Cara Bastone has a special place in my heart because I loved Ready or Not so much! This story was very different. It was quite heavy in parts due to the subject matter. It deals with grief and the reality and complexity of losing someone. I think the author did a great job with it and made it very relatable. I loved the slow burn romance between Miles and Lenny. Miles was grumpy but ended up being a sweetheart. The romance doesn’t start until the second half of the book but the wait is worth it. I think readers will enjoys this sweet, heartbreaking but heart healing romance. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the ARC for review. This book is so great for anyone who is grieving to relate to. It is sad but in the happiest way possible. I loved watching the main character learn to love herself and start to live again after losing someone so close to her. Cara Bastone has a way with words, I couldn't be more happy to see a new book come out from her. She has become one of my must-read authors!

This was beautiful!! Lenny’s journey to live again after the death of her best friend. Miles, her new acquaintance, decides to help her on her journey to live again. OML this was heartwarming. I teared up at multiple moments during this book. It deals with grief, in what I believe is, in a realistic way. The overwhelming feelings that change at any moment during a persons recovery. The odd inconsistency’s of it. It just makes it more real. Like of course she can’t sleep in her apartment, so she’s sleeping on a ferry. The absurd things we do to avoid grief. I love how gentle and respectful Miles was during Len’s recovery. This book is genuinely so touching.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy!

This book was so heartwarming and perfect for people who want a slow burn with all of the summer vibes

Thank you so much Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the arc! I loved this book! I laughed. I cried. I devoured it! 4.5⭐️ Cara Bastone is now an auto read author for me! This was amazing! Posted a full review on Goodreads, linked below.

What a beautiful story about love and loss and helping each other through the difficult times. I struggled to get through this book, not because it wasn't amazing and beautiful but because it was so heavy. Lenny and Miles were truly an inspirational and sweet couple to root for. I loved her first book so much, and was truly grateful for the opportunity to read her second one early. Thanks for the advanced copy.

Wow wow wow! Absolutely loved this book! I read Ready or Not and LOVED it, but this book hit my heart differently in the best way!

Cara Bastone did an amazing job with the topic of grief and moving through grief. I adored Lenny and felt her pain and sadness but her also being sunshine and trying to be happy so she doesn’t drag other people down. Miles was the most perfect, kind, patient man! Ugh I love love LOVE Miles! I devoured this book and am sad that I finished it but the ending was perfect! This book also showed me how I can be a better Miles for my husband who lost his father.


Thank you Cara Bastone, Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

A heartwarming book about two strangers learning to lean on eachother through their struggles. Len is trying to process the loss of her best friend when she meet Miles, a grumpy misunderstood guy that is trying to work through his own challenges.

I really love the character of Lenny! She had me laughing the entire book. There were many times when I felt like I could connect with her overactive imagination. I love that Miles accepted her for who she was. I will admit it took me a little while to warm up to Miles, but I think that’s truly him! This book had me feeling the full spectrum of emotions, from sadness and grief to happiness and love. I loved the ending and the journey to get there. I felt like it was very realistic.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has lost a loved one and has wondered how to live life again. Such a great read- just be prepared to have your tissues ready.

I am so thankful that I was able to receive an ARC of this wonderful book.

Wowowow. First of all, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC because I absolutely adored this book. A fair warning: this book is about grief. It’s also about romance, but some people might not like how much grief hangs around for the whole book. Overall, this book was a wonderful story about life after loss and I think it was extremely well thought out. I also just loved loved loved Miles as a partner for Lenny.

I would highly suggest that you listen to Dancing On My Own at the appropriate time. It really adds to the scene in the best way.

I’ve never read a book that made me both cry and also get so giddy about the romance. Promise Me Sunshine tells the story of Lenny, who recently lost her best friend to cancer. She is essentially going through life in a fog, racked with grief over her loss. She takes a nanny job and meets the girl’s uncle, Miles. Miles has recently come into his half-sister and niece’s life and is trying to figure out how to best be a part of theirs (he isn’t the warmest fellow, at first.) Miles has experience with grief, and offers to help Lenny through hers, while she in turn offers to help him get in better with his family.

The romance is a definite slow burn… but that’s really the pay off. You see a ton of character development between the two, and it's a treat. They take their time getting to know each other, not rushing into a relationship like you see so often in other books. The banter and the friendship between Miles and Lenny was great, and I enjoyed the additional characters as well.

Overall, I did really love this book. Cara Bastone is an auto-buy author for me :)
If you read Ready or Not, watch for someone you may remember.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House/Dial Press for the e-arc so that I could review this book.

Is it possible that Cara Bastone could write a book better than Ready or Not? Yup. But man, I didn't think so. Promise Me Sunshine is a beautiful book about grief and the awfulness of moving forward without your loved one. I'm a therapist and my favorite thing to say about grief is that it's like glitter. You think you're done cleaning it up and then bam, days, weeks, months later, you're doing something and find more glitter. This is so true for Lenny. She is trying to find a way to live again after her best friend/partner in crime died from cancer. Lenny's struggles are so realistic. Both struggling to find a new road through life and then being upset when she can, guilty for being happy when her friend is not there.

Miles is also struggling with grief. He has lost so many family members. He is struggling to build a relationship with his sister and niece and the struggle is starting to feel like suffocation. Miles grows through his grief by being brave and vulnerable, asking Lenny for help, and giving her the gift of friendship in return.

Bastone really knows how to write love! Romantic love, yes, but also familial and friendship. I love how Lenny searched for friends as an adult- not an easy feat. Her friends were awesome btw- such specific and well drawn characters that were not charactectures.

Bastone is one of the best at friends to lovers romance; she captures every woman fantasy. I can't wait to read her next book! If you haven't read her yet, don't hesitate! If you are a fan of Abby Jimenez you will love Bastone! 5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Dial Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy of this wonderful book! Cara Bastone did incredible work with this story. I loved it from beginning to end, and honestly, I had zero notes. There was nothing I didn’t love. The author does a great job talking about grief and what that is truly like. I don’t know that I have really seen this done this well in other books. I fell in love with the characters. I just kept wanting to know more about each of them. Yes this is a romance novel, and the romance is definitely there. However, I do think this story speaks so much more on how you live your life after you lose someone you love. I would recommend this book to everyone. I don’t think you will be disappointed. I never wanted it to end, and I kinda hope we see these characters in another book in the future.

It's one of the best rom-coms I've ever read about loving someone whose life has fallen apart but who still has to keep living day by day. It's a true and deep portrayal of grief but not a sad book, per se. It's also such a wistful-inducing book when it comes to finding a partner who can truly love every piece of you, when it's whole and when it's broken. In "Promise Me Sunshine," Cara Bastone crafts a deeply moving exploration of grief, healing, and unexpected connection that transcends typical genre boundaries. While marketed as a romance, this 416-page novel delivers something rarer: an authentic portrait of loss wrapped in a tender story of finding love when you least expect it.

Core Story
After losing her best friend to cancer, Lenny drifts through life like a ghost, putting on a brave face while struggling with overwhelming grief. When she takes a temporary nannying position, she meets Miles, the grumpy uncle of her young charge Ainsley. What begins as a mutual support arrangement—Miles helping Lenny with her "live again" list while she helps him connect with his niece—evolves into something neither expected: a chance at healing and love.

Outstanding Elements
+ Grief Portrayal: Bastone's depiction of loss is remarkably authentic, showing grief's non-linear nature through Lenny's good days and bad days. The narrative doesn't shy away from the raw reality while still finding moments of light
+ Character Development: Lenny's journey from putting on a "sunshiny persona" while drowning in grief to slowly learning to live again feels earned and real. Miles emerges as a layered character who, despite his gruff exterior, shows deep emotional intelligence and care. His only flaw, as readers note with amusement, seems to be his use of 2-in-1 shampoo
+ Balance: The author masterfully weaves humor and heart throughout the heavier moments, creating a reading experience that's equal parts tears and laughter
+ Found Family: The relationships between characters, particularly involving Ainsley and Reese, add rich emotional depth to the story
+ Writing Quality: The prose is emotionally evocative, with memorable quotes that capture profound truths about loss and healing

Romance Elements
+ Slow Burn: The romantic relationship develops gradually, not taking center stage until the final third of the book
+ Natural Progression: The evolution from friendship to love feels organic, with subtle hints scattered throughout
Chemistry: The banter between Lenny and Miles provides perfect comedic relief while building their connection

Considerations
+ Readers seeking a traditional romance might find the pacing slow, as the focus remains primarily on grief and healing
+ At 416 pages, it's longer than typical genre offerings, but the space is well-utilized for character development

Impact
What sets "Promise Me Sunshine" apart is its ability to be multiple things at once: a grief narrative that doesn't lose hope, a love story that doesn't minimize pain, and a character study that feels universally relatable. While it contains a beautiful love story, its true strength lies in its honest portrayal of grief and the courage it takes to open yourself to life again. The slow-burn romance feels earned and authentic, while the journey of healing is portrayed with remarkable sensitivity.

Perfect for: Readers who appreciate emotional depth in their romance, fans of found family narratives, and anyone who has experienced loss and the complex journey of healing.

Words cannot express how much I love this book! Lenny is so quietly intelligent and intuitive with a perfectly quirky and loud personality that it’s impossible not to love her! Miles is one of the most incredible book boyfriends I’ve ever read and the two together are amazing. Their story and the way they help each other deal with immense loss as their loves grows had my heart from the very first page! Incredible; love and highly recommend this book!

5 stars! ⭐️

After loving Ready or Not I was so excited to be able to read an ARC of Cara Bastone’s latest, Promise Me Sunshine - Thank you Dial Press!!

I absolutely loved this book - I read it in one sitting and felt a whole gamut of emotions!

Bastone writes such charming and funny banter but also made me feel so deeply emotionally attached to these characters. Grief is a major theme of this book and it is handled with such care and love. My heart was aching for Lenny and Miles but it was so beautiful to see their growth. Because while this was a story about grief, it was also a story about learning to live after loss & lean on people & ask for help when you need it. (going to cry again writing this lol)

I wanted to hug my family / best friends and tell them I loved them immediately after putting the book down. 😭

I can’t wait to read whatever comes next from Cara Bastone!

"Promise Me Sunshine" is a beautifully written novel that radiates warmth and hope. The characters are relatable and endearing, drawing readers into their emotional journeys. The storyline is both engaging and uplifting, making it hard to put down. With themes of love, resilience, and the power of friendship, this book is a delightful read that leaves you feeling inspired and optimistic. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good story! Thank you net galley for this great ARC!

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that dives deep into themes of healing, friendship, and second chances. The story follows the charming yet flawed Jude and the resilient, kind-hearted Daphne, who are brought together under unlikely circumstances. Bastone’s writing shines as she skillfully builds their relationship, layering in humor, vulnerability, and genuine connection. The book captures the essence of finding love in unexpected places and the power of letting go of the past to embrace new beginnings. Perfect for fans of heartfelt romances with rich character development and a feel-good, uplifting vibe.

I love Cara Bastone novels and I am excited for her to continue putting out more book, I absolutely devour them. Thank you for gifting me this ARC. I absolutely loved it.

I lost my best friend to cancer a few months ago. When I got this ARC I was so excited to read about someone who knew what I was feeling. But turns out I had a hard time starting this because it felt too real to me. It was hard to escape my own reality when Lenny’s reality was just like mine.

I slowly read it until finally one day (today) I read half of the book in one sitting. This was a beautiful book learning how to grieve. Learning how it’s okay to grieve. Learning you can move on and you won’t lose any part of them.

I have so many highlighted notes but one that really stuck with me is “grief is a relationship… it’s the way we figure out how to keep loving them even though they’re gone. And in order to do that we have to keep going. And going and going.” Thank you, Cara, for writing this beautiful book and being a part of my healing.

Absolutely incredible book! Brought out all the feels and had such a good message! Will definitely be recommending to friends and family!!

I really loved this book! It was such a sweet and raw story. I could relate to Lenny in a lot of ways. The depiction of grief was both beautiful and heartbreaking. You were able to really connect with the characters as you learned more about them and their complex paths. The romance did feel a little more like friendship to me at times but I still really enjoyed them together. The little glimpses we saw of Lenny and Lou’s friendship was just so sweet. Truly girlhood at its finest and shows that’s not all soulmates are romantic. I can’t wait to read more from this author!