey way. Shep is the most cinnamon roll-y book boyfriend I've read in a while. Dear gods, what CHEMISTRY they have with one another! Since they have been friends since they were kids, and since Shep is Eve's best friend's brother, the banter and longing come naturally to them, making their pairing feel organic, realistic, and authentic. Heck, I even liked Ethan a whole lot (when he wasn't being so wishy-washy). The way I speed-read this book... I stayed up late and woke up early, that's how badly I wanted to finish this one. Cute, charming, bubbly, perfectly displays the difference between gender and sex, characters not bound by toxic masculinity, A+ pronoun inclusion, and a wonderful depiction of motherly love, slow-burning romance, and co-parenting. Please give this book the chance it deserves!

Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Bastone, Random House Publishing Group, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I’ve only ever listened to Cara Bastone’s Audible Originals so I was excited to read one of her books. I adored this book! It was heartfelt, sweet, funny, and I just loved it. I escaped into their world and enjoyed every moment. Shep might just be my new book boyfriend!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Ready or Not was such a beautiful depiction of pregnancy, friendship, and the ups and downs of daily life. Eve doesn’t really know what she wants in life. She’s never thought she wanted to be a mom, but then again, she’s never really thought about it in the first place. When she gets unexpectedly pregnant after a one night stand, her life is upended and she needs to start making choices in her career, friendships, and love life.

This book was beautifully written and had so much depth and emotion to it. Though the romance plays a huge part in the plot, there is also so many other topics discussed. I especially loved how Eve’s friendship with Willa is portrayed and the highs and lows that came with it.

This book completely pulled me out of my reading slump and I read it in one sitting. I kept getting so excited over the character development in the book. I was rooting for Eve and all the other characters so so much.

I also loved the structure of the book and how it was separated into three parts. Each part went through one trimester of her pregnancy. I had never read a book with such a clear timeline like this.

I definitely recommend picking this book up if you’re in the mood for a lovely friends to lovers book!

This was a very cute and sweet book. This book gave all the feels. If you enjoy a found family story this book is for you. I really loved the development of the relationship between the two leads. I normally hate reading about pregnancy, but this one was definitely worth it in the end. Overall a feel good story.

Ready or Not is one of those books that truly warms the heart and soul. I loved that Cara Bastone wrote this during both of her pregnancies, really giving our heroine Eve Hatch carte blanche concerning her own journey to becoming a first-time mom. The book almost felt like a coming-of-age kind of story as Eve goes through the stages of becoming a parent and figuring out not only her new responsibilities that will happen with this new baby but also her feelings for one of her best friends, Shep.

Bastone carefully weaves the love Eve and Shep have for one another, Shep's being one that has spanned a lifetime, with the intricacies of having Ethan Rise, the baby's father involved as well. Eve is also at a crossroads with her career in conservation, with all of her emotions set on high due to her condition, oftentimes muddying her thoughts as to what would work well for not only her going forward but her little one.

Eve is one lucky woman. Despite her parents having her very late in life, she has the support of her much older siblings and I loved how they came together when it mattered to make sure Eve knew she would always have them no matter the miles between them. Her bestie Willa was a godsend even when the hurt that she couldn't conceive kept her at arm's length a time or two. But it's Shep. Always much more than just Willa's brother, his love of Eve was all kinds of beautiful. All the little things he did out of pure affection, knowing without Eve having to ask, made me swoon over and over again. He took everything in stride, one of the most selfless men I've ever had the honor to read about. His acceptance of Ethan only proved just how comfortable he was in his own skin, knowing full well that no matter what might happen, Eve was his and his only.

The book is lengthy and it took me a few days to finish but it kept me engaged with Bastone's prose was easygoing and well-crafted. It's one of those stories that although felt a bit too long at times, every detail was necessary. It felt real and full of life making me tear up, chuckle and smile often.

I would happily read more from this author and hope I get the chance to do just that going forward. Her characters are endearing and her storytelling is enjoyable.

4 big stars!