Promise Me Sunshine - (Dial Delights) by Cara Bastone (Paperback)

About the Book

"Lenny's a bit of a mess at the moment. Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after her 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 as they begin to spend more time together, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, you have to lose everything in order to find yourself, and love, again"--

Book Synopsis

How do you find yourself after you lose the one you loved the most?

Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman's life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not.

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.

Review Quotes

"Promise Me Sunshine disassembled me and then put me back together in the most obliterating way. Lenny and Miles love each other the way we're all supposed to--in the dark and the light, without hesitation or reservation, and I was lost to their story from the first page to the last. Cara Bastone handles grief with an unflinchingly tender touch, reminding us that life goes on and love never dies. This story is tucked inside my heart for good."--Jessica Joyce, USA Today bestselling author of The Ex Vows

"Flawlessly crafted and deeply emotional, Promise Me Sunshine grabbed hold of my heart from the very first page and didn't let go. I was laughing, sobbing, and everything in between. The story left me breathless and stayed with me long after I reached The End."--Amy Ewing, New York Times bestselling author of The Lone City trilogy and The Irish Goodbye

"A stunning book by Bastone, who delivers another slow-burn and emotional romance that doesn't shy away from also exploring life's hardest moments . . . Recommended for readers who also enjoy Abby Jimenez."--Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Cara Bastone is the author of Ready or Not. She lives and writes in Brooklyn with her husband, sons, and an almost-goldendoodle. Her goal with her work is to find the swoon in ordinary love stories. She's been a fan of the romance genre since she found a grocery bag filled with her grandmother's old Harlequin Romances when she was in high school. She's a fangirl for pretzel sticks, long walks through Prospect Park, and love stories featuring men who aren't hobbled by their own masculinity.