If you know me at all, you know I loooooove a good romance book that also tackles the heavier themes of grief and loss. So when I got approved for Cara Bastone’s newest release, I put all other ARCs aside to read it. Ready or Not was an easy five star read for me, so I couldn’t wait to get my grubby hands on Promise Me Sunshine.

There’s so much I could say about this story! First off, I just love Cara’s characters. The whole cast weaseled their way into my heart. Lenny was quirky, off the wall, surprising, a hoot, and lovable. And yes, Miles was grumpy at first, but OMG his heart is patient, kind, and attentive. Ainsley was a joy of a seven year old and the rest of the supporting cast also just shined for me!

In addition to loving books about grief….you know I love friends to lovers stories. For me it doesn’t get much better. And I LOVED Lenny and Miles’ story. I really loved witnessing Miles help Lenny process her grief and the two of them fall for each other along the way. It was so so special. Anyone who has ever experienced loss will feel seen and understood through Lenny and Miles fumbling and playing as they heal. It felt like such an honest and realistic story. I loved the happy moments. I loved the sad moments. I love the adventurous romps. And I loved how Miles and Lenny were there for each other 100% through it all.

Read if you like friends to lovers, books set in NYC setting, found family, he feeds her, he washes her hair, matching tattoos, and themes of grief and loss.

Thank you so much to Dial Press, NetGalley, and Cara Bastone for an advanced copy of this special book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I cannot wait for you all to read this when it releases in March!

Thank you to netgalley and Cara Bastone for the ARC of this book. This was my first read by Cara Bastone and won't be my last. The story focuses on the FMC Lenny, who has lost her best friend to cancer, and is now figuring out how to navigate life after loss. She meets our MMC Miles, who strikes a deal with Lenny-a deal that will include him helping her to live again.

Wow this book was very well written. It was simultaneously heartbreaking but tender, poignant but still silly, an exploration of grief but also a love story. I really appreciated the way that the author was able to interweave all these aspects into the plot. The main focus was on Lenny's struggle with grief and processing the loss of the person she was closest to in this world. I liked that the book didn't shy away from giving a raw depiction of grief and what it looks like to carry that around. The descriptions and metaphors about these topics were beautiful and honest. I also liked that the love story really centered on Lenny and Miles bond as two people who'd experienced grief leaning on one another. They became friends, partners, and then lovers. It felt like a real and natural progression.

Overall I highly recommend this book. It was a beautiful story of loss, friendship, personal growth, and love.

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

Summary of the plot:
Lenny lost her best friend to cancer a few months ago, and she's been struggling ever since. She can't go back to the apartment she once shared with her best friends, nor can she confront her parents about how badly she's doing. She loves kids, so she takes on temporary babysitting jobs to stay constantly moving. She gets hired to babysit Ainsley, daughter of single mother Reese and niece to Reese's half-brother Miles. Reese and Miles aren't quite on good terms since their father didn't give them much of an opportunity to know each other until his passing. But Miles is determined to become a family with Reese and Ainsley. Miles enlists in Lenny's help to do so, in exchange, he'll be her support system and help her overcome her grief of losing her best friend. And of course, feelings are developed between the two.

Thoughts on the plot:
I quite enjoyed how this author described grief. It felt very realistic to me. One day, Lenny is okay and living life. The next day, she's struggling to breathe because one tiny thing reminded her of her best friend. The day after, she's doing something to honor her best friend. I felt Lenny's grief and it made me sympathize with her so much. You also get brief scenes of Lenny and her best friend prior to her passing, and it makes it hurt even more. And I so appreciated Miles's way of helping Lenny. He didn't force her to do anything. He was just there, and he showed up whenever Lenny needed it. And I also understood her parents' concern because they didn't hear from her much except for a text here and there. This is all to say that everyone in this book made realistic choices, which is why I deeply appreciate this book.

In terms of the romance, I loved the slow burn. And the slow burn made sense. Lenny kind of comes to the realization that she's in love with Miles because he supported her and dragged her out of hell. And Miles, being the sweet man that he is, was so thoughtful and wanted Lenny to make sure she actually was in love with him and that it wasn't to be confused with caring for him. I loved the connection between the two because everything just made sense and the timing was perfect. (Do you see a theme with my review?)

This is also tiny but impactful to me, but I love how family was incorporated into this book. Oftentimes, family members are just thrown into romance books simply to be characters that propel the romance forward. But in this book, the family members had a roll to play in everyone's character development. Another plus in my eyes!

Overall, I would recommend this book to people, but since this book deals with death, just be mindful of that when you do read it.

I absolutely loved Cara Bastone’s Ready or Not and was ecstatic for the opportunity to read Promise Me Sunshine ARC. It did not disappoint- I found it to be an endearing and heartfelt story about the struggles of grief and the journey to overcome it. It is a slow burn, but I thought that the gradual development of Lenny and Miles’ relationship pairs well with the plot and adds to their character development. I like that you get to see the different stages that they are at, while coping and helping each other on their own journeys. I did find the middle a bit sluggish at times, but I understand what the author was trying to convey by doing so. Overall, Bastone approaches the topics of grief and healing beautifully and with such care. I would definitely recommend this book for those wanting a moving and uplifting read. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

This book was an absolute 5-star read for me—beautiful, moving, and deeply cathartic. Cara Bastone has this incredible ability to touch on raw human emotions in such a relatable way, pulling you into the characters’ lives while balancing it all with moments of humor and warmth. I laughed out loud, swooned uncontrollably, and cried my eyes out through this entire book.

What stood out most to me was the way she navigated tough topics like grief and depression with such authenticity and care. It’s one of those books that makes you feel seen, reminding you that even in the darkest moments, you’re not alone. Each character in this story was so well-developed, and the way they grew throughout the book felt natural and real. She never shies away from the messiness of relationships—whether they’re romantic or platonic—and it makes every emotional beat hit even harder.

While I loved the romance, the friendships are what truly made this novel shine for me. They’re a testament to how vital human connections are, especially in the face of loss. The bonds formed and tested throughout the story felt beautifully genuine, and they added so much heart to an already emotional journey. The way she weaves new beginnings into the depths of loss is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, a reminder that even after heartbreak, there’s always a chance to start again.

This book left me feeling emotionally spent in the best possible way, and I think it’ll resonate deeply with anyone who’s experienced loss, those darker times or is simply looking for a story that captures the full spectrum of life’s emotions. This beautiful book is a testament to Cara Bastone’s incredible talent and a must-read for anyone craving a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and healing. You’ll be just as moved by it as I was!

This book was so beautifully written, I bawled my eyes out multiple times and found myself so invested from the very beginning. I feel like it can be so tricky writing about grief, it’s such a complex topic, but the author did it and did it beautifully, I could almost feel Lenny’s pain, like physically feel it. Miles’ character was also so well written, I loved everything about him, to the point of feeling like I’m going to miss him? 😭
Trigger warnings though, this book talks about profound grief, death by cancer, death of parents/close family and depression.

Thank you NetGalley & publisher for the early digital copy, all opinions are mine and mine only ✨

I loved how the narrative embraces the messiness of life, showcasing Lenny’s struggles while also celebrating the small victories that come with learning to live again. The interactions between Lenny and Miles are rich with emotional nuance, filled with warmth and a touch of wit that kept me engaged. The themes of connection, healing, and the unexpected ways people can support each other through their darkest moments resonate throughout the story. This heartfelt tale reminds us that even amidst profound loss, new beginnings can emerge in the most unexpected ways, making it a must-read for anyone seeking solace and hope in the face of life’s challenges.

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for this eARC.

This was so much more than I could have ever expected. After loving Ready or Not I knew that Cara was an author I would enjoy forever.

The hearts of the characters she has created are so lovely. The care and love that Miles gives to those around him is beautiful. To have lived through such grief and want to help the people around you get through theirs in their own way, while also sharing what worked for him was amazing.

There were so many lovable characters in this book. The humor and banter of Lenny, the directness of Ainsley as well as the new friends Lenny makes along the way this is such a diverse group that I think so many people can and will relate to.

I am fortunate not to have lost someone so important to me yet in life. I can only imagine the pain. To share the story of not only the character going through the grief but the way it affects the people around them AND showing how different people handle grief…it was just beautiful. I hope someone can find hope and healing in Lenny, Reese and Miles.

This book was easily five stars for me and I cannot wait for the rest of the world to have the opportunity to read it.

Cara Bastone became one of my favorite authors after her previous novel Ready or Not. This new book Promise Me Sunshine did not disappoint. I immediately found myself invested in Lenny's story and her relationships with the other characters in this novel. It's so well written. You'll laugh and probably cry. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

If I loved this book any less, I might be able to talk about it more. Seriously, Cara Bastone is one of my new favorite authors. Her characters feel so real and the chemistry she creates with every interaction is so impressive. I desperately need more from her. Miles and Lenny were everything. Their foundation of trust and support leading to their romantic feeling toward one another made this a true romance and one of my favorite books of the year! March needs to come faster so everyone can experience the joy that is Cara Bastone's writing.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

I hate saying I didn't love a book because I know the author puts their heart and soul into it - but this just was not my favorite. I enjoyed their relationship and their struggle with grief, but I was not super into the story nor I was excited to keep going. Overall, it was fine.

I connected to Lenny so much! I too also fall in love with every stranger I meet and found this characteristic within Lenny to be extremely endearing. I wish I wouldn't have read the dedication though because I felt that it spoiled the surprise of Miles and his role for me. I love the narrative of Miles helping her as friends to process her grief and in the process falling in love. I love that he noticed when Lenny would have her moments of fantasy and ask her about it without a lot of judgment, but with genuine curiosity. Miles was perfect. This book was perfect. Another great one for Cara Bastone!

I also love that we got a little snippet of Ethan from Ready or Not. I hope his book is next!

This novel is a poignant reminder that even in the depths of loss, new beginnings can emerge in the most unexpected ways. It’s a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and the courage it takes to embrace life again after heartbreak. I couldn’t help but cheer for Lenny as she learns that sometimes, the most meaningful connections can help us navigate our darkest times. A truly uplifting read!

I didn’t pay attention to the blurb about this book, I saw the cover and the author and immediately requested it. Oh my word! It was SO good! Definitely not as lighthearted as I expected (I’ve read a couple Cara Bastone books, but only the ones that were audible editions first. Super light and fun. This was still fun, but not as lighthearted)
Miles is …. Everyone needs a Miles in their life.
I would totally recommend this. If you’ve lost someone dear to you, you’ll be able to relate. But maybe don’t read this while you’re still early on grieving. Or maybe do….and see some of your feelings written out on paper?

Thank you SO much to Penguin Random House / Dial Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy ahead of its release on March 4, 2025!
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Let me preface this that I am still actively crying while writing this review so apologies if I ramble! Cara Bastone has solidified herself as an auto buy and a complete staple of an author for me. 5 stars!!! 6 stars!!! This story really took my heart in its hands from the very beginning. I love a romance that has something really heavy at its core, it's my favorite, it's real and just makes it stick for me and OH BOY did this one do that?!?? It was just an insanely tender, precious, and grounded story that I was consistently feeling all the emotions!! I was just so floored, the characters really felt so real to me and their struggles really hit. Structurally it was sooo solid, I never felt frustrated with the pacing or felt as if things were happening off the page which made the personal developments as well as the romance all the more enjoyable and satisfying. I was just so endeared from the very beginning and was laughing, crying and giggling and kicking my feet all at once. As someone who really feels a lot around grief, particularly lots of dread and anxiety this made me feel really comforted and validated. I just cannot even fully express how much I loved this... Just the perfect sort of romance book that I gravitate towards and will think about for months and months. Prepare to hear me yap about this book often!!!

This book was phenomenal. This made me absolutely sob, but it was also so happy and funny at times. I absolutely adored Lenny and Miles, and was overwhelmed with how happy it was to see them at the end of the book vs. how their characters felt at the beginning. I would definitely recommend this book and will definitely reread.

A story of true friendship. If you had a friend like the two main characters, the future might be possible. Empathy, listening, response, no judgment - wouldn't we all want to have "that person" in times of loss, grief, and healing.

Bastone provides a deep examination of trauma and renewal in a compelling story. I enjoyed the story and the progress of wholeness that emerges through the kind companionship of someone who understands.

Recommended if you're wondering how to be a good friend. Recommended for those wants in be a good friend.
Recommended for this who want a good story.

This book wrecked me in the best way. Oh my gosh. As someone who has lost someone close to me to ovarian cancer, I could relate to many of the things that Lenny experienced and wish that I had had a Miles to help me get through the first year especially. My favorite Cara Bastone book so far and have already recommended it to so many people!

Oh man, this was such a good one. I’m so glad I got this arc! Promise me sunshine will have you crying one second and then literally laughing out loud the next, all on the same page.

If you love quick-witted banner, you will LOVE the chemistry between Lenny and Miles. It’s been a while since I’ve been wholeheartedly into both main characters and their development. This book handles grief beautifully and explores the messiness of it while having to move on with life. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time!

I am so completely moved by this tender read. This one will stay with me for a long, long time. Absolutely incredible. Cars Bastone is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This was an honour to read, I’m left feeling a lot of things. That’s how you know it’s a good one.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the opportunity to read and review this delight.