Emotional in the best way. Lenny had me crying to LOLing so many times throughout this book. I love how relatable the characters are. I appreciated how well the author was able to portray the stages of grief. It was an incredible read. This was my first Cara Bastogne book but it will definitely not be my last!

PS we all need a Miles

What an absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful story about grief, love and finding who you are again. This was a stunning grumpy sunshine romance played with so much depth. Lenny is drowning in her grief from losing her best friend when she meets Miles a seemingly opposite person who sees right to the core of her, and he wants to help. These two always stay their most authentic selves with each other and I love that through it all, the good the bad these two will have each other’s back. I love the message in this story that you never truly move on from grief and losing someone but you learn how to live side by side with it. Miles was such a tender and big hearted character under his rough exterior at first, he has such a nurturing and caretaker personality but he also forced Lenny to push through on the days she needed it and held on the days she couldn’t push through it. Lenny’s character was so beautifully written about how the complexities of grief can change us to our chore while also keeping that seed of hope that eventually things will get easier. This story was so beautifully and moving, the slow burn to this romance was at the perfect pace with the plot that I found myself falling deeper and deeper for these and at the end I wasn’t ready to say good bye to Lenny and Miles.

This book was not the easiest read solely because it was about two people learning to live with their grief and learn to live again, but wow this was a great book. Seeing how both Lenny and Miles grew together and learned to be their own people again was so heartwarming, and hopeful. I also loved how the author handled the relationship (and eventual romance) between them. It ended up being a very healthy and adorable romance, and I’m so happy with how it all came together, as well as how it ended. The side characters in the book were also entertaining and well developed, and very likable (especially Ainsley, of course).

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Life is messy. It never goes as planned, sometimes beyond coping or just plain sucks. But if you have a person in your life, that gets it, and gets you, then you do not have to navigate all the low parts alone.

Lenny is a mess. Her best friend passed away from cancer, leaving Lenny grappling with how to cope. She takes on a babysitting job helping single mom Reese in taking care of her daughter Ainsley. Only problem is Ainsley’s grumpy uncle Miles is always around and not kind.

Turns out, Miles can see that Lenny is struggling, and is one of the most kind humans on earth. In this slow burn romance, Miles embarks on a mission to help Lenny complete a live again list while Lenny helps him make amends with Reese and Ainsley.

I loved the cast of characters in this story, they all played a part in the whole unit. Ainsley was innocently delightful, being a kid, never quite understanding all the adult stuff - and that magic was the glue. Take a step back, try a new thing and maybe you will get a fresh perspective. That kid was integral to each character’s arc.

Cara Bastone depicted grief in a different light, normalizing the emotions. It is ordinary to have off days, weeks or mere moments. We are all just trying to get through another day. Hopefully we all have a Miles in our lives. Thank you for this book.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an e-ARC of this via Netgalley.

Grieving the loss of her best friend, Lenny can’t seem to endure the day. Every aspect of life reminds her of her beautiful friend, Lou, and if life is going to be this painful without her, then what is the point of living it? As a nanny, Lenny is hired to care for a single mother’s daughter who loves old bands and oversized tees (she’s adorable). Oh, and there just so happens to be a dark, looming presence hanging around, who is the little girl’s uncle, Miles (who isn’t so adorable...at first). 😂 But fate brought Miles and Lenny together. He wants to help her cross off the things on her “Live Again” list because he knows what it’s like to grieve the loss of loved ones. Lenny agrees, and she embarks on a journey of learning to live and love again despite the aching hole in her heart. Can it ever be healed, and if so, will she allow it to?

I enjoyed this story. I love books where someone offers help to someone in need of a helping hand, and it blossoms into a beautiful friendship and/or romance.

The plot was consistent and tied well together. There were no loopholes, dead ends, or loose ends. Everything came together beautifully. The setting is in New York, and it’s literally the perfect place for this story. If it happened in any other place, it would’ve felt wrong. The characters were likable and funny. Lenny was all sunshine and knew how to deal with people, and Miles was the grumpy yet attractive opposite of being a social butterfly. But they were cute together, and I got a lot of laughs from their banter and conversations. She needed help, and he was sweet and caring enough to help her, even though she was a stranger. He needed to lighten up and learn to be a good uncle, so Lenny helped him. They grew and changed together, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of this book.

The grieving was hard. It wasn’t hard to read or understand, but I’ve been there, and grieving sucks. But it’s a process, and although it may seem like you’re going to drown in the turbulent waters of misery and loss, the calm will come, and a hand will pull you out and help you breathe again.

I’m not giving this book five stars because of the steamy/spice scenes that I felt were unnecessary (I think all spice scenes are unnecessary because I’m like that, but if you like it, then you do you, boo.) and because the writing was sometimes hard to read and understand. But, hey. It’s realistic because most of the things we say in our everyday lives don’t make sense or aren’t understandable. Or is it just me? 😅

It was an enjoyable story, and I’m glad I recognized the author’s name from one of Haley Pham’s videos where she recommended a book of Bastone’s.

I received an arc from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

#PromiseMeSunshine #NetGalley

I did really, really enjoy this one. I am a huge fan of Cara Bastone’s writing and absolutely loved Ready or Not. There were some things about this one that bothered me, though. Lenny is overcome with grief after losing her best friend. Miles is a bit misunderstood, but he and Lenny develop a friendship in which he helps her deal with her grief and she helps him to build a relationship with his half sister and niece, who Lenny is temporarily working for.

It felt as though Miles and Lenny didn’t do much but drop everything they were doing, no matter the day or time, (throughout the whole book) to help each other when they were going through a tough spot. While I do think having this constant support system is beautiful and realistic, I did not feel as though the fact that neither really had a job that they needed to balance along with their emotional journeys was very realistic. Especially when living in NYC.

It was definitely an emotional read that featured grumpy vs sunshine and friends to lovers. I think lots of people will love this one!

4.5. Absolutely loved Lenny and Miles. Lenny is trying to figure out a new normal after her lifelong best friend has died from cancer. She is going THROUGH it. She takes a nanny job and meets precocious 7 year-old, Ainsley, Ainsley’s boss mom Reese and her grumpy uncle Miles.

Miles knows a thing or two about grief so he agrees to help Lenny work her way through her “Live Again” list that she made with her bestie.

I love their relationship dynamic so much, just swoon. Miles is such a gem. Slow burn romance, pretty minimal spice you could easily skip (some crude language).

You also get a cameo from a character from Cara’s other book, Ready or Not.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and #NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own. #PromiseMeSunshine

Cara Bastone’s latest book, Promise Me Sunshine is as good as her last book. I just loved it. Don’t miss this one.

Promise Me Sunshine
By Cara Bastone

In this romance, Lenny and Miles are dealing with grief. Lenny’s is fresher than Miles and they are helping each other through. Both characters are extremely likable while catching and having feelings. You’ll want to be the friend they are for others. I love how Lenny pictures her make believe romances with every attractive man she meets. I love Miles’ dancing and clothing allowances he makes for those he loves. I wish I had my choice of NY real estate to rest my head which is a super privilege to have when you are struggling or anytime really. The supporting characters are fun and likable. Bastone digs deep here and I am here for it. I even enjoy reading this author’s thank yous and Mad Libs”, ones I want to try. I feel the real. I highly recommend this title and all of the author’s other books. This one may be my favorite but I have said that before. Thank you, NetGalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advance ebook file to read.

This is a beautiful story of grief and healing. Our FMC Lenny meets our MMC Miles on a temporary nanny gig. While their first interaction is rough, Miles soon realizes something is wrong with Lenny and reaches out a helping hand.
I’d categorize the genre of this book as more LitFic or Women’s Literature with a splash of romance. The romance plot is friends to lovers and quite a slow burn. To me the romance plot was in the backseat to the plot of healing and living with grief. This story is well written, captivating and moving. There were moments where I laughed out loud, cried into my pillow and smiled to myself while reading.
I fell in love with both Lenny and Miles and felt proud of their development and growth throughout this novel. I’m so happy I was able to get my eyes on a digital arc.

This book is full of love, grief, healing and finding happiness again even when life feels impossible. Lenny lost her best friend and that loss wrecked her. My heart hurt for this poor girl who is normally full of so much life completely tore down. Never did she think the grumpy uncle to the little girl she is watching to become the light in the never ending dark tunnel. Miles has faced his own grief and can relate to Lenny and what she is going through. Their friendship is very unexpected but these two fit together so well. They agree to help each other in their own ways and it creates a bond like no other. Both of their journeys were perfectly imperfect and they came out on top together. I loved the way they were together and they just got one another without even saying anything. Even with all the grief, Lenny has a sense of humor and brings light to sometimes hard situations. It was a great love story and I’m glad they both got the happiness they deserved!

Oh my heart. I was not familiar with Cara Bastone's writing. I had no idea what to expect but I was given such a gift.

This is my first 5 star read of 2025 and this story has stuck with me. I have already told multiple friends that they need to read this book.

Lenny has experienced the tragic loss of her very best friend. Lou died from cancer and Lenny is unmoored. Miles, a crusty unapproachable man, is the uncle to Lenny's new charge and has offered to help Lenny learn to live again. But how can Miles have any idea how to help Lenny unless he has experienced his own tragic loss?

It is very obvious that Bastone has experienced grief deeply. This is such a beautiful story of grief, healing, love, and learning to live again. But it is also about how one can support someone in their life who has experienced a deep loss. As someone who has experienced a tragic unexpected loss, I found this story moving.

Possible triggers: Cancer, loss, car wreck

This is a minor complaint but the cover art needs to be improved. This is such a wonderfully lovely story that the cheesy art doesn't do it justice. I will be reading all of Bastone's previous and future works.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I. AM. SPEECHLESS. this was amazing. I was drawn in from the very first page. I knew it would be five stars and as I kept reading, I knew nothing was going to change my mind. Lenny was so captivating and Miles, omg, Miles. No words. He is perfect and everything she needed.

I loved the slow burn and how everything played out. It was so cathartic. i teared up so much but laughed equally as much. the banter was unmatched. I just - wow.

I loved this. it explored a heavy topic, grief, in such a real and light hearted way. Miles was everything and more. He was the ultimate protector and wanted nothing but the best for others. I loved how Lenny and Miles were friends first, and slowly became something more. I also really loved Ainsley she was so cute and the perfect. The relationship she and Miles built was everything. Cara Bastone is slowly becoming an immediate read for me. Can't wait for her next books.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. The review is all on my own.

Thank you to Dial Press Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title.

The way I loved this book! This story is an honest look at coming out the other side of grief. A complete stranger recognizing when someone needs an anchor.
When Myles meets Lenny, it isn't love at first sight. Lenny is a sight full of sleep deprivation, lack of self-care, and big bird sweatshirts. Disdain is quickly replaced with concern as he learns more about Lenny and her inner-workings. Both well versed in despair and grief, they forge a friendship. Lenny helps Myles to loosen up, step out of his comfort zone, and establish relationships with his family.
Myles doesn't carry Lenny or push her out of the depths of her grief. He listens, sits with her in her grief, and gives her the time and comfort to lean into it. He is the MVP of this book by not carrying her but walking beside her. Everyone deserves a Myles.

While this is a romance, this is a journey of friendship, trust, and living in the pain to find the joy.

This is one of the most beautiful romances I’ve ever read - equal parts heartache and hope, laughter and tears. This book consumed me completely. Even as I write this, scenes are replaying in my mind, and I can’t believe how deeply it’s stayed with me.

Cara’s writing is next-level - she knows how to make you laugh, cry, and feel everything all at once. Her ability to capture the rawness of grief while weaving in a love story so tender and genuine is unmatched. This story isn’t just one you read, it’s one you experience.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and honesty of what grief can look like. Having lost my father almost ten years ago, I know firsthand how different grief looks. I loved the characters and how they grew in the friendship first before a relationship. Thank you for sharing an early release with me. I look forward to reading more of your books.

Even with the topic of grief throughout the book, it never felt super heavy & read like YA lit. Lenny was so consumed by grief it kept her from appreciating the life she still had. Everyone should be so lucky to have a Miles; someone who compassionately meets you where you’re at, validates your feelings, and walks through grief with you.

4.5 Stars

I got to read this early as an e-arc!

It took me a minute to get into this book and become invested in Lenny’s journey, but as I continued to read, the more I realized how important this book is for people who have experienced grief in anyway.

This was the journey of Lenny finding herself and love again after losing her best friend. She not only found a way to be alive again by checking off her Live Again list with Miles, but she found someone to love, new friends, and reunited with her family again.

I just wish there was a little tension in the book. The whole second half just felt like everything tied up really nice, whether it was Lenny reconnecting with her family, Ainsley and Reese getting more time together, Miles being accepted by Reese, Miles and Lenny getting together, etc. I just wish there was a moment where you thought things weren’t going well. Even Ethan makes an appearance!

Overall, I really loved this book and it is a book anyone should read if they aren’t feeling themselves. The main theme is grief, but I think this applies to anyone who has felt like they’ve lost themselves. Write a live again list, make some new friends, cut your hair! Read this book!

'Promise Me Sunshine' tells the poignant story of Lenny, who is navigating the profound loss of her person, Lou, far too early in life. Early in the story, she meets Miles, whose gruff demeanor and perceived judgment initially put her off. However, as the narrative unfolds, both Lenny and Miles reveal emotional depth that is captivating and heartfelt. The story tackles grief and human connection with grace, making the characters’ journeys feel authentic and deeply moving.

I became a fan of Cara Bastone just under a year ago when I chose 'Ready or Not' as my February, 2024 BOTM selection. For me, 'Promise Me Sunshine' was highly anticipated, and it truly delivered. If you are looking for something fluffy and lighthearted all the way through, then this book is not for you; this book is a richly layered and emotionally resonant story. Lenny’s struggle with grief over losing her best friend is palpable, and her journey is beautifully balanced by moments of hope and connection. The characters are relatable and endearing in a way that pulls you in, making you feel their joys and sorrows as if they were your own.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.