Quick confession: When I requested this book, I hadn't read the blurb nor had I delved into any of the author's previous works. My attention was purely captivated by the stunning, vibrant cover that emanated promising rom-com vibes set against the backdrop of NYC. Driven by my affection for the Big Apple and an insatiable yearning for a beautiful romance, I plunged in without knowing what to expect. As fate would have it, I am incredibly fortunate to have taken this leap, as it introduced me to yet another brilliant author. This author had me hooked with their sincere and authentic portrayal of motherhood, a blossoming slow-burn romance, meticulously developed and believable characters. In fact, I'm already gearing up to immerse myself in the rest of the author's works.

My fervent wish is that this book evolves into a series, spanning numerous seasons, affording me more time with this extraordinary, quirky, and fascinating cast of characters, whom I found myself easily forming connections with. The intricate web of their relationships, their journeys of self-discovery and personal growth, along with the path of exploration they tread, significantly shape the foundation of this narrative, a journey I wholeheartedly savored.

Eve Hatch takes center stage as our main character, content with the life she has meticulously crafted after leaving her hometown. She's distanced herself from the conventions instilled by her Midwestern, tradition-bound family, emerging as a quintessential Brooklynaire. She exerts relentless effort to ascend the career ladder, seeking a more gratifying and rewarding position. However, an unexpected one-night stand dramatically alters her trajectory when she discovers that she's on the brink of becoming a single mother.

Regrettably, this revelation places strain on her relationship with her best friend Willa, who has her own set of reasons for her reactions. Astonishingly, it's Willa's brother Shep who steals the limelight, emerging as the most supportive presence in Eve's life. He extends his unwavering support by surprising her with lunches and offering a patient ear for her complaints and woes. Could it be that he's inherently charming, or have the pregnancy hormones taken the reins of control over her thoughts? As their time spent together accumulates, Eve recognizes a burgeoning attraction that refuses to be ignored. Yet, she must also contend with Ethan, the biological father of her impending child, who finds himself unexpectedly faced with the aftermath of Eve's sudden announcement. The question looms: Will he step up and assume his role in the baby's life? Is Eve prepared to raise the child independently, or will the deepening friendship between her and Shep evolve into something more, despite Willa's critical stance?

In summary, this is a genuinely enchanting and expertly executed tale of self-discovery, a blend of women's fiction and romance, which resonated deeply with me. Witnessing Eve's evolution as she grapples with her apprehensions, imperfections, and her journey towards embracing motherhood through growth and change was both relatable and heartwarming. The narrative weaves a tale that's not only realistic but also profoundly heartfelt, an odyssey you most certainly shouldn't overlook.

My heartfelt appreciation extends to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press Trade Paperback for generously providing me with the opportunity to explore this digital review copy in exchange for my candid feedback.

Ready or Not... well I was not! Ready that is. This book is my first from the author and I was not prepared for just how much I was going to love this story! I couldn't put it down!

Eve is content with life. She's got an apartment she loves, a bestfriend who is close by, and even though she doesn't have her dream job yet-she is hoping it'll happen with her perseverance. All that changes when she finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. Suddenly relationships are changing: her bestfriend is distant, her brother's bestfriend is suddenly there, and her babies father? Well, that's even more complicated. She suddenly finds herself rethinking everything she thought she knew.

I don't want to give away too much of the storyline, but I think this story is one that even those who don't love the unplanned pregnancy trope will enjoy. It was so unique to the many unplanned pregnancy romances I have read (I love this trope so I've read many), it was refreshing to read something different. It was also just so heartfelt, while also feeling very real. Life doesn't always go according to plan. And it can have ripple effects. This story really showcased that. And I felt it.

This story has a tiny splash of a love triangle vibe perhaps. And it left me not wanting to put this book down. The golden retriever energy though. The pure support and love for Eve. My heart was just in a constant state of swoon waiting to see how it would all play out. There is some tension and chemistry. It slow burns into some open door steam. Very minimal and in perfect taste of this stories bones I felt.

I really adored all the characters. I felt for them. It has a found family feel that I enjoy. Told in single POV, this story is very much Eve's story of growth though. In more ways than one. Some may say it leans more towards women's fiction and I wouldn't disagree. But I surely felt the romance, no question. I quite simply adored Ready or Not, and finished it in one sitting. Would highly recommend checking this out on release day!

What You'll Find:
--Contemporary Romance
--Unplanned Pregnancy
--Big City Setting
--Friends to Lovers
--Slow Burn
--Single POV

*Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Okay. Well, I really enjoyed this. I’ve listened to some of Bastone’s previous work on audible and have always enjoyed her narrative and this was no exception. There were parts of this book that had me laughing out loud and that’s no easy feat. The ebook reader slamming a Gatorade comment had me in. I thought this was a typical AP trope book and wasn’t until about 25% in when I was like “hang on…”
Shep was brilliant. I liked Eve’s growth. Ethan could benefit from some CBT. All in all a great read.

From the second I started reading this book I was HOOKED… I didn’t want to do anything but read until I finished. Not having children currently but facing some of the struggles that some of the characters in the book were going through made it incredibly relatable. The writing was perfect, in every way. The character development throughout this book is probably one of the best I have seen/read in a long time. HEA, are my favorite. The only thing I wish, was that we could have got a little more at the ending with Willa meeting Miriam. But I love this book so much. I cannot wait for it to be released so I can recommend it to all my friends!

I enjoyed the story and was happy with the resolution.

Trigger warnings: references of miscarriage, grief and loss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I was looking for a break from thrillers and this definitely did the trick. It was a very sweet story. Yes, it’s definitely predictable but that’s exactly what I wanted at the time I read it.

Relatively happy with her life Eve finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. This story tells us how she navigates this massive life altering occurrence - from her relationship with her best friend who has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get pregnant herself, her burgeoning relationship with her one night stand, her job, her brothers, and as she falls for the one guy who’s always been there.

A touching, lovely story, Ready or Not tales the surprise pregnancy trope and really works with it.



Thank you to Dial Press / Random House and NetGalley for the DRC

this book had it all. i was hooked. It gave me the emotional feels and love about this. I really enjoyed this story and this author book. I will need to read more of these stories.

I think I wanted to like this book but it just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. Eve was so overwritten and it seemed like the author was trying to make her quirky and relatable but she just came off as immature and annoying.

Well, damn. This book was so heartfelt. I could really feel the emotions on the page. I found myself full on crying more than once.
I feel like accidental pregnancy is not an easy trope to do, but Cara Bastoje crushed it. I loved the way it all came together and I adored the ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing, for the ARC and the chance to read and review it honestly. My review will be published on Goodreads on 8/17/23.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Summary of the plot:

Eve Hatch finds herself in a not-so-great situation. She's recently pregnant, single, and working at a job that isn't quite as fulfilling as she wants. To make things worse, her best friend Willa, who is trying but failing to get pregnant, isn't exactly very supportive of Eve's pregnancy. And Baby Daddy isn't sure how much of a role he wants to play in her life given his relationship status. However, Willa's brother Shep steps up and becomes a constant in her life while she's navigating the pregnancy world without her parents and family.

Thoughts on the book:

I enjoyed this book and it makes me miss my partner so much (he's not dead, he's just away on a week long trip). As someone who has never experienced pregnancy but has been thinking about it a lot, this book gave me a perspective on what it might be like to be pregnant. The weird glances/reactions you might get from people who don't know how to take the news, people who are extremely supportive, dealing with random cravings and emotional moments, etc. I think the author does a great job writing about all the nuances that goes into pregnancy and how that affects everyone, not just the mother.

However, I will say that this book leans more towards women's fiction than romance, TO ME AT LEAST. I don't think the relationship between Shep and Eve was the center of attention. It actually took me a while to see Shep as the love interest to begin with.

But overall, it was a fun and great read!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into a captivating novel that left me truly mesmerized. The author's incredible ability to infuse every page with raw emotions is nothing short of impressive.

In this latest installment, the main character's world takes an unexpected turn that had me hanging on to every word, eager to see how their life would be influenced and what new priorities and connections would emerge.

What stood out was the author's skill in crafting intricate relationships, seamlessly blending old and new acquaintances. This delicate balance showcased their mastery in character development and human interactions.

The emotional journey I experienced while following the protagonist's ups and downs was a testament to the author's storytelling prowess. Rarely does a book manage to evoke such a wide range of feelings, from anticipation to excitement and beyond.

Even as someone who has only listened to the audiobook version, the characters and the storyline resonated deeply, a tribute to the author's ability to create a vivid world that transcends the medium of consumption.

In conclusion, this novel is a true masterpiece of emotional storytelling. If you're searching for a read that keeps you engaged, invested, and emotionally connected throughout, look no further. This is a must-read for those who appreciate a narrative that skillfully plays with the heartstrings.

This author is new to me, but after devouring Ready or Not, I will for sure be checking out her backlist. This was a poignant read and I could not put it down.

Cara Bastone books have always been a hit with me. This one doesn't disappoint. She has a way of transporting you into the story and making time fly while reading. Great story of relationships, love and family.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

The infamous accidental pregnancy trope. Some love it, a lot hate it, but no matter how you feel about it, accidental pregnancy a decisive plot to base your book on. However, when done right, it provides and emotionally rich and time sensitive environment for character development.

Luckily, READY OR NOT is absolutely up to the challenge. The book follows Eve Hatch, who is absolutely happy with how things are going. She has an excellent apartment, a job adjacent to her dream career, and a best friend she'd do anything for. However, after an unexpected one-night stand, Eve finds out she's pregnant.

What makes this book so special, at least in my opinion, is Eve's growth from a (honestly relatably) selfish person into a better and more conscientious person. The relationships between the characters are in-depth and realistic, Bastone was unafraid to delve into the mess an unexpected pregnancy can bring. Heartwarming and sweet, READY OR NOT is a perfect spring read!

Eve is content with her life, but her surprise pregnancy leads her to some life changing revelations. She has the perfect Brooklyn apartment, her best friend Willa lives nearby, and her family that never understood her is far enough away. With her job being only dream adjacent, she's banking on her dedication and hard work to land her the job she really wants. She has had her fair share of disappointments when it comes to her romantic life and an uncharacteristic one-night stand leaves her with an unexpected pregnancy. New revelations and growth within all of her significant relationships are the result of her one-night stand. Her relationship with her best friend Willa is tested, the relationship with Willa's brother, Shep is questionable, and now she needs to figure out this new relationship with the baby's father, Ethan. Over nine months, Eve struggles to figure out what her next steps are in all aspects of her life.

Ready or Not is such a heartwarming story that I did not want to put down. It starts off jumping right into the action and doesn't let up throughout the story. My favorite part of this story was how complicated all of the relationships were because isn't that life? Relationships aren't complicated all of the time, but they sure do get complicated sometimes. I loved every single character, they were lovable, human, and all showed growth. Most of us have had a friend like Willa, having mixed feelings about some really big news but ultimately showing up when it counts. Shep is hands down the man that women should choose every time, but you know what they say... nice men finish last. Ethan is bound by comfortability but after some inner turmoil ends up making the right choice for himself and everyone involved. And Eve, also comfortable and scared of change, ends up taking charge of her life. I cannot leave out nurse blank, who ends up being sweetn'low with a speech about how motherhood changes you from being self-centered to other-centered really blew this book out of the water for me. This is one I want to keep on my forever shelves, so I'll need to get myself a physical copy when it comes out 2/13/24.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC and the chance to read and review it honestly. My review will be published on Goodreads and Instagram under handle bbecca_marie on 8/11/23.

Happy reading!

Not typically a huge pregnancy -trope tan, but Bastone does it well. Shep is so dang likable, though I did wish he was in the middle of the book more for some more relationship building. Her friend Willa was well rounded and realistic. Ethan was frustrating but I did appreciate his redemption arc at the end. A fun and quick read!

Unpopular opinion but I love a good surprise pregnancy so when I saw the blurb for this book I immediately jumped to read it! And it was just about what I needed. The romance between Eve and Shep develops beautifully, with genuine chemistry and a slow-burn that allows their connection to evolve naturally. Their dynamic is sweet and genuine, offering readers moments of both tenderness and vulnerability as they support each other through life's unexpected turns. Overall, this was a really delightful and engaging read, and a must-read for fans of slow burn and friends to lovers. Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a joy to read. I couldn’t put it down. Fortunately I started reading it on a Friday night so I was free to finish it on Saturday.
Eve has an accidental pregnancy that changes her life in surprising ways. All of her relationships are impacted. The writing is compelling- obviously since I finished in less than 24 hours- and honest. No gimmicks or easy fixes here. There may be a slow burn romance brewing. In the end it was a beautiful story of a woman growing into herself & choosing to live an authentic life. Thank you NetGalley & Dial for the advance copy.