3.5⭐️- This was such a fun book to read. I loved the story & the way the characters navigated their grief was so beautiful. I couldn’t imagine losing my best friend. I didn’t know how to feel about Lenny the entire book honestly. I feel like she switched from grieving to loving so quickly. I did find that there seemed to be no major over arching event that happened and towards the end I was waiting for something. It just kind of ended. I wish we got more of Lenny being a nanny & more of the brother/sister relationship between Miles & Reece. I thought this was a good & quick read. Get this title out 3/4.

*Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book*

It’s not often that a book simultaneously brings you to tears and make your heart feel so full but this one just that it’s the kind of book that will make you text your best friend at 11 o’clock at night telling her that you love and miss her and can’t imagine the world without her. 🥹

Cara did a phenomenal job showing what it’s like to walk through grief. It’s not always a beautiful process and it definitely is not linear. There is no one way to face grief, and this book shows the importance of being gentle with yourself understanding that time heals all wounds, but you have to do your part too. 💕

I am so grateful to have been able to receive this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I have had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for Cara in the past and have never been disappointed. Thank you so much Cara for sharing your beautiful heart with the world. The people need more people like Miles.☀️

Thank you Cara Bastone and NetGalley, for the e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

Cara Bastone is an auto-buy author for me. Everything she puts out I read SO fast, and just love love love!

This book was a beautiful story about love, loss, grief, and all the emotions that come with it - along with healing. It truly was just so so beautiful, and I loved every single character in it.

Cara Bastone, you’ve changed lives. This is such a poignant reflection of grief and loss, i’m absolutely floored.

I really enjoyed this slow burning, heartfelt romance. Lenny and Miles really stuck with me after reading this story. Both characters are recovering from big losses and come together to help one another. Promise Me Sunshine is about grief, love, second chances, family and friends.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Can we please take a moment to recognize Cara Bastone as the Queen of Book Boyfriends? First Shep; now Miles. Literal perfection. She writes MMCs who understand women. Treasure women. Respect women. Value women. More perfect book boyfriends do not exist.

PROMISE ME SUNSHINE looks at raw and ugly grief. Lenny is debilitated by the loss of her best friend and soulmate. She is incapable of moving forward and has forgotten how to live. She exists day-to-day and has cut herself off from everything and everyone.

Enter Miles. Their first meeting does not go well. He is abrasive and off putting. The more they interact, the more apparent it becomes that he sees Lenny and understands her pain. They strike a deal to help each other and Miles quickly becomes her life preserver.

What I loved most about this book is that it does not portray a quick fix. Miles is not the antidote to Lenny’s profound grief. He is simply a facilitator in her journey, there to gently support her while she finds her way.

I loved this book. It is a tender and beautiful love story between Lenny and Miles. It’s an even more beautiful love story between Lenny’s past and her future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Cara Bastone for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC!
I didn't know what to expect going into this one. I'm truly blown away by Cara's writing. It feels so poetic.
The representation of grief, the friendships, the slow burn. It was all perfect. No notes.
I loved our FMC, Lenny. She was absolutely hilarious but also the way she interacts with kids is amazing. I took notes Lenny!
I need a love story for Reese. I enjoyed her and need to know more about her.

An emotional story full of grief, love, and understanding. Absolutely loved the journey Lenny went on with her grief and that Miles was not only able to understand her but also help her and be such a dependable person for her. Lenny was also infused with Cara Bastone's trademark humor. While
I really loved the relationship in this I do wish I had felt it a little earlier. I understand why it was important to establish a platonic relationship between them first however, I wish I felt their attraction to each other earlier in the book. All in all though Promise Me Sunshine is a great romance with so much depth and excellent character development.

This was lovely. It was pretty heavy on grief, so please read content warnings before going in if you’re sensitive to topics like loss of a loved one, depression, terminal illness (cancer), etc.

Miles and Lenny are such a powerful duo and easily one of the greatest book couples! I wish everyone could have a Miles because his commitment and dedication to his friends and family was so heartfelt. Yes, it was predicable with the friends to lovers trope, but the true story was about grief after loss. Lenny was at rock bottom and struggling to face each day after losing her best friend to Cancer. Then, Miles swooped in and became her life line, allowing to reader to see that sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference and it’s ok to need help.

Overall, an easy 4.5 star rating. The open door romance seemed a little YA, but yet it was fitting with Lenny’s personality. At times, I was worried about the grief dragging out, but it was so well written and organized that it didn’t seem redundant. Also, so many emotions for this one: funny, sad, happy, inspiring and absolutely loved the mention of a Buffalo Bills jersey!!! 🙌🏻

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

*Book publication date: March 4, 2025*
*Reviewed February 13, 2025*

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone delivers a heartfelt and emotionally resonant story that beautifully explores love, loss and healing. The narrative is deeply moving but its balanced with humor and emotional depth. I loved the realistic portrayal of how resilient humans can be. It definitely made me feel a wide range of emotions from laughter to almost crying. Overall, it was a very heartfelt experience.

"𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬. 𝐀𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞..."

𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝙼𝚎 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚎: 𝟻 🌟

This book came into my life exactly when I needed it. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read this absolute masterpiece of a novel early. This novel transcended my expectations of what I expected—a romance novel that dabbled in grief, but this book captured grief in a way I never thought could be done in 33 chapters—fast-paced and heartbreaking. As much as the romance between Lenny and Miles is show-stoppingly perfect and real, the love and heartbreak that exists between Lenny and Lou ripped me to shreds. I'm warning you, only a few pages in, and Mrs. Bastone stabbed me in the chest and kept twisting the knife as the book went on. Losing my grandfather last year was the toughest loss I had experienced, my first one at that, and Lenny's inner monologue and struggles with grief spoke to my soul. The fact that there was a list for Lenny to get through, her list to keep on living, brought all the memories rushing back of my grandpa's motto, "You deserve to live; no matter the state of the world or your mind or your heart, you deserve to live life.". I never had the proper time to process my loss, and this book almost guided me through it and made me feel so heard and seen. I don't feel as shameful breaking down in restaurants when I wish he was sitting across from me, thanks to Lenny and Miles. I truly don't think another book can encapsulate loss and love in the way this one did, or maybe it was just the right book and the right time for me.

Miles is the epitome of healing. I truly wish that I had a Miles to guide me through the mess of grief, but even having him through the pages on my Kindle screen healed me more than I realized. Miles is UP there with some of my favorite MMC's; his grumpy vibes with the gooey exterior are the perfect combo for my ideal MMC to forever fantasize about. Lenny's character is simply perfection, from her humor to her grieving. A special mention to Ainsley for being such a damn hysterically fantastic bonding point in this novel and for being the gateway to Lenny's healing journey to commence. Just remember to keep tissues at bay and read this with an empty schedule that can be filled with moping and hurt and the ultimate revelation that the hole grief leaves may never be filled up the way it was, but it will feel better. I thank you endlessly for this masterpiece, Cara!

This book broke my heart and put it back together. I loved they way both mcs were 100% there for each other. Through everything. The way they became friends and got each other through hard times while also experiencing happy moments with each other was so heartwarming. I laughed and cried with them and I‘ll definitely will be rereading this book next year! Also the sneak peek at the end? Can‘t wait for whats to come!!!

The characters, the setting, the friendships, the love and grief and absolutely everything about this was utterly perfect!

“Promise Me Sunshine” by Cara Bastone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤓🤓🤓🤓

THIS BOOK!!! This is not hyperbole: I laughed out loud. I cried actual tears. I think my heart grew 2 sizes? Okay, that last part was hyperbole, but I loved this so so so much. It comes out 3/5/25 and if you need something to read before then, try “Ready or Not” by @carabastone to keep you satisfied until then. Her writing is witty, heartfelt, and she writes men who are kind and thoughtful and safe…just what we all need right now! Bravissima!!! (I’m not Italian, but it seems like something the FMC would say, so here we are).

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. I laughed, I cried and I never wanted it to end. The way she was able to weave this beauty story with grief and hope felt so real and relatable. I loved Lenny and he wit even though she felt half alive. Miles was just the perfect person to help Lenny through her healing, while also continuing to heal from his. Reese and Ainsley just added to the story in such a delightful way. Thank you for the opportunity to read this and it will be with me for a lot time!

I really really loved this book. So close to five stars for me. Obviously cried at the end. Such a great dynamic between the main characters and loved no third act breakup.

It’s raining from my swollen eyes! Sad tears, happy tears, tears of laughter…..you’ll get them all from this wonderful, heartwarming story. Twenty-eight year old Lenny is drowning in grief, following the death of her best friend since childhood Lou, from ovarian cancer. Unable to return to their shared Brooklyn apartment, Lenny spends nights sleeping on the benches of the Staten Island ferry as it travels back and forth between Staten Island and Manhattan. By day, she has taken a nanny job to care for seven-year old Ainsley while her single mother Reese works . On her first day of work, Lenny meets Uncle Miles as they’re both entering Reese’s apartment and while the initial encounter is anything but friendly, Miles rushes to Lenny’s side after her workday has ended, when she engages in a street confrontation with a strange man who has caused an accident. As the two get to know one another, Miles who himself has suffered great loss, decides to help Lenny tackle her “Living Again” list to deal with her grief and find joy again in living. Every single character in this story is likeable and lovable and will enrich your life with lessons on friendship, grief, family and love. Kudos to Ms. Bastone for giving voice to the dialogue between Lenny and Miles that is very original and hilariously funny.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House/Dial Press Trade Paperback for giving me the exquisite experience of being an early digital reader in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cara Bastone does an incredible job on character development and Lenny and Miles did not disappoint. I loved their flaws and quirks. She seems to come up with unique ways to speak about ordinary experiences that are relatable to many. I could feel Lenny's loss here just like I could feel Eve's struggle with navigating pregnancy single in READY OR NOT. She honours the depth and investment many make into the friendships closest to them.

In PROMISE ME SUNSHINE, it felt like the middle dragged and the ending could have been just fine cut around the Chapter 31 mark. At times it felt repetitive like the author wasn't sure the reader got it the clue the first time she mentioned it - like the importance of Lou or losses felt by Miles. We got it.

Overall, I enjoyed the read and the characters and they are worth spending some time with. Thanks for the ARC.

This book changed me as a person. I was crying through the whole thing and felt Lenny's journey so deeply. The focus of the book being her grief and recovery from grief really hit home for me. I have felt how she felt in many parts of the book which really helped me connect to her. The way that Miles was so sweet and gentle and safe for her was everything to me. It really felt like they made each other better, and will be together forever in my mind. I don't know if I will be able to stop thinking about this book anytime soon.

This is one of those books you read that completely change your outlook on life. I don’t even have words to describe how much this book meant to me. Such an amazing book about grief and heartbreak but also love and finding joy in life after loss again. I related so much to Lenny it hurt at times but she healed a part of me genuinely. Miles was also just perfect and literally noticed every single thing about Lenny and it made me melt. I’m so glad I had the privilege of reading this book early.