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

"Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone is a heartfelt romance that beautifully captures the complexities of love and healing. The story revolves around relatable characters, Lenny and Miles facing personal challenges, and Bastone’s writing brings their emotional journeys to life with warmth and sincerity. The dialogue is sharp and witty, adding a delightful layer to the chemistry between the two. With its blend of humor, tenderness, and an uplifting message, this book leaves the reader feeling a wide range of emotions. Fans of contemporary romance will find themselves thoroughly connected to the characters.

I don’t even know where to start. This book was incredible. Readers follow Lenny’s journey of life after loss. Lenny’s loses herself bestfriend/soulmate to cancer. Loss and grief consume her until she meets Miles. Miles is Lenny’s grief counselor. He picks up all her broken pieces caused by grief.

This book is incredible relatable for readers. We all face grief and loss in our lives. This book shows that life after loss is possible. Healing is possible.

I really enjoyed Promise Me Sunshine! I loved how Lenny and Miles's relationships with each other and with grief evolved. I was a little unsure how I felt in the beginning but Bastone's writing and realistic portrayal of their relationship sucked me in.

This book is a heavy read with a beautifully developed slow-burn relationship at its core. Cara is quickly becoming one of my auto-read authors! I highly recommend reviewing the triggers before picking this one up.

This book has:
•Friends to lovers and grumpy x sunshine tropes 💜
•A romance that develops during a period of extreme grief
•A hero who is worthy of the title hero. Miles is about to be everyone’s new book boyfriend fr

Thank you to Dial Press and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

☀️ ARC REVIEW ☀️

I was so excited for a new Cara Bastone book after LOVING Ready or Not. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. The characters are likeable, even Emil and Reese! What really hooked me and kept my attention was the slowwwwwwwwburn romance between Lenny and Miles, and their adorable banter. I saw a lot of my own snark and sass in Lenny; so many times her little quips felt like exactly how I’d react in that situation.

The topic of grief is always heavy, but the author handled it with humor and beautiful grace. Miles was so patient and kind, giving Lenny an ear, a hand, or all the space she needed as she went through the process. His own grief was still a battle for him some days, but the way he used all he learned to pull Lenny out of the depths of hell was so heartwarming.

I will say that the end fell a little flat for me. There was so much build up to the romance between Lenny and Miles that when it finally happened, I wanted more of it. We were only granted a glimpse into their relationship after they got together. More than that, I wanted to see Lenny go back to her apartment to, clean it, move her things out and properly say goodbye to that space she loved with Lou. I also wanted to see her go to Lou’s grave site to introduce her to Miles, even though their time at the met was beautiful. (Side note: where were Lou’s parents and why weren’t they involved in moving her things?).


In the end, I loved the book. It hurt, it broke my heart, it healed my heart, and it shows that grief never goes away, but it changes and allows you to live. I can’t wait to see this book released on 3/5/25!

Thank you to @netgalley, @carabastone, and @thedialpress for this book on exchange for my honest review.

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.