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A review by imlaurenshelton
Josh and Gemma Make a Baby by Sarah Ready
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Reading this felt like watching a 2000-2010s RomCom, and I admit that I really enjoyed it. Some of the DNF reviews are funny to me because concerns they have are resolved towards the end of the book, but if it’s not your cup of tea then I guess that’s that. It’s very cliche and predictable in every sense but it’s just the right amount of cheesy and emotional to draw the right group of readers in. There are some serious quirks in here and one of the most debatably odd scenes in the book is when the main character uses a cell phone as a vibrator. I don’t advocate for random hook ups or premarital sex (discussion for another day) but even I was like, “there’s gotta be a better way…” and it was just ultimately cringeworthy.
Beyond that, obviously a book about making a baby is going to have sexual content, which I always take a little off for in reviews. However, I am very appreciative to the author that nothing was graphic, though I did just skip through some of these scenes. (Idk, like I get it - they had intercourse, don’t need deets). I think the most important part of this book was the reality brought forth in IVF and loss/grief, I know a little about IVF but I think this book did a great job of showing what that process can look like. I know nothing about losing a parent, but I also think that was depicted well here. Also, one review I saw stated they didn’t know infertility shaming was a real thing - let me tell you, it sure is. I have seen loved ones deal with it and it breaks my heart. Just like single shaming (which is also in this book) is a real thing, somehow both are real and happen often.
The author did an excellent job showing how Gemma grew throughout the book as she experienced certain things and had revelations about herself. As someone who is sometimes too blunt and admittedly, comes off self-righteous, I related to those moments where she blurts things out in the name of honesty. Thankfully, there is character growth and that’s a really great addition to this plot.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I don’t regret it. I think it can be almost informative for friends and family of those enduring IVF to have an idea of what that loved one might be going through. This is a nice, emotional and fun read that could probably be made into a movie easily.
I received my copy of Josh and Gemma make a Baby from Swift & Lewis Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beyond that, obviously a book about making a baby is going to have sexual content, which I always take a little off for in reviews. However, I am very appreciative to the author that nothing was graphic, though I did just skip through some of these scenes. (Idk, like I get it - they had intercourse, don’t need deets). I think the most important part of this book was the reality brought forth in IVF and loss/grief, I know a little about IVF but I think this book did a great job of showing what that process can look like. I know nothing about losing a parent, but I also think that was depicted well here. Also, one review I saw stated they didn’t know infertility shaming was a real thing - let me tell you, it sure is. I have seen loved ones deal with it and it breaks my heart. Just like single shaming (which is also in this book) is a real thing, somehow both are real and happen often.
The author did an excellent job showing how Gemma grew throughout the book as she experienced certain things and had revelations about herself. As someone who is sometimes too blunt and admittedly, comes off self-righteous, I related to those moments where she blurts things out in the name of honesty. Thankfully, there is character growth and that’s a really great addition to this plot.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I don’t regret it. I think it can be almost informative for friends and family of those enduring IVF to have an idea of what that loved one might be going through. This is a nice, emotional and fun read that could probably be made into a movie easily.
I received my copy of Josh and Gemma make a Baby from Swift & Lewis Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Body shaming, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Vomit