Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone completely stole my heart. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, cry, and hug it when you’re done. Lenny is still trying to figure out life after losing her best friend, and then there’s Miles—grumpy, closed-off, but somehow exactly what she needs. Their slow-burn romance is so soft and real, and I loved every second of it.

The mix of grief, love, and found family is beautifully done, and even with the heavy moments, there’s so much warmth and hope. If you love emotional but cozy romances with characters who feel like real people, this one’s for you!

i struggled with this book a lot more than i thought i would. mainly - i thought having to read through the grief of losing a friend would destroy me, but instead my disdain for the main character REALLY made it hard to connect with the book.

the plot of the book was good. the list was a really fun aspect of this and i loved that a lot. i felt lenny’s journey through grief was really well written. i LOVED the pacing of hers and miles. i respect bastone’s understanding of grief enough to know lenny needed to become herself again before jumping into anything.

i loved miles. he was sweet, caring and attentive. he was, again, really well written. his support for lenny was admirable. they way he knew when to push and when to pull back, he was her strength until she found her own.

lenny - i didn’t hate her perse, but she annoyed me. so. much. they way she talked sometimes just reminded me of a toddler. 75% of the words coming out of her mouth had me cringing. at first i thought - maybe it’s just the millennial core that’s driving me crazy? but i think that her personality was a) not for me and b) not that well written.

now - i did love the pacing and lenny and miles’ relationship BUT i wish we saw more progression there. it kind of felt like suddenly they’re in love and need to do something about it. wish there was more a buildup.

also i feel the ending was very sudden. would of loved to see more of them in an epilogue, but im glad that miles at least got to meet lou by the end of the book.

overall - this was a fine read! it was still enjoyable, just a few grips.

4.5 stars
Sex: yes (a scene or two at the end)
Language: yes

It’s been a while since I’ve been sad to have a book end. I stayed up far too late to finish listening to this one. It’s mostly a story of grief and healing. It’s heavy and sad, but ultimately hopefully and really funny. The main character is absurdly quirky, like many of this author’s female leads, but I enjoy it. Lenny’s very best friend has died and she’s just not sure how ANYONE survives something like this. She’s floating through life, shutting out anyone who knows her, and faking it as much as she can, until she meets someone who recognizes her grief from first hand experience and decides he’s going to take it upon himself to coach her through it. There’s tough love and incredible tenderness. Miles offers Lenny a safe space where she can be 100% authentically broken and it was beautiful to watch. Lenny, despite her heart-wrenching sadness, is such a bright light. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy to review.

This slow burn romance is one of the sweetest books I’ve read in a long time. It has to be said the main focus is on grief and grieving & learning to live again after the loss of a loved one, so if you aren’t in the right mental space for this right now, skip it until you are.
From Goodreads: Lenny's a bit of a mess at the moment.
Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her death has left Lenny feeling completely lost. She's avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with Lou, and the list of things she's supposed to do to help her live again. The only thing she can do is temporary babysitting gigs, and luckily, she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. It's not perfect: Ainsley's uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of... a huge jerk. But if Lenny acts like she has it all together, maybe no one will notice she's falling apart. Miles sees right through her though. Turns out, he knows a lot about grief and, surprisingly, he offers her a proposition. He'll help her complete everything on her "live again" list if she'll help him connect with Ainsley and overcome his complicated relationship with Reese. Lenny doubts anything can fill the Lou has left behind, but she begins to spend more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself.
While the main focus on this is grief there are several lighthearted moments and quite a few laugh out loud ones. All of the characters, including the side characters, are lovable and really make the book come to life.
The chemistry Lenny has with everyone who comes into her life is truly spectacular and watching her learn to live again is really something special.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this. Promise Me Sunshine hit the shelves on March 4.

This is a good read about a girl trying to meddle through grief and and she finds someone who tries to help her. Cara touches on some tough topics in her book but she is very meticulous in her writing.

While I ultimately liked this book I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Lenny was a unique character and while I grew to like her there were several times that her traits took me out of the story, especially in the beginning. I ended up really enjoying this book for its depth, but if you've had a personal experience with grief or with cancer there are points that were triggering. While the romance aspect was very realistic and well done there was very little in the beginning and it felt unbalanced - just know that going in!

I did end up listening to half of this book and I think that contributed to my disconnect. I look forward to consuming it in entirety on paper, I have a hunch I'll enjoy it more that way.

Oh my goodness! This book was absolutely everything to me. I read it all in one sitting, and I am already ready to reread this and annotate the life out of my physical copy now.

Cara somehow always weaves just the right amount of reality into the stories to help people navigate real world situations. The topic of grief in this book was so so well done and I really felt like this was a beautiful journey for people to go on. Following two people who navigated their grief so differently and with different supports was really interesting to see. I feel like that was really important to show that is going to mirror another journey.

I absolutely loved that this book showcase not only romantic partnership, but also platonic partnership. This book really encompassed a total human experience of living in the city and navigating a difficult time that can be relatable to so many people. I absolutely love this book and grateful to an ARC!

I loved this book and how much heart it had. Lenny and Miles’s story felt so natural and heartfelt and emotional in all of the best ways. When Lenny felt heartbreak and grief, it felt like I was right there with her. When Miles finally was accepted by his family, I felt joy right along side him. This book made me FEEL. As a couple, Lenny and Miles’s journey from strangers to friends to partners felt so natural and I thought that each stage of their relationship occurred at exactly the right time for them and who their characters were in each moment.

I loved and appreciated that the overall message of this book was that it’s okay to have/ask for/accept help when being pulled back from the depths of grief and the deep heartbreak that comes with losing a loved one. It’s easy to not want to burden your loved ones with your pain but Lenny’s story showed how much better it is to let people in. I loved that while Lenny still had to learn to love life for herself again and not for anyone else’s sake, Miles was always always there to support in whatever form necessary. She never had to go it alone or put the pieces of her life back together on her own. She was given the support she needed to live a full life again through Miles’s love and kindness so that eventually, when she was ready, she could take care of herself again. This book is about finding the light when it seems the furthest away it’s ever been and about the loved ones in our life who would cross oceans just to make sure we’re okay. What a beautiful concept to write about.

This was a truly remarkable book that left me both moved and deeply satisfied. The story was excellent in every sense, offering a perfect balance of humor, heart, and real-world emotions. As a New Yorker myself, I especially loved the setting of NYC. The author captured the city’s pulse so beautifully, making it feel like another character in the story.

The characters were what really made this book stand out. They were relatable, likeable, and well-developed. Each one grew and evolved throughout the story, and it was impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Lenny, was particularly compelling, and watching her navigate the complex emotions of grief was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The theme of grief was explored in such a realistic way, it wasn’t glossed over, and the portrayal that grieving is not linear felt so raw and authentic.

Despite the heavy theme, the book was incredibly funny and beautifully written. The pacing was steady, which kept me engaged throughout, and the writing flowed in a way that made it easy to read. I found myself both laughing and tearing up, and I loved how the author weaved these contrasting emotions so seamlessly. The banter between the characters was an absolute highlight, it had me smiling to myself more than once. The witty exchanges added a layer of lightness to the story, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

One of my favorite elements of the book was Lenny’s journey to healing, which was marked by the discovery of new love and friendship. Miles was such a standout character, everyone deserves a friend like him. His kindness and support were exactly what Lenny needed, and their dynamic was one of the most heartwarming parts of the story.

All in all, this book was a beautiful exploration of grief, healing, and the importance of love and friendship.

I'm shook that I disliked this one as much as I did, especially after seeing lots of glowing reviews on bookstagram. But I finally had to admit to myself that I just wasn't interested at all and DNFed at 33%. I didn't feel any romantic chemistry between the main characters and the FMC was particularly childish. I understand grief can be all-consuming, but she was utterly incapable of basic tasks like walking into a bedroom and yet she's supposed to be trusted to babysit a kid all day? I also thought the premise of the book was bizarre with the FMC being expected to babysit while the kid's estranged uncle just randomly shows up and hangs out at the apartment at the same time? I feel like that's unrealistic and creepy. I was reading this for two weeks and my desire to pick it up just kept waning until I finally decided to DNF. Thanks anyway for the ARC.

This book was so lovely. Lenny and Miles are complimentary in such a sweet way. This book also paints a perfect picture of the gut wrenching experience of grief and what it means to go on with that pain in your life, getting better little by little but never going away. I really enjoyed this book! One of my favorite reads of the year.

Promise Me Sunshine is the first book I've read by Cara Bastone but I can guarantee it will not be the last. I fell head over heels for Lenny. My heart ached for her and I absolutely adored her. This was such a gut wrenching story that I just couldn't put down. I read this in less than 24 hours because I was enamored. Lenny and Miles had such an interesting love story that I just loved.
5 stars, and you earned a lifetime reader from me.

a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ heartwarming romance surrounding loss and grief and finding the people to pull you up out of the darkness.

💜what you’ll find:
-friends to lovers
-found family
-grief rep
-healing after loss
-sweet nothings 🤍
-emotional journey😢🥹
-completing a list
-slow burn 🔥

Lenny felt near to my heart and I cried for my younger self, incredibly proud of her healing journey. And don’t even get me started on Miles - dear lord does Bastone know how to write a MMC. He’s a little grumpy but oh so sweet, and is the perfect person for Lenny to have in her corner.

The beginning was a tad slow, but after reading the entire novel, I understand why. It's not only a slow burn romance, but a slow start for Lenny, as it is with grief - you have to go THROUGH it before you can start to feel yourself again.

I finished reading this book a couple weeks ago and I am still thinking about the characters. I loved how hopeful this book was, how much they grew and learned to hope and grieve. I fell in love with the characters throughout the course of the book. A wonderful, sweet romance.

Obsessed! That's how I feel about this book!! Cara Bastone did things with writing this book. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen, I healed a little, I fell in love, I grieved... it was an amazing experience all around. One I think about basically everyday since reading it. The way that Miles just lets Lenny be with her grief instead of trying to placate her that it will be okay, or telling her to move on while helping her heal at the same time was something I didn't know I needed. I loved his "one thing good for you, one thing bad for you and a change of scenery" I'm going to be using that in my everyday life when something seems too much and I just need a moment. Miles just has the biggest heart and tries so hard to be there for all the women in his life and it was fun to watch how Lenny was able to help him with that while he was helping her heal. There is so much more I want to say about this book but I don't want to give anything else away! I wish I could scream from the rooftops how much I loved this book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Promise Me Sunshine!

I love heavy books so the grief was very welcomed. I loved how with Miles’ support, Lenny was able to transform her life and live with the grief.

The slow burn romance was almost too slow burn for me. I realize there was a reason for this with this particular story but it was still a bit slow for me!

Thank you NetGalley, and Dial Press Trade for my eARC!

3.25 stars

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone is a poignant love story that also delves into grief in an incredibly authentic way. Lenny, our FMC, grieves the death of her best friend; Miles, our MMC, takes it upon himself to help Lenny learn to "live again."

This is not your typical rom-com. Sure there are some typical romance elements (i.e. friends to lovers trope), and there are some outrageous/larger than life aspects of the story (for example: the FMC's outlandish fantasies every time she meets an attractive guy). Those aren't the factors that pulled me into the story (in fact, they sometimes even detracted from it).

The parts that kept me invested are the flashbacks with the best friend and the parts where it shows that grief is not a linear or logical process. Those parts are what make the story feel real and relevant. Whether you have or haven't lost a loved one, this book will make you feel things.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Promise Me Sunshine is available now wherever books are sold.

When I first opened this book, I was not expecting to love this book as much as did! Now that it’s finished, I wish I could start all over again for the first time!

The plot, the writing style, the characters, the setting, and everything else about this book dragged me in and kept me locked in the entire time!

I loved the plot! The way the characters started as very individualized people and slowly started to mold into each other’s lives was such a sweet transition to witness. The way that Lenny & Miles included Lou in so many aspects of their daily lives (even apart from the list) was incredibly charming and sweet. I felt like I was truly living in the moment with them as they trekked around NYC.

Every single character was an absolute knock out of the part! From Lenny & Miles, to Ainsley & Reese, to Jericho, Rica, Jeffy, and Emil the doorman, they all stole my heart! The character building with Lenny & Miles is so deep and thoughtful! They are so perfectly crafted and developed throughout the story!

The way the Cara Bastone writes has a way of transporting you to an exact spot or conversation. I felt like I was living this grief-filled healing journey rijjt alongside Lenny & Miles. Truly fantastic writing!

I don’t think I’ll ever not recommend this book, it was that good! You’ll get hooked & fall in love with this book immediately, I promise it’s worth it! 🌅⛴️💛

To be loved is to be seen. To be seen is to be understood. To be understood is to be heard.

I sit here with renewed hope in this little existence of mine. Some days will be hard, but you "push through to keep on living and living well."

And maybe, just maybe, you find someone whose existence complements yours. Someone who writes lists about you to make sure you're okay. Someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.

Grief can take the back seat on those beautiful days.



Thank you so much Dial Press for the eArc!

I don't know what Cara puts into these books, but holy shit.

"Ready or Not" was one of my absolute favorite reads of 2024 and "Promise Me Sunshine" may end up being one of my favorite reads of 2025. Not only is this an amazing romance novel, but also a phenomenal book about grief that handles the subject with such care and respect.

The characters in this book jump off the page and feel so human and relatable that they could be someone you know. Bastone excels at writing men who will do literally anything for the woman they're in love with. I don't mean this in a "down bad" way (though they are), but in a wonderfully caring and nurturing way.

"Promise Me Sunshine" deals with some very serious themes, but still manages to feel hopeful even in its darkest moments. Given the subject matter of the book, I really appreciated the pacing of the more romantic elements (without giving too much away).

Lenny and Miles are going to stick with me for a long time. I can't wait to see what Bastone writes next.

5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press Trade for the eARC. All opinions are my own.