Ready or Not

Cara Bastone

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love friends-to-lovers, heartfelt journeys through unexpected life changes, and slow burns where the guy is sweet and endlessly supportive, "Ready or Not" is a treat. Cara Bastone brings raw emotion, candid humor, and deeply relatable relationships to the page. The banter, the complex friendships, and the nuanced portrayal of pregnancy make it stand out - perfect for fans of uplifting, witty contemporary romance with real-life messiness.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the love interest a bit too perfect or underdeveloped, and the male voice in the audiobook didn’t work for everyone. If you’re looking for a super spicy romance or aren't a fan of the accidental pregnancy trope, this might not be your vibe. Others wanted more depth around the protagonist’s emotions or felt the ending wrapped up too quickly.

A heartfelt, funny, and modern romance that blends female friendships, real-life struggles, and gentle pining. Come for the relatable characters, stay for the warm fuzzies - just know it's more about life’s curveballs than pure swoon.

About:

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is a heartwarming and realistic story that follows Eve, who is dealing with a surprise pregnancy from a one night stand. Throughout the book, readers witness the journey of Eve, along with her best friend Willa and Shepherd, Willa's brother, as they navigate the challenges of co-parenting and supporting Eve. The characters are portrayed in a realistic way, with true-to-life feelings, humor used as a coping mechanism, and quick wit and snarkiness that add depth to the story. The plot explores themes of unexpected pregnancy, self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of relationships.

The setting of modern-day NYC adds to the authenticity of the story, making the characters relatable and endearing. The book delves into the personal growth of each character as they face the challenges brought on by the pregnancy, leading to heartwarming and romantic moments that highlight the beauty of support and friendship in difficult times.

Characters:

The characters are relatable and multi-dimensional, each undergoing personal growth while navigating complex emotions and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style combines humor with realistic portrayals of relationships and emotions, creating an engaging and relatable narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on an unexpected pregnancy and the complexities of relationships surrounding it, intertwining themes of love and personal growth.

Setting:

The contemporary setting in NYC grounds the story in a relatable reality for the characters and their experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing allows for a gradual buildup of emotional depth and character development, though some readers wished for more early intimacy.

Notes:

The main character, Eve, faces a surprise pregnancy from a one-night stand, which she usually avoids.

Eve's best friend, Willa, struggles with fertility issues, creating tension as Eve navigates her new reality.

The story features a secondary romantic interest, Shepherd, who has secretly loved Eve for years.

The book is praised for its realistic portrayal of emotions and relationships, balancing humor with heart.

Some readers felt the romance focused on Eve and Shepherd was underdeveloped until later in the book.

Many describe the characters as relatable and well-rounded, with genuine growth throughout the story.

The audiobook narration by Alex Finke received rave reviews for its humor and delivery.

Readers enjoyed the book's exploration of friendship alongside romance.

Despite the accidental pregnancy theme, the book is more than just a romance; it deals with personal growth and relationships.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of unexpected pregnancy and emotional distress surrounding family dynamics.

Has Romance?

The book contains a significant romantic element, focusing on the development of relationships amid the main plot.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

A surprise pregnancy leads to even more life-changing revelations in this "absolutely buoyant read" ( Elle, The Best and Most Anticipated Romance Books of 2024, So Far).

"Bastone delivers on this truly heartwarming, funny, and real story. Come for the dog bar, stay for the special, slow-burn romcom."-Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author

Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be pretty much the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn that's close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream- adjacent , it's comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life . . . until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.

The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve's loyal friendship with Willa is feeling tense, right when she needs her the most. And it's actually Willa's steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help Eve. He has always been friendly, but now he's checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is . . . suddenly kinda hot? Then, as if she needs one more complication, there's the baby's father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.

Up until this point, Eve's been content to coast through life. Now, though-maybe it's the hormones, maybe it's the way Shep's shoulders look in a T-shirt-Eve starts to wonder if she has been secretly desiring more from every aspect of her life.

Over the course of nine months, as Eve struggles to figure out the next right step in her expanding reality, she begins to realize that family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

February 2024

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373 pages

Ratings (26)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (14)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (63):

Read It (26)
Want To Read (30)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)

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Ready or Not?

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