I really liked Cara Bastone's previous books and was very excited for something new from her. I, for the most part, liked how this started. I did text a friend and say "I need to discuss some of these character's behavior". But when it came down to it, the things that bothered me about reactions and responses would have bothered me IRL. They are honest responses from flawed people that made them difficult to read and hard to like. Which is real. But also I don't want quite so much bad behavior in my romance novels. I loved Shep. I loved Eve's friendships. I loved watching her grow. I didn't like how long it took her to find growth at all and I really wanted an epilogue. I was almost startling how quickly it ended.

If you're like me and tend to avoid books centered around an unplanned pregnancy, please disregard any hesitations you have and pick this one up! It’s so heartfelt, so effortlessly funny. The characters, their very real intrapersonal conflicts, and the overall positive message surrounding motherhood … it was sheer perfection!

After a one-night stand leaves Eve Hatch pregnant, life as she knows it begins to change. The father, though a really great guy, is deeply conflicted—but thankfully there to support Eve along the way is childhood friend, Shep, who is literally willing to drop everything on a moment's notice for Eve. The sweetest, most genuinely dependable guy, without a doubt. I was smitten.

And let me tell you, THE CHEMISTRY between Eve and Shep! It's the type of romance that made my heart nearly combust with its small yet monumental moments. Do you see the baby seat on the cover, the one on the back of the bike? The significance makes me want to read this all over again and weep in happiness. All the stars!

If I had to designate a Taylor Swift song to this book, it would be “Sweet Nothing.” I was expecting a totally opposite vibe from this book, no particular reason, I just was. But it gave me a mellow, sweet, and peaceful(?) feeling. I was expecting angst and I don’t particularly know what else. But I say this as a good thing! I loved reading this book. Not only did it focus on Shep and Eve’s relationship but also on Eve and Willa’s friendship which I thought was beautiful. It was refreshing to see. Spoiler alert that’s not really a spoiler: Shep’s not the father. That being said, I also loved how Eve’s pregnancy journey was written. It wasn’t always the “it comes naturally to me,” blah blah blah… but you can really see her struggle and her growth as a person and a soon to be mother. But I do wished there was more of Shep and Eve, ergo I wished it was a little bit longer. This was an enjoyable read, it had my favourite tropes: childhood friends to lovers, accidental pregnancy (even though the mmc is not the baby daddy), and lots of fluff!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

If your love language is acts of service, you need to read this. The MMC is a perfect blend of golden retriever with acts of service and a side of pining.

Lots of spoilers ahead but I want to commend Cara Bastone for creating a beautiful story that didn't just center around the tension and romance around the Eve and Shep. I was really worried that when Ethan [was having relationship troubles that it would become a love triangle between all three. (hide spoiler)] Instead, it became a story about Eve finding a community to support her and most of all, growing her heart even bigger because she realized how much Shep had already been showing her his love.

Speaking of Shep. GOOD LORD. This man. A sweet and supportive MMC that also has been [pining for the FMC for YEARS (hide spoiler)] and still doesn't judge her and only supports her. I audibly gasped when he showed up at the park [with a BABY SEAT on the back seat of his bike without even being in a relationship with Eve. (hide spoiler)] Not to mention, when Evan shows up in the middle of the night, Shep [takes care of him drunk and cooks him breakfast in the morning. (hide spoiler)] Because he loves her that much. And he doesn't hide why he does the things he does for her. Lots of swooning.

Can't wait for more people to read this. I loved Cara Bastone's previous series (hello...Just A Heartbeat Away) and I was iffy on the short stories but I think a full-length novel is really where she shines. (less)

this is truly, without a doubt, an infinity star read for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc!

this is an incredibly beautiful, well-written, and truly heartwarming book about pregnancy, friendship, grief, love, growth and change. i laughed harder than i ever expected to, swooned all over the place, and cried so much i think i've sufficiently dried out my tear ducks.

Ready or Not takes you on the journey of a one-night stand turned accidental pregnancy with Eve. Eve is a spunky, kind, genuine, loving female lead who takes on a whole world of change overnight. Her personality is so incredibly lovable and relatable. She truly feels like a warm hug. Her journey throughout her pregnancy is raw, vulnerable, open, and honest. She ventures through the murky waters of changing mentally, emotionally, and of course, physically. We get to see her adjusting to these huge changes, her coming to terms with what motherhood means as a whole and what it means for her. We get to see her discover love in the most unexpected places – finding support, and warm, open arms for her to fall into when everything gets a bit too hard.

While I've never been pregnant myself, I do think that Cara Bastone did an incredible job at showing the ups and downs of pregnancy. Highlighting the fact that there is more than just a baby forming, there's also a mother forming – a family. What does that look like when it's "unconventional" and unexpected? Eve's emotions and thoughts were things that felt so realistic and genuine that I truly felt like I was alongside her throughout this pregnancy in real life. The way that Cara handled the relationship with the baby's father was incredibly well done. It was so developed and flushed out in the best way, I admire the way she did it.

The romance in this book is so beautiful. The love interest in this book has skyrocketed to the top of my list. A beautiful childhood best friends-to-lovers storyline. The way that their romance developed was so natural, so genuine, and it felt so real. I couldn't help but giggle and swoon at every single moment. Their chemistry, banter, and overall connection was incredible. Their love felt like a warm hug. It was so comforting, vulnerable, and full of unwavering love and support. The way these two cared for each other had me in shambles.

The depiction of friendship in Ready or Not is probably one of the most realistic kinds I have ever read. Not only does it get down to the deeper emotions such as grief, loss, and jealousy, but it also shines a light on the fact that at the end of the day: we're all human. Feeling the strong, hard-to-describe emotions that come along with a situation like Willa and Eve's, showcases the beauty of true friendship. I want to say more but I don't want to go too deep and spoil the beauty that their friendship provides.

This book was so beautiful to me. I loved it from the very first page. The writing is witty, hilarious, raw, and so easy to get addicted to. It moves at a wonderful pace, it's easy to get hooked on, and it truly is such a lovely journey. I love this book with my whole heart!!! I cannot recommend it enough, especially if you loved Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young or the accidental pregnancy trope as a whole!

Thank you again to NetGalley for the arc!

2.5 stars
Many parts of this book made me misty-eyed, because it brought back memories of being pregnant with my two boys.
The main character, Eve, is one you want to root for, as her pregnancy progresses, and her fears accumulate. You’ll fall in love with her friend Shep; he’s the guy everyone wants to have around in moments of crisis!
I would have given this book a higher rating, but the very graphic sex scenes and frequent f-bombs ruined it a bit for me.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley, and I was excited because I’ve really enjoyed the authors previous books. I expected to like this, but to my surprise I absolutely LOVED it.
The characters are complicated enough to feel real but unlike a lot of stories, none do them have ulterior motives or secret cruel sides. It’s the best kind of romance with a group of people who all genuinely care about each other and deal with an unplanned pregnancy in the best ways they know how to. Shep and Ethan are both complete gems, I didn’t know what to hope for as the story progressed but it was perfect.

I've been a fan of Cara Bastone's delightful brand of slow-burn romance for a long time. I was very excited to read Ready or Not knowing that I would probably love it and still, it exceeded all my expectations.

Eve believes is content with her life until a one-night stand leads to an unplanned pregnancy that changes the trajectory of her life. Suddenly her best friend Willa, who struggles with fertility issues, is being distant, her baby's father is a big unknown factor, and her best friend's brother, Shep, becomes her greatest supporter.

She has known Shep all her life, he's not just her best friend's nerdy older brother, but also her friend. Eve begins to see Shep in a new light and is questioning whether her newly developed crush is more than just a crush. Shep is the definition of a cinnamon roll hero, he loves Eve unconditionally and never allows her to feel alone while offering her the space and support she needs during her pregnancy.

In Ready or Not we get to witness Eve navigate the emotional turmoil of pregnancy, the uncertainty of co-parenting with a stranger, the potential of risking her friendship with Shep in the hopes of sometime more, all the while trying to find herself.

Eve's story was a charming, sometimes messy, and delightful story about love and family and the beauty of life.

Ready or Not life happens, changes, stagnates, fights back, celebrates, rushes by. So much life happens so fast that you'll never be perfect. You'll never be everything to everyone. But you'll live and make an imapct on your someones. You'll be the exact you that you need to be. And thats enough. You're gonna be okay, Ready or Not.

Eve's story begins with an unplanned pregnancy but its not the whole story. Its not even close to being her story alone. Her friends and family all have roles to play and its the ensamble cast that makes Ready or Not an early standout for my favorite read of the year.

Yes absolutely the pregnancy is the centerpiece of the book, but its serves more as the catalyst of change in Eve's relationships. Absolutely though, you still get plenty of slice of life pregnancy observational humor scattered throughout. Very real fears are addressed. The the whole question of being enough is a major theme, and it serves to bring eventual peace of mind and a stronger bond between characters.

The growing relationship between Eve & Shep is adorable. They're friends that have the chance to fall in love. Eve's anxiety driven self-talk & deflecting humor is matched by Shep's affable nature & genuine kindness. Try as she might to blame the pregnancy hormones, theres just no fighting the attraction that follows a friendship that is built on such a loving foundation.

And also, I'm not gonna try and fancy this up - the slow burn is hot. Its paced so well. Life obstacles happen that create natural speed bumps along the way. Time is allowed for Eve & Shep to grow on their own into the people they'll be together. It's romantic and spicy and crazy amazing adorable.

Major special mentions for the two major minor characters - Willa the bff, and Ethan the other contributing member of the pregnancy. Willa is currently struggling with infertility. Ethan is having his life very much disrupted by the pregnancy too. Once I got to the "center of the universe lesson" from Nurse Louise there's a sense of clarity that occurred all at once. How could I hold any judgment for these two characters when they are struggling & holding up whatever boundaries they can to survive? Everyone hurts and deserves a chance at happiness. Choose kindness. Choose grace. For yourself & others.

And thats where Shep comes back in. Because this whole time he's known the lesson and was just trying to lead by example with no need for recognition. He loved and deserved love in return. He really is best good boy.

I'm just so in awe of Cara's pacing, humor, and lovefilled characters. I have made everyone apartments in my heart. Rent free. I will keep them safe always. Thank you for such a beautiful story.

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For your consideration Ready or Not offers:
Unplanned pregnancy
Golden retriver MMC
Work in progress FMC
Childhood friends
He falls first
Disarmimg humor
It takes a village
Slooooow buuuuurn
Explicit sexual content

To be mindful of:
Infertility
Miscarriage (mention/not on page)
Death of parent (mention/not on page)
Pregnancy
Labor
Childbirth

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Now for the completely unhinged version of the review:

CRYING SCREAMING THROWING UP (not really, but the night is young) I stayed awake into the late AMs to finish this book and yet never wanted it to end. I am weeeaaaak for Shep and have officially granted him and only him rights. Book boyfriend him right now. I also cried 5 times for all the feels and the sads and the happys. Its all there. I'm not gonna lie but this could already be a fave of the year. So good. Go read right now.

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Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing, Dial Press for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I honestly don’t know how to even start this review! This book although falls into the “I saw the coming “ category; I absolutely loved it.

Eves journey is honest, raw, heart warming, and gut wrenching all at the same time and I am very happy with all of the characters growth through out this book.

I will say the beginning was hard for me to handle with Willa’s reaction but as her story comes more to light I completely get it.

Besides the typos this was a solid read and the banter and “spice” were beautifully done

Thank you NetGalley for this read I couldn’t stop thinking about it!

A really moving accidental pregnancy, friends to lovers romance that is sure to be a fav. This was a good story of how complicated but rewarding these real life events/relationship can be. This book was different than what I usually read but in a good way. It was rewarding to learn more about pregnancies, how we are all connected, how different families can be but still just as supportive and loving. And the book showed how you can continue to work on and grown your emotional intelligence.

It's been months since I've finished Ready or Not which I wanted to fall madly in love with, but unfortunately landed a lot closer to lukewarm. It has the typical Bastone brilliant writing and it's certainly a twist on the accidental pregnancy concept given that the father of the baby is not the love interest. Although, to be honest, despite that being made clear in the synopsis, I spent entirely too long in the book wondering if that was true. Basically, my overall thoughts of this book are that it's a quick read and a well-written one, but if you're going into it wanting a great romance, that part didn't land for me personally.

Essentially, our main character accidentally gets pregnant in this one night stand. She tells ONS man who is back together with his on-again, off-again partner. MC spends some time trying to figure out if she can have a kid, like, financially and space wise. Decides she's going to do it. Her best friend has been having some fertility issues and there's some tension there. And then the best friend has a brother and he is great and wants to be involved, to help MC. So... Yeah. It's... interesting. If the plot appeals to you at all, if you're in the mood for a bit of mess, then I would suggest this book could really work for you! But if those things don't apply, maybe skip this one in favor of Bastone's other works, which are all brilliant.

I loved this so much. The surprise pregnancy trope is a favorite of mine and combining it with best friend's older brother...come on!

Eve ends up pregnant after a one night stand. Big changes are ahead whether she is ready or not. Her best friend, Willa, struggles with the news and pulls back, but Willa's brother, Shep really steps up to be there when she needs it most. The baby daddy, Ethan, is a complicated situation. This book is a lovely journey through Eve's pregnancy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I know pregnancy tropes aren't everyone's cup of tea, but they really work for me. There's so much emotion involved, especially in a situation like this. I loved Eve and Shep's slow burn relationship. He's real book boyfriend material. I liked how the issues with Ethan were handled without it being a love triangle situation. This book was funny and charming. All the characters were fully fleshed out. It was a pleasure to read and I'll definitely be checking out Cara Bastone's back list.

Thank you to Net Galley and The Dial Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This books was a sweet book about what happens when you find yourself in a position you weren’t expecting. Eve, after a one night stand, finds herself pregnant and in shock.

What’s more shocking is finding the baby daddy is back on with his on again, off again girlfriend, who he was off with when the night happened.

This book took us on the journey of Eve’s nine months of pregnancy and how she, and the people around her adapted. Especially her best friend’s brother, Shep, who ends up being a rock for her in all the ways she needed.

I really enjoyed the journey and how it all shook out in the end.

I will always have a little soft spot in my heart for the "accidental pregnancy" trope- being as I've lived it 🤭 (& made it to the the other side, somewhat unscathed). That being said, I definitely know this trope and these kind of love stories aren't for everyone but it definitely was for me.

"Ready or Not" pulled on every single one of my heartstrings. It was raw and real, and possibly triggering in that the characters most of the time didn't feel fictional at all (except maybe one character- in which I would argue that he was almost TOO perfect and could only be a product of fiction). Eve's "conflicts" with the secondary characters, but especially with her best friend Willa and Ethan, the father of her baby, were so layered and complex. At one point, you'll be so frustrated with them on behalf of Eve but their actions and reactions are so believable, I couldn't help but eventually empathize. An accidental pregnancy will literally shake your entire world- for all parties involved and there are literal growing pains when it comes to pregnancy. Not only does your body physically change, but your relationships with your friends and partner do as well... not to mention the added layer of co-parenting or having a relationship with someone who didn't father your child. This book was messy and painful in the best possible way. 😂 I honestly really enjoyed the slight twist to the accidental pregnancy trope and the potential love-triangle. If there's one accidental pregnancy book you allow yourself to read, I hope it's this one!

TW: mentions of infertility and miscarriage (not the main character)

Many thanks to Random House - Dial Press for the e-galley in exchange for my honest thoughts 🫶🏼

Eve is unexpectedly expecting, and it’s turning all of the relationships in her life upside down. Her best friend Willa is struggling to be excited for her and the baby’s father is dating someone else. As Eve struggles through, she realizes that Shep, Willa’s brother, is being incredibly supportive…and he’s suddenly super attractive.

This is a slow burn romance and let me tell you, the burn is so incredibly slow. I really enjoyed the way pregnancy was described in this book along with the complex emotions and changes to relationships that can occur. I do feel like this book was too long, and I wish there was some more romance. Eve and Shep’s chemistry didn’t feel like they had been in love with each other for years. It was an enjoyable and well written read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

Full disclosure: I have never been pregnant and it’s very likely that I never will be pregnant. And yet. Somehow. I felt such a strong connection to Eve. I felt everything right there with her as if they were my own feelings. I immediately was so intensely protective of her.

This book is very much a slow-burn romance, but I thoroughly enjoyed every other aspect. The regular bits of Eve’s life, the pregnancy journey, the growth, the relationships with family and friends. I felt the grief and the joy and the anxiety and the love.

Eve’s relationship with Willa was really tough for me in the beginning. It was hard for me to be understanding. I wanted to fight on Eve’s behalf. But to me, the way they handled everything and moved forward taught me how to see both of their perspectives and it felt really genuine and realistic. I was happy to grow along with them.

As for the romance, I could not have asked for a sweeter love. All the anticipation. I have never screamed and kicked my feet over two people having their eyelashes touch. I’ve also never been one for a love triangle, but this worked out so well. I couldn’t have been happier with the way the dynamic worked out.

Overall, I adored this book. The writing style scratched my brain in just the right way. My biggest gripe is that I wanted more. I wanted to go into every little detail. I wanted to spend the rest of their lives with these characters. The ending was a bit abrupt. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But I will keep Eve & Co. with me forever.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 This book was adorable and I loved every minute of it! I can’t wait to recommend this book. I would change very little about this book, the labour details made me a little squeamish but overall I really enjoyed reading this book.

For this book being a trope I’m not a fan of , it sure did make me all giddy with enjoyment ! It was so cute

This book was so cute and wholesome. I found myself enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would! The only downside I had about this book was that I was too fond of the writing style (personal issue, I know).

This book follows Eve throughout her 9-month pregnancy. Eve finds out that she got pregnant off of a one-night stand with Ethan. Ethan is the owner of a dog-friendly bar and tells Eve that he is currently dating his on-again-off-again girlfriend. This book is wholesome in the fact that the challenges that come along are very real. Eve talks about how every trimester is difficult and how she overcomes them. Throughout the journey, you find her more and more accepting of her situation which is empowering. I was highly fond of this book refreshing in that it was an easy read and made the obstacles easy to understand and the emotions behind them.

I highly recommend this book for those who can relate, even if you want to try something out of your comfort zone. I'll be honest, this was definitely out of my comfort zone as I am far from being pregnant and I'm glad I took that chance and read a wonderful story.

4/5 stars, Popular Troupes (Love Triangle, Best Friend's Brother, Slow Burn).