I loved this book. I know what it’s like to deal with infertility so I related to the story a lot. Loved the characters of Josh and Gemma. Gemma really grew through the story and I enjoyed reading about her and her struggles and her family dynamic. Josh is such a sweet character and is not at all what you would expect. Great book.

I loved this story so much, pregnancy trope is my absolute favorite, and josh and gemma were just the cutest

This book is about Gemma’s adult life and her attempt to make a baby, obviously. And who wouldn’t be a perfect candidate other than her brothers best friend for 25 years, Josh.

I actually liked this book, it did have some heavy topics but it did a nice job portraying them. Although some of the drama was kinda corny but it is a romcom book.

Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gemma- she’s 32 year old works in the entertainment industry. She’s also very naive in some situations she was in. Like your 32 not 22.

Josh- he was such a good man. Love him. Honestly he’s the reason it’s a 4 star.
“Before you were born, I loved you.”
LOVE

Plot⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pace⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam🔥🔥(it is descriptive but there’s not very much of it)

Tropes
Childhood friends
Brothers best friend
Baby

TW
Infertility
Talk of cheating with ex
Miscarriage

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby

Sarah Ready

Publication: January 25, 2022

This book had a lot of my favorite storylines: brother’s best friend, secret crush/love, trying to make a baby with a supportive, good guy…(aww, Josh!)
There were some really sweet, cute moments that I loved. However, there were some moments that were slightly “over the top” and I did not like Gemma’s toxic family at all! The way her mother put her down and basically tried to control her life made me so angry and frustrated…UGH! Even when Gemma finally mentions how it makes her feel, I felt there was no true resolution or a genuine apology. The end of the book and epilogue made up for some of my frustration…smile.
3 Stars

Thank you so much for giving me this ebook ARC in exchange for my review!

I absolutely adored this book! It was such a sweet and happy read that put a smile on my face. It had all the components that I'm looking for when it comes to a romance, and it gave me all the swoony feelings. I thought the concept was such a great and creative idea. I loved Gemma and Josh, and it was great seeing them both grow throughout the book. I also really loved Josh and Gemma's romance! They were just so cute together and I loved seeing their relationship flourish. Overall this was a really awesome romance book that I will definitely be recommending to all my friends!

A really great read! There are moments of frustration, butterflies, and surprise. I was really impressed with the back half of this story, the beginning was a little slow but once there is an understanding of the characters and how each character ties together, I was in awe. Definitely recommend!

This book had a great premise. It was an opportunity to discuss the trials single women experience whilst wanting to be a parent. There was so much scope for exploration. Instead it was an ordinary approach by an unlikeable character to get a semi-likeable character to do something out of left field. My issue is when the 'something' is having a child there isn't really anything rom-commy about it. At times I felt Josh had some merit but at others felt he had no fortitude, and Gemma was incredibly self-absorbed - in the event she remained single you had to wonder if she had the empathy to give. There was a real inconsistency in having supposedly known Josh for years (or vice versa) yet she didn't know what he did ... unlike the rest of the world. No, this one I just wasn't buying unfortunately. It was tough to read and I so wanted to like it.

2,5 stars rounded up.

I absolutely adored this book.
It was so cute and the characters were just awesome. Sometimes love stories can be so OTT, cheesy, and eye-rolling, but this book was a great mix of everything!
Surprisingly, there were a couple of twists and turns along the way that I wasn’t expecting. The book was utterly unputdownable! And of course, the message the story sends was a great touch too.
A few complaints (Warning: Rant ahead)-
Gemma always referred to her child she was trying for as ‘she’. Throughout most of the book, it was never even acknowledged that she could potentially have a boy. I can understand feeling like you’re having a girl vs. a boy while being pregnant, but there was zero explanation as to why she was so hellbent on only having a girl. I suppose that rubs me the wrong way as I have a close friend who isn’t able to conceive and she has made it so clear that she doesn’t care if she had a boy or a girl. Just being a mom would make her so beyond happy. So, I guess that seems a little out of character for someone who desperately wants to be a parent.
Second, and lastly, I realllllly felt like Gemma’s mom (although portrayed as a protagonist) fat-shamed Gemma….like a few times throughout the book. I kept thinking ‘Is this how people talk to their daughters?? 😲’ Based on the front cover (despite her being pregnant) and especially an illustration inside the book, Gemma is probably the furthest thing from being considered overweight. Not cool or funny.
Honestly, I really did love this book. My complaints encouraged me to give this 4.25 ⭐️ instead of 5, but if you can look past those discrepancies, you’ll love the book too!
A HUGE thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital copy of this book!
4.25 ⭐️

I’m usually not really big on the brother’s-best-friend trope, but I decided to give this one a go. This book had a lot of cliché rom-com elements, some which were fun, some which were less fun. Let’s talk about the less-fun ones. Our poor Gemma is another one of those “outcast”, having everyone around her making fun of her and even bodyshaming her. The chemistry between the two main characters was really so-so at first, and it took me a while to get invested in their relationship. In the end of the day, it wasn’t a bad read, but I don’t think this book is meant for me.

What’s on the agenda? Babymaking.

“I’ve been waiting for a good man to help make my dreams come true.
But, at that moment, I realized my dream doesn't have to include marriage. Or a man.

I can make a future of happiness for myself.
Maybe, I can have a family. Maybe I can finish singing that lullaby.

I can control my own destiny.”



GUYS. THIS BOOK. IS EVERYTHING.
I LOVED IT.

The banter. The love interests love, care, and respect of the mc. The growth.
Ahhhhh my heart!!


Gemma Jacobs is a positive thinker and loves her job working for famed self-help guru, Ian Fortune. It gives her purpose and a steady job. She loves her big family who can sometimes be a bit pushy about how her life should be going but in the end, are showing their love. Gemma is a divorcee of a dirtbag who cheated on her within months of their marriage.
She has been diagnosed with endometriosis but her wish is for a baby.
Gemma is determined to try IVF (in vitro fertilization), to finally have the family she has dreamed about for so long. And she doesn’t need any man. But she doesn’t want some anonymous donor she knows nothing about, who could have burned ants with a magnifying glass as a kid for all she knows.
So Gemma makes a New Year’s resolution: Have a baby. Preferably with Josh Lewenthal. Keep things businesslike.

Enter Josh Lewenthal. Gemma’s brother’s childhood best friend who she has known her whole life. He lives in his dad’s basement writing comics and has attended every Jacob’s family gathering for the past twenty years. He is also the man who took Gemma’s virginity. But there will be no sex involved in their agreement; it will be businesslike and no strings attached. They have nothing in common but their agreement and their desire to keep things businesslike. But nothing with babymaking is businesslike.


I love the plot of this book and how unique it is. Sometimes contemp romance is the same narrative and tropes, and you can get sick of it real fast. Trust me.
I adored Josh and Gemma’s love story. How Josh worshiped her (unknowingly to her). How all Gemma wanted was a family and didn’t want a man to do it (although Josh was the man she needed). Again, the banter and how they both needed and were perfect for each other.
ALSO, THE PRODUCTION ROOM SCENE IS HOT. 1000/10
Also, I think Gemma’s group of friends was so unique and I loved how different each of their stories was.


Some things I didn’t personally like:
. The quotes. They felt cheap and shallow. But I don’t know, that’s just what I personally think.
. While a lot of things were relatable some were not. Like just Ian Fortune as a person, and the whole “Live your best life enterprise.”

. Even though Gemma grew a lot it could be annoying at times how judgmental she would be, especially of Josh. And how he wasn’t bothered. It just seemed unrealistic.
BUT it made Josh the most perfect cinnamon roll. I love him sm.

I also wish Josh had a pov. There is a bonus epilogue told from his perspective (subscribe to her newsletter to read it, and you can email her! (I’ll drop the link)) BUT I still want Josh’s pov of the whole book.

On a serious note: there is a common denominator with all of my five-star books, even if they aren’t 100% well-done books that others wouldn’t think are five-star reads.
And that is the growth and Character development. Maybe it’s not a big thing to you. BUT MAN IT GETS ME- in the best way possible.
In the book, one of the triggers is body-shaming. Some of the people are very dislikable for that. Which is rightly so. BUT those aspects and people (I say this very carefully and delicately because again, this is definitely a trigger.) create an external struggle within the book which in turn fuels real character growth and gives the book depth. Also, let's be real, there a lot of people who trigger you in real life, and seeing it in books make it so so so relatable. I’ll stop giving you a lit lesson or whatever this is. Sorry for my tangent.

When I read books like this I relate so much. Not because I’ve done IVF (I know that is a real struggle for people though), or because I’ve been fat-shamed. I relate to the little things.
People judging without actually really knowing you. Feeling like you aren’t good enough. Feeling like a failure.
And that’s why growth is so beautiful. Becoming something more. Acknowledging where you’ve failed and trying to do better. It’s beautiful.


I’ve read a lot of books and I’ve only encountered a handful of authors that make me feel that way. That are magical (to me (I say me because every author pours their heart and soul into their work. So even if I don't like it, someone, at least them, loves it.)).
This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Ready, but I feel like I can say Sarah Ready’s writing is magical. I will definitely be reading more. I hope it is magical to you too.



TW: Infertility, IVF, miscarriage, body shaming.

Disclaimer: I don’t know how many of the IVF descriptions are accurate.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Swift & Lewis publishing, LLC, and author Sarah Ready for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.



http://sarahready.com/newsletter/ What’s on the agenda? Babymaking.

“I’ve been waiting for a good man to help make my dreams come true.
But, at that moment, I realized my dream doesn't have to include marriage. Or a man.

I can make a future of happiness for myself.
Maybe, I can have a family. Maybe I can finish singing that lullaby.

I can control my own destiny.”



GUYS. THIS BOOK. IS EVERYTHING.
I LOVED IT.

The banter. The love interests love, care, and respect of the mc. The growth.
Ahhhhh my heart!!


Gemma Jacobs is a positive thinker and loves her job working for famed self-help guru, Ian Fortune. It gives her purpose and a steady job. She loves her big family who can sometimes be a bit pushy about how her life should be going but in the end, are showing their love. Gemma is a divorcee of a dirtbag who cheated on her within months of their marriage.
She has been diagnosed with endometriosis but her wish is for a baby.
Gemma is determined to try IVF (in vitro fertilization), to finally have the family she has dreamed about for so long. And she doesn’t need any man. But she doesn’t want some anonymous donor she knows nothing about, who could have burned ants with a magnifying glass as a kid for all she knows.
So Gemma makes a New Year’s resolution: Have a baby. Preferably with Josh Lewenthal. Keep things businesslike.

Enter Josh Lewenthal. Gemma’s brother’s childhood best friend who she has known her whole life. He lives in his dad’s basement writing comics and has attended every Jacob’s family gathering for the past twenty years. He is also the man who took Gemma’s virginity. But there will be no sex involved in their agreement; it will be businesslike and no strings attached. They have nothing in common but their agreement and their desire to keep things businesslike. But nothing with babymaking is businesslike.


I love the plot of this book and how unique it is. Sometimes contemp romance is the same narrative and tropes, and you can get sick of it real fast. Trust me.
I adored Josh and Gemma’s love story. How Josh worshiped her (unknowingly to her). How all Gemma wanted was a family and didn’t want a man to do it (although Josh was the man she needed). Again, the banter and how they both needed and were perfect for each other.
ALSO, THE PRODUCTION ROOM SCENE IS HOT. 1000/10
Also, I think Gemma’s group of friends was so unique and I loved how different each of their stories was.


Some things I didn’t personally like:
. The quotes. They felt cheap and shallow. But I don’t know, that’s just what I personally think.
. While a lot of things were relatable some were not. Like just Ian Fortune as a person, and the whole “Live your best life enterprise.”

. Even though Gemma grew a lot it could be annoying at times how judgmental she would be, especially of Josh. And how he wasn’t bothered. It just seemed unrealistic.
BUT it made Josh the most perfect cinnamon roll. I love him sm.

I also wish Josh had a pov. There is a bonus epilogue told from his perspective (subscribe to her newsletter to read it, and you can email her! (I’ll drop the link)) BUT I still want Josh’s pov of the whole book.

On a serious note: there is a common denominator with all of my five-star books, even if they aren’t 100% well-done books that others wouldn’t think are five-star reads.
And that is the growth and Character development. Maybe it’s not a big thing to you. BUT MAN IT GETS ME- in the best way possible.
In the book, one of the triggers is body-shaming. Some of the people are very dislikable for that. Which is rightly so. BUT those aspects and people (I say this very carefully and delicately because again, this is definitely a trigger.) create an external struggle within the book which in turn fuels real character growth and gives the book depth. Also, let's be real, there a lot of people who trigger you in real life, and seeing it in books make it so so so relatable. I’ll stop giving you a lit lesson or whatever this is. Sorry for my tangent.

When I read books like this I relate so much. Not because I’ve done IVF (I know that is a real struggle for people though), or because I’ve been fat-shamed. I relate to the little things.
People judging without actually really knowing you. Feeling like you aren’t good enough. Feeling like a failure.
And that’s why growth is so beautiful. Becoming something more. Acknowledging where you’ve failed and trying to do better. It’s beautiful.


I’ve read a lot of books and I’ve only encountered a handful of authors that make me feel that way. That are magical (to me (I say me because every author pours their heart and soul into their work. So even if I don't like it, someone, at least them, loves it.)).
This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Ready, but I feel like I can say Sarah Ready’s writing is magical. I will definitely be reading more. I hope it is magical to you too.



TW: Infertility, IVF, miscarriage, body shaming.

Disclaimer: I don’t know how many of the IVF descriptions are accurate.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Swift & Lewis publishing, LLC, and author Sarah Ready for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.



http://sarahready.com/newsletter/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4402865533

This book had so many rom-com feels sprinkled throughout and the idea behind the story was so interesting.

I wanted to really love this story for trying to approach sensitive issues like infertility but the plot sometimes felt too weird to be true. Our MC asking her brothers best friend to go through IVF with her so she can have a kid, then starting a relationship with her boss felt so far fetched, particularly when Josh says yes to the whole thing. I also didn’t like that the entire issue felt more glossed over than actually addressed, I understand the whole using humour to address a serious issue, but it just never felt properly hashed out so that proper representation could be given.

I also HATED how everyone treated Gemma, especially when her own family wasn’t standing up for her but instead contributed to the problem. The amount of continuous fat shaming was so upsetting it hurt to read. There was so much potential here!!! I also couldn’t stand how Gemma spoke about her boss, it was weird.

The romance felt kinda silly but in the perfect rom com way, so i enjoyed it. Particularly the subverting of the corny love gesture, it was cute and I’m here for it. The title was what originally had me request this book so I’m gutted it didn’t focus more on that part and give us more scenes with Josh & Gemma (I feel like i would’ve believed their romance and the whole story heaps more if I got to read their amazing chemistry more because they were cute together).

It’s a solid three star read, and I enjoyed it for what it was!

Josh and Gemma Make A Baby by Sarah Ready is adorable! Gemma annoyed me at times but her growth was worth it. Josh was just amazing. And the supporting characters were perfection. It was eclectic, humorous, and really sweet. I could have used more steam but overall very enjoyable.

i don't know why i keep trying romance books like this bc they're just not for me! i liked the premise, it felt very rom-commy and was just what i was in the mood for but i just didn't love the characters or the writing or the way people spoke about each other. i ended up skim reading a bit and then stopped altogether

it's not for me but the premise is fun and if you love some romance then you'll probably love this

This was a romance where the mc was defining herself in the face of others defining her. Gemma has a strong family that feels overbearing at the beginning of the book, potentially nagging in the middle, but by the end steps back enough to let Gemma see her own life ahead of her, and tells their stories in a way that Gemma does not have to be the main character all the time. It was a great story of how off-handed comments can change the course of a relationship or a life, how entering middle age is straddling that time between caring for your children and caring for your parents, and seeing if you can find yourself in between. The little details of the love story sprinkled through the first half left me surprised but happy with the ending.

I love this plot. I feel like it was so unique and different, or maybe I just haven't discovered this trope. Either way I really loved it. My infertility issues were almost identical to Gemma's so I was instantly grabbed into the story and could relate extremely well to Gemma's feelings. I love how determined and independent she is to go out and get what she wants. Josh was pretty great, I just wish he would have communicated a little more. The mysterious side of him didn't really work for me. The quotes got a little cheesy at times but other than that it was a wonderfully written, fun and unique story. I definitely recommend for any romcom lover!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Huge thanks to @netgalley and #swift&lewis and @sarahreadyauthor for my #gifted copy. This amazing book is out now.

When everyone was planning to go away to school and knew exactly what course plan to take and what they wanted to do when they grew up, one thing was for certain. I wanted a family and to be a mom. None of the other things really mattered so much. Well I wanted to be Miss FSU , but the night before the auditions I threw my knee out doing a back flip my leg went the other direction..bam in crutches the next 3 months. No road to Miss Florida for me.

So I completely relate to Gemma. She got married it was a flop, dating life ..who really likes that ?
Cue in...Lets Skip To The Good Part
Gemma wants to complete her life and raise a child, and Josh well he is her brother's best friend, summa cum laude from an Ivy League school, sexy ..why wouldnt his sperm be perfect?

This is a Saturday Night Live Kristen Wiig or Maya Rudolph jumping out and playing the part of Gemma..shes quirky fun in a clumsy sort of way ..and she keeps on going after sending a boob shot in a zoom meeting .
Then her boss throws the word juicy a zillion times since her bra was Juicy brand..but she kept it rolling like a boss.

If you like a romcom in a 2011 fashion ..with Friends to lovers or sperm benefits 😂 this book is so for you.
IVF is a serious situation though, and all the people who go through the process it is expensive, heartbreaking and hard. But when the baby is the final goal that is the best gift the universe will ever give you. This book will make you laugh out loud , sneeze out your coffee, then make you cry for Gemma . I loved the characters walking and eating their way through NyC . You feel like you are an extra in this film production waiting to happen.. hello #Netflix ..we need this movie.

Wow this book was fantastic! It’s the first story in a long time that had me both laughing out loud and near tears within minutes. Josh and Gemma’s story is beautiful and at times frustrating- if you love a friends to lovers will they won’t they scenario this is definitely the book for you. I absolutely loved this book, and would highly recommend. One of the best romances I’ve ever read!

3.5
Bridget Jones Diary meets The Friendzone.

This book had me conflicted. I loved the development of the romance and the friendships Gemma made with the support group but found they way Gemma’s family treated her as toxic. I think it could have benefited from a duel perspective.

Parts were cheesy in the best way. And the slow burn romance was cute. Not a whole lot of smut. I thought the author covered the hard topic of infertility quite well.

tw: miscarriage, infertility
~
after gemma's divorce and infertility diagnosis, she decided that she wants to have her own baby through IVF. she had to choose between an anonymous donor and her brother's best friend, josh. gemma literally knows josh because he's been in every family event. she then decided to make a business deal, but she got surprised when josh agreed to do it.
~
i am not a mom yet, but i know, based from what i'm reading, that infertility is very common. i know that some people refrain from talking about it because of some personal reasons, but i liked how this book shed light to some questions about it and how it enlightened its readers like me. people have to go through this process called "IVF" and some people are successful while some are not. i'm not sure how the whole process of IVF works, so i can't really tell you if the story is kinda realistic or not.
~
some parts made me laugh, some parts made me so sad, and some parts made me mad. overall, i enjoyed reading this book because there were heartwarming parts that made me feel all the feels. this is my first book by sarah ready and i couldn't wait to read more from her!

This was honestly not what I was expecting going into the book. I did a blind read so I didn’t read the description, BEST SURPRISE! This only made me feel all gooey inside, it was a fun, fast, enjoyable read!! Not a typical pregnancy trope!