Any girl whose best friend is also her soulmate will 100% understand the grief that Lenny, the main character, is feeling. Lou, Lenny's best friend since childhood, has recently died from her second battle with cancer. Lenny now finds herself wrapped so tightly in the loss that she is only going through the motions of life. In steps a grumpy Miles and everything in Lenny's life is about to change.

Miles is all of our dream book boyfriend. He's good looking, well-built and emotionally strong. Because he has also had great loss in his life, he is the best person for Lenny to lean on and learn to live from.

While sometimes Lenny's character is annoying, she is also very funny and lovable. I too love silly t-shirts, especially ones with a lasagna loving Garfield! The love scenarios she makes up every time she meets a new man had me laughing out loud. I looked forward to Lenny meeting new men just so I could read the scenarios she makes up in her head.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Some trigger warnings would be helpful in the beginning of the book for those who are going in blind like I did.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 stars

What a stunning new book to add under Cara Bastone’s belt. In short, I absolutely loved this. She has such a way with writing that I loved in the first chapter of Ready or Not by her, and it was the same again with this one. Her superpower to make you feel like these people are so real in such a short span of time is wonderful. The prose is so witty, raw, and relatable. There were quotes said in here where I went, “It feels like she pulled an actual thought from my mind.”

The topic of grief was handled and dealt with so beautifully, it was moving to read through it all. I loved being in Lenny’s chaotic relatable mind, seeing her perspective and thought process of the world after such a traumatic event. Her imperfections became her strengths, being hopeful and optimistic even when she didn’t realize it. Miles is another male character to add to the list of perfect Cara Bastone men! I loved his introduction as the “cold” and “grumpy” man, but seeing his heart open to Lenny throughout. All of his acts of service towards her, the effortless comforting, and friendship blossoming throughout was heartwarming. Him being there for her in the blink of an eye healed something in me. I appreciated that they had so many experiences and talks together that built up to them expressing their feelings. It all came off so genuine.

All in all, this book solidified Cara Bastone as an auto buy author for me. Having no experience with personal grief yet, I felt so honored almost to see the inside of Lenny’s heart. I was there with her every step of the way, and I loved seeing her find her Lou again. Thank you so much to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for this ARC!

3.5 stars. This book will make you laugh so much! Which is odd because the focus is about the grieving process. Miles and Lenny help each other and have a great partnership that turns into more. But, does Miles work? He just has all the time in the world to hang out. It’s possible he’s taking a break but I missed that part. And Lenny. She’s a damn mess. Emotionally and physically. I understand that grief and depression make personal hygiene unimportant but if you work your employer cares. Especially if you’re caring for children. Lenny dresses like a damn hobo and I imagine she smells rather bad. Not admirable or sexy. I was so close to DNFing this in the beginning but the high reviews made me stick with it. I’m glad I did but the first few chapters could use some tweaking. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Miles and Lenny make so much sense together. They’re a couple you’ll find yourself rooting for from the very start. Watching them grow and heal from their grief, both as individuals and as a couple, is incredibly heartwarming. The way they navigate their emotions and support each other made their journey feel authentic and touching.

The slow-burn romance worked beautifully for the premise of the story. Even though their relationship takes time to fully develop, there are so many tender moments along the way that keep you emotionally invested. The pacing felt just right for the kind of relationship they were building, and I appreciated the subtle yet impactful growth in their bond.

Overall, this book is an exploration of love, healing, and personal growth, with a romance that feels earned and genuine. The emotional payoff is definitely worth it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing the ARC!

Overall would give this a 4.5 star (rounded up because I will be thinking about this story forever). There were so many sweet moments (the locket, tattoos, haircuts) IYKYK!! That made this book so enjoyable and feel so real! I feel like there was a good amount of backstory before we got into the main plot of the story. The romance I feel was always there even if they were just friends. Felt very natural between them. Personally I didn't fully connect to the characters but thats a me problem not the book. Loved all of the side characters in this book and how they just really cared for each other!! Definitely pick up this book when it comes out!!

What an emotional depiction of grief. I feel like these characters felt so real, like reaching into real life and putting it down on a page. There is tension throughout but it’s mostly focused on Lenny’s growth and acceptance of life without her soulmate, who was her lifelong best friend. It’s beautiful the way her memory is honored throughout, and the focus Miles has in ensuring Lenny feels supported. The romance is a SLOW BURN and wow, worth it.

Lenny lost her roommate and best friend since kindergarten, and she is grieving hard. Miles is an acquaintance until his tender heart leads him to watch over Lenny and her destructive behaviors.

I liked Miles. It took me a while to like Lenny. They had a slow building relationship based on mutual grief experience and then things went deeper.

Four stars.

I was so excited for this ARC! And I wanted to love love love it from page one - just like Ready or Not. But it definitely took awhile to love Miles and Lenny’s relationship. I think their friendship was awkward at the start but then grew, and they both had to grow and go thru some things. But then once that connection hit, I loved it. I loved watching them grow and slowly fall in love - talk about a slow burn.

TW - this book deals with cancer, death and grief.

Rating / Recommend: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ + 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / YES

My Thoughts
This book is amazing. You all need to prepare to read this as soon as possible.

I loved this book. This is the kind of book you feel joy, sorrow, and everything in between while reading. This book made me want to cry and laugh at the same time. Lenny and Miles will live in my heart forever. 🥺 This was an over 5⭐ read for me. Everyone deserves to read this.

If you like romance, friends to lovers, heart-wrenching storylines, and want to feel alive again after reading a book, this one is for you.

CW: death of a loved one, grief, depression, adult language, open-door spice towards the end (limited scenes).

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, for this ARC! This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, the story was beautifully written, with characters so compelling that I never wanted it to end. Despite the heavy themes of grief, I found myself completely engrossed and unable to put it down. A powerful and moving read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for the ARC of Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone.

Wow oh wow!!! First, where can I find me a Miles 😍💕. Like every woman’s dream guy. Cara Bastone has been sitting on my shelf for a long time and I’ve simply skipped her books because she’s a new to me author. Then I got this ARC and now I’ll be going back and picking up those other ones.

In this book, Lenny is trying to get through each day after losing the love of her like and best friend Lou. She struggles to just get up and do the basic daily functions let alone keep the steady work coming. Insert Reese who needs a nanny and is willing to hire Lenny to work as needed with her daughter Ainsley. And then Miles is there on the first day, certain Lenny is not the best fit. Off to a bad start, but then they learn where the other is coming from. Lenny and Miles come to an agreement to help one another out and the rest is just one big emotional pull at your heart. A great read for fans of slow burn, friends to lovers!

Consumed by grief after losing her best friend, Lenny throws herself into her work as a nanny, avoiding the life she no longer recognizes. Her latest job seems simple—until she clashes with Ainsley’s sharp-eyed uncle, Miles.
When Miles proposes a deal—he’ll help her move forward if she helps him connect with Ainsley—Lenny hesitates. But maybe healing isn’t about forgetting the past; maybe it’s about making space for something new—like love.

This is my first book by Cara Bastone, and I don’t understand how I’ve never read her work before?!? Without a doubt, this book was a five starts ⭐️ I finished it within 24 hours because I could not put it down!

Promise Me Sunshine is a deeply emotional and beautifully written story of heartbreak and healing—the kind of book that shatters you, then slowly stitches you back together with love, loss, and a romance so tender it lingers long after the final page.

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

I was not expecting the emotional depth this book delivered. Lenny’s journey is portrayed with such authenticity that, even though I’ve never personally experienced the loss of a best friend, I could still easily relate my own experiences with grief, and the struggle of trying to live (survive?) with it. The story doesn’t hesitate to show the raw, unfiltered reality of loss, and there were moments that brought tears to my eyes. I just wanted to give Lenny a huge hug! While the story is steeped in heartbreak, it’s also rich with moments of warmth and hope. The evolving love between Lenny and Miles, infused with humour and lighthearted moments, offers a tender reprieve from the grief that permeates their journey.

Lenny and Miles are both such wonderfully complex characters, each feeling incredibly real and deeply human. After getting over their initial first impressions of each other, their connection and loyalty to each other feels so natural and tender, with a warmth that’s easy to get lost in. And that banter! Bastone’s storytelling clearly shines through in every moment, capturing the evolution of their bond with such skill.

If I had one complaint, it’s simply that I didn’t want this book to end—I need more!

I will absolutely be looking into Bastone’s other titles. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! I know it’s only February, but I’m confident to say this will be one of my top books of the year. I will be recommending this book to everyone!

A beautiful, tender, humourous exploration of grief, as we follow our girl Lenny in the aftermath of her best friend's death. I loved how the author made grief relatable; everything Lenny did felt like right and I think because there is no right or wrong way to grieve, we were able to enjoy watching Lenny discover who she is without her friend around.

And yes, Miles is the perfect book boyfriend. He's sweet and kind and thoughtful, and I just loved how he was always bringing her food (that's totally my love language!) He is able to help Lenny walk through her pain having also suffered great loss and this made their story so believable.

This is a wonderful romance story (though there is some spice so be warned), though the grief storyline precludes it from being light, easy reading. But it is emotional and so well written, I would definitely recommend this to all my friends!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House for sharing a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Whatever Cara Bastone writes, I consider it an emotional art piece.

The friends to lovers slow burn simmers and is perfectly concocted. You know how chefs cook with purpose and each step to their meal is intentional? Cara Bastone's writing feels exactly like that.

Lenny as a main character is so incredibly written, she's not just a main character that you end up loving but she's a complex character navigating grief. You don't just read this to experience the romance, but you read this to watch her grow. Miles is a simple guy who you simply fall in love with. He is the small things that you learn to appreciate in the long run. Lenny and Miles are two puzzle pieces that clicked together immediately!

I truly loved how we got to see the complexity of grief and what it means to lose a loved one. I think a lot of books don't capture the raw emotions that it is, but this book managed to do that and more.

Thank you Netgalley & Dial Press for the E-Arc <333

This book is a gem, and the world must tune in to its beauty!

I started reading Promise Me Sunshine thinking I was reading a romance novel, and by the time I finished, I realized I was half right. I think anyone who classifies this book as romance is underselling the book (and I say this as a romance book fanatic!) Of course, Promise Me Sunshine has romance- but I would say the "main" romance that happens is between Lenny (our FMC) and life!
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are all people you want to root for, and there's just enough for the reader to get to know our side characters without taking away from the main characters, while still feeling fleshed out.
This is a beautiful novel that really is about dealing with grief. I also appreciate that the grief is about a best friend- usually novels/media that have characters experiencing grief, it's a parent or significant other, and dealing with the grief of losing your best friend has been missing from the conversation.

A very heartfelt strangers to friends to lovers story with two characters experiencing and overcoming grief. It’s a story about finding joy again after insurmountable loss.

For readers who love stories with MMCs who are protective and make their entire identity supporting the FMC (to the point where it’s utterly unrealistic) this book is absolutely for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press for my digital copy.

Title: Promise Me Sunshine
Author: Cara Bastone
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: March 4, 2025

I received a complimentary eARC from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Subtle • Heartwarming • Hopeful

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her death has left Lenny feeling completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with Lou, and the list of things she’s supposed to do to help her live again. The only thing she can do is temporary babysitting gigs, and luckily, she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. It’s not perfect: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of... a huge jerk. But if Lenny acts like she has it all together, maybe no one will notice she’s falling apart.

Miles sees right through her though. Turns out, he knows a lot about grief and, surprisingly, he offers her 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 Lou has left behind, but she begins to spend more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself, and love, again.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Promise Me Sunshine from Cara Bastone is another of my 2025 most anticipated releases, so of course, I was ecstatic to be offered an early copy from the publisher. I had seen several glowing reviews from friends before jumping in, however, I hadn't read the synopsis in order to keep my expectations in check.

Told through Lenny's perspective, this story is a beautiful portrayal of friendship - both platonic and romantic. There is so much heart and realism to how the author develops the relationships between the characters, not just the two main characters. The backdrop of the NYC setting held meaning to the characters and the secondary cast were a great addition to the story. I do have to say, the pacing was a little wonky for me. It was very slow burn and then all at once it felt rushed and underdeveloped.

The strength here lies in the portrayal of the complex nature of grief and in learning to navigate life after the death of someone we love. Lenny's behaviour and thoughts felt all too relatable. And the way in which Miles shows up for her were heartwarming. Beyond the grief, there are complicated family dynamics that are also handled with care. However, I felt like the narrative could have went even deeper emotionally on both of these.

Overall, Promise Me Sunshine was a relatable and realistic story covering real life stuff and just the type of romance book I enjoy best. It didn't pack the depth of emotional punch I might have been expecting, but I was invested in Lenny and Miles' story and all of the messiness that is grief. The little tease of Cara's next novel at the end was a fantastic surprise and I look forward to reading it when it releases.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• friends-to-lovers
• themes of grief
• In Five Years

⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, grief, cancer, terminal illness, car accident, alcohol, vomit, cursing, sexual content, infidelity, suicidal thoughts, abandonment

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"But the thing about losing the person you love the most on earth is - somehow - you still have to do mundane thing like tie your shores and make enough money to continue to exist in this punishing world."

"But I've been there, Lenny. Right where you are. Where your lose control of your life and nothing makes sense anymore."

"Just remember. Something good for you, something bad for you, and a change of scenery. That's the winning formula."

"Grief is a relationship, he continues. 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."

"He walked into hell and dragged me back out."

My Grade: B ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has multiple characters going through their journey with grief and the grieving process. My mom passed away last year, and this story really hit me hard. I highlighted dozens of inspirational quotes and all the beautiful moments that resonated with me.

The FMC Lenny and MMC have wonderful chemistry and the slow burn was absolute perfection. The sweet moments they share and their growing relationship was great to experience. I also loved the bond between Lenny and Ainsley, and how they connected so quickly.

I did find Lenny to be a bit immature at times, and the way she expressed her developed feelings for Miles was awkward. I didn't like the way they were finally brought together, but the ending of the book was very sweet.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Slightly open door scene but not overly gratuitous. Nicely done.

TW/CW: Cancer, loss of a parent and sibling, mentions of car accident, possible depression.

Promise Me Sunshine

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a healing book for anyone dealing with loss of a loved one. Most books covering loss deal with a family member, but I truly appreciate that this one deals with a best friend, because I know I would be grieving as deeply and horrifically as Lenny does when she loses her best friend, Lou, to cancer. I loved the story line of a mutual beneficial agreement between Lenny and Miles; Miles helping Lenny check off her Living checklist, and Lenny helping miles build a relationship with his niece that she is nannying - but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. They didn’t feel tangible to me, and the language felt very young and dare I say, too quirky. As much as Miles being respectable and not willing to rush anything before Lenny was ready was appreciated, the one spice scene in the whole book was cringy because Miles kept trying to back out while she was begging for it. If their characters had better dialogue, I think I would have rated this either a 4 or 5 star, because I really loved the concept!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an early copy of this book in exchange for a review ❤️❤️

“I’ve spent the entire day pretending I’m not bleeding on the inside. The emotion fights its way out of me in waves.”

“I mean that when people are feeling a thousand things at once, that’s when the wheels come off. They start messing up at work or in their marriages or whatever. Nobody lives skillfully when they’re experiencing this sort of thing.”

Lenny is living a life drowning in grief. After the loss of her best friend, she cant bring herself to go back to the apartment they shared, and finds herself riding the ferry back and forth all night. She is living off temporary babysitting gigs, and has landed one watching Ainsley. Ainsley’s uncle Miles seems to always be around, and very cautious of Lenny and how she works. Over time, Miles shows he knows a lot more about grief than he shows, and he makes it his mission to help Lenny through her grief.

4.5 stars. Oh hello I am Lenny. Maybe not as extreme in my actions, but I felt her so hard in this book. My heart just broke for everything she was going through and how she was trying to manage her grief but still live. I loved the slow burn romance between her and Miles, and I truly just adored Miles and how committed he was to helping Lenny through her grief. This book was so filled with care, compassion, and heart and it just filled my cup. Anyway, currently taking applications for a Miles…just saying.

Thank you to @thedialpress for my gifted copy of this book!