Talk about a good reading month! Promise Me Sunshine left me utterly speechless. It feels like a warm hug—comforting and safe—but at the same time, like a violent and terrifying thunderstorm. The way this book explores grief is raw and breathtaking.

Losing someone you love with all your heart and soul is unimaginable. Lenny is in that painful place when she meets Miles, at a stage in her life where everything is volatile. Even the smallest thing can trigger memories of Lou, and right now, Lenny isn’t ready. Remembering Lou means accepting that she’s gone, and that’s a reality Lenny isn’t prepared to face.

Miles never planned to be her anchor, but when he sees what Lenny needs, he steps up without hesitation. Going through the list with her, standing beside her in every moment—he does it all because, for Lenny, he’ll be whatever she needs.

The way this story handles grief is so powerful. It’s heartbreaking, it’s healing, and it’s filled with love in a way that left me completely wrecked. I don’t know what makes a book a five-star read for you, but for me, Promise Me Sunshine was exactly that.

4.5! Just wow!

This was one of those that stick with you forever. The story focuses on Lenny learning to live again after a tragic loss. With the help of Miles she might be able to do that. And bonus points…she gets to help Miles with something as well. As these two work together, they not only learn about each other, but they learn so much about themselves also.

While this story focuses heavily on grief, there’s a sense of hope, joy, and fulfillment that I truly enjoyed. It was in a way very easy to relate to Lenny and understand her mind set. I cherish that Miles met her where she was in life. She didn’t have to pretend, she was able to be honest and for that she grew so much. Overall this story was intriguing and was very relatable on so many levels. The emotion I felt was real and raw. Thank you net galley for allowing me to read this in advance to release day!

Remember when I said this wrecked me in the first chapter? It just kept coming and it never stopped. My eyes are swollen. My stomach hurts. I have a headache. I'm dehydrated. I only just got the tears to stop.

I loved this book so much.

It was physically painful in a weirdly lovely and healing way. It was so funny and tender and real. I went into it kind of blind, knowing that Ready or Not was one of my very favorite books last year and didn't think this could top it. But I was wrong.

Lenny and Miles are the grumpy/sunshine couple dreams are made of. Every ounce of care and tension and love between them was palpable.

Lenny was silly and sad and messy and endearing. And so very lost. Miles was misunderstood. He was abrupt but he was good and caring and he knew the way for Lenny and Lenny just got him. They were everything the other needed. And I love them so much.

My favorite thing about Cara Bastone's writing is her ability to show and not tell. I fully felt like I was in this story, experiencing all of the grief and all of the love right there with them. And also the fact that I would go from full on sobbing to laughing out loud in the same chapter. Experiencing this story was so special to me and how I deal with my own grief. I will carry it and these characters with me forever.

Thank you to the author and Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Swooney, gorgeous, heart wrenching, and wonderfully witty. On a personal level, it hit really hard as I come up on the 2 year anniversary of losing one of my closest friends of 20+ years. Lenny and Miles get off to a rough start but my gosh does their relationship grow into something so beautiful. The way they walk each other through their respective grieving and problems had me constantly needing to turn the page, responsibilities were ignored to keep reading. Ainsley is too precious for words, and the way everyone navigates these complicated relationships is so heartwarming.

I'm so thrilled that I got to read an ARC of this book, it will stay with me always.

Oh I love Cara Bastone's writing! In "Promise Me Sunshine" she gracefully deals with the depth of the emotion of grief through a surprising relationship between Lenny and Miles. This turns into a slow-burn, friends to lovers relationship but one that is built on such a solid foundation. Bastone created such beauty in the characters through the connection I felt to them. The side characters were also wonderfully developed.

Spice level: There was open-door spice in the last couple of chapters
Language: moderate, not distracting from the story
Star rating: 5 stars!

*I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This book was the most heartbreakingly beautiful book I have ever read. It was about messy grief and learning to live again. Lenny was possibly the most likable character I have ever encountered. I loved her personality and humor. The relationship? Oh my goodness. Lenny and Miles build such a beautiful, supportive friendship throughout the entire book. They truly see each other, even the ugly parts they might want to hide. Their friendship grew into the most “they’ll be together forever” type of relationship I’ve ever read! I’m so in love with this book.

Wow. I had fallen in love with Cara Bostone when I picked up her first novel, Ready or Not. Or I thought I had. Promise me Sunshine is a whole other level of amazing. I was immediately and deeply rocked by the story, by the real and heart wrenching depiction of grief and by the real love that emanated from the pages. I cannot more highly recommend this story of friendship, of rebuilding and of family. I would caution you to approach carefully if your heart is still tender but this book was also quite healing in a way.

BOOK REVIEW: PROMISE ME SUNSHINE

I heard so many amazing things about Cara Baston’s book that came out last year (Ready or Not) so I knew I had to pick up PROMISE ME SUNSHINE (out 3/4!)

I loved these characters! Lenny and Miles were amazing and so were Ainsley and Reese! Seeing how Lenny navigated her grief surrounding the loss of her best friend Lou was emotional but heartwarming as she learned how to live life to the fullest.

Pick this one up if you’re looking for a story with:
🗽NYC setting
❤️‍🩹navigating grief
👫friends to lovers

This story was much more than a romance novel and I think that’s part of what made it feel so real - navigating loss, family, friendships, work, and romance all at the same time.

Have you read any books by this author?! Now I need to pick up Ready or Not!!

Lenny is in the thick of grieving the loss of her BFF. During a nanny gig, she meets Miles, the child’s overprotective and broody uncle. Miles proposes a deal: he’ll help Lenny work through her “Live Again” list, and she’ll help Miles connect with his niece.

I’ve read plenty of books that tackle similar grief themes, but this one is a standout! Cara Bastone achieved a perfect balance of relatability, depth, and heart in this story. The way she portrays grief is so realistic. Yes, I shed some tears, but there were also many smiles and warm moments. Lenny’s stream of thought and tendency to verbalize every random thought that came to mind was hilarious. I think this is a signature Cara move (based on my reading of “Ready or Not”). The side characters were charming and brought lighthearted moments that balanced out the emotional topics.

Although the story is in Lenny’s POV and focused on her healing journey, we also get an in-depth view of Miles’ character dimension and growth. The way he gets Lenny and supports her is perfect. He knows exactly when to be gentle or when to push, and is exactly the kind of friend one needs while in the thick of grief. The vulnerability they share with each other is 👌🏻. Some might say the burn was too slow, but I think the romance as a secondary focus was exactly how it needed to be. Both characters needed individual growth before transitioning from friends to lovers. CB is officially on my auto-read author list!

This one is for readers who enjoy books that make you feel, and fans of: Annabel Monaghan, Jessica Joyce, & Emma Grey.

Thanks to the publisher (Random House Publishing Group / Dial Press) & NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Pub date: 3/4/25

After seeing all of the wonderful reviews, I applied for it and i am so grateful that i was approved. what a honor was to read this book. I struggled so much to find the words to write this review because this book left me speechless, crying in the bathtub. So beautifully written, meaningful teachings and raw but amazing characters.

I was worried going into this book because I knew it was going to be somewhat difficult to digest but this story was handled in the most caring and tender way. What a heartbreaking yet beautiful and comforting story. This book was the biggest life lesson on grief, friendship and love.

We get to see Lenny living through her grief and what it means for her to keep going and to find a way to feel complete while healing the loss and emptiness. Throughout this book I kept thinking how painful must to lose someone that represents half of your soul but also having the privilege to ever love someone like she loves Lou. Cara made think how lucky I am to have friends and maybe even to think twice about how could I be a better friend, daughter, sister, girlfriend and person.

I loved the uniqueness of this book because it creates a love story while Lenny is mentally and emotionally unstable but Miles helps her to want to take care of herself for her, not for him. I absolutely loved how Miles’ help felt like air for Lenny, and how comforting it was to see them find the right pace of their friendship. Their relationship is built on being the most vulnerable version of themselves, and it focuses on creating a deeper connection while navigating from the ups and downs of grief.

This book felt like when you hold a hot cup of coffee with you bare hands. You get burned a little bit at the beginning, but once you get used to it, the feeling is soothing and grounding.

To sum up my thoughts: wow. what a beautiful book.

Thank you Dial Press and Netgally for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. It was sweet and romantic. I just wish that the book was a little longer and there was more of an ending. I love the two books that I have read by this author. I will definitely go back and read her backlist books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. Hands down going to be in my top 10 books of 2025. Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Dial Press for the ARC and Cara Bastone for the story that ripped my heart to pieces and put it back together again.

Promise Me Sunshine follows Lenny, a 28-year-old New Yorker whose best friend and other half died after a battle with cancer. Lenny is barely staying afloat, and the only thing keeping her above water is her temporary babysitting job looking after Ainsley, the young daughter of single mom Reese. The main downside? Ainsley's uncle, Miles, is often around, and he's quite a jerk. But things aren't always what they seem. Miles sees through Lenny's "I'm fine" facade and, knowing something about grief himself, offers a trade: If Lenny helps Miles connect with Ainsley and Reese, he will help Lenny get through her "live again" list so that she can do more than just stay afloat. What follows is a beautiful, poignant journey through grief, friendship, and love on the way to living again.

"Mom, he walked into hell and dragged me back out."

Cara Bastone masterfully depicts all that it means to be human. Lenny's journey through grief hit me right in the gut, and her journey with Miles from friendship to love hit me right in the heart. I don't remember the last time I cried so hard reading a book (and I'm trying very hard to not cry while writing this review!!!). I will absolutely come back to Promise Me Sunshine again and again.

Promise Me Sunshine comes out on March 4, 2025. You're not going to want to miss it.

This was my first book by Cara Bastone and I immediately recommended that my friends get their library holds in for it. The characters were loveable, their experiences were raw and real, and Bastone will have you laughing one minute and crying the next.

Summary: Lenny’s a bit of a mess. 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. 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.

I’m positive that Promise Me Sunshine will be at the top of my list of romance reads this year. Thanks for sharing it with me!

I have horrible book amnesia, especially when it comes to mediocre books. If the book was a meh 3/5 stars or less, I literally couldn’t care less because my brain will not retain the plot or characters for any length of time. All this to say, Promise Me Sunshine by @Cara Bastone had no such memory issues since I read this book months ago and it still sits solidly in my heart and brain.

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Bastone after I stumbled upon her amazingly funny/cute/heartwarming audiobooks on @audible. And in that time I’ve read her backlog of all her previous books and was a fan of her most recent book that published just a year ago that I will repost the review of soon.

Her last book did trend towards more heavier topics than her Audible romcoms, but I loved the emotional vulnerability Ready or Not explored, and Promise Me Sunshine jumps deeper into more complex mental and emotional waters.

“Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not.”

Yeah, this book is HEAVY on the grief. It’s basically a full-on character in the book, unrelenting in it’s almost physical presence in Lenny’s life. Anyone who has lived through grief will relate to how it seems to take over her existence including her work and personal life.

There is still the charm and banter Bastone is good at, but it’s tinged always with an undertone of pain and melancholy. BUT there is an HEA! Because as much as it may feel like there is no end in sight when you live with grief, when you have support and help from people who care about you, the road through gets slowly but surely plowed and paved to the other side.

Yes it is a slow burn, but love earned through and in spite of pain and sorrow feels more rewarding, I think. And I’m so happy Lenny and Miles made it together to other side.

Thank you @carabastone and @dialpress for the ARC on @netgalley, and I can’t wait to get my pre-ordered signed copy with goodies from @therippedbodice soon! Promise Me Sunshine will be published on March 4, 2025. Go add it to your TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC. I absolutely love how Lenny and Miles relationship blossoms. Lenny is struggling to find her place in the world and get through the day after her best friend passes from cancer. I love how Bastone weaves the different types of love people experience and what it teaches us throughout our lives: family, friendships, first loves, and finding true love. Promise Me Sunshine delicately reminds us that life is hard. It's okay to not be okay sometimes as people carry all kinds of grief. "The only way out is through." We can all use a Miles in our life.

I loved this so much😭🤍 I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since finishing it! I am so obsessed with Lenny and Mile’s so much, they were both such complex, real characters and completely loveable! Miles I fell so in love with he was perfect!!😍 Their relationship was so sweet and heartwarming, and they perfectly balanced each other🥹 I loved how there was a perfect balance of emotion, romance, and humour! Some pages had me in tears, others laughing out loud, and others in awe of the beautiful love story being told! Will definitely be reading more of Cara’s books🤍

This lovely novel examining grief, love, and finding one's purpose is so good! Memorable, funny in parts and heartbreakingly sad in others, Cara Bastone's latest doesn't disappoint. This story feels so authentic and effortless and doesn't shy away from real problems; you can't help but keep reading to see what happens next. Releasing on March 4, you'll want to pick this one up if you like layered romance that goes a little deeper and makes you reach for the tissues.

Ugh Cara Bastone does it again!!!

Promise Me Sunshine is an incredible story of grief and loss of a friend. I thought the romance was incredibly sweet and the feelings truly made me ache in my bones. I wanted Lenny to find her peace so badly it was like she was someone I knew.

This is exactly what I look for in a romance: slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, and set in NYC!!! There's just something classic about a romance set in New York, all the best romcoms are tbh.

Overall an absolutely beautiful story of finding life again after loss. Please read this!

Looking for an epically emotional yet heartwarming romance? Promise Me Sunshine was the perfect mix of both while handling the topic of grief in a beautiful manner.

Lenny and Miles need each other right from the moment they met but not romantically. Both are so drastically different from each other but somehow get along like the best of friends. Friends to lovers while navigating debilitating grief and loss made for such a beautiful story.

for a book centered around grief, I sure laughed my ass off

Put this off for a while cause I wasn't in the mood to cry and shockingly haven't laughed so hard at a book in a long time. Don't get me wrong, there are emotional moments that had me teary but Lenny is walking proof that trauma really makes you funny.

I was so hooked on this story immediately, seeing Lenny try to function while secretly falling apart had me rooting for her instantly. As soon as Miles entered the picture their banter, connection, and friendship became addicting. Miles is such a sweetheart; all he wanted to do was ensure Lenny was happy, healthy, and safe and it truly made me melt. "Girl-a-mess and Man-who-just-wants-to-take-care-of-her" trope is my kryptonite (let's not read into that) and boy does this one deliver. The growth between these two on both of their grief journeys was so special and heartwarming and per usual Cara Bastone's writing just leaves me so full of love. This felt like a love letter to the power of friendship.

I will also always always love a book that takes place in New York City.

"He treats you well?"
"He walked into hell and dragged me back out."