This is my second book by this author, and I am in love with her stories. They are not typical romance novels. They have more real characters and situations. She does slow burn which leads to real and lasting feelings. She does complex and flawed characters that seem to find the way to the happily ever after which I love.
I love the writing style. It is almost like a stream of consciousness where you really get to live in her characters heads and Lenny was just such an amazing character to get to know. She was kinda of all over the place, kinda of like a Gilmore character. While the book is touted as a romance novel, I would really say it is more fiction with a touch of romance. It is so much more about how someone deals with grief, how to deal with your life after someone you love dies. How do you laugh again, how to do learn to come back to yourself and be okay with the world.
I love how Miles slowly helps her through her pain, shows her how to have friends and make it through her list. I loved how patient and amazing he was. I could see him in love and she was just lost in her own world and he was waiting for her to be better before he started anything. I love the banter between the two of them. I loved living in Lenny's head as she slowly comes back to herself. Her relationship with her parents, making new friends and work just made me love her so much. I want to be best friend with her.
I can't say enough good things about this book. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry ( multiple times for me). It is the feel good lovely story that just makes you happy.

Absolutely Beautiful and Heart-Wrenching—A New Favorite!

I have loved all of Cara Bastone’s books, but Promise Me Sunshine is hands down my favorite. This book took me on an emotional journey that had me laughing, crying, and completely falling in love with these characters.

Lenny’s grief is raw, deep, and so incredibly real. After losing her best friend, Lou, she is barely holding on, just trying to exist in a world that no longer makes sense. Enter Miles—grumpy, skeptical, and not at all convinced that Lenny is in the right place to care for his niece, Ainsley. But as their lives intertwine, something truly beautiful happens. Miles—who knows grief all too well—becomes Lenny’s reluctant but determined lifeline. Their connection is built slowly, through stolen moments of honesty, humor, and heartache, and watching them help each other heal was absolutely stunning.

Miles is the definition of "boyfriend goals"—tough on the outside but unbelievably kind and supportive underneath. The way he encourages Lenny to take steps toward healing, how he gently but firmly pushes her toward the happiness Lou wanted for her, is just chef’s kiss. And Lenny, in turn, helps Miles strengthen his relationship with Ainsley, proving that even in the depths of grief, love and joy can still be found.

Beyond the beautiful love story, the side characters are hilarious and relatable, adding warmth and levity to an emotionally heavy story. I cried so many times, but I also laughed, swooned, and felt my heart swell with hope. This book is a stunning, deeply moving reminder that even in our darkest moments, love and connection can pull us back into the light.

Promise Me Sunshine is an absolute must-read. Just make sure you have tissues handy! 💛

(Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!)

I loved Ready or Not, Cara Bastone’s 2024 release, so I’m really not surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed Promise Me Sunshine. Bastone’s writing does such a good job sucking the reader into the story. I loved Lenny as a character and found her so easy to root for as she navigated her grief journey. Miles was endearing and watching him constantly show up for Lenny was heartwarming.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

3.5? I had a hard time liking this FMC which made me struggle a bit with enjoying the read. I appreciate the theme of this novel and know firsthand that grief affects people in so many different ways. I wish we were given more glimpses into the ways the other characters handled it. I laughed out loud a few times which is always a win. And I loved the ending. I look forward to reading other stories by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

This is the second book I have read by Cara Bastone and I love her books. I am rounding this book up to 4 1/2 stars. There is so much to unpack. This book tackles the hard topic of grief in a way that makes it digestible, endearing and at times funny. You think the book is going to be about a woman who helps to nanny a young child. And then you realize the book is really about the woman's journey through grief. She recently lost her best friend. And she is trying to move on. In comes the grumpy uncle, who isn't as grumpy as everyone thinks. And while he is not lost in grief he is lost in his own way. They help each other navigate their struggles in life and find happiness on the other side. I also want to add that I listened to the audiobook version. I saw one review where the reader hated the narrator. I loved her! That is what makes the reading experience amazing. Everyone has an opinion!

Thank you to Dial Press for an E Galley copy!

This is a book that deals with healing and living through grief. Miles and Lenny, lost in their lives, find each other, and heal together in New York City.

Lenny lost her best Lou from childhood to cancer. Miles lost his mother and cousin in a terrible car accident.

As Lenny and Miles get to know each other, Miles makes a proposition to her: he'll help her get through her grief and healing process if she would help him have a better relationship with his half-sister Reese and niece Ainsley. What follows is an emotional journey of healing and an unexpected friendship and romance between them.

While helping each other's healing journey, they found each others only lifeline. This is more than trauma-bonding. The transition between their friendship onto something more was genuine and I just appreciate how they still trying to include those they lost into their lives.

Cancer and grief are major themes in this story, though the tone is hopeful and not depressing.

There were so many humorous moments that broke up the heavier feelings. The pacing kept you moving along but also allowed you to feel their growth (and setbacks). It was authentic and emotional.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Cara Bastone for yet another good book!

📣 stunning

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what was your last 5 star? This was mine!

There are some losses that tear you to the bone and Lenny Bellamy in Cara Bastone’s Promise Me Sunshine is faced with one of them.

Lenny’s best friend died recently & much of the book deals with her tremendous & overwhelming grief.

As she mourns, she becomes friends with Miles, a grumpy grump who has also experienced grief & who offers a trade of sorts: Lenny will teach him how to relate to his recently discovered niece, & he’ll help her process her loss.

This book is important & big & it will reach the hurting, sensitive parts & make you feel the love too. Lenny & Miles’ story is beautiful; like always, Cara writes characters I absolutely love & a romance that feels so good, even as the leads are both dealing with heartache of sorts.

If you haven’t read Cara Bastone yet—& one of my friends said this recently—you absolutely must. Her characters will become part of your personality & heart.

5 ⭐️. Out 03/04.

[ID: Jess holds the book in front of sunflowers.]

I enjoyed this for the most part, but I did have a few issues. It was cute and I could have sworn I was watching a movie and because of how real it felt. This is textbook realistic fiction and in that way, I LOVED it.

Ok so like I said, the thing that made me love this was the way it felt so real. I don’t know how to explain it, but everything they went through was something that I could see happening in real life too. But the way it was written made me feel like I was watching tv. And because of that, when I tell you I felt every emotion in this book, I mean it. My heart hurt in so many places and it swelled so big in others. I loved this aspect so much.

Now I’m not going to lie tho, I did think this was a little too long. And for it to have been so long and with the slowest burn to only have like 3 scenes of them in a relationship was torture. (Ok maybe I’m exaggerating, but you know what I mean) I know it was cute to see them flirting and pining, but it didn’t even really have that. For the most part he hated her, and then he didn’t want her to think he had taken advantage of him. and then she ran away from him AND THEN they finally got together. It was a lot.

As for the small things, I didn’t care for the fact that we don’t get the entire list. (Or at least the audio doesn’t.) Maybe I should try to find a physical copy. I think it bothered me so much because I knew what it looked and felt like because of how descriptive Bastone was, but I still didn’t know what her handwriting looked like exactly and Idk, it just kept niggling at me. On the flipside I liked that she icluded their flashbacks. They were all so emotional. I was constantly placing my hand over my heart trying to keep it together long enough to finish the book.

This didn’t come without it’s flaws, but I still loved it more than I thought I would. This was my first book by this author and now I don’t plan on it being the last. I need more if this is how they all are. I can’t wait to read more.

There is nothing I love more than reading books that have the same sense of humor as I do. Lenny was using phrases that I thought I was the only person who said them and I of course really enjoyed that writing! Along with Lenny’s personality, I loved the realistic and raw storyline of her grieving and healing through it. I’m also a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope and Miles was the sweetest male character I’ve read in a long time. My only con is that it was a long book and at times I felt like it dragged a little. But overall it was a cutie love story, laugh out loud funny, and a profound journey about loss all wrapped into one. I highly recommend!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Dial Press Trade Paperback for the privilege of reading the ARC of Promise Me Sunshine! And to Cara Bastone for writing it.

This book was so incredibly beautiful, I wish I had all the words to describe it. "Promise Me Sunshine" is a romance book, but to its core, it is a story about grief. The book is heartachingly honest and full of so much depth while reminding you of all the beauty that comes with being alive.

The book picks up a few months after Lenny, the FMC, loses her best friend to cancer and then her meeting Miles, the socially awkward uncle at her new nannying gig. This book is probably one of the slowest burns I have ever read! Watching their relationship blossom slowly throughout the book was so lovely to read.

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

Miles, Miles, Miles! He is one of the sweetest MMC I have ever read. The way he is there for Lenny during her healing journey was so beautiful. His own experience with grief allowed him to understand all of the conflicting emotions Lenny experienced throughout the book.

Lenny's story of grief was so captivating and deeply emotional. It's one I've been trying to find the words for how much I love it, but I honestly don't think I could. It's one that needs to be read.

🌇"I don't know. Just thinking about all the experiences other people have. Through all the, you know, grief, I've kinda forgotten that the entire world is filled with all these other realities... possibilities ... that I've never even considered before."

The book felt like receiving a warm hug that pulled on all my heart strings. The book really drives home the idea that even indepths of unimaginable pain, there is still so much beauty to be found and so much to live for.

Tropes:🫂
~friends to lovers
~forced proximity
~slow burn
~hurt x comfort
~found family
~healing journey

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.