I really loved the first book in this series. It was funny, heartfelt, and just the right kind of ridiculous to keep me entertained, so I was excited to dive into *Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around*. While I did enjoy parts of this sequel, it didn’t quite hit the same notes as the first for me.

The premise—exploring what happens after the "happily ever after"—is compelling, and I appreciated the attempt to tackle the less glamorous side of relationships and life changes. However, some of the twists felt overly dramatic and a little hard to take seriously, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.

That said, the chemistry between Josh and Gemma is still there, and their dynamic kept me invested even when the plot veered into melodrama. I also liked that the book wasn’t afraid to show how messy and imperfect love can be—it made their relationship feel more real, even if the situations they faced sometimes didn’t.

Although it didn’t capture the same charm as the first installment, *Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around* still had its moments of humor and heart. Fans of the series will likely find enough to enjoy, even if the sequel doesn't quite live up to the original's magic.

A beautiful follow up to an unconventional love story. Josh and Gemma survive the obstacles to be and stay together all while tackling the new chapter of parenthood.

EVERYTHING about this book gave me ALL the feels in every way possible and it even made me cry 😭😭 i couldn’t get enough of this book i was wanting more of josh and if gemma (defs not ian though iykyk 😂)

the plot of this book was so simple yet i have never read anything like it and the interactions between gemma and josh throughout the book were just phenomenal. i was laughing, crying and just LOVING them together and individually the whole time. the dynamics of all the relationships in the novel worked so well and were so entertaining. i was never once bored and due to it being a slow burn it had me begging for something to happen between them but that’s the kinda pain i love being in 😅😂

The friends to lovers & brothers best friend tropes got me good in this one! I feel like i’m a sucker for all romance tropes at this point and this book only proved that more. 💕🤩

I listened to both the audiobook and read the ebook and i loved both! Erin Mallon was a great narrator and I will definitely be looking for her name in the future.

Major TW for infertility & miscarriage as this was the basis of the entire book. There was infertility shaming and although this was hard to read I feel like it was done in a way that was realistic and made a clear statement on how shitty and insensitive people can be. The fat shaming was also dealt with in a similar way that made a firm statement on how much people can suck. I am curious to see what others think about how this was done so let me know if you have read it!!

I devoured this book and I really enjoyed it and think a lot of you would too!

✨ Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review ✨

Voy a empezar diciendo que una secuela de Josh and Gemma Make a Baby era completamente innecesaria. Sí, entiendo que el "felices para siempre" no es muy realista y que siempre habrá altibajos en la vida. Esos altibajos, en particular, pueden llegar a ser muy profundos. No hay necesidad de escribir una novela completa como continuación de una historia que ya estaba cerrada y era entrañable. Las novellas también son una opción y son un deleite frecuente.

Dicho esto, tenía expectativas muy altas para este libro, a pesar de su irrelevancia. El primer libro, que tuve la suerte de reseñar como ARC, fue increíble. Me encantó todo al respecto. Desafortunadamente, esta secuela se sentía como una telenovela, y no de la manera divertida. Todo, desde el romance hasta los conflictos y las "citas notables", era irritantemente cursi. No quiero decir que no disfrutara del todo; lo hice, de ahí la calificación de tres estrellas. Aún conservaba parte del encanto previo, pero no era lo mismo.

Los personajes seguían siendo tan adorables como en el primer libro. Sin embargo, sus acciones eran tan cuestionables a veces que me encontraba dándome golpes en la frente (sé que eso no es una palabra real). La pobre Gemma tenía que lidiar con un montón de tonterías, no solo en su vida, sino también en su salud, que honestamente quería envolverla en una manta cómoda y darle galletas. Esa chica necesita un descanso. No perdió ese optimismo que la hacía tan querible en el primer libro, y, al final, esa es parte de la razón por la que seguí leyendo. Josh tampoco está mucho mejor; él tiene su propia carga que llevar, su vida dio un giro oscuro e inesperado, y casi todo es un desastre para él. Al igual que Gemma, el optimismo y la dedicación de Josh lo hicieron un personaje igualmente querido y dulce, y lo quiero mucho. Además, el chico es súper amable todo el tiempo, incluso con aquellos que no lo merecen. En cuanto a la relación de Gemma y Josh, sufrió una caída; las cosas fueron difíciles por un tiempo, pero su amor es fuerte y puede desafiar todas las adversidades. No importa cuán cursi suene, sigue siendo adorable.

I really enjoyed the first book and this one was really cute too. Very emotional like I already expect from Sarah Ready!

I wish their story ended with the first book. I couldnt bring myself to finish this one, It was boring to me ,

I read the first book in this series to make sure I was giving an informed review, and I’m not sure this sequel added anything that was needed. sometimes it felt like I was reading about completely different characters, and they made very strange choices that undid a lot of the growth that occurred in book one.

I was a bit scared of this one as I really liked Josh and Gemma Make a Baby and I didn't know what this could be about and if it would be good and entertaining, but oh wow, I really liked it!!! It was pretty original and reading about Josh and Gemma again was beautiful. Love the characters always and forever.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

I tried multiple times to pick up this book but something just wasn't grabbing me. It was a disappointment because I really adored the first book in the series. I got 50% in and decided to dnf unfortunately.

Sarah is an amazing author and I will always read everything she writes. This was a great sequel and I definitely needed all the love and actual real world things that take place. There's more to a HEA after the story is over and this book does that justice.

Josh & Gemma the second time around was such a cute rom com kind of book! I really like this kind of book. It's sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Josh was my favorite kind of love interest to read about and Gemma eventually grew on me. This book is perfect fo anyone who wants a sweet rom com to escape into.

I didn't like this one as much as I thought I would. To me as a reader this one kind of ruined the happy for now we got with Josh and Gemma make a baby. While not badly written I kind of wish I had hadn't read this one.

I read both Josh and Gemma Have a Baby and Josh and Gemma Second Time Around together. I enjoyed both books, but I would say I preferred the first one.

Both covered serious topics around infertility, traumatic childbirth, eclampsia, grief, etc. The second book felt less 'real life' and more of an extreme of what could happen... I hated the lost connection between Josh and Gemma and then it came together super quickly. They aren't light books, with all the serious topics, but still have the romance element to bring some joy.

I love Sarah Ready as an author, but Josh and Gemma Second Time Around was not my favorite of hers.

I didn't read the first book so I went in kind of blind. I thought Gemma was a bit spacey and general oblivious whileJosh was a great, easy-going guy. Big miscommunication trope which I usually have an issue with but I didn't mind it so much in this one.

I do wish there was a bit more romance though.

A different story than the first in the series, but still a fun read! I liked the characters still and enjoyed the writing. I would definitely recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Ready!

Loved this book, I do wish there was more romance and more life with the baby in the story! It was a sweet story and kind of sad at times but it was a cute easy read!

After enjoying the first book, Josh and Gemma make a Baby, I was happy to see a sequel to this fun rom-com. Gemma is still a bit oblivious and Josh is still a great, accepting, easy-going guy. Miscommunication, like in the first book, is still an issue, but mostly the characters are lovable and their story is sweet and romantic.

Sarah Ready quickly became a favorite author that I know I can read anything and love. Josh and Gemma’s story was no exception and I am still reeling from the up and down emotional journey they took me one!

I unfortunately didn't have the time to get to reading it before it archived! Though I will pick it up in the future.
So please disregard the low rating as Netgalley forces me to put one down with my review.

This was the conclusion I needed. I loved Josh and Gemma's story from book one and I loved their story in the second one as well. Love Sarah's writing. Highly recommend!