This is one the best accidental pregnancy trope books I've read. I really appreciated how much depth there was to the story, Eve's journey and all the relationships in her life. Everyone had very complicated and real feelings about the pregnancy/baby, and none of it was tidy, which made the book very honest and poignant and profound. And Shep? Perfection. A really wonderful friends-to-lovers romance. Just wish we'd gotten an epilogue to see more of the relationships and the new family after the baby was born.

I'm not always a fan of the unexpected pregnancy trope, but this was such a cute read! I especially loved Shep's character, and the friendship between Eve and Willa. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a sweet, heartfelt romcom!

I am the biggest fan of the pregnancy trope and this book was amazing. I couldn’t put it down, read it so quick and I immediately read it again. I am obsessed.

It was a decent read! My favorite things were the characters especially Shep! I also loved the complex portrayal of Willa and Eve’s relationship. It’s definitely more women’s fiction than romance.

Ready or Not was such a fun ride! It felt like a 90s//2000s romcom in the very best way--from a surprise pregnancy to a realistic friends-to-lovers arc, I adored this read!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC!

First off, let me say- wow! This was one of the best reads of 2023 for me!
Starting right off the bat, Cara Bastone made me immediately start laughing with the banter in the first chapter and I knew right away that this is going to be a great book, and I was not disappointed.
Diving right into it, this story follows Eve Hatch and her surprise pregnancy, after a very unlike-her one night stand. The baby’s father is teetering on stepping up to the plate to help, her best friend is going through her own fertility struggles and their friendship dynamic is suddenly changing, but fear not, the unlikely hero in all of this is the best friend’s brother, Shep. While they have always been friends, Shep helps her in ways she never expected, and Eve realizes there might be feelings for him underneath it all.
We follow Eve and Shep through nine months of life-changing revelations, budding romance, and a whole lot of emotions.
This book was filled with all of my favorite tropes, such as friends-to-lovers, found family, and a whole lot of slow-burn. The yearning was *chef’s kiss.*

If I could give this more than five stars, I would, I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for it to come out so I have a physical copy.
Thank you Net Galley and Random House for letting me ARC read this beauty!
Ready or Not comes out February 12, 2024!!

Unexpected pregnancy trope. People either love it or hate it. For me, as long as it isn’t a SECRET pregnancy, I love it.

This book is written so well. Heartwarming. Humorous. It’s not only about the relationship between the mother and father, it’s also about friendship and family. I don’t think I’d ever heard the term “others-centeredness” before, but I love it.

Heads up though, there is discussion of infertility so if you are sensitive to that topic, maybe skip this one. Everyone else… I highly recommend reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Ready Or Not to come out February 13, 2024.

Quick confession: When I requested this book, I hadn't read the blurb nor had I delved into any of the author's previous works. My attention was purely captivated by the stunning, vibrant cover that emanated promising rom-com vibes set against the backdrop of NYC. Driven by my affection for the Big Apple and an insatiable yearning for a beautiful romance, I plunged in without knowing what to expect. As fate would have it, I am incredibly fortunate to have taken this leap, as it introduced me to yet another brilliant author. This author had me hooked with their sincere and authentic portrayal of motherhood, a blossoming slow-burn romance, meticulously developed and believable characters. In fact, I'm already gearing up to immerse myself in the rest of the author's works.

My fervent wish is that this book evolves into a series, spanning numerous seasons, affording me more time with this extraordinary, quirky, and fascinating cast of characters, whom I found myself easily forming connections with. The intricate web of their relationships, their journeys of self-discovery and personal growth, along with the path of exploration they tread, significantly shape the foundation of this narrative, a journey I wholeheartedly savored.

Eve Hatch takes center stage as our main character, content with the life she has meticulously crafted after leaving her hometown. She's distanced herself from the conventions instilled by her Midwestern, tradition-bound family, emerging as a quintessential Brooklynaire. She exerts relentless effort to ascend the career ladder, seeking a more gratifying and rewarding position. However, an unexpected one-night stand dramatically alters her trajectory when she discovers that she's on the brink of becoming a single mother.

Regrettably, this revelation places strain on her relationship with her best friend Willa, who has her own set of reasons for her reactions. Astonishingly, it's Willa's brother Shep who steals the limelight, emerging as the most supportive presence in Eve's life. He extends his unwavering support by surprising her with lunches and offering a patient ear for her complaints and woes. Could it be that he's inherently charming, or have the pregnancy hormones taken the reins of control over her thoughts? As their time spent together accumulates, Eve recognizes a burgeoning attraction that refuses to be ignored. Yet, she must also contend with Ethan, the biological father of her impending child, who finds himself unexpectedly faced with the aftermath of Eve's sudden announcement. The question looms: Will he step up and assume his role in the baby's life? Is Eve prepared to raise the child independently, or will the deepening friendship between her and Shep evolve into something more, despite Willa's critical stance?

In summary, this is a genuinely enchanting and expertly executed tale of self-discovery, a blend of women's fiction and romance, which resonated deeply with me. Witnessing Eve's evolution as she grapples with her apprehensions, imperfections, and her journey towards embracing motherhood through growth and change was both relatable and heartwarming. The narrative weaves a tale that's not only realistic but also profoundly heartfelt, an odyssey you most certainly shouldn't overlook.

My heartfelt appreciation extends to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press Trade Paperback for generously providing me with the opportunity to explore this digital review copy in exchange for my candid feedback.

Ready or Not... well I was not! Ready that is. This book is my first from the author and I was not prepared for just how much I was going to love this story! I couldn't put it down!

Eve is content with life. She's got an apartment she loves, a bestfriend who is close by, and even though she doesn't have her dream job yet-she is hoping it'll happen with her perseverance. All that changes when she finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. Suddenly relationships are changing: her bestfriend is distant, her brother's bestfriend is suddenly there, and her babies father? Well, that's even more complicated. She suddenly finds herself rethinking everything she thought she knew.

I don't want to give away too much of the storyline, but I think this story is one that even those who don't love the unplanned pregnancy trope will enjoy. It was so unique to the many unplanned pregnancy romances I have read (I love this trope so I've read many), it was refreshing to read something different. It was also just so heartfelt, while also feeling very real. Life doesn't always go according to plan. And it can have ripple effects. This story really showcased that. And I felt it.

This story has a tiny splash of a love triangle vibe perhaps. And it left me not wanting to put this book down. The golden retriever energy though. The pure support and love for Eve. My heart was just in a constant state of swoon waiting to see how it would all play out. There is some tension and chemistry. It slow burns into some open door steam. Very minimal and in perfect taste of this stories bones I felt.

I really adored all the characters. I felt for them. It has a found family feel that I enjoy. Told in single POV, this story is very much Eve's story of growth though. In more ways than one. Some may say it leans more towards women's fiction and I wouldn't disagree. But I surely felt the romance, no question. I quite simply adored Ready or Not, and finished it in one sitting. Would highly recommend checking this out on release day!

What You'll Find:
--Contemporary Romance
--Unplanned Pregnancy
--Big City Setting
--Friends to Lovers
--Slow Burn
--Single POV

*Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Okay. Well, I really enjoyed this. I’ve listened to some of Bastone’s previous work on audible and have always enjoyed her narrative and this was no exception. There were parts of this book that had me laughing out loud and that’s no easy feat. The ebook reader slamming a Gatorade comment had me in. I thought this was a typical AP trope book and wasn’t until about 25% in when I was like “hang on…”
Shep was brilliant. I liked Eve’s growth. Ethan could benefit from some CBT. All in all a great read.

From the second I started reading this book I was HOOKED… I didn’t want to do anything but read until I finished. Not having children currently but facing some of the struggles that some of the characters in the book were going through made it incredibly relatable. The writing was perfect, in every way. The character development throughout this book is probably one of the best I have seen/read in a long time. HEA, are my favorite. The only thing I wish, was that we could have got a little more at the ending with Willa meeting Miriam. But I love this book so much. I cannot wait for it to be released so I can recommend it to all my friends!

I enjoyed the story and was happy with the resolution.

Trigger warnings: references of miscarriage, grief and loss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I was looking for a break from thrillers and this definitely did the trick. It was a very sweet story. Yes, it’s definitely predictable but that’s exactly what I wanted at the time I read it.

Relatively happy with her life Eve finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. This story tells us how she navigates this massive life altering occurrence - from her relationship with her best friend who has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get pregnant herself, her burgeoning relationship with her one night stand, her job, her brothers, and as she falls for the one guy who’s always been there.

A touching, lovely story, Ready or Not tales the surprise pregnancy trope and really works with it.



Thank you to Dial Press / Random House and NetGalley for the DRC

this book had it all. i was hooked. It gave me the emotional feels and love about this. I really enjoyed this story and this author book. I will need to read more of these stories.

I think I wanted to like this book but it just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. Eve was so overwritten and it seemed like the author was trying to make her quirky and relatable but she just came off as immature and annoying.

Well, damn. This book was so heartfelt. I could really feel the emotions on the page. I found myself full on crying more than once.
I feel like accidental pregnancy is not an easy trope to do, but Cara Bastoje crushed it. I loved the way it all came together and I adored the ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing, for the ARC and the chance to read and review it honestly. My review will be published on Goodreads on 8/17/23.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Summary of the plot:

Eve Hatch finds herself in a not-so-great situation. She's recently pregnant, single, and working at a job that isn't quite as fulfilling as she wants. To make things worse, her best friend Willa, who is trying but failing to get pregnant, isn't exactly very supportive of Eve's pregnancy. And Baby Daddy isn't sure how much of a role he wants to play in her life given his relationship status. However, Willa's brother Shep steps up and becomes a constant in her life while she's navigating the pregnancy world without her parents and family.

Thoughts on the book:

I enjoyed this book and it makes me miss my partner so much (he's not dead, he's just away on a week long trip). As someone who has never experienced pregnancy but has been thinking about it a lot, this book gave me a perspective on what it might be like to be pregnant. The weird glances/reactions you might get from people who don't know how to take the news, people who are extremely supportive, dealing with random cravings and emotional moments, etc. I think the author does a great job writing about all the nuances that goes into pregnancy and how that affects everyone, not just the mother.

However, I will say that this book leans more towards women's fiction than romance, TO ME AT LEAST. I don't think the relationship between Shep and Eve was the center of attention. It actually took me a while to see Shep as the love interest to begin with.

But overall, it was a fun and great read!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into a captivating novel that left me truly mesmerized. The author's incredible ability to infuse every page with raw emotions is nothing short of impressive.

In this latest installment, the main character's world takes an unexpected turn that had me hanging on to every word, eager to see how their life would be influenced and what new priorities and connections would emerge.

What stood out was the author's skill in crafting intricate relationships, seamlessly blending old and new acquaintances. This delicate balance showcased their mastery in character development and human interactions.

The emotional journey I experienced while following the protagonist's ups and downs was a testament to the author's storytelling prowess. Rarely does a book manage to evoke such a wide range of feelings, from anticipation to excitement and beyond.

Even as someone who has only listened to the audiobook version, the characters and the storyline resonated deeply, a tribute to the author's ability to create a vivid world that transcends the medium of consumption.

In conclusion, this novel is a true masterpiece of emotional storytelling. If you're searching for a read that keeps you engaged, invested, and emotionally connected throughout, look no further. This is a must-read for those who appreciate a narrative that skillfully plays with the heartstrings.

This author is new to me, but after devouring Ready or Not, I will for sure be checking out her backlist. This was a poignant read and I could not put it down.