Ready or Not

A Novel

By: Cara Bastone

Narrated by: Alex Finke

A surprise pregnancy leads to even more life-changing revelations in this “absolutely buoyant read” (Elle).

“Bastone delivers on this truly heartwarming, funny, and real story. Come for the dog bar, stay for the special, slow-burn romcom.”—Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, Elle

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

The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve’s loyal friendship with Willa is feeling tense, right when she needs her the most. And it’s actually Willa’s steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help Eve. He has always been friendly, but now he’s checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is . . . suddenly kinda hot? Then, as if she needs one more complication, there’s the baby’s father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.

Up until this point, Eve’s been content to coast through life. Now, though—maybe it’s the hormones, maybe it’s the way Shep’s shoulders look in a T-shirt—Eve starts to wonder if she has been secretly desiring more from every aspect of her life.

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 family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

Well written but not for me

I’ve loved some of this author’s Audible shorts. Her writing is really good, excellent character voice, and she really knows how to do romance. A bit spicier than I personally like.
One thing I didn’t love: while I know the author meant to present the different varied reactions to the MC’s pregnancy, I really objected to the fact that her only representation of a Christian character is one who responds in a cold and negative way. Does she think that because Christians have a specific set of personal morals, we’re all unable to be happy for and supportive of someone who makes a different choice?

The narrator is awful.

I love this story, but the narrator uses goofy voices throughout. It takes you out of the story entirely, ESPECIALLY during the spicy moments.

I definitely recommend this read. On your Kindle.

You won't be disappointed

Great storyline, fantastic narration. Cara Bastone is truly talented. Her stories draw you in and keep you locked in to the very end.

Healthy Relationships

I really liked the examples of healthy, growing relationships between most of the characters. The end passage was especially beautiful.

Romcom worthy

ADORABLE!!!! If you love cheesy romcoms this one is the one!!!

Eve was so witty and her inner monologues were my most favorite parts of the book, although the audio narrator was absolutely amazing and I think that’s what made it so great!!!

Shep was the sweetest man ever with his boy next-door energy 🥹😭 he truly just wanted to be there for Eve in any way possible despite being so in love with her. He legit would take whatever she was willing to give him .. He even cleaned up her babydaddy’s vomit like cmon people!!!!

I love how real and raw this journey was; Eve did not have it all planned out by any means and neither did Ethan. They both had their own issues but ultimately did everything in their power to be the best parents.

I wish we got an epilogue of some sort - maybe the baby’s first birthday or something so that we could see Shep and Eves relationship as well as how all three coparent together 😭