Reviews with content warning for Vomit - Ready or Not

Super heartfelt and engrossing! Having read the “behind the book” portion, I learned that Bastone actually began writing this when she was pregnant with her child and then revisited and ultimately finished it when she was pregnant with her second. This was not surprising to learn because Eve’s voice is so earnest and passionate, you could feel the emotion brimming beneath the words.

I’m not typically drawn to the “surprise baby” trope in romance lit (and friends-to-lovers isn’t among my favorites, either), but the protagonist felt so real and her experience so unique that the story became something entirely its own, with the theme of pregnancy becoming a larger, more expansive exploration of growth in general. I’m so glad that I read it in early January, with so much of the book feeling like a meditation on rebirth.

We meet Eve just as she learns that her spontaneous night with a handsome stranger had more strings attached than she bargained for. As a “surprise baby” herself, born to a couple on the threshold of their retirement years after raising her three brothers, Eve grapples with her mixed feelings about becoming a mother. With a job she feels lukewarm about, a sparse history of committed romantic relationships, and a reluctance to define any expectations of the baby’s father, Eve is on the brink of evolution as she sets out on a journey of finally taking a risk and moving towards something she wants.

Eve’s voice is so hilarious and honest, I soon felt that she was a close friend taking me along her terrifying, incredible experience. Shep stole my heart almost immediately with his golden retriever devotion and inability to be unkind (“did you make Ethan breakfast, you absolute prince?”). His presence is soft and sweet, with “a face that’s constantly inviting you to lie on a hammock and find shapes in the clouds.” Their story is a slow burn on the softest setting (“Slow is good. I want it in such slow motion it becomes the rest of my life”), one that feels like a cup of tea someone else made for you, like a hand holding you steady on uneven ground. The foundation of years-long friendship and understanding was devastating in its steadfastness and gentleness. I feel like this will be a book that sticks with me for some time.

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sincerelyadi's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

First 5 star read of the new year! Before I get into the thoughts of my book I feel compelled to share my goals around reading for the new year first. I have a large physical tbr that I’ve neglected. So this year my goal is to read more from my physical tbr and less buying a book that sounds good. (Which is very tempting for my adhd) speaking of my adhd I tend to find audiobooks easier for me because I can multi task more. So I went on Libby and created a folder of books I physically own but in audiobook form. Fortunately most of the books had audiobooks and more than half had zero wait time. This will also help with my decision paralysis for my adhd.

This book was the first on the list following that concept and woah what a great decision. First of all this book was hilarious but the narrator made it 10x more funny with how she read it. She really got into character in the best way.

I loved the journey we were taken on over 9 months, and while I’ve never had kids of my own, I feel like a lot of these moments had to be relatable for people who have been pregnant.

The baby dad’s journey seemed real and raw but always wanting to show up. What a solid dude.

And Shep. What a gem of a gem! Also please tell me I wasn’t the only one who thought of Shep from Southern Charmed from back in the day lol. Although two very different people iykyk.

Overall this was a great start to the new year and I look forward to reading more from this author because this truly made me laugh out loud more than once!

Content Warnings

ninetyonepct's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

Honestly, this was fantastic, would genuinely be one of the best books I read this year. The only hold back is just how unbelievably millennial the characters are. That being said it makes all the characters feel like actual people.
And the one star reviews talking about how "cringe" the MC was for being open to the idea that her child may end up being trans is NOT the cringy part of this book. If that's what bothered you just say you're transphobic and move along to some other book. I promise you this book has actually cringy stuff in it but being accepting of trans people is not it.
For real tho I loved the plot, the characters felt real no matter how annoying I thought they were at some times, and It just felt warm.
Might not be everyone's cup of tea but if you can get past the millennial cringe then you'll be okay lol

Content Warnings

shamaramill's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

hayleyrwiley's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Made me laugh out loud multiple times but also brought me to tears. A beautiful look at how pregnancy and motherhood change you and your relationships with those around you.

Content Warnings

abidavisf's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Somebody call the Louvre cos we’ve got ourselves a masterpiece.

Cara Bastone is a genius. Her writing is gorgeous. It’s casual and simple while also immensely clever. It’s hilarious and raw and friendly. Ready or Not is your best friend telling you about their day. It’s your own stream of consciousness, guiding you through life, making subtle observations about inconsequential events and overthinking everything.

Eve is a badass. She is all heart, even when she thinks she isn’t, *especially* when she thinks she isn’t. Eve is love and bravery. She cares and she craves and she feels so much. I adore her. She is also hilarious. I can’t figure out if I’m more inclined to be her or be her best friend.

Shep and Ethan are two sides of a coin, opposite and yet so similar. Both men are in touch with their emotions. Both men are genuinely good. There were moments in this book that had me frustrated with Ethan but nothing ever made me doubt his integrity or his intentions. Shep is, of course, perfect. No notes. I hate saying that, but it’s true.

I love that Ready or Not is just a story of an accidental pregnancy and figuring out what the ever-loving fk you’re going to do about it. This is a book about dreams and friendship and found family. It is a book about accepting flaws, your own and those others. It is a book about honesty and openness. There are some really hard-hitting themes in Ready or Not, from infidelity to infertility, and all of them are handled with grace and respect.

I am over the moon to be able to go and read Cara Bastone’s entire bibliography.

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