Better Luck Next Time
Promise Me Sunshine Audiobook By Cara Bastone cover art

Promise Me Sunshine

A Novel

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection of titles.
Yours as long as you’re a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for $8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Promise Me Sunshine

By: Cara Bastone
Narrated by: Alex Finke
Try Standard free

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.25

Buy for $20.25

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

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • 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.

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, Elle, Library Journal, New York Public Library, Seattle Times

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. Contemporary Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Heartfelt Single Parent Witty Feel-Good Tearjerking

Critic reviews

“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
Heartfelt Storytelling • Emotional Depth • Exceptional Emotional Expression • Authentic Grief Portrayal • Balanced Humor

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
She was good at the funny parts, sad parts and everything in between. She made this audiobook 5/5 for me. It’s a great story and great writing but would have likely fallen short of a 5/5 if I read it myself or it was by a different narrator.

Best narration of any audiobook I’ve listened to

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
One of the most riveting books I’ve read in a long time. Beautifully written , witty ,and very authentic, I know it’s a cliché, but I did laugh and cry throughout the whole book. Very healing for the characters and me!

Working through grief with tears, laughter, and joy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I adored this book. Cara Bastone describes grief so eloquently. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Beautiful story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Absolutely stunning, heart wrenching and deeply fulfilling novel about friendship, grief and newfound love. One of the best narration I’ve heard! Simply gorgeous writing.

Read and Weep (with love)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautiful story about grief, friendship, true love and never giving up. Marvelous narration!!!! I cried, laughed and fell in love with this book.

Beautiful story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews