Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone was one of those books that made you laugh and cry and cheer and boo sometimes all at the same time. It was truly poignant in places and uplifting in others. The main character of Lenny is one of tragedy and triumph.
Lenny’s best friend forever, Lou died. Lenny and Lou had been partners in crime since the age of 5. Lou had gone through a cancer diagnosis and came out the other side. Lenny did a lot of taking care of Lou and being her best support. When Lou’s second diagnosis of cancer was fatal, Lenny fell apart.
Lenny works as a nanny when she feels she can keep it together. She lives out of her backpack and refuses to go home to the apartment that she and Lou had. She lucks out with a part time nannying job with Reese and her daughter Ainsley. The only issue is that they come with Miles, an uncle to Ainsley.
Miles sees through Lenny like no one else and has offered to help her. She is reticent, but as time goes on she and Miles become pals of a sort and she is leaning on him to help her and he is leaning on her to help him. Slowly both make their way forward in a world that doesn’t seem open or friendly to them. Ainsley and Reese slowly become more comfortable with Miles and Lenny starts to accomplish things on her list and is more open to living outside a shadowy existence.
Lenny and Miles are great characters. They both can help the other, but not themselves. The pairing of them and their new posse add just the right touch to make the book more enjoyable despite the difficult subject of death. This book is one to read and treasure, knowing that life can be short and there is much to do. Promise Me Sunshine is a really good book by Cara Bastone.
