Finished in less than 12 hours, and I’m suprised by how unputdownable it was! Super cute and totally heartfelt in a way that had even the “never once children” person that I am tearing up. Amazingly fleshed out voices and characters that make mistakes and are so human that you can’t help but feel upset and root for them at the same time. I know unplanned pregnancy is a controversial trope, but it’s more of a story line here, and don’t let that deter you from reading a really good story!

This is a sweet look at love, family, pregnancy, and second chances. Eve gets pregnant after a 0ne-night stand and is determined to keep the baby. Baby-daddy Ethan is a bartender and (she discovers later) has a girlfriend. Best friend, Willa and Willa's brother, Shep are there to help as they've all known each other since grade school. But little does Eve know that Shep has had a crush on her for years! But of course, he will do nothing to interfere--especially if she's interested in Ethan--or being a single mother. Things play out the way they are supposed to, maybe unexpectedly but it's cute, warm, and funny. I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The story opens with Eve confirming her unplanned pregnancy after an out of character one night stand. Her life is completely changed, as is Ethan’s (the baby’s father). Her best friend is struggling with her news for her own reasons, and it seems like her best friend’s brother Shep is the only person who is constantly there for Eve. The story follows her pregnancy timeline and unexpected romance with Shep.

I’ll be completely honest and tell you that I wasn’t sure I’d like this book. I struggled with infertility and child loss (like Eve’s best friend) and I tend to steer clear of the surprise pregnancy trope. Happily, I ended up loving this book! I think the fact that it begins with the pregnancy helped my dislike of that particular trope. In addition, I thought the author handled the topics of infertility and loss in a sensitive way that didn’t detract from Eve’s story. I loved the author’s sense of humor and the characters were so funny and likable. Even Ethan, who made choices that I didn’t care for, had great character development. I’d definitely recommend this sweet, heartwarming rom com to everyone!

Thank you to Cara Bastone and Random House for sending me an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of Ready or Not. This was my first book by Cara Bastone, but I was immediately drawn in by the cover and intrigued by the synopsis, and I wound up thoroughly enjoying this book. It’s likely not for everyone since it centers around pregnancy, and an unplanned pregnancy at that. But if that interests you I think you’ll enjoy this book. As someone currently pregnant, I was able to relate to the main character in many ways. It’s portrayed in a realistic but lighthearted manner.

Now onto the romance. Eve gets pregnant by someone she met at a bar one night. She’s supported by her best friend Willa and Willa’s older brother Shep, both of whom she’s known since childhood. Willa has been dealing with infertility issues, so she struggles to be as supportive a friend as she could be. Shep really steps it up to help support Eve and give her someone to lean on. When Eve goes to tell the father, Ethan, of the pregnancy, Shep goes with her. Throughout the book there’s a bit of a love triangle between Eve, Ethan, and Shep. I really enjoyed seeing the relationships and friendships develop between Eve and both men, and their (mostly) honest communication throughout. I enjoyed watching how Eve and Willa’s relationship evolved and they learned to support each other through their opposing circumstances. Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be looking to read more by Cara Bastone!

THIS BOOK! I adored it immediately and I feel so blue now that it's over. Eve quickly climbed to the top of my Mt. Rushmore of female leads.

A quick synopsis:
A surprise pregnancy leads to even more life-changing revelations in this heartfelt, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance of found family and unexpected love.

I was deeply moved and inspired by Eve's story of finding herself through a truly unplanned pregnancy. She's one of those lead characters that walks through life admirably even if she doesn't know it. This book inspires me to build the life I desire, ask for what I want, and be an "other-centered" kind of person. This book isn't your typical romance, it definitely leans into fiction; which I enjoyed!

The romance between her and Shep (WHAT A NAME) was a beautiful slow burn and so, so sexy....but all of the relationships in this were very clearly fleshed out. You get a romance, a gorgeous friendship, some complicated sibling relationships, and a one night stand that was so delicately rendered, I could scream. The NUANCE! Cara Bastone, I bow down. We got not ONE dreamy male lead but TWO! There are no villains in this story, only complicated authentic people which is also why I loved it so. I laughed and cried my way through this. I can't recommend this highly enough. Cannot wait to buy this when it's published, its a story I know I'll return to again and again.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to read/review it honestly.

I loved this one so much. I wish there was a little more at the end. It just felt kind of rushed. Would love to read a crossover/follow-up novel with Willa! Either way I cannot wait to purchase a copy when it comes out and recommend to customers.

I first want to start off by saying objectively this is a well written book that many readers will love. I do not envy Eve and the situation she was in, and Shep was 100% supportive from the get go and I love him for that.

Now onto the rest. I don't know what it was about this book but I started getting the ick near the end. I don't know what it was but I just didn't really think Eve & Shep had that much chemistry, there was just something missing for me. I was like....are they only together because Eve has raging pregnancy hormones? Should they wait until after the baby is born? Idk, I wasn't feeling it. YMMV.

But again, the book was well written and it will be a wonderful read for many. For me it was just "ok".

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

The cover on the book is beautiful, but unfortunately the book did not engage me enough to keep reading past 48 pages. The pace is too slow and I didn't connect with the overly awkward characters. I knew immediately Eve would end up with Shep, yet they have no chemistry, which made it hard when Ethan shows up in the picture since I liked his character better than Shep. I did skim the ending and it seems like they've created a nice, supportive family unit.

This was such a sweet slow burn.
I loved the story line between Eve and Shep, and between Eve and Ethan. The rawness of Eve and Ethan growing together for their baby, while not being romantically involved was realistic and beautiful.
Eve and Shep have been friends for so long and I loved how Shep stepped in to help Eve and their romantic story line was wonderful.
Overall, this book is worth a read. I truly enjoyed every minute of it.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is sweet unplanned pregnancy story but was lacking a few things I usually look for in a romance. I enjoyed the first half of the story, I lost interest in the second half and had a hard time finishing.
The witty dialogue was missing the romance was not believable. I didn't connect with any of the characters, especially the MMC who came off as immature and just a little off. While I think some readers will really enjoy this story, those looking for deeper, complex characters may want to look elsewhere.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Cara Bastone for the ARC

I DNF this book. There were a few things in the book that made me not want to continue reading. I did enjoy parts but I did not feel compelled to finish.

This is the book you need if you want to laugh, cry, swoon, and cheer. Cara Bastone captures all the drama of being a single person in the world and mixes it up with the mad hormones of pregnancy, adds a dash of charm, humor, and the biggest dash of love. She serves it up and revels in her ability to make you binge read way past your bedtime.

Wow! I originally requested this story not knowing anything about it, it was purely because of the GORGEOUS cover that it peaked my interest but wow am I glad I came across this author and story, this was a beautiful story about pregnancy in a non traditional way and it come out absolutely beautiful. I was rooting for everyone in this book. Definitely will be seeking more by this author.

What a cozy, emotional, slow burn, slice of life piece of magic. This book was growing pains and anxiety and needing answers you don’t have and friendship and learning to be selfless.

I don’t typically love the accidental pregnancy trope, but there was something special in this.

I loved Shep, and again Golden Retriever Energy is usually not my thing, but he was an angel among us. Speaking of angels, Nurse Blank made me cry countless times. I love that woman.

Such a sweet story about family, love, friendship, and finding the silver linings through growing pains. Almost all of the characters were lovable which made some parts predictable, but still so so good.

I did find that during the labor scene they refer to a “physician’s assistant” however the correct job title is “physician assistant”. That was annoying, but really that was my only issue with the book.

5 ENORMOUS STARS! When I read the synopsis for Ready or Not I knew it would a book I would enjoy. Well it did that and much more, Cara Bastone knocked it out of the park with this MUST READ! The storyline was incredibly fresh and original and extremely relatable! I have not personally been through the situations the main characters were experiencing, but I storyline and character development were so fantastic that I felt all of their emotions/feelings! And speaking of emotions, I literally felt every emotion there possibly is throughout this book, soooooo many feels! Ready or Not will most definitely be one of my top reads of 2024! There is absolutely nothing I would change about this novel—it’s sheer perfection! I have not read a novel from Cara Bastone prior to this gem, but I have already put her previous novels on my TBR list!

This book was so cute! I really enjoyed the main character Eve. I am a rare one who likes a good pregnancy trope and this was really good. I wished there was more of a love triangle between Ethan, Shep, and Eve because it was too obvious throughout the book that Shep would be the one. Eve and Shep were sickeningly cute and I really wanted an epilogue of them raising the baby together. I also thought it was great that Ethan continued to be in the picture.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy of Ready or Not by Cara Bastone in exchange of an honest review.

I can't say enough good things about 'Ready or Not' by Cara Bastone. This book pulled me in from the very beginning with its engaging storyline of an accidental pregnancy and a love triangle. The emotions and struggles that Eve, the main character, goes through as she grapples with the prospect of becoming a mother without her parents' support were portrayed in a deeply heartfelt way. The author's writing style effortlessly painted a vivid picture of Eve's journey, capturing both the joys and challenges with a delicate balance. The characters were endearing and felt remarkably relatable, making me root for them every step of the way. 'Ready or Not' is a sweet and satisfying read that will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a beautifully written story that explores love, family, and unexpected twists of fate."

This was a fun book! Eve was an interesting character and I liked her character development over the course of the book. The real winner of the book was probably Shep. He was one of those characters that you just had to love and you loved him immediately, too- he’s the perfect book boyfriend but also the perfect person, too. I would have loved an epilogue of this book, but the ending tied up nicely. The NYC setting always draws me in. I love reading the descriptions of the workplace atmosphere, the Bogeda’s, etc.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and I’m happy to say -I really like her writing style! She combines humor and heartfelt moments together perfectly. This is definitely a book I would recommend to others. It’s a sweet, touching story.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley/and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press Trade Paperback for the e-arc of this lovely story!

I didn’t know what to expect reading this book but was pleasantly surprised by how engrossed I felt with the characters. I was literally hooked.

I loved Eve’s voice and her inner workings, she was funny and relatable and her self-discovery of letting herself WANT was inspiring 🤍 her letting herself need people and letting them help her was also extremely relatable. Her love for the people in her life like Willa and even Nurse Louise was just so heartfelt and I just really loved multiple characters in this book.

Shep, sweet golden retriever Shep. He deserves all the love in the world and the sweetness of his and Eva’s love blooming from friends to partners was beautiful. He is such a sweet man and just a great example of what men could and should be. His love for Eve was so pure and wholesome and just 😭😭😭 loved it!

Ethan, so frustrating at times but it was understandable. But a sweet man in the end. The quartet of 2 men, Ever, and a baby was great! 🤣 I loved their dynamic once everyone was on the same page.

The way all these characters grew and evolved through the story was just great, all for themselves while also growing for the baby.
The little village that will surround them is just wonderful. I would read even more of them if I could.

I have now discovered a new author that I will gladly read again and I will definitely be preordering this book to add to my shelves!