I picked this one up because I loved Ready or Not (5 stars!) and while I enjoyed reading it, I didn't feel as engaged with this one as I did with the other. I liked this exploration of grief more than some other explorations I've seen in romance novels, but it didn't get to me the way I expected it to (though I did tear up a little toward the end). I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in more women's fiction based romance than a super romance-forward romance novel.

I wasn’t sure about this book going into it, but it ended up bringing a big smile to my face! Lenny’s personal journey throughout this book felt very realistic. And Miles was a picture-perfect book boyfriend. Loved them.

4.5 stars rounded up! I adore this book so much that it’s honestly hard to put into words. It’s heartfelt, tender, and brimming with the kind of hope and love that sticks with you long after the last page. This story made me laugh, tear up, and fall completely in love with the characters. It’s one of those rare reads that makes you feel like you’re living alongside the story — and I didn’t want it to end. ⛴️
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Have you read this one yet? If not, I promise you need to add it to your list!🥰
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Thanks to Random House Publishing, Net Galley, and Cara Bastone for the chance to read this one. I truly was sad to see it end because I enjoyed it THAT much. Keep on writing, Cara, you are a gem!
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#BookReview #CaraBastone #PromiseMeSunshine #Bookstagram #FeelGoodReads #RomanceBooks #GetLitWithAimee

This book is heartbreaking AND heartwarming. Everyone needs their own Miles in their life when going through a rough patch. This story unfolded beautifully and really touched my heart. This was so much more than just a romance book.

Promise Me Sunshine is a super heavy book but I felt like it was done with a perfect mix of heart, hope, and healing. I loved the characters & was cheering Lenny on the whole way!

4 stars

I throughly enjoyed this book!! It gave me all the warm and fuzzies. I was originally sort of hesitant to read this as a I liked "Ready or Not" but it didnt sit in my soul. BUT thankfully (shout out to @vivafalastinleen on TikTok) I was convinced to read it and I am so glad I did. It was a great escape while trying to write my personal statement and study for the MCAT. Wish I had a Miles of my own to push me to continue doing the healthy hard things. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone, especially people who desperately yearn to be known, not necessarily loved.

This was so good like I actually savored this book so much and the moments that these characters shared, the grief that was dealt with was so beautifully written and the writing itself was masterclass. I was hooked and engaged and in love. Even during my slump when I had no desire to read or when I picked up a book and was disliking it, this book was the only one that stood out and gave me actual feels. I can't comment on the pacing because I was in a slump and traveling so it was slow for me but I didn't mind it because I was enjoying it so much. Like the effort and the thought process that went through this book was so pure and raw, the complex emotional turmoil was dealt with so swiftly and it showcased the realities of loosing someone and oh my god it was done so well, it was so damn relatable and it made me feel so much.

This was my first Cara book and you bet your ass that I'll binge all her other books because it's so hard for me to find an author who's like five stars on the first read and tbh I just got this arc because the name and the cover were so enticing and honestly looking at it and at the actual story of the book it's so different, I was actually fooled but believe me that the story inside the book was as pretty as the outside of this book and you would be missing out big time if you skip this book over because oh my god it has everything.

PROMISE ME SUNSHINE Cara Bastone was the first book I read by the author and I’m glad I took a chance with this book.

Cara created an incredible thought provoking story about love, friendship, overcoming grief, finding one self again as well as re-learning how to live again.

The way that Cara wrote about Lenny’s pain and vulnerability had me stricken me hard. I was in complete awe through it all

Lenny and Mile’s had incredible chemistry, I loved there moments together. Despite both being flawed and going through their individual struggles they fit so well together. I admired how they accepted and supported each other. The thoughtfulness Miles showed Lenny was beautiful. Their vulnerable moments made me feel connected to them on such a deep level. They felt so real and human

Overall, I absolutely loved book. Everything about it was perfection. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m feeling right now after finishing this book but I can tell you I can’t wait to read more of the authors work.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Cara and Netgalley for this copy, I’m truly thankful to receive a copy of this incredible book.

I loved Cara Bastone's previous book, Ready or Not, so I was very excited to receive an early copy of this one. I really loved it, I loved Lenny and Miles, and really appreciate how it did not shy away from discussing the real parts of grief. It did a very good job at showing that grief is not linear, that healing takes time, and that it's good to lean on people.

Miles was such a swoony main character -- I loved him, and loved how solid he was and so compassionate. I loved seeing Lenny warm up and open up and let people help her -- such important life lessons. I also loved Ainsley, and her relationships both with Lenny and with Miles.

Overall I recommend this to anyone who wants a solid love story that will also make your heart ache. I can't wait to read more by Cara Bastone!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Promise Me Sunshine is a beautifully crafted story that captures the heart with its warmth and depth. It offers a refreshing experience, filled with moments that stay with you long after the last page. Highly recommend!

I loved this book so so so much! As someone that deals with grief, depression and anxiety I related so much to the main characters and this book was just so beautifully written. I felt like it healed parts of me in ways I don’t even think I can describe.

It was raw, so real, relatable and full of so much emotional depth and really highlights the complexity of dealing with loss of someone that’s part of your heart and soul.

Love can and does heal you. Kindness is everything.

I will definitely read more by Cara Bastone in the future🫶🏼

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback and Cara Bastone for giving me an ARC of this book.

This is my first Cara Bastone and I really enjoyed it. Despite the heavy content of the book, I found this book light, funny, and wonderfully written.
Grief is not linear and the struggles that Miles and Lenny went through felt similar to my mine.
I appreciated the secondary characters of the book and their own journey through grief as they were supporting and supported by the main characters.
I really liked the growth that both Miles and Lenny had because to be honest, sometimes I felt like while Lenny was going through hard times she was hard to deal with and I’m glad that over time she was able to acknowledge that and her burden.

WOW. This book was phenomenal. Truly such a beautiful story about overcoming grief and finding yourself after losing someone so close to you. It’s raw, it’s emotional, it’s so well written. It’s the best kind of slow burn because we get to see our two main characters, Lenny and Miles, find themselves and grow as individuals before they decide to be together. Through it all, they support each other. I highly recommend this book.

Trigger warnings for death of a best friend (cancer) and death of a parent.

Lenny is floating through life, not really living since her best friend passed away from cancer. When nannying, she meets Miles—the uncle of the child she’s nannying—who sees right through her. He’s lost his mother and cousin and can recognize the signs of someone grieving. He offers to help Lenny process her grief and be there for her as a friend. In exchange, Lenny offers to help Miles bond with his niece.

Thank you so much to Cara Bastone, Dial Press, and NetGalley for the eARC.

I loved this book so much! It was such a realistic portrayal of grief. I loved seeing the evolution of Lenny and Miles' relationship over time. Miles is one of the sweetest, most heartfelt characters i've read in quite some time. Cara Bastone does such a great job of taking real life situations and telling beautiful stories - messy yet true to form.

Lenny meets Miles when she is struggling with grief. He has been there and wants to help her with her list, if she will let him. A great read, looking forward to more from this author.

OK this book was SO sweet. Like Abby Jimenez-level good, dare I say? This is my second book from Cara Bastone and pretty immediately in both, I knew I would love them. Cara writes characters I love. She writes witty banter that is can’t-stop-smiling-funny-and-sweet. Like Abby Jimenez books, Promise Me Sunshine has difficult themes- this one specifically is the main character grieving the loss of her best friend and figuring out how life moves on without her. Even with difficult subject matter, the book has many moments of levity and is really comforting and delightful. Miles and Lenny are my favorite main characters that I’ve read in a long time- complex, real, funny, and perfect for each other too. The secondary characters were well developed and really added great value to the story. Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow-burn romance, and a Cinnamon Roll MMC made for the perfect combination. The only reason why I discount .25 stars is because this man simply does not exist! And the slowest-burn romance I’ve ever read in my life could have been sped up a tiny bit for me! I would have loved an epilogue or a few more chapters of happiness before the end. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC which I only got around to reading the day it was released to the world! If you love Romance, Promise Me Sunshine will not disappoint!

This is a very well written story about grief and finding yourself again after a loved one passes. I found it to be very entertaining and the characters are really loveable.

Wow. This book took me on quite an opinionated ride. The first 50% I was in love with it. The main character, Lenny, has the most amazing sense of humor and I wish I could be as funny as her. The grief that the story deals with feels so unbelievably raw and real and I honestly can’t remember any other book. I’ve read the deals grief quite like this one does. Let’s not forget the main male character, Miles. He has got to be the most cinnamon roll. MMC I’ve ever read. Adorable.

But as the book goes on, you kind of start to think that while it’s sweet that this guy wants to help this girl with her grief journey that also feels like therapy would be a better option. It also became frustrating when you start to get to know Miles a little more and you can’t quite figure out why he’s doing what he’s doing and once you do, it doesn’t feel satisfying.

And finally, how is it that the best part of this book (the main character’s humor) turns out to be one of the worst parts when it gets down to the nitty-gritty? It became pretty cringy at times and I was secondhand embarrassed.

But all that said, I still feel like I really liked it. I think I also felt similarly about the author’s other book too.

I will definitely be thinking about this book for a while. I cried so much but also laughed so much. Reading their grief i felt like I knew these characters and also their banter and just love and care for each other was so special. Truly such a wonderful book I'll be recommending and screaming from the rooftops for people to read it.

I am not usually patient with slow burns but this is the slowest of slow burns and I actually loved that about it and thought it was very fitting for the story.
There is something about Bastone's writing that makes me want to settle in and keep turning the pages for hours and I love her ability to portray the balance in life between heartbreak and joy. I cannot wait to read more from her!

Rating: Loved it (4.5 stars)
Romantic content: open door, medium explicit
Other content: grief/death of loved ones, cancer, car accident