This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had me turned pages without even realizing. It was so good!

A solid 3 star read. This book started out strong and at first, Gemma was an extremely likeable character. The premise is great: Gemma is in her 30’s, single, and in a successful career, but she wants a baby- who better to help her than her brother’s best friend? The only issue I had with this book is that the author relies on the same narrative tools to get laughs and propel the story: embarrass the absolute pants off your main character. I can handle a little secondhand embarrassment, but this went a little overboard in its treatment of Gemma. I wanted more for her.

It started out so strong and then it fell flat for me. It had such a strong premise and was such a unique plot! But, I ended up dnfing. Gemma and Josh were annoying after a while.

Some of this was predictable and cliche (aren't most romances..) but I really enjoyed it regardless! I absolutely loved Josh! This is such a cute rom-com.

3.5/5 stars. This book was very cute and tackled a difficult topic in a refreshing way. The personal growth Gemma experiences and the friendships she makes were my favorite parts of the book. I especially liked how self-help guru Ian Fortune was handled. The reason this book was only 3.5 stars for me though, was that GEMMA DESERVED A BREAK. Every embarrassing situation happened to her, neighbors and coworkers badmouthed her, and she was cheated on more than once. I would've loved for Sarah Ready to stop leaning so heavily on the trope of "everything terrible happens to the plucky main character" because, honestly, it distracted from the more poignant parts of the story.

Gemma Jacobs is your basic workaholic who finds herself approaching her mid-thirties with no man in sight. She’s always wanted a baby, and she’s realizing she may never find a man to settle down with. She works for an egomaniac self-help guru who is a creep as well.

Gemma has only one man who she knows and trusts to ask if he’d be willing to be a sperm donner. Enter Josh Lewenthal, her brother’s BFF. She’s known him all her life. He’s been to all the family affairs and is a part of the family

I loved Josh and Gemma! What can go wrong when two people decide to make a baby with a contract? We all know where this is going and yet the characters are so lovable that this rom-com will stay on your radar for a re-read, I loved the secondary characters in this book as well!

In Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, fascinating and layered main characters find their way to each other in a wonderful story which takes unexpected turns on its way to a well-earned happily ever after.

Gemma Jacobs is 32 years old, a divorcee, and ready to turn over a new leaf! Her New Year’s resolution: have a baby! All she needs to do is invest in IVF treatments and the sperm of her brother’s best friend, Josh Lewenthal.

Sarah Ready does an excellent job painting the scene for readers through descriptive language. The narrator really hammers it home with her enthusiasm and was perfect! So much so I ugly cackled out loud multiple times. Possible triggers in this story include IVF, miscarriages, and the death/loss of a loved one. I’ll admit the story may be a little predictable and dragged towards the middle, but I couldn’t help rooting for Gemma to grow through her insecurities, even when she was downright infuriating.

I enjoyed this lighthearted romance and how it depicts real-life struggles people go through, as you get to see Gemma at her best and at her worst. This story could have improved with more flashbacks. Gemma’s divorce was a life-changing moment, and I’d love more insight into how she got to this point. Another opportunity would have been dual perspectives. Josh Lewenthal seems like the perfect book boyfriend, and getting inside his head would have made this a 5-star read for me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC!

This book was a great rom-com with lots of funny moments. Gemma wants a baby but not a relationship so she enlists the help of a family friend named Josh to help her by donating his sperm. During the course of the book she realizes she has feelings for him. This book also deals with issues of infertility and IVF. Overall it makes for a great read, I definitely recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

THIS BOOK.
Firstly , it has tropes like this :
- brother’s best friend
- fertility issues
- workplace romance
- boss x employee romance

ANYWAYS , this book was so fun , cute and rom com style , i throughly enjoyed it , it reminded me a lot of call me crazy by Melanie Harlow 🤭🤭
loved the characters , Gemma was so witty outgoing ! perfect formula for a rom com , spice and chemistry

5/5 stars

I LOVED this book! Here's what you need to know: Gemma can be annoying, but the way it all comes together at the end is *chef's kiss* and this book is funny enough that I chuckled out loud several times.

Even though I read the ARC, I bought a physical copy for my library.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC and audio ARC.

My first book by Sarah Ready. I thought the writing was good and I would like to read more from this author in the future.

Wasn't really the biggest fan of this book! The characters just didn't capture my attention!

I mean this chapter with Josh.... “It’s a no.” Josh gives a firm, final nod. “I’m not some horse you can put out to stud. I’m kind of surprised, Gem. I never thought you viewed people like objects that you can use. I thought better of you. I’m a person, you know?”
Like i'm sorry but it's not that deep and the way he says it is completely judging Gemmas entire personality with this conversation!!!
And I'm sorry but Gemma was constantly being embarrassed! I understand in a romcom you get that a lot but this just felt so forced!

This is one of those books where you just have to go along with the silly antics and trust that it will be worth it in the end. Gemma is an awkward mess who makes a lot of cringy decisions. For the first half of the book I kept thinking, "this is too much ridiculousness" (i.e. the vibrating phone scene). But then when I realized what was really happening (long before Gemma did of course), it was like being sucker punched right in the feels! Josh is THE ultimate book boyfriend! Or at least a top contender. The development of Josh and Gemma's relationship and the heartwarming declarations/gestures of love were absolutely beautiful.
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⚠️Trigger Warning: Infertility, infertility shaming, miscarriage
Having done a few rounds of unsuccessful IUI myself, I can say that certain aspects of the infertility journey were portrayed well as far as med management, side effects and that excruciating two-week wait. I've made peace with my journey and outcome, so I was still able to enjoy this book. If you haven't made peace with your journey though, then I do not recommend this book for you as there were a few insensitive scenes.
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📖Summary:
Gemma is divorced, in her 30s with no prospects for love in sight, and has an infertility diagnosis. For her new year's resolution, she decides to take matters into her own hands instead of waiting around for Mr. Right and goes straight to IVF on her own. She asks her brother's best friend, Josh, to be the sperm donor instead of picking a random stranger from a binder who could be a FF (Fertility Fetishizer). Surprisingly, he agrees! No commitment, just a baby.

3.5 stars
Oh I should’ve read this book sooner! I was approved for an ARC of this romcom but I’ve never gotten around to reading it till like … yesterday. 😩

Gemma is feeling a little unfulfilled in life and after countless meet ups with random man her mom tries to set her up with she decides she wants to have baby on her own. She can’t really get pregnant because of a surgery that went a little wrong & decides to go to a fertility clinic to go through the whole IVF process. Her donor of choice is her brother’s bestfriend and absolute sweeheart Josh.

things i liked:
• how sweet and funny this was
• josh was an absolute sweetheart and so understanding and i just loved him tbh
• the dynamic in gemma’s family and all those characters
• the little group of women who became best friends bc they were adorable

things i didn’t like:
• the parts with the quotes that gemma was randomly blurting out made me cringe

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

A really entertaining rom-com with an interesting angle.

Gemma was really relatable and the chemistry between her and Josh was palpable.

Lots of very funny moments, but also some lovely tender ones.

I predicted the ending, which is why this is 4 stars and not 5, but despite that this was a throughly enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

How to describe this book?

It’s a cute easy read for when you’re in a slump or just want the literary version of having white noise because your brain is too tired. A bit of a predictable story that seemingly is a bit random in the how and why, but that’s not to say that the underlying story isn’t a cute one.

Unmarried and uninvolved, you’ll follow the story of Gemma who wants a child. A child she decides she wants with none other than her childhood crush……who happens to be her brother’s best friend. Josh, the geeky guy who loves Sci-Fi and comic con - the best friend in love with his best friend’s sister who agrees to a crazy plan just to be closer to her. This book has all your typical rom com necessities.

Would recommend for someone who’s just in a mood for an easy read that appreciates a bit of nerdiness and sci-fi geekiness.

This was such an unusual story but it was great, likeable characters & some I wanted to throat punch but overall a very enjoyable book

I ended up reading my own copy of this one but came to review it here since its been forever! I actually loved this story and the characters. The banter was so cute and I fell in love with Gemma's character! Also loved the spice. I would recommend this one!!