ŷ������

જ⁀�� 6 ��

⋆�����˚��“But with you, Len, when I met you �� I sort of feel like I met myself.�� ⋆�����˚��

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It captures the raw, unfiltered reality of grief—how messy, unpredictable, and all-consuming it can be—while also reminding us that healing is possible, even from the pain we once believed was insurmountable.
There are countless words I could use to describe this book: captivating, inspiring, heartwarming, deeply emotional, and achingly realistic. Every page resonated with me, drawing me in with its honesty and depth.

This was my first Cara Bastone book, and calling it an understatement to say I’ll be reading more of her work doesn’t even begin to express how much I want to. Sometimes, I struggle to write reviews for books that truly move me because no words ever feel sufficient to capture their impact. This book is one of those—one that leaves me at a loss for words in the best possible way.

I genuinely have no words to fully express how much this book made me feel. From the very first page, I was completely captivated. I’ll admit, I was hesitant to request the ARC at first—I don’t typically read many books about grief—but the moment I saw it was set in nyc, I couldn’t resist. (I’m a whore for books set in nyc.)

This book is so much more than just a romance. It’s a story about surviving the unimaginable loss of a loved one and learning how to move forward while carrying that grief. It teaches you that even in the depths of sorrow, life can still be breathtakingly beautiful—that even when you feel like you've lost your purpose, there is still so much worth living for.

⋆�����“Grief �� it’s not like any other emotion. It is utterly discombobulating. Among many other things.��⋆�����

The writing in this book was absolutely breathtaking—I was completely blown away by it. It tackles such a heavy, emotional topic, yet does so in a way that feels incredibly comforting, like a warm embrace in the midst of heartbreak. One moment, I was in tears, and the next, I was laughing—all within the span of just a few sentences.

CHAPTER 32 got me in all the feelings, I think I highlighted the whole chapter because of how beautiful it was and how giddy it got me feeling.

My only complaint? There’s no epilogue. And let me tell you, I was devastated when I reached the last page and didn’t see the word epilogue. I’m a simply girl who needs that happily ever after wrapped up neatly. Give me the ten years later scene. Let me see the future I’ve been desperately hoping for😭

If you're looking for a light, fluffy romance, this isn’t the book for you. While there are moments of humor sprinkled throughout, the story leans much more on the heavy, emotional side. In fact, I’d argue that the romance is more of a subplot—this book is about grief, healing. And it does that beautifully.


�� characters:


ೃ࿐ Lenny Bellamy

��.�� “Look, Lenny. From where I’m sitting you are someone who needs friends to be happy. People are your fuel.��

My sweet girl—I wish I could wrap her in the biggest, warmest hug. She lost her best friend, the other half of her soul, and now she’s left adrift, struggling to navigate a world that suddenly feels emptier. She’s drowning in grief, caught between memories of the past and the unbearable weight of the present.

⋆�����“And saying ‘my friend died�� doesn’t convey what really—she was my sister. No. My A-team. My other half. And I’m so fucking stupid because I didn’t realize she was my whole life until she was gone.��⋆�����

Lenny’s character is a raw, heartbreaking portrayal of just how messy and unpredictable grief truly is. It’s not a neat, linear process—it ebbs and flows, crashing over you when you least expect it. One moment, you’re smiling, feeling a fleeting sense of normalcy, and the next, you’re hit with the crushing realization that the person you love is gone. And then comes the guilt—the ache of continuing to live, to experience joy, while knowing they no longer can. This book captures that pain with such honesty, showing that grief isn’t just sadness; it’s love that has nowhere to go.

Lenny is a character who is so easy to understand and empathize with. Even if you haven’t experienced the same kind of loss she has, if you’ve ever loved someone deeply, just imagining losing them is enough to make your heart ache. It’s no wonder she’s a mess—how could she not be? Grief like hers is impossible to prepare for.

I don’t even know how I would cope if I lost my best friend. She’s more than just a friend; she’s like a sister to me. In a way, I’ve already lost a part of her since moving away from my country—it’s been hard to stay connected the way we used to. But this book made me realize something important: instead of focusing on the distance, I need to be grateful that I can still call her, still text her, still hear her voice. It reminded me to cherish what we have, even from miles away.


ೃ࿐ Miles Honey

��.�� “I want to be someone they can rely on. Who they like having around.��

I’m just going to pretend I didn’t see the buzzcut on the cover—because in my mind, Miles looks like Logan Lerman with long hair, not almost bald.🤚🏻 That being said, Miles is absolutely perfect, and somehow even more attractive when he starts wearing glasses.🤭

He’s also carrying an immense amount of grief, though in a different way. He’s lost his mother, his father, and his cousin—so much loss for one person to bear. In an attempt to hold on to what little family he has left, he moves to be closer to them, hoping for connection. But watching how misunderstood he is by his sister and niece absolutely shattered me. He’s trying so hard, yet they can’t seem to see the depth of him. It broke my heart to see him feeling so alone and useless.

Miles is the kind of person who would do absolutely anything for the people he loves, no matter what it takes. His heart is so big, and the depth of his loyalty is undeniable. He’s emotionally intelligent in a way that feels rare��he notices things, understands feelings that aren’t always spoken aloud, and cares so deeply without expecting anything in return.

⋆�����“Yeah, that’s right. You need strong. You need someone who can stop you from fighting large men on the street. 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.��⋆�����

�� that quote sums up the kind of person Miles is.

At the same time, he’s wonderfully selfless, always putting others before himself, even when it means carrying the weight of his own struggles in silence. And then there’s his social awkwardness, which only makes him even more endearing. He’s not the type to command a room, but his quiet presence speaks volumes. All of these qualities—his kindness, his depth, his quiet strength—make me love him even more. He’s the kind of character who stays with you long after the last page.

She ask him if her face is boring and do you want to know what this man says???😭😭
�� “Lenny, when I look at your face, I feel like I’m finally home after a really long day at work.��

HELLO I would literally marry him right there💖😭

{spoiler❗️} I was bailing my eyes out when miles was dancing with Ainsley, I don’t know why I started crying specifically in that moment. But it’s the way he just wants to help everyone around him, how happy he was after the dance. The fact that Reese finallly saw him for what he truly is. Also he getting a matching tattoo with Lenny😭 and saying that the wolves aren’t along because there’s 2 of them SHUT UP😫



˚₊�� ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚�� °. Lenny & Miles


They were exactly what each other needed, even before they realized it themselves. The slow burn between them was absolutely perfect—the kind of love that sneaks up on you, growing steadily in the quiet moments, until suddenly, it’s everything. Their relationship felt so natural, so effortless, like two puzzle pieces falling into place. Watching them go from strangers to friends to something more was everything I could have hoped for and then some. There’s just something so special about a love that starts with friendship, which is why friends to lovers will always be my favorite trope.

⋆�����“He treats you well?��
“Mom, he walked into hell and dragged me back out.��⋆�����

Their dynamic was a perfect mix of heartwarming and hilarious. Their banter had me hooked—playful, sharp, and filled with so much unspoken affection. But what truly captivated me was the way they helped each other heal. They didn’t just fall in love; they lifted each other up, slowly piecing together the broken parts neither of them could fix alone. I want a love like that.

And even though they were complete opposites in so many ways, they balanced each other in a way that felt almost magical. I don’t even know how to put it into words��it just worked

“I’m not sleeping.��
“You always say that when I catch you sleeping.��
“I’m never sleeping when I close my eyes like this with you.��
“Then what are you doing?�� He pauses and I think he might not answer. But then he says, “I’m committing the moment to memory.��

�� it should be a crime for someone like miles to be fictional😭😭


�� side characters:

𐙚 i would pay good amount of money for a Reese book, maybeeee with Ethan🤭🤭 both single parents!!! Cara please, I just need another book so I can see more about Miles & Lenny.


💌 tropes:

ꨄ︎ strangers to friends to lovers
ꨄ︎ nyc based
ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ grumpy x sunshine
ꨄ︎ healing
ꨄ︎ found family


-‘๑��- my favorite quotes & scenes
possible spoilers mentioned

・❥�� “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.�� MY FAVORITE QUOTE🥹

・❥・“She’s not a mess,�� he says in a low voice. “She’s perfect. Messy,�� he concedes. “But not a mess.��

・❥・“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.��

・❥�� Because Miles? Miles is? Miles is my list shepherd. My constant companion. My ace. Miles is my pal.

・❥・“Lenny. Thank you for calling me,�� he says in a low voice. His hand slides across the picnic table and lands on mine. We’re only touching in four square inches but I’m awash in his warm heat. “For calling when you needed me.��

・❥・“I don’t know where I’d be without him. And I mean that literally. He’s kept me earthbound, Mom. The only reason I’m standing here right now is him. And I’m feeling so much and it hurts.��

・❥・“Lenny, the stakes are low with you because you’re the most loyal person I’ve ever met. You’re fully on my team. Now that you’re here, I think there’s very little I could do to kick you out �� I don’t have to worry about losing you. I can just �� relax.��

・❥・“Something good for you, something bad for you, and a change of scenery. That’s the winning formula.��

・❥・“The thing about bodies is that some of us, even when we don’t know how to live, just keep right on living, no matter how poorly we feed and water ourselves.��


��.�� pre-read: ᯸���𐭩୭��.

I’M SOO EXCITED to finally read this🤸🏻‍♂�� I’ve been ignoring the arc for months🫣 but it’s getting released soon and all I see are 5 stars everywhere so this better be good🤞🏻

______

OMG I GOT THE ARC!!!
does anyone know if I need to read ready or not before this one?