I appreciated how this book discussed grief and how impossible it can feel to move on from a life altering loss. I liked how Lenny and Miles started out as acquaintances who helped each other through their ruts to really good friends to more. However, I just didn’t find myself connecting to Lenny or Miles as characters so I had a hard time caring for their story together. I will say that the book does have a lot of funny moments in between the main topic surrounding grief that I found myself laughing out loud at. I personally didn’t deeply connect to the characters, but I would recommend!

Thank you Random House for the ARC opportunity on this novel!

This was a cute novel that is very character driven. The FMC and MMC work through grief together and the FMC assists the MMC in building a relationship with his niece. There was nothing specifically about the novel that I did not enjoy however I was just not engaged enough. I think it was too low angst for me and that’s okay. I know tons of people will love this upon its release. I did enjoy this book, it just wasn’t a favorite of mine.

This book was emotional, heartwarming, and feels so realistic. I have my own “Lou”’s and can’t imagine life without them. I loved getting to follow Lenny on her healing journey. Thank you, Random House Publishing and The Dial Press, for this ARC!

Wow. This book will forever hold a special place in my heart- one of my rare 6-star reads. This book follows Lenny and picks up a few months after the death of her best friend. Lenny is not okay, but then we meet Miles. This grumpy guy is no stranger to grief and he agrees to help Lenny work through it.

Lou is described as Lenny’s soulmate. The kind of friendship that is in the very marrow of her bones. As someone who also has a friendship that strong- I can totally empathize with how that kind of loss would catapult someone out into the abyss without any sort of a lifeline. Lenny’s grief is inexorable and through her stream of consciousness I could feel the phantom weight of that grief on my own chest.

We get to be with Lenny when she is at her lowest low, and watch Miles as he brings color back into her cheeks. The slow burn of this friends to lovers romance was EVERYTHING.

Absolutely phenomenal.

Heartwarming, emotional, tender, everything I love in a Cara Bastone novel. Cara Bastone writes with so much voice and personality it reads like a conversation with a close friend. Having loved Ready or Not (which there happens to be cameos from!!) so much, I went into this book with very high expectations and it exceeded every single one. Lenny and Miles are one of those book couples that are going to live in my brain forever.

I can't remember the last time I rated a romance five stars! I enjoy Bastone's novels, but this one was so much more. It's a study of what it takes to keep living when life hits you with grief that steals your breath. Yes, it is quirky and has a lot of laughs, but the pain and sadness come across as relatable. Most important is the fact that the main character isn't magically healed because she falls in love.

The death of her best friend Lou leaves Lenny a shell of her former self. These two were the kind of friends that become inseparable and have a million inside jokes. Lenny feels untethered. She's been avoiding the apartment they shared, her parents, and her "live again" list to help her move forward. Lenny has found a new part time job as a nanny to the daughter of a single mother. She finds herself shadowed by judgey Uncle Miles. When a little time passes Miles realizes there is a method to her madness when it comes to babysitting. Once he understands that Lenny is weighed down by loss, he offers to help her navigate her "live again" list in exchange for her help in bonding with his reluctant half-sister and niece.

This is a slow burn with an emphasis on healing. I love when a novel brings up a plethora of emotions for me and this one sure checked that box.

I related to Lenny avoiding going home. I've been there and couldn't help, but nod along.

Grief and healing aren't linear and boast no shortcuts and I like how this novel gave voice to that. This one was also a great reminder that the messy bits of life can sometimes be the loveliest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing an Advance Readers Copy. These are my unbiased opinions.

Lenny is a hot mess after losing her best friend, Lou, to cancer and is taking odd babysitting jobs and sleeping on the ferry (instead of the apartment she shared with her best friend) just to get by. She takes a job babysitting Ainsley, where she meets Ainsley's uncle Myles who thinks Lenny is unqualified for the job. He follows her onto the ferry one night and discovers that Lenny is drowning in her grief. Lenny initially turns down Ainsley's mom's (Reese) offer to become Ainsley's full-time nanny, but Miles convinces her to accept the job long enough for her to help him form a relationship with Ainsley and Reese. Miles also offers to help Lenny complete the items on her "Live Again" list, using his personal experience to help her through her grief. As they complete the items on the list, Lenny not only realizes she has, in fact, been living again, but also that she has somehow fallen hopelessly in love with the man helping her live again.

Where to start?? This book is perfection! It will deserve every ounce of hype that it is sure to get. However, this is NOT a rom-com!! The themes of grief are HEAVY! Lenny's grief journey was raw and painful, but it made it feel so real. The reader can really understand her pain through the flashbacks with Lou. The flashbacks were heart-wrenching. If you have experienced any kind of grief, Lenny's emotions will feel like a gut punch.

I loved Lenny's personality - she was funny, imaginative, fiery, and unapologetically herself. Myles was a black cat on the outside but a golden retriever on the inside. King of acts of service! He was constantly doing things for Lenny to make her life easier or to make her happy.

I loved Lenny's relationship with both Ainsley and Reese, as well as seeing Myles and his relationship with his sister and niece become stronger throughout.

I loved the side characters in this book. Lenny's new friends were great and I loved the dynamic of the friends, Lenny, and Miles. Also, Ethan from Ready or Not makes a cameo as one of Miles's old friends!!

All in all, this book was incredible, and I cannot recommend it enough!

How do you write about a book that tore your heart out in the best way possible?

I have to say that I’ve never experienced extreme grief, but after reading this masterpiece I feel like I understand it and can completely imagine the soul-churning, gut-wrenching way that it eats away at you, and trying to comprehend how there can be moments of sunshine that mix through all the haze and agony as you start to live your life again without half of yourself.

The writing style and use of metaphor was beautiful; a true joy to savor this writing. I also laughed out loud at certain sentences.

My only critique is that when the romance finally came to the point that I’d been anxiously waiting for, it fell flat. Delicious tension leading up to Miles and Lenny’s relationship, but the intimate scene needed a lot of tweaking in my humble opinion.

I will recommend this work of art to many of my friends who appreciate the psychology of the human experience.

This was a heavy book but really enjoyed it. The main character, Lenny, recently lost her best friend to cancer. Lenny works as a nanny for a family and becomes friends with the grumpy uncle. The grumpy uncle, Miles helps provide friendship and support for Lenny as she navigates the world without her best friend.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

To say I didn't cry during and after I read this book, I'd be a lying liar! This book was amazing all around. From the beautiful and emotionally deep writing, flawed yet raw characters that have gone/going through probably one of the most challenging times in life, and a storyline that draws you in from page one and keeps you invested, cheering on the main characters as they navigate life in the after, high and lows (sometimes both at the same time) was a breath of fresh air. I didn't realize how much I needed this book as much as I did while I read it. This is such a memorable read! The topic of grief was written in such a way that those who are experiencing it or have experienced it in the past will resonate with both main characters. But those who haven't been touched by grief can experience it vicariously in Bastone's writing and be there for those who have. You will fall in love with these characters and wish they were real so you can give them the biggest hug and be their best friend! I can't wait to share my full thoughts after March 4th.
I highly recommend that you read this book when it comes out and take the time to absorb every word written because you will be changed for the better after you read it!
Thank you, Random House Publishing and The Dial Press, for this ARC!

Oh my goodness, what an absolutely gorgeous story about love, loss, friendship and the incredible strength it takes to heal, care for yourself, and love again! This book shot straight into my top 3 of the year—no contest. Cara Bastone, you are pure magic. Your books are an auto-buy every single time, and no one captures raw, heartfelt human emotions quite like you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been looking forward to reading Barstone’s next book since I finished Ready or Not. It was worth the wait. This was a love story on multiple levels- romantic love, familial love, and the love between best friends. Grief and loss are such complex emotions that were addressed honestly and deeply. Miles was such a tender MMC. Have some tissues handy!

Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of Promise Me Sunshine! I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, I had a difficult time with even finishing it. I think the idea of this book is so creative & beautiful, and I really did enjoy Lenny’s journey to healing. I just had a difficult time with connecting with the main character, as well as not feeling uncomfortable with some of the cringey moments and dialogue that were happening. This was a book that I didn’t find it easy to get into and that I didn’t look forward to picking up and reading.

Promise Me Sunshine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Lenny loses her best friend, her soulmate, she feels as if she’s lost a part of herself too. Drowning in grief, she tries to complete a “live again” list inspired by her best friend. In comes Miles, the uncle of the family she is a nanny for. Having gone through loss himself, he decides to assist Lenny with her list in exchange for tips on how to connect with his niece.

A beautiful all around read!! Not just a romance, but it’s about healing and friendship and family. The depiction of grief was very realistic and was difficult to read at times because I really tried to immerse myself into the story. It felt like I was living through Lenny’s grief. I couldn’t imagine going on with my life after losing a best friend, her emotions were raw and very heavy. The character growth Lenny goes through is beautiful, and I think this is a story everyone should read.

✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨

I adored this book!! Cara Bastone filled every single page with a captivating and beautifully told story of grief, growth and love.

Lenny and Miles, each dealing with their on grief, were such strong and complex characters. I love their commitment and adoration of one another. I especially love that it so clearly started as a friendship, allowing us to truly see the progression of their relationship as the story was told.

No notes!! Can’t wait to read more of Cara Bastone’s work.

"Lenny, when I look at your face, I feel like I'm finally home after a really long day at work."

Rating: 4/5
A MUST READ IN 2025, MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MARCH 04 2025!
Be prepared to fall in love with Miles and become very protective of Lenny.

A beautiful and heartwarming story about two characters navigating the complexities of grief that ultimately leads to them falling in love. Grief is one of the most complicated emotions we experience. It comes in waves, and just when you think you're starting to heal, it can feel like you're back at square one. This book did such a wonderful job demonstrating that.

Themes/Tropes :
Grief/ Healing
Friends to Lovers
Slow Burn

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

What a way to end the year : with a 5 stars. This book was so pure, so realistic in all its aspects, so comforting and hopeful. The way grief is treated under all the emotions was perfect just like the way Cara treated pregnancy in Ready Or Not. The romance was a soft blanket on the coldest winter night : comforting, you never want it to stop. Miles is boyfriend blueprint I need him in my life. The way he helps Lenny throughout the entire book, the way he uplifts her, never lets her down and always make her see her worth is the purest thing ever. Lenny is sunshine she made me laugh, smile and cry. I literally finished this book sobbing.
Cara Bastone will be an auto buy for me from now on.

I really didn’t think I’d enjoy a romance book largely centered on grief, but this story was so well done. It was funny, sad, hopeful, and so much more. And while it was all of those things it doesn’t try to hit you over the head with all of it. The author did a beautiful job telling this story. Both miles and Lenny are amazing. Lenny’s super power is seeing people and letting them be themselves. Miles, bless his sweet heart for how how he tries to help everyone around them. I’ll definitely read more from Cara.

I was blown away by this book. The way that she wrote complex characters with ordinary lives and extraordinary grief was so beautiful. Lenny's grief over the death of her best friend was all consuming and debilitating. While at first Miles seemed aloof and judgmental, his personal history of both grief and abandonment made his character so rich and compelling. It's a small thing, but I also liked a great deal how their jobs were pedestrian - ordinary people with a lot of baggage and a compelling love story of finding themselves through and with each other. Ainsley, Reese, and Jericho were also well written complex side characters and Lenny's parents cracked me up.

I was so worried this wouldnt sand up to Ready or Not, but I've never been more happy to be wrong! Some of the characters are a bit over the top and made me think drama club/high school musicals, but they are all so unique, kind, and supportive that they grew on me quickly.

Grief/grieving and friendship are the main plot with a side of healing and romance. Everyone really does need a Miles. My only wish was that the last scene (before the epilogue) was on the ferry.