I loved Ready or Not! So I was so excited for a new novel!
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone is a slow-burn, heartfelt, charming, and relatable romantic comedy.
The writing is engaging, entertaining, and refreshing.
Talk about bringing the emotions right out of you?! This book did me in!
A remarkable story of grief, friendship and learning how to live again with loss.
A delightful and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction.
With its irresistible characters, heartfelt moments, and a phenomenal, slow-burn romance, Cara Bastone has crafted a story that will reverberate with anyone who’s ever faced unexpected change.
If you enjoy grumpy x sunshine and strangers to friends to lovers then this is for you.
Probably my most favorite read of 2025 so far!
It did not disappoint!

there is something so beautiful about navigating life after losing someone close to you. i loved every single moment between lenny and miles from the very start.

thank you net galley for providing me with an arc.

I devoured Ready or Not in December and was so excited to get a DRC for Cara Bastone’s latest, Promise Me Sunshine! I loved the unique premise, you don’t often see second chance stories focused on recovering from a lost best friend, and I was hoping for Miles to be one of those MMCs like Shep was. And yes, there were some beautiful moments and profound passages on grief and healing. But beyond that, I just didn’t connect with the characters or story or feel that any of them experienced much real growth. At the end I felt like I still barely knew anyone, and Lenny’s silliness went from feeling kind of weird quirky/maybe cute to irritatingly immature.

I will still check out more from Cara in the future based on how much I loved Ready or Not, but this one was not a hit for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending this DRC for review consideration.

Not since Jessica Joyce's You With a View have I loved a grief romance this much. I adored Lenny and Miles from the moment she got him to coyly eat her surprise cupcake (filled with a cocktail onion!), and from the moment he offered to help her navigate her grief-stricken live life list as she is surviving the months after her best friend's death. After all, who would know better than someone who also lost his mother and young cousin in a tragic accident years before? In exchange for his lessons, she'll help him navigate his social awkwardness and strengthen his relationship with his half-sister, Reese, and his niece, Ainsley, whom Lenny is helping nanny.

While this is a major slow burn, I didn't mind at all because I so enjoyed seeing Miles care for Lenny and slowly teach her to come back to herself. They both fall for each carefully and slowly, but also easily and unabashedly, and the no third act breakup made this even better. This one is for the people who love books that wreck them in the best way, and also for those who love friends to lovers, found family, and the belief that chance connection can change the trajectory of our lives. It's also an ode to New York City and the Staten Island Ferry, both of which fleet amidst the background of this book as other characters.

Thank you to Dial Press & Netgalley for the e-ARC. This one is out March 4!

So good!!!!! My first read by Cara Bastone but will certainly not be the last! Such a heartwarming story that deals with sensitive topics such as grief/illness, while still portraying themes of resilience and hopefulness. This book is so much more than your typical rom-com, and while I would recommend it to fans of the romance genre, this book’s just goes so much deeper in my opinion. The characters feel well rounded with a relationship I could actually root for. Overall, I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be recommending!

WOW. When I turned the final page, I was grinning while tears streamed down my face – swooning, elated, and so incredibly moved. I’d heard some good things about this before diving in but had managed to avoid any details about the storyline, so I was able to experience this slow-building, INTENSE love story with fresh eyes. And I’m so glad I did. I’ve been a fan of Bastone’s light and swoony, audio-focused rom coms for years, but this was my first time diving into one of her full-length stories, and it was honestly one of the best romance books I’ve ever read. Our heroine is in such a dark place when the book begins, and watching her slowly come to life again was extremely powerful. You could say that the romance is a slow, S-L-O-W burn, but they start building the foundation of their relationship right away. Their connection is built on trust, support, compassion, and humor, with a dynamic that slowly gets lighter and more overtly funny as things progress. I loved that we got to see them grow closer in such a meaningful way, so the romance was even more impactful once they finally (finally!) crossed that line. I cried, I laughed, I swooned – and I binged it in one sitting. It was so, so good.

The story follows Lenny, a woman who is grieving the loss of her best friend to cancer and struggling to function. Though she’s trapped in her grief, Lenny still has bills to pay, so she takes a temporary job babysitting a little girl. It’s there that Lenny meets Miles, the child’s grumpy, lurking uncle. Miles sees what a mess Lenny is, and he knows what it’s like to be in that kind of headspace. As Miles reluctantly inserts himself into Lenny’s life, he becomes the only thing keeping her afloat… at least until Lenny’s days get a little brighter and she’s able to start living life again.

Having listened to several of Bastone’s rom coms in the past, I knew that she was talented at writing humor and playful chemistry. Those things are very much present in this story as well, but it is also HEAVY. Lenny’s grief is the central focus of the book, though the love story is front and center as well. I loved the little breadcrumbs of romance sprinkled throughout, building into something deep and meaningful. Every interaction is complex, often blending painful, tender, funny, and romantic moments for a one-of-a-kind experience. And, I have to say – I adored Miles. We don’t get his perspective, but his love bled through the page. The slow burn was the right kind of torturous, and it was so fulfilling to see how much Lenny and Miles had grown before they crossed those lines. It’s a powerhouse of a read and one that I won’t soon forget – I loved it.

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“There’s only you, Lenny. Every time... it’s just you,” he says, muffled as he kisses me.”

If you’re looking for a tender read full of friendship, humor, grief, romance, healing, and a reminder to savor the little things, then I highly recommend this one! I was completely undone by the end. Cara is a new to me author, and now I want to go read everything she’s written.

✨Mini blurb: Lenny is grieving the loss of her bestfriend. She takes up a babysitting job in hopes of finding a distraction from her grief. She loves watching Ainsley, but her grumpy uncle, Miles, is always around watching everything she does. She can stay busy and hide from her parents, but she cannot hide her inner turmoil from Miles. He seems to be able to see right through her because he surprisingly has his own journey with grief. Miles gives her a proposition in hopes of making her feel alive again.

✨ Lenny’s character arc was beautiful and messy all in one. She tries to live through life while feeling the loss of a piece of her. Despite her grief she is still vibrant and full of humor. I loved that she had a “don’t care” attitude when it came to others. I aspire to be more like her.

“he’s the wall between me and the world and it’s so lovely I could cry.“

✨Everyone needs a Miles. I adore him so much. He is quiet, grumpy, and highly misunderstood. He’s a character that reminds you to savor the little things that life has to offer. He is so patient and sweet with Lenny. The way he took care of her and made sure she was okay was everythinggggg!

Promise Me Sunshine has:
💛 Grumpy sunshine
☕️ Grief & healing
☀️ Cinnamon roll mmc
👟 Slow burn
🌻 Friends to lovers

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC 💗☀️

Promise Me Sunshine is a book about friendship, grief, and learning to live again in a new reality after a huge loss. I love how the characters and their relationship develop throughout the book, and how Miles knows and cares for Lenny so well! I also love how both main characters navigate new/existing relationships with their family and friends.

There's definitely some heavy topics but it's still a good and fun read overall. Will definitely go through Cara Bastone's backlist! 📚

this was adorable 🥹 I giggled, I cried, I grieved, and I had the absolute best time reading about lenny and miles 😮‍💨

this book is about the after that comes when you lose a loved one. a new world you have to learn how to live and navigate without them. this book is raw and honest, it is challenging and heartbreaking, but it is also beautiful and inspiring!!!

miles is the MMC you want in your corner WOW what a guy!!! he is thoughtful, loyal, and encouraging. the kinda guy who drops whatever he’s doing to be there for you whenever you need him!! he cared for lenny, guiding her in her grief and supported her every step of the way! I love that this book exists 😭

there’s only one thing I wanted more exploration of and it’s lenny and lou’s old apartment. I would’ve loved to see lenny work through the emotion of being there and seeing her come out on the other side of it bc it was such an important part of the plot. I was looking forward to finally seeing her able to go back there! I know it’s alluded to, but I was aching for that final resolve.

everything else, I have zero complaint and I absolutely LOVED it! thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 4.5⭐️ (rounded up)

Thanks to The Dial Press, Random House, and NetGalley for early access to Promise Me Sunshine in exchange for my honest opinion. I read this book over the weekend, and I cried 4 times! I suggest you have tissues nearby when you start this one, and I also suggest you have a good chunk of free time because this was one I didn’t want to put down.
I think it’s important to know going into this book that the plot involves a severely grieving main character, and her grief is described quite realistically, as it has pretty much taken over her personality and changed her life. She doesn’t have the same steady job, she doesn’t feel comfortable in her home, and she is struggling to cope and using some unhealthy strategies. Luckily, she meets someone new who has also experienced grief and knows how to give her the exact blend of space and support. The setting of NYC is well incorporated into the book, too.
The FMC is quite messy, but grief is messy, and aren’t we all a little messy when things don’t go according to the plan? I think the friendship which developed between the main characters will stay with me longer than the slow burn romance.
Now, I do hope that readers will agree with me that the FMC could have really benefited from therapy and having her parents being more involved in supporting her grief. I hope no one reads this and takes away that they need one person to go into hell and bring them back, but that journey was beautifully written in this book. I recommend this one, and I absolutely love the cover, too. It will be available everywhere tomorrow!

I really have enjoyed the books I’ve read by Cara Bastone. Promise Me Sunshine was an emotional ride but definitely worth it. It’s a well written story that deals with grief and finding yourself again. The main characters were well developed and likable, the romance seemed to kind of only come in at the end but it makes sense for a book dealing with the us subject matter. 3/3.5 stars would recommend for sure and will continue to look for books from this author. I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe this is a work of fiction. I feel like this is a movie, I've watched a 100 times and yet it's brand new. It's raw exploration of grief and how you navigate through living in a new normal when you've lost your forever person. Promise Me Sunshine is the most beautiful platonic love story and romanic story I've ever read! The love between Lou and Lenny was so palpable. It made my heart ache and I sobbed reading about their friendship and love for each other. I want to give all my besties a big old squeeze asap. The friendship between Miles and Lenny was incredible!! It was intimate and loving. I wanted to jump through the book and give Miles a hug. This was a book that was written for the 2000's girlies. It was Uptown Girls meets Anna Ferris and Chris Evans in Whats Your Number x Patrick Verona's care for Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You.

I will post a more in depth review closer to the pub date on my instagram account. Will update this with the date when I do so. Thank you so much for this ARC Net Galley and Penguin Random House: The Dial Press. I'm so honored that I was able to read this book and fall head over heals for each character. I can't believe I have to wait until March to get a physical copy.

– 3.5 stars ★

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

i really enjoyed this book even though i expected it to be a little more like ready or not, when it came to the romance aspect. Despite that, i really liked how the author portrayed the image of grief and the different stages ppl go trough. She did and amazing job of showing how a little help can really help someone build their life back up.

I recently discovered this author and i really love the way she writes and how her stories are so gentle yk? Her characters are the most green flags ever and i love that. It’s refreshing to read about something else than i usually do. Reading something that isn’t so predictable or something that has an possessive mmc and doormat fmc can be nice.

“So you’ll come with me if I ask?” His eyes pierce me in the shadows of the kitchen. “Lenny, I’ll do anything you ask me to.”

The characters were really lovable as well!! I really liked how gentle the mmc was when it came to the fmc. The things he sometimes said had me melting from how sweet and cute it was. Despite this i didn’t really feel a big romantic relationship between the two, imo they were really well done as friends. The fmc suddenly started feeling romantically connected to the mmc in like the last 25% in the book while the whole story before that they were just friends and didn’t have a single romantic interest in the other. And bc there wasn’t an mmc’s pov i didn’t really feel his feelings (on a romantic level) to the fmc. I didn’t see him actually being romantically attracted to her like that. I know and felt how he loved her but just not in a romantic way.

“Home is where the heart is. My heart died in a cancer ward six months ago.”

But overall i think it was a really cute, emotional and heartfelt read. I definitely recommend you read it at least once in your life!

Tropes:
❥ Dealing with loss of a loved one
❥ Grumpy x sunshine
❥ Strangers to friends to lovers
❥ Slowburn
❥ Healing journey

Whew, I could not put this down. It was such a wonderfully written book, especially about grief and losing ‘your person’.

This is a slow burn romance, and the way the author wrote these two slowly getting to know each other, and eventually falling in love, was done so well.

Beautifully written and with so much heart.

I loved every word of this book. The way Cara Bastone showcased the grieving process and the different ways people grieve was flawless. I adored the friends-to-lovers aspect and how Miles was willing to go slow and give Lenny the space she needed. Overall, it was such a touching, wonderful read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dial Press, and Cara Bastone for providing me this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was perhaps one of the most beautiful depictions of grief and moving on that I have read in a long time. It's so hard to comprehend what it is like to lose someone of such importance to you, and Bastone doesn't shy away from the bumpy, ugly, messy parts of healing. The slow-burn of a friendship to romance between Miles and Lenny was done so well, and the supporting characters felt equally as fleshed out as our two MCs. While Lenny was a bit more kooky of a character than I would personally be friends with IRL, I felt like her biggest supporter while reading this. I'm going to be thinking about this book for such a long time.

After seeing this cover—like a serene painting you'd happily hang in your living room to feel peaceful and genuinely happy—and reading this beautifully written, heartfelt story of grief, friendship, and slow-burn romance featuring the most huggable book boyfriend, Miles, I had no choice but to give this book five-plus Staten Island Ferry stars!

I enjoyed the author’s Ready or Not, but I absolutely loved this book even more. It has already secured a guaranteed spot in my top five highly recommended romance reads of the year. The blossoming friendship between Miles and Lenny (a.k.a. Helena Elena—blame her family for their eccentric naming choices, and thank Lou for nicknaming her Lenny) as they bond over grief and work through the "Living Again" checklist will embrace your heart with sweetness and stir your emotions deeply. Anyone who has lost a loved one will resonate with these characters, and I found it easy to connect with their journey. The story’s honest, bittersweet, and heartbreakingly realistic approach is powerful enough to bring tears to your eyes and confront the repressed emotions bottled up inside.

The story follows 28-year-old Lenny, who is reeling from the loss of her best friend Lou to ovarian cancer. Barely holding herself together, Lenny avoids returning to the apartment she shared with Lou and instead sleeps on benches aboard the Staten Island Ferry. Her latest gig as a babysitter for seven-year-old Ainsley forces her to step out of her grief bubble. Ainsley lives with her single mother, Reese, in their Upper West Side apartment, where Lenny must contend with Reese’s protective older brother, Miles. Miles, in his 30s, is initially suspicious of Lenny and constantly complains about her to his sister.

Lenny and Miles’ early interactions are far from meet-cute territory and instead fall squarely into enemies-to-grieving-friends territory. One night, Miles follows Lenny and intervenes during a confrontation she’s having with a reckless driver who hit a cyclist. He even joins her on her nighttime ferry adventure. Over time, he convinces her to take a permanent job at Reese’s house, offering her grief counseling and encouraging her to tackle the "Living Again" list—a series of activities including camping, exploring new foods, and attending concerts.

Miles, too, is grappling with his own losses. Ten years ago, he lost his cousin and mother in a tragic car accident, leaving him without the only family he’d ever known. Only later did he reconnect with his estranged, dying father and learn about Reese, his stepsister, for the first time. His complex relationship with Reese and Ainsley highlights his struggles with opening up and trusting others. He urgently needs Lenny’s help to navigate his emotions and heal.

As they spend more time together, Lenny becomes increasingly attached to Miles. He is always by her side during her most emotionally vulnerable moments, helping her confront her pain and grow stronger. But, in turn, Miles begins to change as well. With Lenny’s influence, he learns to open his heart to his newfound family and new friendships.

Can Lenny’s suffering ever truly end, or will she remain trapped in her grief with the unhealed wounds Lou left behind? And, most importantly, do her growing feelings for Miles risk betraying the memory of her best friend?

Overall: This book is like the most comforting, soothing blanket you’ll want to wrap around yourself and never let go. It’s heartwarming yet emotionally triggering at times, gently pushing you out of your comfort zone to confront your feelings with honesty. I believe everyone needs their own "Miles"—someone they can trust wholeheartedly.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press Trade Paperback for providing me with a digital review copy of this brilliant book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Since her best friend died of cancer six months ago, Lenny has been taking temporary nanny jobs–a weekend here or there because that’s the limit to how long she can “hold it together.” Lenny watches Ainsley for a weekend and somehow the gruff and grumpy uncle, Miles, convinces her to continue working for the family. He promises to be her grief coach while she promises to be his “kid coach” and help him connect with his niece. Over the course of months, Lenny and Miles develop a deep friendship that eventually turns into something more.

Read this if you like strangers to friends to lovers, books featuring parent-figures and kids, the exploration of grief and loss, playful and volleying conversation, and romances that are more contemporary fiction than romance.

I loved this. It was an emotional ride. I laughed out loud. I cried multiple times (a deceased best friend is GUARANTEED to finish me emotionally every time). The banter between Miles and Lenny, the relationship with Ainsley, the grief-work as Lenny mourns Lou (although, Lenny could definitely have used some certified therapy as well, imho), and the family dynamics with Lenny’s parents and between Miles and Ainsley’s mom, Reese, were all highlights for me.

The bottom line: Cara Bastone’s work continues to prove to have the perfect mixture of romance and “women’s” fiction AND humor and emotion for my taste.

I just knew Cara would do it for me again! This book had me giggling and weeping throughout the entire thing!! The depiction of grief here is heavy, but Cara writes it in such a beautiful and relatable way. If you have ever lost someone close to you, you will remember this book for a long time because of its ability to put words to your grief. I would caution someone from reading it if you’re really fresh in a grieving process 🫶🏻

NOW- let’s talk about the cuteness Miles and Lenny! These two showed exactly what it looks like to fight yourself back to life together. I swooned over them!!! They were really relatable/raw but also so funny and enjoyable. I couldn’t put this book down and I really think you should read it ;)

Thank you NetGalley, Cara and the Dial Press for this gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3 ⭐️ A sweet story that dives into navigating grief

"You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn't here anymore ... That's who she is now. And this journey through grief ... It's what we do for the great loves of our lives."

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ contemporary romance
✨ nyc setting
✨ she's the new nanny consumed by grief
✨ he's the uncle who wants a closer relationship with his sister and niece
✨ grumpy x sunshine who has lost her spark
✨ strangers to friends to lovers
✨ SLOW burn
✨ 1.5/5 🌶️ (open door but not explicit)
✨ exploration of grief
✨ MMC takes care of her 🫶
✨ FMC makes funny, out of pocket comments
✨ found family
✨ low stakes
✨ HEA
✨ TW: death of loved one, grief, survivor's guilt


My Thoughts:

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone was one of my favorite books from 2024, so I was really excited to receive an ARC of Promise Me Sunshine. While it was a heartfelt story that made me feel an array of emotions, it wasn't quite for me. However, I can understand why others loved it.

What I enjoyed:

Lenny and Miles are truly likable MCs. Lenny is grieving her best friend, and while she's struggled to really take care of herself, I admire that she is still a kind person and shows up for others. I think Cara Bastone did an amazing job conveying her pain and what it's like to truly grieve someone you love once they are gone. Miles was a hard nut to crack at first. He comes across as grumpy and standoffish, but really he is just someone who is more quiet, reserved, and observant. This man has a heart of gold, and I appreciated that he went out of his way to help Lenny live again. I appreciated that Lenny and Miles feel like real people instead of characters on a page where we can see a piece of ourselves within them and relate, even if we haven't gone through the same experiences.

One of my favorite things about this book was Lenny's unexpected humor and her hilariously bold, out-of-pocket comments. Despite being a character who was clearly struggling with deep grief, she still found moments to laugh, to dream, and to inject levity into even the darkest moments. Whether she was fantasizing a happily ever after with random men or heckling/flirting with Miles, Lenny's sharp, no-filter remarks were such a breath of fresh air compared to the heaviness of her grief.

Where the story fell short for me:

This story definitely focuses more on grief than romance, and as someone who hasn’t experienced that kind of loss, I found it challenging to stay fully engaged at times. I have mixed feelings about this, though. After reading so many glowing reviews, it’s clear that many readers who’ve faced deep loss really connect with the story, and I respect that. But for me, it didn’t hit the same way. I’ve read other books that explore grief and found myself more emotionally invested, which made me think about how some stories just seem to click with certain readers in ways others don’t. I'm glad this book resonates with so many, but sad it didn’t manage to draw me in the same way.

I feel like the grief totally overshadowed the romance in this story, which left me unsatisfied with both. Grief is obviously a major theme, but I really wish both it and the romance had been given more equal focus. I get that grief is a heavy, complex topic that needs to be explored, but I think a little more romance would’ve added a lighter, more hopeful balance. Instead, I found myself waiting forever for the romance to kick in. It didn’t really start to develop until about 80% of the way through, which made it tough to get fully invested in their romantic relationship. If the grief and romance had been better balanced, the story would’ve felt more well-rounded and engaging.

I also found the entire premise of Miles deciding to take on the responsibility of helping Lenny come back to life extremely hard to believe. He's essentially a stranger to her, and it just felt unrealistic that someone would be that selfless, especially when there was no real personal connection between them at the start. Even his reasoning (wanting Lenny to teach him how to connect with her family better) felt pretty flimsy. It didn’t seem like a strong enough justification for him to step in and take on the weight of her grief. While I get that the idea was probably meant to show his growth as a character, it just didn’t feel believable to me. It felt more like a plot device than a genuinely earned decision. In real life, people don’t usually take on that kind of emotional responsibility for someone they don’t know well, no matter how noble the cause.

To add to this point, what Lenny really needed was a therapist. Grief is a complex, deeply personal journey that requires professional support, and relying on a complete stranger to carry that emotional burden just isn’t realistic or healthy. Expecting Miles to be her savior felt unfair to both of them and made the situation feel forced.

Also, the end was so abrupt. I honestly thought there would be at least a few other chapters of Lenny going back to her old apartment or just being with Miles, but there wasn't. I guess I wasn't ready for it to be over, so I'm left a bit unsatisfied.

Overall, Promise Me Sunshine is a well-written book with lovely characters and moments of genuine emotion. However, for me, the overwhelming focus on grief overshadowed the romance, and some of the decisions made by the characters felt a bit unrealistic. While I can see why many readers connect with this story, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m still glad I read it because Cara Bastone is such a great author, and I would recommend it to others because clearly I'm in the minority here.