With a dash of friends to lovers, pining, found family, and the surprise pregnancy trope, Ready or Not is a fun, sweet romance that will have you smiling ear to ear.

After an unexpected one-night stand, Eve finds herself suddenly pregnant. Scared and alone, she leans on her childhood friend and her brother for help and support. As she spends more time with her best friend’s brother, she realizes that maybe there is an undeniable spark that has been there all along.

Overall, this was a sweet, heartfelt story about navigating the unexpected and finding love. I adored Eve and Shep’s relationship and how it grew into a chemistry-filled romance. Shep is such a sweetheart, always there for her and seeing the positive in people. It melted my heart!!

If you’re looking for a new romance that will sweep you off your feet, definitely keep this new read in mind.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

In Brooklyn, Eve Hatch navigates her cozy life until a surprise pregnancy shakes everything up. With her best friend Willa distant and the baby's father conflicted, Eve finds unexpected support from Willa's brother, Shep. As Eve reevaluates her relationships and future, she discovers that love and family can emerge when least expected in this heartfelt tale of self-discovery.

I absolutely adore this author’s style of writing. Though some of the plot points were not super exciting to me (I’m not a fan of the pregnancy trope), the delightful writing tone made me enjoy this book. Her blending of serious moments with cute wit is effortless and comforting. I will definitely be reading the next book by Cara. The MMC is an absolute gem. His consistent kindness and friendship wins award after award for most supportive love interest.

I mostly listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narrator’s performance! I hope I find her reading other books I’m interested in.

Perfect for you if you like:
Friends to lovers
Sympathetic characters
Found family after death of family members

Similar to:
Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
*these books aren’t similar in trope or plot, but if the tone of these 3 books were combined you’d get the vibe of Ready or Not

⛔️chapters 25 & 27 contain explicit romance scenes (open door)
⚠️explicit language, pregnancy, previous death of parents

TW: Unexpected pregnancy & infertility

Now, I know the pregnancy trope isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but as a mom this felt so incredibly relatable.

This book was laugh out loud funny. There were so many moments where I had to cover my laugh so I wouldn’t wake up my daughter.

On the flip side, there are also some heavy topics that are touched on, such as infertility & the feelings that can come with an unexpected pregnancy. These topics hit really hit close to home for me, and I think that they were covered in a really beautiful, honest, and realistic way. It wasn’t glamorized or idealized, and I truly appreciate that.

What I loved:
💞 Shep. I almost cried at how sweet he is at least 400 times.

💞 It felt like I was living through the book. The writing style makes you feel like you’re there - you’re having Eve’s thoughts. You’re experiencing her feelings. You’re going through everything alongside her.

💞 I feel like Eve’s brain goes a mile a minute like mine does. It didn’t feel like she was having these elegant, perfect thoughts surrounding her life.. and it felt so real.

💞 Eve’s internal dialogue is laugh out loud funny & so relatable.

💞 How they touched on the guilt that someone can
feel when they unexpectedly become pregnant when everyone around them has been yearning for a child.

💞 Finding the joy of becoming a parent.

💞 Yearning for her child to feel truly and completely wanted & chosen.

Favorite Quotes:
🍋 “If you could have been happy for me, you would have been. The fact that you couldn’t… that just shows how much pain you were in. And that’s means that you’ve been doing a lot of work to get comfortable for me. And … I love you.”

🍋 “You’re here because we all love you so much.” I’m rambling and maybe it makes sense, but sometimes the truth doesn’t make sense and that’s all right.”

🍋 “Does anyone ever get tired of being wanted? Does anyone ever get tired of wanting in return?”

🍋 “There is only one reason that anyone would ever endure something like this and it’s for the person who has yet to make an entrance. The person I’m about to meet. If I can just find the strength.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC!

This was nothing short of delightful!! A cute slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance with a surprise pregnancy that turns everyone's life around for the better.

It was so slice of life and beautifully mundane and the author really captured the day-to-day life of this woman who finds out she's pregnant from a one-night stand, while also juggling her growing feelings for her childhood best friend.

Eve and Shep had such an incredible dynamic and their blossoming relationship was so wonderful to experience. They have each other's best interests at heart always and any man that goes to the ends that Shep goes for eve just to make her happy, gets a swoon-worthy hero title from me!!

Eve's journey accepting her pregnancy and watching her avoidant attitude turn into excitement and love was so beautiful and the author depicted it in a such a real way. Surprises are alarming and jarring and exciting but it doesn't mean that anyone's journey is the same. Eve had to go through a lot of inner reflections and it was nice to see a reluctant parent turn into an all-in parent.

The only part of this book that left me feeling a little sad was Eve and Willa's best friendship. It didn't feel like a BEST FRIEND dynamic and Willa's decisions about how to navigate Eve's pregnancy was a little bittersweet.

Overall I loved this story and it had me smiling the entire time!

Thank you Dial Press and NetGalley for this ARC, it comes out 2/13!

Wow, wow wow! What a heartwarmingly beautiful story with the most unique premise! This is a slow burn, accidental pregnancy contemporary romance - yup you read that right! The writing was so well done and the characters were extremely realistic and well-developed - I need Cara Bastone to immediately come out with 3 more books pronto (preferably about Willa and Isamu!) Shep stole my heart and I was rooting for Eve as she came into her own as a new mother. This was a pleasure to read and I especially loved Cara’s afterword about her own pregnancy journeys. 5/5 stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5/5 - One of my biggest issues with a lot of romance books is insta love, when the characters meet and are immediately head over heels lusting after each other with no real development. That was absolutely not the case in this book. The romantic development was slow and genuine and it crept up on me in the best way possible! By the end, I was rooting so hard for the two main characters and thought they were perfect together. Besides the romance, there were a few other subplots, which I appreciated but at certain points I felt like there was too much going on which took away from the overall experience. I also wished there were a few more chapters or an epilogue, because it felt like the entire book was building up to a certain point and not being able to see the characters beyond that made me finish the book feeling a little unsatisfied.

3.5 stars from me and with a warning note that I struggle with the accidental pregnancy trope. That said, BECAUSE it was basically on the 1st page, it didn't feel like the trope was in play as some romances do...the entire book really is about the growth of the baby at the same time as the growth of Eve.

Here's what I loved:
the cover, the growth and honestly everything about Shep. He was meticulously characterized in my opinion. His faults, his charm and the dorkiness that speaks to my heart. I love found family as well, as this was so evident in the relationship between Eve, Shep and Willa.
I also loved the connection that Eve had with Willa and Shep's mom Connie. It reminded me so much of my MIL and I.

So then why not 5 stars you ask....because it just didn't feel deep. I felt like Shep had depth but Ethan and Eve were not deep at all. I love my romances with reliability and a deep connection and this felt like it skimmed the surface.
I also feel like I had read a bunch of other contemporary romances similar so maybe it's just a "me thing".

That said, the writing flowed, it was easy to get into, and i still liked it. It just wasn't a favourite for me.

This one pleasantly surprised me. I was not expecting to get into a book where the main character is pregnant, considering pregnancy is something I’ve always known I wanted nothing to do with. But the second we met Shep, I didn’t care about anything but rooting for him. Protect that man at all costs. So good..
will be sharing review to Instagram on 2/13 and will update this with link.

This book was a very pleasant surprise for me. It's funny and cute while also being emotional and reflective, and I loved following Eve's story as she realized what she wants out of life and how to finally go get it. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

✨ARC Review ✨

Thank you Cara Bastone and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Ready or Not for free in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on February 13th (just in time for Valentine’s Day) 💗

Okayyyy this book was ADORABLE!!!!! Seriously so cute I wanted more, like an epilogue 2 years into the future, or just some more of a glimpse into Eve’s life after the baby!

Eve is a single woman living in New York City, working at the WFA, trying to climb the ladder… UNTIL she gets pregnant randomly from a one night encounter with a bar owner, named Ethan. Ethan is a little wishy washy, but mostly supportive, minus his girlfriend who is less than supportive. Around the night of this “encounter”, her best friend's brother, Shep, moves back to their area of NYC. Shep has been Eve’s friend since they were very little, but Shep has always harbored a secret crush on Eve. Of course, with pregnancy hormones in play, Eve has no idea what to do: should she be with the “baby daddy” Ethan, or her long standing best friend whom she’s developing feelings for, Shep?? Ready or Not goes through Eve’s pregnancy, birthing classes, and all of the feels. So sweet and heartwarming with the perfect amount of feel good. HIGHLY highly recommend this one if you’re looking for something cute this Valentine’s season 💕

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A feel-good rom com with a surprise pregnancy. The plot line is one we’ve seen before: girl gets pregnant after a one-night stand and is faced with all the life changes the follow. This book has humor, romance, best friend challenges, and a lot of heart. I personally loved Shep and this book for showcasing a supportive male when society often paints it differently. Although I cannot relate to an unplanned pregnancy it brought me back to a lot of fun (and not so fun- Labor) memories. In my current season of life, I also connected with Willa which gave me more perspective on how people may feel when watching their friends go through something like pregnancy. Quick, quirky, and sweet!

Y’all. I just fell in love with this book. It was like a warm hug, or a hot cup of cocoa on a rainy day, or greeting an old friend after a long absence. I feel like this book hit me in the right feels at the right time of my life. I’ve had this ARC for a while and only just now got to it. The main reason was because this book doesn’t hit shelves for another week; I tend to read a book rather quickly and then forget major plot points because I’m moving on to the next book. But I also feel like this book found me at the right time.

The Eve/Shep relationship is sweet and tender, it makes my heart happy. I’m always a fan of friends to lovers, but also a fan of friends to lovers when one of the friends always had feelings. The yearning, y’all. The yearning. Plus it helps that Shep is a dorky, cinnamon roll of a man who must be protected at all costs.

Overall it was fun, sweet, kind, and bittersweet. 5 out of 5.

Oooh, I loved this book. Despite using protection, Eve is impregnated by a one-night stand with a bartender. Not one to take clear decisive action, she decides to maintain the pregnancy and does the honorable thing by telling the father, Ethan, who is actually the owner of the bar. Ethan has since reconciled with his longtime girlfriend who is understandably less than thrilled with this news.

Less understandably less than thrilled is Eve's lifetime best friend, Willa, who is struggling with fertility issues. However, Willa's older brother, Shep, makes up for Willa's ambivalence--buying Eve groceries, checking in on her, giving foot massages. Warned about strange pregnancy side effects, Eve tries to attribute her growing attraction to Shep to hormones.

Author Cara Bastone claims to model her fundamentally decent male characters after her own husband and good heavens, does that man need to give lessons. Shep is unbelievably lovable and even the conflicted Ethan is impossible to dislike. Eve and Willa are also people you'd want to be friends with, and Shep and Willa's mother, Corinne, manages to be a positive presence from beyond the grave. This novel is about pregnancy--sure--but also friendship, families, and true love. #ReadyOrNot #NetGalley

3.5 rounded up for 4

I have really enjoyed Cara Bastone’s other books, the Forever Yours and Love Lines series are both fantastic, especially on audio, so when I saw her latest release I ran to request it. I knew Ready or Not would be a slow burn, accidental pregnancy, very emotional book so I was prepared. Ready or Not reads like a love letter to pregnancy- the good and bad- with insights only someone that has been there can provide, it’s deeply touching and well done.

Eve meets Ethan in his bar and after one night of crazy sex, she’s accidentally pregnant. Too bad this happens when she’s at a crossroads career wise and her best friends brother is finally single, who has had a crush on her forever. Shep is a freelance coder living with his sister, pining for Eve and slowly working himself into her life while she’s coming to terms with being a mom.

I totally expected the slow burn and when Shep and Eve got together it was fire but I think that was because I was in love with Shep. He was just the prefect cinnamon roll, golden retriever hero. Eve needed this huge life change to really grow up and I enjoyed her emotional journey. The side characters here are fantastic- the nurse gave the best advice, Eve’s brothers being there in the only way they know how and even Ethan (the baby daddy) was well crafted.

Definitely read if you enjoy:

Accidental Pregnancy
Friends to lovers
Found Family
Slow Burn
Golden Retriever Hero

CW: Miscarriage, Infertility, loss of parents (off page),

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Dial Press. All opinions are my own. Ready or Not has a publish date of February 13, 2024.

This book was raw, real and beautiful! The storyline tackles the aftermath of a one night stand, but takes us on a journey of friendship, friends to lovers, co-parenting, slow burn and found family! It is the perfect read for the upcoming Valentine holiday.

Not a spoiler, but everyone needs a Shep in their life!! Grab this book and find out why!!

An unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in Eve's life. Her loyal friendship with Willa is feeling off , right when she needs her most. And it’s Willa’s steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help. 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?

This book was really precious. Usually, I'm not a fan of unplanned pregnancy + best friend's brother trope, but this was an exception, and it passed with flying colors.

There were so many different forms of relationships showcased in this book that will make you fall in love with te writing. I adored how Eve had different dynamics with Shep, Ethan, and Willa, yet how together they played a vital role for her.

Shep was everything to begin with. His heart, mind, and soul were the purest to begin with. I loved how dedicated and gone he was for Eve. Their relationship felt natural and secure. I adored the last few chapters where Eve, Shep, and Ethan acted as a family - a weird and chaotic family.

<i>Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.<i>

5/5 stars

I absolutely adored this book! This book is very character driven, slower and so beautifully written. It is a total masterpiece and I loved and will miss these characters dearly. Ready or Not tackles very deep and real questions such as an unplanned pregnancy, a friend that is struggling with infertility and how to prepare your life to change so much. The friendship in this story is unlike any I've read about in a long time. They are truly there for each other and trying to figure out life together. Eve is a mess, quirky, honest and so authentic. Her comments at the doctors office, at work and with her friends made me laugh out loud. Shep is my favorite character and my new book boyfriend. I loved the ending but am definitely ready for a sequel to see their life 1 year later!

If you're considering reading this book, I'd highly recommend the audio version. The narrator is the best and gave it everything she had. She did voice impressions, laughed and cried as the characters.

I really liked this one! It's not a traditional love story, fully, although there is a very satisfying friends-to-lovers arc if that is your thing. It's actually not mine, but I wasn't bothered by it here and I thought it served the story well. What I really enjoyed about this is the love story between the main character, Eve, her siblings, colleagues and friends, her unborn baby, and how she grows to love and accept the person she becomes over the course of the book and her pregnancy. It's a deeply satisfying and comforting read with a few obvious content notes: unexpected pregnancy and previous death of parents.

4.5 Stars

While this may not have been my normal kind of romance book, meaning the romance really wasn't the focal point of the story, I absolutely loved this one. At let me just say, the romance may not have been the focus of this story, it was still very prominent and had me swooning left and right. Though this book is definitely the definition of a slow burn.

I absolutely loved Eve as the main lead in this book. She's going through so much but honestly handles it with such grace while also being completely real and relatable. I loved all the relationships shown throughout this book and how they all grew and developed. The struggles Eve had with Willa, the growing friendship with Shep, getting to know Ethan, learning to lean on her brothers, the nurse at her OB's office, all of them were so fleshed out. And the pacing of this book felt perfect, even with everything going on around her.

Then of course you have the personal growth of Eve's character, which for me was the main focus of this story. I've never been pregnant, but this book felt like a real representation of what that might be like, especially when going it through it (kind of) on your own. Yes, she had a lot of people around her, but for a good portion of this book, she felt like she was going through a lot of it on her own, and watching her come the realization that she wasn't? That was golden.

And I don't think I could write a complete review of this book without talking about Shep... He was probably the best love interest I've read. The way he loved and supported Eve throughout this entire book, without ever expecting anything in return was truly perfection. It's clear from the start of this book they have a history and that it's important, to the both of them, and I seriously loved how everything between them was explored.

I know surprise pregnancy isn't a trope for everyone, but if there is one surprise pregnancy book I suggest you read, it is this one.

✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Best Friend's Brother
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Unplanned Pregnancy
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ First Person Single POV

I always enjoy Cara Bastone’s writing and this new one from her is no exception. I really enjoyed this story even though I don’t always life surprise pregnancies. This one was done well.