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, The Best and Most Anticipated Romance Books of 2024, So Far).

“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

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.

©2024 Cara Bastone (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Accidental pregnancy is a love-it-or-hate-it construct for most romance fans, which could leave Cara Bastone’s friends-to-lovers entry in a tough position. But for those willing to jive with that particular plot twist—and trust me, it’s worth it—Ready or Not is an absolutely buoyant read. Vivacious and funny, Bastone’s first-person perspective through protagonist Eve traces the tricky threads of single parenthood, long-term friendship, infertility, grief, and (yes) sex with skill.”—Elle

“I’ve never read a contemporary romance novel quite like this one. This friends-to-lovers trope centers on a surprise pregnancy that’s filled with heartfelt dialogue, unexpected love and a slow burn. It’s incredible and I found myself not wanting to put it down. This story is endearing, life-affirming, and left me feeling buoyed and hopeful.”—New York Post, “The 15 Best Books We Read in February”

“Ready or Not is the very definition of the perfect slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance. Cara Bastone’s voice is wholly unique and sparkles with effervescence and joy. I savored every page.”—KJ Dell’Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters

A new favorite

This book is beautiful. You will laugh out loud and cry tears of sadness and joy. Just a wonderful story about love and life. And Alex Finke is officially one of my favorite narrators!

Could have done without the gender and pronouns comments

Absolutely love the storyline and everybody’s parts. They played in eves life and very much enjoyed. Everybody’s story minus the pronouns/gender involvement.

Beauty in life

Bastone has done it again. This is a wonderful and feel-good story that you cannot miss. The narrator breathes reality into Eve’s perspective.

Can’t wait for more from this author.

Impeccible storytelling

First off, the voice actress is AMAZING. She really made the wonderful story stand out. The story itself was very charming and led me on this emotional rollercoaster with the main character. Very much recommended.

Heartwarming

This book is a new favorite, I wish there was more because I didn’t want it to end. The way the narrator captured every character was amazing and I was ugly crying happy tears by the end

Outstanding performance and touching story!!

Cara Bastone does it again! Ready or not is a wonderful and tender story of love and relationships. I could listen to it again immediately!!

A MUST LISTEN

The audible reader gives the absolute best performance of all the characters I've ever heard. so glad I chose this book on a whim.

10000/10

The only thing better than this book itself is the performance. Wowwwww. So beautiful. So well done. Amazing character development. So so good

Shep and Eve🥰

Loved this book! Such a sweet story that got me in my feels. The audible version was excellent!

Such amazing voice acting

Obsessed with the story but I think I enjoyed it even more because of the phenomenal voice acting!