This is my first book by this author and my first pregnancy trope and I was pleasantly surprised. I picked this book solely on the beautiful cover.

This leans more towards women's fiction for me but there is an element of romance. Eve finds out she's pregnant after a one night stand and this is her journey to motherhood. The woes of figuring out a relationship with the baby's father, how she is going to support herself and a new baby, and her despondency at work. And it's a story about the family and support we have in our friends.

I fell in love with Shep, her best friend's brother, and he is such a supportive male character. He is the perfect book boyfriend and I was so happy how their relationship evolved.

It was interesting to see how Eve and Ethan handled their relationship as well. It's a very realistic tale of motherhood in modern times which was charming, heartlfelt and beautifully written.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, it is not working for me right now. It is nothing against the story or the author, but I couldn't get into the story/characters, as the dialogue was actually pretty cringy. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

Get ready for a literary rollercoaster ride with Cara Bastone's "Ready or Not." This heartwarming rom-com is a delightful escape into a world where love and laughter collide, leaving readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Bastone's writing is a breath of fresh air, effortlessly blending humor, wit, and a dash of unexpected romance. From the opening scene to the laugh-out-loud moments scattered throughout, "Ready or Not" is a testament to Bastone's ability to craft a narrative that feels like a cozy chat with your best friend. Pregnancy is not a trope I normally like but it was handled really well!!!

I have been waiting to read this since I set eyes on the cover! I adored the premise and the bright cover.

It was fun, romantic, sweet, and also so very very deep. It made me cry several times.

Ready or Not is the story of how our protagonist, Eve, faces the news of her surprise pregnancy after a one night stand and how she deals with the process of becoming a mother. It is a very nice story about motherhood, there is not as much romance as I expected but it is still a pleasant story. I feel that it does go on a little longer than necessary and loses its pace, but overall it is a read that I would recommend. It's not your typical unexpected pregnancy story and it deals with these issues in an interesting way.

Oh how I loved this book with every fiber of my being! This is my first Cara Bastone and it definitely won't be my last.

Ready or Not tells the story of Eve Hatch. When Eve finds out she is pregnant after a one-night stand, she's not sure how to feel. It gets even worse when her friend, Willa, who so desperately wants to be happy for her, can't. Willa has been struggling with infertility and Eve doesn't want to make it harder for her. But who will be her support system? Who can Eve talk to? Don't you worry, folks, because in comes Seth.

Oh, Seth. Let the swooning ensue because he just really is all that and a bag of chips. Who is Seth, you might ask? He is the older brother of Willa and one of Eva's childhood friends. If you could picture a human form of a golden retriever, that's Seth. As soon as Eva reveals she is pregnant, he is over the moon for her. He really just would do anything for her and seeing the relationship between Eva and Shep grow from friends to lovers as she is navigating this new chapter in life was so beautiful.

And what about the baby daddy, you might ask? Ethan was a dream, as well. Of course, the news was a shock for him, as well, and we see his journey of coming to terms with fatherhood. I loved seeing Eva, Seth, and Ethan's relationship blossom. If you're looking for a wholesome, hope-filled read, look no further! Ready or Not was a fun and emotional time and I couldn't recommend it enough.

Thank you so much to Random House and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an adorable book that I had a hard time putting down. I saw myself caught up very quickly into the story and couldn't wait to see what happened next.

This book was just such a delight! I didn't know how a surprise pregnancy would work as the premise in a romance, but it definitely did. I always enjoy a slow burn friends to lovers romance and this one was an A+. I loved both of the main characters, Eve and Shep, and the build of their bond over the course of the novel. Both characters were so well-developed and believable, this felt like a real life story a friend was telling me about how two people got together vs. a romance novel. As a mom of two young children, I also enjoyed the very real portrayal of pregnancy. I'm now a Cara Bastone fan!

This book was such a sweet, delightful surprise that tugged on my heartstrings in all the right ways. I loved following along on Eve’s pregnancy journey, and the ways her relationships with her brothers, Willa, Shep, and Ethan evolved felt authentic yet compelling. Overall, this is a moving story about love, friendship, and family that I would absolutely recommend to any reader.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book! First off, the cover the book is beautiful and is why I wanted to read it. This is such a sweet and heartfelt book. Must read!

Okay WOW. I absolutely enjoyed this read. It was definitely a bit frustrating just because I wanted more progress from the characters a little bit sooner but honestly it all worked out for everyone in the end.
4.5 stars!!

"Ready or Not" by Cara Bastone is a heartwarming contemporary romance that navigates the complexities of love and second chances. Bastone skillfully weaves a tale of vulnerability and resilience as the protagonists, Mia and Jake, confront their pasts and embrace the possibility of a future together. The narrative is both tender and humorous, capturing the essence of genuine connection. With well-drawn characters and a delightful blend of romance and self-discovery, "Ready or Not" is a charming and uplifting read. Bastone's witty prose and emotionally rich storytelling make this novel a delightful addition to the genre, leaving readers with a warm, satisfied feeling.

Maybe more a 3.5 on this, but this felt different (and better written) than a lot of rom/rom-coms I've come across of late. It's also on the more unconventional side, and focuses as much (probably more) on Eve's pregnancy than it does on her love interests.

So, Eve finds out she's pregnant from a one-night stand and decides she wants to keep her baby. It's a big life change, obviously, and as a single woman living alone in an expensive city with a mediocre paying job and no real relationship with the baby's father, she is understandably freaked out. Plus her best friend, who has struggled with infertility, becomes distant after hearing her news.

But in steps a cinnamon roll, puppy dog of a man and her best friend's older brother Shep. But also maybe the baby's father will step up...?

I enjoyed this one. It was funny, bittersweet, and had some nice romantic moments.

This one is open door with other mentions of sex, which isn't my preference but I was really intrigued by the overall premise. Can definitely skip the big explicit scene without missing any plot points...

At first I struggled a little with the first few chapters but I’m glad I pushed the. There were moments Ethan got on my nerves but I loved Shep from the word go. I felt sorry for Willa and her husband because of their pregnancy issues. I was glad Eve brothers were there for her. It really does take a village to raise a child. A good read. Success to the author!

Cute, especially since I am also currently pregnant, but not my favorite read. Despite the author having her own children and having been pregnant before, it just felt factually inaccurate at points 🤣

This book was really lovely. I loved the explorations of pregnancy and identity and learning to love others fiercely. I also want to shout out two specific bits I really appreciated: 1) I liked that the characters used condoms even when she was pregnant (and without a long tense discussion about it, even though they had known each other forever). 2) labor and delivery wasn’t traumatic! It was realistic, but so often traumatic birth is used to raise the dramatic stakes (and can be very triggering for people who went through that). I appreciate that it wasn’t here. Anyway, a great book that I’ll be recommending a lot.

Ready or Not

A heartwarming story. You can fall in love with the characters. Some you may not. Eve isn't a fan of surprises, so when an unplanned pregnancy comes along, it reveals quite a bit. Eve's friendship with her best friend doesn't seem to be going the best, but Willa's older brother is the one that steps up and showing Eve in all the right places. It is a well written book, that keeps your interest the whole time. You will enjoy some funny moments and some sweet moments. Enjoy!

I Absolutely loved this book. It was so well written and I loved all the characters and relationships. They were so thought out and real, including Willa who was struggling so hard but still did her best to show up where she could.

A touching and engaging story. The characters are so easy to love (or dislike). There are so many touches of love that you might miss them. Some heartbreaking moments and a couple of spicy scenes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book and its characters stole my entire heart. I'm sometimes wary of an unexpected pregnancy plot, but I loved the role the father played in this story—and the fact that the LI is someone the MC never quite saw coming. Their relationship was so tender, wholeheartedly loving, and so grounded and real—it made me feel loved by proxy. The story of the community around this small growing family was so deeply touching, the humor was distinct and voice-y, and the overall sensibility was one of wonder and delight at the world. Such a life-affirming story, and I'm now a Cara Bastone fan for life.