This book was amazing. I loved it. The raw grief that was portrayed was so emotional and real. Cara Bastone really knows how to write a good story!

I really enjoyed Promise Me Sunshine. The premise of the book, finding someone to help you through the dark days when grieving, isn’t something I’ve read before. I think this topic could have turned in a really dark direction, but Bastone did a great job of creating a lighthearted protagonist who portrayed the realities of grief while also having a great sense of humor.

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I loved the slow burn romance between Lenny and Miles. By the end I felt like I was practically screaming for them to get together already, and I appreciated how she let them each begin to heal together and separately before they proceeded with their relationship.
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I felt that the secondary characters were really well developed, and added so, so much to the overall storyline. Nobody felt gratuitous, everyone played a crucial role.

My only “complaint”, and I wouldn’t even say this is one, is that the book is very dialogue heavy, and that’s a writing style that is sometimes difficult for me to read and lends itself better as an audiobook for me to listen to. Really, that’s just an issue with my processing more than anything.

Bastone is making a name for herself on my shelf, if I ever want to really feel something when I’m reading/listening, I’ll be picking up one of her books.

Thank you to Cara Bastone and Random House Publishing for an eARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/4.75⭐️

this was my second book from Cara Bastone and now if she writes it, I will read it. I love the depth to her books and while this book wasn’t my fav compared to ready or not I absolutely loved it and the romance had me giddy. Cara knows how to write mmc that completely steal my heart and have me obsessed with their quiet steady love and it’s beautiful to see and read. Also the cover is absolutely stunning!

Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Bastone, and Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Promise Me Sunshine is a beautifully relatable novel that explores grief, depression, and the slow, healing power of friendship and love. Lenny, a nanny between jobs, is a deeply empathetic character whose internal monologue brings so much warmth and honesty to the story. Her journey is complicated and real, especially as she navigates grief while daydreaming about a future with her charge's uncle, Miles. I appreciated how Ainsley, the seven-year-old Lenny is nannying, was portrayed with such realism—smart, funny, and true to life.

One of my favorite aspects was the slow-burn romance between Lenny and Miles. Their friendship builds naturally, with Miles offering unwavering support as Lenny copes with her past. This story really felt more like a friendship journey until about 80% through, when they finally shared their first kiss. For a romance novel, it made the experience feel special, even if I found myself impatient for that romantic turn! The mutual feelings and restraint made the payoff deeply satisfying.

At the end, the “live again” list was a wonderful touch, encouraging readers to embrace life and experience more. It felt like such a fitting conclusion to a story about moving forward and finding hope. This book was moving, beautifully written, and well-paced, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it.

loved this one!!! although it felt a bit too long and i did find myself zoning out or skimming at a couple points, overall this is a really great story about grief and love and the journey of it all.

this is deffff a slow burn so keep that in mind going in, but i do think it’s worth it by the end. i love the love between lenny and miles, it just felt so geniune and emotional.

the portrayal of grief was done really well, although a bit .. dramatic? at times. another review on here says it almost felt like a caricature of what grief is “supposed” to be like and i feel like that describes it perfectly. it’s such a complex emotion and of course everyone goes through it in different ways, but it felt really basic at points.

if you want an emotional romance with hard hitting themes and possibly a couple tears mixed in, go for this one!! it does drag a bit but is still just a really great story.

thank you to netgalley & random house publishing group for the arc!! all opinions are my own <3

Promise Me Sunshine is a gorgeous novel about loss and love. Bastone does such a beautiful job of letting the reader into the mind of Lenny, the protagonist, as she navigates the raw grief of losing her lifelong best friend. The book portrays her struggles to function in her daily life and soon, meeting a stranger who also has personal experience with deep grief could be a way forward.

The tender ways in which Miles cares for Lenny are heartbreaking and sweet, and it was so beautiful to watch her slowly progress through many days and moments of blinding grief to finding joy again. This book doesn’t gloss over grief in any way, but shows how deeply healing it can be to walk through it with someone who’s been there.

The romance almost feels secondary in this novel, but not really! It's just an amazing slow-burn romance that feels utterly real and life-changing. I have to go and read all of Bastone’s prior novels now that I’ve seen what incredible emotional depth she brought to these characters. I cried while reading this, yes, but overall it left me with such a feeling of hope and determination to live well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this read. I liked Resdy or Not last year so I was happy to read Promise Me Sunshine this year. Oh I loved these characters and it was so easy to ready. Cara, you got great humour for writing !! Whatever she comes out with next I want to read.

I really loved this sweet and heartfelt book. Miles is so genuine, sweet, gentle, and thoughtful. The beginning of this book feels pretty chaotic being inside Lenny's head, but upon reflection I'm sure it is meant to as that reflects where Lenny is at mentally and emotionally at that time. We really go on a beautiful, emotional journey with Miles and Lenny and I already miss them! I will be re-reading this one for sure!

Promise Me Sunshine is a beautifully written story about Lenny and Miles and dealt with the heavy topic of grief and the journey towards healing. I could feel Lenny’s pain from losing her best friend and how she was struggling to move forward in life while grieving. Miles knew how to support her to accomplish her Live Again list, resulting in Lenny depending on and taking care of herself. I loved the truly slow burn romance between Lenny and Miles and also the friendships they made along the way.
Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This wasn’t my first Cara Bastone book and it certainly won’t be my last either.

I loved Ready or Not, so I was excited to get my hands on this one!

Overall, I loved it. I found it took me a bit to get into it, but once we really got into knowing Lenny and Miles, I was hooked.

This was my second Cara Bastone read (Ready or Not was my first - and I LOVED it) - and I really enjoyed this one too. It was deep and emotional but sweet and hopeful. Solid 4 ⭐️!

📖 The Details:
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
Grief | Best Friends & Found Family | Personal Journey

⏱️ Quick Summary:
After her best friend passes away after a long illness, Lenny tries to follow through on her promise to "Live Again" through a series of tasks - like visiting the Met as much as possible, eating something famous you can only get in NY, fall in love with a gorgeous man, etc. She takes a job nannying and ends up hanging out with the young girl's uncle, Miles - who knows a thing or two about grief.

💁‍♀️ My Take:
This was emotional at times, funny at times, and very very sweet at times. You could feel Lenny's grief through the pages, and you just wanted to be her friend and give her a hug. Miles was the perfect "grief wingman" with his own tragic backstory and thoughtful insight. They worked so well together and made you feel so many things along the way. Would recommend!

This book was difficult to read, but I loved every word! Lenny's heartbreak was devastating; Miles's patience was perfection; Jericho, Rica, Jeffy were fantastic; and Ans and Reese were just enough. The journey that Lenny went through felt real so I guess that's why I liked it so much. There was grit and perseverance and then love and acceptance...it was just really solid!

**Thanks NetGalley for the e-arc!

I fell in love with Cara Bastone's writing with Ready or Not (though unpopular opinion, I wish Eve had ended up with Ethan). So of course I jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy of this book, and I'm so glad I did! Promise Me Sunshine is such a beautiful story of coming back from grief and loss and finding a new community of people who love and support you. It's also about finding your person. I loved both Lenny and Miles. Miles comes off as rough around the edges and leaves a terrible first impression, but he's actually a large teddy bear who would do anything for the people he loves. Lenny is so endearing, and I loved her voice. I think her journey through grief is universally relatable, even though we all grieve in different ways.

This is a very slow burn friends to lovers romance. I loved Miles and Lenny together. We also got an Ethan cameo, which was fun!

I definitely recommend this book. At times it's heavy, but it's also so heartwarming.

Thank you to Dial Press for the advanced copy of this book!

Thank you for the ARC, I loved every second of this book, I can't wait to buy it and put it on my shelf!!!

Lenny lost her best friend to cancer. Lou was her guiding light, her joy, her partner in crime and now she is gone and Lenny is not coping. Formerly a full time nanny she now only takes temporary gigs because she refuses to let a kid down and showing up everyday is more then she can handle. Her newest job taking care of Ainsley comes with a slightly overbearing and judgmental uncle who won’t let the two out of his sight. But Miles is the first person in a long time to really see Lenny, and her overwhelming grief. The kind of loss you can only recognize from experience. Miles offers to help Lenny so her loss doesn’t consume her.
@carabastone has a real gift for writing about the hard and messy sides of life, without judgment. She finds the light in the dark for her characters without dismissing their emotions. This was a beautifully written book. Releasing March 4, 2025 I do recommend keeping an eye out for this emotional beauty.
Thank you to @netgalley and @thedialpress for letting me have a copy to review.
#promisemesunshine #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #read #readmorebooks

Goodness what a wonderfully emotional read by Cara Bastone. As someone who has experienced loss and grief this book crafts such deep heartbreak and has such depth in the two main characters of Lenny and Miles you can truly feel her pain. It was a cathartic read for me as Cara Bastone also blends the perfect amount of humor into the story so good cry’s followed by laughs.
The relationship between Lenny and Miles is so complex as it begins on one end of the emotional spectrum and we see it finish on the other. They definitely grow and change as the story develops.

I’ve been a long time fan of Cara Bastone’s because her character development is unparalleled, and she makes you care about all of the people in the story. I’m also not typically a slow burn girl but the way she writes makes her one of my pre Order Authors.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an Honest Review.

Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the perfect mix of grief, humor, and hope that’s the perfect follow up to Ready or Not. Reading the description I was a bit nervous this book would be totally devastating the entire time and while there were parts that wrecked me, it’s a really hopeful story about learning to live again after grieving the loss of a loved one.

Lenny is a really unique character that lives and loves loudly. She’s trying to stay afloat while dealing with the loss of her best friend and soulmate Lou. Her grief is taking over her entire life and she can’t find a way out of the darkness on her own. Her relationship with grief is really raw and honest and excruciatingly heartbreaking to watch. I wanted to wrap her in a warm hug and cry with her. Her relationship with Lou was so beautiful and I loved the message that best friends can be your soulmates and have lasting impressions on your life. I loved the moments where Lenny would imagine her future with men she just met, this was the perfect way to lighten the mood and it had me laughing out loud so many times!

Miles was such a standout character for me! Even though he’s dealing with his own grief and familial issues he is such a rock for Lenny. He goes out of his way to be there for her emotionally and physically. He pushed Lenny when he needed to and knew when to back off and give her room to breathe. He never gave up on her and was such a steadfast person she could really rely on. He’s so emotionally available, thoughtful, and reliable I found myself falling in love with him. I thought his dynamic and background with his sister and niece was so interesting, I wish that was explored a bit more because even though there was a resolution I wanted to hear more of those conversations.

Miles and Lenny’s relationship was a true slow burn and this is friends to lovers done right! These are two people that do and can rely on the other to help them through a tough time. They learned to open up to each other, ask for help, and enhance the other’s life. It was really beautiful to witness Miles and Lenny begin new friendships and rekindle old friendships with a push from the other person. Their banter was laugh out loud funny and perfect for grumpy x sunshine lovers.

Promise Me Sunshine is a love letter to friendship, grief, and what we do with the love for people we’ve lost. It’s hopeful, life affirming, funny, and will stick with me for a long time.

**Review of *Promise Me Sunshine* by Cara Bastone**

*Promise Me Sunshine* by Cara Bastone is a heartfelt and beautifully crafted story about love, loss, and the journey to healing. Lenny, still reeling from the loss of her best friend to cancer, is a wonderfully complex character whose struggles with grief resonate deeply. The way Bastone portrays Lenny’s avoidance and her attempts to appear “put together” is both poignant and relatable.

The connection between Lenny and Miles is a highlight of the novel. Miles, with his grumpy exterior, becomes a surprising source of support for Lenny, and their evolving relationship is beautifully depicted. The proposition he offers is not only clever but serves as a perfect vehicle for Lenny’s growth. Their interactions are infused with humor and warmth, making their journey together a joy to read.

Bastone’s writing shines as she balances the weight of grief with moments of lightness and hope. The secondary characters, especially Ainsley and Reese, add depth to the story and enrich Lenny’s experience as she navigates her “live again” list. The scenes filled with late-night ferry rides and ramen dinners create a cozy atmosphere that complements the emotional core of the story.

Overall, *Promise Me Sunshine* is an uplifting and beautifully written exploration of finding new beginnings after loss. It’s a perfect read for anyone who appreciates a story that combines emotional depth with moments of joy and connection. I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance and stories about personal growth. This book will stay with you long after the last page!

MILES HONEY WELCOME TO THE BOOK BF LIST!!!🤗

WOW is all I have to say. I loved every second of this book. How Cara was able to make to cry, and laugh so much in the same book is a true skill.

The themes of grief throughout was so heartbreaking and healing. Lenny’s character growth and journey was BEAUTIFUL. And MILES???😮‍💨my acts of service king, I love him dearly lol. He was there for her every step of the way, and even when she fell or stumbled through her healing he helped her up, helped her heal. Gave her the tools she needed but never tried to “fix” her, knew what she needed at all times. Just perfection honestly!! And I loved how we also got learn so much about him and his back story as well

I loved their dynamic. Not quite grumpy/sunshine. Miles is a bit grumpy but he’s more so just a quiet man that’s a little awkward at times. And Lenny wasn’t so much “sunshine” but more of an outgoing extroverted energy. They matched together perfectly.

The ONLY thing I’ll say is I wish there was an epilogue, but that’s just personal preference lol

If you’re still reading this PLEASE mark your calendars for release day!!!

Wow, this was an amazing book! I really loved Ready or Not and this is just as good. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

Bastone does a great job tackling the subject of grief -- you can feel the grief that Lenny is experiencing -- but also adds plenty of moments of humor so that the book doesn't feel too heavy. It portrays the highs and lows of grief and how grief sticks with you (and impacts your relationships). Also, Miles <3 <3 <3