Where to begin. I underlined and highlighted and cried over nearly every page in this stunning piece of work. Cara Bastone's voice is so unique, and her wirting style truly set the story up for success. Miles is an unbeatable MMC. His genuine care for Lenny is one of a kind, as his love for her grew from a shared place that both of these characters lived; their grief. To share something so vulnerable with someone, and to allow them to feel it with you... that is love in its truest form. Lenny's strength and determination to defeat the guilt she felt over still having a life to live was unmatched; her fortitude and willingness to run through the pain and not from it was new. To watch an FMC open her heart during the most closed off time in her life was special. Thank you Dial Press for the opportunity to live inside of Cara's words again. I can't wait for final publication!

This book is one that will honestly stick with me forever. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Lenny has recently lost her best friend in the world, Lou, to cancer and she’s navigating her grief while the world spins around her. She takes up temporary nanny jobs to get by which is where she meets Miles, the uncle of the sweet girl she’s annoying for, Ainsley. Miles is no stranger to the kind of grief Lenny is experiencing so he offers to help guide her through it in exchange for help connecting with his sister and niece.

This book is divided into three parts which I feel like my review should be as well. I’ll be honest, it took me FOREVER (like an entire month) to get through part one. It was extremely slow and so sad, but I understood why it was necessary. You spend a lot of time taking in the depth of Lenny’s grief in part one and I think I just had a hard time connecting with the book at this point, but that’s likely because I’ve luckily not experienced that level of loss in my own life.

Part two and three however, I flew through in a day. Part two spends time focusing on Lenny wading through the grief but making new friends while starting to fall for Miles and HOLY SWOON did I LOVE Miles.

By part three, Lenny has accepted her feelings for Miles. And while the love story in this is absolutely beautiful, the part that is really going to stick with me is everything else this book has going for it. Lenny coming back to her parents after shutting them out for so long, Miles dancing with Ainsley when Reece couldn’t be there, Lenny revisiting the same hairstylist that had shaved her head five years prior and being able to donate her hair to Locks of Love, etc.

I absolutely loved Ready or Not by Cara Bastone and after reading this one she’s been cemented as one of my favorite authors that I know I will read every book she releases going forward.

Part grief instructional manual, part heartwarming love story, I have found a new comfort book. Cara Bastone has perfected the art of the slow burn in contemporary romance and no one is doing it like her. Also I would be remiss if I failed to mention the appearance of characters from Ready or Not? in my review of Promise Me Sunshine. This book was so wonderfully written and heartwarming, and I found myself hoping and wishing for Lenny to find her peace with losing Lou, but still appreciate the time they had together. Miles and Lenny have a wonderful relationship with the most solid of foundations, and I will forever be wishing for a future glimpse of their lives in other Cara Bastone books.

I’ve never read a book by Cara, and wowwwww I will read anything she writes. I went into this thinking it was a romance book, but it’s not really that at all.

This book is absolutely stunning, and it’s truly a story. I felt like I was taken through a journey, and these characters felt so real. Life is messy, chaotic, imperfect and this book showcased everything with the ups and downs.

A huge thanks to Netgalley for this one! Absolutely ate this up, and it was something special.

Omg, I love this book that I completely asked for as a whim. I knew from chapter one I was in for a ride. I cannot wait for this book to be published so I can force my book friends to read it. Lenny by herself is a treat-grief striken and stumbling through life. She has met her match in Miles, uncle of her latest nannying charge. They go on a journey that made me laugh and cry and run to buy this author’s other books. I have not been this emotionally invested in a book in a long time. I want to watch Lenny and Miles forever.(Honorable mention to Lenny’s mom-serious perfection of mom energy). Read this for all the feels. A thousand thank you’s to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group for the E-ARC! Loved this so much! Great characters & storyline. Also actually liked the tropes too. Will definitely read more from this author.

Lenny is grieving her best friend's death the best way she knows how, by avoiding everything. When she lands a new job babysitting the adorable Ainsley, she finds herself face to face with Miles, Ainsley's grumpy uncle.

Cara Bastone really knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a romance, but there's so much more layered under the surface. These characters are messy and dealing with complex issues, but they are so lovable. Lenny and Miles balance each other out so well, and I love how quiet their love story is. It's a slow burn, but it's so worth it when they finally get together.

I also have to give a shout out to the real star of the book, Ainsley. I found her character to be so funny and endearing. She added so much to the book without even being the real focus.

My only complaint is that some of Lenny's behaviors felt a little unrealistic. I know she was grieving, but there were times where it felt more like a caricature of someone grieving than a potential real life scenario.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the ARC!!

Ugh I dont know how to rate this one. I think 3.75? I loved miles our MMC and how he would literally do ANYTHING for lenny and I really understood the depiction of grief but i feel like at times lenny was a little too out there for me? This book also felt similar to cara bastones last novel, Ready or Not.

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!*

There's books that you finish reading, a smile on your face, tucking it back into the empty spot in your shelf-satisfied and content.

Then there are books like THIS ONE. When turning the last page and closing the book feels like a breakup. Happy tears streaming down your face, heart battered and taped up after the journey from page one to the last.

From the first chapter I knew Promise Me Sunshine was going to make us work for that sunshine. Starting after the death of her best friend, Lenny's journey is raw, messy (but not a mess!), and just too damn relateable. It felt like I was grieving with her, learning how to live–with her. And that's when I knew I was reading one of my new favorite books.

Yes, it's a romance, there's love in every page, there's a happy ending. But it was so much MORE. Miles and Lenny’s love was slow, it was carefully crafted within the safety that was their friendship, and it was beautiful to read.

Miles was a pillar, a lifeboat, and watching Lenny lean on him, survive with him... was absolutely amazing. I will be thinking about this one for a while now. This review is jambled and not much of a review as I don't want to give too much away but I am awe of Cara's writing and most definitely will be purchasing this on release day for its permanent spot on my shelf.

If you're looking for a tearjerker, something to bring you on an emotional journey but within the caring grasp of a romance novel, definitely pick this one up!

Is it too late to pick my favorite book of 2025 if its still 2024? because WOW this book really was everything.

It was so human and dealt with grief in such a real way but it was also light hearted and funny.

Cara really hit on so may different topics and weaved such a beautiful story about healing into this book. She also created such amazing characters that you cannot help but fall in love with.

Miles and Lenny are true soulmates. While Miles is helping Lenny through her grief from losing her best friend, she is also not only helping Miles get closer with his niece and half sister but she's also helping him through his own grief. These two bring out the best in each other and are so unapologetically themselves while also so accepting of one another.

It is no secret that friends-to-lovers is my favorite trope and this book is exactly why. I believe in their love SO much because they have such a strong foundation built on their friendship.

There is no third act break up or any romantic drama but buckle up because this is a SLOW burn but it pays off and is SOOOOO worth it.

I cant wait to reread this the minute it releases.

This book was everything I wanted and more, 5 stars!!! This blew me away and I honestly can’t wait for this book to be published so I can rave about it with everyone because it is that good!

This made me fall in love with Cara Bastone’s writing style, her descriptions of emotions and just in general her writing style had me going back and rereading paragraphs, highlighting and savoring these moments. It’s so important for me to point out that while this book is a romance, it is first an exploration of grief, and the way people experience life after loss, and healing. The topics this discussed are heavy and definitely don’t stray from being messy but it’s so worth it! I’m absolutely blown away by the way Bastone tackles this story in such an impactful, beautiful, and devastating way. Overall this story is SO well written, I could shout it from the roof tops and still feel like I need to tell more people.

I loved Lenny so much!! I felt like I truly got to know her and enjoyed every second with her. Her experience was so real, in the way she deals with grief, emotions, relationships etc. I loved seeing her grow and evolve into the person she became at the end of the book. I really enjoyed her relationship with Ainsley (and found Ainsley to be so fun to read about, she’s so cute).
Miles. Miles!! Words can’t describe how obsessed I am with him!! His character truly was a trust the process moment because at first I was skeptical but I’m telling you, give him a chance! As much as this is a growth story for Lenny, I enjoyed watching Miles grow just as much. The way that he was able to be there for Lenny and she was there for him was beautiful to read about. Miles is so compassionate and caring about those he loves, you can’t help but fall in love with him too.

Their banter, the found family, the laugh-out loud moments. I just want to give everyone in this a huge hug and tell them how proud I am of them :) I have nothing but good things to say about this book!

Thank you to The Dial Press, NetGalley, and Cara Bastone for an ARC!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this eARC!

I expected this book to be an absolute gut punch, but I was surprised by just how, not only hopeful, but sweet and funny it was. I loved getting to see the intimacy grow between Miles and Lenny, and getting to see their relationships with the people around them grow. This was just such a tender, comforting read and I couldn't put it down.

The scene where Miles and Lenny finally get together and everything that comes after doesn't have quite as large an emotional impact as I was hoping for, but I think this is largely because the rest of the book is so strong. I enjoyed every second of this and will definitely be going through Cara Bastone's back catalogue.

I adored every second of this book. Cara Bastone has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I will read anything that she writes. This was such a beautiful story about friendship, grief, and finding love through the worst parts of life. Lenny is such a raw and real character and I loved getting to be in her POV and experience the vulnerability she brought to the table. Miles was the epitome of acts of service and the way that he cared for Lenny when she had nothing to offer him, just made him the perfect MMC. I found all of the characters complex and well developed, as well as having a very original plot. This was also the perfect slow burn and the fact that there was no third act breakup made it even more perfect to me.

I did not want this story to end! I laughed, I ugly cried. The relatability of the journey through grief is just everything. I never feel the need to annotate or highlight books and I couldn’t help myself with this one, there were so many lines that I want to make sure I can go back and reference again and again.

I am so utterly happy after reading this book. This is my second book by Cara Bastone and I think I can quickly become addicted to her writing. The depth of her characters, the way they interact, and grow throughout is just incredible. The story has so many layers that I found myself addicted to peeling them back quickly. Lenny's personality, even while grieving, is so inspiring. I can see a few of my own friends/family members in her character. Miles, also has so much depth and genuine good character that it really draws you in. Although a slow-burn romance, the tension was there early on and I loved it. I can't wait to buy this physical book when it comes out!

Thank you to Dial Press for providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley.

This book is about finding joy along with grief, since as we all must learn, one does not just "get over" grief, it stays as part of you forever. I loved this book, possibly even more than Cara Bastone's previous book, Ready or Not, which I really liked. Promise Me Sunshine is a strangers-to-friends-to-lovers story (my favorite!), following Lenny and Miles, who are navigating life after the loss of loved ones. They act as guides for each other - Miles helping Lenny pick her life back up after the death of her best friend Lou, and Lenny helping Miles connect with his sister and niece. This book is emotional and heartfelt and laugh out loud hilarious. Cara Bastone's words and worlds are always so cozy while her characters tackle life's challenges. I'm glad I got to experience Lenny and Miles' story!

A really sweet romance about grief and coming back to life after a huge loss, and about friendship, which is always so lovely to have as a big part of the story in a romance. Lenny was a blast as a character, so quirky and fun even in her extreme grief, and I got such a good sense of her and Lou’s amazing friendship. I also love how much New York is a character in Bastone’s books. The story could happen somewhere else, I guess, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near the same with a different starring city.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Promise Me Sunshine releases March 4, 2025

5+!!

This is me screaming from the rooftops, telling you how much I loved Cara Bastone’s upcoming release.

Promise Me Sunshine is the perfect depiction of what it’s like to meet someone when you’re least expecting it and needing it the most — what it’s like to find your person.

Bastone writes such a beautiful and honest exploration of grief, allowing her characters to be raw, messy, and vulnerable.
Yet despite all the despair they go through, there is so much life and personality soaked into the pages.
It’s sorrowful, tender, joyful, and humorous all at once, and if you’re an emotionally driven reader, you’ll be sure to love the journey this book takes you on.

While this is a romance novel, the romance isn’t in your face, which is something I quite liked. This allowed for the characters to have the necessary time to grow individually, while leaving room for something more to develop organically in the background.
Similarly to how I felt while reading You, Again (another Dial Press favourite), was this realization that the reason why the characters work so well together is because they don’t put this pressure on themselves to be perfect or to have this constant need to impress the other person they’re with — they can simply be themselves, wholly, knowing they’ll be accepted, knowing that the other person will stick around even after seeing the messy parts that are tucked into the greatest depths of their soul.

Miles was the perfect blend of being pensive and broody with a tough and often misunderstood exterior, while secretly being a softie who just means well in all aspects, and his niece Ainsley was the sweetest bundle tying them all together.

Through an agonizingly perfect slow burn, Lenny and Miles successfully achieved a friends to lovers relationship by building a structurally sound foundation in which their compatibility didn’t hinge on sex being the focal point, and that was honestly so rewarding and refreshing.

Discovering a new all-time favourite comfort read (these really only appear for me once every couple hundred of books if I’m lucky) and realizing you’ll never be able to experience it for the first time ever again is truly so devastating.

I never wanted this to end and I’m counting down the days until it officially releases so I can clutch them in my hands.

4 ⭐️

I really really enjoyed this one; the plot, the characters, the emotional backstory, and everything in between.

Honestly, I couldn’t relate to either of the main characters in any way, but their situations seemed to be portrayed so realistically which I appreciated. Just be sure to check trigger warnings before going into it! Lenny deals with the grief of her best friend and can’t seem to figure out life without her. Miles patiently attempts to help Lenny get through the pain that she is experiencing all while dealing with hardships of his own.

Lenny and Miles were the epitome of what it feels like to be in a friendship/relationship and feel comfortable enough to fully embrace yourself. I loved them together, and I could feel their chemistry and love for each other through the pages.

I will say it was a little slow at points, but don’t let that deter you from finishing this book!!! It was all worth it in the end as we got to see both Lenny and Miles mentally grow despite the hardships they faced.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for an arc of Promise Me Sunshine!!

Last month I read 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐭 and absolutely fell in love. When I saw 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 on NetGalley, it was a no brainer that I had to request. Somehow, I managed to get my hands on it and I couldn't be more grateful. ⁣
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Lenny lost her best friend, soulmate, other half and now it's time for her to try and live again. Getting to watch her grow throughout the story was so good to see. She shut down when she lost Lou but she still managed to wake up everyday. ⁣
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To lose someone who means that much to you, that you don't know how to go on, everyone needs a Lou in their life. To have someone be in your corner and be there for you 100% and help you learn to get back on your feet, everyone needs a Miles their life. To meet a random stranger on the street and have them become one of your first friends after Lou, everyone needs a Jericho. Speaking of Jericho, can we please get a story for him???⁣
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This book brought out so many emotions. Happy tears and sad tears. The way that Cara writes keeps you craving more. I already can't wait for her next book and this one isn't even out yet.