by Naomi
Readers of romantic fiction have so many options. There are lots of excellent authors, bringing their creativity and different styles to the genre. Still, it’s remarkable that in this vast ocean of authors, Cara Bastone stands out. She is the author of the Forever Yours series, the Love Lines series and the Hearts of New York series.
My first introduction to her work was her debut novel, Just a Heartbeat Away (which I just found out is being reissued in January 2027). It blew me away! It felt very different from romance books I’d been reading. Even though the story is relatively simple (a widowed father finds himself falling for his son’s much younger teacher), it stood out in its execution. What could’ve been a sleazy romance was instead a deeply emotional, reflective story about growing as a person, about life and second chances.
As it turns out, that’s very characteristic of Bastone’s writing. Her goal is “to find the swoon in ordinary love stories”, as per her website. That’s exactly where her work shines: she writes deeply human love stories, with characters that could be your friends (and that I frequently wish were my friends). Her books are character-driven, with lots of emphasis on personal development that’s not just in service of the romantic relationship.
I am a particularly big fan of the Hearts of New York series, where each of the four books was an enthusiastic five star read. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC for the final book in the series, I’ve Got You (coming out in April 2027), so I can safely say that the series is perfect from start to finish. The books in this series are interconnected stand-alones, each centering on a different couple who occasionally appear in another book. You could read each book without reading the rest, but why would you deny yourself? Cara Bastone excels at making you feel all the feelings while reading, and Hearts of New York is her at her best. I was crying and laughing while reading, often within the same paragraph. Her books are cathartic, giving you space to feel and process your emotions while knowing that everything will be okay in the end. Her stories feel like a warm hug, a soft space to land, a safe zone. Relationships of all kinds play a big role, but the books are romances first of all. And boy, they are so incredibly romantic. It’s not the romance of billionaires and big gestures and grand declarations, but the quiet, everyday romance of being truly seen and loved.
Cara Bastone’s books are hopeful, uplifting, full of heart and so incredibly romantic, because they are about regular people and everyday stories. Reading romance can be a fun act of escapism, and I feel like her books offer that, while also providing the reader with a somewhat relatable experience. That’s because her books feel so grounded in reality (and since the city of New York plays such a big role in most of her books, it provides them with a wonderful sense of space and time). The romance lies in the fact that the stories are so realistic, and real. The writing is always beautiful, lyrical and evocative, sweeping you right along the love story. Her characters are such complex, passionate, caring people that it’s impossible not to root for their happiness.
I feel completely safe in her hands, and I know whatever journey she takes us on next will be a wonderful one.
Forever Yours series
Love Lines series
