Thank you for the arc!
I was completely bowled over by how much I loved this. I liked Cara Bastone’s Ready or Not, and everything I loved about that book was maximized here. I caught myself giggling out loud so often, the humor was excellent. Miles and Lenny were fantastic together. Several times Miles did something so incredibly thoughtful and kind I had to take a few laps to recover. Ainsley was a delightful, well written kid and I loved her relationship to Miles and Lenny. The story about Lenny’s grief was so moving, I laughed and I cried with her. I can’t properly verbalize how much I adored this book.

Cara Bastone's books are always a must read for me, and this one did not disappoint! "Promise me Sunshine" had me both in tears and smiling! I loved this unlikely friendship and romance, during such a challenging time.

These authors need to quit making me fall in love with hot, fictional men named Miles🧎🏼‍♀️😩

This was the perfect blend of sweet and serious. Navigating through grief after a loss is a confusing time, for lack of better words. In my personal opinion, I don't think you'll ever feel so many emotions in such a short period. It's overwhelming- there is no finish line, no moment where you finally say "Oh, I'm healed!" - you just keep going, and going, and going... and if you're lucky, you have people like Miles to help you along the way.

Miles moves to the city when his father's health starts deteriorating; after his passing, he moves to the same apartment building as his sister Reese and niece Ainsley. They have a complicated dynamic and history, which they're both having trouble working through. In walks Lenny, Ainsley's new nanny, and she sees an opportunity to help Miles mend this relationship, as he sees an equal opportunity to help her as well...

After his personal experiences with grief, Miles deems himself a bit of an "expert" - the way that he helps Lenny walk through the aftermath of her loss of Lou, her best friend, is just so heartwarming. My heart hurt, I got choked up multiple times and just wanted to hug them both, but their banter had me cackling through tears for most of the book. I adored their relationship, how there was basically never any awkwardness (yet they were very awkward lmao idk how to make that make sense), and they were very straight forward once they acknowledged their feelings. These two were not playin' about each other and we love to see that!!!

Little Ainsley is an obvious favorite, her and Lenny's relationship was just the cutest thing- they made me laugh so hard. I kept picturing Molly & Ray from "Uptown Girls".

This book was great. Obviously some heavy topics, a little emotional, but it was so sweet. Thank you Random House & NetGalley for the eARC!

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑
I would like to formally welcome Cara Bastone to my list of favorite romance authors. The list is short because I’m a little hard to please in this genre, but this is the second book by this author that I’ve loved. And if that’s not convincing you, maybe this line from her GoodReads bio: “(𝙄) 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣'𝙩 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮.” Sign me up.

I think what I really love about her books ( aside from her truly swoon-worthy MMCs ), is that there is so much more than romance within these pages. This is really a book about living with grief, with some romance on the side. Lenny as a character is entirely relatable, hilarious, lovable, and flawed. The portrayal of her juxtaposing emotions and her struggle to cope with them felt honest and real.

Also, the ability of this book to evoke #alltheemotions from me is also a plus on my end. If I can get whiplash from crying to laughing while reading, I’m a happy lil’ reader. The banter in this was excellent, which is an essential piece of a great romance book for me. Also, Miles? I’ll take two please. We all need a Miles.

I cried, I laughed, I thought, I related, I loved. Check this one out.

~ 👩🏻‍🦰

A heartfelt journey through grieving that manages to be both depressingly sad and laugh-out-loud funny. I wasn't too sure about the narrative style at first (which is very direct, sometimes speaking to the reader) but it grew on me. I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed the single point of view. Usually not my favorite, but it crafted the perfect amount of tension while focusing on the patience of healing. With such intense topics, there were moments I found myself overwhelmed, but the story was handled with care.

My only complaint is that it felt like the instant the story came together, it ended! I guess it's about the journey, not the destination. This was my first book by Cara Bastone, and I am looking forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

3⭐️
I wanted to love this, especially after loving Ready or Not by Cara, but I just couldn't connect to this as much! This book deals with grief and how it can affect our daily life. We see it in Miles as he deals with his parents & cousin's deaths and Lenny as she grieves her best friend's death. I can appreciate all the lessons and profound quotes on grief in this book but there was just something missing for me. This is a slow-burn romance (which is one of my favorite tropes) and I did enjoy Lenny and Miles's friendship and them completing Lenny's list together. I am conflicted because the pacing of the book just felt slow & choppy but the writing on grief was really beautiful. On the plus, the scenes with Ainsley, Miles's niece, were really cute and Lenny's flashback scenes with Lou were really heartwarming. It took me a while to finish this book, originally DNF'ing at 60% but it has been on my mind recently so I decided to restart it and enjoyed it more the second time around! I still recommend this book because Cara's writing is very beautiful!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Dial Press for providing the e-ARC!

Lenny is struggling with the grief of losing her best friend, Lou, to cancer. While avoiding her own pain, she lands a babysitting gig for Reese, a single mother, and her daughter, Ainsley. Reese’s grumpy brother, Miles, offers to help Lenny move forward if she helps him repair his relationships with his sister and niece. As they spend more time together, Lenny learns that sometimes losing everything is just the first step to finding love and herself again.

Five Star Review:

Promise Me Sunshine was an absolute gem. I found myself completely captivated by Lenny and Miles, and I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the whole book. The way this story tackled grief was so deeply resonant—I’ve never felt a book capture that feeling so authentically. Lenny’s emotional journey, struggling with the pain of losing Lou, was something I could truly feel in my heart. The author did such a beautiful job of portraying how messy and complicated grief can be. It was raw, real, and incredibly moving.

The chemistry between Lenny and Miles was just perfect—slow-building and filled with moments of vulnerability and connection. What I loved most about their relationship was how it wasn’t rushed or forced. Their moments together felt earned, and the gradual shift from two people who don’t really like each other to two people who care deeply for one another was so rewarding. Miles, in all his grumpiness, was such a surprising character. He was the perfect match for Lenny’s brokenness, and I adored watching them both grow.

The heart of this book lies not just in the romance, but in Lenny’s personal growth. Her journey of learning to live again, without forgetting her past, was both touching and inspiring. This book stayed with me long after I turned the last page. It was the kind of read that made me think about the characters long after the story ended. Lenny and Miles have truly earned a special place in my heart.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s not just sweet but also meaningful, filled with real emotion and growth, Promise Me Sunshine is definitely for you. This book had me laughing, crying, and feeling all the feels. It’s a five-star read, no question!

This was super cute - I'm 2/2 with this author, I appreciate how she writes unique romance novels, and I have found both of her books refreshing & unique, without a lot of overdone tropes. I would definitely read another book by her! 4.5 stars rounded up

From the very beginning of the book I was hooked with Lenny griefing the loss of her best friend and Miles helping her through the griefing process. Definitely relatable if you have ever lost anyone. I wish there was an epilogue to get a glimpse of Lenny and Miles in the future.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“He treats you well?”
“Mom, he walked into hell and dragged me back out’

“But the thing about losing the person you love the most on earth is—somehow—you still have to do mundane things like tie your shoes and make enough money to continue to exist in this punishing world.”

“Do you ever get used to not being able to give updates on your life?”
“I mean … this is the woman who used to ask me what I’d had for lunch that day because she was genuinely curious. She loved knowing the details of my life. Every little boring nothing, she wanted to know. And now … literally every aspect of my life is different and I can’t tell her.”

How do you find yourself after you lose the one you loved the most?

Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not.

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Ever since cancer stole away her best friend, she has been completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with her best friend, and the ever-laminated “live again” list of things she’s promised to do to survive her grief. But maybe if she acts like she has it all together, no one will notice she’s falling apart.

The only gigs she can handle right now are temporary babysitting jobs, and she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. The only catch: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of. . . a walking version of the grumpy cat meme. Worse–he seems to be able to see right through her.

Surprisingly, Miles knows a lot about grief and he offers Lenny 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 void her best friend has left behind, but between late night ferry rides, midnight ramen, and a well-placed shoulder whenever she needs it, Miles just won’t stop showing up for her. Turns out, sometimes your life has to end to find your new beginning.

I was so excited for this book after reading "Ready or Not" last year, and I'm happy to say I loved it! It started off a little slow and heavier as we see Lenny in the more raw parts of her grief journey. It was a little hard to read at times because I identified with the feelings, but that also speaks to Bastone's ability to capture the experience so well. It picked up though, and we got to see her relationships develop with Ainsley, Reese and Miles, and how they all hep each other heal and grow. Of course the focus is on Lenny and how Miles helps her navigate the early stages of grief, but we get to see how she helps Miles through some issues from his past and developing trust and relationships with Reese and Ainsley. It was beautiful to see how they understood and supported each other.

I loved the book and will definitely be revisiting it, likely buying a copy to add to my library. 4.5/5

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

CW: cancer, grief, complicated/estranged family relationships, death of a parent, death of a friend.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone follows Lenny and her healing journey after losing her best friend. Lenny is moving through grief, taking life one day at a time. Work-wise she takes on a temporary nanny position and meets Miles.

Miles is a complicated character who comes off as closed off and cold. Miles understands what Lenny is going through and the two begin a friendship. Miles has previous experience with grief and wants to help Lenny with her grief.

I was not sure about Miles at first but I enjoyed watching the friendship between Miles and Lenny. These characters have so much depth and handle a heavy topic so well. He was sweet, lovable, and a little quirky.

I thought there was a great balance of humor and lightness alongside the heavy moment. Over all the story feels like a warm hug.

If you are in the mood for a heartwarming story about how to live again after loss, with a sweet romance then this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautifully written book about love and loss and picking up the pieces after. Lenny and Miles have some of the best banter of any characters I’ve read and seeing the friendship that Lenny and Lou had in snippets was really beautiful. In my opinion, this book was pure perfection. I absolutely adored it and need it added to my physical shelf.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
4 stars/5

Oh, I loved this book! Although it started out a little slow, it took almost no time to draw me in with the tale of Lenny, a girl trying to deal with the grief of losing her best friend. Immediately, I knew I would lay down my life for Ainsley, the little girl that Lenny comes to nanny for while dealing with her grief. In accepting this job, Lenny also inherits Miles, Ainsley's uncle, who offers to be a sort of grief guide for Lenny, in exchange for learning how to better relate to his family.
Typing it all out like that makes it sound kind of silly, but it's really a beautifully told story about the way we deal with our feelings, and our family. All the characters are well-rounded and I came to love every single one of them.
Looking forward to reading more Cara Bastone in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dial Press publishing and the author for this advance copy of Promise Me Sunshine, in exchange for this review. Promise Me Sunshine is available today!

I loved Ready or Not last year, and really connected with this author’s writing style, and there’s something about her writing that makes her books feel like you can read 250 pages in one sitting just getting lost in her world. This was such a complex exploration of grief and how it can get to you with no warning, linger and sometimes there is no right thing to say. I lost my dad unexpectedly almost 2 years ago and some days, I’m still hit with waves of emotion that come out of nowhere - take it for what it’s worth, this book may have hit more of a punch because I’ve felt similar feelings of loss, and could relate to the characters so much more.

Speaking of characters, Lenny and Miles were so charming - this one is definitely a SLOW burn, I was getting impatient for a second, but I think this was a realistic depiction of falling in love, but knowing your partner has some things to work out first. I loved their journey together.

Thank you again to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. Pub date: 3/2/25 / out now!

I really loved this book!!
This author gives me Abby Jimenez vibes and I love that author so much. This book makes me want to read all of this author books. The relationship between the two main characters was so good and real. PLUS THE COVER!!! so pretty!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book deserves ALL of the stars! It made me laugh and cry. A beautiful story about grief with a romance subplot.

Lenny is quirky and Miles is an absolute treasure. The banter between these two had me cracking up and was so needed to break up the heavy grief plot.

A book everyone should add to their TBR. I highly recommend!

PROMISE ME SUNSHINE did a great job of tackling the subject of grief.

What I enjoyed:
-NYC setting
-love that the romance wasn’t rushed
-not overly steamy
-found family themes
-no third act breakup 👏🏻
-cinnamon roll hero

This was my first read by Cara Bastone and I can’t wait to read more!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the arc ☀️

Promise Me Sunshine
By Cara Bastone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I have had @carabastone's "Ready or Not" on my TBR for awhile but I still haven't picked it up yet and now I realize... that was a mistake! I absolutely loved "Promise Me Sunshine" - a beautiful love story about learning to live again when you're so lost you aren't sure how or why. It's about living fully and accepting the full human experience: Adventure. Joy. Loss. Healing. Sadness. Love. Laughter.

In "Promise Me Sunshine" we meet Lenny. She is grieving the loss of her best friend, her soul mate, Lou, who died of ovarian cancer. Lenny is barely living. She doesn't seem to know how. She can muster the energy to fake it for a bit with people who don't know her (short term nannying gigs) and avoids those who do (her parents, etc).

She meets Miles, the blunt and scowly uncle of her current nannying charge - and like it or not - he SEES her. Miles is no stranger to grief and so, he is able and willing to join Lenny in the depths and then... helps her climb out. A grief doula. A friend in sunshine and in shade. And the first man Lenny ever truly falls in love with.

Grief stories always get me in my feels because I truly believe you cannot live without feeling the full range of human emotions & grief tends to be the one people try their hardest to avoid. We placate. We joke. We talk of silver linings. Grief is uncomfortable. It is hard to endure, it is hard to witness, it is hard to be reminded of it in reality and even in books.

These are the books we need before we know we need them. I hope you'll pick it up. I'm so glad I did.

Thank you to @randomhouse for the #Netgalley access to this wonderful story. "Promise Me Sunshine" is out so be sure to add it to your TBR, pick up a copy, or request it at your local library. I'll be buying a copy for myself to own. 🧡

Wait, how am I supposed to ever move past this book?!

This novel was, in layman’s terms, amazing. Honestly, I can’t seem to put into words how incredible and meaningful this story was enough to give it justice. Not only was this book hitting me with awe and incredulity time and time again while reading, I can’t help but continue to think of this book even after the last page was read.

This is one of those books where the story is going to get to you right down to your core. I definitely am one to appreciate certain passages but I wouldn’t say I am one to highlight them, which is exactly what I did with this novel. The accuracy of the pain, that despair. Once again, the words fail me. People will relate to this story, the feelings, and the emotions. Unfortunately, even if they do not relate now, they will one day. C’est la vie.

This story and the writing style, while fully its own, also reminds me of something similar to the writing styles of Emily Henry and Carley Fortune. Again, this story is very much its own and uniquely different but I make this comparison for readers to give this book a chance if they also liked the works from those authors.

This is going to be a book that is going to sit with me for a long time and one that I will return to. It’s an incredibly emotional story of grief, love, relationships, strength, and life. I know for certain that some will find this book exactly when they need to.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This book was incredibly heartbreaking and beautiful. I absolutely loved it, I laughed, I cried , and overall just had a very good time!