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.

I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this book. Grief was a main character in this story but the way it was navigated was beautiful. Like if I ever lose a loved one like this, I know there is wisdom hidden in this book on how to live beyond it.

The writing was excellent.
The story was chef's kiss.
Lenny and Miles were perfection.

This book was such a cute romance book! It also touches on grief which I feel like is so unique in a romance book. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback

My heart, this book 🫠🫠🫠 absolutely in love!

Lenny is grieving the loss of her best friend and takes a job nannying Ainsley. Unfortunately, along with Ainsley comes her uncle Miles who proves to be a thorn in her side. Trying to move through her grief, Lenny realizes she cannot do life alone.

At first I was slightly annoyed with Lenny and her character but just like Miles, I’ve grown to love her and her quirkiness. The way that she and Miles move through grief is so lifelike and relatable, my heart was breaking alongside Lenny’s.

I absolutely loved the romance and the way that Lenny and Miles worked through their grief towards each other. I want a Miles in my life 🥹

I cannot wait to read this book again, thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

I was very excited to read this because I have seen so many raving reviews and one of my friends highly recommended it. Unfortunately, I just felt ehh about it.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a rom-com because it deals with a grief storyline which takes up the majority of the book. I feel bad for saying it, but Lenny was annoying pretty often and I wanted to quit so bad about 65% through, but I had to keep trucking along. I didn't necessarily see chemistry between Miles and Lenny either, so the progression of that was weird and too cheesy.

Maybe I'm just not a rom-com girl. It was too saccharine sweet, over exaggerated, juvenile, and eye rolling. I feel bad saying that, but I really don't understand all of the 5 star reviews. Maybe it's just not for me.

Promise Me Sunshine was so well done! I’ve read Cara Bastone’s book before and I love her voice. Miles and Lenny were dealing with grief and what the reader walks away with is an understanding that grief is personal There are no right or wrong ways to grieve ….i loved this book! Lenny and Miles were multi dimensional interesting characters and their journeys were both heartbreaking and beautiful. Five stars from me!

the portrayal of grief here is what makes the novel, not the romance. bastone just understands that grief isn't something that follows a five step plan. grief is often unexpected and messy and when people go through grief it's not fun to be around them and even though it's hard, the ones that stick by are the ones that you should want around (however, the love interest in this sense felt too perfect in a way). i especially loved how bastone talked about the memories associated with the places and the things that a loved one left behind. it's something that evokes more than just one sense and there's a beauty in that i think that is understood when you go through grief yourself. (3.5)

First off…I’m committing this book to memory! Cara Bastone has a way of writing that pulls her readers into the most achingly raw emotions we experience in life. But, then turns around and shows you how to make it through. The only way out is through.

Lenny is at the bottomest bottom. She’s just lost her best friend (if that can even describe their relationship) to cancer. Lou has left her a Live Again check list, but she’s spiraling and just barely living everyday. Until one day she meets Miles, the grumpy uncle of the girl she’s nannying. He sees her. He sees her pain and he knows first hand what she’s going through and offers his hand to pull her out off of the bottom. And, he offers to help her work through that checklist.

There’s never been a more solid MMC than Miles. He’s slowly showing her the path through. Minute by minute and day by day through. She’s showing him how to be part of his new family. All done with humor, snark and little bit of flirting. I laughed out loud so many times! The slow burn, the little moments and the realization of their feelings for each other was beautiful. The “oh” moments ❤️

I honestly was left wanting more. I did not want this book to end. So here’s my plea, PLEASE PLEASE give us an epilogue!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Cara Bastone for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So good!

Lenny is in a cloud of grief from losing her best friend. She can’t commit to working long term jobs as a nanny so she takes short term jobs. She takes a job for a sweet girl named Ainsley and her single mother and learns Ainsley’s prickly uncle Miles has been hanging around.

Lenny and all learn that Miles is more than meets the eye and that he is specially qualified to help Lenny get through a list of items to do to live again.

This was the sweetest book. I love how it balanced the heaviness of loss and grief along with the friendship between Miles and Lenny. I loved this and immediately went to download “Ready or Not” by the author to follow it with.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Lenny’s best friend Lou has recently lost her battle with cancer and Lenny is lost without her. She is avoiding her parents, her apartment and her life as to not face her grief. She takes a temporary babysitting job with a single, overworked mom, Reese and her adorable daughter, Ainsley. But it also comes with Ainsley’s grumpy uncle, Miles, always hanging around. At first, Lenny doesn’t get why he’s always lingering but when Miles offers to help her with her grief in exchange for her help with his strained relationship with Reese and Ainsley, she agrees.

I absolutely LOVED this book! All the feels! It is a sweet, heartbreaking, slow-burn, heartfelt romance. It takes a very honest, realistic look at grief but the quirky characters and the banter is absolutely hilarious and will have you laughing out loud. This book will make you laugh and cry and uplift you! The perfect grumpy x sunshine, friends to lovers romance. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC of Promise me Sunshine in exchange for my honest review.