Promise Me Sunshine

Feb 28

Since her best friend died of cancer six months ago, Lenny has been taking temporary nanny jobs–a weekend here or there because that’s the limit to how long she can “hold it together.” Lenny watches Ainsley for a weekend and somehow the gruff and grumpy uncle, Miles, convinces her to continue working for the family. He promises to be her grief coach while she promises to be his “kid coach” and help him connect with his niece. Over the course of months, Lenny and Miles develop a deep friendship that eventually turns into something more.

Read this if you like:
☀️ strangers to friends to lovers
☀️ romances featuring kids
☀️ exploration of grief and loss
☀️ playful and volleying conversation
☀️ romances that are more contemporary fiction than romance

I loved this. It was an emotional ride. I laughed out loud. I cried multiple times (a deceased best friend is GUARANTEED to finish me emotionally every time). The banter between Miles and Lenny, the relationship with Ainsley, the grief-work as Lenny mourns Lou (although, Lenny could definitely have used some certified therapy as well, imho), and the family dynamics with Lenny’s parents and between Miles and Ainsley’s mom, Reese, were all highlights for me.

The bottom line: Cara Bastone’s work continues to prove to have the perfect mixture of romance and “women’s” fiction AND humor and emotion for my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial for the digital review copy of this title. All thoughts are my genuine reading experience.