I wasn’t sure Cara Bastone would be able to top Ready or Not but she did.

Lenny will not be a character for everyone but she was certainly for me! A win for the thrift store t-shirt wearing weirdos.
Miles is her perfect counterpart - some might say too perfect but that’s fine with me!

The exploration of grief and friendship and life and family was so heartwarming. I thought it’d be a tearjerker in a sad way but I cried multiple times with a smile on my face.

Cannot wait for what’s next for Bastone!

A beautiful exploration of emerging from the fog of grief to learn how to move forward after the loss of a best friend or loved one. This book was beautiful, and true, and incredibly romantic. I loved every word.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback, and Cara Bastone for this ARC! I am unabashedly in LOVE with this book and these characters. Ready or Not was amazing, but this one exceeded all my expectations. Now, I am a girl who loves a good slow burn and this did not disappoint. A man who is just determined to be a best friend first is HOT, ok? I don’t make the rules. Only a best friend would know someone the way that Miles comes to KNOW Lenny. I fully believe their love because it bloomed slowly over time.

These characters had the best banter and they were actually so funny. I was smiling and giggling over some of the things they would say or even THINK. Lenny was truly a joy to read about and I loved seeing her relationships with every single character bloom into some unexpectedly beautiful. I also really appreciated the storyline where Miles learns how to best be present for his family. I’m sure I could keep going but just read it! If you want an emotional slow-burn romance, read it! If you want good banter and friends to lovers, read it!

I cannot for the life of me understand why everyone is not talking about this book. In an ill-advised series of decisions, I started it when I couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night and ended up never going back to bed. Lenny is absolutely delightful- flawed and broken, but one of the most endearing characters I’ve read this year. Her short recollections of her friendship with Lou were so beautiful and poignant. It made me instantly think of my own best girlfriends and how losing them would absolutely feel like losing myself. And Miles was nothing short of a book dreamboat. He was layered and complicated but so endearing and loveable. My one complaint (or maybe just a distraction) was me wondering how Lenny was paying for her apartment she never slept in without a real job. But honestly the book was so good I barely cared. Between this and the author’s last book, she is becoming a must read author for me. Love love loved it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

5 shining stars!!!

This book was absolutely amazing. I LOVED Cara's previous book, Ready or Not, so I came in with a lot of love for her writing style and characters. However, this one blew me away and truly has become one of my favorite reads of the year. I absolutely love the blend of fiction & romance that Cara does, it is so subtle yet so impactful. She truly knows how to illustrate a story and take us alongside the main character throughout their journey, which is so admirable!!

Okay first of all... Lenny and Miles were absolutely swoon-worthy. They are such a perfect pair together and their story truly made me giggle, tear up, blush, and smile. I adored seeing them develop from strangers to friends to lovers, it was so well done and felt SO R E A L!!! Cara does an exceptional job at making you feel like you are BFFs with the main character, truly making every single emotion the main character experiences jump off the page.

Lenny was a lovely character to read about and I could go on about how much I love her, but I will say one thing... she is such a realistic depiction of a character navigating life, grief, relationships, emotions, etc. I related to her and felt for her in so many ways. I just knew that her character would stick with me after I closed the book. Her flaws and her strengths were so accurate and just so so real. I love her!!!!

Miles... perfection. This man was truly remarkable to read about and I loved how although Lenny's journey is the focus, he had a wonderful storyline that was dissected throughout the book as well. He is more than just Lenny's right-hand man, he has so much depth to him that really shined through to showcase how realistic his character is as well. I love him endlessly, I could also go on and on about how much I loved reading about him!! He is such a kind, compassionate, caring, emotional, yet guarded man who protects & loves those around him!

Overall, I will be going more in-depth with my review closer to the release date but this book was truly beautiful from start to finish. It has a wonderful story that made me feel emotional yet inspired and truly left a mark on me. It discusses grief in its most complex yet beautiful way and also has so much humor and love within it.

I will leave this chaotic review off with this: This book reminds me why I love reading romance books.

his story was less about romance and more about Lenny’s journey with grief, friendship and loss. However we still got a very slow burn tale of two friends to lovers. I was initially a bit unsure how I felt about the characters, but as they developed throughout the story I came to really enjoy them, particularly Miles. The characters were well developed and had their own backgrounds and flaws to work through as well. While this one was lighter on romance than I was expecting, the love story still unfolded beautifully and it was not without some spice

A book about devastating loss and the indescribable feeling of grief that never seems to pass. Combining this with a love story between best friends cut short and having to put yourself back out there with not only a new friend, but the possibility of moving forward, Cara Bastone tells a beautiful story in Promise Me Sunshine. Highly recommend!

”This is a love story, I swear. This is what happens when you’ve promised someone you’ll live again.”

This was a tough book for me to rate. On the one hand, Cara Bastone’s writing is funny and quirky and heartfelt—all the qualities I love in a writer. Reese and Ainsley had such a cute mother-daughter relationship, and I wanted to see so much more of it. And Miles was the ideal book boyfriend: thoughtful, generous, caring, grumpy. He might be one of my favorite MMCs yet.

But the FMC, Lenny, rubbed me the wrong way. Some of her behaviors felt really childish for a woman pushing 30, and I felt like she was constantly taking advantage of Miles’s generosity and compassion. It became impossible for me to root for them together, because I wanted him to end up with somebody who was on his level, and for me that wasn’t Lenny.

I enjoyed the long-lost-sibling dynamic between Miles and Reese, and the way they figured out how to be a family for Ainsley. But I kept wishing that the characters’ circumstances had been written differently—that Miles wasn’t Reese’s brother; that he was actually Ainsley’s biological dad, back in her life for a fresh start, and hoping for a second chance at romance with Reese. That would have made this a 5-star book for me.

Kind of a bummer that Lenny and all her baggage were the main focus of the story, yet those were the things I could have done without, because I wanted so much more of what was happening on the side.

——

A huge thank you to Cara Bastone, Random House, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is so beautifully raw. A story of grief, friendship, the hardship of having to go on without your soul person. This packed an emotional punch let me tell you🥹
Cara Bastone’s writing is so beautiful and raw and can bring you to tears at any sudden moment. Lenny is such a strong character whether she believes it or not.
Losing her soul person, she feels empty in all aspects of her life. Miles, having been through grief, helps Lenny grow through that grief and helps her to accept it for what it is. To keep going despite that empty part of her heart. It’ll grow to be something more. To know that you had your time with that somebody and through grief you grow closer even if you feel like you’re stepping away. Holding onto your grief of somebody will keep you from growing. In order to keep walking you need to allow yourself to feel but also allow yourself to keep walking. To be able to acknowledge that as grief passes by you won’t forget about them. It only allows your body, mind, your soul, to live for that somebody.
Mark your calendars because you’ll want to read this!! 🥹❤️‍🩹

This book is my new everything. It was touching, hopeful, and deeply sad all at the same time. Everything about it felt so real to me from the characters to the ups and downs of grief. Mid way through I started getting sad that this was eventually going to end, that’s how much I wanted to live in this story forever.

I’m not usually a fan of a slow-burn romance, but I absolutely loved this book. Promise Me Sunshine follows Lenny and Miles who decided to lean on one another and learn from each other. Lenny, who is grieving her best friend, and Miles, who is trying to connect with his sister and niece.

This story takes you through the ups and downs of grief, specifically losing your best friend. Lenny goes through all the emotions as she tries to start living again after losing someone who was her other half in life. I loved seeing her raw, real emotions through every chapter. It truly captures how grief differs for everyone and for every moment you are going through it. I usually don’t love single POV books, but it was done really well through this story and allowed you to feel and understand Lenny’s character wholeheartedly.

Both characters grew so much through this book, and it ultimately led them to realize what they needed to move forward in life and start living happily, even if everyday is not perfect. Overall, I loved Lenny and Miles and felt like this book was paced perfectly to tell their stories and how they came together in the end.

Thank you Random House Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC!! From Ready or Not to Promise Me Sunshine, I am loving Cara Bastone’s writing and cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Cara Bastone is officially an auto buy author for me now! This book was everything I wanted and nothing that I expected all in one. This was so much more than a romance book. This deals with grief, loss and how to live your life after death. I loved the pacing of this book. It was a SLOWBURN but definitely worth the wait. I also loved how she depicted NYC.

4.5 ⭐️
SLOWWW BURN but worth it!!!! 🌶️

This book made me cry way harder than I was expecting. Cara Bastone is the master of developing characters the reader can connect with on so many levels. Lenny is grieving the loss of her best friend and honestly, I related to her on so many levels. I felt her emotions so deeply and could relate to her heavily. The relationship with Miles, the MMC, starts rocky but damn does he show an extreme amount of care and respect towards Lenny. I loved these two together but I really loved how Miles helped Lenny live her life after loss.

Thanks NetGalley and Random House for an ARC!!! Everyone needs to read this one!

There's something wonderful about reading a book about grief and loss, when you're going through the same thing yourself. You feel seen and heard. You feel understood and much less alone. Lenny's grief is tragic and yet so realistic. The way the author has managed to depict in writing all the facets of grief, from denial to guilt, was painfully heartbreaking.

I absolutely loved the way the two main characters found each other, helped each other and made each other happier and better. Miles is an extremely touching character, the way he needs to be wanted and needed was very relatable. They were messy and goofy sometimes but they just made sense together.

While reading this book, i felt in a bubble where their story was so good that it reminded me the importance of never giving up on life.

Lenny's life has been at a complete standstill since her best friend in the whole world (practically sisters), Lou, passes away from her second battle with cancer. Since Lou's death, Lenny hasn't been sleeping, eating, or taking care of herself in general. She takes up short babysitting gigs instead of long-term nannying to prevent herself from forming connections that ultimately get severed. She shows up at her next assignment to care for a little girl named Ainsley and runs into Ainsley's uncle, Miles. Miles knows the minute he sees Lenny that she is suffering from grief -- he knows because he used to be like her. Since he knows about getting through grief, he offers to Lenny to be her grief guru. Throughout their time together, Lenny finds love, family, Lou, and, most importantly, herself.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. Cara Bastone wrote a masterpiece that made me laugh, cry, and have all the feels. While this is technically a romance novel, it contains a great message about grief and mourning of loved ones. I am predicting that this will be one of the top books of 2025. I'm very picky about giving out five stars, but this book definitely deserves it.

4.5 stars. ⭐️ I loved Ready or Not, so I was so excited to read Cara Bastone’s newest book. Promise Me Sunshine follows Lenny, who is living in New York City, working as a temporary babysitter, and trying to survive after the death of her dearest friend to cancer.

This book was such a good portrayal of the grieving process and the importance of relationships in healing. Loved the development of Miles’ relationship with his niece, Ainsley, and Lenny’s friendships with Jericho, Jeffy, and Rica. The slow burn of Miles and Lenny’s relationship from enemies to friends to lovers was also done so well and seemed realistic. I can’t wait to read anything else Cara writes!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for the ARC!

Wanted to start off by saying that Cara Bastone’s covers are stunning! This book definitely started slow & I wasn’t sure if I was gonna like it. BUT once I took a step back & realized it was soooo much more than a love story, I ate it up. This book talks heavily about grief & I think the author portrays it beautifully. Losing someone you love is never easy, and this book is SO realistic to how someone would handle it in real life. Miles & Lenny felt like real people & I love when that happens. I felt like I was there with them, going through the stages of grief alongside Lenny. Miles & Lenny are two amazing characters & I loved getting to see their growth throughout the book. I wish it hadn’t been a suuuuper slow burn but them getting together at the end was very worth it. One thing I really appreciated was the smut scenes not being super cringey like other romance books. The author went into detail without overdoing it. There were so many moments in this book where I laughed or smiled. But the book also pulled at my heartstrings & made me feel so many emotions. I definitely recommend this book! I especially recommend it if you’re a fan of Emily Henry (specifically Funny Story) because this book gave me allll those vibes!

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.</i>

4.5 stars rounded down

This be one of my favorite books that deals with grief and loss. I really love how both Miles and Lenny talk about grief and honestly there are a few solid very applicable takeaways on dealing with grief.

I also really loved that it wasn’t only a romantic love story but a love story about friendship, family, etc. I will definitely be reading more Cara Bastone.

4.5 ⭐️
This was heartfelt and sad and made me feel so many emotions as I was reading. the connection between Miles and Lenny was just so beautiful to read, how they understood each other so well and knew what the other needed. Lenny was a very unique fmc, totally different than what I am normally used to. she is so funny and wild and deals with her grief so differently. I love how the author wrote her, she seemed so real and tangible. Miles too, he was a very interesting character. he’s sweet and cares for Lenny so much even though he’s super grumpy on the outside. I only wish the author went a little more into Miles’s character and his relationship with Reese and Ainsley. I also think more flashbacks to Lenny and Lou’s relationship would be beneficial to see just how much Lenny loved her, and I think that would give the readers a more deeper connection to their relationship as well. made me cry a lot and was so heartwarming. the ending was just perfect. I need more of them!!

5 ⭐️ oh, how I loved this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Promise me Sunshine is a beautifully written love story between Lenny and Miles. It’s an enemies to friends to lovers.

Lenny has recently lost her life long best friend to cancer. Her life is grey and she’s barely living. She’s depressed and refuses to go back to her apartment because she lived there with Lou. Miles, having experienced loss himself, becomes her grief doula and literally brings her back to life. It was heartbreaking and felt like such a real portrayal of losing a loved one. My husband has cancer so this was definitely an emotional and heavy read for me.

It’s a slow burn, but it works with the storyline.

Cara really knows how to mold characters and their histories into a compelling don’t-want-to put down kind of love story. This book is 400 pages but certainly didn’t feel like it! Highly recommend if you enjoyed Ready or Not.

“I've been gifted with this day. Frozen in time. A day where everyone moves slowly and carefully. Where the world is cast in diamond. Where the sunshine, never promised, is achingly bright and cold and there's nowhere to hide.”