Absolute perfection! I was seriously crying through the entire book! If it wasn’t because of how heart-wrenching it was, it was because Miles was just too darn adorable! I couldn’t stop myself. I was reading it on a plane, and the flight attendant gave me six napkins with my drink because he saw my face—yep, that kind of book! It’s emotional, sweet, and absolutely unforgettable. I already want to reread it and experience it all over again. This is a true masterpiece. All the stars, plus some more!

This was an easy five-star read for me! After loving Ready or Not and devouring Promise Me Sunshine*, Cara Bastone has officially become an auto-buy author for me. While this story’s main focus wasn’t on romance—something I don’t usually gravitate toward—it explored the profound topic of coping with the loss of a loved one and finding a way to keep going once. That being said, the romance between Lenny and Miles was absolutely perfect. Their relationship was built on an incredible friendship, and while the romance was a slow burn, it felt natural and right for the story. I loved every single thing about this book. Five stars!

This book felt so perfect to me because it reminded me of one of my favorite movies ever, Uptown Girls. When readers are first introduced to Lenny, shes quirky and weird and to be honest I was a little put off, but very quickly I realized that thats just who she is and her characterization was SO good. Then we meet Miles, who is also a little off putting at first, but within the first quarter of the book you start to love him. Throughout the book, you learn to love the characters and see their real life, relatable struggles with friendship, family, and grief. I would definitely recommend this book and I’m so excited to see what Cara Bastone releases next.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC of Promise me Sunshine! This is my second read from Cara Bastone and as a reader, I’m here to stay. I didn’t think anyone could sit at the top with Abby Jimenez or Rachel Lynn Solomon but Cara has become one of those authors to me. Lenny’s struggle with grief throughout this book was something I cocooned in, as I related to it so much. Sometimes it’s easier to sit in the hole than climb out. It’s usually loved ones that convince you to do so and I adored how much Miles kept Lenny (and the readers) moving. There were undertones of the romance tropes we all love so much, but the moments where Lenny is just surviving is when I loved her most. My husband kept hearing me laugh in the other room and would walk in to ask what I was watching. Nothing to see here, I’m just reading a Cara Bastone book!

**Five-Star Review for "Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone**

Promise Me Sunshine is an absolute gem! Cara Bastone masterfully weaves a heartfelt narrative filled with authentic characters and poignant moments. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, and their journey of self-discovery and love is both touching and uplifting. Bastone's writing is beautifully evocative, drawing readers in from the very first page. This book is a perfect blend of warmth, humor, and emotional depth. I found myself captivated and couldn’t put it down! I laughed and cried multiple times. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a story that resonates long after the last page. A true five-star read!

Thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the arc!

Ready or Not by this author was my favorite read of February and I was giddy to read her follow up! I decided to read it cause I needed a book I was excited about!

First and foremost—look at the trigger warnings. This deals with grief very heavily. I think it’s done very well, but it’s definitely something to check just in case.

Lenny has been dealing with a devastating loss and is barely keeping it together when Miles, the uncle of the child she’s babysitting for, comes into her life.

Bastone is a real master of the slow burn. I would definitely classify this as a romance, but it’s also focused a lot on grief and finding a new normal after a loss.

But you were so excited once they finally gave in!

Miles gives Shep from Ready or Not a run for his money in the book boyfriend department. Like seriously is there anything better than men written by Cara Bastone?

I’ve read almost everything Bastone’s written and can’t recommend her books enough. Especially her Forever Yours series!

This one hits shelves in March and you should definitely have it on your tbr!

This book was not what I expected, but I loved every second of it!

This is a beautifully written story about a person's journey after the loss of their loved one and how they navigate their grief. It shows how this journey is not linear; it includes good days and bad ones, but the important thing is that you have someone actively there to support you and be there for you. For Lenny, that person was Miles.

Lenny has just lost her best friend, Lou, who had been battling cancer for a while, and she is absolutely devastated. She is completely dissociating from reality. Lenny creates a list to comfort Lou, meant to help her find a way to live again. Though Lenny isn't ready to move on in any capacity, she then meets Miles, the uncle of the little girl she babysits. Despite initially disliking each other, they become fast friends, agreeing that Miles will help her check off the items on her list, while Lenny will help him build a stronger relationship with his nieces and his sister, Reese.

Lenny had such a sarcastic and sunshine girl persona but deep down she is battling with gut-wrenching grief. Miles knows that feeling all too well. He was the sweetest person with the best intentions despite what his gruff exterior said about him. His actions showed what he couldn't express through words. The unwavering support he shows Lenny was extremely heartwarming. I absolutely adored their back-and-forth banter. The romance is definitely a slow burn in this one, but honestly, it’s so much more than a romance book.

Cara Bastone did an incredible job portraying grief and addressing such heavy topics with great sensitivity. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

P.S. The little snippet about the next book brought tears to my eyes, and I am extremely excited for the author’s next release.

*This book is heavy on grief, so I strongly encourage everyone to review the trigger warnings before reading.*

Promise Me Sunshine made me experience a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving me both in tears and laughter. It wrapped me up in a warm embrace like a cozy blanket of sunshine and I didn’t want the story to end.

It is a tale of loss, grief, and the journey toward healing, where love blossoms along the way. Cara Bastone depictions of grief resonate deeply, pulling at your heartstrings.

The characters were wonderfully crafted and memorable too. Lenny brings so much humor and authenticity to the story, while Miles stands out as the quintessential green flag man, making him my favorite male character in any romance novel now. Hands down.

Get it immediately on 3/4/25…
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC review.

Absolutely loved this book, my favorite of Cara Bastone. This is a book about grief and those that carry us through it. The complicated emotions that it inhabits.

Lenny is a great babysitter to Ainsley; she takes the job and is able to get there appropriately and be a good caregiver. But she can’t bring herself to go home and instead just rides the Staten Island Ferry. Her best friend Lou has died of cancer, and a bit of Lenny has died also. It’s a period of grief she can’t get through. Ainsley’s uncle Miles becomes her grief doula, helping her to learn how to live again. Lenny and Miles help each other heal and become themselves.

I absolutely loved this book, if you like romance and can handle one that revolved around grief (in the funniest possible way) then this is the book for you. Ainsley has absolutely the best lines- it’s so hard for authors to get kids right—- but she nails it. This is endearing, funny, and real.

Thanks to @netgalley and @dialpress for the ARC. Book to be published March 4, 2025.

4.5 rounded up to 5.

Promise Me Sunshine is such a sweet, heartbreaking, joyful read. Our FMC Lenny, a nanny by trade, is living her life in a fog after losing her best friend to a painful five year battle with cancer. She has avoided anything reminding her of her friend, not returning texts from her concerned parents, and has not even gone back to her apartment because it is too painful. She only takes temporary nanny obs as to not get close to anyone. But then she gets a job to watch Ainsley for single mom Reese for a night. And Ainsley's grumpy uncle Miles shows up an is very doubtful of her ability to take care of herself, let alone a kid. To be fair, Lenny hasn't really invested in any me time in awhile so she may look a bit of a fright.

But Lenny is the kid-whisperer and Ainsley loves her, and Miles begs her to take the job. They gradually become friends and he is determined to help her work through her grief to get to the other side.

The slow burn of the enemies to friends to lovers was super swoony and they had chemistry. But I also loved secondary characters and seeing Lenny come back to life and open her heart for love. It just hit all the feels.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC for my honest review.

I adored this book! I fell in love with all the characters and could not put it down. It did a beautiful job with the topics presented and a great reminder that grief is different for everyone.

oh, i loved this novel. i found it beautifully written, they way it dealt with grief, with how lenny tries to go on after losing her best friend, her soulmate lou. i felt like lenny was a very interesting a relatable character, i loved how she was with ainsley, i really enjoyed her romantic storyline with miles, which didn't distract from her process in navigating and dealing with grief. the books was equally touching and at times so hilarious i found myself laughing out loud. i also loved the moment when i realised what is depicted on the cover! i definitely recommend this!

Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me the Advance e-book

"Grief is a relationship,"..."It's the way we figure out how to keep loving them even though they've gone. And in order to do that we have to keep on going. And going and going." - (This quote is from ARC, the final publishes book may differ.)

Beautifully written with sensitivity to the subject, I highly recommend this book and this author to any fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. Personally, from the books I've read from Cara Bastone, this is the best.

A story about grieving and learning to live again and finding love in the process. Yes, it's a romance book, but it is much more, it's a healing book. It's not all dark and gloom, there are spots of lights and delight which I greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure if it was intentional that the male character's last name is Honey. Even though it is not pronounce like our natural sweetener, I want to believe that it's intentional of the author, because honey is also known for its healing property and I think our male character, Miles Honey is exactly that for our Lenny.

I am not joking when I say I am feel DEEPLY in love with this book. So moving, so emotional yet it didn’t feel depressing. Even with the heavy subject material. Highly highly recommend!

this book was a perfect representation of grief, the importance of different relationships in life, and finding oneself again in a new reality. i loved absolutely every second of it and am so glad i got to experience it at this time of my life.

Cara Bastone has officially become one of my favorite authors. she makes the reader fall in love with her characters alongside them (and i am not only talking about the two main characters). through her skillful setting creation, she makes you fall in love with New York, even if you have never been there. Lenny and Miles will hold a special place in my heart probably forever; the way their relationship evolved throughout this book was i hope every book relationship does.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This blew me away. It was heart wrenching but also so beautiful and uplifting. The pain of grief and all other emotions that come with it were done respectfully and accurately which I enjoyed and think is very important.

Loved it! Even better than her last one, that took the book world by storm. This is full of honesty and rawness, unique personalities, entertaining dialogue, and joy amidst difficulty. I think Bastone also got better at the intimacy scenes.

My one issue is that the last quarter of the book seemed rushed, paced much faster than the rest. And it was full of what we’d been waiting for the whole time! I wanted more! I think the pacing could have been slower in the end, more detail given, drawn out more. Maybe an epilogue too.

Thank you to Net Galley, and the publisher, for the arc.

“You walked into hell and dragged me back out.” I mean COME ON.

How can a book where the characters don’t even kiss until the 90% mark have me swooning this hard? I absolutely devoured every single word of this book and already know I’ll read it again soon. The poignancy with which Bastone explores grief and life after lost is incredible. The chemistry and the relationship that builds between Miles and Lenny was beautiful — I could not put it down.

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book was a very emotional read. It was about a grief stricken Lenny learning to move on after a death of a loved one while also relearning how to love someone in the aftermath of such tragedy. I really enjoyed this one, the main relationship was so cute and it didn’t even start as that. The writing in this novel was very emotion evoking, I felt like I could feel what Lenny was feeling and it was extremely immersive. One of my favorite ARCs so far

i could not stop thinking about these character! lenny was so relatable and spunky, and miles was her perfect counterpart. their love story is one of true knowing and understanding of each other. this is not a book where i wonder if the couple will last I KNOW they will. the dark place that lenny starts from is so well developed and you can feel the pain she is going through but because of that the transformation she undergoes is truly miraculous!