Wow. This might be one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Cara Bastone takes you on such a raw journey through grief and finding happiness and yourself through it. I found myself crying, laughing, smiling, frowning - all of the expressions - throughout this book, and it was such an amazing journey!
I was absolutely obsessed with Lenny and Miles, both as individuals and as a pair. Lenny was clearly this larger than life personality who's bright spirit was dulled by grief from losing her other half and her quick wit & inviting personality was such a joy to read. And Miles! Surly, sweet, patient, Miles. Could he have been more perfect? I don't think so. He was Lenny's lifeline and the anchor she needed to stop drowning in grief. He balanced Lenny's personality and quirkiness perfectly and they were just the perfect pair.
If you are ready to be taken on an amazing, heartfelt journey where you will feel all the feels, this is the perfect book for you!

I really enjoyed 75% of this book i think the end was a bit lackluster but I think it’s mmc is definitely a favorite and the fmc can do no wrong the best girl in my opinion

I don’t even have the right words to describe how much I loved this book. It was beautiful and devastating and so healing. I couldn’t put it down.

When Lenny loses her best friend Lou to cancer, she shuts everyone out and is a shell of herself. Then she meets Miles and honestly I can’t even do it justice how incredible he is. He saves Lenny from herself in a way that only someone who understands grief firsthand can do. Together they tackle her list to continue on living and bring out the best in each other. Through each task, you can truly feel her healing from the inside out, and him too.

Quick shout out for the scene where she calls her mom to meet her at the cemetery 😭 and then the reunion with her parents?! I sobbed. And Miles and Ainsley developing a relationship from the ground up felt so good to read. Honestly every relationship in the book felt so genuine and real.

This book is going to sit with me for a long time. I laughed and I cried and am literally so devastated they’re not real. I loved every single thing about it. Even how quirky Lenny is and especially how Miles loves her even more for it. Ugh perfection. Highly recommend to anyone and everyone!

5/5 ⭐️
1 🌶️

I instantly requested this after reading Ready or Not last year. It was one of my favorite reads of 2024 and I'm always recommending it to others! This book gave me the same sort of vibes. It dealt with some heavy topics like grief and loss, but it was somehow also light and funny. It was the perfect mix. The only thing I wished is that the romance was a bit less of a slow burn. It was almost the end of the book before we finally got to see what we'd been waiting for. I already can't wait for her next book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Cara Bastone and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars!
This book was so, so good. While it does deal with grief and loss, it also had parts where I was laughing out loud. The romance is very slow burn and while I enjoyed that to a point, towards the end I was just ready for more romance. I think that is what kept me from giving it 5 stars. But I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a slow burn romance that is funny but also has depth. It makes a book that is about losing someone not feel so heavy.

Thank you Random House publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Cara Bastone has done it again! This book had me hooked from the beginning. This premise is truly unlike anything I've ever read. Perfect for fans of the grumpy/sunshine trope and enemies to lovers.

I fell in love with this book from the moment I saw the cover, but I definitely didn't expect how emotional it was going to be once I actually got to reading it.

“My mom asked me if you treat me well, Miles. You know what I said to her?”
“What’s that,” he says in a low, husky voice.
“I said that you walked into hell and dragged me back out.”

This book is not your typical romance story, it actually deals with a much heavier topic—grief. And I believe Cara did a wonderful job, because even during the dark times, she was able to incorporate lighter moments, silly jokes, and make this whole journey a safe one.

Lenny lost her best friend to cancer, and her life just stopped making sense. Her best friend, Lou, was her everything, her soulmate. How is she supposed to keep on living, existing, if the most important person of her life is not there with her? Yeah, nothing really makes sense.

Enters Miles. Miles, who also carries some heavy baggage on his shoulders, and who's also dealing with a great loss of his own.

I honestly had a great time spent in Miles and Lenny's presence. I really enjoyed how present and supportive Miles is, he's just genuinely there for Lenny—during her darker times, her emotional and vulnerable moments. No matter what time it is, or what's the weather outside—the minute she calls him and tells him she needs him, he's there.

He was such a strong rock for her, helping Lenny to confront the new reality and face her pain and fears, while also helping her become stronger and showing her how to live again—showing her that she can and will live again.
We also end up seeing changes in Miles—Lenny has an incredible influence on him, and I'd say that her sweet personality, with a bit of funny and honest moments, help Miles to open his heart to new opportunities, new friends, new family.

Cara Bastone's writing is simple, engaging, and beautiful. I will definitely be reading more books from this author.

This book is both absolutely heartbreaking and wholesome at the same time. It will definitely break your heart, and even though I don't think it will put it back together as brand as new, but I know it will heal a greater part of it.

4.75 ⭐️

This story was beautiful, heartwarming, and unexpectedly tender. I loved Lenny and Miles — their gradual journey from reluctant acquaintances to something more was so honest and full of emotional depth. The way Cara Bastone wove grief, healing, and hope into the storyline made it one of my favorite friends-to-lovers romances (a trope I don't always gravitate toward, but this one completely won me over!).

Listening to the audiobook made the entire experience even more enjoyable — the narration brought both humor and heart to the story, making it feel like I was right there alongside the characters.

If you're looking for a slow-burn romance with lovable characters and a story that perfectly balances grief, growth, and love, this one absolutely belongs on your TBR!

Thank you to Random House for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Promise Me Sunshine!

I really wanted to love this book but it fell flat for me. There were moments but I did find it repetitive.

omg the slowest of slow burns but I loved this book so much. I took so long to finish because I realized how attached to these characters I was and I just didn’t want it to end 😭 this is my first book from this author and now I just want to read all of them 🥰 so grateful to receive this ARC 🫶🏻

Loved this book!! I love how it discusses grief and talks about how living after losing a loved one is not for the weak. Both Lenny and Miles have lost someone they loved but Lenny’s loss is recent. Her and miles met through her nannying for Miles niece. During this Miles helps Lenny navigate her best friend’s bucket list as a way to get her back to life. Throughout the book they become each other’s support and build a strong friendship. Lenny is helping Miles connect with his niece and sister. During this both characters start to fall for each other. Miles looks for signs that Lenny is ready to be in a relationship before jumping into one.

It can be a sad read at moments but it was such a good one! I cried and I laughed! Thank you @Random House Publishing Group for an ARC!!

Wow just freaking wow. I have to say this was the most beautiful romance book. I think I have ever read. It was so emotional, beautiful, raw, and real. A story of grief, loss, hope, and love. watching Lenny and Miles fall in love and also discovering themselves was wonderful to read. I very much so found myself relating to the characters a lot, especially with dealing with my own grief. I was crying and laughing so Grab your tissues 🫶🏽🫶🏽

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

4.75 ⭐️

Wow, I've never read a romance book like this before. This is a beautiful, raw, and real story of grief, loss, hope, and love. It was lovely watching Lenny and Miles fall in love while also discovering themselves. I hate to be nitpicky, especially since this was so close to a five-star rating, but I wouldn't be truthful with myself if I rated it that. There was a significant part involving Lenny that I was anticipating, and while it was addressed and discussed, it was left at that. I wanted to see that scene on the page, I guess, and not just be told it would happen. I'm assuming this is because I fell in love with Lou throughout the story (ah, the parallel of getting to know a character who has passed, much like loss in real life, and how our loved ones can continue to live through us). I also felt like the ending was the tiniest (and I truly mean tiniest) bit too quick. I very selfishly loved all the parts about kpop and the true joy, culture, and community that kpop brings, expressed in this book as a kpop stan myself. I really loved this one a lot. Grab your tissues and enjoy! 🧡

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC 💓

This was one of the best romances I've read in such a long time. It was emotional and raw and heartbreaking and so, so sweet. I'm obsessed with the friendship between Miles and Lenny. Miles helping Lenny heal and Lenny helping Miles figure out communication with his family was just so beautiful. I loved the discussion about grief and loss, and the author's ability to make me love the MCs and their loved ones is honestly impressive - how does she make me care so much about fictional characters?! The one spicy scene in this was a little awkward and had me experiencing some secondhand embarrassment for Lenny, but other than that this book was a work of art. I already loved Cara Bastone's writing from reading Ready or Not, but now she's become an auto-read author for me. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

thank you so much for the e-arc the dial press publisher

“But with you, Len, when I met you … I sort of feel like I met myself.”

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It captures the raw, unfiltered reality of grief—how messy, unpredictable, and all-consuming it can be—while also reminding us that healing is possible, even from the pain we once believed was insurmountable.
There are countless words I could use to describe this book: captivating, inspiring, heartwarming, deeply emotional, and achingly realistic. Every page resonated with me, drawing me in with its honesty and depth.

This was my first Cara Bastone book, and calling it an understatement to say I’ll be reading more of her work doesn’t even begin to express how much I want to. Sometimes, I struggle to write reviews for books that truly move me because no words ever feel sufficient to capture their impact. This book is one of those—one that leaves me at a loss for words in the best possible way.

I genuinely have no words to fully express how much this book made me feel. From the very first page, I was completely captivated. I’ll admit, I was hesitant to request the ARC at first—I don’t typically read many books about grief—but the moment I saw it was set in nyc, I couldn’t resist. (I’m a whore for books set in nyc.)

This book is so much more than just a romance. It’s a story about surviving the unimaginable loss of a loved one and learning how to move forward while carrying that grief. It teaches you that even in the depths of sorrow, life can still be breathtakingly beautiful—that even when you feel like you've lost your purpose, there is still so much worth living for.

“Grief … it’s not like any other emotion. It is utterly discombobulating. Among many other things.”

The writing in this book was absolutely breathtaking—I was completely blown away by it. It tackles such a heavy, emotional topic, yet does so in a way that feels incredibly comforting, like a warm embrace in the midst of heartbreak. One moment, I was in tears, and the next, I was laughing—all within the span of just a few sentences.

CHAPTER 32 got me in all the feelings, I think I highlighted the whole chapter because of how beautiful it was and how giddy it got me feeling.

My only complaint? There’s no epilogue. And let me tell you, I was devastated when I reached the last page and didn’t see the word epilogue. I’m a simply girl who needs that happily ever after wrapped up neatly. Give me the ten years later scene. Let me see the future I’ve been desperately hoping for😭

If you're looking for a light, fluffy romance, this isn’t the book for you. While there are moments of humor sprinkled throughout, the story leans much more on the heavy, emotional side. In fact, I’d argue that the romance is more of a subplot—this book is about grief, healing. And it does that beautifully.


➳ characters:


ೃ࿐ Lenny Bellamy

⭑.ᐟ“Look, Lenny. From where I’m sitting you are someone who needs friends to be happy. People are your fuel.”

My sweet girl—I wish I could wrap her in the biggest, warmest hug. She lost her best friend, the other half of her soul, and now she’s left adrift, struggling to navigate a world that suddenly feels emptier. She’s drowning in grief, caught between memories of the past and the unbearable weight of the present.

“And saying ‘my friend died’ doesn’t convey what really—she was my sister. No. My A-team. My other half. And I’m so fucking stupid because I didn’t realize she was my whole life until she was gone.”

Lenny’s character is a raw, heartbreaking portrayal of just how messy and unpredictable grief truly is. It’s not a neat, linear process—it ebbs and flows, crashing over you when you least expect it. One moment, you’re smiling, feeling a fleeting sense of normalcy, and the next, you’re hit with the crushing realization that the person you love is gone. And then comes the guilt—the ache of continuing to live, to experience joy, while knowing they no longer can. This book captures that pain with such honesty, showing that grief isn’t just sadness; it’s love that has nowhere to go.

Lenny is a character who is so easy to understand and empathize with. Even if you haven’t experienced the same kind of loss she has, if you’ve ever loved someone deeply, just imagining losing them is enough to make your heart ache. It’s no wonder she’s a mess—how could she not be? Grief like hers is impossible to prepare for.

I don’t even know how I would cope if I lost my best friend. She’s more than just a friend; she’s like a sister to me. In a way, I’ve already lost a part of her since moving away from my country—it’s been hard to stay connected the way we used to. But this book made me realize something important: instead of focusing on the distance, I need to be grateful that I can still call her, still text her, still hear her voice. It reminded me to cherish what we have, even from miles away.


ೃ࿐ Miles Honey

⭑.ᐟ “I want to be someone they can rely on. Who they like having around.”

I’m just going to pretend I didn’t see the buzzcut on the cover—because in my mind, Miles looks like Logan Lerman with long hair, not almost bald.🤚🏻 That being said, Miles is absolutely perfect, and somehow even more attractive when he starts wearing glasses.🤭

He’s also carrying an immense amount of grief, though in a different way. He’s lost his mother, his father, and his cousin—so much loss for one person to bear. In an attempt to hold on to what little family he has left, he moves to be closer to them, hoping for connection. But watching how misunderstood he is by his sister and niece absolutely shattered me. He’s trying so hard, yet they can’t seem to see the depth of him. It broke my heart to see him feeling so alone and useless.

Miles is the kind of person who would do absolutely anything for the people he loves, no matter what it takes. His heart is so big, and the depth of his loyalty is undeniable. He’s emotionally intelligent in a way that feels rare—he notices things, understands feelings that aren’t always spoken aloud, and cares so deeply without expecting anything in return.

“Yeah, that’s right. You need strong. You need someone who can stop you from fighting large men on the street. You need someone who can wade in and pull you out of the swamp if you need me to. And I can be that person.”

⤷ that quote sums up the kind of person Miles is.

At the same time, he’s wonderfully selfless, always putting others before himself, even when it means carrying the weight of his own struggles in silence. And then there’s his social awkwardness, which only makes him even more endearing. He’s not the type to command a room, but his quiet presence speaks volumes. All of these qualities—his kindness, his depth, his quiet strength—make me love him even more. He’s the kind of character who stays with you long after the last page.

She ask him if her face is boring and do you want to know what this man says???😭😭
⤷ “Lenny, when I look at your face, I feel like I’m finally home after a really long day at work.”

HELLO I would literally marry him right there💖😭

{spoiler❗️} I was bailing my eyes out when miles was dancing with Ainsley, I don’t know why I started crying specifically in that moment. But it’s the way he just wants to help everyone around him, how happy he was after the dance. The fact that Reese finallly saw him for what he truly is. Also he getting a matching tattoo with Lenny😭 and saying that the wolves aren’t along because there’s 2 of them SHUT UP😫



˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. Lenny & Miles


They were exactly what each other needed, even before they realized it themselves. The slow burn between them was absolutely perfect—the kind of love that sneaks up on you, growing steadily in the quiet moments, until suddenly, it’s everything. Their relationship felt so natural, so effortless, like two puzzle pieces falling into place. Watching them go from strangers to friends to something more was everything I could have hoped for and then some. There’s just something so special about a love that starts with friendship, which is why friends to lovers will always be my favorite trope.

“He treats you well?”
“Mom, he walked into hell and dragged me back out.”

Their dynamic was a perfect mix of heartwarming and hilarious. Their banter had me hooked—playful, sharp, and filled with so much unspoken affection. But what truly captivated me was the way they helped each other heal. They didn’t just fall in love; they lifted each other up, slowly piecing together the broken parts neither of them could fix alone.I want a love like that.<

And even though they were complete opposites in so many ways, they balanced each other in a way that felt almost magical. I don’t even know how to put it into words—it just worked

“I’m not sleeping.”
“You always say that when I catch you sleeping.”
“I’m never sleeping when I close my eyes like this with you.”
“Then what are you doing?” He pauses and I think he might not answer. But then he says, “I’m committing the moment to memory”

⤷ it should be a crime for someone like miles to be fictional😭😭

"𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺/𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳."

I read 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗢𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘁 in January as past of my 25 Books In 2025 Backlist challenge and absolutely loved it so I couldn't wait to dive into Cara Bastone's latest, 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘.

You wouldn't think a story that revolves around depression and grief could be so comforting but it really is. This very slow burn strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance has everything I adored in Bastone's last book - banter that is off-the-charts, believably flawed characters, fun NYC references and a fantastic secondary cast - but packed an even bigger emotional punch. I cannot way for whatever she writes next!

Thanks to Random House and The Dial Press for the copy to review.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars☀️🌅💕

Received ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had never read anything by Cara Bastone before, but I know she gained recognition with Ready or Not-a book I now think I’ll give a chance, despite its unexpected pregnancy trope.

Promise Me Sunshine had a certain magic to it. It reminded me of a Nancy Meyers film-smart writing, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of humor. In some ways, it even gave me a Love, Actually vibe.

Lenny is at rock bottom. She’s barely working, avoiding her apartment, and drowning in grief after losing her best friend, Lou, to cancer. Taking care of herself-eating, sleeping, socializing-feels impossible. On a whim, she accepts a weekend babysitting job for Reese, a single mom, and quickly bonds with her daughter, Ainsley. Their relationship gave me Uptown Girls vibes, but without the troublesome beginning.

Then there’s Miles, Reese’s half-brother, who always seems to be around. Their relationship is complicated-Reese’s rockstar father had an affair, resulting in Miles, and they didn’t meet until later in life. Now, after their father’s death, they’re trying to build a real sibling bond. Miles wants to be a great uncle to Ainsley, but he’s a bit grumpy-at least, at first.

When he realizes Lenny is grieving, he opens up to her. He’s experienced loss himself and knows what it’s like to navigate it alone. He offers to help her accomplish a list of must-dos in exchange for her helping him become a better uncle. But Miles does so much more than that-he gives Lenny a safe place to land, offering her the apartment he inherited when she admits she can’t go home. He makes sure she eats, supports her through her grief, and is always there when she needs him. Honestly, I’m not sure he has any flaws.

I loved watching them complete tasks together, seeing Miles and Ainsley laugh, and even something as simple as Miles and Lenny picking out glasses. I also really enjoyed the friendships Lenny builds, encouraged by Miles. What I appreciated most, though, was that Miles never took advantage of Lenny’s vulnerability. Instead, he recognized that she needed to find her footing before they could be anything more than friends.

This is a book about life after loss. The author clearly understands grief, balancing raw emotion with moments of joy and connection.

The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is that, at times, Lenny’s emotions felt a little disingenuous—almost attention-seeking rather than genuine. But overall, this was a beautiful, heartwarming read.

This book was such a beautiful story of finding your way out of grief. I loved how Lenny the main character was able to find joy and love again in her life. It was definitely hard to read in the beginning as she was in her throws of grief and had a hard time taking care of herself. However, Miles was a walking green flag and was able to help her through her grief and support her through it. He was such a kind, sweet partner and he absolutely made the book for me. TW Grief

I am a puddle of emotions after reading this! I knew I was going to love it after falling in love with Bastone's voice in Ready of Not and WOW that's really all I have to say. This novel will tug at every emotion you have and then some. My only criticism is that I didn't read it sooner.

Review: This is a perfect romance book in my opinion. I cried (multiple times). I laughed. I found myself randomly smiling. Just smiling. And that has never happened to me while reading a book. Ever. I’ve told every single person I know that they have to read this book. I’ve made my best friend cry telling her about parts of this book that made me cry. As someone who has called dibs on going first because I know I could not survive without certain people in my life, this book took my breath away. They say to be known is to be loved, and this book felt like that. This book was perfect and I am so incredibly grateful to have read it. To exist at the same time as it. To be able to reread it whenever I want to. Need to.

Synopsis: 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.