I know I have so many of her books that I haven't read yet (and I am definitely looking forward to that) but with just a few books Cara Bastone has so easily become a must read author for me. So far there's been a mix in FMC and MMC of grumpy, golden retriever, sunshine, falling apart, steady, broken, lost, searching - come what may, I have been so ready to be along for the ride.

This book deals with loss. Losing your person. The one that you live for and then realizing that there's an after. That somehow, you're supposed to keep on living. You're supposed to keep living when your reason to breath is gone.

Lenny is having a rough time. She pulls it together enough to show up for work - just weekend babysitting gigs, nothing like the long term nannying she used to do. When she meets Ainsley for the first time, she's also confronted with Miles, her grumpy and disapproving uncle who stays suspiciously on the sidelines. Despite falling instantly in love with him - she has a tendency to form fantasies with every man she lays eyes on - she quickly falls out of love with every word he has to say to her.

After spilling her bag and Miles nosily seeing its contents, he surprises her with a deal: help him be better with Ainsley, find a way to get to really know her, because he has no clue how to operate around kids. In return, he'll help her with her "live again" checklist.

The way this story deals with grief, broken families, second chances, how to be there for someone who doesn't know how to ask for help. While also having this core of banter and humor, silliness and grief, it's such a unique mix and so well handled.

Definitely will be recommending, and reading more from this author! Most likely will read again too!

I can see why the reviews are so good on this one. I absolutely loved Lenny and Miles. Lenny grabbed my heart right away and I was laughing and crying along with her. Miles I liked right away despite a rough beginning.

This story got me in my heart strings immediately. I was instantly hooked. I haven't done this in awhile but I took the afternoon today to really enjoy and finish it.

Lenny lost her friend Lou to cancer. They were best friends and room mates. Now Lenny is struggling and barely hanging on. I came to think of her as adrift.

Lenny ends up baby sitting for a little girl named Ainsley and this is where miles comes in. He is Ainsley's uncle and he seems to always be hanging around. He is so grouchy ! But they are drawn together.

Through this novel Miles will help Lenny navigate her grief and start to heal. This is a beautiful story and quite frankly it healed a part of my soul. I knew exactly how Lenny was feeling and it was captured so beautifully on the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this fantastic arc

Really beautiful story about grief and healing. Definitely a different vibe from her first book, but I still enjoyed this one and the characters in it. Lenny gets help with a “live again” list after losing her best friend and Miles gets her help connecting with his niece. It’s a cute heartwarming story with complicated characters!

I adored this book so much just like her previous book, Ready or Not! I loved the way it was humorous despite being about grief- it was magically and seamlessly the perfect balance! Lenny’s inner thoughts were especially hilarious and relatable - she reminded me so much of Lorelei Gilmore! I rarely read friends to lovers, but this one was done so well and I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future! I cannot recommend this book enough! One of the rare five star reviews I’ve given in 2025!

4.5 rounded up

Promise Me Sunshine deals with grief after losing the most important person in Lenny’s life. I don’t have experience, but I do think this story shows the process of trying to live after loss and every hard part of that process.

The story was captivating from the beginning and I liked Lenny. Even through her grief is she funny. We see her character growth, but the author does write in that grief is always there.

The side characters were wonderful and helped Lenny through her grief. I wanted to be part of their friend group. Ainsley always added fun.

I enjoyed the slow burn between the characters, but the hookup didn’t need to happen. The story was wrapping up nicely and It felt written in just to have it in the story.

I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Felt like I wasn't in a great place to read this book. I've read other reviews and it seems like this one just didn't land for me in the same way it is for others.

One part I really liked was the concept of "Do something bad for yourself, something good for yourself, then a change of scenery."

I think the third act needed more of a conflict; it felt incomplete to me.

Promise me Sunshine is my third Cara Bastone book and my third 5 star from her. This author never misses for me. I find her writing so addictive!

This story is emotional. Lenny loses here lifelong best friend to cancer, and doesn’t deal with the grief well. Miles relates to her grief and helps her healing process. In return, Lenny helps Miles bond with his estranged sister and niece.

A lot of the story is heavy. It doesn’t shy away from the ugliest effect of grief on mental health. However, Cara Bastone is a skilled writer. She balances the sadness with just enough romantic moments and flirty banter to keep the reader happy. The pain is present, and the levity balances it out.

Grief is a big part of the plot, but the emphasis of the story is healing and receiving support from people who care about you. Lenny goes from being totally alone, to fostering a loving, supportive community. Miles also works to heal his relationship with his sister and niece.

The development from support to friendship to romance is done perfectly. The love feels genuine. Miles gives Lenny so much support, not just because of the deal they strike, but because he genuinely cares for her. In return, Lenny supports Miles once she is able to.

I always recommend Cara Bastone to romance readers, and this story is no exception. It’s another phenomenal entry in her catalog. Please pick this one up!

I love this author so much and I loved reading the book. Absolutely amazing and I definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy!
I have to give it up to Cara Bastone for creating a really original, beautifully emotional, and super original romance. I loved both the main characters and the side characters. The story felt so rich, and I did shed tears. I highly recommend!

The concept was there and I was excited for it, but the two main character’s personalities were not for me. At the beginning they really had no chemistry and their interactions were quite cringey. Unfortunately this book fell flat for me.

This book wrecked me. It’s real, raw and goes through grief in such a gut wrenching way.

It was an incredible ride: funny, emotional, and healing. Story follows Lenny Bellamy, who’s a mess after her soul sister / bff Lou died of cancer. She’s walking around in zombie mode, avoiding her loved ones, the apartment they shared, and their “live again” list. She meets Miles, who considers himself a silent grief expert and perfect for the job of helping her check off her bucket‑list items to live again, if she helps him connect with Ainsley (his niece) and sort out family drama.

Lenny is chaotic and quirky and seeing her grieving in such a raw way made me sick to my stomach. I legit felt for her every breakdown and small win. Miles was sweet - I could tell he was tough to crack but good on the inside. I loved how he was always there, steady, someone for her to lean on and always wanting to help and make her feel better. He showed up for her every single time and that’s the behavior you want, ladies!!!

The only thing that made me not rate this 5 stars is that the book took so long to go through their journey with grief that it was such a slow burn… when we got to the romance, we could barely have much of it. Made the ending feel slightly rushed in comparison and we didn’t get to experience it much of it afterwards.

But overall?? This is the kind of romance I crave: heartwarming, tear‑jerking, slow‑burn, with emotional depth and a sprinkle of comedy. A beautiful, heartfelt journey about grieving, healing, and learning to live again.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Lenny is drowning in grief after the death of her best friend, clinging to the edges of her old life and ignoring the “live again” list they made together. She’s scraping by with short-term babysitting jobs when she’s hired to help a single mom, Reese, and her sharp, insightful daughter Ainsley. But it’s Ainsley’s grumpy uncle, Miles, who truly rattles Lenny, because he sees through the façade she’s desperate to maintain. Miles understands grief intimately, and surprisingly, offers to help Lenny tick off her healing list if she’ll help him connect better with his fractured family. What follows is a slow-burn, late-night-ferry-rides, ramen-under-the-stars kind of story—one that proves healing doesn’t come easy, but love might just find you when you least expect it.

Tropes
* Grumpy x sunshine (literally!)
* Found family
* Healing through connection
* Grief and love intertwined
* “Let’s help each other” pact
* Babysitter & single-parent family dynamic
* Emotional slow burn
* Late-night vulnerability moments
* Deep, honest exploration of grief and identity after loss
* Cosy, introspective vibes with unexpected humour
* A romance that blossoms out of mutual healing, not perfection

Promise Me Sunshine is a deeply tender, character-driven romance that handles the complexities of grief with a remarkable mix of honesty, heart, and hope. Cara Bastone’s writing glows with emotional intelligence and understated humour, making Lenny’s journey one you’ll root for from the very first page. Miles is the perfect counterpart: quietly compassionate, bluntly observant, and willing to sit in the hard parts without trying to fix them. Their chemistry simmers until it becomes something warm and soul-deep. With gentle pacing and richly emotional arcs, this book is a soft place to land for anyone who's ever had to rebuild themselves piece by piece.

Book Review: Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ugh, this book. 🥹 The grief, the pain, the heartbreak—it cracked me open in the quiet, powerful way Cara Bastone always manages to do. I loved Ready or Not, and this one was just as beautiful. The writing felt raw and tender, but was also balanced with funny, lighthearted moments that made the heaviness easier to carry (hello, chaotic babysitting scenes and Miles’ perfectly grumpy vibes 😂).

Lenny is struggling after the loss of her best friend, clinging to a “live again” list that feels impossible to face. But when she meets Ainsley, her fiercely lovable babysitting charge, and Ainsley’s reluctant uncle Miles, everything slowly starts to shift. Their connection is messy, emotional, and so real. I loved watching them both grow, step by step, together.

I gave this one 4 stars—something kept me from a full 5, but I still absolutely recommend it. This is a story about showing up for each other when life falls apart… and letting someone show up for you, too.

✨ Favorite quote:
“You don’t have to be okay to be loved. You just have to let someone stay.”

Book Review: Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ugh, this book. 🥹 The grief, the pain, the heartbreak—it cracked me open in the quiet, powerful way Cara Bastone always manages to do. I loved Ready or Not, and this one was just as beautiful. The writing felt raw and tender, but was also balanced with funny, lighthearted moments that made the heaviness easier to carry (hello, chaotic babysitting scenes and Miles’ perfectly grumpy vibes 😂).

Lenny is struggling after the loss of her best friend, clinging to a “live again” list that feels impossible to face. But when she meets Ainsley, her fiercely lovable babysitting charge, and Ainsley’s reluctant uncle Miles, everything slowly starts to shift. Their connection is messy, emotional, and so real. I loved watching them both grow, step by step, together.

I gave this one 4 stars—something kept me from a full 5, but I still absolutely recommend it. This is a story about showing up for each other when life falls apart… and letting someone show up for you, too.

✨ Favorite quote:
“You don’t have to be okay to be loved. You just have to let someone stay.”

This was a delightful read from author Cara Bastone! While I found Lenny to be a bit flaky at times, I liked watching her relationship with Miles progress.

Loved the main characters and the evolution of their relationship and their shared experiences. It was funny and sweet at times, but also an emotional story going into the journey of grief that both characters experienced and how they navigate through it together.

FMC Lenny is struggling with grief following her best friend’s death. She takes on a short-term nannying job, where she meets MMC Miles. Although the book is a romance, there is also a lot of focus on Lenny’s struggle with grief and working through it.

I found Promise Me Sunshine to be very well written and emotional, even though it wasn’t quite what I had expected. It is an interconnected stand-alone book with Cara Bastone’s Ready or Not. After reading this, I went back and read the connecting book, which I enjoyed even more. I don’t feel like I missed anything by reading this one first, but I might re-read it again to see if I would enjoy it more after reading Ready or Not.

My one criticism is less about the book itself than it is about my expectations for it. It was a heavier/more emotional read than I had expected.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Cara Bastone for the digital ARC. This was my first read by this author, and I will definitely read more of her books.

Tropes: slow-burn, different social classes, tortured/afraid to commit MMC

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1.5/5

Promise Me Sunshine was a beautiful combination of grief, hope and love.
Both Lenny and Miles have significant character growth throughout this story, which was delightful to see. They both had a lot to teach the other, and were there to support each other through some very emotional times.

I loved the descriptions of NYC. I really felt like I could see and feel the city as I was reading.

While grief was a major topic (both main characters had experienced great loss), there was a perfect amount of humor and hope woven throughout to prevent the book from being dark. The topics are still heavy, and you will probably shed some tears, but Cara does a wonderful job of making sure the pieces of your heart are stitched back together before the end.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC.

Despite having early access, I did end up waiting until after the book’s official release to make sure I was in the right headspace before reading. This allowed me to listen to the audiobook and immersive read the story, which was a wonderful experience! I highly recommend it!

Oh, this book quietly came out of left field and took my breath away. An absolutely STUNNING story of love and grief and (really) living.

After Lenny loses her best friend to cancer, she feels lost. She's isolating and avoidant, ignoring attempts to (re)live and only able to take temporary babysitting gigs to get by. But when she meets Reese and her daughter Ainsley, along comes (reluctantly) Reese's brother Miles, who manages to see right through Lenny's darkness, and takes it as his personal mission to help her live again. As she spends more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself, and love, again.

This book has serious emotional heft, and you can *feel* the grief the character is experiencing. It's resonant and so heart-wrenching. At the same time, it manages to be so funny and quietly smart and so swoony in a way that fits the tone of the book. Gosh, this book is so beautiful and one I'll be thinking about for a looooong time.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dial Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. PROMISE ME SUNSHINE is out now! An absolute must-read.

I know Cara Bastone has only written two books but she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I really appreciate that her romances are more layered and complex than most. This one does deal heavily with grief so that might not be for everyone if you’re looking for something more lighthearted and predictable, but to me it was more realistic than most stories because people are complicated!

4.5⭐️