Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: My Book Review

Check out my book review of Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone to see if this contemporary romance is a book worth reading (it absolutely is!!).

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Promise Me Sunshine Summary:

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Ever since cancer stole away her best friend, she has been completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with her best friend, and the ever-laminated “live again” list of things she’s promised to do to survive her grief. But maybe if she acts like she has it all together, no one will notice she’s falling apart.

The only gigs she can handle right now are temporary babysitting jobs, and she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. The only catch: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of. . . a walking version of the grumpy cat meme. Worse – he seems to be able to see right through her.

Surprisingly, Miles knows a lot about grief and he offers Lenny 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 void her best friend has left behind, but between late night ferry rides, midnight ramen, and a well-placed shoulder whenever she needs it, Miles just won’t stop showing up for her. Turns out, sometimes your life has to end to find your new beginning.

Promise Me Sunshine: My Review

Oh, be still my heart – this book! This was my first Cara Bastone book but won’t be my last because she had me in awe of every single word…

As someone who has not had to deal with grief the likes of Lenny and Miles, I found this book to be so beautiful in its realistic portrayal that had me bawling my eyes out at times and gripped my heart from beginning to end.

Cara did an amazing job portraying what it might feel like to lose someone and then have to pick your life up again and try to move on. Lenny was really struggling – sleeping on the ferry and buying second-hand clothes since she couldn’t return to the apartment she once shared with her best friend. But as she is struggling, she meets Miles who understands what she is going through and becomes her guide through her grief.

Miles was EVERYTHING and more. Man, did Cara write the most incredible slow burn between these two as Lenny slowly starts to heal.

You don’t really see Lenny helping Miles too much with his relationship with his niece and his half sister, though just enough, as the focus is really on how Miles is there for Lenny however and whenever she needs a shoulder to lean on. He was there for her in so many ways and yet never forced anything. I was amazed when he pushed her to make more friends, but that’s when I knew he was so selfless and only wanted the best for her.

While this book is overarchingly sad given how much Lenny struggles, it is so beautiful. One of the best of 2025 by far!

Related Book Lists:

• Romance Books That Make You Ugly Cry
• Romance Book Featuring Heroes With Wounded Hearts
• Top 10 New Romance Book Releases for March 2025

Pin This: