I loved Cara's first book so was thrilled to read this. This one lived up to the hype I had set in my mind. It was full of warm feelings but also deeper meaning and connection. I can't wait to read more of Cara's books in the future.

This book was BEAUTIFUL. I’m not a crier but this got me multiple times. I have already recommended this to several friends. Lenny and Miles are just amazing

Promise Me Sunshine was chock full of delight, tears, and the whole range of human emotion. It's been a long time since a romance novel has gripped me the way Promise Me Sunshine did. It kept me hooked the entire time, and I simply could not put it down.

An enjoyable read about grief and moving on after a devastating loss with a grump-sunshine romance sprinkled in. Lenny is the classic quirky sunshine female lead and Miles is our grumpy with a (not so secret) heart of gold male lead. They have a slow burn romance and really focus on Lenny's healing. You really root for the characters and feel connected to them.

With a perfect blend of grief, romance, and the subtle complexities of life after loss, Promise Me Sunshine lingers in your heart long after you've finished reading.

At the core of this book is Lenny, a young woman grieving the death of her best friend, Lou, from cancer. Lenny's journey through grief is depicted with such honesty and nuance that it feels like you're walking beside her, experiencing the ups and downs of her healing process. The author does an incredible job of showing how Lenny’s healing isn’t linear, but instead a messy, imperfect process that feels so real and relatable. It's impossible not to want to wrap Lenny in a hug as she navigates her grief, even as she starts to find joy again.

Enter Miles, the grumpy, awkward uncle of a kid Lenny is babysitting. Miles initially seems like an unlikely hero, but his slow burn connection with Lenny is nothing short of heartwarming. The way their friendship evolves into something deeper is beautifully done—there’s no rushing or forcing of the romance, just two people who begin to heal together. As the story unfolds, their banter, loyalty, and undeniable chemistry made me fall in love with them both. Miles is the kind of hero who is deeply caring, even if his tough exterior doesn’t always show it, and watching him grow alongside Lenny was such a rewarding experience.

The relationship between Lenny and Miles is definitely the heart of the book, and it's a slow-burn romance that builds beautifully over time. But what really sets this book apart is the way Cara Bastone handles grief. The portrayal of Lenny’s emotional journey is so nuanced and authentic. It’s not just about mourning but also about learning to live again—taking small, deliberate steps forward, with plenty of setbacks along the way. And while grief is the dominant theme, there’s also plenty of lightness in the story. The humor and banter between the characters provide the perfect balance—I definitely laughed out loud on a number of occasions.

Promise Me Sunshine is the kind of book that makes you feel, laugh, cry, and ultimately leaves you with a sense of hope. It was my first from Bastone, and I think I might just have to go back and read her others now, too.

The journey of grief that Lenny takes in this book is incredibly heart wrenching. The fact that she has Miles there to walk with her and pull her through some of the hardest moments was beautiful. I’m not sure I’ve read a book that has so accurately captured what it’s like to experience prolific sadness and the steps it takes to walk through the other side and continue living.

4.25 stars

Promise Me Sunshine is not a romance, it's a book about grief. We follow our main character Lenny, whose best friend Lou has died. Lenny befriends the kid she's nannying's uncle, Miles, who promises to help her with her grief, as he's experienced some on his own. I appreciated the stark emotional and physical descriptions of grief- how it makes you cry every day, and how you can see it in your hair and your skin. The book understands that grief can often feel ugly and uncomfortable, and I liked that it didn't shy away from it. The romance between Lenny and Miles is slow but I loved it so much. It's mostly dialogue-driven, and their grumpy sunshine banter was entertaining and funny. They are SO sweet to each other and they really understand each other in a way that feels unique to their relationship. While it did take a long time for their relationship to develop, I thought it was worth it and didn't mind- it is a book about Lenny's journey with grief after all. Promise Me Sunshine gave me the kind of escapism I look for in books, and I really liked it!

This was a great read, though slightly heavy, but not unbearable in the least. I was excited to read another book by Cara Bastone so I was so glad to get this opportunity. I feel that Bastone thoughtfully, thoroughly, tenderly, and accurately wrote about grieving and showing that while grief might not be something one can get past, but rather go through. Grief can be neverending, but I saw how the grief that the FMC and MMC experienced was a marker of how much love they had for what they lost.

Another amazing book from Cara Bastone. I LOVED Ready or Not, so I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this one. Lenny is dealing with the grief of losing her best friend when she meets Miles, the uncle of the child she is nannying. The two bond over living (or not) through grief and become close friends. I loved Lenny and Miles together but I also loved Lenny just by herself as the FMC. She’s funny and quirky and lovable, even when she is overwhelmed with absolute grief. I found myself giggling over her dialogue with Miles and the things she got him to do despite his grumpiness. What an interesting way to give us a grumpy/sunshine.

Absolutely loved this book!! It has such a positive message and a realistic outlook of experiencing grief. I loved Miles and Lenny’s friendship, and the way they take care of each other is so genuine and sweet.

A poignant, albeit heavy for the genre, homage to the impacts of loss and the process of grieving while still finding love in dark times. Arguably more enjoyable than her debut Bastone has cemented herself as a force in the romance genre, offering layered characters for readers to see themselves in.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press Trade for providing this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publishing March 4, 2025.

A friend recommended this book, and I thank her as well.

I ate my tears...

The theme of losing a loved one is very painful for me, but I continue to read such books, watch movies, cry, and embrace the pain.

It reminded me of a movie I watched long ago, Then Came You, which I liked.

This book is atmospheric, comforting, and heavy at the same time.

I liked the characters; Lenny is a wonderful friend, a true sunshine for everyone, but at the same time, she cries into her pillow (sorry, I’m crying).

I didn't want to write a review because I knew it would lead to another burst of tears; yes, I am an emotional person.

Why did you make me read this? Now I need Miles.

I’ll just say that this is a good romance for the evening where you can cry and laugh.

• How to cope with the loss of a loved one
• Sunshine and Grumpy
• Babysitter
• Friends to lovers
• Learning to love life
• Slow burn romance
• Bucket list
• Depression
• 1 POV

Review on Goodreads @Nika, on Fabel @Nikole

This book broke my heart but stitched it right back up again in the best way.

Promise Me Sunshine follows Lenny, our FMC who is left reeling after her best friend's death. Having lost what she considers to be her other half, she's barely holding on, and definitely not anywhere close to completing the "live-again" list that the two made to help her move past her grief. However, when she meets Miles, a near-stranger who is all-too-familiar with the feelings she's experiencing, they strike a deal: if she helps him bond with his niece that she's been babysitting, he'll help her complete her list and finally move forward.

Cara Bastone beautifully portrays that healing doesn't always happen in a straight line. This story does an amazing job of detailing the ways in which people show up for one another, even if we're feeling broken ourselves. Writing this deeply about grief is not an easy task; it's easy to write that someone 'lives on in' someone else, but it's hard to have someone walking away feeling like it's true. And in this case, I 100% believed in the journey of Lenny, Lou, and Miles. The ending felt like pure magic; Bastone masterfully inspired renewed hope and happiness for life after loss.

And let me just say, Miles was perfect. As a (fictional) human and as a romantic lead. One of my favorites. Acts of service men always get me <3

However, even though I loved it, it definitely wasn't what I was expecting genre-wise. While it does have a lot of the necessary trademarks of a romance novel, it didn't feel like one while reading it, especially since it was only treated as a romance within the last third of the book. Maybe, though I knew it would be heavy, the title and general vibe made it seem like there would be more lightness and romance than there was? Don't get me wrong, I still really resonated with it and loved the fully comprehensive healing journey, but I feel like it would be easy for a reader to mistake this book for something it's not. To me, it's more about Lenny's development than the love story between her and Miles.

4.5 stars rounded up! Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press Trade for providing this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads review posted, and Instagram posted on @recsbyallisonpaige!

I gave this book five stars I enjoyed it so much! Her last book was also a five star review from me! Cara Bastone knows how to write a good love story. In this novel, her main character Lenny is grieving the death of her closest friend Lou. She begins work as a nanny to a single mother in the city. This is how she meets Miles. She and Miles become very close, as he is the uncle to Ainsley. He helps Lenny start to live again after the death of her friend, and complete the things on her list. This book had really great characters. I loved them all. Ainsley, the little girl, had some humorous kid moments. Also, the pacing for the book was really on point! I will read anything from Bastone, and I look forward to recommending this book to others as well.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone was a beautifully written story about loss, friendship, and falling for the person who refuses to leave your side, even when you wish they would. I loved this story about Lenny and Miles. Lenny is grieving the loss of her best friend, Lou, and she needs to find a way to live life again. Insert Miles, who was nothing but supportive, allowing Lenny to fall about and pick herself back up in her own time, but with the support and safety of someone with nothing but her best interest. I loved this book and want to say thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Mourning the loss of her best friend, Lenny is struggling with life. When a babysitting job becomes available assisting single mom Reese, Lenny jumps at it. Ainsley, the daughter, is fun and brings out Lenny's silly side but Miles, Ainsley's uncle, is quick to dismiss her as not being capable enough for the job. As the two slowly get to know each other, they find that maybe they have more in common than they think.

Wow, I was blown away by this book! There was so much heart and emotion in it. Yes, the main characters embark on a relationship but the underlying theme in the book is grief, showing how just one person can lift you up, providing you let them in. This book just flew by for me. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait for more by this author!

4⭐

Thank you Netgalley and Cara Bastone for an ARC of this book. Promise me Sunshine will be released on March 4th, 2025!

Blurb: Lenny is wracked with immense grief, trying to move on with the passing of her best friend. Lenny takes on a "temporary" babysitting gig for an adorable little girl, Ainsley, and her uncle, Miles, wants to know how to improve his relationship with Ainsley and Ainsley's mom, Reese, who is also her sister. Miles enlists Lenny for her help, while Miles also helps Lenny process her grief by being her support, and checking things off with her bucket list, something she was meant to do with her departed friend.

WOOOOOF. Give me the slow burn ya'll. I enjoyed Miles and Lenny's story in helping each other and falling in love with each other, but their friendship deserved the spotlight in this book. This book shows us how grappling grief can be, and how difficult it can be to accept help, but it also shows how far you can go with support. You find yourself falling in love with each character (even the side ones) and rooting for all of them. I think it also goes to note that Cara Bastone is such a great author, that you feel that each character was purposeful and had a place in her book (even the jackass that nearly ran over Lenny and the biker).

I just want to hug Lenny and Miles for their grief, but I am happy they have each other.

This book was so lovely! Lenny is funny and so much stronger than she realizes and Miles is perfect for her. I devoured this story and the ending was perfection!

Lenny is struggling after the tragic loss of her best friend Lou and can’t seem to get herself out of the dark places grief can drag you into. When she gets a nannying gig for a sweet seven year old Ainsley, she’s introduced to Miles, the uncle. Lenny and Miles don’t get along right away, but their relationship soon becomes one of helping each other. Miles will help Lenny through her grief and to live again, while Lenny will help Miles connect with his niece and sister. This book was heavyyyy with grief and depression. Cara didn’t shy away from showing the raw truths of losing someone you love. This was a very very slow burn romance between Lenny and Miles and I absolutely loved the pace for them. They became friends first and their whole development was stunning, honestly. This book was heartbreaking, raw, relatable, and one of the most gentle and comforting romance stories I’ve read. It made me want to hug my best friend (she’s not a hugger 😂), and reminded me that although grief is painful, it’s a reflection of all the love you have for the person you lost and that’s a precious thing. This is my first 5 🌟 read of the year!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Dial Press, and Cara Bastone for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My first five star read of 2025!! Wow! This book.

Bastone’s writing style is refreshingly unique. It's warm, witty, and has this delightful endearing quality that makes you feel like you’re in on an inside joke with your best friends. I could almost hear the laughter of the two main characters as I read.

Miles and Lenny are so wonderfully quirky and real that I couldn’t help but adore them. Their romance is one of the most genuine and tender I’ve read in a long time. Their love is soft and feels like a warm hug after a long day. Miles is so gentle and patient with Lenny. Honestly, it brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. Their connection is raw, authentic, and full of depth. They accept each other’s flaws as much as they cherish each other's strengths. At the end of the day, they are both rooting for each other to be the best versions of themselves for themselves.

At the heart of this story is grief. Both Miles and Lenny have felt the overpowering grief of losing a loved one, and watching them help each other through it felt so real and relatable. This book is not just a love story—it’s a story about finding light in the darkest of times… or finding sunshine :)

I can’t recommend this book enough! Miles and Lenny will steal your heart, and probably convince you to hug someone you love just a little tighter. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book. I need an immediate reread to highlight my favorite lines, return to my besties Miles and Lenny, and maybe cry some more.