Thank you to NetGalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for the opportunity to read to this book as an ARC. I am sharing my review voluntarily. I picked this book because I thought it sounded like an interesting take on the trope of brother’s best friend and hate/friends to lovers. I enjoyed the angle on fertility and the emotional exploration of that and of the desire to be a parent. Josh was a loving, sweet character and it was clear to me as a reader what his motivations were. Gemma was oblivious and so self absorbed to realize what was in front of her and how she was manipulating the situation at times. Gemma was a hard character to root for, she seemed immature and stuck at 23. I didn’t find her epiphany profound and really late In the story. I wish it had been told as a dual POV, it would have been more compelling to me if I wasn’t only getting Gemma’s retelling.

It was a well mapped out story with a aspects that challenged my biases and notions.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby : ★ ★ ★ . 7 5

Sarah Ready

"I love you. I'll keep on loving you. You're the star that guides my heart."

Tired of looking for her Mr. Right, Gemma Jacobs' New Years' resolution is to have a baby, even if she has to do it all by herself. And who better to ask than her brother's best friend and a man she's known for 25 years?

I was looking for a light & wholesome read to finish off the year and I honestly can say that this book delivered on that front so hard. It's so cute and the concept is very unique and one I have never heard of before.

Gemma is a pretty relatable (if not a little judgy) person with a lot of love in her heart. She deals with a mother who desperately wanted to see her married off, and a sister with a bustling family of four kids, and everyone and everything around her are in happy relationships. Save for her. I love how independent Gemma was and how she decided she didn't want to wait on someone else to make her dreams come true. She wanted to take her future into her own hands and that was precisely what she did!

Josh was the absolute star of this book for me. He is literally one of the most perfect book boyfriends I have ever read. He's sweet and so supportive with this innate sensuality about him that makes you want to crawl under his skin and find out more. In this rare world, he is one of those really good guys that you want to hold in your arms and protect forever. He's the most wholesome person ever with his comic books and the way he was always there for Gemma when she needed it, no matter what. Josh is the ultimate cinnamon roll and a gem in every single aspect of the word. He is so so cute and I adored him.

Full transparency, there is some Other Man themes in this book, as well as loss of a child, and loss of a parent, so please do ensure that you look at the trigger warnings before proceeding. There were a lot of moments in this book that tugged at my heart–when Gemma realizes all the love she has and when Josh wrote the comic book for his kid. I thought it was so cute when Josh was talking about his memories with his dad as well.

Also, I want a book for Carly so very bad! Boujee marriage in crisis sounds right up my alley. This was my first Sarah Ready book and I enjoyed it so much so it definitely will not be my last!

This book was so good. I finished it 15 minutes ago and I am still speechless.

T R O P E S
- Planned pregnancy
- Older brother's best friend
- Possible love triangle

T R I G G E R W A R N I N G S
- Infertility
- Loss

It is the story of Gemma (32) who desires to have a baby but due to unfortunate reasons can't have one. She decides to turn to Josh (33), her brother's best friend and ask only for a couple of his best swimmers. She wants to do this by herself, but if he wants to be there, that's fine with her. As he accepts her proposal, they embark on a journey of friendship, love, loss, family, infertility.

I read this book in one sitting. Well, more like I spent an entire evening reading, went to sleep then woke up and continued. Yep. That's how good it is. It is really funny, and I don't say it lightly. I rarely laugh in romcoms, but this one made me laugh out loud a couple of times and made me smile throughout the entire book. However, I didn't expect to cry for the remaining 25% of the book.
This book isn't particularly explicit, but the tension is really well written. You just want the characters to finally be together. Josh is by far one of the best fictional man written on this planet. He is funny, charming, kind, sweet, respectful and sexy. He notices everything about Gemma and it makes my heart grow 3x its size, when you see how much she means to him. It's all about the small details

The only thing I wished that was different was the POV. It's solo POV. I wished to have read more about Josh's POV and his own feelings instead of deducing it from Gemma

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this ARC. I just know I'll have this book on my mind for a couple of days.

Not going to lie, Gemma annoyed the hell out of me until about 68% into this book BUT she redeemed herself. I thought Josh was utterly adorable. I really enjoyed how the story followed a woman's fertility journey (there are triggers!) and I was balling my eyes out (you'll realise when). I just needed a little one from the ending for 5⭐. But all round this was a very book read!

This book was much different than I expected! I was looking for a cute and easy rom-com about an unconventional family for the end of the year couch potato session and there were some elements of that here but ultimately I couldn't get over my dislike of the main character, Gemma.

After going through a divorce and an infertility diagnosis very young in life, thirty two year old Gemma decides her new year's resolution will be to have a baby on her own. She decides to ask her brother's best friend to be her sperm donor, someone she has known for almost all of her life but apparently never takes seriously as an emotionally developed and complex person.

When he finally says yes, the two forge a friendship while going through the necessary IVF treatments trying to get pregnant.

Let's be clear: Gemma has no business being with the total sweetheart that is Josh. While he is nothing but supportive, funny, and kind, she clings to preconceived notions about him and refuses to get to know him better, despite all the blatant contradictory clues staring her in the face. She is constantly hurt by people making snap judgments about her behind her back and yet she continues to do the same. I know that this character development was necessary for the emotional journey and growth this couple needed to go through to have a relationship but U G H girl just --- do better.

The story
Gemma is hitting her mid-thirties, is a social media manager for a motivational guru and lives in NYC. Married and divorced young, despite her endometriosis, she realises that if she is going to fulfil her dream to be a mother, she is going to have to do something about this in a way that does rely on Mr Right turning up. At the family NYE party, she blurts out and asks her brother’s best friend Josh (who she lost her virginity to) whether he will help her in her quest.

My thoughts
This is a gem of a story. I loved the raw honesty about the IVF journey and all that goes with trying to get pregnant (after spending most of your life trying not to get pregnant). Endometriosis is not something that gets airtime in daily life, never mind in fiction. The story is charming, the love is real and the dialogue is funny and vibes. I love love loved it! ❤️❤️❤️

Heartfelt, hilarious, perfectly balanced, and full of banter.

Joshua Templeman from The Hating Game and Josh Im from Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating have brand new competition. There is a new swoony hero in town and he goes by the name Josh Lewenthal.

Gemma is thirty-two and going through a bit of a crisis. She married and divorced early after finding her husband in a compromising position on her dining room table. And since then, she hasn`t been great at trusting people and building relationships.

But, what she does know is that she really wants a baby. After an infertile diagnosis, she learns that there is a chance for her to conceive through IVF. And when thinking about a donor her mind immediately shifts to Josh Lewenthal, her brother's best friend. After all, Josh has always been around, she's known him for twenty-four years, he's like a house plant, always in the periphery of her life.

While going through the process Gemma learns a great deal about herself, makes delightful eccentric friends, and discovers a whole new hidden side to Josh, that just might turn her world upside down.

This book was just such a perfect little read. Yes, the whole Ian vs Josh thing resembled Bridget Jones a whole lot. That particular plot was a bit on the nose, and the entire thing with the quotes was a tad too much. However, the characters and overall plot were so endearing that it was easy for me to dismiss some tiny hiccups.

The chemistry was sizzling, the longing perfectly balanced, the slow burn expertly constructed, and the brother's best friend trope applied with mastery. If you enjoy a laugh out loud, full of emotion, and creatively written contemporary romance, this book is definitely for you.

I really like this book. It's a great romantic comedy and I loved the main characters. It had a satisfying ending and will recommend this book to my family and friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the advanced readers copy. This review is an accurate representation of my experience reading the book

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I decided to read this book due to the brother's best friend trope, but it gave me so much more. Gemma wants to have a baby, and decides to approach her brother's best friend Josh. It was nice to see that relationship start and blossom.

I also appreciated that Sarah Ready tackled infertility. So many women go through it, and the author did a good job portraying the highs and lows. I especially loved everyone in the fertility support group, the way the women supported each other in their very own ways. All had different personalities, all were in different stages in their journey, and I was just as excited to read and learn about them as I did with Josh and Emma's relationship.

I liked the slow burn for Josh and Emma. I understand the part Ian played in that, but I almost felt like he was an afterthought. And he didn't really do much for me. But Josh more than made up for it.

Emma's family was also fun to read. We all have that relative that 'means well' like Emma's mom. I liked her dynamic with her sister too.

Overall, this was a fun, easy read that I devoured in one sitting. I'll definitely be looking into other books by Sarah Ready.

To me this was a very unique concept for a book and I love it so much. Seeing her fall in love with him while he is completely whipped the entire time is so much fun. The fact that he writes the flipping comics about her?! And the HE WROTE ONE FOR THE BABY!!!! Josh is the best man ever. I need a short story about them actually being parents.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I could not get into it. Too much self degrading references (or degrading comments from others, especially Jemma's mom!), too much immature humour for my taste. Being fat, getting drunk, saying what comes to your mind, and humiliating yourself on several occasions worked for "Brigit Jones' Diary" but other authors should avoid it. And the book needs a better title.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of the honest review.

When Gemma decides she’s taking her life into her own hands by having a baby on her own through IVF, who better to ask than her brother’s best friend? She’s tired of waiting on her Prince Charming and being envious of everyone else in her life. Little does she know through this journey she’ll discover things aren’t always as they seem.

I really enjoyed this story. It was quirky and romantic and funny. The characters are madly frustrating at some points because Sarah Ready knows how to make you fall in love with them. Several points in the book I wanted to rush through just so I could figure out what happens. It’s a novel of accepting people and taking a deeper look, of accepting and loving yourself, and of being vulnerable.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby was fun, emotional, heartwarming, and discussed the standards and pressures of life and the roles in which we play. It discusses the critical topic of infertility, which was handled very well within the book.

Gemma is a wonderful character who knows more than anything that she wants to have a baby...and she doesn't need a man in her life to do it. I admire this, and as someone in their 30's wanting children, I could relate to her personally. It broke my heart to see other characters body-shaming Gemma on the frequent, so as much as I loved the romance in the book, I appreciate the story of self-love and acceptance. It's in the knowledge that we don't have to fit a specific type of mold to matter.

Josh, oh, how I love Josh. There's undeniable chemistry from when we meet him sitting on Gemma's childhood bed. Their backstory is so cute, and the trope of being "off-limits" sizzles as the two characters spend more time together. I love that they come to this agreement because it's something they both want, and it's their own goal, not involving others. They can share this, and it's beautiful to watch their full-circle story unfold. You observe early on that Josh has feelings for Gemma and always has. It's lovely how it all plays out.

The growth they go through together is beautiful, and the way they're always there to comfort one another made me cry. It's how they stand up for each other with their support and friendship. The trust between them is always present. I love to see this type of connection in a romance.

Overall, I enjoyed this fic. Some characters filled like fillers, and I didn't care for them as much, but it didn't stop me from engaging with our main characters. I enjoy how author Sarrah Ready adds humor in the dialogue, and you can visualize these conversations taking place. The illustrations were a nice touch as well.

If you're looking for a fun yet heartwarming love story, this book is for you!

The publisher kindly provided this e-arc via NetGalley for an honest review.

I was in a huge reading slump before this book.

Then I read this in one sitting.

This book had everything. I had to put the book down exactly two times. One to fry my eyes out and tell my husband, “but they’re fictional characters. Why am I so upset?” And another to crack up after the twist near the end.

I can’t recommend this book enough. Genuinely 5 stars. If I had a physical copy I would be hugging it.

Thanks netgalley for letting me read this
I loved it! It was the cutest book you could see some sparks pretty early on really but I loved that they talked about infertility and what it intels and that it took some time and support you need for family and friends and that Josh didn't flaunt his celebrity and that geema loved him anyway it made my heart so full

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby centers on the story of two misunderstood 30-somethings and their unlikely journey to parenthood and love. On a deeper level, it features things all too common and too unspoken: infertility, the expectations of single womanhood, self-confidence.

Gemma is a self-proclaimed believer in self-help, so much so that her deep-rooted interest has become a major personality trait for her as she spills platitudes in way of advice. If William Ernest Henley hadn’t written the line in “Invictus” that says, “I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul,” readers can bet that her sleazy guru of a boss, Ian Fortune, would have, and Gemma would have all too blindly boarded that ship. Within the novel’s first few lines, she bluntly explains that as a kid, she worshipped her brother’s best friend, the womanizing product of a defunct marriage, Josh Lewnthal; now, with the clarity -or panic - of her situation (early 30’s, divorced, infertile, and the recipient of every cringe-worthy set-up attempt from her overly-involved mom), she has decided that she once again cares about Josh, or more specifically, his sperm. That’s right, she’s decided once and for all that she’s an independent woman who doesn’t need no man…except strictly for DNA purposes. She proceeds with her plans, initially telling no one - including Josh - except her utterly bizarre, borderline inappropriate fertility doctor. After some very light convincing, Josh comes around (no pun intended) and agrees to be her baby daddy, because even a former panty-stealer wants a family. As Gemma prepares for her fertility journey, she not only begins a romantic relationship with Ian, but also sparks a genuine friendship with Josh, and becomes a member of a ragtag fertility support group that meets in a rat-infested comic store basement and consists of a former model, a foul-mouthed attorney, and a holistic believer. Throughout, she questions her blooming feelings for Josh, the boy she previously referred to as a “houseplant” because in their adulthood, he’s just always sort of there in the background of her life, but ultimately attributes these amorous feelings to the hormones. Ever the gentleman, Josh is more than willing to support her through these challenging times of celibacy, further blurring the lines of their totally platonic, contracted agreement for child-rearing.

The novel checks the box of multiple tropes: romance with a brother’s best friend, an over-involved mother, and a (spoiler) sick parent. Though a fun read, readers must be willing to move beyond Gemma’s narration, which at times feels immature, inconsistent, and underdeveloped. We also have to be willing to look past some truly unbelievable encounters, including the fact that her entire hometown knows that she was diagnosed with such terrible endometriosis that the doctor called her uterus a battlefield with nothing left, and another infertile couple who appears several times at key moments and wreaks havoc as a way to keep Gemma and Josh from recognizing their true feelings sooner. In doing so, I found a cute story that touched on the far-reaching, non-discriminatory impacts of infertility, the desire to be seen for who you are and not who you were, and the idea that everyone (except maybe Ian Fortune) is really just trying to get it right.

This novel was provided free from NetGalley, but will be available for release in 2022. It’s a breezy read that introduces readers to the language and journey through IVF in a gentle, if not somewhat hurried way. It could definitely be considered triggering for those struggling to conceive

It's Amazing!!
Oh, my Heart🥺🥺
Loved this book so so much, I didn't expect to Relish it as much but I did but I'm so happy about it 😁

This is a story abt 2 beautiful souls Gemma and Josh who faced life's dirty struggles with hope and sunshine in them how much ever they were derailed sometimes...There's so much to deal with btw the...Will Gemma ever realize how much Josh loves her or will he be that just a playboy in her eyes forever...

Will Gemma ever get the family she dreams of, will ppl stop criticizing her or judging her...will she know how much beauty she adds to the world
Will her struggling heart failing hope lift back up??

Ah! Gemma, you're so beautiful inside out.
I'm so glad I got to read these amazing characters.
How much Josh loved Gemma stole my breath
The way the plot was crafted, twisted, unfolded, and presented was just enchanting
This book gave me all the feels and vibes..so full of pure content, story, love, romance, and comedy
It has so many worthy characters and issues that were dawning and touching
We all struggle so much and hide it..we are not perfect but it's okay, it only matters we try, and with hope and love, we can defeat them!

The audiobook was 1000x incredible, I listened to it in one freaking day!😁

This story touched my heart so much 💗
Can't wait to read more from the author

I have so many favorite quotes from this book but I'll say only one :
LOVE IS THE GREATEST GIFT I EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO GIVE

* CW: Deals with Infertility issues
Spice:one open door romance

Super cute rom-com! Very sweet premise. Loved the writing style. Pride and prejudice vibes.

Will definitely pick up the next book by this author.

Thanks to netgalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gemma is a divorcee who is desperate for a baby and she enlists her brothers best friend Josh to be her donor.

Only problem is, it’s very hard to make a baby with someone without some sort of feelings getting in the way...

What a gorgeous rom-com this was! I adored it. The relationship between Josh and Gemma is so lovely, I really enjoyed their dynamic.

Despite being a romcom it’s really poignant in parts and I found myself in tears near the end.

It also tackles the subject of infertility really sensitively, as someone who has endometriosis myself, I really appreciated that.

I’d never heard of the author before but now i’ll definitely be reading more of her work - she deserves to be as popular as Emily Henry and Colleen Hoover in my opinion!

I laughed, I cried, had moments of heartache and moments of pure joy. This romcom had the full spectrum of emotions.

Gemma is a thirtysomething divorcèe who wants to fill her life with love in the form of a family. She has come to the realisation that Prince charming isn't coming, she doesn't need a man and she can totally do this on her own. Enter Josh, Gemma's brothers best friend. He agrees to be Gemma's platonic sperm doner. From here their relationship slowly grows as they take on the challenges of IVF.

Gemma is so relatable, authentically imperfect and she revels in the acceptance of who she is and what she wants. I think we can all be a Gemma at times... positively optimistic and sometimes brutally honest. The only thing I wanted more from this novel was getting to know Josh better and his story. I was so invested in both of their lives and was rooting for their happy ending.

What's to like:
❣Relatable characters
❣Laughout loud moments
❣Moments of sincerity
❣A happily ever after (what more could you want?)

This review will also be posted on @thebluereadingchair on Instagram in the first week of Jan2022.