“Being with Vera fills me with light and warmth. And I’ve never even seen her in person. Her smile has been a burning ember in my gut since the
4 stars
“Being with Vera fills me with light and warmth. And I’ve never even seen her in person. Her smile has been a burning ember in my gut since the one and only time I’ve ever glimpsed it. I wonder what it would be like to sit next to that smile. To sun myself in that heat.”
How Cara managed to give us a perfect rom-com in just six hours of an audiobook is insane! This novella was a pleasant, funny surprise. It was so cute, hilarious and wholesome, like I was listening to the audio with a constant smile on my face. I loved it from start to finish. It was cheesy and unrealistic, but I love books like these that just make you believe in love.
Vera and Cal had so much chemistry, and they were just talking on the phone! Vera was so fun and chaotic in the best way, and Cal was such an adorable nerd who changed into his date night clothes on their first call because he liked talking to her ...more
this is how you do a second chance romance! no miscommunication! no third-act breakup! no nonsense reason aka cheating trope for when the couple firstthis is how you do a second chance romance! no miscommunication! no third-act breakup! no nonsense reason aka cheating trope for when the couple first broke up years ago! i absolutely loved it! rtc near release date.
~~~~~~~~~~
life is good again bcs i have the arc of one of my most anticipated reads in my hands ...more
“And here I thought I’d be at war with this girl forever, a mad battle of erotic torture. Instead, I won the battle. I won the best prize of al
2 stars
“And here I thought I’d be at war with this girl forever, a mad battle of erotic torture. Instead, I won the battle. I won the best prize of all time. I get to call Wylie Wood mine and share the rest of my life with this precious gift. Nothing beats that.”
I’m sorry, but I didn’t sign up for the immature girl × immature playboy trope. This book is the worst in the series, and I thought Levi’s goofy and playful personality would make me like his book, but I just couldn’t. It hurts to say, but I feel like Meghan did not do justice to his story. Also, there were way too many text messages in this book, and it just sort of irritated me.
Levi was so fun in previous books, but now his whole personality was just making Wylie’s life hell as per her father’s request and going on an erotic torture war with her. It was so unserious and annoying, and I hated it the entire time. Wylie was so immature, and she tried so hard to be not like other girls that she ended up having no personality—only being horny and annoying. I love it when female protagonists are confident about their bodies and sexuality in books, but Wylie used it to torture Levi, which at some point felt like sexual harassment. I mean, if the tables were turned and a man was flaunting his manhood in front of the FMC to make her bow down to him, he would be called a manwhore, a perpetrator, or even worse.
Levi and Wylie only had physical chemistry—no emotional connection or yearning, which I like to read about in romance books. Their whole relationship revolved around torturing and sexually taunting each other until one of them gave in so they could unlock another level—that is, sex. They lacked depth, and their relationship was very surface-level.
The extra one star is for the efforts all the boys made to get Coach to accept Levi as Wylie’s boyfriend. I only have Halsey’s book left to read now, and after reading a few snippets about him and Blakely, I just know they won’t disappoint me. I’m glad I saved their book for last so I can finish this series with a banger....more
“I think you are a bit of a fall risk for me.” I could practically feel the smile through the phone. “You’re a fall risk for me too.”
Miss Abby, this w
“I think you are a bit of a fall risk for me.” I could practically feel the smile through the phone. “You’re a fall risk for me too.”
Miss Abby, this was spectacular, and I need at least 14 of them. Please and thank you.
This is one of the sweetest and most wholesome novellas I have read in a while, and it had the potential to be a full-length novel because it’s that good. Charlotte and Seth were so perfect and adorable together. The chemistry was instant, but the connection was undeniable. Gabe and Izzy were just as cute and chaotic. Their opposite dynamics added so much fun to the story....more
“If I had to choose between you and Oreos for the rest of my life, I’d choose you every day, always.”
Consider Me is the biggest surprise read f4 stars
“If I had to choose between you and Oreos for the rest of my life, I’d choose you every day, always.”
Consider Me is the biggest surprise read for me this year. I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed this hockey romance and how much I loved the characters. I was hesitant because of the mixed reactions toward this book, and I went in with very few expectations, and I was only reading it for a fun time and because I was craving a hockey romance, but Becka did not disappoint. The book is way too long, and sometimes it felt like it was going on forever, but Carter Beckett made it enjoyable. The story is steamy, sweet, cheesy, and romantic, a little bit emotional and a lot dramatic, but the plot is engaging if one is in the mood for a lighthearted read.
Carter Beckett was goofy, charming, and funny, and I really loved his character. I don’t usually like reformed playboy characters, but he is an exception because once he knew he had something with Olivia, he never stopped making efforts to make her realise how much she meant to him and how much he loved her. His dedication and compassion when it comes to Olivia are greater than his love for hockey, he literally worshipped her throughout the book. He’s also cocky and loves to flaunt his talent, which should be a turn-off, but Carter made it seem funny to me. And his humour? This guy is so unserious about everything except Olivia.
“My life changed for the better that day I locked eyes with you. So much for the better, Ollie. I’m better when I’m with you.”
Olivia’s whole personality is that she’s short in height but makes up for it in sass. I was quite annoyed by her and the way she tried so hard to be different from other short girls, but I warmed up to her character. She’s sassy, clever, and honest, and it takes time for her character to develop in terms of maturity and opening up about her feelings, but it was done well. One thing I liked was how she didn’t give in to Carter’s flirting skills so easily—she kept him on his toes throughout the book.
“But Carter’s been the exception to every rule, every familiarity. He’s the axis that spins my entire world.”
Olivia and Carter make such a cute couple. They give all the sweet, fluffy, wholesome, and sexy vibes, with great emotional depth that enhances their relationship even more. I loved them together. Carter and Olivia have such good chemistry and tension. They started as friends and fell too quickly in love, but I really liked how they explored different aspects of their relationship together, how they built trust, because Carter’s past always had a habit of sneaking up between them, but they always tried to be honest with one another. I loved their nonsense and corny dates, and how they so effortlessly blended into each other’s families. I adore them.
“Are you still scared?” She trails one finger along my collarbone. “Yes.” “What are you most afraid of?” “Falling,” she answers quietly and without hesitation. My thumb skates across her lower lip. “I’ll catch you.” “Promise?” Bringing her to me, I sear her with a kiss that feels every bit like a future I never knew I wanted. “Promise.”
My main concern is that this book was too long. I’m all for 500-plus-page contemporary romances if they have more substance and plot than just romance. I loved the ending, the third-act breakup was unnecessary, but all was made good in the end. The epilogue was the cutest! I can’t wait to read the other characters’ books, especially Adam. He’s shy and sweet, and I already like him so much in this book!
“What is it about you that makes it impossible for me to shut up?” “I don’t know.” But I liked it. I liked that he confided in me when I doubt
3.5 stars
“What is it about you that makes it impossible for me to shut up?” “I don’t know.” But I liked it. I liked that he confided in me when I doubted he confided in anyone else.
A twelve-year-old girl setting up her father with her favourite teacher because she thinks her single dad is lonely and sad, and she knows how great her dad and her teacher would look together? This was so cute and wholesome. Jeff and Della were a perfect match, and Katie is the matchmaker of the century!...more
“Your nights are safe. You are safe now, Kiara. Even in the dark there’s nothing you have to fear, no one, because I am there and they will hav
4 stars
“Your nights are safe. You are safe now, Kiara. Even in the dark there’s nothing you have to fear, no one, because I am there and they will have to go through me. And no one ever has won against me. I am the most dangerous thing in the dark, but you don’t have to fear me.”
This is one of the sweetest and most heartwarming mafia romances I have ever read. I was addicted to the story from the very first chapter. There’s just something about arranged marriage mafia romances, and I’ve devoured almost every one. Twisted Emotions focused more on the development of the romance between Kiara and Nino than on the mafia plot or the rivalries between different families. I loved the couple, the tension, and their sweet yet achingly tender love story. Cora’s writing felt much stronger in this one, or maybe it’s just because I loved the characters, either way, it was a pleasant surprise.
Nino Falcone is cold-hearted, emotionless, and dangerous, but he’s also a genius with a soft heart. He can simulate emotions as easily as he can kill, always remaining in complete control of every situation. There’s a quiet self-assurance and confidence about him that makes him both alluring and deadly. But Nino with Kiara? He’s a total gentleman, with the softest and kindest soul. I love him, and the way he cared for Kiara so deeply, giving her time and space to heal on her own while also helping her through her physical and emotional trauma. He is the man, and I love him.
“I want to take care of you, and even if I can’t feel emotions, seeing them on your face, particularly happiness and joy, give me a certain level of satisfaction.”
Kiara Falcone married the cold-hearted monster of the Camorra to bring peace between two mafia families. She had been through the worst in her childhood, believing herself to be tainted and unworthy of love, until Nino. She was so terrified of men, and seeing her like that hurt me. I loved watching her slowly find her confidence and learn to trust some of them. I appreciated that she took her time to move things forward with Nino on a physical level, allowing herself to explore new things even when they felt scary and unfamiliar. She may be a damsel in distress, but her soft and emotional nature will always make me love her.
“Despite who he was, Nino would always represent safety for me.”
Nino and Kiara are the softest mafia couple to ever exist. I love everything about them, the way they love each other is so precious, beautiful, patient, and endearing. Their relationship developed at a slow, natural pace, built on trust both physically and emotionally. The intimacy and tenderness in their love made it all the more beautiful to read. I loved how patient and observant they were with each other, how Nino willingly gave up control so Kiara could feel safe and comfortable during their intimate moments as she explored her boundaries. Kiara was just as good for Nino as he was for her. She was open about her choices and struggles, and I loved how her love helped him confront his own past, unlocking emotions he had long buried and allowing him to heal.
“You dragged that dead part of me out of the past and revived it. I didn’t die fifteen years ago, but I didn’t live either … until you.” She held even tighter on to me. “I love you, Nino. A part of me died six years ago, but you helped me live again.”
Remo and Nino are fiercely protective of Kiara. Even though Remo didn’t tolerate her flinching or distrust in him, he still cares for her like the sister he never had. He’s just good at ignoring the things that matter most.
I love the Falcone family. Nino and Remo are my favourites, and Adamo is so precious. But I absolutely hated Savio because he doesn’t have a single brain cell when it comes to respecting women. Their family moments are always so chaotic and hilarious. I love how they taunt, argue, and love each other. There’s a constant back-and-forth of banter between them, but at the end of the day, they protect and care for each other deeply....more
“Love is what makes us human, what makes life worth living. Love is unconditional.”
Well, this was a good start to a new mafia series. This w2.75 stars
“Love is what makes us human, what makes life worth living. Love is unconditional.”
Well, this was a good start to a new mafia series. This was my first Cora Reilly book, and while it wasn’t great or anything exceptional within the mafia romance genre, it was enjoyable. There were aspects I liked, such as the interconnected mafia worlds Cora has built, the mafia war plot, and the romance, which leaned insta-lust but was executed better than most. Cora’s writing is fine, though honestly, I expected it to be better than Rina Kent’s, but she’s not. Rina definitely writes some messed-up stuff most of the time, but I still prefer her mystery plots over Cora’s.
Fabiano is the enforcer for Remo Falcone, the Capo of the Camorra, a man who thrives on pain and killing. He’s your typical mafia man with a tragic past that adds a layer of vulnerability to his character, making him somewhat compelling. But Fabiano didn’t really hold my interest. Remo and Nino, on the other hand? I swear to God, I have a thing for fucked-up men like them.
“There was only him...That man. He was mine. I had never been worth anything, but one look from him made me feel like the center of the world.”
Leona started off as an interesting character, but as the story progressed, she felt like she was trying too hard to not be like other girls, which got a bit annoying. I appreciate that she didn’t let life’s hardships stop her from going after what she wanted, but her decision-making? Questionable.
“People can keep telling me to stay away from you if they want. But it won't make me love you any less.”
Fabiano and Leona had chemistry as a couple, but they didn’t fully capture my attention. Something always felt missing, and the way their story wrapped up in the last few chapters felt incomplete and rushed.
“I don’t want to leave Las Vegas. Because Las Vegas is your home, and you are mine.”
I haven't lost hope in this series yet, and I’m curious to see where the next book goes. But right now, I’m way more excited for the Falcone brothers, and I can already tell Remo is going to be my favourite....more
“I know you came back here because you were looking for your happy. But Evie, you gave me mine while you were looking for yours.”
Anytime lif3.75 stars
“I know you came back here because you were looking for your happy. But Evie, you gave me mine while you were looking for yours.”
Anytime life feels chaotic and messy, I always find comfort in books like this. This story follows Beckett and Evie, and they were so heartwarming and gentle to read about. The plot is simple yet impactful, with Evie finding her own new happy, re-evaluating the choices she’s made so far, and rediscovering the true self she had been yearning for all this time. I adore Borison’s vibrant and tender narrative, and how effortlessly it flows throughout the story. The small town she created is nosy and hilarious, with their meddling tendencies, but let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a small-town romance without a good gossip mill.
Beckett, the daddy of four orphaned cats and a duck, has all my heart. I knew I would love him ever since he charmed his way into my heart in Lovelight Farms. His character is the perfect personification of grump with the gentlest, softest heart. Beckett is a caretaker by nature, he always feels obligated to help others. So, the moment he realised Evelyn needed to find her happiness, his first instinct was to help her. He learned to put himself first, to choose his own needs over his sense of obligation. That was such a needed moment of growth for his character. And Beckett, with his quiet devotion and unwavering love for his cats and duck, stole my heart. The way he was with his cats made me wish I could curl up in his hoodie too.
“I want to rip the sun right out of the sky and urge it back into her skin, smooth my palms over every inch of her until she’s glowing with it again.”
Evelyn is charmingly sweet, kind, and radiates warmth like pure sunshine. But that’s not all to her, and despite being a successful and confident social media influencer, she struggles with a lack of happiness and hesitation about her path in life. Following her heart to Lovelight Farms and Beckett, was her way of finding true joy. I enjoyed reading how she discovered different small joys, how she allowed herself to explore what her heart truly craved. I didn’t feel a deep connection to her, but she was still a lovely and amazing character.
“It’s okay to want different things,” she says. “People change. You’re allowed to change. Doing less doesn’t make you less.”
Beckett and Evelyn’s obsession with each other started long before Lovelight Farms—with a one-night stand months before they officially met. Usually, one-night stands aren’t my favourite trope, but Borison did such a fantastic job of building on that instant tension and chemistry between them. It was a great way to establish their connection, and the growing sexual tension mixed with their gentle affection made their relationship even more appealing. I absolutely adore them as a couple, the way they balance each other out, with Evelyn bringing radiance into Beckett’s grumpy, lonely life. They are so perfect together, and the way they push and help each other is so endearing. But it was Beckett’s obsession with Evie that really had me swooning. The way he thinks about her, the way he feels about her, it was so precious.
“You haven’t had your happy today,” he tells me, hands already reaching, stars on his skin and in his eyes and in the sky above. My heart flip-flops in my chest. “And you’re gonna give it to me, huh?” “Yeah,” he smiles, as full and bright as that damn moon. “I’m gonna give it to you.” He’s wrong though. I have had my happy today. I’m practically drowning in it—in simple, quiet joy. The warm comfort of a perfect moment with a good man.
The ending was absolutely adorable and perfect. That love confession was downright adorable and so cheesy, and not at all like Beckett, but that’s what made it even better. I can’t wait to read more about these characters and meet new ones in the next books in this series!
“Everyone thinks Heath Rocha was my first love. He wasn’t. My first love was figure skating.”
There is only one word to describe thi5 perfection stars!
“Everyone thinks Heath Rocha was my first love. He wasn’t. My first love was figure skating.”
There is only one word to describe this book—‘masterpiece’. It completely consumed me in every possible way. I have always loved reading messy and toxic stories; they’re my kryptonite, and this kind of story always hits right in the heart, body, and soul. The Favorites was no exception. I loved the story—it’s unique, captivating, and so unputdownable that you feel like you exist in Katarina and Heath’s world. It’s theirs, and everyone else is merely living for the show they’re putting on to win.
The Favorites is an addictive, profound, and complicated yet impactful and beautiful story about two people—the infamous favourites of the skating world, Katarina and Heath. I am obsessed with their story, their lives, their competitive nature, and the way they dance so soulfully and skilfully. Layne Fargo’s writing is riveting, and the exquisitely detailed narrative pulls you right into the story, into the world she created. It feels like being part of the audience, a part of their ice-skating world.
Katarina Shaw is an ambitious, confident, and competitive ice skater whose only dream was to be just like Sheila Lin, the queen of ice dancing, and win gold. Her character is so intense and raw that it could make you hate her at times, but I never did. Not even when she did everything in her power to win competitions, even pushing and hurting the people she loved. She embraces her spiteful demeanour, even when it gets her into trouble, but she is the queen of her own world. Her character is multilayered, filled with complexities that make her difficult to love, yet her determination and passion for ice dancing make it impossible not to. She gave everything to the sport, practically worshipped Sheila Lin, and kept coming back stronger and smarter every time the sport, and the people within it, tried to break her. That resilience makes her even more compelling. She may be an ambitious bitch, but you can’t deny the legacy she left behind for all the women in her world.
“He wanted to be everything to me, the way I was everything to him. And I would always want more.”
Heath Rocha is the most complicated and mysterious character in this book. I loved him, but there were times he made it difficult to do so because of the petty things he did to hurt Katarina. His entire life revolved around her and her dream of winning gold, he was so pathetically in love with her that he followed her dream just to be with her, until he became the best ice skater, the one Katarina could never have. I admire the way he loved Katarina, however messy and toxic it was, his love for her was all-encompassing and consuming. I loved his growth over the years they skated together, how he eventually found his own place in the sport and fought for it. He helped Katarina in many ways but also tore her down with his hurtful antics, which frustrated me. But despite that, I understood his choices and decisions. I may not have liked them, but I understood them.
“He looked at me like he’d been wandering in the dark for years, and I was the sunrise.”
Heath and Katarina are everything to each other—ice dancing partners, childhood sweethearts, star-crossed lovers, rivals, haters, and soulmates. Their story is epic and unforgettable in a way that completely consumes you. The way they perform on the ice is mesmerising, and the way they love each other is toxic and messy, yet all-encompassing. It’s everything. I am utterly enamoured with their love. The yearning, the hatred, the love, and the rage they feel toward each other are poured into their dance performances, making them even more beautiful and addictive. You can hate them or love them, but you cannot ignore their talent on the ice, or their love story.
“There are lots of different kinds of love.” Love like a steady, warming campfire that keeps you alive in the cold. Love like a raging blaze that burns down everything in its path until nothing but ash remains.
Their chemistry, both on and off the ice, was everything. They truly bring out the best and worst in each other. Since childhood, Katarina and Heath have been inseparable, bonded by sadness, loneliness, and their shared love for skating. They’ve been through hell together, put each other through hell, yet they always found their way back to each other. The push and pull was maddening, but so damn good. Heath and Katarina are the very definition of right person, wrong timing, and it took them years to finally get it right, the last time.
“You’re my home, Heath had said to me once. Despite all the years we’d spent apart, all the time we’d wasted, he was my home too. He always had been.”
Bella was such an interesting character to read about. I struggled to love her at first, but once I did, I never looked back. She’s similar to Katarina, but more intense in a mean and competitive way. I loved her and Katarina’s friendship, however unhealthy it was at the start, because it was real for them. Garrett is the best, the most precious character, who deserved only good things from the very start. I loved him, even though I had my suspicions early on, but he turned out to be such an incredible, exceptional human being. Sheila Lin was a calculating, conniving, and ruthless bitch, but one you hate but also admire.
The world competitions, the Olympics, the drama, the romance—everything was so intense. Yet, the new and old friendships between the characters added a layer of warmth and comfort, even as the rivalries continued. The interviews added a layer of mystery that kept me hooked, and the drama only made the story more intense and addictive. I loved the side characters and how everyone had their own stories unfolding, each pushing the other to their absolute limits. Layne beautifully and intricately captured the challenges and complexities of ice dancing, along with the spellbinding beauty of the performances.
The ending was perfect. It was true to Katarina and Heath’s story of winning and losing. Layne must have put some kind of drug into this book because I’m now addicted to watching ice skating!
——————— did i finish the book or did it finish me?
this book is now haunting my dreams so i guess it's time to give it a try ...more
“There is always room for love in our lives, so long as we are open to accepting the kind we think we deserve.”
This is one of the cutest, cos4.5 stars
“There is always room for love in our lives, so long as we are open to accepting the kind we think we deserve.”
This is one of the cutest, cosiest, and sweetest holiday novellas I have ever read. It’s my favourite of the year, and no one can beat Doctor Darling because he is one of a kind. Lauren Asher’s books are a hit or miss for me, but she has managed to write another green-flag MMC. Honestly, this novella was holiday perfection. It was the perfect blend of laughter, swoons, and sexy, romantic moments, with the cosy and magical vibes of the winter holidays. I just loved every second of it.
December Darling, the charming Luke Darling, has claimed his place inside my heart as one of the sweetest and gentlest fictional men. The man is so charming and funny that I would do absolutely anything to have him in real life. I’m talking about fighting battles. It’s insane how incredible he is, how much he cares, and how much he drives the girl he loves insane just to make her crave him, need him. Catalina is one lucky woman.
“I would never dare, Doctor Darling.” He beams. “Say that again.” I roll my eyes. “And feed your power trip? No thanks.” The sparkle in his eyes rivals the stars above us. “Please. At this rate, I will be begging for scraps of your attention.”
Catalina was portrayed as an ice queen, the not-so-gentle sister. She was always wary of love and relationships, but I loved how Luke melted all her defences against her “no relationship” policy and helped her realise that she is worthy of someone amazing. Her openness to Luke about her life and beliefs was surprisingly refreshing, and I loved how Luke replaced all her worrisome thoughts about her no-relationship policy with “what if” scenarios about where this thing between them could go.
“Catalina isn’t the type for loud belly laughs that leave someone’s stomach aching, but I’ve never heard a better sound than the one she makes because of me.”
Luke and Catalina were perfection. The romance was perfect. Luke and Catalina had all the chemistry and sparks, and I loved how they developed a genuine, comfortable friendship and an emotional connection before taking things to another level. Luke made so many efforts for Catalina and to make her fall in love with him. It was everything.
Catalina draws invisible circles around my heart with the pad of her finger. “Your heart is beating fast.” “Because you make me nervous.” “Nervous?” She cracks a smile. “Me?” “Yeah. You.” “Why?” she asks with a smile in her voice. “Because you’re you.”
I need at least a hundred novellas like these, please and thank you. Lauren should do more non-billionaire tropes because this was definitely a hit for me!...more
“I think it’s the price we have to pay for loving so deeply. And I’ll pay it every day for the rest of my life. If you’ll be in it with me.”
I’v4 stars
“I think it’s the price we have to pay for loving so deeply. And I’ll pay it every day for the rest of my life. If you’ll be in it with me.”
I’ve read many books by Catherine Cowles, and all of them follow the same romantic suspense storytelling. But this is one of my favourite stories by her. The story is beautiful, heartfelt and emotional, and the romance is done so well. The suspense plot was also strong, though it followed her usual pattern, with the woman getting kidnapped and saved by her knight in shining armour in the end. It had the same tone as her previous books that I’ve read, but this one just hit me in the heart. I really loved it, mostly because of the characters, the found family aspect, and how they fell for each other, grew together, and loved each other. That part was so beautifully done.
Anna, the female protagonist of this book, was a sweet but tortured soul. She had been physically abused and had endured countless betrayals in her life. Now, she’s trying to start over in Sutter Lake, hoping to build a new life for herself. But life had different plans for her. After her sister’s death, Anna was left to take custody of her sister’s children, but due to her past records, she struggled to gain full custody. While she began to build a new life in Sutter Lake, she still kept people at a distance, despite having made friends who treated her like family. Anna had deep-seated trust issues, but when Mason entered her life as her supposed fake husband, to help her secure custody. It was beautiful to see how he made her feel safe.
“I was his, and he was mine. And I wasn’t letting go.”
Mason was an amazing character, definitely one of my favourite heroes by Catherine, but he can never dethrone Cane. He was really good; he’s charming, a bit grumpy, but he has a way with words. He knows how to reassure and comfort Anna, not just with words but through his actions as well. It was really sweet to see him fall for her first. Like many of Catherine Cowles’ main protagonists, Mason comes from a traumatic past. He’s one of those ‘I-cannot-be-fixed’ guys, but what I really loved about him is how he overcame his trauma. He’s trying to live the best version of his life and, despite everything they’re going through, he’s also doing his best to give Anna the life she deserves. Even after all the tragic things he endured, he still tries to see the beauty in life.
“I pulled her into my arms. She might break for a moment, but I refused to let her fall.”
Mason and Anna were great together as a couple. Even though their marriage was fake, nothing about how they treated each other felt fake. Their connection was rooted in a sweet, easygoing friendship. I loved how they communicated, there were some issues, but it felt real because both Anna and Mason had walls built around their hearts to protect themselves. Yet, they agreed to be honest with each other, not just for their growing relationship but also for the sake of their niece and nephew.
“I don’t know how to ask you for a shot when you’ve been through so much, But that doesn’t change that I want this. So, I guess I just have to ask. Take that first step, Just one, We can go as slow as you want, and I’ll meet you wherever you’re at. Just one step.”
It was beautiful to see how they all built a family together. Each character came from a traumatic past, but as a family, the four of them were unstoppable and so precious. I loved Lyla and Justin and how they enriched the story with their unique dynamics and personalities. They seemed so mature but also fragile at times. It was endearing to watch Mason and Anna care for them as their own kids, and treating them not just as adults when they spoke the truth, but also remembering that they were still two kids who had lost their mother and had a whole life ahead of them. They truly created a beautiful found family.
“I think I loved you from the moment I saw you. Something in me recognized a person who could make my life so much more. You amaze me every single day. Your strength and your empathy. Your beauty and kindness. I love you more than I thought possible.”
I loved the epilogue and seeing all the other couples from previous books. They truly form such a wholesome and safe big family, and I loved every moment of it. As always, it’s hard to say goodbye to a series when you’ve had such an amazing time with the characters, reading about their journeys. But I’m glad I got to know these characters, and it was a delight to read their love stories....more
“My mom asked me if you treat me well, Miles. You know what I said to her?” “What’s that,” he says in a low, husky voice. “I said that you walk
♾ stars
“My mom asked me if you treat me well, Miles. You know what I said to her?” “What’s that,” he says in a low, husky voice. “I said that you walked into hell and dragged me back out.”
There are some books that you devour in just one sitting, but then there is Promise Me Sunshine. Books like this are written to be savoured, to be read word by word, sentence by sentence, because every single word packs a punch to the heart. I have read my fair share of books on grief, but this one is a masterpiece. It’s relatable, poignant, profound, emotional, exceptionally beautiful, and above all, life-changing.
“You need someone who can wade in and pull you out of the swamp if you need me to. And I can be that person.”
Promise Me Sunshine is a beautiful story that focuses on grief and healing. Cara Bastone crafted this book beautifully, delivering an engaging and heartfelt story with exceptional skill. Her narrative has a quiet tenderness, an affectionate tone that balances the brutal and heartbreaking reality of this story. She did a phenomenal job writing Lenny and Miles, both protagonists have emotional depth and vulnerability that add heartfelt authenticity to their story. The story is filled with grief-stricken moments and sadness, but Lenny’s quiet healing journey with Miles’ help, their beautiful friends-to-lovers story, the found family arc, and the promise of a better future add a delicate happiness and a gentle quality to the narrative.
Lenny, my beautiful, precious, and beloved girl. After losing her best friend, her soulmate, Lou, Lenny is just going through the motions of life—existing without Lou, feeling guilty for being alive. She has isolated herself from her family, from everything that reminds her of Lou. Lenny has a Start Living Again list that gives her a semblance of hope, so when Miles offers her a lifeline as her grief coach and list partner, she grabs it eagerly. Lenny is a charming and free-spirited woman with a personality that sparkles and radiates sunshine through the pages. Even in her saddest moments, she manages to find glimpses of happiness without even trying. The way she sees the world is just so beautiful. Lenny is so thoughtful, empathetic, and kind. And she’s so funny that I love her humour as much as I love her. She never hides her grief from the real world. She lets herself be vulnerable and emotionally unguarded. Her grief and heartbreak felt like my own. Lenny’s healing and development evolve throughout the story. It’s slow and steady, sometimes unsuccessful, but mostly filled with effort and courage.
“I gasp for air. He’s winded me. The water rushes in. Is it silly that I didn’t realize I was drowning until he told me he won’t let it happen?”
Miles is such a perfect man. He is a grump, but one I instantly fell in love with—because how could I not when he is this thoughtful, loyal, honest, selfless, kind, and wonderful? He is like an anchor in turbulent waters—strong and steady enough to take on everything and work through it. Miles hides a multilayered persona behind his unapproachable exterior. He’s also dealing with his grief, but he knows how to help someone like Lenny, and he wants to because he understands the pain of going through it all. Miles is also navigating a complicated relationship with his sister and his niece. He seeks Lenny’s help to understand everything about kids and to strengthen his sibling bond with Reese. He is so patient, attentive, and incredibly insightful. The way he sees the world, his perception of things—it always makes me admire him more. I love how he helped Lenny, how tenacious he was but also patient and tender with her, letting her work through things on her own while always guiding her in a better direction. The way he would do anything to make people around him happy and safe is so precious. Everyone needs a Miles in their life.
“But with you, Len, when I met you… I sort of feel like I met myself.”
Lenny and Miles have the most beautiful love. It’s soul-stirring, unyielding, compassionate, and devoted. Their relationship gracefully transitions from the allure of strangers to the warmth of friendship, eventually blossoming into a profound love. It’s simple and pure, but it’s the selflessness, unwavering commitment, and enduring hardships together that make it even more beautiful. They formed a strong companionship through helping each other, and it was beautiful to see how they nurtured it with trust, care, and effort. Their love story is an aching slow burn of knowing each other and delicate feelings that feel too much like love.
“So you’ll come with me if I ask?” His eyes pierce me in the shadows of the kitchen. “Lenny, I’ll do anything you ask me to.”
They are different, their experiences with grief and life are different, but I have never seen two people who belong to each other the way they do. I love the way they understand each other, how they let their vulnerability flow through them when they are together, how they trust each other enough to ask for help and lean on one another, how they help each other and just exist for each other when they need it. They fit so effortlessly into each other’s lives, both as friends and lovers.
I take Miles by the hoodie strings again , bringing his attention back to me and only me. “Every time I fall in love with you there’s lightning.” He closes his eyes, opens them and there’s his brilliant love. “There’s only you, Lenny. Every time … it’s just you,” he says, muffled as he kisses me. “And you.” He kisses me again. “And you.”
Lou and Lenny had such a beautiful friendship, and it was nice to know Lou through Lenny—through her love and memories of her. Cara did an amazing job by not romanticising grief, Lenny’s depression, or her challenges. She portrayed the different facets of grief, the reality of it—the all-consuming, obliterating, and devastating nature of loss. This book leans more towards women’s fiction than romance, but the romance is still an important part of Lenny and Miles’ story. It adds a comforting element and warmth to their grief-stricken journey.
“You are not betraying her by healing,” he whispers directly into my ear. “You are honoring her. You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn’t here anymore… That’s who she is now. And this journey through grief… It’s what we do for the great loves of our lives.”
Promise Me Sunshine is already my top favourite book of 2025, and Miles is in my top book boyfriends list, because how can he not be? This is a masterpiece—one I will possibly reread multiple times in the future, because I just love love love love Miles and Lenny.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“She’s the benchmark, the blueprint, and if she wanted to tattoo her signature along the side of it, I’d let her and say thank you.”
This nov3.75 stars
“She’s the benchmark, the blueprint, and if she wanted to tattoo her signature along the side of it, I’d let her and say thank you.”
This novella had one of my comfort tropes, childhood friends to lovers, and it was such a delight to read Kayla and Ryan’s story. This wasn’t just a Christmas romance; it spanned over a few years and traced Ryan and Kayla's festive friends-with-benefits relationship in such a simple but beautiful way. I love the flashback chapters, they are short but add important depth and details to their friendship.
Ryan was amazing, not quite Cameron-level amazing, but I really liked him. He did annoy me a bit when he couldn’t make a decision about being with Kayla. Kayla was such a fun character to read about. She was badass but also had the sweetest personality, and you couldn’t help but love her. I liked how she stood up for herself when Ryan couldn’t give her what she wanted.
“She's the first place my mind goes in the quiet moments. She’s my soulmate.”
Ryan and Kayla were perfect together as a couple. I loved reading about them, and how they spent Christmas together since they were kids, and how they grew up to love each other as friends and then lovers. Their friendship was easygoing and content, and the longing and yearning added so much tension between them. It hurt to see them struggle with their relationship, but I really loved how they made the effort when they realized how much they wanted each other in their lives.
“Yes, Kayla,” he smiles. “Nobody else is ever coming close to you. I love you. You’re it. North star.”
I’m so happy they finally got their happily-ever-after after years of yearning for each other. This series was such an enjoyable and delightful read, and I hope I get to read more of these holiday romances by Holly June Smith....more
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