This is a book about healing from raw grief. It’s tender portrait of Lenny, who, six months after her best friend Lou’s death, rides the Staten Island ferry all night because she can’t bear to return to their shared flat. She’s a mess, barely eating, sleeping or looking after herself. After taking a temp nanny job looking after 8-year-old Ainsley, Lenny finds herself with a ‘grief wingman’, the grumpy Miles, Ainsley’s uncle. Miles is awkward with Ainsley and wants offers a trade. He’ll help Lenny with a ‘how to live to do list’ that she and Lou concocted, if she will help him bond with Ainsley.

This book tugged at my heartstrings. I got so invested in Lenny and Miles. Their romance was a perfectly paced slow-burn as Miles helps Lenny undertake various activities around New York to help her find her way. I just wanted to hug Lenny. She feels completely alone and desperately missing Lou, her soulmate. Miles understands their bond and what Lenny needs as she tries to get through the rawness of her grief and find a way to let in pockets of light back into her life.

Cara Bastone really knocked this out of the park as she conveys Lenny's pain. This book is touching, life-affirming and poignant, while carefully balancing the swoony, slow-burn romance.

‘He walked into hell and dragged me back out.’

Thanks to Random House/Dial Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you @netgalley for the arc! I fell head over heels for Cara’s book Ready or Not, and I never imaged this one would be even better, but man she outdid herself.

My fellow Emily Henry girls, I am begging you on my hands and knees to pick up this book when it releases. This book is grief, and change, and companionship, and joy, and love all wrapped around you like your favorite blanket.

Let’s start by saying that our main character Lenny is absolutely hilarious. Despite the heavy topics discussed, there’s a lightness and hopefulness to the tone of the book, and I attribute a lot of that to Lenny and Miles’ back and forth banter.

And Miles, oh my sweet Miles. An absolute teddy bear of a man hiding behind his hard exterior. The way he cared for Lenny and brought her through her grief had me melting and swooning!

Ainsley and Reese are also the most captivating supporting characters. As someone who works with kids often, I’m a little picky about how they’re written, but I fell in love with Ainsley immediately!

Ultimately, Lenny’s journey of learning to live again ripped me open and sewed me back together. Cara I’ll read anything you write!

This story immediately pulled me in with its emotional depth. The main character, struggling after losing a close friend, is completely lost, and her journey through grief is portrayed in a deeply authentic way. Her vulnerability and pain are palpable, making it easy to connect with her from the start.

At first, she gets help from someone she wasn’t particularly interested in, even feeling indifferent toward him. But as the story unfolds, their relationship begins to change. Slowly, the barriers between them fade, and they form a connection that grows unexpectedly stronger.

The pacing of their evolving relationship is handled with such care. The gradual development of their bond makes each moment between them feel significant and genuine. Their transition from strangers to friends, and eventually to something more, is filled with tension, uncertainty, and anticipation, making the journey feel rich and layered.

The story allows their relationship to grow naturally, without rushing the emotional connection. By the time they move from friends to lovers, the depth of their bond feels authentic and well-earned. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys relationships that build slowly and meaningfully over time.

I adored Ready or Not by Cara Bastone when I read it a few months ago, and I was delighted to see her upcoming novel on Netgalley. (And I was thrilled when a tiny crossover cameo popped up in Promise Me Sunshine!).

Promise Me Sunshine is not a cookie cutter copy of Ready or Not, which I appreciated so much. Yes, much of the praise I had for Ready or Not is transferable...the characters were endearing, the storylines were realistic but oh so charming, and the relationship chemistry was achingly perfect. Both novels focus on heroines dealing with unexpected life changes. 

Promise Me Sunshine, however, heavily focuses on grief after losing a loved one. It's charmingly hilarious, I promise(!), but the core theme of the plot is grief and depression. The author beautifully explores the complex emotional journey of our main character after her best friend's death. 

Two amazing books in a row cements Cara Bastone as one of my favorite romance authors, and I look forward to reading more of her backlist.

"Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone is sweet and heart-warming while also tackling the tough subject of grief. Somehow beautifully weaving together real and raw aspects of grief while also keeping it light-hearted and funny, Bastone does an incredible job of telling the story of these characters who are able to help each other navigate their grief but also avoid co-dependency.

RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

PROMISE ME SUNSHINE was just so lovely! Cara Bastone has cemented herself as one of my favorite contemporary adult romance authors with this book. It tackles loss and grief with care, and the romance was perfectly imperfect. This was an Emily Henry-level read for me and I don't make that comparison lightly.

Review (No Spoilers)
This is my first book by this author and I am absolutely in love. This book is so so so special. This is a slow burn which touches on topics of grief, loss of a loved one, living again, found family and the love we need. She was delicate yet raw in her delivery and was able to take such a difficult and triggering topic and create such a beautiful message for readers.

I loved both the main characters. Lenny shows us everything. The good, the bad, the messy and everything in between. It’s hard for me to describe what Miles show us but to put it simply, he was everything Lenny and the audience needed and wanted him to be. The chemistry and banter between the two characters was amazing and you find yourself rooting for them both individually and together. I found myself loving the side characters immensely which added so much depth to the story. Can we get a Reese and Ainsley follow up please & thank you ?! 😅

They go on such an inspiring journey together dealing with their loss of loved ones. I felt immersed in the story beginning to the end. The relatability of the story and characters allowed me to continuous reflect on my own life and experience throughout which made it even more special.

🧡💛🌅⛴️

Absolute perfection! I was seriously crying through the entire book! If it wasn’t because of how heart-wrenching it was, it was because Miles was just too darn adorable! I couldn’t stop myself. I was reading it on a plane, and the flight attendant gave me six napkins with my drink because he saw my face—yep, that kind of book! It’s emotional, sweet, and absolutely unforgettable. I already want to reread it and experience it all over again. This is a true masterpiece. All the stars, plus some more!

This was an easy five-star read for me! After loving Ready or Not and devouring Promise Me Sunshine*, Cara Bastone has officially become an auto-buy author for me. While this story’s main focus wasn’t on romance—something I don’t usually gravitate toward—it explored the profound topic of coping with the loss of a loved one and finding a way to keep going once. That being said, the romance between Lenny and Miles was absolutely perfect. Their relationship was built on an incredible friendship, and while the romance was a slow burn, it felt natural and right for the story. I loved every single thing about this book. Five stars!

This book felt so perfect to me because it reminded me of one of my favorite movies ever, Uptown Girls. When readers are first introduced to Lenny, shes quirky and weird and to be honest I was a little put off, but very quickly I realized that thats just who she is and her characterization was SO good. Then we meet Miles, who is also a little off putting at first, but within the first quarter of the book you start to love him. Throughout the book, you learn to love the characters and see their real life, relatable struggles with friendship, family, and grief. I would definitely recommend this book and I’m so excited to see what Cara Bastone releases next.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC of Promise me Sunshine! This is my second read from Cara Bastone and as a reader, I’m here to stay. I didn’t think anyone could sit at the top with Abby Jimenez or Rachel Lynn Solomon but Cara has become one of those authors to me. Lenny’s struggle with grief throughout this book was something I cocooned in, as I related to it so much. Sometimes it’s easier to sit in the hole than climb out. It’s usually loved ones that convince you to do so and I adored how much Miles kept Lenny (and the readers) moving. There were undertones of the romance tropes we all love so much, but the moments where Lenny is just surviving is when I loved her most. My husband kept hearing me laugh in the other room and would walk in to ask what I was watching. Nothing to see here, I’m just reading a Cara Bastone book!

**Five-Star Review for "Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone**

Promise Me Sunshine is an absolute gem! Cara Bastone masterfully weaves a heartfelt narrative filled with authentic characters and poignant moments. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, and their journey of self-discovery and love is both touching and uplifting. Bastone's writing is beautifully evocative, drawing readers in from the very first page. This book is a perfect blend of warmth, humor, and emotional depth. I found myself captivated and couldn’t put it down! I laughed and cried multiple times. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a story that resonates long after the last page. A true five-star read!

Thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the arc!

Ready or Not by this author was my favorite read of February and I was giddy to read her follow up! I decided to read it cause I needed a book I was excited about!

First and foremost—look at the trigger warnings. This deals with grief very heavily. I think it’s done very well, but it’s definitely something to check just in case.

Lenny has been dealing with a devastating loss and is barely keeping it together when Miles, the uncle of the child she’s babysitting for, comes into her life.

Bastone is a real master of the slow burn. I would definitely classify this as a romance, but it’s also focused a lot on grief and finding a new normal after a loss.

But you were so excited once they finally gave in!

Miles gives Shep from Ready or Not a run for his money in the book boyfriend department. Like seriously is there anything better than men written by Cara Bastone?

I’ve read almost everything Bastone’s written and can’t recommend her books enough. Especially her Forever Yours series!

This one hits shelves in March and you should definitely have it on your tbr!

This book was not what I expected, but I loved every second of it!

This is a beautifully written story about a person's journey after the loss of their loved one and how they navigate their grief. It shows how this journey is not linear; it includes good days and bad ones, but the important thing is that you have someone actively there to support you and be there for you. For Lenny, that person was Miles.

Lenny has just lost her best friend, Lou, who had been battling cancer for a while, and she is absolutely devastated. She is completely dissociating from reality. Lenny creates a list to comfort Lou, meant to help her find a way to live again. Though Lenny isn't ready to move on in any capacity, she then meets Miles, the uncle of the little girl she babysits. Despite initially disliking each other, they become fast friends, agreeing that Miles will help her check off the items on her list, while Lenny will help him build a stronger relationship with his nieces and his sister, Reese.

Lenny had such a sarcastic and sunshine girl persona but deep down she is battling with gut-wrenching grief. Miles knows that feeling all too well. He was the sweetest person with the best intentions despite what his gruff exterior said about him. His actions showed what he couldn't express through words. The unwavering support he shows Lenny was extremely heartwarming. I absolutely adored their back-and-forth banter. The romance is definitely a slow burn in this one, but honestly, it’s so much more than a romance book.

Cara Bastone did an incredible job portraying grief and addressing such heavy topics with great sensitivity. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

P.S. The little snippet about the next book brought tears to my eyes, and I am extremely excited for the author’s next release.

*This book is heavy on grief, so I strongly encourage everyone to review the trigger warnings before reading.*

Promise Me Sunshine made me experience a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving me both in tears and laughter. It wrapped me up in a warm embrace like a cozy blanket of sunshine and I didn’t want the story to end.

It is a tale of loss, grief, and the journey toward healing, where love blossoms along the way. Cara Bastone depictions of grief resonate deeply, pulling at your heartstrings.

The characters were wonderfully crafted and memorable too. Lenny brings so much humor and authenticity to the story, while Miles stands out as the quintessential green flag man, making him my favorite male character in any romance novel now. Hands down.

Get it immediately on 3/4/25…
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC review.

Absolutely loved this book, my favorite of Cara Bastone. This is a book about grief and those that carry us through it. The complicated emotions that it inhabits.

Lenny is a great babysitter to Ainsley; she takes the job and is able to get there appropriately and be a good caregiver. But she can’t bring herself to go home and instead just rides the Staten Island Ferry. Her best friend Lou has died of cancer, and a bit of Lenny has died also. It’s a period of grief she can’t get through. Ainsley’s uncle Miles becomes her grief doula, helping her to learn how to live again. Lenny and Miles help each other heal and become themselves.

I absolutely loved this book, if you like romance and can handle one that revolved around grief (in the funniest possible way) then this is the book for you. Ainsley has absolutely the best lines- it’s so hard for authors to get kids right—- but she nails it. This is endearing, funny, and real.

Thanks to @netgalley and @dialpress for the ARC. Book to be published March 4, 2025.

4.5 rounded up to 5.

Promise Me Sunshine is such a sweet, heartbreaking, joyful read. Our FMC Lenny, a nanny by trade, is living her life in a fog after losing her best friend to a painful five year battle with cancer. She has avoided anything reminding her of her friend, not returning texts from her concerned parents, and has not even gone back to her apartment because it is too painful. She only takes temporary nanny obs as to not get close to anyone. But then she gets a job to watch Ainsley for single mom Reese for a night. And Ainsley's grumpy uncle Miles shows up an is very doubtful of her ability to take care of herself, let alone a kid. To be fair, Lenny hasn't really invested in any me time in awhile so she may look a bit of a fright.

But Lenny is the kid-whisperer and Ainsley loves her, and Miles begs her to take the job. They gradually become friends and he is determined to help her work through her grief to get to the other side.

The slow burn of the enemies to friends to lovers was super swoony and they had chemistry. But I also loved secondary characters and seeing Lenny come back to life and open her heart for love. It just hit all the feels.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC for my honest review.

I adored this book! I fell in love with all the characters and could not put it down. It did a beautiful job with the topics presented and a great reminder that grief is different for everyone.

oh, i loved this novel. i found it beautifully written, they way it dealt with grief, with how lenny tries to go on after losing her best friend, her soulmate lou. i felt like lenny was a very interesting a relatable character, i loved how she was with ainsley, i really enjoyed her romantic storyline with miles, which didn't distract from her process in navigating and dealing with grief. the books was equally touching and at times so hilarious i found myself laughing out loud. i also loved the moment when i realised what is depicted on the cover! i definitely recommend this!

Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me the Advance e-book

"Grief is a relationship,"..."It's the way we figure out how to keep loving them even though they've gone. And in order to do that we have to keep on going. And going and going." - (This quote is from ARC, the final publishes book may differ.)

Beautifully written with sensitivity to the subject, I highly recommend this book and this author to any fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. Personally, from the books I've read from Cara Bastone, this is the best.

A story about grieving and learning to live again and finding love in the process. Yes, it's a romance book, but it is much more, it's a healing book. It's not all dark and gloom, there are spots of lights and delight which I greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure if it was intentional that the male character's last name is Honey. Even though it is not pronounce like our natural sweetener, I want to believe that it's intentional of the author, because honey is also known for its healing property and I think our male character, Miles Honey is exactly that for our Lenny.