In the past year, I’ve fallen head over heels into the world of romance novels—and in doing so, I stumbled into an equally addictive universe called Bookstagram. That’s where I discovered Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone, a book that’s landed on countless “must-read” and “best of 2025” lists—and rightfully so. It also just became a USA Today bestseller!

I had never read one of Cara’s books before, but after waking up at 4 AM two mornings in a row just to keep reading Promise Me Sunshine, I knew I had to talk to the woman behind the magic. Getting to interview her felt like sitting down with the author of one of your favorite books and asking all the burning questions.

In this episode, Cara and I dive into:

• Her writing process and how she stays focused

• How she writes spice (I had to ask… what about your mom reading it?!)

• What makes a great romance novel

• Why romance can be deeply healing

• The impact of Bookstagram on modern authors

• And so much more!

Whether you’re a romance reader or just love a behind-the-scenes peek into the life of a bestselling author, this episode is such a treat.