Ready or Not follows Eve Hatch as she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant from a one night stand. We follow Eve through each trimester of her pregnancy - dealing with the struggles of connecting with the baby’s father, her best friend’s who has been trying to conceive seeming resentment, and an inconvenient and ill-timed budding crush on an old friend.

I first want to say that I loved Cara Bastone’s style of writing for Eve. It was hilarious and felt like I was reading an internal dialogue. I loved getting Eve’s point of view through her goofy mind.

Second, I hated some of the names in this book! Sometimes I feel like authors try to find the weirdest names, and for what reason? Xenia? Bevi? It’s something that I’ve found in other books and it just annoys me.

However, overall, even though it was a little slow to capture my attention, I thought this book was really sweet. I loved seeing Eve develop as a character, as well as the side characters in the book. I think Bastone did a great job at writing a story that just feels whole and made me feel warm and happy when finishing it.

Thank you to Cara Bastone, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC!

sharing my review to goodreads 01.18.2024

this book was a pleasant surprise. cara bastone’s writing is so refreshing and lovely, as she navigates us through the FMC’s journey of an unexpected pregnancy, lifetime friendships, and love. what i loved most about this book was the way it felt like a personal experience i was listening to a friend share. it was truly intimate, emotional, and raw.

i was so impressed with how real this book felt. because of that, i am genuinely excited for the release, and am hopeful it will receive the recognition it deserves!

I've been meaning to pick up a book by Cara Bastone for years, and Ready or Not was such a great place to start. I'm always a little leery of accidental pregnancy books but this one absolutely stole my heart.

The book opens with Eve Hatch in the clinical cold of an OBGYN office confirming that - despite their best efforts at protection - she is indeed pregnant after an out of character one night stand with Ethan, the handsome bartender and proprietor of the neighborhood dog friendly bar. When Eve builds up the nerve to tell Ethan, she's thrown for a loop to find out he's back with his on-again off-again girlfriend who is less than thrilled about this recent development. Thankfully Eve has her best friend, Willa, and Willa's brother, Shep, who are looking out for her.

Listen when I say that Shep is the stuff of book boyfriend dreams. This golden retriever hero absolutely worships the ground that Eve walks on, and the fact she doesn't realize it sooner did make me want to stage an intervention. The way their relationship develops is written with so much tenderness, I was absolutely swooning at small, seemingly insignificant moments in their journey. I also really loved the journey that Eve goes on to accept her pregnancy and embrace her new role as a mother. The author's note at the end said that Bastone was pregnant while she wrote most of this book and you can tell by the astute observations and reflections on motherhood, our bodies, and how society treats women.

Content flags: Willa and Shep's mother died (in the past, off page) but their grief is a major theme; Eve's parents also died (past, off page); accidental pregnancy

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love to go into books not knowing what to expect. I never read the dust jacket. I just had my card over to the cashier and hope that this book does something for me. This time, it was asking NetGalley and the publisher nicely if I could read the book early. They somehow agreed.

If you haven't retained anything I said, just remember one thing: I had no idea what this book was when I picked it up. I was apprehensive to start it since every book I've read so far this year has been a dud. But by 2:00 AM on Thursday, I was crying softly in my bed, trying so hard not to wake up my dog who was sleeping beside me because this book wrecked me in the best way.

I have only cried once at a book. Well, now two times. But it was never like I cried during this. I cried because he loved her in ways I wanted to be loved. I cried because she loved herself in ways I want to love myself. I cried because crying felt like the only way to express all of the emotions I was feeling from the words on the page. It made me feel sexy, but not like romance sexy. Messy sexy, real sexy. It felt like I read a real life. Someone's messy thoughts in a memoir.

I didn't expect to love this. I didn't expect to fall so hard in love with the characters that I immediately acted out the heart-wrenching scenes and begged the gods that Reese Witherspoon reads this and makes it into a show/movie because lord knows I can't act for shit.

This book will forever be a memory in my mind. I can't even express how much I loved it, how much it made me feel without using my hands to show...something and my mouth hanging open with words that want to come out but I don't know what they are.

I just have one thing to say: Read this book. Read it. Let it change your life (hopefully) like it did mine and fall in love with a girl trying to live life as messy as it is. Go into books without knowing what they are because uncertainty can be the greatest thing in life. And, sorry for sounding like a college essay. But, fuck was this good.

4⭐️

Two of my absolute favorite tropes in a romance: a surprise pregnancy, and a MMC who is just an ooey-gooey, soft, sweet, emotional man. And oh boy, did this book deliver both.

We find out, right from the very start, that Eve is expecting. We know that a ONS has led to her, very surprising, life change. Enter: Ethan. The baby daddy. Also, enter: Shep - Eve’s best friends brother.

I understood Eve on a deep level. She is a bit awkward, a bit weird, and totally flying by the seat of her pants. It takes her some time to come around to being Mom. But as she stumbles her way there, she has one constant. Shep. This boy, I tell ya. I do wish we had gotten chapters from Shep’s POV, but seeing Eve really see Shep felt like we were seeing him too. Seeing the little things he does for her. The things he notices. The softness, the attention, the caring.

Be forewarned going into this - this is the slowest of slow burns. But like the best kind of love, it grows slowly, over time, and then happens allatonce.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. This was my first time reading this author, and I loved her writing style. Will absolutely be checking out more of her books.

Y’all Ready or Not is an absolute treasure! I binged this fantastic audiobook in a day and left this book bawling happy tears. I have zero complains, none. The narrator filled this book with all the emotions, up and down, and was just wonderful. And the story itself was just… I don’t have words for how good this book made me feel. Eve Hatch isn’t one for surprises; she loves her apartment and her friends, and she’s even content in her dream-adjacent job but a surprise pregnancy changes everything for her—and when her best friend’s brother Shep starts stepping up to help her while the baby’s father is both supportive but conflicted, Eve has to start thinking if content is enough for her. The writing paired with the audiobook narration makes this story so intimate and sweet. It is relatable and fun and heartwarming. These relationships are complex and well developed and authentic. Eve’s best friend has struggled getting pregnant so the honesty and complexity of their friendship is just beautifully done. And Shep. I mean he is perfect—the perfect combo of sexy and cute and kind and masculine. And Eve! She is an amazing lead. She’s funny and real. Genuinely the joy bursts in my heart as I read this book. I left this book feeling friends with these characters and just as a part of their community. I couldn’t put it down, just what a gem of a book!

This has to be one of the sweetest friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. I was so invested in Eve and Shep’s journey from childhood friends to a slow burn romance.

Cara Bastone wrote each character so well. Even though I got frustrated with Ethan (the baby daddy), Bastone made it so easy to understand and relate to his POV and I found myself empathizing with him. And the other characters were no different. I found each of them loveable in different ways and as a group they formed a beautiful found family.

4.25 stars for this sweet romance.

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I did not expect to love this as much as I did! Shep is a dream and I love how their relationship builds from friendship to romance throughout. I don’t usually love the surprise pregnancy trope, but this one and the last one have changed my mind. I think as long as I know going in, it works for me. Eve may not romantically be with the baby’s father, but she has her own village and you really see how that develops and how everyone has their own parts in the story. Each character has their own complexities that fit into the story perfectly.

Definitely recommend!

This was such an amazingly beautiful book! It was my first read from Cara Bastone and I knew immediately that it wouldn't be my last. She touched on such raw human emotions in an extremely relatable way, while also infusing this book with some humor and funny moments. The characters each stood on their own, growing throughout the book and she never shied away from including those tough moments in relationships, whether it be friendships or romantic.

Ready or Not includes the topics of pregnancy, friendship, grief, love, and the transformative power of growth. I found myself laughing out loud, swooning uncontrollably, and ugly crying my whole way through this book. It is a testament to Cara Baston's talent that she pulled out such strong emotions from her words.

Reader's meet Eve, she has just discovered she is pregnant after a one-night stand. We get to witness the incredible transformation she undergoes as she grapples with her new reality. She is open hearted, kind, and an authentically loving female lead that exudes a warmth that's downright irresistible. Her pregnancy unfolds as a raw, vulnerable, open, and honest expedition through the tumultuous waters of mental, emotional, and physical change. It is truly a riveting portrayal of a woman grappling with the profound shifts in her life. The unexpected discovery of love in unlikely places, the unwavering support, and the comforting embrace that Eve finds during her toughest moments are heartwarming.

The romance in Ready or Not is nothing short of beautiful and heartwarming, making it a new favourite of mine. It truly shows that love happens when you least expect it. A childhood best friends-to-lovers storyline unfolds naturally and authentically, making every moment giggle-worthy and swoon-inducing. The chemistry, banter, and overall connection between the characters are breathtaking, resembling a warm hug filled with comfort, vulnerability, and unwavering love and support.

The portrayal of friendship in this book is remarkably realistic, delving into deeper emotions like grief, loss, and jealousy while emphasizing our shared humanity. Willa and Eve's bond beautifully showcases the complexities and beauty of genuine friendship. I love how Cara Bastone included this beautiful female friendship as I often times wish we had more of these plot lines in romance novels.

From the very first page, Ready or Not captured my heart. The writing is witty, hilarious, raw, and utterly addictive. The pacing is delightful, drawing you in effortlessly, making it a truly enchanting journey. You will not regret picking up this book!!

This book releases on February 13, 2024. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!!

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.

*

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.

*

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.