4.5 ⭐️

This was a beautiful love story, but it was more than that. It was loss and friendship and family and supporting your fellow humans because life really sucks sometimes.

Miles was the perfect man. Compassionate, charming, grumpy, a caretaker, and so loving. He was everything Lenny could ever need, and it made my heart happy. He challenged her to face her pain while walking side by side with her and making sure she was okay at every turn. What I loved the most was that he never tried to be everything to her though - he helped her make other friends and re-engage with her family, and never begrudged her leaning on them even when it meant he wasn’t with her. Everyone deserves a Miles in their life.

Lenny was so fun - she was like eternal sunshine and bubbliness, even when she was more sad than I could imagine being. She was brave and unapologetically herself, and she was exactly what Miles needed, too.

Alex Finke was great on the audiobook. She put the perfect emotion in her voice so I laughed when she laughed, and I teared up when she broke down in tears.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone is a slow-burn romance that excels in its deep exploration of grief and character development.

Lenny’s character development is the heart of the story. Bastone accurately portrays the messiness of grief, showing how it doesn’t have a clear timeline or easy answers. I appreciated that Lenny is not immediately “fixed” by her relationship with Miles; instead, we get to see her struggle through each new step. Her emotional journey feels authentic each step of the way as she figures out how to navigate her new world without her rock. With each interaction with Miles and Ainsley, we see how she changes, and her growth feels real and earned.

Miles, too, undergoes significant development. Initially, he’s portrayed as distant and stoic, but as the story unfolds, we see the layers of his grief and the reasons behind his guarded nature. His relationship with Lenny allows him to confront his own emotional baggage, particularly with his family, which adds depth to his character. The way Lenny and Miles gradually learn to lean on each other demonstrates the power of vulnerability and support in overcoming personal struggles.

The slow-burn romance that develops between Lenny and Miles is not just about love but about mutual healing. Their connection feels genuine and grounded in their individual struggles, making it all the more rewarding when they start to open up to each other. The book doesn’t rush their emotional development, allowing both characters to evolve in a way that feels earned and realistic. This book was magical and heartbreaking and heart-mending all at the same time.

I absolutely adored her last book, Ready or Not. It had me all in my feels. I think I put too high of expectations on this one. It was good, but it focuses heavily on grief and maybe I just wasn't in the mood for that. I did love Miles and Lenny & Lou's friendship.

3.5 stars

This book was perfect perfect perfect. I loved Bastones other book, Ready or Not, so I had a good feeling I’d love this one too but dare I say it blew RoN out of the water somehow???? The grief plot mixed with the whip smart humor was top tier and balanced so perfectly. Both Lenny and Miles were flawed and extremely lovable and the progression of their relationship felt so natural. Flawless book. I couldn’t find a critique even if I tried.

Lenny is struggling with her best friend's death. She is doing doing short term nanny and babysitting jobs to stay afloat when she meets Miles. Miles helps her with her grief in exchange for help connecting with his niece.

This is going to be on my top books of the year list for sure. The way Cara tackles grief alongside a slow burn romance is so impressive. If you have experienced any kind of grief, you will relate to this book. I am going to be recommending this book to everyone.

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her death has left Lenny feeling completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with Lou, and the list of things she’s supposed to do to help her live again. The only thing she can do is temporary babysitting gigs, and luckily, she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. It’s not perfect: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of... a huge jerk. But if Lenny acts like she has it all together, maybe no one will notice she’s falling apart.

Miles sees right through her. Turns out, he knows a lot about grief and, surprisingly, he offers her a proposition. He’ll help her complete everything on her “live again” list if she’ll help him connect with Ainsley and overcome his complicated relationship with Reese. Lenny doubts anything can fill the Lou has left behind, but she begins to spend more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself, and love, again.

I loved the book. Coming out of some major experience with grief in my life, I have seen how everyone's reaction to grieving can be so different. This book does a great job looking at the different reactions to it and how time gradually heals your heart some, and how incredibly challenging, emotional and poignant it can feel to start to live again after the loss of a loved one. Wonderful book!

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (trigger for grief)

Lenny’s life has been a mess since she lost her bestie, Lou, to cancer. Unable to do anything much, she accepts temporary babysitting jobs to make a living. Her latest is for an exhausted single mom, Resse, to babysit her daughter, Ainsley. Lenny likes it enough even if she finds Resse’s brother, Miles, a kind of jerk.
Miles sees Lenny’s grief for what it is and offers her a deal. He will help her check off the 'live again' list if she helps him connect with his sister and her daughter. Lenny is not sure anything can help her fill the gap left by Lou but she is willing to try. Who knows, this could teach her something important!
The story comes in Lenny’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I debated for a long time on this one. While I liked the author’s previous book, I still wasn’t sure until I read the later reviews.
While I haven’t experienced grief like the FMC’s (#touchwood), I did lose someone very special and their memories still make me teary-eyed. My life didn’t stop but there’s this sense of emptiness in one part. Yeah, you learn to live with it.
Despite the heaviness of the theme, the book has many lighthearted moments. The voice is quite quirky (maybe a bit too many similes but most of them are funny, so no complaints) and entertaining.
Though Lenny is the narrator, the book does belong to the MMC. I love the dedication too! He is the central force holding the plot together. I love his characterization. Also, I noticed that like in the previous book, Miles is also a tall and well-built guy who is not fully comfortable or confident of his ‘appeal’. I like this.
Another important aspect is the kind of relationship the MMC wants to have with the FMC. He encourages her to make friends with others and build a circle. It is quite refreshing to see friends as friends without complicating it with unwanted attractions or triangles. The focus remains steadily on the core theme.
That’s the reason the shift to romance is seamless. No unwanted drama after the initial panic (which makes sense). No angst, miscommunication, or jealousy. No third-act breakup as well (yay!). It just flows and grows organically.
The book drags in the middle and the pacing goes down. I think it would have helped if the MMC’s grief had been discussed at this point. It might have created a shift in narrative and sustained the interest instead of making it seem like we were going nowhere.
Though the book is from the FMC’s POV and her grief gets the spotlight, it’s only fair to let the MMC talk about his loved ones. There are a few scenes, but frankly, I’d have liked it better if there were more. At least, we could have had a scene where Miles clears that room with Lenny to support him.
The side characters are quite interesting. I love that little kid, Ainsley. She’s a rockstar in the making!
This is not the book to choose if you want dramatic love declarations or intense romance. Since grief is already intense, the author chose a soothing romance. It is not flashy like neon lights. It is soft, gentle, and comforting like your favorite Tee. In fact, we get a clear indication when the MMC talks about what love means to him. I truly appreciate this approach.

To summarize, Promise Me Sunshine is a slightly lengthy but heartwarming novel about grief, learning to heal, and living again. I wouldn’t have minded an epilogue!
Thank you, Madison Dettlinger, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group (Dial Press Trade Paperback), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.25 stars!

Promise Me Sunshine is my first Cara Bastone book, and it will certainly not be the last! In this, Lenny has recently lost her best friend and is drowning in grief. She meets Miles, the uncle for the kid she is nannying, who has been right where she is. So, he helps her with her seemingly insurmountable grief, and she helps him connect with his niece.

I have experienced a lot of grief, especially recently, and Bastone does a wonderful job depicting how truly bereft someone can feel after such devastating loss. I felt seen. Lenny’s journey is such an authentic one, her character and story were palpable.

Miles is also wonderful in anticipating needs and being so understanding. He may have some trouble with social cues (relatable), but he does not lack in care and devotion.

The only thing that I wish there was more of, is a romantic feeling. I believe Lenny and Miles are great and I see how they have woven themselves together so intimately without physical intimacy. I guess I just wanted more of that transition period, or more of the wanting/yearning.


Highly recommend.

I didn't think Cara Bastone could top Ready or Not, but this one was also amazing. This is such a great story about grief and finding love and family.

Lenny is adrift after losing her best friend to cancer. When she gets a job being a nanny for a precious kid and a single mom, the uncle, Miles, is there to help her overcome her grief and learn to live again.

This book was quirky, yet so heartfelt. It was a beautiful story about how grief consumes a person and how to learn to live and love again. Lenny was a weird girl, but that's my favorite type of heroine. She was perfectly balanced by Miles who also had his own challenges to overcome. I loved the sub-story of Miles and his sister/niece and felt it took the perfect amount of page space without taking over the story. These two were great about pushing each other to become the best version available to themselves. Despite the tough topics, I thought this book maintained a lightness that made it a pleasure to read. I can't wait to read more from Cara Bastone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dial Press for the opportunity to read a digital advanced copy of Promise Me Sunshine!

Promise Me Sunshine is a beautifully crafted book that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling uplifted. Cara Bastone has done an incredible job of portraying the complex journey of grief and healing through the eyes of Lenny, a young woman struggling with the loss of her best friend.

From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into Lenny’s world—her struggle to navigate life without her best friend feels so authentic. I found myself rooting for Lenny as she attempts to piece her life back together, even as she avoids the very things that remind her of her loss. Finding herself unable to commit to a full-time job during this time, Lenny accepts a part-time nannying position for a little girl, Ainsley.

Enter Miles, Ainsley's grumpy yet endearing uncle who becomes an unexpected source of support. Their chemistry is electric, and the slow-burn romance that develops between them is heartwarming. I loved how Miles challenges Lenny to confront her grief while also offering her a glimpse of hope and new beginnings. The moments they share—whether it’s late-night ferry rides or midnight ramen—are beautifully written and filled with emotion.

The dynamic between Lenny, Miles, and Ainsley adds depth to the story, making it even more engaging. I appreciated the balance of humour and heartache, which made me laugh and cry.

Promise Me Sunshine is not just a romance; it’s a story about resilience, friendship, and the power of connection. I couldn’t put it down and found myself lost in its pages long after I finished. If you're looking for a heartfelt read that will resonate long after the last page, I highly recommend picking this up.

This book is so, so freaking good! I loved every page between the covers; loved the characters within. Lenny and Lou’s friendship is something of a unicorn - how many people have a friendship that strong? That true of a friendship is a rarity in this modern world. If you’ve read the summary (which I’m sure you have), you know what the books is about. What you’re here to find out is - should I read it?
My vote would be - abso-freaking-lutely you need to read this book! Why? Let me give you the bullet points:
- super duper slow burn (so good)
- overcoming a real world problem in real world time
- solving family dynamic problems
- super sweet kid
- witty banter (really, really well written)
- a friend group to make anyone jealous
- a true love story
Just do yourself a favor and read this book if you’re a romance reader. Especially if you like your romance entwined with overcoming adversities.
An easy 5 star romance read!!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone is about Lenny, who lost her best friend to cancer and is trying to find a reason to “live” again, as she agrees to be a nanny for a little girl named Ainsley, while Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, offers to help Lenny fight through her grief.

This book was INCREDIBLE. It was so well written and truly just such an unbelievable story. Cara Bastone is 2/2 on 5 star reads for me!!

I loved Miles patience with Lenny, and the way he cared for her so deeply right off page one. Lenny was such an incredible FMC, and so being in her POV as a reader was emotional, but because you fell in love with her too so you found yourself feeling what she felt. Also, I really enjoyed all the side characters in this one!!

The plot in this one is really heavy, but the book is so beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This book broke me.

The conversation between grief and learning to live again was so beautiful and delicate.

Lenny starts as a nanny to a single mom and her newly known brother. She’s deep in her grief journey of the loss of her best friend. She grows as a person; allowing Miles (the brother) to help her live life. Little does she know, they’re both destined to grow their bond together.

This slow burn was so achingly good to read. Cara Bastone never fails to hit.

This book felt like a warm hug of grief but also the joy of a 90s rom com. There was not a single moment I was not rooting for Lenny. She was so relatable and such a ray of sunshine in her dark circumstances. And Miles was the most selfless and kind and awkward but lovable male main character. I felt like a friend in their grief journey that led to love.

It follows Lenny who is grieving the loss of her best friend as she figures out how to live again. She meets Miles who becomes her rock and her companion.

This book was everything I needed it to be! It does a fantastic job at discussing grief while also having lighthearted and funny moments. The characters felt so real and I loved all the side characters they meet along the way.

I absolutely cannot recommend this one enough!!

Book Review: Promise Me Sunshine
Rating: 4.5/5

This book has really smart writing and characters that feel familiar but fresh. I loved the banter—it’s clever and funny—and the emotional parts hit hard without dragging. The author does a great job showing grief without making the story feel heavy or too dramatic. Lenny’s sadness is written in a way that feels real, but not overwhelming. It’s more like something you carry with you than something that stops the story.

The dynamic between the four main characters is one of my favorite parts. Their friendship feels fun and real. I especially loved Miles trying to win back his niece and Lenny helping him in such an honest, kind way. It was sweet and made me smile. The audiobook is also really good if you like to listen!

After a long, slow burn, I’m really enjoying the connection between Lenny and Miles. He’s so soft with her, and it feels like he just wants to take care of her in the gentlest way. He honestly feels like an angel. And the last line from Lou’s list? It hit me right in the heart. So simple but so powerful.

New York at night is described in such a beautiful way in this book. It feels like a city that welcomes lost or hurting people. I’ve been to New York many times, and it really does feel like a place for dreamers, artists, and people who are figuring things out. The way the author captures that side of the city made me feel right at home in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!!

I want to reread this immediately—it was incredibly raw and heart wrenching in the best ways possible. Cara is an auto buy author at this point, her characters evoke all the emotions and her story telling abilities? Chefs kiss.

I went into Promise Me Sunshine with high hopes, and Cara Bastone delivered something both delicate and powerful. The way she writes about grief is nothing short of poetic — raw, honest, and tender without ever feeling forced or overly dramatic. I found myself pausing at certain passages just to sit with the words. She captured what grief really feels like: messy, lingering, and sometimes unexpectedly beautiful.

I’ll be honest — I hated the male main character at first. He felt cold, distant, and frustrating. But as the story unfolded and layers of his past and his own pain were revealed, I found myself softening toward him. Bastone does an incredible job of showing that we often meet people in their most guarded forms, and only with patience and curiosity do we uncover the truth underneath. By the end, I didn’t just understand him — I cared for him.

This book is a gentle reminder that grief and love are both complex and intertwined, and sometimes healing comes from the most unexpected connections. Promise Me Sunshine left me feeling full — like I had just finished a quiet conversation with someone who really gets it.

If you love stories that explore heartache with softness and give characters room to grow into themselves, this one will stay with you.

This was so good.
I go back and forth on whether this is 4⭐️or 5, but the more I think about the story, chemistry, and advice behind it all, it stays a 5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher, and NetGalley, for this ARC. It honestly was surprisingly VERY GOOD.
I read it during a time of grieving, so if it was almost a little self-help book for myself.

The characters are unique and wholesome.
The storyline was easy and pleasant to relate to.
My only knock is the SLOWEST burn, but i could stand it because of Lenny and Miles' situation, and if Miles was real, I would have SO MUCH respect for him.

Definitely recommend 🧡

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I've been very interested in Bastone because I've heard exclusively wonderful things about Ready or Not, but it is a trope I unfortunately refuse to read so I just had to wait for her next book. So when I saw this book announced I immediately requested it and added it to my TBR. I was so excited to read it and am happy to say it did not disappoint.

This book should absolutely be up there with Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez's books of stories that tell beautiful, believable love stories that almost feel like they are a subplot to the problems the main characters are going through. I was so, so invested in Lenny's grief and her finding her way in life again. Her return to normalcy and the little victories along the way had me tearing up every time. There were so many of those moments that were barely even addressed and it felt so real - not every change comes with fanfare and a parade. Sometimes you do something again and it's so normal that you don't even notice.

I also adore Miles, I love him so much, easily one of my favorite male main characters of the year. I love the vulnerability he showed without restraint, his desperation to be close to his family, and his desire to help Lenny get through her grief. Sometimes you read romance books and it feels like the love interests do these things to help the main character out of desire for a relationship, but with Miles it felt like he just knew it would be impossible for her to get through it alone and that she needed a friend. He had no ulterior motives, just a desire to help.

This book will absolutely be a go to recommendation for me. I hope more people read it, it is such a beautiful book.