Wow, wow, wow. I'll be thinking about this book for a while. What a true delight this book was. First of all - thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing this eARC, I'll treasure this one for awhile.

Cara - what deeply moving writing you put into this book. I was giggling, crying, kicking my feet, and joyful while on this journey with Lenny. It's everything I want a book to be when I'm reading it.

I absolutely resonated with Lenny's character. As someone that has dealt with loss in the last couple of years, I felt myself in those places and what I experienced during those first several months without someone important around me. The attempting to do the best you can by avoiding places that put us into darker places and distracting yourself but not overwhelming ourselves, so so spot on.

And Miles, oh sweet Miles. It's rare when you can find someone that's experienced a similar grief as you but the way he wanted to help and guide her after he understood what she was going through, CRYING. I absolutely loved the formation of their friendship and how it shifted as time went on. He brought her back to present day in the most gentle of ways.

I'll definitely be re-reading this one, it might be February but I'm slotting this one at number 1 so far for 2025.

I don’t know if I can articulate just how special this book is. Lenny is grieving the loss of her best friend and when she takes a babysitting job, she meets Miles. These two embark on a journey of healing and it’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. The portrayal of grief is so raw and honest. This book definitely ripped me apart and put me back together. I love Lenny and Miles so much and I can’t recommend this book enough! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

4.5/5

I loved this book. Promise Me Sunshine is a story about two people grieving the loss of loved ones and how they helped each other through the darkness of loss. Its a slow burn, friends to lovers. In order for me to enjoy contemporary romance i need witty banter and luckily this book had it, in a way that felt real and natural. I knocked a star off because I couldn't fully relate to the depictions of grief. Some of it felt soo exaggerated. With that said this will be one of my top books of 2025.

I went into this book blind and was met overall with endearing quirkiness and immense grief. The writing felt a bit choppy and sporadic at best but I was still invested in discovering where the story went. The book slowly reveals that the fmc, Lenny, has suffered tremendous loss and is stuck in a cycle of grief after the passing of someone close to her. She finds a nanny gig in attempts to sustain herself financially and meets the mmc, Miles, with his own grief story.  It's an emotionally heavy book so you'll want to be in the right mindset, but it's also a bit scattered. 

I don't recall learning Mile's age (I'm guessing early 30's from timeline information) but the fmc is supposed to be 28 and acts like an emotionally immature teenager.  In the same breath, I know grief can alter how we deal with life, so there's that, too. Honestly, I wish there was a stronger mental health rep where instead of being coddled and prodded by Miles, that Lenny would have actually sought professional help as a prolonged period of not eating, sleeping, and taking care of oneself is NOT healthy. Depression is real and a love interest is NOT the solution. 

While I most definitely suffered from second-hand embarrassment reading chapter 32 😳 (what was that?!), I also found myself tearing up throughout the book with quotes here and there that showed the promise of healing in the depths of grief. All this said, people grieve differently and at varied paces, and the way Miles held space for Lenny and encouraged her to choose life was sweet (albiet a bit unbelievable at times). While this book wasn't really one for me, I can totally see how others will find validation, hope, and healing in this read.

4.5 🌟

I think Cara Bastone just made it to my "auto read" shelf. This book was 😘.

This book deals with the tough subject of loss, grief and depression. But can we talk about Miles for a second? He was perfection in this book. The way supported Lenny had me rooting for them from the beginning. If you are looking for a heavier romance book - run and pick this up.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

When I saw the premise for this book (young woman putting her life back together after her best friend has died of cancer) I knew I had to read it. I went through a similarly devastating loss nine years ago. Promise Me Sunshine did not disappoint - I enjoyed every bit of it. The story setup was interesting, the characters were real and sympathetic. Importantly, Lenny's grief is portrayed as real and not a mere plot point that's dealt with and gotten over. The love scenes were a bit cringe, sure, but skippable. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this fantastic story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

Wow! If I need to be honest, I went into this book with pretty low expectations but in the end I really enjoyed it! It was heartwarming and at times funny seeing Lenny and Miles help each other through their grief. I definitely liked Promise me sunshine more than Ready or not (by the same author, and there's a little cameo from that book!) and it made me shed a few tears, I confess.

The bucket list, Ainsley/Reese's relationship with Miles, the silver locket, the friend group, the visits to the Met and the trips on the ferry: I loved everything so much. Also, the romance was so sweet and tender and he was so respectful of her pace, even when Lenny herself wasn't aware of it.

I'll urge everyone to grab a copy of this book the moment it's released!

4.5 stars rounded up!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley and Dial Press for the advanced copy of this book. This book publishes on March 4th.

What to expect in this book:

-Exploration of grief
-Found family
-NYC setting
-Unlikely friendship
-Deep romance
-Heavier themes
-Linear timeline

Thoughts

Cara Bastone beautifully displays grief and the power of love in her newest book, Promise Me Sunshine. After losing her best friend and love of her life, Lou, Lenny is feeling completely untethered. She is barely surviving and holding herself together in a world that no longer makes sense, when she meets Miles, the brooding uncle of the little girl she begins to nanny. While Lenny's life is falling a part, she begins to get to know Miles, who seems to be familiar with grief as well. The two begin to set off to learn how to 'live again.' While there is a romance storyline, this book stunningly weaves so many relationships and themes together perfectly.

While I enjoyed Bastone's previous book, Ready or Not, I loved the themes and characters in this one more. Lenny's story and relationship with grief was so real and I loved how Miles was willing to meet her exactly where she was. The two encouraged each other and formed a unique friendship that in a way felt like a nostalgic romance movie. While there is a friends to lovers aspect of this story, I really loved the slow burn of the building of the friendship into more. Sometimes the romance aspect of novels can feel so rushed, but I loved how we as readers get to be a part of every step of the formation of the character's relationships. I also loved the glimpses we get into other friendships being formed and the family relationship of Lenny and her parents.

Found family is one of my favorite themes, especially in this genre, and I loved how this worked in Miles' storyline with Reese and Ainsley, as well as with Lenny and her newfound friends. I also loved the NYC setting. It can be easy to forget that we are all fighting our own battles but that even sometimes life in and of itself can feel like a battle and this book is the reminder that despite those battles, life is also worth living. I will definitely be recommending this to romance readers but especially those who love a romance with heavier or more emotional themes.

We need more books like this in the romance genre, please, I’m begging!

Miss Bastone, you’ve got a fan for life—now that I’ve gotten a taste, I’ll be reading everything you write.

Miles and Lenny have my whole heart. Ugh, I love them so much. This book really put me through it, and I’m here for it.

The character development is chef’s kiss. This is why I love friends-to-lovers stories; when done right, they’re raw and magical—so tender, so well-executed. The slow burn and perfect balance of friends-to-lovers perfection was everything.

I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend it to anyone like me who’s craving more than just smut in their romance novels.

Thank you to Dial Press/Random House for the ARC of my favorite book of the year! 💛🧡

Cara Bastone has a knack for writing perfect men. Everyone needs a Miles in their lives. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. What a privilege to read this story 😭🩵

This was a phenomenal read! I love all of Cara Bastone’s work and this book was no exception. I really loved Lenny and Miles story. Two people walking a similar path, but at different stages all while helping each other through it was beautiful. The portrayal of grief in this story was so raw and honest and but I think it was very well done. Bastone writes some of my favorite banter and this book had me giggling and kicking my feet! Overall such a great story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.
I enjoyed aspects of this book. It was a sweet romance with lots of funny and witty banter. I unfortunately wasn’t all that attached to the main characters. Lenny was a lot for me and I didn’t feel their chemistry as much as I had hoped. Grief was a huge focus but sometimes it did overtake the romance plot.

This was so emotional and sooooo well done. Idk if this is just hitting so hard being a therapist currently going through grief training but this was such an honest, true, and raw depiction of grief and loss that was so well done it even brought me to tears. I’m not normally the biggest proponent of friends to lovers but this was sooooooo good it has made me rethinking the whole thing. The relationship building? really rooting for the characters? On their healing journey together? AH. I LOVED miles and Lenny. You could just feel their connection jump off the page. If you like your romance with healing and heartfelt connection behind it, this one is for you. So good!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overcoming loss in the very best way. This story is grief heavy. The ups and downs felt so realistic to my own grief. I wish everyone had a Miles to help them through.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced E-ARC. 

Promise Me Sunshine follows Lenny as she navigates life after the tragic loss of her best friend. Soon enters Miles, the uncle to the child Lenny, who is currently nannying for. While their first meeting is a bit of a mess, they soon enter into a heartwarming friendship where they try to find joy together in dealing with grief. 

The themes of loss and grief were wonderfully done, and I also really loved the side characters, and the little cameo from someone in Bastone's previous novel, “Ready or Not,” was a nice surprise. However, I did find some dialogue to come across as more YA, which came across as a bit cringey at times. The last bit of the book did feel a bit rushed, and I would’ve loved to see a more fleshed-out ending. 

Overall, a book I would recommend if you are looking for a story about the power of friendship, loss, and love.

3.75⭐️

I don’t even know a proper way to try to describe this book because it is so much wrapped up into one. This book is a love letter to anyone who has experienced great loss and is somehow trying to stay afloat amidst a world that keeps going. All while rediscovering yourself and coming to terms that you will never be the same as you were. Grief can feel like such an isolating emotion and to see Miles care for her so deeply and understand her unlike no one else was so beautiful to watch unfold. I was a little apprehensive of his character at the beginning but he grew on me SO QUICK and you better understand his actions and words. These two are now one of my top book couples they are going to be living in my head rent-free (pun intended?). I flipped the last page of the book and was so sad and shocked that was the end and that I wasn’t going to be able to be with them anymore in this new stage of their lives. I have never picked up a book centered around grief because that was honestly a mindset I never really wanted to venture back into. But this was so healing to read and validate so many of the feelings that I’ve experienced. This book is sad, witty, swoon-worthy, and comforting all in one I could not recommend it enough I could not put it down it flew by!

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone (ARC Review) – ♾️✨
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Lenny and Lou. Lou and Lenny. That’s how it’s been since kindergarten, but now Lou is gone. Cancer took her six months ago and Lenny has forgotten how to live now that her heart is gone. She avoids family and friends; she sleeps on the Staten Island ferry just to avoid going back to the apartment she shared with Lou in NYC. So she starts nannying for a new family, and Uncle Miles decides to make it his personal mission to help Lenny Live Again.

I cannot even begin to put into words how much I adore this book. At 20% in, I knew that this would become a forever favorite book of mine. I laughed and cried (a lot). If I didn’t have a tattoo appointment yesterday, I would have read this in less than 24 hours. I’m utterly obsessed. I never thought I would find another book that would put me in my feels like Love & Other Words did, but man. Cara put magic in this book. This is an INCREDIBLY slow burn. If you’re wanting a spice-heavy book, then this is not for you. But if you want an incredible love story, and a story on how to manage life through impenetrable grief, then this is the book for you. Please read it. Unlimited stars.

this book is good from the very first page! not a single dry chapter! the whole time i couldn’t help the feeling that i was reading a new all time favorite book (i can confirm that i in fact was)!
the main theme in this book is grief but you wouldn’t know that from how much it makes you actually laugh out loud! the writing is stunning— it’s lighthearted and quick witted but also insanely emotional! i shed approximately 500 tears with this story and i could cry 500 more just thinking about it!
both lenny and miles are grieving with lenny’s grief being more recent— cara handles this theme with the utmost care but doesn’t shy away from really depicting the ugly, painful, dark side of it all. i appreciated her extremely real but gentle approach!

i love the pace of the book so much! how in each chapter, each interaction between lenny and miles we get just a little bit more backstory, a little more insight into who they are, not all of it all at once. it makes this book so unputdownable, eager to find out more!
the slow burn of lenny and miles’ romance was utter perfection!!! friends to lovahs (as lenny would call it) will always be my favorite! it just makes for the most natural, genuine, effortless, sweetest most delicious journey to falling in love!

the way miles handles lenny like a pro (in lenny’s words) makes my heart soar!!! he doesn’t bat an eye at all the outlandish scenarios she comes up with, immediately he recognizes it as her norm and just vibes with it! he sticks up for her without hesitation, he supports her in every way he can, he is there for her in a heartbeat when she needs him! we all deserve a miles in our life! he’s literally the perfect mmc— i couldn’t have asked for a better written man!!!
i love lenny so much! you can’t help but root for her the moment you meet her! even when she couldn’t show up for herself she still showed up for everyone else! she didn’t even realize how much of a pivotal person she was for miles, ainsley and reese! a day with lenny is a day full of laughter and adventure even when she’s going through it! i truly believe she is the sunshine! she is one of a kind— the silliest goose and so authentically herself!

all this to say— i love this book with my whole entire being! it’s so beautifully written and i am so incredibly impacted by this story— i’ll never get over it! without a doubt it is already one of my top reads of the year (and of all time)!



thank you to dial press and netgalley for this eArc! i’m sooo grateful!!! <3

***Huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this e-arc!***

I am a mixed bag when it comes to this book. There were parts that I thoroughly enjoyed, and parts that felt a little cringe worthy. I kept an open mind because this book is dealing with such heavy subject material. Which, I think the author handled very well. It was just the last 25% where my suspension for disbelief was affected.

When this book started I was heartbroken for this character. It was so heavy, but seeing her come into herself as the story progressed was great. However, I didn’t like how rushed it felt at the end. To me it felt like she was doing it less for herself and more for others. Which was a little disheartening, because I wanted to see her grow for her first. Also…the Big Bird sweatshirt was not for me! Just, no comment.

Miles, was an interesting character, but he’s no Shep! Ready or Not’s MMC melted my heart and I loved him! Miles just felt a little…eh. He made me uncomfortable at times and I found myself questioning his motives. I liked him at first, but started to be hesitant toward the end.

My favorite element in the book was the side characters! They were all so great! I loved them and their found family elements throughout. I wish that was more the focus of the story, because I think that would have been so great to see! More Jericho and Ainsley!

Overall, I think this is a very character heavy book. Which is not my favorite. I do see why people enjoy this book, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. It can feel cringy at times, but I do think the author did a good job. I will definitely read more of her in the future!


Reviews are up on both Fable and Goodreads!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Inc and NetGalley for the arc of Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone. This book took me by the heart strings and held me to the very end. Loved the main character Lenny, and appreciate the journey of loss, grief, overcoming the pain and rollercoaster of emotions through finding herself again with the help of Miles. Such a great story of character growth, slow burn romance as well. It was everything I expected and more. Sad that it’s over but incredibly happy for the chance to have read this beautiful story.