For the most part, I really liked this book. The story of a surprise pregnancy that results in a friendship turning into love was endearing and humorous. I really enjoyed the story's found family element, and the characters were likeable and authentic. The hero, Shep, was compassionate and encouraging, while the heroine, Eve, was realistic and quirky. Their relationship developed slowly but in a nice way. My one complaint is that I would have liked more development and depth in the relationship between Eve and Shep, and more exploration of their personal growth and challenges. Other than that I absolutely enjoyed this book.

The story is fine but the writing can be annoying, especially if you’re not in the mood for this type of writing. It’s like reading the inner thoughts of someone on cotton candy crack. I think if I had been in a lighter mood, I wouldn’t have minded as much. Pick this one up if you’re happy and want to stay happy! (Also this was my first pregnancy trope, and ehhh)

I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

I liked the premise of Ready or Not, that a young woman becomes pregnant from a one-night stand, decides to keep the baby and handles it in a relatively level-headed way. I haven't read a story from this perspective and was interested in hearing her story. What I liked about the book is that it really focused on the time of her pregnancy - how she goes through physical and emotional changes as it progresses, how people around her react and support her and her relationship with the father of the child (SPOILER: non-romantic). What I didn't like was her romance with her best friend's brother. I never felt the chemistry between the two of them. And I kept thinking that it was a colossally bad time in her life to get involved in a serious new relationship. Overall, I didn't love the book but didn't hate it. 3/5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! I liked that Shep was so patient and loyal!

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read an advanced copy of Ready or Not by Cara Bastone, it was a real treat.

I have never read a book like this one before, it was truly out of the box for me and was very refreshing. I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. I never once felt like something was overdone or cliche. It may have to do with the fact that not many people write about pregnancy in fiction, but I personally think that Bastone is just a wonderful writer.

In this story, Eve finds herself accidentally pregnant and must come to terms with it. It isn't as straightforward as she would hope though. The baby daddy is dealing with drama of his own, her best friend is dealing with infertility, and her best friend's brother is being, well himself. Shep, the best friend's brother, is a golden retriever type. Everyone needs a Shep in their life. He was supportive every step of the way, even stepping out of the way when that's what Eve needed. I loved him so much! Their romance was healthy and swoon-worthy.

I'm not one for smut. I usually just skim through it, to make sure I'm not missing any important plot points. What I caught of the smut in this book was kind of awkward and cringy. It wasn't bad by any means, it just wasn't the best. Which worked out perfectly for me since I don't care for it anyway. I wouldn't turn away from this book based on that one scene, I would just be prepared for it.

This book is a cute and refreshing read. If you are looking for a new take on the best friend's brother trope this book is one you should definitely try.

Ready or Not Cara Bastone
Publication Date- February 13th
Publisher- Random House Publishing
Overall Rating- 5 out of 5 stars

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I read this in December of 2023. Because of the way I do my wrap up’s this will count for any favorite or least favorite books of 2024. This I believe will end up making it onto my favorites of 2024. I was so impressed by this book. I already want to read it again. The author somehow manages to include hilarious comedy, good banter, tough subjects, mature conversations, realistic communication and reactions to stress, authentic characters and some slightly open door scenes. This book packs a huge punch with heavy topics around pregnancy, grief, infertility, friendship, accidental pregnancy, and so much more. I cannot say enough good things about Ready or Not. Even though I got an ebook copy for review, I will be keeping my preorder and buying one for my shelves.

Usually when I do reviews, I tell you things that I would have liked to have been different or better. I don’t have anything to say for Ready or Not. I loved every second of this book and often forgot I was reading. I blew through it in one day.

I ended up DNF'ng this book. I was pulled in by the cover but the writing just isn't for me, and I can't force myself to pick this up again. I will not be publishing a review as I didn't read enough of the book to give a fair assessment.

Although I thought the relationship between two secondary characters was too neat, I enjoyed this book. Eve finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand and decides to keep the baby. The father is a nice guy who Eve genuinely likes, but they are not together. He has an on-and-off girlfriend. In the meantime, Shep, an old childhood friend and the brother of Eve's best friend is supportive and helpful. I appreciated that the relationship between Even and her best friend, Willa, becomes somewhat strained when Eve announces her pregnancy. Willa and her husband have been trying for a baby.

"Ready or Not" by Cara Bastone is a refreshingly authentic novel that navigates the complexities of unexpected pregnancies and evolving relationships. Centered on Eve, who finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand, the story explores the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy and its impact on various relationships in her life.
The narrative delves into the nuanced dynamics between Eve, her best friend Willa, and Willa's brother Shep, who unexpectedly becomes a pillar of support. Bastone's portrayal of pregnancy details and emotions feels genuine, offering a unique perspective on family, love, and personal growth. The book's emotional impact and exploration of interconnected lives make it a rewarding read, providing insights into the transformative journey of impending parenthood.

Ready or Not is such a sweet read! It follows the adventures of Eve as she navigates life after finding out she's pregnant. Everything as she knows it changes, but is she ready to change with it? And how will all of her friends fit into these changes? If you enjoy Rom-Coms, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn, or complicated relationships, Ready or Not is the perfect book to add to your TBR! 4 Stars!

This was such a sweet book to read! I thought the main character handled her situation so well and there was more humor than I thought this would have. All of the characters were very likeable to me, which made reading this more enjoyable. This is a feel good book throughout - I didn't get much drama out of this one. If you're looking for a simple, light hearted read then this is for you!

Ps. this may be a sensitive read for anyone struggling with infertility.

Eva feels pretty settled in her life. She loves her apartment in NYC that's been decorated with treasures she's discovered. She loves that her apartment is close to her best friend. And her job might not be her dream job, but it's dream adjacent. But after a one-night stand, Eva finds out she's pregnant and that she's going to keep the baby. Her very 0rganized life quickly becomes disorganized, and the relationships she's felt so secure in seem to be pulling away from her. When Eva's best friend brother starts to step up for her, she wonders if there's been more than all along...but the timing is less than ideal. Will Eva be able to recenter herself and her relationship as her world expands in ways she hadn't predicted?

Ready or Not is a sweet, heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance with a main character who is also coming into her own as a woman. What makes it unique is its realistic and nuanced depiction of expectant motherhood, which the author manages to make both affecting and upbeat.

The secondary characters were another highlight of the story. The love interest is an adorable cinnamon roll - but I was even more interested in the baby's father, Ethan, who is semi-useless and believably self-centered while still being a decent guy. And the main character's best friend, Willa, is obviously a force of nature who has been shunted to the side of the story because it isn't about her - but she's too dynamic a character not to steal any scene she enters. While this doesn't feel like the start of a series, Ethan and Willa both feel well-developed enough to star in their own (perhaps non-romance) novel - which, if the author writes them, I would be delighted to read.

CW: Infertility (secondary character).

This was such an emotional read, I really felt the characters as they worked through the unexpected pregnancy and building their relationships. The setting was an escape of its own, I loved the NYC references. Definitely worth reading, messy and beautiful just like real life!

✨3.5✨

I definitely saw this gorgeous cover and knew I had to read it🤓 The beginning was starting off kind of meh but it was probably me because I couldn’t find the right font I wanted(typical life of a mood reader😫) However I really enjoyed this story and will certainly be checking out more books by this author in the future.

<i>Synopsis: Eve gets pregnant from a one night stand and decides to keep the baby. She’s never thought about being a mother so it’s a huge surprise. She’s also not in a relationship with the child’s father and it’s not the ideal situation. Her best friend takes the news difficult in the beginning due to her own infertility issues but her best friends brother has been more than supportive</i>

<b><u>Tropes</b></u>
🌟surprise pregnancy 🤰🏻
🌟friends to lovers
🌟best friend’s brother

<b><i><blockquote>”This is my life, on purpose. I didn't choose the way this pregnancy started. But I can choose the way I bring this kid into the world.”</b></i></blockquote>

Eve is a HOT MESS. I can totally relate because I am too 😂 we’re barely making it. She moved to NY from the Midwest with her best friend and has made a life for herself in Brooklyn. She has a career and loves being in the city. She’s loyal, funny and extremely understanding. She’s the friend you want to have in your corner.

The baby daddy 🙄😐 I’m not even going to bother to look up dudes name because I forgot it. He’s a jerk

Shep(I know the name is weird) is such a <u>genuinely kind and sweet person</u>. I adored him ☺️💓 He gave major golden retriever vibes l and I loved how he was there for her throughout the pregnancy. He was considerate and always looking out for her best interest. He paid attention to the smallest details and would recognize minor changes about what she was wearing or changes throughout the pregnancy.

<b><i><blockquote>”I want to do what's best for us, Eve. I want to help as much as possible, especially in those first few months when you and the baby are still figuring everything out. And if that means sleeping over all the time and changing diapers and feeding you and taking the baby on walks while you nap, then great. If that means holding down the fort over here while you and the baby figure each other out over there, then great."</b></i></blockquote> this man is perfect 🥺

<b><u>Things I Loved</b></u>
🩷realistic description of pregnancy
🩷complex relationship and emotions(the father and mother of child are not together)
🩷New York setting 🗽
🩷 so many sweet moments to make your heart melt 🥹🫠
🩷how the author writes the intimate scenes!!!! Omg it’s so detailed and I swear I stopped breathing..I was overheating and screaming over a hand massage..a HAND MASSAGE lol
🩷Shep reading baby books and buying a bike with a baby seat on it(not the child’s father) 😭😭😭

<b><u>Spice Level</b></u>
1/5🌶️
This is a slow burn romance and there is a spicy scene towards the end of the book but not overly descriptive.

<b>Overall thoughts</b>:you should read this if you love contemporary romances. I loved how this showed a pregnancy from start to finish and it was authentic. It’s not being overly beautified you are getting a real glimpse of thoughts and feelings of someone who is pregnant. The ending was beautiful and it’s a happy ending but there is no epilogue…and yes I like my endings delivered in a pretty package with a bow..

Thank you so much NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Cara Bastone for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read the unique and heartwarming book! This book has so much emotional intelligence, which is rare sometimes.
There aren't many books centered on surprise pregnancies, especially when the parents aren't in relationships so it was nice to see this type of family story being told.
This was a good story of how complicated but rewarding these real life events/relationship can be. The book centers on Eve and how she becomes pregnant after one night with a guy she met named Ethan. She slowly moves through the pregnancy and discovers feelings with a life-long friend named Shep. She also adapts with Ethan who is kind and respectful but is struggling with how he feels and what he wants his role to be regarding the baby. Eve also is juggling her career plan. The book shows how connected everything is and how becoming a parent can make you more centered on your own dreams and goals. It also goes into taking care of others and respecting others' trauma and supporting each other.
I'm not personally a parent besides fur children but I felt like this book did a great job of the pregnancy details and emotions. I feel like either the author is a parent or they did a great job with research.
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.

Ready or Not is a really sweet, happy story about a single woman who finds herself pregnant after a one night stand and, through the experience, finds the love of her life who was always there. Told in first person with a lot of fun "reader chat", the protagonist Eve is confused about a lot of things in life except whether or not she wants to keep the baby growing inside her that is the result of a single night with attractive bartender, Ethan.

While there are challenging topics in this story - Eve's best friend wants a baby but is unable to get pregnant, the unhealthy romantic relationship between Ethan and his on-again, off-again girlfriend - nothing moves into too heavy a direction to bring the energy down. In fact, Shep, Eve's best friend's brother and childhood friend, seems to jump in at the right moment in both Eve's life and the story to bring delightful ease and levity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. I think author Cara Bastone did a lot right for this unexpected pregnancy trope where others seem to get it wrong.

Ready or Not
Cara Bastone

I am a fan of Cara Bastone’s books. I will also admit this is my favorite. I first found her books on Audible and you realize your favorite audio book narrators love her books because she has great dialogue. Both characters are equally engaged in the conversation which is real yet way cooler. Her descriptions are a sensory treat and that is exactly what I like. I normally don’t like the trope of the down on your luck pregnant girl finding her forever guy. Why? It’s how every character in these scenarios is portrayed as immature, clueless, unkind and just lead by their hormones. The Ready or Not characters are portrayed as adults finding their way with depth and kindness. They are doing their best with their emotional wounds. Their actions for others show their generosity when their words do not. There are reasons why the pregnancy and the romance mix so well and all the characters have a purpose and definition. I like a book that helps me do a little soul searching and this does. I thank the Dial Press, Random House, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy and Cara Bastone for writing an amazing book.

A beautiful modern day, real life read about love and family in NYC. I enjoyed this. Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Read!

Eve has it together. A job that she may not love but is with an organization that she does, a great Brooklyn apartment and a good life in NYC. Until eve had an uncharacteristic one night stand with a hot bartender. Surprise, she’s pregnant and decides to keep going with the pregnancy. Unfortunately, nobody seems really happy about it. Not her long term best friend who’s married and struggling with fertility problems, not her sorta judge-y coworkers, not her much older brothers and initially, not the sperm donor. The only 2 people who seems to be ha[[y for Eve are her oldest brother back home in Michigan and her best friend’s older brother….who she know as long as her best friend…since childhood. This is a story about different forms of love…self-love, selfless love, and complicated love. It’s also a spot on description of the journey of pregnancy…the wonderful, not so wonderful and the “are you kidding me?” of each trimester. Eve, the baby’s biological father and someone who also loves the baby and has loved Eve for a long time navigate the journey together. I enjoyed this book that ends on a charmingly optimistic scene,. But, I’m skeptical that the harmony and love can be maintained for all 4 people involved.