Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A feel-good rom com with a surprise pregnancy. The plot line is one we’ve seen before: girl gets pregnant after a one-night stand and is faced with all the life changes the follow. This book has humor, romance, best friend challenges, and a lot of heart. I personally loved Shep and this book for showcasing a supportive male when society often paints it differently. Although I cannot relate to an unplanned pregnancy it brought me back to a lot of fun (and not so fun- Labor) memories. In my current season of life, I also connected with Willa which gave me more perspective on how people may feel when watching their friends go through something like pregnancy. Quick, quirky, and sweet!

Y’all. I just fell in love with this book. It was like a warm hug, or a hot cup of cocoa on a rainy day, or greeting an old friend after a long absence. I feel like this book hit me in the right feels at the right time of my life. I’ve had this ARC for a while and only just now got to it. The main reason was because this book doesn’t hit shelves for another week; I tend to read a book rather quickly and then forget major plot points because I’m moving on to the next book. But I also feel like this book found me at the right time.

The Eve/Shep relationship is sweet and tender, it makes my heart happy. I’m always a fan of friends to lovers, but also a fan of friends to lovers when one of the friends always had feelings. The yearning, y’all. The yearning. Plus it helps that Shep is a dorky, cinnamon roll of a man who must be protected at all costs.

Overall it was fun, sweet, kind, and bittersweet. 5 out of 5.

Oooh, I loved this book. Despite using protection, Eve is impregnated by a one-night stand with a bartender. Not one to take clear decisive action, she decides to maintain the pregnancy and does the honorable thing by telling the father, Ethan, who is actually the owner of the bar. Ethan has since reconciled with his longtime girlfriend who is understandably less than thrilled with this news.

Less understandably less than thrilled is Eve's lifetime best friend, Willa, who is struggling with fertility issues. However, Willa's older brother, Shep, makes up for Willa's ambivalence--buying Eve groceries, checking in on her, giving foot massages. Warned about strange pregnancy side effects, Eve tries to attribute her growing attraction to Shep to hormones.

Author Cara Bastone claims to model her fundamentally decent male characters after her own husband and good heavens, does that man need to give lessons. Shep is unbelievably lovable and even the conflicted Ethan is impossible to dislike. Eve and Willa are also people you'd want to be friends with, and Shep and Willa's mother, Corinne, manages to be a positive presence from beyond the grave. This novel is about pregnancy--sure--but also friendship, families, and true love. #ReadyOrNot #NetGalley

3.5 rounded up for 4

I have really enjoyed Cara Bastone’s other books, the Forever Yours and Love Lines series are both fantastic, especially on audio, so when I saw her latest release I ran to request it. I knew Ready or Not would be a slow burn, accidental pregnancy, very emotional book so I was prepared. Ready or Not reads like a love letter to pregnancy- the good and bad- with insights only someone that has been there can provide, it’s deeply touching and well done.

Eve meets Ethan in his bar and after one night of crazy sex, she’s accidentally pregnant. Too bad this happens when she’s at a crossroads career wise and her best friends brother is finally single, who has had a crush on her forever. Shep is a freelance coder living with his sister, pining for Eve and slowly working himself into her life while she’s coming to terms with being a mom.

I totally expected the slow burn and when Shep and Eve got together it was fire but I think that was because I was in love with Shep. He was just the prefect cinnamon roll, golden retriever hero. Eve needed this huge life change to really grow up and I enjoyed her emotional journey. The side characters here are fantastic- the nurse gave the best advice, Eve’s brothers being there in the only way they know how and even Ethan (the baby daddy) was well crafted.

Definitely read if you enjoy:

Accidental Pregnancy
Friends to lovers
Found Family
Slow Burn
Golden Retriever Hero

CW: Miscarriage, Infertility, loss of parents (off page),

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Dial Press. All opinions are my own. Ready or Not has a publish date of February 13, 2024.

This book was raw, real and beautiful! The storyline tackles the aftermath of a one night stand, but takes us on a journey of friendship, friends to lovers, co-parenting, slow burn and found family! It is the perfect read for the upcoming Valentine holiday.

Not a spoiler, but everyone needs a Shep in their life!! Grab this book and find out why!!

An unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in Eve's life. Her loyal friendship with Willa is feeling off , right when she needs her most. And it’s Willa’s steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help. He has always been friendly, but now he’s checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is… suddenly, kinda hot?

This book was really precious. Usually, I'm not a fan of unplanned pregnancy + best friend's brother trope, but this was an exception, and it passed with flying colors.

There were so many different forms of relationships showcased in this book that will make you fall in love with te writing. I adored how Eve had different dynamics with Shep, Ethan, and Willa, yet how together they played a vital role for her.

Shep was everything to begin with. His heart, mind, and soul were the purest to begin with. I loved how dedicated and gone he was for Eve. Their relationship felt natural and secure. I adored the last few chapters where Eve, Shep, and Ethan acted as a family - a weird and chaotic family.

<i>Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.<i>

5/5 stars

I absolutely adored this book! This book is very character driven, slower and so beautifully written. It is a total masterpiece and I loved and will miss these characters dearly. Ready or Not tackles very deep and real questions such as an unplanned pregnancy, a friend that is struggling with infertility and how to prepare your life to change so much. The friendship in this story is unlike any I've read about in a long time. They are truly there for each other and trying to figure out life together. Eve is a mess, quirky, honest and so authentic. Her comments at the doctors office, at work and with her friends made me laugh out loud. Shep is my favorite character and my new book boyfriend. I loved the ending but am definitely ready for a sequel to see their life 1 year later!

If you're considering reading this book, I'd highly recommend the audio version. The narrator is the best and gave it everything she had. She did voice impressions, laughed and cried as the characters.

I really liked this one! It's not a traditional love story, fully, although there is a very satisfying friends-to-lovers arc if that is your thing. It's actually not mine, but I wasn't bothered by it here and I thought it served the story well. What I really enjoyed about this is the love story between the main character, Eve, her siblings, colleagues and friends, her unborn baby, and how she grows to love and accept the person she becomes over the course of the book and her pregnancy. It's a deeply satisfying and comforting read with a few obvious content notes: unexpected pregnancy and previous death of parents.

4.5 Stars

While this may not have been my normal kind of romance book, meaning the romance really wasn't the focal point of the story, I absolutely loved this one. At let me just say, the romance may not have been the focus of this story, it was still very prominent and had me swooning left and right. Though this book is definitely the definition of a slow burn.

I absolutely loved Eve as the main lead in this book. She's going through so much but honestly handles it with such grace while also being completely real and relatable. I loved all the relationships shown throughout this book and how they all grew and developed. The struggles Eve had with Willa, the growing friendship with Shep, getting to know Ethan, learning to lean on her brothers, the nurse at her OB's office, all of them were so fleshed out. And the pacing of this book felt perfect, even with everything going on around her.

Then of course you have the personal growth of Eve's character, which for me was the main focus of this story. I've never been pregnant, but this book felt like a real representation of what that might be like, especially when going it through it (kind of) on your own. Yes, she had a lot of people around her, but for a good portion of this book, she felt like she was going through a lot of it on her own, and watching her come the realization that she wasn't? That was golden.

And I don't think I could write a complete review of this book without talking about Shep... He was probably the best love interest I've read. The way he loved and supported Eve throughout this entire book, without ever expecting anything in return was truly perfection. It's clear from the start of this book they have a history and that it's important, to the both of them, and I seriously loved how everything between them was explored.

I know surprise pregnancy isn't a trope for everyone, but if there is one surprise pregnancy book I suggest you read, it is this one.

✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Best Friend's Brother
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Unplanned Pregnancy
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ First Person Single POV

I always enjoy Cara Bastone’s writing and this new one from her is no exception. I really enjoyed this story even though I don’t always life surprise pregnancies. This one was done well.

I think this is my favorite Cara Bastone book so far. I could not put it down. There was humor and so much emotion and I loved every part of it. My favorite trope is best friend’s brother and I loved the unique pairing with the pregnancy trope. Also my favorite scene in the book is on the cover! Shep is the most sweet, goofy, lovable guy and Eve is so freaking hilarious. Eve learns so much through her journey and I found so many lessons throughout this book that so many people can relate to. I also loved the side characters of Ethan and Willa. I loved it and can’t wait for more from Cara Bastone.

When Eve finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she has to figure out navigating all the changes this will bring about in her comfortable life.

I really enjoyed how real this book was about pregnancy. I just had my third child 4.5 months ago so pregnancy is still relatively fresh in my mind, and there was definitely relatable content! I also enjoyed how there wasn’t a ton of Drama™️ in the book. It felt very, very much real life with some mild humor thrown in. Watching relationships develop and grow or shift and change was thought out and believable.

It was overall a cute story, if you’re looking for an easy read about a woman figuring out what she wants, and don’t mind reading about pregnancy, this book may be for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

They say you can't judge a book by it's cover, but this one is beautiful inside and out!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart-felt romance with depth! It's such a beautiful story and definitely had me sobbing at some parts. (in a good way, I promise)

Synopsis: Eve Hatch's comfortable & consistent world is turned upside down when she finds herself pregnant after an uncharacteristic one night stand. This news seem to shake everything up, including her relationship with her life-long bestie, Willa.

As Eve navigates her new reality, she finds herself on an emotional journey, as well as a physical one. With everything changing, one thing remains steadfast -- her best friend's brother Shep -- who is becoming increasingly helpful and present in Eve's life. Turns out pregnancy isn't the only surprising thing changing in her life.

What I liked:
-- realistic pregnancy
-- Eve's journey in her personal life
-- the loveable character's with valid flaws
-- the MMC not being the father, I thought this was a super interesting twist on the surprise pregnancy trope

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

Such a great, original story! I love friends-to-lovers tropes. I’m not typically a fan of surprise pregnancies, but that one-off with her normal character really made this story what it was.

This is the novel I have been waiting three years for (short form audible originals only count half a point…they were also great, I’m just greedy)! After a three-year wait, I saw this cover and let out the most undignified squeal. Seriously, it is stunning and whoever designed it should be given a raise immediately. However, the plot made me hesitate to add this to my TBR. Accidental pregnancy is not a trope I typically enjoy, but I just couldn’t stay away…and I am so glad that I was proven wrong!

Ready or Not is a beautiful novel filled with Cara Bastone’s trademark blend of humor and heart. Eve was a fantastic character grounded in realism and I found myself fully invested in her story. If that wasn’t enough of a reason to pick this up, maybe this will. Our hero Shep is an absolute cinnamon roll who had me in tears with his bike scene. I don’t know if I have ever swooned harder over a fictional man.

While Shep was perfection personified, Ethan, Eve’s baby daddy, and Willa, her best friend, felt like they could have been developed a bit more. For most of the novel, I wanted to punch Ethan in the face and I felt like we did not get enough growth from him. An epilogue where we get to see everyone’s roles in the baby’s life would have put the cherry on top of this already marvelous novel.

Book was reviewed on Barnes and Noble.
Review will also be posted to TikTok and Instagram on publication day.

Super cute and heartwarming! I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Unexpected pregnancy books usually do not work for me and are so cheesy that I have a hard time enjoying them. This one sounded like it could be promising, so I decided to go ahead and give it a try and I'm glad I did. I found it to be very charming and entertaining. I loved all the characters in this book, but I think Nurse Louise was actually my favorite. Eve's inward monologue and her conversations with Nurse Louise at her OB/GYN appointments had me smiling. I also love the cover of this book! So pretty!

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback, and NetGalley, for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

I have not read anything by this author before, but I will definitely be looking out for their work in the future. I loved seeing the story unfold and seeing the characters grow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC.

I will be honest here - this was not the right time for me to read this book. As I am unraveling my own feelings of my start of motherhood this book and its emotions were too much for me right now.

4 stars.

This book was absolutely beautiful. As a mama, it brought such warmth to my heart.

I can’t lie, the beginning was very slow. I didn’t find myself sucked in until halfway through. But, just half of this book made it all worth the four stars.

The details and raw experiences of becoming a new mother was so refreshing to read. Not all pregnancies are the happiest of moments at first. They can be scary and that doesn’t make it a bad thing. New life changes can be scary.

As a mama, myself, I adored all the moments. The characters were amazing. A little too mushy gushy as some points, for me, but overall a delightful read.

Thank you NetGalley and Cara Bastone for this ARC. I look forward to owning this physical copy when it comes out!

Accidental pregnancy
Friends to lovers
Found family

Pregnancy is a miracle. But sometimes it's hard to remember that it is a miracle, if it's unexpected, if you're a single woman, if your best friend's been dealing with infertility, and when your feet are so swollen it hurts to stand. 

Despite the challenges, Cara Bastone's Ready or Not is a love letter to pregnancy, and about discovering love in the midst of the process. Eve Hatch (lots of winking in this name) is a single woman living the best life she can with what she's been granted in life. She dreams of a better job while she works admin at her dream company, her best friends and found family live in the same borough, and she's tailored her apartment just the way she likes. But one fun night on the town and a one night stand later, the cracks begin to show after she discovers she's pregnant. Where will she fit a baby in her perfectly crafted but tiny apartment? How is her pregnancy affecting her relationship with her best friend who has been dealing with infertility for years? Will she take a promotion at work, even if it takes her farther away from her dream job? And will she risk a years-long friendship to see if the overwhelming feelings she has for the most thoughtful man she's ever known could be something?

The struggles of pregnancy, physical and emotional, are portrayed so lovingly yet candidly. Bastone accurately conveys the tornado of confusing emotions that pregnant women experience: desperation, worry, joy, horniness. She also reveals the emotions and struggles of infertility, but also the difficulties of being the friend to infertility. The feelings of uselessness and helplessness, and feeling utterly impotent in what to say and do around someone struggling with it. She also describes well the insecurities of early to mid career women, yearning to succeed but feeling stuck by circumstances, education, bills, lack of time, and/or lack of opportunity. 

So to say this book really spoke my life experiences into existence is an understatement :). A good book doesn't necessarily exactly mirror your life, but you will see reflections of yourself or your life in moments, character traits, and emotions felt by the characters. All this to say, this is a good book.

With the content I would categorize this book more as women's lit than romance, but romance readers will not regret reading this story. The only critique I would have would be an abundance of metaphors that felt forced in some parts. I admired her creativity with some of them, but at times I felt they broke up the flow of the writing too much. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I'm already a big Cara Bastone fan and have read all her books, including her exceptional Amazon Audible Original stories. I highly recommend you check them out!

Content Warnings: Infertility, talk of pregnancy loss, pregnancy, talk of abortion, birth, grief, parental death

4/5 stars, and thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, Dial Press, and Cara Bastone for the eARC. Ready or Not is on sale February 13, 2024.