I absolutely adored this novel. It does have romance but it's focused on the FMC, Lenny, going through grief after losing her best friend to cancer. It was painfully real and I was wrought with emotion while reading it. Though it was heavy at times, it was a really good book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this!
This story follows Lenny, who is trying to navigate after losing her best friend and soulmate to the terrible C. She's taken on a babysitting job that puts her front and center with Miles, a seemingly grumpy (but completely not) Uncle trying to connect with his niece. We follow them as they work to cross of the 'live life' list left for Lenny and help pull her from her deepest stages of grief.
This is, in its heart, a romance, but gosh it is SO much more. This is a moving, gut punching view into grief, trauma, friendship, love, and the power of the people we consider our soulmates. First Lenny: she is conflicted, messy, heartfelt, and just so well rounded. I loved the flashbacks to her friendship with Lou, and I thought the portrayal of her heartbreak was so completely genuine. I also loved that many many times, Lenny used humor or sarcasm to mask her emotions: this is me to an absolute T. It was like seeing myself on the pages if I ever lost my Lou
Miles comes off at first as grumpy but he is just a breath of genuine care and attention. He goes above and beyond for his sister, niece, and Lenny because he wants people to succeed to the depths of his soul, and it never once felt contrite. I LOVE how slow burn their romance was (it needed to play second fiddle to the rest of the story) and I particularly like how he pushed her to make friends without any amount of jealousy or animosity. The lack of a third act breakup was also excellent.
There are books every year that knock my socks off with the emotional truth bombs they bring to romance and this is easily my pick for 2024: brilliant.

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

i was really charmed by cara bastone's 2023 release, ready or not, and was excited to see what she did next and this did not disappoint! promise me sunshine is about lenny navigating her grief after losing her best friend to cancer and forging a connection with miles, the uncle of the ainsley, the little girl that lenny nannies for. while the barebones of the plot sounds pretty heavy this story is still told with so much light and joy and it strikes a really impressive balance between being highly emotionally impactful but still really fun to read. i loved both leads and found the supporting characters we had in ainsley and reese really endearing too.

don't miss this one when it comes out in march!

This story is interesting because the main topic, grief, is so universal yet so unique to each individual that experiences it. Lenny enters the novel drowning in the grief of losing her lifelong best friend to cancer, and she is absolutely unable to crawl her way out of the pain for more than a day or two at a time. This is a level of grief that I felt very uncomfortable with at first because it felt so foreign to me and it actually made me feel guilty - why didn’t I feel this level of pain when I lost my parent for example? I had to pause in my reading a few times to think about this a lot and realize that it’s about the support system that you have in place before and after the incident takes place that can really shape how you wade your way out of the darkness. Also, I thought a lot about the idea of “measuring” grief and how unfair that really is because it looks and feels so different to each person.

That takes me to Miles. He is a fascinating counter to Lenny in that he has also lost people close to him, but he has come out on the other side of it and is not ready to be the rock for another person. I just love how Bastone writes her male MCs because they are so steadfast and kind and what you hope that a partner will be for you in real life (props to my real life hubby for sure).

I loved this book even though I really do not like reading about grief. I liked seeing how Lenny took the helping hand that Miles offered and worked her way out of the pain that she was feeling. I think that the message that we don’t “get over grief” but learn to let it live with us is a powerful thing and something that is so true. This book is going to sit with me for awhile, and I’m really happy about that.

There was a lot of ATA (Attention to Arm) in this book and for that, I must give it a 5 star.

I had read Ready or Not earlier this year and really enjoyed it! So when I received the arc for Promise Me Sunshine I knew I was hoping I was going to like it. This book felt leveled up from Bastone's first with the topics of grief, character development, and the plot of the book. The writing was so funny in a way that I find most romance novels cringey and I can always appreciate a good slow burn from our MC's.

I highly recommend adding to your TBR when it comes out in March 2025, but in the meantime, would suggest reading Ready or Not.

thank you random house publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Aaaah what a fantastic book. Touching, heartfelt and just beautiful. Intense at times dealing with grief and just a lovely read. Truly enjoyed it.

Definitely my top favourite romance read! I particularly loved how this book emphasizes that while grief can feel isolating, finding support and companionship can lead to unexpected growth and renewal. The chemistry between Lenny and Miles is palpable, and their relationship blossoms in a way that feels both organic and profound. The author’s ability to balance humor with heavy themes creates a rich tapestry of emotions that kept me engaged throughout.

Really beautiful story and such a poignant and genuine portrayal of grief. I loved the language and imagery. I really loved the slow burn love story and the tension and build up! Wow! Loved all the characters, just really well done!

Whew, this one gave me lots of feelings. This is a romance, but it’s heavily focused on the FMC, Lenny, moving through the stages of grief after losing her best friend to cancer. Cara Bastone writes in such an unfiltered way, with quirky little side commentary and random thoughts thrown in, so you kind of feel like you’re actually living inside the character’s head, even more than a typical book. And in this case, this book hit deep as Lenny worked through her grief and depression.

I don’t cry easily when reading, but this one made me full out cry at one point. Partially for the character and what she was going through, and partially because it just hit a little too close to home and it reminded me of a time where I felt as down and hopeless as Lenny was feeling. It all just felt a little too real, and I have to think the author was writing from experience on this one. Whether people can relate to the grief aspect or not, I’m sure a lot of people can relate to the hopelessness of going through depression at some point in their lives.

All that said, it was a really good book. Yes, it’s light on the romance, but it’s heavy on the heart and friendship, and you’ll be fully engaged, because you’ll want nothing more than to see Lenny come out on the other side of her grief and start to really live again.

Shoutout to the Ethan cameo, as well! I loved Ready or Not, so that was a fun and unexpected little peek into that world again!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Dial Press for the ARC of this book!

Lenny is grieving the loss of her best friend. Miles is trying to connect with his sister and niece after losing their dad/grandpa. They agree to help each other through their difficult tasks. They discover new ways of coping and become along the way.
This book is so amazing. The characters in the book are so real and the emotions are incredibly raw. It is truly okay not to be okay, especially when dealing with loss. Having a relationship with relatives needs work and trust. Oh, and the friends. I loved that feeling of how great it is when you find the people who get you, quirks and all. The parents are so real. They worry about their daughter but they give her space to cope with her emotions. The relationships in the book are portrayed in a relatable way. I really connected with how the book addresses difficult aspects of life with respect and effectiveness. I went through so many emotions reading this and I loved every bit of it.

This book takes you through the journey of two very opposite personalities helping one another find the joys in life while navigating difficult and unconventional relationships.

I found this story to be so sweet and enjoyed the friendship that our two main characters built together. The little wins they both saw through their journeys of healing was so heartwarming and I thought the writing was beautiful during those parts.

There were times when I found it to be a little cringey, and I was not completely sold on the main characters love at the end. I think they’re maybe just platonic soulmates and could work up to more than that one day but regardless, it was sweet and the author still took a majority of the book to focus on healing rather than a relationship so, I get it.

Last point on why I took off a few points here: I liked the idea of them helping one another out and I’ve never personally dealt with grief in this regard so maybe just ignore me here but…girly should’ve gone to therapy at some point too lol

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for the arc of Promise Me Sunshine in exchange for my honest review.

Cara Bastone has once again delivered a novel that is impossible to forget with her latest book, Promise Me Sunshine. The storyline is rich with layers and overflowing with intense emotions, making it impossible for me to focus on anything else while reading! This fresh, brilliant, and original read has firmly secured its place among my favorite books of the year! I highly recommend this 5-star novel for a buddy read with your best friend – it's an experience you won't want to miss!

3.5 ⭐

This a beautiful story about grief and friendship with a hint of romance. While Lenny is finding her way through life again after losing her best friend, she meets Miles as she's the nanny of his niece. They make a truce for her to help connect him with his niece while he helps her with grieving and her "list to live again". Lenny and Miles are so sweet and need to be protected at all costs 🥹

It did take me a bit to get into this and felt a little slow at the beginning. I also feel like the romance part didn't really pick up until 75% but completely understand it was more a story of Lenny's journey. At times she thoroughly annoyed me but that's also why her character arc from where she started to where she ends up is the true MVP of this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A lovely story of grief and the ways it manifests. This book deals with two people learning to connect and be part of the world again after two major but very different love stories and man I wept. Both characters are so expertly drawn and so is their pain. The supporting characters are incredibly nuanced and three dimensional. You just root for both these people to be okay and that’s the best thing I can say about a book, that the characters feel that real to me. Strong recommend!

This was fantastic & undoubtedly Cara's best work. Authentic, emotional, and cathartic, this book simultaneously covers grief, friendship, and love all in perfect balance. The story follows Lenny, a lonely late 20s New Yorker trying to navigate life following the loss of her best friend. She is plastering on a fake smile as she begins what is intended to be a short term stint as a babysitter but it becomes extended as she bonds with 7-year-old Ainsley and her broody uncle Miles. Miles and Lenny, though somewhat hostile strangers at the start, strike up a friendship when he asks her to help him bond with his niece and in exchange becomes her grief coach of sorts. Miles isn't a stranger to tragic loss and the process of grieving and he becomes her steady guide through it all and helps her complete items on a list that her best friend left her in order for her to live again.

This book really illustrates how vital friendships are in the aftermath of loss and the importance of having someone to depend on as you grieve. I appreciate the way Cara developed these characters and it was so refreshing to have leads who prioritized healthy communication and genuine respect for one another as they became the closest of friends. I particularly love how at times when Lenny wasn't sure what she was feeling underneath her mess of emotions that Miles always knew when to give her space to think or when to be close. This also has perhaps one of the most well executed slow burns I've ever read and the way the romance evolved was the most natural progression. Lenny and Miles just fit with one another so perfectly, his quiet and perceptive self with Lenny's more quirky and bold type. It was so amusing to see his reactions to all the ridiculous things Lenny would say and joke with him over and very gradually Lenny seemed to crack his stone-cold facade. I loved how focused Miles was on her healing and how careful he was with her heart. I also adore how both these characters turned into better versions of themselves in their relationship with one another.

My only very minor complaints would be how appreciated an epilogue would have been and I would have loved to see the list Lenny was working on in full, but despite that this book was absolutely phenomenal.

4.5/5⭐

I couldn't put this book down! It made me feel all the feels. My heart broke for Lenny as she navigated her way through her grief over the loss of her best friend. Cara Bastone did just a beautiful job writing about grief and how to live again after loss. Lenny and Miles were so well written, I just adored them. I loved their banter and chemistry. This story was so much more than just a romance novel.

I highly recommend adding all of Cara Bastone's books to your TBR list!

Thanks to Dial Press/Random house for providing me an ARC. My opinions are 100% my own.

I thought I was a fan of Cara Bastone’s writing after reading “Ready or Not”, but this book destroyed me. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and swoon. Perfect for fans of friends to lovers and slow burn tropes.

Bastone is a master of the book boyfriend, and writes relatable stories of love and loss. May we all find our Miles in this world.

Promise Me Sunshine is absolutely beautiful. My heart was in pieces for Lenny. ((I cried multiple times I fear)) Cara Bastone does an incredible job of portraying the journey of grief and mourning while learning to live again.

This was the first book I've read by Cara, and it definitely won't be the last!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing this e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cara Bastone for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this heartfelt story, Lenny, grieving her best friend, meets Miles, the grumpy uncle of the girl she's babysitting. They agree to help each other: she helps him bond with his niece and half sister, and he helps her complete her "live again" list. Their unexpected friendship blossoms with humor and emotion as they navigate life, loss, and love.

I have so much to say about to this book, but I’ll try to keep it as short and sweet as possibly..this book was everything to me and I just couldn’t put it down. First off I just want to say I love Lenny and Miles the friends to lovers was done so well, their relationship was so pure and beautiful. This book really just hit the spot for me, I seen so much of myself in Lenny and related to her journey with grief so much. Cara Bastone handled the topic of grief so well. I am now counting down the days until I can buy the physical copy in stores so I can annotate the crap out of this.

ARC provided by The Dial Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

Promise Me Sunshine had potential but unfortunately, this was a middle of the road contemporary romance for me. I loved exploring Lenny's journey through her grief in losing her best friend — it was a realistic depiction of how unexpected and messy it is.

I didn't necessarily see the chemistry between Miles and Lenny; however. The progression of their relationship was a little too rushed and didn't feel particularly genuine. As much as this is a romance, I wish Lenny could accept that while it's necessary to find support in her healing, you have to find it in yourself to find life worth living again.

The loss of Lenny's best friend additionally took a backseat almost as soon as Miles and Lenny grew their budding relationship. I think just a little more backstory between Lenny and Lou's friendship would have made the loss all the more impactful.