#cara bastone

[vynpop]

Ready or Not

By Cara Bastone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

"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, close to her childhood best friend Willa and far from her traditional midwestern family, who have never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, it's comfortable and steady. She knows what to expect from life--until she finds herself literally expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.

Now Eve's loyal friendship with Willa is feeling tense, and it's actually Willa's steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help. He's always been friendly, but now he's ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is...suddenly kinda hot? Then there's the baby's father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.

Maybe it's her surging hormones, maybe it's the way Shep's shoulders look in a T-shirt--but Eve starts to wonder if she's been secretly desiring more from every aspect of her life.

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

Review

There are not enough words to explain just how much I enjoyed this book! A beautiful friends-to-lovers trope that had my heart squealing with joy. Even though I am an enemies-to-lovers kind of girl.

Shep is so wholesome and sweet. Eve is funny and relatable. Being a mother of 3 children, I could only dream of having a man do what Shep did for Eve. He didn't hesitate once! Not once! He was thrilled from beginning to end.

Ethan, the baby's father...I tolerated him mostly. There were so many times I wanted to punch him in the face but the baby had that covered for me. Thanks, little one! You showed him! If you decide to read the book...you will know which scene I'm talking about.

Being pregnant can be such an isolating experience, especially when you don't have someone to turn to. I feel that Cara Bastone captured that experience well. I felt that there could be some tweaking here and there, but I was so in love with how everything played out. I will be checking out her other books as well.

[mercerislandbooks]

Our Favorite Fiction of 2024

Although there is still a month and a bit of 2024 to go, and it's entirely possible that one of us will find another novel we absolutely adore, we wanted to give you, our lovely customers, a peek at the collection of fiction we couldn't stop talking about this year. Our staff is a varied lot with diverse tastes (luckily our customers are just as delightfully quirky) and we hope there's something for everyone in this round-up of titles.

Cindy, Laurie, Nancy AND Caitlin all loved Liz Moore's The God of the Woods, with its historical setting, secrets galore, and rich people doing very bad things. If you're in the mood for a thriller set in the '70's this will satisfy.

As for Table for Two, by Amor Towles, Brad says that the concluding 200-page novella of this short story collection is "worth the price of admission", continuing the story of Rules of Civility. He was also charmed to discover the only published mystery of famed Winnie-the-Pooh author A. A. Milne. The Red House Mystery is for those of you longing for a perfect locked room whodunnit from the Golden Age of Mysteries.

For a contemporary thriller, Cindy highly recommends Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera, saying, "Lucy Chase, exonerated in the murder of her best friend, is mortified when a popular (and handsome) true crime podcaster opens a new investigation that thrusts her into national and community scrutiny all over again. Moving back and forth between the events that led to the crime and this new investigation, old friendships and relationships are reconsidered. Let the neighborly finger-pointing begin! Again."

Or, if a week on Cape Cod with your adult kids AND your aging parents in the height of summer sounds appealing (or at the least, amusing to read about), Laurie and I both loved Sandwich by Catherine Newman. Funny, poignant, and perfect for book clubs, this is a short book that packs a punch.

My personal top read of 2024 is The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Try this smart and thought-provoking debut if you like time travel, handsome Arctic explorers, and shady government shenanigans.

One of Caitlin's favorites from this year is Small Rain, by Garth Greenwell, a book she calls, "Magnificent! A tender novel about healing, care-giving, and poetry." She also loved Us Fools, by Nora Lange, a heartbreaking yet humorous story about two sisters growing up in the Midwest during the 1980's farm crisis. And check out the testimonials at the front for Caitlin's quote!

Nancy and Caitlin can't stop talking about Fire Exit by Morgan Talty. Caitlin says, "A long kept family secret, inheritance, guilt and mental illness combine into one outstanding novel." While Nancy adds, "I can't say enough good things about this book and author. Incredible writing!"

Becca and I got to buddy read and write a blog about The Spellshop, the coziest of cozy fantasies. This one is for readers who want a warm hug of book with a dollop of whimsy. Warning, it will make you crave toast and jam.

And (in my opinion) our favorite fiction isn't complete without an exceptional romance. Ready or Not, by Cara Bastone was a fantastic, surprise pregnancy, friends-to-love romance. I absolutely loved these characters and all their emotions. Plus, the audiobook is one of the best I've listened to this year.

Check out the link to see our complete list and, as always, we're happy to give you even more recommendations!

2024: Our Favorite Fiction

Up next, our Favorite Nonfiction of 2024!

-- Lori

[berberriescorner]

Don’t mind me guys…

I’m just up at the ass crack of dawn crying over a book.

Said Book:

The excerpt that started the waterworks:

Then I read this and it got worse😭:

I need a damn hug. This just made me miss my besties as if they're not a direct message, phone call, text, or a damn car ride away🤦🏾‍♀️😩��🤣. That's right @thirtysomethinganduncensored, @darqchilddaydreamz, @starrynite7114, and @astoldbychae! I'm talking to y’all😆😂🤣🫶🏾. Love y'all! @thirtysomethinganduncensored I need to see you soon! I need my best friend🥹!



Don't judge me mutuals. I can't help if I'm a sensitive ass gangsta😆🤷🏾‍♀️.

[jeevesreads]

15 Golden Retriever/Black Cat Energy Romance Books

Grumpy heroes are my jam most of the time, but sometimes I’m in the mood for opposites attract romance done a little differently – and that’s where golden retriever meets black cat energy kicks in. One of my favorite rom com movies growing up was 10 Things I Hate About You, and it’s got the same energy as this newish romance trope. It’s not quite grumpy/sunshine (or reverse grumpy/sunshine, which…

[lakecountylibrary]

Kate Recs Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

I didn't want to stop listening to this audiobook. I loved everything about it, but especially the unique storyline and all of the characters!

I would recommend this book to fans of Emily Henry, Denise Williams and Talia Hibbert.

Publisher's Summary:

Eve Hatch is pretty content with her life. Her apartment in Brooklyn is cozy, but close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, religious upbringing where she always felt misunderstood.

While her position as an administrative assistant at the Wildlife Federation of America is a dream-adjacent job, she's hoping her passion and hard work will help her land a more glamorous role where she could actually make a difference someday.

And sure, her most recent romantic history has consisted of not one but two disappointing men named Derek. At least she always knows what to expect...until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night-stand.

Suddenly, this surprise pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve's ride-or-die friendship with Willa is suddenly feeling off. And surprisingly, it's Willa's steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help. He has always been supportive, but now he's checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her woes, and... is suddenly irresistible?

Add in a kind but conflicted baby daddy--who also happens to have a girlfriend--and Eve is feeling out of her depth, to say the least. 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 love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

Check out Ready or Not

See more of Kate's recs

[deadiez]

books I read in april 2024

[ombwarrior47]

Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone

Title: Maybe This Time Author: Cara Bastone Series: N/A Number of Pages: N/A Genre:  Romantic Comedy Publisher:  Audible Original Date of Original Publication: May 2, 2024 ASIN: B0CXYYBCNY

Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone is another free one I found in the Audible Original Catalog. I thought it would be good after A Murder to Remember by Brynn Kelly but I was disappointed by this one.

Honestly I thought the concept of this one was just stupid. The story is about two teachers and one teacher falls through a wormhole into the future. Yet somehow after five years of being there her phone magically works and calls her colleague and she uses him to figure out how to get back to the right time period.

I would not recommend this one. The Narrators were great, I have listened to a few with the male protagonist’s narrator. Unfortunately I just didn’t get into this one as it was too unrealistic and hokey.

★★ I think I will stay away from Audible Originals for a while.

~

Up Next:  

-The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugani (Charles Jenkins #1)

-The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith (Cormoran Strike #7)

Yearly Goal Markers:

Book Goal: 63/75  = 84%

Page Goal:  22/15k = 149% (2024 goal achieved 7/5/24!)

[vvendyreads]

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

"A surprise pregnancy leads to even more life-changing revelations in this heartfelt, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance of found family and unexpected love."

Eve Hatch is surprised when a one night stand with a stranger leads to an unexpected pregnancy. She had previously been fairly neutral about having kids and certainly wasn't ready for one at the moment while working an ok but not great job at her dream company. Someone who very much wants kids is her married best friend Willa, who has been trying to get pregnant for a long time. Eve surprises everyone (Willa, Willa's human equivalent of a golden retriever brother Shep, and baby daddy Ethan) by deciding to "keep being pregnant." The story follows Eve's pregnancy as her relationships with Willa and Shep change. Willa struggles with the idea that her ambivalent friend is pregnant before her, while Shep majorly steps up to support Eve. Meanwhile, Eve tries to navigate keeping Ethan in the loop while figuring out if he will stick around and be a father to this baby.

Things I normally don’t like:

Books where the main character gets pregnant

Books where the main character has two potential love interests

Slow burn romance

Friends to lovers

To say that I was shocked that this is my first 5 star book of the year is putting it mildly. You may be wondering why I even picked up this book in the first place, given all of these things I listed are pretty much in the book's summary. That reason is the author, Cara Bastone. I adored her story "Seatmate", which is an Audible exclusive, i.e., I can no longer listen to it since cancelling my membership :( When I saw that she had a new book coming out, I figured I would at least give it a shot. I am so glad that I did.

Bastone does an excellent job of making you feel what her characters are feeling. I could feel Eve's growing feelings for Shep as the story progressed. I could feel her hurt and frustration when people reacted in a negative way to her pregnancy. I felt everything and loved every minute.

Bastone also does a remarkable job of making you like all of the characters without sugarcoating faults. Some of the characters make bad or selfish decisions. But these characters also learn from these mistakes and are accountable for them. Willa, for example, is the first person Eve tells about the pregnancy and she has a bad reaction. Eve rightly feels frustrated with this reaction. Willa eventually apologizes and it feels like an honest apology. Ethan spends the book waffling about whether he wants to be in the baby's life. He has a "good" reason for it, but I found that I never fully trusted him, because Eve didn't either. There's only one character who is actually labeled a "bad guy", but he's only in one scene.

The book doesn't fully reach a love triangle (or the two possible love interests trope that people call love triangles), Eve is pretty clear from the beginning that she doesn't really see a romantic future with Ethan. But I appreciated the intricacies of how Eve, Shep, and Ethan were still intertwined, given that Eve is having Ethan's baby but Shep is always going to be around.

My issue with slow-burns is that I typically am not invested enough in the rest of the story to patiently wait for the romance to occur. I enjoyed going on the journey with Eve, so I didn't mind waiting, and it made the romance all the better.

My beef with friends to lovers is that I had too many close male friends growing up, so the concept of the trope just feels awkward to me. This one had the benefit of also being "best friend's brother", which I am more on board with.

Shep was such a good male lead. I'm partial to the golden retriever love interest (I have one of my own) and am disappointed that grumpy seems to be having a moment. I was happy to see Shep be devoted, caring, and just a good guy.

I've never had a baby, but the pregnancy journey that Eve takes feels very real. The author initially thought of the idea for the book when she was about to have her first child and then finished it while pregnant with her second. I imagine a lot of the story comes from the author's experience.

I'm so happy that I gave this book a chance. I highly recommend.

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[pipperoni32-blog]

Ready or Not

by Cara Bastone / 5 stars

Not really the most in depth review for this one, just excitement and fangirling! I'll admit, Cara Bastone was on my radar due to a friend who'd listened to her "Call Me Maybe" series. When I saw this available, I was quick to jump on it and I am. So. Glad. I did!

I can't recommend this book enough. Who would have thought an accidental pregnancy would be the perfect starting point for one of the cutest love stories? With characters that are flawed, but in likeable ways, lots of banter, and touching moments. And a very real look into how awkward it can be to be single and pregnant, and how the world around you reacts.

Cara Bastone has definitely made a spot on my must read shelves!

I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley, though the book is now out and hopefully on shelves near you!

[dkehoe]

This Chick Read: Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

Eve Hatch’s life is comfortable and steady. She’s in a job that is just ok, she lives close to her best friend Willa, and she loves her little one bedroom apartment. Her life doesn’t have any surprises, until she has a one night stand and gets pregnant. Her best friend who is struggling to get pregnant has trouble with the news and her brother, Shep, steps in to help Eve. From notifying the…

[begouristore]

Love at First Psych By Cara Bastone | audiobook clip

[little-miss-romance]

Goldie, you love at first sighted me!

[the-forest-library]

May 2024 Reads

Ready or Not - Cara Bastone

Playing for Keeps - Jennifer Dugan

Right on Cue - Falon Ballard

Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alexandria Bellefleur

Happily Never After - Lynn Painter

Check & Mate - Ali Hazelwood

Love at First Book - Jen McKinlay

Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Vaskuni

Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame - Olivia Ford

The Book of Doors - Gareth Brown

Harriet the Invincible - Ursula Vernon

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents - Terry Pratchett

The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis

Summer: A Solstice Story - Kelsey E. Gross

Dalmartian - Lucy Ruth Cummins

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds - Marianne Dubuc

Mr. Postmouse Takes a Trip - Marianne Dubuc

Bunny's Book Club Goes to School - Annie Silvestro

Yours in Books - Julie Falatko

Be Prepared - Vera Brosgol

Perfect Example - John Porcellino

Diary of a Mosquito Abatement Man - John Porcellino

King-Cat Comics and Stories #74 - John Porcellino

Hawkeye, Volume 4 - Matt Fraction

She-Hulk, Volume 4 - Rainbow Rowell

One Star Wonders - Mike Lowery

My Good Life in France - Janine Marsh

My Four Seasons in France - Janine Marsh

The Backyard Bird Chronicles - Amy Tan

90s Bitch - Allison Yarrow

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered - Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark

The Land Before Time Management: ADHDinos - Ryan Keats

ADHD is Awesome - Penn Holderness, Kim Holderness

The Planets - Dave Sobel

The Secret History of Bigfoot - John O'Connor

The Age of Magical Overthinking - Amanda Montell

Everyday Vitality - Samantha Boardman

The Autoimmune Cure - Sara Gottfried

The Anxiety Reset Method - Georgie Collinson

Hit 'Em Where It Hurts - Rachel Bitecofer

Bite by Bite - Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Cooking in Real Life - Lidey Heuck

Seriously So Good - Carissa Stanton

Bold = Highly Recommend

Italics = Worth It

Crossed Out = Nope Thoughts:  Favorite fiction of the month: Ready or Not, which takes a whole bunch of tropes I don't love, but makes me love them. Loved the audiobook narrator, as well.

Favorite non-fiction of the month: Bite by Bite, which is a love letter to food and family. Check it out if you like Ross Gay.

Goodreads Goal: 192/200 2017 Reads | 2018 Reads | 2019 Reads | 2020 Reads | 2021 Reads | 2022 Reads | 2023 Reads | 2024 Reads

[mia-studyhaus]

Studyhaus' Summer 2024 in Books

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆

It was truly a hot girl summer because look at these absolute gems that I got to enjoy from a variety of genres and styles:

Anon Pls. by Deuxmoi [Fiction, Contemporary, Pop Culture]

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra [Fiction, Contemporary, Romance]

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams [Fiction, Contemporary, Romance]

Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson [Fantasy, Young Adult, Marvel]

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle [Fiction, Contemporary, Romance]

Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite [Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance]

Ageing: A Very Short Introduction by Nancy A. Pachana [Non-fiction, Science, Health]

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone [Fiction, Contemporary, Romance]

The Fastest Man Alive: The True Story of Usain Bolt by Usain Bolt [Non-fiction, Sports, Biography]

Araña and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow by Alex Segura [Fantasy, Young Adult, Marvel]

Inspiration and Motivation for Runners by Ali Clarke [Non-fiction, Fitness, Self-help]

Healthy Menopause: How to best manage your symptoms and feel better than ever by Liz Earle [Non-fiction, Health, Women]

Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier by Kevin Kelly [Non-fiction, Philosophy, Self-help]

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear [Non-fiction, Psychology, Self-help]

My Big, Fat Desi Wedding by multiple authors (Edited by Prerna Pickett [Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance]

All these books are worth a read but my top pick would be Atomic Habits. Let me know if you have read any of these below or if you read any books this summer that you recommend me to try out!

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆

Follow @mia-studyhaus for more book magic!!!! YAYYYY!!!!!!!!

[jeevesreads]

15 Hidden Identity Romance Novels

An underrated trope, hidden identity romance books add tension and conflict to stories. The reader is often in on the secret, or they know that there’s something yet to be revealed, so they anticipate the moment when the other shoe drops. That adds to the bingeable quality of these romances, and makes them more dynamic, interesting reads. Sometimes the secret is a big deal, sometimes a lie of…

[valentina-lauricella]

Leggendo le Lettere di Pavese, mi sono imbattuta in questa, che è l'unica lettera che scrisse nell'ottobre del '41. È indirizzata a una signora che gli ha rivelato di essere innamorata di lui. Guardate come la maltratta, in un modo che a me sembra decisamente sopra le righe. Mi ha ricordato come mi trattarono due uomini a cui avevo fatto la stessa confessione (loro mi suggerirono anche di uccidermi, per risolvere definitivamente la questione).

In questo periodo, Pavese era impegnato a corteggiare la giovanissima Fernanda Pivano, vergine che si era mascolinizzata e stava forse virando all'omosessualità, che lui probabilmente fantasticava di plasmare e riportare alla "retta via"; essendo però, nello stesso tempo, consapevole della limitazione della propria pretesa, in quanto la sua fidanzata precedente aveva messo in giro la voce che lui non sapesse soddisfare una donna (egli stesso, a un amico, confessa la propria incoercibile tendenza a "partire troppo veloce"), querela che egli riconosce per vera. Ma vediamo come striglia la malcapitata corteggiatrice; anzi, come la bastona.

Cara ***,

in questi tempi, con quest'ira di Dio di cose che succedono, occuparsi delle cose di cui si occupa Lei mi sembra imperdonabile. Dopo quanto Lei mi ha scritto, non vedo che cosa possa fare per Lei. Fin da quando mi ha dato quella bella notizia, che è innamorata di me, Le ho fatto capire e risposto che la smettesse. Io non sono Suo amico - come non sono amico di nessuna donna. Non posso quindi darLe nessun consiglio, se non quello di mettere testa a partito e pensare ai Suoi figli e a Suo marito che ha piú grattacapi che capelli. Che Lei mi dica quello che mi dice, mi convince una volta di piú che

le donne vanno trattate a bastonate, e questo è il consiglio che d'or innanzi darò a tutti.

Deve capire che non c'è cosa piú irritante che sentirsi parlare d'amore quando si ha tutt'altro per il capo. Nel Suo caso, poi, ci sono delle circostanze che gridano vendetta. È chiaro? Non mi scriva piú, né venga a cercarmi, perché non mi troverebbe. Pensi piuttosto a vivere la vita che Le tocca, come io vivo la mia, e si guardi bene dal dire quello che Lei chiama "tutto" a ***. Farebbe star male lui, starebbe male Lei, e non cambierebbe niente. Abbiamo il cervello e la volontà appunto per farci passare le fisime di testa e pensare a cose piú serie che non quelle fantasie che Lei nutre. Le Sue lettere le ho strappate e Le consiglio di fare lo stesso con questa

Pavese

Poiché dai letterati, anche sull'orlo di una crisi di nervi, s'impara sempre qualcosa, ho imparato come dovrò trattare gli uomini che mi daranno anche solo un po' di fastidio: a bastonate.