Published by Swift & Lewis Publishing Genres: Fiction, Romance
Format: ARC, Audiobook
Josh and Gemma Make a Baby was such an amazing book and should be read prior to reading this one, especially if you really want to appreciate this book fully. I squealed with excitement when I saw this book was available. I just knew I was going to love it. Then as I was listening to the amazing Erin Mallon’s narration, I realized things were about to get real. I started getting worried and even said “come on, come on, come on, come on, COME ON! Are you Kidding me? Seriously?????? Noooooo!!!!” Crap! Life gets real, really fast in this book. As with Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, this one had me feeling several emotions. Sarah Ready created characters that I cared about so when things got real, I felt them.
As the book begins Gemma Jacobs and Josh Lewenthal are preparing for their wedding. They are pregnant and in love. Both have successful careers- Gemma in social media marketing and Josh as a writer of a successful web comic series. They have a bright future ahead of them. Until the day of their wedding when things take a turn. This is where I started pulling on my hair and began my “come on” exclamations. Life is not always easy, in fact, it can be downright, hard.
Josh and Gemma must find their way back to each other. Things will not be the same and they will both be tested. You never learn to get back up until you have been knocked down. So, get back up they do, but will they get back up together?
Ian Fortune is also in this book, and I enjoyed him more the second time around. He gets a lot of ‘screen’ time in this book, but he does have a part to play. I liked the more human side of him. Readers also get to see Gemma’s family as well. Her brother opened his big mouth a couple of times, and I was frustrated that Gemma never let him have it for his insensitivity and rudeness.
This book had me feeling all kinds of things while reading it. Sarah Ready tackles some heavy subjects in this book and the journey for this couple becomes a bumpy one. It’s not all doom and gloom, there are moments of brightness, joy and hope. I love the witty banter between Josh and Gemma. It had me smiling and reminded me of how much I loved the first book for their banter and of course, the plot. I also appreciated the emotions shown, the depth of feeling and the doubt that the character’s felt.
Again, to fully appreciate this book, I strongly believe you need to read Josh and Gemma Make a Baby first. Will there be another book? I don’t know, but I do know that I enjoyed this book that had my emotions all over the place.
This was equal parts captivating, gripping, shocking, emotional, sad, hopeful, and full of heart.