This was such a cute & fun read, touching delicately on sensitive topics while still maintaining the light hearted commentary.

I struggled with the characters in general, especially Gemma’s immaturity and the ruthlessness of some of the side characters.

I think the overall vibe and writing just wasn’t for me, but I’m curious to try another of the author’s books in the future!

(Big thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.)

Fun, heartwarming read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

This cute romcom follows Gemma Jacobs and Josh Lewenthal. Gemma is a divorced, infertile woman who’s New Years resolution is to have a baby. She propositions Josh, her brothers best friend, to be her no strings attached sperm donor.

This book highlights a lot of important topics including: infertility, family, marriage as well as divorce. I loved the light heartedness included in the book, it had a good balance of important topics as well as fun, love and humour.

I loved how the story was written as well as the format. It was easy to read and kept me interested and wanting to read more. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting.

This was such a fun and different story! Thank you for the opportunity to review it. I did not download it in time but purchased it on my kindle and enjoyed it immensely. Thank you!

I liked the main couple, the plot was interesting, and the book read like a rom com. The comments from the mom were though to read but it felt realistic and made me sympathize with the female lead. I like this book but didn’t love it.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby was a cute story. I think it was a unique twist on the pregnancy and brother's best friend trope. Some readers may need to be aware of some trigger warnings since infertility can be a sensitive subject. The romance is slow, but the book is more about Gemma’s journey to being a mom. There was something about Gemma, she wasn’t perfect. Josh is likable and easygoing. Definitely going to check out the authors other works.

Thank you to @sarahreadyauthor and @netgalley for providing me with a copy!

This book had promise. The storyline is unique and the fact that he's her brother's best friend is sweet and endearing. However, the main character was so annoying and her thought processes as she leapt from thought to thought made very little sense. I thought the middle of the book was the best in terms of writing and execution, but I overall was disappointed.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby is amazing. Characters were so human like full of flaws and scenes had me laughing out loud! The story had me worried, happy, sad, a whole range of emotions. I'm not good with reviews but what I'm trying to say is this book blew me away. It's also my first Rom Com book I ever read. It filled me with such inspiration. Now I have to write my own Room Com for sure. 5 stars. I'd give it more but there has to be a limit lol.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby was a cute, entertaining emotional story. It touched on some hard topics, such as fertility and all the issues that this can bring (some readers may need to be aware of some trigger warnings). The story was a lot more than I expected. The romance is a slowburn, as the book is more about Gemma’s journey to motherhood. There was something about Gemma that I connected with. I loved that she wasn’t perfect and at times was a hot mess. Josh is a likable, sweet, and easy going guy. It was evident that there was more to him. As a reader it was easy to figure out what was going on with Josh, but it was fun following Gemma as she discovered who he truly was. Let’s not forget the cast of side characters who brought their own entertainment to the story. The book was funny, cute, entertaining, and emotional.

Really enjoyed this book, it was a fun read but some character choices just didn't make sense to me.

This book was eye catching. Es de esos de los que no podes parar de leer pero ojo, no es 5 estrellas.
Empecemos por Gemma, idolatras al chabon, pero cuando lo tenes que encarar, le mandas mierda porque al parecer en el pasado no te gustaba... Como que ahí hubouna inconsistencia por parte de la autora.
Josh es el personaje más raro del mundo, pero hizo que la lectura sea más cómica.
Las amigas que Gemma hace por el invitro, son esenciales para la trama, quería ver más de la pelea, se reconciliaron demasiado rápido.

I usually hate the pregnancy trope but they were so cute!!! It was not what I was expecting it to be. I know a few people who would love this book!!!!

Probably one of the best books that I have read in a long time. You will laugh, cry, and everything in between. It deals with a senstive topic and i really appreciate the author's note that states that everyone has their own story/way of going through IVF and that this is Gemma's way.

CW: Infertility, miscarriage, body shaming, death

Thanks @netgalley for the arc!

I thought this book was a cute rom-com while discussing heavier topics like infertility. I thought this book did a good job discussing those issues while also being realistic. I really liked the women from Gemma's infertility group. They were all very different and unique with strong personalities, yet they developed a great friendship. There were some things I didn't like about Gemma’s personality, but she did have a character growth towards the end and she learned to be less judgemental. I also found the views in this book a bit old-fashioned. For example, I didn't like how Gemma was constantly shamed about her body and infertility. Almost everybody in the book openly mocked her, even her own family, about her being divorced and other issues. It's like the whole town knew about her infertility. It seemed old-fashioned how a women's worth in the book was still based on whether she was married and had kids. However, I thought Josh and Gemma had fun together. I wish we got to see them spend more time together and get to know each other more first before their relationship, but I did think the epilogue was really cute.

Overall, this was a fun read and if you enjoy the brother's best friend trope, then I think you will like this book.

I really loved this story from start to finish. The characters were all very likeable and relatable. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I really went from debating a DNF to sobbing my eyes out at 3am.

The main reasons I wanted to DNF were formatting related, and I read an arc, so I'm glad I stuck with it. I also feel like this book is one that straddles the line between womens fiction and romance. Maybe 30/70.

JOSH AND GEMMA MAKE A BABY is an authentic story about infertility and IVF. Gemma has endometriosis (although she never has symptoms, something I have literally never heard of happening) and cannot have children. She decides to stop waiting for a life partner and just become a single mom... but she wants her old crush to be the donor.

TW/CW: miscarriage, infertility, IVF, grief, loss of a parent to cancer, fatphobia, vomiting (kinda graphic), divorce, endometriosis

This book is kind of like The Switch starring Jennifer Aniston (a movie I adore), although this story is all about the process of getting pregnant, whereas the movie follows the kid around. Getting pregnant would probably kill me and I dislike children, but I LOVE stories of women overcoming the odds while becoming a parent. There are few people more badass than people growing a human in their uterus.

Gemma can be annoying at times, but she really grew on me. On the other hand, I am continuing my trend of simping for fictional characters named Josh. He really made the story come together and is one of my new favorite male love interests. The love these two have for each other is 😭

While I do not have experience with infertility or IVF, the story was incredibly well-researched, and Gemma's infertility support group represented other experiences that might be more relatable for readers. And the trigger warning for miscarriage/IVF/infertility is very important. I didn't think the portrayal would hit me as hard as it did.

Thank you to Swift & Lewis and Netgalley for the early copy. My opinions were not influenced by the gifted copy.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby is hilarious and heart melting.

Gemma is 32 and recently divorced. She works for a self help guru that she adores, lives in a cute apartment in Manhattan and has a family that has been nothing but supportive.

The only thing Gemma wants is a baby.

Enter Josh Lewenthal: her brother’s best friend and the perfect person to have a baby with.

And to her surprise, Josh says yes.

This book made me sob. I just wanted to hug Gemma. She’s so sweet and hilarious. I also love the conversations around IVF. It’s something I truly knew nothing about and I left having a newfound respect for women who go through this process.

Check this book out!

This is the first book I've read by Sarah Ready and probably won't be my last.
This is the story of Gemma who decides after being single for a while and having fertility issues that she wants to try IVF. Instead of going with a sperm doner she decides that she appreciates the genetics of her brothers best friend, Josh and asks him to make a baby with her.
Through the process they get close and become friends but then Gemma starts to fall for him.
This was a quick engrossing read for me and I really enjoyed the little secrets that were gradually revealed to Gemma (fairly easy to predict as the reader). I enjoyed how the characters grew and changed. This is only mildly spicy though so don't expect much loving going on.
Thanks to Netgalley.com and Swift & Lewis Publishing for my eARC copy.

4.5/5

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby is a brother's best friend, past lovers, pregnancy trope with a twist. I often struggle with books based on infertility because to often there is an accidental pregnancy, but I was happy this book did not have it!

I loved Gemma in this book. She was no non-sense, and knew she wanted a baby, knew she couldn't have one the "conventional way" and didn't care if she wasn't in a relationship or married. Enter Josh, who she sees an aloof illustration, her brother's best friend. When she starts hanging out with him though, she starts to consider him a friend… and maybe more.

Gemma was a great protagonist and really had a great sense of humour and really put her all into everything she does. I loved Josh and Gemma's banter and back and forth and it was easy (as the reader) to see that they were meant to be, even if Gemma didn't realize it. I think the single viewpoint in this book was a great idea, because not knowing what Josh was thinking (except for glimpses) really added to the stories.

Although there are lots of funny moments in this book, it does have some focus on the very real impacts of infertility. Gemma attends a support group with other women going through IVF and the author accurately explains the pain of not conceiving, the emotions experienced through the process and just what it's like with the endless medical procedures.

I highly recommend this book. It was sweet, funny and I had tears of joy and sadness. Sarah Ready is definitely an author I will pick up more books from in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and the Swift and Lewis Publishing for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

Talk about a pregnancy trope! Love it.
Gemma wants to make a deal. An unemotional, businesslike arrangement. No commitments, just a baby. Plot twist never seen coming, they fall in love! The story is fast paced and filled with emotion and desire.
I still think pregnancy is the most magical thing in the world, I really did buy into the story line and the characters need to make a baby. Yay!

This was my first book by Sarah Ready and it won’t be the last! I loved this book! The only thing I wish it had was Josh’s point of view, mainly because I love dual POV. I loved the writing, it kept me engaged. Gemma is a divorced 30+ year old woman and she is ready to start a family, without a man. In order to do this, she thinks that Josh, which is her brother’s best friend, is perfect for the position. This story has angst, heartbreak, humor, and spice. I highly recommend this easy, fun read!