A new favorite, full of sweetness and humor and emotional resonance. If I loved it less, I might be able to talk about it more.

PS: This is a very solid Rainbow Rowell readalike, thanks to its swooniness, jokes, and appreciation of a good haircut.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC. I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of heart with all the characters. It flowed really well and it was nice to escape in to the story. I definitely recommend.

A nearly solid 4 star read for me.
Eve had a one night stand and becomes pregnant. The story revolves around her, her found family sibling friends, and the baby daddy who is back with his on again off again girl friend. There's a lot to really like about this book but there are some triggering moments with her and her best friend in regards to pregnancy that could be hard for some.
I wish there was an epilogue or another few chapters as it felt like it ended abruptly.

4.5 ⭐️

I saw found family and was immediately excited about this book. I definitely wasn’t disappointed by both this trope and the story overall.

I really liked the voice of Eve. Nothing was sugarcoated and she was super funny. And SHEP! I loved him so much. He is the definition of a sunshine boyfriend and I adored his supportive and patient nature. The development of and their relationship overall was beautifully done. I just really liked the pacing. Both of these characters, along with the side ones, were all so real. I could tell that their emotions and individual stories were written with strong consideration. This was showcased through their relationships with each other.

The dialogue was a real highlight for me in this story. It was so fun to read and you learned a lot about the characters through it. I also really enjoyed how the writing felt like Eve was having a conversation with me. Regarding the story, the author took such a simple concept and expanded it into a full book without dragging anything out. I wasn’t bored once.

Overall, I just really adored this read. It’s one of those that I could see in my head as a movie. My only real complaint is that I wish there was MORE! Or at least an epilogue or two. The ending seemed a bit abrupt for me, but that’s really it. I really look forward to more work from this author! (Possibly a new love story for Ethan?)

MINI PLAYLIST 🚲🌳🧡
Science - Niall Horan
You Are In Love - Taylor Swift
Never Grow Up - Taylor Swift

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! :)

This was in between a 3 and 4 star for me. The first half was definitely 4 star but the second half was more 3 star. It was really cute and I always love the “he always loved her” vibe but I felt like the second half of the book dragged on a little bit. I was happy that Eve, Shep, and Ethan found a way to coexist and genuinely be happy about it too.

This book follows Eve, who is from the Midwest and lives in Brooklyn, as she strives for her career goals. She has a slip up one night and has a one night stand, and from that results a little surprise. Other surprises in Eve's relationships follow, like a confusing reaction from her friend Willow, Willow's brother suddenly becoming the cheerleader in Eve's corner and ensuring she is okay throughout her pregnancy, and then the baby's father who is on the fence, but yet supportive. Also, the cover of the book is what initially drew me in. I really, really enjoyed this read more than I thought I would. It has a real and believable plotline, relatable characters, and I enjoyed the evolution of the different relationships, including with Eve herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press Trade Paperback for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

Oh wow, this was unexpected and amazing. Cara Bastone did something special here. Ready or Not was a beautiful and riveting love story of forever friendship, found family and growth. While Eve and her pregnancy journey is the main character the world written around her with Shep, Ethan, Willa, her colleagues/work was dynamic, progressive and fun to read. It was challenging and tearful at times, but a really good time.

Full disclose: I didn’t think I was going to be the right audience for this book. I hate surprise pregnancy tropes and often skip over epilogues with any mention of pregnancy. It’s just not for me. This was 31 chapters about Eve’s pregnancy journey and it was a page turner - I couldn’t put it down.

The author also accurately conveyed many of the frustrations and realities of pregnancy including awkward social assumptions, challenging / changing understandings of self while pregnant, and physical ailments. It felt authentic and relatable to me.

And the HEA is straight fantasy but, you know, I’ll take it. It was just the light happiness and love needed after that journey.

This book is absolute perfection!! I just want to bottle it up!! Shep and Eve are everything. I love that he has been waiting patiently for her to catch-up but was going to make it work as friends too. He shows up for her in ways we all dream about happening when getting pregnant.

I thought the relationship with Ethan was super realistic and really showed the full scope of an unexpected pregnancy.

I read this book in less than 24 hours! I can’t wait for this book to hit shelves!

"Ready or Not" by Cara Bastone, and I'm thrilled to award it a well-deserved 5-star review. This book is a shining example of contemporary romance at its finest.

Cara Bastone has a remarkable talent for crafting authentic and relatable characters, and "Ready or Not" is no exception. The protagonists are not just characters on paper; they feel like real people with genuine flaws, dreams, and emotions. The depth of their personalities and the complexity of their pasts make them instantly endearing.

The chemistry between the two main characters in this book is sizzling and electric. Bastone skillfully builds their relationship from a chance encounter to a slow-burning romance that will have your heart racing. The witty banter, the tender moments, and the raw vulnerability they share create a powerful emotional connection that is impossible to resist.

What sets "Ready or Not" apart from many other romance novels is its heartfelt exploration of mental health and self-discovery. The book delves into important themes like anxiety and therapy with sensitivity and authenticity. It portrays the journey of self-acceptance and growth in a way that is both empowering and empowering.

The writing in "Ready or Not" is simply exquisite. Bastone's prose is both evocative and relatable, drawing readers into the story and making them feel every emotion along with the characters. Her narrative style strikes a perfect balance between humor and poignancy, resulting in a book that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon in equal measure.

The pacing of the story is spot-on, keeping you engaged and invested in the characters' journey from beginning to end. You won't want to put this book down, and you'll find yourself eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next.

In conclusion, "Ready or Not" by Cara Bastone is a five-star romance that delivers everything you could hope for in a love story—compelling characters, scorching chemistry, emotional depth, and a message of self-acceptance that resonates long after you've finished reading. If you're a fan of contemporary romance that tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you with a smile on your face, don't miss this book when it's released. It's a must-read that will warm your heart and remind you of the transformative power of love.

By the sheer premise of the plot, "Ready or Not" had the potential to land with my least favorite romance trope: pregnancy and the dreaded love triangle. Bastone steered this little book well away from that trap and delivered a surprisingly poignant story where the reader can't help but root for all involved.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘖𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘵 to fall hopelessly in love with this marvelous, sublime, incredible story?

Shep is the best part of the story. He's kind, generous and a tad awkward and absolutely gone for Eve but all in the best ways. I'd love to give the man a hug, I'd probably get bruised in the process but a hug nonetheless (and that moment when the baby kicked only for Shep? thing of dreams).

Eve navigated the entire thing so well. She was nervous and happy and a little(lot) scared to death but she was perfect through and through.
What I love most about the story is how Eve treated Ethan. There were times he decidedly didn't deserve her kindness but that's exactly why Eve commanded respect.

Another amazing aspect (ooh alliteration) was how despite the chaos of the situation, there was no toxicity. None at all. No woman blaming the other. No men dueling it out to stay in Eve's or the baby's life, instead they were panicking about birthing instructions and laughing together.

- ~ -

4.01 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

No one is more surprised by how much I love this than me. I usually don't want babies, kids, or pregnancy anywhere near my romance, but I have loved Cara Bastone's books, so I wanted to give this a try.

I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put this down. I cried multiple times and was beyond sad when this ended. It's just such a lovely read. All the characters felt so real that you could even forgive them when they kind of act terribly because you understand them. Also, even though this story doesn't reflect my own experience of becoming a mother, there was so much that resonated with me and probably led to all the tears.

The only slight complaint I have is that I really wanted an epilogue, which is mostly just because I wanted more of these characters.

I can't recommend this one more highly. Thanks so much to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5! I’m NEVER one to go for a pregnancy storyline but I decided to take a chance on this one, since it’s been SO long since I’ve read one and I thought going into it knowing pregnancy was the main storyline would help! Sometimes the writing style wasn’t to my taste, and I skimmed a bit in the middle because I didn’t feel too much of a romantic connection between the two leads. But the ending was so cute! I loved seeing everyone grow into their roles and there was no drama and it was just really delightful. I even cried a little bit! Very adorable.

I loved this book! The pregnancy trope is usually hit or miss for me, but I thought this was really well-written. I loved the complicated relationship dynamics between Eve and everyone else. Shep was the best, and I am so glad there was a little twist to the usual pregnancy storyline with the romance! I also loved the complications of Eve and Willa’s relationship and appreciated how real it was. PS I want an Ethan-centered book now!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of Ready or Not. I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, cute read. Predicable happy ending, but enjoyable along the way. Light and fluffy, not much substance, but a good beach book.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is a fantastic book that I couldn't stop reading, so I'm giving it 4.5 stars! The characters in this story are amazing, and their experiences really make the book special.

The main character, Eve, is going through a big change in her life when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. This shakes up all her relationships, especially with her best friend Willa. Willa's older brother, Shep, steps in to help, and things start to get interesting because he's suddenly kinda hot!

The author's portrayal of the challenges and emotions that come with an unplanned pregnancy is both realistic and touching. Eve's struggles and the support she receives from her friends, family, and medical professionals highlight the importance of having a strong community during such times. Willa's situation is particularly moving, shedding light on the difficulties that pregnant women often face (no, how dare you guys accuse me of crying!!) Not to sound cringey, but I hope anyone starting a family has a support system like Eve does!

The friends-to-lovers trope is well-executed, although there are moments where the chemistry between Shep and Eve may feel a bit disconnected. However, as the story unfolds, you'll come to appreciate the depth of their relationship and how Shep's character evolves into someone truly remarkable. His gestures of support and care for Eve are heart-melting and will have you swooning.

To sum it up, "Ready or Not" is a heartwarming tale about family, love, and unexpected surprises. I rate it 4.5 stars and can confidently say that it's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Thank you thank you thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange of honest thoughts! It was worth losing sleep over and kudos to the illustrator of the book as well - the cover is stunning and I can't wait to purchase a physical copy!

3 Stars Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is a surprise pregnancy, friends-to-lovers romance. I wasn't totally sure what to expect out of this book, since most surprise pregnancy romances are between the parents-to-be, but not this one. This made the novel hard to read at times, but Eve's pregnancy was never truly an obstacle for her relationship with Shep. And while this is categorized as romance, it felt more like women's fiction at times with Eve's journey and growth over the novel. Her surprise pregnancy is simply the catalyst to reexamining her life, what she wants, and taking the steps to make it happen. Overall, it was a heartwarming read and I really enjoyed it, though I wish we had gotten more of the HEA between her and Shep.

I adored "Ready or Not" by Cara Bastone! A bit uneven in the beginning, but once she steers the story towards where she clearly wants to go, the book blossoms. A beautiful story of found family, showing strength, and new beginnings. And the romance was so well-done! I'd read anything Cara Bastone puts out now.

I've never read anything by Cata Bastone before, but she is definitely an author I'll read again. I love a good romance, but I also love complex characters and interesting situations, and this book delivered both. Eve's story had two HEAs and I love that she went through a lot to make it work.

Ready or Not is the story of Eve Hatch who gets pregnant from a one night stand. Eve lives in a cozy NYC apartment and her childhood best friend Willa and brother Shep also live there. Eve is not super satisfied with her career and has had disappointing relationships. When Eve tells the father that she’s pregnant he is back together with his ex.

Unsure of how involved the father will be, Eve’s friends step up in unexpected ways. Eve also goes through incredible growth. I loved that the main characters were in or around their 30s. Pregnancy is a main theme but it’s not a cheesy pregnancy trope. It’s a beautiful story of real life, messy relationships, lifelong friends, and taking on what life throws our way. It was delightful and I couldn’t put it down.

Please note that while this is a very sweet, fairly lighthearted book there are some topics that could be triggering. Loss of a parent is big theme for some of the characters throughout the book. Miscarriage is also briefly addressed. Pregnancy and all the things that go along with it are a major theme in the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.