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

📖 Book Review 📖 There were so many times after my mom died that I just wanted to wear a shirt that said, “Grief sucks” because that emotion was all consuming and I did not feel like anyone could really see how much I was hurting and needed some grace. Lenny is in the debilitating, overwhelming phase of grief after losing her best friend. The only smiles in her life come from the adorable little girl she babysits for (this darling relationship gave me Brittany Murphy/Dakota Fanning vibes from Uptown Girls ❤️). Even the dark cloud of young Ainsley’s grumpy uncle, Miles, brings insight and wisdom into the complexities of healing after loss…and their banter is absolutely page turning. I’m not one to pick a favorite trope but I will admit that Promise Me Sunshine had me totally enveloped in blissful hope of seeing Lenny and Miles transition from friends to lovers. Cara Bastone has delivered an absolutely heartfelt story of sorrow and hope, poignantly reminding us that without the rain, we can’t have flowers.

After finishing this book, I took a little time to gather my thoughts before writing this review. Lately, I seemed to be on a streak of grief-centered stories, which is what initially drew me to this one.

Lenny is struggling to find her way back to normalcy after losing her best friend, Lou. The only thing she feels capable of handling is a series of short-term babysitting gigs—one of which brings her to Reese, an overworked single mom, and her daughter, Ainsley. But things don’t go as smoothly as Lenny hoped, thanks to Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, whose constant presence quickly becomes a source of frustration. Yet, after several clashes, a reluctant friendship starts to take shape as Miles helps Lenny navigate her grief and rediscover what it means to truly live.

I think the author portrayed grief in a deeply authentic way—how one moment, you feel like you’re managing, and the next, it’s as if the world is crumbling beneath you. While I haven’t experienced a loss as profound as Lenny’s, I still felt for her.

That said, while I sympathized with Lenny and appreciated how naturally her relationship with Miles developed, I didn’t connect with the book on a deeper level. The writing felt a bit choppy at times, which made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in the story.

It’s a touching story with a heartfelt message, and while I truly appreciate it, I wouldn’t personally call it a favorite.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Pub Date: Mar 04 2025

Lenny has just lost her best friend—her person, her everything. How does one even begin to move forward after such a devastating loss? Lenny doesn’t have the answer, but she’s trying to figure it out, one step at a time. It’s not always graceful, and there are plenty of setbacks along the way. Starting a new babysitting job for Reese and Ainsley seems like a fresh start, but there’s a catch: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, keeps showing up in Lenny’s orbit. The two don’t hit it off at first, clashing in ways that make it clear they don’t quite understand each other. But slowly, a friendship grows, and Miles becomes an unexpected anchor, helping Lenny rediscover how to truly live again.

This book tore me apart in the most beautiful way. The writing is stunning, raw, and full of heart. I loved every moment of it and found myself wishing I could experience it all over again. The portrayal of grief was honest and unflinching, capturing the uncomfortable questions and profound emptiness that come with losing someone you love. At the same time, it offered glimmers of hope and healing, making it deeply relatable for anyone who has ever faced loss.

I can’t wait to purchase a copy of this book when it’s released! Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, for the ARC.

I absolutely ADORED this story! I felt the representation of grief and anxiety within the characters was very accurate and I like how it was not handled with kid gloves, but in a realistic adult way. Miles is absolute GOALS and I love him. The side characters were also so loveable, overall this is an absolute banger. 6 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. After enjoying Cara Bastone's Ready or Not last year, I was excited to dive into her latest offering, expecting a similar vibe. However, this book is quite different, and while not what I anticipated, it is by no means a disappointment.

The tone of the story is distinct, with a significant focus on grief and recovery. I’ll admit, I struggled to connect with the grief aspect—it felt incredibly intense. The FMC seems to be in desperate need of more than just emotional support, and the lack of professional intervention left me feeling a bit unsettled.

That said, the connection between the two main characters is heartwarming. Their journey of helping each other is touching, and their love story is undoubtedly the highlight of the book. The ending offers a sense of resolution, though the FMC’s path to healing is fraught with challenges and discomfort, making it a difficult but ultimately rewarding read.

One thing I would’ve liked to see more of is the MMC's relationship with his family. It felt like there was an opportunity to dive deeper into that aspect of his character, which could have added another layer to his connection with the FMC. Instead, some of the storylines—like the camping trip and the disco scene—felt a bit unnecessary and detracted from the emotional depth of the story.

Overall, while I couldn’t fully relate to the grief-driven aspects of the story, I appreciated the depth of the characters’ bond.