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

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her death has left Lenny feeling completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with Lou, and the list of things she’s supposed to do to help her live again. The only thing she can do is temporary babysitting gigs, and luckily, she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. It’s not perfect: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of… a huge jerk. But if Lenny acts like she has it all together, maybe no one will notice she’s falling apart.

Miles sees right through her though. Turns out, he knows a lot about grief and, surprisingly, he offers her 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 Lou has left behind, but she begins to spend more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself, and love, again.

Romantic comedies tend to be a tough sell for me. Too often, they feel formulaic, predictable, and lacking the emotional depth I crave in a good story. I tend to save them for when I need a “reset” after heavier reads, but I don’t expect much beyond a light, enjoyable diversion. I also tend to listen to them on audiobook because they help with the mundanity of household chores, and if my mind wanders, I don’t worry too much about missing something super important.

I’m happy to report that this book rose above the standard and completely surprised me in the best way. It isn’t just a romance – it’s a deeply human story about grief, healing, and learning how to move forward when everything feels broken. The writing is strong, the characters are wonderfully developed, and the emotional beats hit with a sincerity that never feels forced. While the book begins with what appears to be a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic, it quickly sheds predictable tropes and instead delivers a love story that feels authentic and earned. There’s no unnecessary drama, no third-act breakup (thankfully!), and no reliance on cliches to push the narrative forward. Instead, Bastone gives us something far more compelling: a romance that feels organic and deeply rooted in personal growth.

Lenny is not in a great place when we first meet her. She’s been adrift since the death of her best friend, Lou, struggling to face the life she had before Lou’s illness took over. She avoids the apartment that the two of them shared, dodges her concerned parents, and clings to the one thing that gives her structure – temporary babysitting gigs. A few days is about all she can commit to with anyone, and these gigs are perfect. That’s how she ends up working for Reese, a single mother juggling a demanding career and parenting her spirited young daughter, Ainsley. (Who, by the way, is one of the most adorable children I have read in a while.)

But the job comes with one unexpected (and initially unwelcome) complication: Reese’s half-brother and Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, who lives in the same building. Miles is protective and blunt and doesn’t trust Lenny’s outwardly cheery approach. When Reese offers Lenny a more permanent gig, Miles goes so far as to follow Lenny when she leaves – just to make sure she doesn’t get up to any shady business off the clock. When he finds Lenny spending the night on the Staten Island ferry because she can’t bear to go home, he opens up to her and admits that he, too, is no stranger to grief. Instead of pushing Lenny away, he sees her pain for what it is, and the two become each other’s saving grace.

This leads to Miles offering to help Lenny tackle her “live again” list – a collection of things she and Lou had planned to do together – if she helps him work on his relationship with Ainsley and Reese. What begins as a practical arrangement quickly evolves into something much deeper as Lenny and Miles find unexpected comfort and understanding in each other.

One of my favorite things about this book was how Lenny and Miles’ relationship unfolded. There’s no forced conflict, no over-the-top declarations, just two people helping each other heal while falling in love along the way. Their banter is sharp and engaging but never feels performative or overly scripted. Instead, their connection grows through quiet moments of honesty, small acts of care, and a mutual willingness to be vulnerable.

I also loved that Lenny isn’t magically “fixed” by falling in love, and her journey isn’t about finding a romantic partner to complete her. Instead, her relationship with Miles is one part of a larger healing process while rediscovering the parts of herself she thought she’d lost. Likewise, Miles’ character development is just as satisfying. He’s not a stereotypical grumpy love interest whose only role is to soften under the heroine’s influence. He has his own arc, his own emotional wounds, and his own growth to work through. His relationship with Ainsley is especially touching, and watching him learn how to be a better uncle adds another layer of depth to his character. (Can we talk about the talent show scene?)

I mentioned earlier that the author refuses to rely on the usual tropes, which is a nice departure from the standard. Bastone trusts her characters and her story enough to let them develop naturally, and that makes all the difference. This is a book about love, yes, but it’s also a book about friendship, grief, and the slow, often painful process of moving forward.

I got this book as part of my BOTM subscription, but I also listened to an audio copy, and I have to give major kudos to Alex Finke, who narrated the book with tons of personality. She hit all the beats, capturing the emotional sections perfectly without being overdramatic.

Even if rom-coms aren’t typically your thing, this one is worth the read. I can honestly say that I’ll recommend this romance to everyone. It’s warm, heartfelt, and beautifully written, with characters that feel incredibly real. While it delivers all the emotional satisfaction of a great love story, it also offers a genuine exploration of loss, resilience, and the unexpected ways people find their way back to themselves.

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