Something good for you, something bad for you, and a change of scenery.

Promise Me Sunshine centers on Lenny, who is grieving the loss of her best friend, Lou, to cancer. Lenny is so buried by her grief that she spends her nights on the Staten Island ferry, dozing in and out of sleep on her back and forth from Manhattan. During the day, she spends her time nannying seven-year-old Ainsley. Ainsley's uncle (it's complicated), Miles, is immediately wary of Lenny and her role in Ainsley's life. She doesn't seem responsible, and her nannying style is less than conventional (okay, it's not, Miles is just lowkey a party pooper at the beginning of this book). After stopping Lenny from getting into a fight with a random New Yorker (in her defense, this random New Yorker called her a bitch, so Lenny is very justified), Miles begins to realize there's more to Lenny -- something he is all too familiar with (grief).

Miles and Lenny start a friendship on the basis of him trying to help her live again (she has a "live again" list she made when Lou was a live), and Lenny helping Miles become closer to Ainsley. Lenny grudgingly allows Miles to help her through her list. Slowly but surely, and as she begins to spend more and more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that it's okay to move on from loss -- not that it means she's forgetting Lou, but allowing herself to enjoy life and find love again.

The premise of this book intimidated me -- I've not experienced a loss like Lenny's, but I am still not a stranger to grief. That being said, I didn't expect to resonate so much with Lenny. Sometimes it feels like all you're capable of is going through the motions -- not *really* living but surviving. You forget how to take care of yourself. I think this book did an amazing job depicting that but balancing it with messages of hope and how to pull yourself out of -- what feels like -- rock bottom. I appreciated how this was still a romance, but the romance plot was SO slow burn that you could get to know both Miles and Lenny as people before getting to know them as a couple. Miles isn't painted as Lenny's "savior," but rather the person she needed to remind her that she CAN take care of herself and she DOES have her own interests and hobbies and personality. I found this book to be the perfect balance of romance and literary fiction -- very reminiscent of Emily Henry but still very distinctly Cara Bastone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!

I don’t usually enjoy books about grief but Promise me Sunshine is so much more. It’s about amazing friendships, family and romantic love we all deserve. Loved how Lenny could still find humour through her sadness and Miles oh my goodness loved all of him.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Cara Bastone's Ready or Not was a smash hit but I'm not a fan of the pregnancy trope so I skipped reading it. Promise Me Sunshine is good enough to make me reconsider.

In Promise Me Sunshine, Lenny's best friend and roommate has died and she's not sure where to go from there. Her home feels haunted, her parents are smotheringly concerned. Feeling totally adrift, she's paying her bills babysitting when she meets Miles. Miles is, of course, a grumpy uncle who seems to have an uncanny knack to understand Lenny. Miles brings Lenny back to life. Bastone perfectly paces the romance and I never felt like it was inauthentic for where the characters were in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I will need to explore Bastone's backlist.

This story will make you cry (in a good way). It’s really more about grief than romance. The love story is sweet but I loved how the two main characters helped each other through their own grief and hardships.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Promise Me Sunshine is a story that reaches deep into your heart, holds it in its hands, and reminds you of the beauty of healing, love and friendship, even in the face of immense and debilitating grief.
From the very first page, I was completely captivated by this book.
Cara Bastone's writing is so immersive, so emotionally raw, that it feels less like reading a story and more like stepping inside someone else's heart. As someone who has personally experienced deep grief, Promise Me Sunshine was both a comfort and a revelation. I don't think I have been able to relate to someone and a story as much as l did with Lenny.
Her journey through love, loss, and rediscovering joy felt deeply authentic. Bastone doesn't shy away from the messy, painful, and often unpredictable ways grief manifests-one moment, it's crushing and unbearable; the next, a small glimmer of light peeks through. She captures that feeling so intimately that at times, I had to pause just to breathe, just to sit with my own emotions that this story so eloquently reflected
But what makes this book truly special is its balance of sorrow and hope. There is so much warmth in these pages, so much love. The relationships—both romantic and platonic—are layered and deeply moving, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone. The way the love story unfolds is gentle yet powerful, proving that second chances and new beginnings don't erase the past but instead weave themselves into it, creating something even more meaningful.
Bastone's characters feel like real people, flawed and beautiful and achingly human. Every interaction, every whispered promise, every hard-fought moment of healing felt genuine. I laughed with them, cried with them, and, by the end, felt as though I had taken this journey alongside them.
Reading Promise Me Sunshine was a reminder that healing is not linear, that love can exist alongside grief, and that joy, however distant it may seem, is always worth reaching for.

Promise Me Sunshine is the story of Lenny, a young woman who has lost her best friend to cancer, and is struggling with existing without her. I have read and enjoyed several of Cara Bastone's books in the past, and I was still unprepared for how much this story invaded my heart. It's an incredible exploration of living through loss and the wild feral grief that can follow.
Somehow, Lenny is silly, fun, caring, and whimsical, but also disconnected, inconsolable, and frozen in her sorrow. Her character is so vivid to me, from her quirky "instalove" fantasies about any handsome man she comes across, to her ability to compartmentalize and suppress just long enough to function.
When she meets Miles as his niece's new nanny, it takes a minute for him to see through the visible damage her grief and depression have caused. Seeing him peel back his own layers for her as he becomes something of a "Live Again" list sherpa for Lenny is so rewarding. The way that he never fails to show up for her over and over again is everything.
Bastone's writing is so well paced, and the intensely long slow burn to get us where we're headed is masterful. I never once found myself taken out of the story, or wishing Miles and Lenny would just "get on with it". The payoff was so worth every word.
I wouldn't call this a spicy story. It's more sweet and steamy, but it's so rich in so many other ways. I highly recommend this book to fans of emotional, inspiring stories with complex characters.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Random House, Dial Press, and Cara Bastone for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

What begins as a grumpy x sunshine dynamic between two people bonding over their shared grief quickly evolves into a heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance that will have you laughing out loud and feeling deeply. Cara Bastone does an incredible job of tugging at your heartstrings, delivering a story full of emotions, and this one is no different. If you enjoyed her debut last year, you’ll absolutely fall for Miles and Lenny in this charming babysitter x uncle romcom.

I adore this author and her witty writing style. I was laughing out loud within minutes of picking up Promise Me Sunshine, giggling over Lenny’s ridiculous fantasy affairs and the cupcakes!!

Recovering from loss is a heavy topic. Miles enters the story when Lenny is vulnerable, and I really didn’t want him to “save” her, so I felt sort of conflicted! A happy story that gives an important reminder to show our whole selves, accept help, and live.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced copy of this book!

what is it about ☀️
Lenny’s world feels like it’s spinning off its axis after losing her best friend & soulmate. In the midst of her grieving she collides with Miles. A bit gruff on the outside and brutally honest, he offers to help Lenny find her way through the grief; & promises her life can still be worth living after losing someone you love.

what a beautifully written & special book. at the heart of this story is friendship & healing.
I loved the honesty in this book. Lenny’s story felt so real & I could empathize with what she was going through. The way grief & loss was touched on in this story was so raw & executed so well. I felt like I was going through every step with the characters.
Lenny & Miles were the center of this story & their connection was so endearing, sweet & honest. Their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers was so captivating to watch unfold. They both learned so much from one another & their love grew little by little. The slow burn was burning!!!

Miles what a man 😭. He was the most perfect match for Lenny in every way. He was supportive, beyond caring & held her hand through the hardest moments. He was so attentive & patient with Lenny & her emotions. He is also the acts of service king!! Honestly the most perfect man ever.

Lenny 🥺 ugh i just wanted to give her a big hug 🫂. Everything she was going through was something nobody wants to imagine but seeing her slowly heal & find her way back to herself was so inspiring. She grew immensely from the start to end & her character growth was amazing 🧡.

what a beautiful story of two people meeting each other at their lowest & finding healing together. this is such a special book & you all should pick it up!!

read if you like
☀️friends to lovers
☀️ he falls first
☀️ acts of service is your love language
☀️ grumpy x sunshine (a little bit)

content warnings ‼️
🌶️.5
one open door scene, mentions loss of friend & parent, big focus on grief.

This is such a beautifully written book. The topics are serious and reality but this hit a bit close to home. As someone who lost a best friend at a young age, you begin to wonder and there’s so many questions you don’t know the answer to.

Lenny and Miles had such a beautiful connection, clicked instantly and as their friendship prevailed they came to understanding their griefs differently. Miles was exactly who Lenny needed whether she knew it or not. This journey hasn’t been easy for her but at least knowing someone is there to listen and filling some void in their life helps. I hope Lenny knows Lou loves her and wants her to be happy.

Miles oh how you have a piece of me. The person you are and became 🥺🫶 This sweet soul didn’t know better and he is thoughtful, selfish, and I wish others understood his quirkiness. I think everyone needs a friend like Miles.

Thank you @carabastone @thedialpress @netgalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cara Bastone has once again captivated me with a gorgeous love story with depth! I love that she doesn’t follow the typical contemporary romance formula that I’ve come to expect—no third-act breakups, no plots you’ve read a million times before, and no reliance on tropes. Just a wholesome story about a girl named Lenny who is absolutely in the trenches of grief, fighting for her life to deal with the pain in her heart after her best friend passes away. At the beginning, it gave me unhinged Uptown Girls vibes, but there was so much more going on beneath the surface.

Then, enter Miles—skeptical, perceptive, and brooding Miles. 💕 He’s the uncle of the little girl Lenny is a nanny for, and he “brings her back to life.” You’ll see what I mean if you read this one. I swooned, I laughed, I cried… and I cringed… a lot. Lenny is a very unique character, to the point that she felt too quirky, and that’s something I really don’t enjoy in romances. Not to spoil anything, but I tolerated her “quirks” as much as I could… until the sex scene. I knocked it down a star for that reason. It’s one of those moments where you just make this face 😬😬😬 and then want to cover your eyes. I listened to this part on audio, so luckily, I could cover my eyes because good grief, wtf.

ANYWAY. As a former Brooklynite, I love that Cara’s books take place in Brooklyn, and I always feel so much nostalgia and giddiness reading her books. This was so much fun, unpredictable, and just flooded my body with some much-needed serotonin.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and The Dial Press, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone is a poignant exploration of grief, healing, and unexpected connections.

While the novel delves deep into themes of loss, it balances the somber tones with moments of warmth and humor, ensuring an uplifting reading experience. "Promise Me Sunshine" is a testament to resilience, the importance of support systems, and the unexpected paths to healing.

I love everything Cara Bastone writes, and this book is my new favorite. I don't know how else to say that it has so much heart. It cracked me wide open. And the beauty of Cara's writing is that it will take you apart, but it also puts you back together.

Lenny's best friend's death has destroyed her. She doesn't even go back to her apartment to sleep anymore because that's where she used to live with her soulmate Lou. Lenny can't even take care of herself: her hair's a mess, she barely eats, she's so so sleepy. She makes ends meet when she gets a job nannying for Ainsley. On the job, she meets Ainsley's uncle Miles.

Miles is the best Grumpy in a Romance I have ever read. He's curt, suspicious of others, he pushes back. But he's also just so good and dependable down to his core. Impossible not to fall in love with. From the very beginning, you know he's never going to hurt Lenny. I just feel so taken care of in a Cara Bastone novel. It is simply the best.

Miles offers Lenny a deal: he will be her person for her as she goes through the stages of grief. He will show up for her and feed her and help her learn to live again. She will help him figure out how to be a good uncle to Ainsley. It was honestly an honor to watch these two fall in love. I know that seems like an over the top description of two fictional characters, but I just have the most tender feelings for these two. Thank you for this gem of a book, Cara Bastone.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

once I can see through the river of my tears I will write a review

A huge massive thanks to my friends at The Dial Press and Random House for giving me the life-changing experience of reading this book early. I am forever changed. All thoughts are my own!!!

Promise Me Sunshine is one of those books where I highlight basically everything because it all resonates so deeply within me. From the dedication of this book to the acknowledgments at the end, I was intensely connected to this book. I have never read a book that encapsulates the complexities of grief the way Promise Me Sunshine does.

We follow Lenny, who is struggling, in more ways than one, after her friend Lou passes away. Lou and Lenny are soulmates, sisters, and best friends. Lenny is adrift in her emotions, desperate to not feel the grief anymore, but also feeling guilty for the grief fading. She’s a nanny off and on, and we watch her meet Ainsley, Reece, and Miles. Miles calls himself an expert at grief, and he offers to help Lenny get through this period of her life in exchange for Lenny coaching him on how to interact with his niece and sister, Ainsley and Reece.

Lenny is a little ridiculous and silly (in a good way) at times, which she has every right to be all things considered. But she feels everything so deeply and completely. She speaks her mind, even when it’s a little embarrassing, and she cares so strongly for her loved ones. Grief is a bitch. It digs its’ claws into you and never truly lets go. You just learn to coexist with it. It moves to the back burner, and you just change the way you interact with it. Lenny’s journey through this book to accepting that she is allowed to feel joy, love, and happiness again even though Lou isn’t anymore was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever read. I love Lenny so so much. There is no end to my love for her.

While this is also a romance, it’s definitely more complex than that. For instance, Miles is the love interest, but he’s so much more than that. He goes through his own process with grief in this book, although it’s more subtle. His care for Lenny in the big and small ways made my eyes stay constantly full of tears. Everything he did in this book was intentional: every touch, every look, and every word. His support was a strong, steady comfort. I adore the way they interacted with each other. The bond that they built was so deep and loving, and I loved how well they knew each other. They read each other so well, and they weren’t shy with their affection even before they were romantically involved.

There are so many little things in this book that I love so much, but I’d rather you just read it yourself to see. Basically, the entire last third of this book left me in pieces that I still haven’t been able to pick up. Cara Bastone has written a masterpiece that I fear I will never be able to fully process. This book is entrenched in my heart, and I will never stop thinking about it. My vocabulary is simply not big enough to ever fully express how life-changing this book is.

Some highlights since I can’t help myself:
The ferry
The lists
The haircut
The waiting
The committing things to memory
The LOCKET
Get over it, loser.

I’m trying not to quote too much because I really think you shouldn’t have any spoilers at all and just go into it not knowing anything, but I will share two of my favorites.

“If you push him, then he pushes back. But if you take him by the hand, he follows you anywhere.”

“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.”

I cannot wait to read literally anything and everything that Cara Bastone ever writes.

Miles and Lenny were the cutest! I really appreciated a good story about grief and how it effects your life. I found the characters to be very likeable, but did find Lenny to be a little immature in some parts. Idk if that was part of her process or done on purpose? It was a tad annoying. I thought Miles was pretty strange in the beginning, but oh did how I grow to love his character by the end. This book felt like a warm hug. Absolutely adored it!

Lenny has been completely lost since her best friend died of cancer. She’s avoiding both her parents and the apartment where she and her friend lived. She carries with her a laminated card filled with a “live again” list which her grief keeps her from checking off. She takes what’s to be a short term job as a nanny for a single mom and her daughter Ainsley. She’s counting on those days to distract her from her sadness, but what she doesn’t figure in is the grumpy uncle who shows up determined to be a part of Ainsley’s life and ends up becoming Lenny’s rock.

I am used to Cara Bastone’s novels making me laugh and even shedding a tear or two, but this one struck my heart. Grumpy Miles recognizes Lenny’s grief because he too has had to overcome his fears and feelings. Once he’s figured her out, he shows up everywhere for her, becomes her friend, and helps her get through that “live again” list. This novel was one of those great slow burn novels that allow you to get to know the main characters and really come to love them before they actually love each other.

The secondary plot of this book is Miles’ own story about how he’s trying to connect and build a relationship with his half sister Reese and his niece Ainsley. This too is a slow build of discovery and romance, albeit between a small family who learns to lean on each other. I loved this story as much as the main love story, it held just as much weight.

Cara Bastone’s novels, for me, are almost always perfect. This one is a great example of some exceptional writing. Enjoy!

An absolute return to old Bastone form. I loved everything about this book! It dealt with grief so well and the romance was awesome. I heartily recommend and can't wait to read the next.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC

♾️⭐️

This book is the definition of smashing your heart in a million little pieces and slowly putting it back together in the most loving and beautiful ways. This is another book that will stay with me forever. 🤍

This book isn’t just any romance book. Yes, there is a definite slow burn that happens. And while it is so magical to read about and is so swoon worthy the best of ways. This book is about grief, healing, self discovery, & navigating relationships. The way Cara writes in about grief in this book is truly phenomenal. It’s so raw. And so real.

Lenny and Miles were both 2 grieving souls who truly helped each other in the best of ways. Miles helped Lenny heal, grow and find herself again. MILES WAS THAT MAN. 😍“Mom, he walked into hell and dragged me back out” I mean..this man was a man of his word and always showed up. No matter what! Lenny helped Miles with his own grief while also navigating new relationships with his family. She was everything he didn’t know he needed. The way she was always there for everyone but yet waited u til she was alone to grieve again. I just wanted to give her a big hug through the whole book. 🥹

Seeing the growth in these 2 even without the romance was remarkable. Add in the slow burn of their romance and this book was pure perfection.

Listen, just go read this book asap!

Thank you so much Dial Press, Net Galley and Cara for the arc!

Pub date: Mar 04 2025 (Goodreads /Instagram)

Cara Bastone is my personal discovery of the year. Her books are so cozy, emotional, captivating, and lifelike. There are no wealthy millionaires or Instagram models here — just stories about ordinary people who love, lose, and find the strength to rise and live on.

This book is about loss and overcoming grief. It makes you laugh one moment and cry the next. This story makes you fall in love with itself and its characters. I was deeply engaged watching the characters interact and grow as individuals.

Tropes:
- grumpy & sunshine
- slow burn
- strangers to friends to lovers

Triggers:
- loss of a loved one (off-page).

4.5 ⭐️
The audio narrator, Alex Finke, brings this story and its characters to life x10! I highly suggest listening along while you read.
This turned out to be such a sweet slow burn romance. Lenny is grieving over the recent loss of her soul sister when she meets Miles who will stop at nothing to help her through it. He has gone through grief himself in the past so he recognizes it. The process of healing after a loss is not a straight path but more like a roller coaster with its ups and downs and the author portrayed it in her character’s perfectly.
I love the connection and banter between the two MCs. Lenny doesn’t even really question why Miles is so socially awkward which is GOLD. She just accepts him for who he is and when he asks for help she gives him advice and nudges him in the right direction. & Miles is such a sweet protective golden retriever. I love that for them. 💕
Sometimes it felt like Lenny was in her early adult years instead of 28 but I loved her all the same. Her personality is so lively and wild and carefree. Cara really knows how to write likable characters. The side characters were the perfect cherry on top.

“You call this swimming? This is called slowly perishing”