Another absolute stunner by Bastone. Somehow I ended up reading two books back to back that tackled the subject of grief, yet both have a completely different and unique feel. The person who Lenny grieves in this story is her best friend since childhood and she starts the book lost, broken and ambling through life in the wake of Lou's death with little in the way of direction, avoiding both her family as well as the apartment where they lived together. Enter Miles, who arrives into her life via her job as babysitter to his niece Ainsley and strikes a deal with Lenny to help her complete her "live again" list in exchange for assistance in how to connect with young Ainsley and mend fences with her mother, with whom he currently has a strained relationship. This arrangement turns Lenny and Miles from acquaintances crossing paths into friends who slowly slide into love by the very end once enough healing has taken place for Lenny to emerge from her pain anew as a whole person. Bastone does a wonderful job of describing the specific look and feel of New York City, making me feel like I was there alongside the characters, and the humor she frequently employs helps the story not feel oppressive while it covers very serious topics. The writing here is beautiful, tender and rather thoughtful with evocative phrases and moments scattered throughout that stuck with me long afterward; I really like the notion of someone being more willing to do something if they are led into it rather than pushing them as well as taking a moment to commit something special to memory. The lovely cast of secondary characters each add a distinct ingredient to the mix while filling out this world, and I loved there is even room for one from Ready or Not to appear in a fun cameo. Bastone has quickly become one of my favorite authors, with this latest entry sure to be one of my top reads of 2025.

I loved Miles. He was a good man who showed up and was kind, gentle and thoughtful. He’s the type of guy women want when they feel like their world is flipped upside down. He was truly the best part of this book, and I can see many people loving him

There were MANY quotes that were well done, and I appreciated their complexity and sensitive messages. (these are mostly from Miles)

“I want something that feels… natural, even if it's not always sexy.”

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

“This journey through grief… it's what we do for the great loves of our lives.”

“You are not betraying her by healing.”

The plot premise was wonderful and so much of this had potential. I adore books about grief, so I appreciated the vulnerability of Lenny and Miles. I also loved the tattoo scene, the dance number and Lenny’s parents.

OVERALL: for the right reader, this will be loved and adored. I’m just not that girl.

THOUGHTS:
for a romance book, I was not romanced. The grief took over any good tension and I felt zero chemistry until maybe the last 15%. It could have been done in a way to make them coexist, but Lenny (The FMC) was so self-absorbed that nothing else had room to breathe. I get it, she’s grieving, and we all move through loss differently. As someone who’s lost many loved ones, I understand the grief, but she needed therapy. Not a wise guy friend. This girl is one headache away from doing drugs or worse and she needed real professional help. Instead, Miles swoops in like some type of savior. Just because he has lost loved ones, doesn’t make him equipped to fix her. Help, support and love? Yes.

I didn’t understand the purpose of many middle scenes, other than to reiterate that Lenny is miserable, and Miles is the best thing that’s happened to her.

When the romance finally showed up at 85%, it was cringey and weird. She sees him naked and... “I explode into laughter.” (What the hell woman?) He immediately pauses their love making and then she says, “He thinks he’s the boss of me? No. I’m the boss of him. And I’m going to take charge and do the sex!”

Her dialogue and actions (regardless of her grieving) felt like a juvenile, and she’s supposed to be in her 30s? Lenny was a brat. Sorry, someone has to say it. Even after she is healing and seems to be doing better, she’s "a mess" and she lets her friends make fun of Miles:

“No offense, but there’s an obvious lack of effort here” (pointing at Miles)

“So I should have worn a sweater?”

“oh, God bless him for trying,” and the group bursts out laughing”

She is doing weird things like, “I turn and collapse onto him and throw his book as far as I can.”

The writing didn’t allow me to visualize them at all. Lenny has long brown hair and she’s a wreck for 90% of the book. Miles is “not good-looking, really. Low-grade sexy.” and “You’ve got a face like a bulldog.”
Later she call’s him hot after comparing him to "a gravel road" but I don’t know what it even means.

OVERALL, II: I can see where people will love this book. Its bingeable, Miles is the sweetest human and there’s some cute and funny parts. I’m genuinely happy for the people who loved it.

This book blew me away. I picked it up, and from the first chapter I literally could not put it down. The characters are so dimensional, and so relatable. Even the side characters are really well flushed out- you’re immediately pulled into the world.

This is a story of grief, but also of finding yourself while you work through it. There’s a romance, but it’s no way the central point of the book. Despite being grief-centric, the book itself isn’t too heavy hearted - as the characters are able to find moments to pull themselves out of it, you are too.

I have so much to say about this book, but really - just pick it up for yourself.

Promise Me Sunshine
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“There’s never anything we can do to keep someone alive, Lenny. There’s no bargain you can make. It’s an illusion. A terrible illusion. The only thing you ever could have done is what you’re doing right now. Sending her off.”
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Oh my gosh, this book 🥹 I don’t know if I can properly put it into words how absolutely amazing this book is. If you have ever lost anyone close to you, you will feel this book in your veins. It’s about a great loss, the ugliness and beauty in grief, your life after, unconditional love, healing and understanding that there is not one way to heal and even if you are crawling you are still making it through. I seriously cannot say enough great things, I didn’t want it to end! There were so many simple moments throughout this book that left a beautiful ache in my heart.

“Instead of panicked sadness, I simply feel that I might be briefly living inside a wonderful moment.”

There was such a spectrum of emotions while reading this one. There were moments I thought I was reading about myself, moments I laughed, times I had to put it down and reflect, but immediately wanting to pick it back up. I was also a nanny way back when and so I found a lot of comfort in reading about that part of Lenny’s life. There are a lot of lessons to be learned here and I hope ya’ll love it as much as I did! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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“Something good for you, something bad for you, and a change of scenery. That’s the winning formula.”
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Thank you @carabastone @thedialpress and @netgalley for this e-arc, Promise Me Sunshine comes out March 4th!

4.5 stars!

Promise Me Sunshine was such a great book!

It follows. a woman named Lenny who is grieving the recent loss of her best friend. When she takes a job nannying for a young girl named Ainsley, she meets Ainsley's uncle, Miles, who has been through grief of his own and who steps in to help Lenny complete a list of activities to help her live again.

I really liked both Lenny and Miles. Lenny was funny enough to make me laugh out loud several time and Miles was incredibly thoughtful. The romance between these two was so beautiful. I loved watching them build a foundation of strong friendship before slowly falling in love with each other. They communicated honestly throughout the whole book, went out of their way to be there for each other., and had really fun banter too. If you like Luke and Lorelai as a couple in Gilmore girls, I think you'd love this couple as they have a similar dynamic of an upbeat quirky woman with a more stoic, slightly exasperated man.

Outside of the romance, there was an interesting side plot involving Miles trying to become closer with Ainsley and her mother (his sister). This storyline definitely took a backseat to the romance and the grief which made it a little lackluster in comparison. It was resolved in a nice way but that would have been more satisfying if we'd spent more time working towards it.

This book was also more serious than a regular romcom, since it dealt heavily with the topic of grief but it was handled in a way that felt realistic and emotional without bringing the overall mood of the book down.

There's something about Cara Bastone's writing that's so addictive. The pacing of both the romance and the plot were perfect and kept me flying through the pages, much like I did with her last release, Ready or Not. If you're looking for a romance with a strong female lead, a sweet and kind love interest, a slowburn romance, and a heartwarming story, I would highly recommend this book!

I have been in a reading slump since I finished this book last week. It is such a beautiful story of friendship and love. I LOVED the characters and their journey.

Lenny is hilarious and self deprecating. Love how she plans out a future at first glance with random men. But despite her being silly and likable, she is also grieving and trying to find a way to survive after her friend’s death.

Miles comes off horrible at the beginning but then you grow to love everything about him. He’s patient, kind, and such a caretaker. I loved his side plot and how important family is to him.

This book made me feel all the emotions while laughing out loud. I think we can all relate to this story in one way or another.

Plus the cover is gorgeous. Can’t wait to recommend this to everyone I know.

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

Six months ago Lenny loses her best friend Lou,
she can barely afloat. At her nanny job she meets Miles - a protective uncle, he recognizes in Lenny the grief that she’s going through since not long ago he also lost someone important to him. The two team up Lenny helping Miles build a relationship with his niece and Miles helping Lenny through her grief.

“It’s the way we figure out how to keep loving them even through they’re gone. And in order to do that we have to keep on going. And going and going”

Emotional and raw, I loved this book so much.

Thank you Netgalley.

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of “Promise Me Sunshine”. This books follow Lenny who is navigating the grief of her best friend when she meets Miles. Miles helps her learn to live again through the grief. I think this gives an amazing perspective of what grief looks and feels like and will resonate with readers who have experienced this. The romance is a SLOWWWWWW burn but it is so sweet how Cara Bastone makes it clear that Miles will never take advantage of a vulnerable and grieving Lenny. I’ve never experienced the type of grief this book depicts so the story line was hard to grasp but anyone that has will love this book. The slow burn romance is the sweetest part of it all.

I LOVED this book. One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given. I am now a devoted Cara Bastone fan. The hilarious, randomness, realness, wit and banter that she creates with her characters and stories are just top notch for me. I just adored this book and will recommend it to anyone who will listen to me. Can’t wait for it to officially publish, it will be a hit.

Promise Me Sunshine was full of emotion and finding yourself again. Lenny takes on a babysitting job after her best friend passes. She is still so full of grief from losing her. She meets Miles and at first she doesn't like Miles but then they become so close. He is there to help her with her grief and continue on in life. I loved that Lenny had this. This story was written with so much love and emotion. I can't wait to read more from this author!

3.5/5

Firstly, I love Cara Bastone. I think she is wildly creative and can accurately relay the inner workings of one’s mind and emotions onto paper. Chaotic. That’s what those thoughts and emotions usually are to us all. Secondly, I am a HUGE mood reader. So when I picked up this book and devoured it (because it was an ARC, duh) I didn’t consider that the current mood I was in was most fitting for big, overwhelming, and expressive emotions related to DRAMA. Magnolia Parks and Promise Me Sunshine are just not on the same wavelength. The vibes were just not right for me. And unfortunately this review will likely say more about me than it does this book.

Lenny and Miles were so fantastic. If Cara can do one thing amazingly well, it is write a MMC who is steadfast and present. Miles was the anti-commitmentphobe man every lady dreams of. Gentle, sure, kind, and overwhelmingly present. Not always the most confident, but intensely self aware that it doesn’t make him an immediate ick character. Lenny is the spastic, super silly, confident, and genuinely lovely FMC. Another thing Cara does well with her FMCs. Their story naturally progresses from acquaintance, to friends, best friends, and lov-ahs. No complaints there. It was low drama between the two, and all constant contentment with one another. I really loved that.

The setting is Upper West Side and wonderful. And despite the plot revolving around grief and the loss of the love, you will find yourself chuckling and enjoying the variety of side characters and interactions they have. My personal favorite was a cameo from a previous book, which literally had me squealing out loud like a little pig lol.

My main issue? I just wasn’t ready to read a book about grief. Not the right mood for me, but is there a right mood for this? It was not an overwhelmingly sad plot, although some slight tears were shed. It was mainly about how working through grief requires someone who is committed to the cause of just being with you. Taking care of you, letting you feel what you need to get to the other side. Not getting over your grief, but getting through it. It was an educational experience more than it was a love story that I usually look for. It was still so lovely and kind though. A slow burn and an array of emotions that one has to move through. It was an incredibly practical and relatable book, which no doubt manny will love. Like I said I think this rating reflects more on me than it does the book itself.

If you’re in the mood for a love story that isn’t entirely about love, but has substance, the content is full of character building, and the conflict is not cookie cutter (like every other book I usually read), then this would be a great choice. It’s not so much about the love story of two people under happy or tenuous circumstances, but rather the love story that naturally unfolds between two people who truly know and understand one another through moments of deeply difficult and intense circumstances.

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

4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for the eARC.

This was an absolutely beautiful story about finding yourself again following an intense loss. The character development was well-written and arcs were well-formed. I adored the build in Miles and Lenny’s relationship.

Highly recommend for any readers looking for a “romance” that balances other priorities. My favorite Cara Bastone!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the book to heal all hearts. It is an amazing story of how Lenny works through her grief and finds love along the way. It will make your heart swell. An easy five stars that will stay with me!

In NYC Lenny starts a new babysitting gig not too long after her best friend passes. The child’s uncle and Lenny set out to teach Lenny how to get back to living after grief and trauma.

I read this in ONE sitting. I did not move for hours. It was fantastic. Such an excellent portrayal of grief, friendship, and adjusting to life’s changes. The romance was really a sub-plot and I think that was for the best. This is a must read.

Thank you thank you to Random House for the ARC! I cannot recommend this enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the advanced copy!

Wow, wow, wow what a book and a story. So heart wrenching and an emotional but so so beautiful. This book is about grief and friendship and healing. Lenny and Miles is now my favorite friends to lovers I’ve ever read. The way their friendship formed and they had this connection with all the tension and bond to each other. They just understood each other. Both Miles and Lenny were dealing with their own grief but they went through this healing journey together and helped each other get through it all. I loved Miles and how he was always there to support Lenny no matter, he always showed up. I couldn’t put this book down, I was so invested in their story while also trying to savor it. I didn’t want to let them go. It’s such intimate look at grief and dealing with the loss of someone you loved. Both Miles and Lenny learned from each other and healed different aspects of their lives. I absolutely loved this and this is a story that will stick with me. I highly recommend this one. I cannot wait to see what Cara Bastone does next,

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the advanced copy!

This book found me at the exact time I needed it and I don't think I will ever forget reading this for the first time (and believe me--there will be more times).

When I was looking at the description and details of this book, I was a bit worried, primarily because this book is over 400 pages. I don't mind a 400+ page book, but with romance books specifically, that's a bit of a hard sell to me. HOWEVER, I could've read 400 more pages of Lenny and Miles tackling life together and it still wouldn't have been enough.

I don't think Lenny is going to be an FMC everyone loves, I have to be honest. She's a bit odd and unhinged, and at first she did get on my nerves, but she really grew on me and I relate to her more than I care to admit. She's hilarious, clearly going through it and doesn't know how to cope, and while she doesn't cope perfectly, it's a very realistic depiction of how grief can affect someone.

Don't even get me started on Miles. I also have to say, I really didn't like him at first. In fact, I almost DNF'd at around 10% because he was getting on my nerves so bad and I was like there's no way in hell I'm going to be able to root for a romance with this man in it. But then I decided that 10% was too early to give up and I'll keep trying, and I am so glad I did because my first impression was so wrong. I love this character with my whole heart. One of my favorite book boyfriends I've ever read. If you liked Jacob from Yours Truly and Justin from Just for the Summer-- get excited, because this man is the perfect mashup of the two (with a unique spin--he's not copy paste by any means). And if you've read those books, you know that is the highest of compliments.

The mental health representation in this book was so beautifully done. There are so many quotes in here that I will return back to a million times over.

And most importantly to me: their friendship??? THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE. I am so tired of seeing nothing but hate to love, enemies to lovers, etc. in every book ever. There's a time and a place for it don't get me wrong, and I know we all love the tension. But there is something to be said for a romantic pairing founded on the basis of a true friendship and platonic partnership. I loved it more than I can put into words.

If I haven't made it obvious enough with my babbling: 5 stars 🌟

Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a beautifully written and emotionally rich love story between Lenny and Miles, a tale that blends grief, healing, and the gradual transition from friends to lovers. The novel explores Lenny’s struggle to move on after the death of her friend, and the way her relationship with Miles evolves from mutual dislike to deep, meaningful friendship and eventually to a tender, slow-burn romance. The author does an impressive job of weaving the raw emotions of grief with the uplifting moments of their growing connection, balancing both themes seamlessly.

Lenny and Miles are well-developed, complex characters whose relationship feels genuine and realistic, with the slow progression of their feelings being both believable and touching. The friendship that develops first adds authenticity to their romance, and the author takes the time to show their growth as individuals and as a couple. Although the book is long and has a slow pace, it works because it allows the characters to truly develop, which makes their relationship feel earned.

The portrayal of the characters' first sexual experience is also noteworthy, as it's depicted realistically—far from perfect, which is a refreshing and honest take compared to many romances where everything seems flawless from the start.

Overall, this is a heartfelt and thoughtful story about love, loss, and personal growth, with well-crafted characters and a slow, beautiful romance. It’s a romance that feels genuine and deeply satisfying, with an emotional depth that stays with you.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to get an ARC of this book. I LOVED "Ready or Not" and had high hopes for this one. I wasn't sure what to expect given some of topics in the description (grieving the loss of a friend, losing a battle to cancer, etc.). I've lost a few relatives to cancer (dad, mother-in-law) so I wasn't sure how that would affect me. I found the way Lenny and Miles helped each other very heartwarming and I liked the relationship among the other characters as well. I loved how Lenny played a part in the relationship between Miles and his sister and niece. I chuckled throughout parts and had many "awwww" moments. I knew going in that this was a slow-burn romance and I'm not against slow-burns. This one however just seemed to move slower than I preferred. I felt the entire plot moved very slowly. I will say though that I appreciated they way Cara Bastone showed the struggles people deal with then grieving someone they love.....that life doesn't just go back to normal quickly when you lose someone you love. Sometimes it takes someone else to help you live again.

4.75⭐️! This book really threw me in for a pleasant surprise. The best way I can describe it is… weirdly nostalgic. As a New Yorker, this literally did hit home. The portrayal of grief here was so authentic. Our FMC, Lenny, is such a vivid and quirky character, and at times it was hard to relate to her since the things she says is so out of left field (although SO funny at times), but I think seeing her navigating the biggest loss of her life is what makes her so real and relatable.

The same goes for our MMC, Miles, and boy … he is EVERYTHING. He is the type of person that everyone should have in their lives. Seeing him helping Lenny and vice versa was so heartwarming, and the progression of their relationship was worth the slowest of burns (in the best way)!

I truly enjoyed everything from the story pacing to the side characters. This is one of those books that will stick with me for a very long time. A big thanks to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC! All thoughts are my own. 🫶🏼

I could write a novel about how much I loved this book!!! I don't even know where to begin!! This is one of my favorite love stories I have ever read. Miles and Lenny's relationship unfolded in such a slow burn, romantic way, I truly could not read it fast enough, but I also never wanted it to end. Miles showing up for Lenny CONSTANTLY just broke me. I loved Ainsley and Reese; every glimpse into their lives felt like such a little treat.

I love the way Cara was able to balance romance and grief as major themes. It was heavy, but not too heavy that it made the romance impossible and when the romance was romancing, we never really lost sight of the anchor: grief.

This one is going to stick with me for REAL for real <33 I actually would prefer to back in time and read it again and again for the very first time!! My heart aches writing this bc I LOVE U MILES and Cara Bastone hehe this is a work of art.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press for an early copy of this book! <333