4.5 stars

This was possibly my most anticipated ARC so far this year, and when I tell you... Cara Bastone really did it again!! This book was an incredibly raw depiction of grief and how it affects people on such a spectrum, while also giving us a heart-warming and achingly beautiful romance. It tore me open and then put me back together again, and honestly made me cry so many times that it was unheard of, even for me. Lenny and Miles are the perfect main characters, and are well-developed through the story with little quirks that make them entirely three-dimensional. Even the side characters are flushed out really well, and get their own character development throughout, which I loved!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Cara Bastone, and Random House Publishing for this ARC!!

*Note: Review will be posted to Instagram page linked below on the pub date!

I was completely and utterly destroyed but somehow put back together at the same exact time…. I didn’t know I could feel this emotion from a book!? The characters are incredible, the story is a masterpiece but the EMOTION… I feel it in every part of me like I cried and I laughed and I grieved. I felt like they were my friends or better yet part of me felt like I was Lou, watching my best friend learn to live again!? Why am I sobbing again… no truly this book is exceptional. It is definitely a slow burn butttt at the same time the story isn’t even really about the romance? The romance is great at the end of course but it’s the rest that makes this story incredible.

“The only way out is through.”

Needed this book bad right now, thank you, Cara Bastone. She is gifted at storytelling. Yes, you sometimes have to suspend some beliefs in them. But there’s something always there! This book is heavy on grief but done so so well. I’ve been doing a lot of my own grieving these last few months and saved this book for the right time, right for me moment and it paid off. It’s a story about Lenny going through a new chapter, trying to come up for air. Every little NYC moment, I felt so warm. I won’t go on the Staten Island Ferry the same ever again. It’s definitely a love story second, not first! Almost like a secondary to the plot. I loved Miles and of course, he grew on me from that beginning…enemies to friends to lovers. And yes, I believed it! Miles was unstoppable? Thoughtful! They were so easy together. It’s a love you want. And Lenny, she is sunshine and living in it. “It must be truly exhausting to live in your brain”

Also again —suspend some belief here because yes our girl was grieving but it’s not safe to just fall asleep on the subway in NYC or the ferry middle of the night, especially as a woman! 😀 our man Miles do be a hero but I do be dubious. I believe Lou left to bring Miles into Lenny’s life in good hands, which is really rather magical.

I hybrid-read this but the audiobook was phenomenal narration, as always. Alex Finke!! Thank you, PRH Audio!

MY THOUGHTS IN A FEW SENTENCES:

WOW!!! This is going down as one of my favorite romances of all time. It was a perfect recipe for a 5★ romance for me: emotional, humorous, slow burn! The writing was incredible and I did not want to put this down… So I ended up reading it in a day. 😜

FULL THOUGHTS:

I loved literally every single thing about this book. The characters, the plot, the setting, the writing, THE CHARACTERS!!! Lenny, Miles, Reese, Ainsley, and the friends they make are real to me and you can’t convince me otherwise!

I think my favorite thing about the book is that it mixes very deeply emotional moments with laugh-out-loud funny moments. Lenny is absolutely hilarious. Even though she is grieving, she is funny, and I think that is a great way of showing how funny and full of life she was before her devastating loss. It was beautiful to slowly watch her come back to life in ever chapter. (Uh oh I just started crying again 😭✌🏻)

MILES MILES MILES. The caring and respectful man that you are. I just want to give him (and Lenny) a big ol’ hug. The way that he felt the need to help Lenny get through her grief, when he didn’t even like her yet, because he knows firsthand what losing people you love is like, shows you the kind of person he is. The little things he does for her are just as sweet as the bigger things. Watching Miles and Lenny slowly fall in love in every page was an honor and a privilege, truly.

I would have gladly read 100 more pages of this book! It would have been nice to see a little bit more at the end, but I also like the place that it ended! The ending feels kind of open-ended, and I just know that in the future that Lenny and Miles are both going to be stable enough in their grief to be able to do what they weren’t able to get themselves to do yet. I just love them!!!

Thank you Dial and NetGalley for the free eARC ☺️ Releases 3/4/25!

Grief and love are wonderfully intertwined in this slow-burn romance. Bastone takes her time in telling Lenny and Miles' story, and she does so with care. Lenny's barely hanging on by a thread when a nannying job brings her into Miles' orbit - and they soon find they may be able to help each other move forward in their lives.

Romance isn't a genre I normally gravitate towards, and so I'm happy when I read one with such well thought out characters, no cheese, plenty of depth and heart, and a romance I really believe in. Bastone delivers all that here, along with some of the fun banter that's appreciated in romance.

I think this will be a popular 2025 romance book for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press.

PSA - Open door scene at the end of the book, very skippable.

This book was amazing, if I had the time I probably would have finished it in one setting. The dedication alone pulled me in. It wasn’t your typical romance because of all the grief tied into it but it was done in such a beautiful way that I couldn’t put it down. The flashbacks to her old life and the live again list do a great job of showing us just how much Lenny and Lou were each others person and how hard it is now to do life without Lou. Lenny is dealing with the hardest heartbreak in life but she still shows up for Ainsley with a smile on her face and shows up for Miles to help him with his family. Miles is absolute perfection, literally pulling her out of her own personal hell to get her to start living again, and that locket gift I mean cmon! They are the perfect example of two peas in a pod finding love even in grief with no third act! Her love at first fantasies are also an amazing addition to the book! Overall this book is amazing and I can’t wait for the rest of the readers to get their hands on it.

I found myself really enjoying this book! I thought it was a cute, quick read that was engaging and really made you reflect. I thought the depictions of grief were thoughtful and well done, and it was beautiful to watch Lenny grow and learn to live with her grief without giving up the pieces of her that she lost when her friend passed. We know miles has experienced loss and travelled on his own grief journey and he was willing to share that so openly with Lenny, but I would have liked more personal anecdotes shared to really learn who these people were to miles, especially his cousin. Hearing him talk about his grief in vague terms thought advice given to Lenny was beautiful, but may have been enhanced through more descriptive stories.

I generally liked the writing, I thought it depicted the characters well, however there were some instances in which I found it juvenile or awkward, or that stood out as not particularly fitting the rest of the writing.

I also found the start of the book, and of all the relationships, a little bit rushed and a little clunky and awkward. I didn’t love how quickly everyone came together and just seemed to be willing to divulge their feelings in some aspects. I will say this was saved for me by the character development over the course of the book. I also had a hard time with Lenny’s end of the bargain, essentially working to make Miles part of a family she also didn’t know very well. I do think this was also saved by the development we got, but the initial portion of the book just felt a bit awkward!

Overall this was cute and special and I really enjoyed it! Thanks netgalley for granting me the early copy to review honestly!

Long review ahead, but I want to thank Cara Bastone, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

Cara Bastone’s Promise Me Sunshine is a deeply moving exploration of grief, healing, and the unexpected paths that lead us back to life. This novel delves into the transformative power of loss and the unforeseen possibilities that emerge when we confront our deepest sorrows.

The story centers on Lenny, a young woman adrift after the death of her best friend, Lou. Avoiding her concerned parents and the apartment she once shared with Lou, Lenny immerses herself in temporary babysitting jobs. Her latest position introduces her to Reese, an overworked single mother, and her spirited daughter, Ainsley. However, it’s Ainsley’s uncle, Miles—a man grappling with his own grief—who becomes an unexpected ally in Lenny’s journey. Recognizing the pain mirrored in each other’s experiences, Lenny and Miles form a pact: he’ll help her tackle the “live again” list Lou left behind if she assists him in reconnecting with his family. Through late-night ferry rides and shared moments of vulnerability, their bond deepens, illustrating how shared grief can pave the way for profound connection and healing.

Bastone masterfully portrays grief as both a debilitating weight and a catalyst for transformation. Lenny’s journey exemplifies how confronting loss head-on can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth. As she navigates the tasks on her “live again” list, Lenny discovers that honoring Lou’s memory requires her to fully engage with life, embracing new experiences and relationships. This narrative underscores the idea that while grief reshapes us, it also opens doors to possibilities we hadn’t envisioned, urging us to live not only for ourselves but also in tribute to those we’ve lost.

This is not your typical light-hearted romance novel; at times, I found it startling how authentically Bastone depicted sorrow and resilience in the face of losing a loved one. While the subject matter is intense, the story is imbued with so much humor and hope, it felt like I was taking a journey through grief with Lenny as I was reading. The slow-burning romance between Lenny and Miles is both tender and compelling, offering a nuanced portrayal of love emerging from shared pain.

To sum it all up, Promise Me Sunshine is a compelling testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It beautifully captures how, in the wake of profound loss, we can find unexpected avenues to healing and joy. Bastone’s narrative encourages readers to embrace life’s uncertainties, suggesting that even in our darkest moments, there lies the potential for new beginnings and unforeseen possibilities.

This is the best book of the year so far for me.

I had such high expectations for this book and they were exceeded beyond measure! This book takes a real look at grief and loss in such a beautiful way. Both Miles and Lenny were easy to connect with and felt so real to me.

Lenny is in such a dark place when this book begins. She has lost someone who was a piece of her heart and she doesn’t know how to go on living without them. When we meet Lenny, she is just surviving. Miles enters her life and He is the one person who can relate to what she is feeling. He gives her a lifeline. He gives her a connection to living again.

Both Lenny and Miles were very complex characters. We see a lot of character development and growth in both of them throughout the books. Their characters complemented each other perfectly.

This book will make you feel all of the emotions. You will laugh, you will cry, you will feel all of the joy and heartbreak the characters do. The Romance is subtle and slow, but absolutely perfect. I wanted to hold and comfort Lenny the whole time. I also really want my own Miles. Where can I can one?

Overall, I loved every word of this story. Grief is something that affects everyone differently and this story shows that in a beautiful way. Lenny and Miles will be a part of my thoughts for a long time. This is definitely a new all time favorite read!

I really enjoyed this book a lot. If you are going into this thinking it will be a cute little romance book, it is not. But in the best way possible!

The romance in this book is more of a side plot, with a majority of the book focusing on grief, healing, and learning how to live again after your life turns completely upside down. I am very lucky to say I have never had to experience grief to this level, but I can imagine how difficult it would be to function again. This book will defintely tug at your heartstrings, especially if you are going through something similar.

Our main characters Lenny and Miles build a beautiful bond and friendship as Miles tries to help Lenny grieve the loss of her best friend. I especially loved that Miles did not feel the need to be her "savior" but more-so supported Lenny and was there for her in any way she needed. (Seriously, this man would drop literally everything if she called.) - Like I mentioned, romance does not come into play until around 70% mark, and it is worth it. So dont be discouraged if it seems "slow" or too "slow burn."

This book is also very funny, I found myself laughing and smiling at a majority of the book, despite it being somber at times. And if we're being honest, the real star of the show is Miles' 7 year old niece Ainsley - you'll just have to read the book to meet her.

I wish we would've went a little bit more into Miles' backstory with his mother and cousin, but I can understand why the author chose to focus more on Lenny. I would rate this 4.25 stars, I think it was beautiful book, and an enjoyable read.

This was one of the most heartfelt, soul crushing (in the best way) love stories I have ever read. I am entirely serious. I could gush for hours about the way we got to watch Miles literally coax Lenny back to life. The beauty in their soft love and companionship, for someone seeing all of you and loving you more because of it. Their chemistry was incredible and they felt so real to me. This was my first ever ARC—thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Dial Press Trade Paperback for the advanced copy and to Cara Bastone for the perspective on life and love. Absolutely read this one! I can’t believe I let it sit on my kindle unopened for as long as I did!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6854652004

3.5 ⭐️

This book is centered around Lenny who is learning how to navigate grief after losing lost her best friend Lou to cancer: Her grief is so unimaginable that she has stopped living her own life and is barely functioning. Then she meets Miles the grumpy standoffish uncle of a little girl she's nannying. Who helps her thru this life crushing grief.

Really that's 80% of the book. Overall is fairly well done and it's realistic/relatable. I feel like on its own this book would have been fine as just a general fiction book. I think what this book does well is realistically portraying this raw grief. I also loved the support Miles was to Lenny. He did an amazing job supporting her and helping her find herself through this. I applaud this book for taking this on. As it's not your typical happy go lucky chic flick romance. I appreciate this author for going there and tackling this head on.

However, where this book failed to meet its potential was the romance. There were opportunities thru-ought this book that the book could have leaned into the typical tropes to help bring in more chemistry. Like one tent, caught into a torrential downpour etc. Then when the romance does start to click there is so much start stops and stuttering that I took me completely out as a reader.

I think I would have been 100% ok or enjoyed this better if there book ended at the 80% mark and skipped tying up the overall romantic interest. Both characters came to a great place and a platonic relationship would have been completely ok. I really loved both their character arcs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

How does one write a review that even matches the level of perfection this novel was? Cara Bastone has such a wonderful and unique writing style, that I will forever look forward to. I got to read 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 as a buddy read, and it truly felt like the perfect way to share this story of friendship, love and grief. Lenny’s grief is so heartbreakingly real and relatable, while Miles is the perfect companion to Lenny’s “live again” list. I really appreciated how the relationship between Lenny and Miles built from their dislike of each other, to their friendship, and ultimately the best slow burn romance! Definitely go into this one with a gentle reminder that the book navigates loosing a loved one (Lenny’s person and best friend, Lou) and that although done with so much care and attention, it is still a book with a grief forward narrative. Cara Bastone, thank you for writing a story that gave me back a bit of my own best friend who passed away in 2011. ♥️

DNFing at 25%. I wanted to love this one so much, I really did. It was one of my most anticipated arcs. I love the idea behind it and the portrayal of grief is absolutely beautiful. I’ve never lost someone close to me, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be. That being said, I struggled to like Lenny and Miles as characters. And maybe it’s because I can’t relate in ways others may be able to. But I found myself cringing at some of the moments that I know many would find cute. All in and all, I can see why this has such a high rating. I know it’s going to be wildly successful. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.

i really wanted to like this one but unfortunately it was not for me. i didn’t like fmc or mmc and the story felt really random at times? idk 2.5⭐️

4.5 ⭐️

Oh my god, I loved this. As someone currently dealing with a loss similar to Lenny, I knew this book would hit hard, but wow. It was like the shocking dose of reality and a comforting warm hug at the same time.

The lines about how heavy and complicated and isolating grief is was very relatable, and comforting to read. Miles and everything he represented was so perfect, and just for a moment while reading this, I could place myself in Lenny’s shoes and have someone else to help carry this burden.

I was so scared the transition in Lenny and Miles’ relationship was going to feel unnatural and rushed, but I was so pleasantly surprised at the pacing of that transition. The build up was beautiful.

Overall I really did enjoy this and can see myself reaching for it when I’m in need of a comforting re-read!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an early look at this release!

4.5 ⭐

This book was perfect from beginning to end! Cara Bastone is fast becoming one of my favorite romance authors.

Lenny is such a great main character!
Her best friend Lou died recently from cancer and she is barely getting by. She works short term nanny gigs and rides the Staten Island Ferry all night instead of going back to the apartment that she shared with Lou. She meets the uncle of her young charge and the two of them strike a bargain. She will help Miles to have a better relationship with his sister and niece while he will help her finish the "live again" list that Lou left her.

This book definitely has themes of grief, death, and found family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for the advanced digital copy of the book. This book will be published on March 4, 2025.

I loved this from the first chapter. It can take me a while to get into romance novels (I'm beginning to suspect that I might be aromantic as well as asexual so that triples the chances of me winding up forever alone~ BUT ANYWAY). The MC is charming and funny and deals with deep-rooted grief after the loss of her best friend to cancer (I cannot imagine). The love interest also had his grief he was dealing with and they wind up helping one another handle it. It's a delightful slow burn and I loved every page of it.

I cried. Multiple times. This book took my heart, wrung it out, and then somehow put it back together in the most beautiful way. The way Cara Bastone explores grief is unlike anything I’ve ever read, it’s raw, deeply personal, and filled with details so unique and profound that they settled deep in my soul. I never want to experience that kind of grief firsthand, but Promise Me Sunshine made me feel it in ways I didn’t expect. And yet, amidst all the heartbreak, this story blossoms into something tender and full of hope. The romance builds so naturally, like a quiet undercurrent beneath all the pain, and the character development is simply phenomenal.

“Lenny, when I look at your face, I feel like I’m finally home after a long day at work”

Lenny who is dealing with grief from losing her childhood best friend try’s to keep herself distracted and away from the home she shared with her best friend. She gets hired as a part time babysitter where she meets Miles. Lenny is really good with kids and Miles would really love some tips.

Miles is the uncle of the little girl Ainsley who Lenny is hired to babysit. Half brother of Reese (Ainsley’s mom). He is trying to create a relationship with his niece Ainsley since he just met her a couple years ago after his father’s passing. In exchange of a deal with Lenny he offers to help her get through her grieving process with knocking things off a “bucket list” that is supposed to help her “live again” and she helps him form a relationship with Ainsley. Miles has been thru the grieving process after he lost his mother and close cousin in a crash.

This book touched my heart in so many ways as I real life relate to the grieving aspect. I loved that even though Miles was going thru his only grieving process he was still able to help Lenny work thru hers. Miles character grew on me so much he really deserved so many hugs in this book. I absolutely adored that Miles was so patient with Lenny 🥹

Thank you Cara Bastone, Random House Publishing Group & NetGalley for an e-ARC copy.