This book didn't pull me in. I got through the first two chapters but I just couldn't get invested. It may have been the narrator, she seemed to give Gemma a weird snarky quality that didn't fit the tone of the writing. I admit that I'm a mood reader, so there is a possibility that this just doesn't fit the mood I'm in, but if I'm being honest, I don't plan on picking this book back up. Because I DNF, it's hard to leave a star rating. I feel it's unfair to leave anything less than 2 1/2 stars, but please note that I have not finished this book.

Gemma's biological clock is ticking and she approaches long time family friend to assist her in having a family.
I loved this book! It's hilariously funny, down to earth and real commentary on the characters has you laughing out loud. I thought they were brilliantly written from Gemma herself to the doctor, I could imagine each and every one.
The group was an inspired addition, adding other threads for story that you were invested in.
I loved Josh from very early on and really really felt weary of Ian.
A truly funny but also sensitive and very intimate look at the journey of treatment through IVF. I liked that it also addressed problems around infertility that women face. Endometriosis is a condition that needs awareness and this book does this beautifully whilst keeping a positive and humorous spin on things!
I loved every bit!

I listened to this audiobook in ONE DAY. I am so tired as I stayed up until 3AM today to finish it, but so glad that I did. This is a new-to-me author, and I am a sucker for illustrated book covers, so I had to request to download a #gifted copy on audiobook from @netgalley.
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@mallonerin is the narrator, and she did such a wonderful job. She changed up her voice perfectly for each character, where you knew who it was. I think that is why I couldn't stop listening to it! The characters really felt alive while I listened to it. For those who "can't do audiobooks", PLEASE listen to this one! I also need to know your thoughts afterward.
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The story had quite a few funny moments, but there are parts where I had all the feels and emotions for the characters. This book has you laughing, but also has you crying tears. At times I did want to shake Gemma and say to her "How are you not getting the hints, lady?!!!" The book eventually had steam, but for you all who like really 🔥🌶, I would maybe pass. ⠀⠀

Wow! This book gets five ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

**TW: if you have gone or are going through infertility, this book might not be for you.

The book was modern and relevant to what so many couples go through with infertility. As someone who hasn’t walked that path, it was insightful to see behind the curtains of those families. It told perspectives from more than just the main characters’ journey.

Gemma is a character you can’t help but love with her quirk and honesty. Josh is reserved and kind, but someone you will love reading about.

This story follows Josh and Gemma through heartbreaks and setbacks with twists of sadness and little bit of steam.

This book caught me by surprise! I highly recommend this book!

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby approach in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a sense of humor and a touch of love. Well, sort of love, Gemma wants nothing more than to be independent in life. After dealing with unreliable men, she decides that a man will weigh her down from her goal of having a baby. She is a working woman but wants very much to be called “mom”.

To be honest, I nearly passed this book up because it feels too personal. But, I’m glad I did not pass this book up! I didn’t cry. I caught myself laughing at the dad jokes. Yes, I did say “dad jokes”. I love that Josh and Gemma take a very serious situation and find a way to make it comedic.

Gemma seems to me like a Bridget Jones-type. Her boss is appetizing, yet she has a murky history with her brother’s friend Josh, a laidback comic book artist.

Just so you know, this book is so much more than getting a friend to agree to be your donor: it’s about friendships, love, support, learning to love, and learning to let go.

If you enjoy the Bridget Jones series or enjoy reading books about independent-working women, I recommend this book. Or perhaps you are like me and find the subject of IVF difficult to discuss, I still recommend this book.

As for the narrator, I think part of why I enjoyed Josh and Gemma Make A Baby is due to the fantastic narrator!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the providing me with a copy for review!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted audiobook. This was such a fun rom com with brother’s best friend.

I love how this book dealt with Gemma and her desire to have a baby and infertility and made it fun. I loved how she approached Josh and their journey of IVF and discovering their relationship.

The narration was perfect and really portrayed the not so perfect life of Gemma.

4.5 stars. I REALLY enjoyed this book. Gemma was cute and quirky in the best kind of way. Not the typical "I'm not like other girls" kind of quirky. The book took on some serious topics but managed to keep it light and still hit you in the feels in all the right places. I would 100% read a sequel but regardless I will check out this authors other works.

This was so adorable and sweet!
This book gave me all the feelings especially by the end.
I felt it was a real and raw portrait of fertility issues so beware of that before going in if that's a sensitive matter for you.
Gemma was such a sweet character and watch her go through the things she does and with so many toxic people around her broke my heart a little bit.
Josh... only when I finished the book I realized this wasn't double pov because somehow through Gemma's narration he HAD a voice and I absolutely loved it.
I really enjoyed this book so if you want something sweet and fun but also with real life struggles this is for you.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to listen this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

I LOVED this! I love the fake trope so much, and this was no exception. Josh and Gemma's history only added to the beauty of their story. This had great side characters (like Gemma's fertility friends), twists and turns I didn't see coming, and main characters you fall in love with and root for. This is my first Sarah Ready book I've read before, and I definitely won't be my last. And the narrator was so entertaining! I loved her voices for the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Ready’s book was so heartwarming, beautiful and at times quite funny. Erin Mallon's voice is spot on! Gemma is a lovable and relatable main character. In addition, Josh is a sweet and patient partner for Gemma. This book will have you grinning from cheek to cheek a recommended read for anyone who loves a happily ever after!

This book was the perfect combo of funny and serious. The book made me laugh out loud several times but the third act also hit me right in the feels. The hero and heroine are so cute together. I think the way the balance of this book works is so good with the serious topics of infertility and IVF treatments . The family dynamic of both was really believable and felt real. The heroines family dynamic felt like a family that is honest. The parents that are just a touch overbearing and siblings who you think are awesome but are also human. I think this would make a great light book club book. The serious tones of the book are definitely some that could be discussed.
TW: Infertility, Miscarriage, Sick parent, Death of a parent

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC, for and audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a Listen Now audiobook, which means you don't need to beg and plead for a copy. This was a sweet, sappy and adorable story of a young woman who decides men are for the birds but her clock is ticking for a baby. Gemma is single and her mom feels it's her job to set her up with a husband. After several failed and miserable attempts , Gemma decides that she doesn't need or want a husband but still dreams of having a child. So she starts the process of infertility treatment since she was told she couldn't get pregnant on her own. We follow Gemma along on her humorous journey to motherhood, and maybe along the way she just might find love.

Adorable Rom-com, a light hearted listen to make you smile.

If you like Romcoms this book is for you. Is a very simple story but so cute and kinda cheesy and exactly what I expected. Is super lovely and funny and a little bit spicy.
I really like it and am so excited to read more books of the author.

This is my first book by Sarah Ready. I really liked the cover and the premise when I read the description so I decided to take a chance. There are a few things that I really liked, and a few things I was confused by, and a few things that just didn't work for me.
I will start with the thing I liked. Josh. I loved Josh and I do wish that we saw a little bit more of him and that his situation was brought a little more to light. Gemma just makes assumptions about things but never really digs deep with him at any point, but he is always there, steadfast and warm.
The things that didn't work for me was the perception of IVF and infertility. It felt very light and glossed over at points and wasn't how I would expect someone in her position to act, but for the purpose of a romance book, I know that things are made to be lighter than what they usually are so I overlooked most of that.
The one blaring thing to me about this book that I was confused over time and time again was the parallels to the movie Bridget Jones Diary. I am shocked to not read any reviews that have noticed this (I will keep digging, maybe there's one I missed.) But I knew what was coming before it came because I know that movie inside and out. Yes, the plot was changed with the addition of making a baby, but the many parallels in this book were just uncanny.
The book was written well and the narration was spot on. I just can't get over the plot mirroring one of my favorite movies so incredibly closely, without having Pride and Prejudice vibes.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Ready and Swift and Lewis for an early audio copy.

This book (audio) has everything you’re looking for in a rom-com.

More than anything, Gemma desperately wants a baby. Dealing with infertility problems, she’s turned to IVF to give her the chance she needs. OK, she tells herself, I can do this! Now it’s just a matter of finding the proper donor. Hmmmm…. Decisions, decisions🤔. Does she go with the anonymous donor or would she consider turning to Josh, her brothers’ best friend. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s drop-dead gorgeous and smart. He would make the perfect candidate. But would he agree?

I adored Gemma and the inner-strength she displayed as others were quick to criticize her weight, and infertility among other things. But Gemma doesn’t flinch! She is a woman who knows what she wants and is going to get it (one way or another).

The banter was witty and clever. The romance was totally believable, filled with plenty of chemistry and spice. 🌶🌶. The perfect formula for a great rom-com.

I highly recommend the audio. Narrated by the highly talented Erin Mallen, (my favorite narrator). When I noticed she was the voice talent I immediately downloaded this audio.

In fact, I would listen to anything this woman narrated. (yes, even a phone book!) Fortunately the equally talented Sarah Ready wrote a truly exceptional rom com that immediately dropped me into the lives of Josh and Gemma and kept me rooting for them from start to finish.

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley Audio and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC.

This book! This bloody amazing book! I went into it looking for a regular romcom - goofy heroine poached by the bad guy and then saved by the nice guy. This book also followed the same route but with a twist. The goofy heroine wants a baby.

So, during the book, I was thinking, "Why didn't Gemma adopt?" But that is beside the point, I think. The story follows Gemma who works as a social media manager for Life Guru, Ian Fortune. Due to acute endometriosis in her teenage years, Gemma is unable to conceive naturally. So, she decides to conceive through IVF. But who will be the sperm donor?

Someone who is healthy and possibly doesn't burn ants through a magnifying glass. Gemma's childhood mate and virginity-taker, Josh Lewenthal, fits the bill perfectly.

Gemma doesn't love Josh - she doesn't even like him. But he is always around her family for Christmas and she knows he is quite reliable (apart from the fact that he has no money and that is why he is staying in his dad's basement).

But is it possible to go through such an intimate procedure together and protect your heart?

I LOVED JOSH LEWENTHAL! There..I said it.

I have the habit of liking nice guys in romcoms (Luke Brandon was one such, Mark Darcy was another). Josh Lewenthal was no different. I absolutely loved him and wished he were mine (book boyfriend only).

Gemma is a regular absentminded woman - not unlike me - trying to do too much at once and often failing at everything. The others were mere comers and goers. I don't even remember their names.

One scene that had me in splits was when Gemma first visits the IVF clinic and the doctor drinks water in front of her while her bladder is up to bursting. I literally snorted out water myself. Through the nose. Not a pretty sight.

The end scene in the comic-con had me rolling my eyes but okay.

The narrator, Erin Mallon, was flawless.

4.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

Gemma is a 32 year old divorcee who is tired of waiting for a man and decides to use her brother's best friend as a sperm donor to try and have a baby. Shenanigans and romance ensue.

First, the pros: I loved the Josh character and actually did find myself invested in Josh and Gemma's relationship. There were some laugh out loud moments, as well as cringeworthy ones (in a good way).

The cons: the plot was so so bad. While the overall story arc was ok, there were so many scenes that were just so completely ridiculous, far fetched, and contrived. I hated every woman in Gemma's IVF support group. They all seemed like caricatures of people instead of actual people, completely over the top. I also did not understand the how the company Gemma worked for was so popular--tired, cheesy self help quotes?? Really? The Ian character was also over the top and the Lavinia character was literally an American version of the Perpetua character from Bridget Jones' Diary.
Another con was the audiobook narrator. She had an intense vocal fry that made the entire story sound like it was being read by a valley girl. It was very distracting.

Overall, this was a fun, light read but very unoriginal and campy.

I listen to this book for two days and I love it. I didn’t want to stop listening to it. The characters were so fun to meet and the story is so cute and also real. Maybe in this century having babies isn’t that important for women but when it is and you can’t have one is thought. I like the chemistry between characters and the ending was a cherry on top. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to listen to this book.

The narrator was amazing! I loved her voice and the emotions she put in her voice when needed to transmit some feelings in between the story.

✨ 5

I love the speaker of the book, it doesn't bore me or make me feel asleep.

This audiobook made me laugh and cried at the same time. It was heartfelt and lovable. It was a fun read for me considering this is a new author for me but I had fun. Looking forward to new books from you Sarah.

*3.5 stars*
This audio book was so fun to listen to whilst in your car. But at some points you ask yourself, 'would that realy happen?'. The novel is easy to gey through, but some of the scenes wheew questionable.