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geekybobbin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
Minor: Infertility, Terminal illness, and Miscarriage
veronicakirchner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ready or Not is a beautifully written love story about a woman’s journey through pregnancy. Cara Bastone writes with such a relatable, realistic voice and hopeful tone. Through the most lovable characters, she brings words to the complexities of pregnancy, motherhood, family, friendship, and self-discovery. Multiple times while reading this book, I found myself physically holding it close to my heart. This novel is full of enlightening perspectives/worldviews, words of wisdom, and sentiments that I will never forget. I truly cannot wait to share this Brooklyn-based romance with others!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage
enneirda07's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
First of all, the narrator NARRATED. She did a great job of conveying all the emotions and the *sound effects*. I loved the FMC, she was funny and smart and advocate for herself. Shep is the perfect golden retriever book boyfriend. I also love there is no miscommunication trope or third act breakup
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Vomit
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
juliaegreene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
i am usually a pregnancy trope hater. i've put books down because of it, i have not picked up books that i otherwise think would be perfect for me. but the bring your own pod girlies recommended this one and i just had a feeling that it would be good for me (thank you brandi/kendra/kayla ily). and honestly? i deeply enjoyed this book. it's a perfect romantic comedy - a balance between earnest and comical, with funny banter and musings on love in all forms. eve's narration is full of life and her journey through pregnancy and figuring out her relationships with her loved ones, baby daddy, job, herself and her child was so thoughtfully done. she is passionate and goofy and considerate and indecisive and strong. the love story is the perfect amount - it doesn't take over but the book is still solidly a romance. and SHEP. i love this man. golden retriever, long-time friend, best friend's older brother who loves to take care of her and has loved her for his whole life. the haircut? the bike seat? oh my god.
i read this on audio and i LOVED it. alex finke is amazing as eve - her voice holds every emotion and puts it right in your heart. i laughed so many times i lost count. her voices for the other characters are distinctive without feeling silly. the only thing i struggled a bit with were the sex scene and the labor because she was Acting them out and i lowkey could not handle it. (this is why i normally try to have a phys/dig copy when i'm listening lol.) i deeply enjoyed this story and will not be surprised if this ends up 1) purchased and 2) on my favorites of the year list. read it! and can someone make this into a 2000s style rom com film!!
sincerely,
a (reformed? maybe?) pregnancy trope hater
i read this on audio and i LOVED it. alex finke is amazing as eve - her voice holds every emotion and puts it right in your heart. i laughed so many times i lost count. her voices for the other characters are distinctive without feeling silly. the only thing i struggled a bit with were the sex scene and the labor because she was Acting them out and i lowkey could not handle it. (this is why i normally try to have a phys/dig copy when i'm listening lol.) i deeply enjoyed this story and will not be surprised if this ends up 1) purchased and 2) on my favorites of the year list. read it! and can someone make this into a 2000s style rom com film!!
sincerely,
a (reformed? maybe?) pregnancy trope hater
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Vomit
vannoc2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent
sacrill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Loved this book so much!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Infertility, and Pregnancy
greatestheights's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Miscarriage and Death of parent
alyse_turns_pages's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This had a lot of potential but I think a few things really just annoyed me a little too much to overlook.
🚨There are going to be spoilers below. So click away if you don’t want to see. 🚨
I mean it.
Look away.
Last chance…
.
.
.
.
1. Ithan. This “man” is a wet freaking noodle. The dude can’t even make his own mind on whether or not he can be there for his baby…because his girlfriend who is apparently psychotic and insecure as heck doesn’t want him to be?! He’s so freaking wishy washy and Wve really let him get away with a lot of bullshit. Ithan is no man he can’t even think for himself.
2. All the intimate scenes between Eve and Shep felt very juvenile in the way they were talking to each other and even Eves internal monologues. Maybe this was just amplified on audio and isn’t as bad eyeball reading but I didn’t like it.
Okay. Things I did like.
🫶🏻 I appreciated the spotlight on how pregnancy and infertility can suffocate and sometimes ruin friendships. Willa was really hurting and she showed up in the best way she could for Eve. As someone who has had to deal with this exact situation it’s so hard to try to be a good friend while you’re silently heartbroken.
🫶🏻 Shep was such a caring MMC. I loved how he loved Eve.
🚨There are going to be spoilers below. So click away if you don’t want to see. 🚨
I mean it.
Look away.
Last chance…
.
.
.
.
1. Ithan. This “man” is a wet freaking noodle. The dude can’t even make his own mind on whether or not he can be there for his baby…because his girlfriend who is apparently psychotic and insecure as heck doesn’t want him to be?! He’s so freaking wishy washy and Wve really let him get away with a lot of bullshit. Ithan is no man he can’t even think for himself.
2. All the intimate scenes between Eve and Shep felt very juvenile in the way they were talking to each other and even Eves internal monologues. Maybe this was just amplified on audio and isn’t as bad eyeball reading but I didn’t like it.
Okay. Things I did like.
🫶🏻 I appreciated the spotlight on how pregnancy and infertility can suffocate and sometimes ruin friendships. Willa was really hurting and she showed up in the best way she could for Eve. As someone who has had to deal with this exact situation it’s so hard to try to be a good friend while you’re silently heartbroken.
🫶🏻 Shep was such a caring MMC. I loved how he loved Eve.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
acethirtynine's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was very charming, and I really enjoyed Eve's journey - the balance of her own personal growth, her pregnancy, and navigating all of the complicated relationships and emotions that go along with such a huge life change.
I rarely highlight things in my e-books, but this quote from toward the end of the book (not a spoiler) really stuck with me.
Eve and another character are talking about the difference between being self-centered, being selfish, and being other-centered. This is a conversation and a revelation for Eve that is a real turning point for her - and it also just feels like such an important reminder in life, especially while the world can seem super dark. The other character talks about those who are other-centered seeing the world as a web - where everyone is connected. Where every single person is somebody else's favorite person on earth.
“That’s what it means to be other-centered? To see the web? To treat everyone like they’re somebody’s favorite person on earth?”
I rarely highlight things in my e-books, but this quote from toward the end of the book (not a spoiler) really stuck with me.
Eve and another character are talking about the difference between being self-centered, being selfish, and being other-centered. This is a conversation and a revelation for Eve that is a real turning point for her - and it also just feels like such an important reminder in life, especially while the world can seem super dark. The other character talks about those who are other-centered seeing the world as a web - where everyone is connected. Where every single person is somebody else's favorite person on earth.
“That’s what it means to be other-centered? To see the web? To treat everyone like they’re somebody’s favorite person on earth?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Infertility
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
kaitisbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
3.75 ⭐️ - I know the vast majority of people get the ick from the accidental pregnancy trope, but it’s very well executed here. Instead of pregnancy being a vehicle to force an unlikely couple together (or worse, religious propaganda), this is actually an honest telling of what a stable adult with a home and a career would do in this situation, and how it affects her relationships: familial, friendship, romantic, and even coworkers.
It also explores the dynamic between the protagonist and her best friend, who has been actively trying to get pregnant for two years and experiencing fertility issues.
My favorite part though, is that it out the pregnant person in the position of the object of desire for the love interest (who is not the baby’s father! and that’s not a spoiler it is in the description!!!) pregnant women deserve to feel sexy and confident and desired, and I appreciated that here.
It wasn’t entirely perfect, I had issues with the pacing of the plot and at times the narrators voice read as juvenile and trying to hard to be quirky, but ultimately I was entertained and completely captivated by the various relationships in the story.
It also explores the dynamic between the protagonist and her best friend, who has been actively trying to get pregnant for two years and experiencing fertility issues.
My favorite part though, is that it out the pregnant person in the position of the object of desire for the love interest (who is not the baby’s father! and that’s not a spoiler it is in the description!!!) pregnant women deserve to feel sexy and confident and desired, and I appreciated that here.
It wasn’t entirely perfect, I had issues with the pacing of the plot and at times the narrators voice read as juvenile and trying to hard to be quirky, but ultimately I was entertained and completely captivated by the various relationships in the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Infertility
Minor: Death of parent