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kfmcf's review
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
I think there's a lot in this book that's good and a lot that is a bit...confusing why it's there.
The IVF aspects of the book are by far the best. They give a look into an aspect of family decision making that's not usually discussed, especially in rom coms. The overall plot is interesting more so in concept than in excision, however, which is a but of a bummer.
My main issue with this book is the sources of conflict. First, there's this whole side where Josh won't tell her he's liked her for years - but I can't tell if we as the audience are supposed to be surprised. Also, why does he like her? It's never said and she is shown to have been a dick to him. I do appreciate that they have at least some history but their chemistry is conflicting imo.
The second point of conflict is her relationship with her boss. He sucks and nothing about him is surprising and I find his subplot entirely superfluous. His pages could have been used to further flesh out the relationship between the leads or give more depth to the FL in regards to her life goals or *something.*
Finally...there's the stupid recurring double in the fertility office. I don't like using the word stupid as a descriptor but they were nearly book ruining for me. They were in two (rather long) scenes and I almost just skipped those completely. They're not funny and they just made me uncomfortable in an awkward and cringey way.
The last critique I want to give this book is that the title is...unfortunate. I don't really want to have this title on my shelf just due to the fact that it lacks any sort of subtlety (kind of like the book in a lot of ways). I get it's maybe a bit tongue in cheek but it sounds more like a pregnancy how-to than a novel.
Overall, I wanted this book to be something it's not. It didn't entirely fail - I was entertained for a few hours - but it definitely needed some refining.
The IVF aspects of the book are by far the best. They give a look into an aspect of family decision making that's not usually discussed, especially in rom coms. The overall plot is interesting more so in concept than in excision, however, which is a but of a bummer.
My main issue with this book is the sources of conflict. First, there's this whole side where Josh won't tell her he's liked her for years - but I can't tell if we as the audience are supposed to be surprised. Also, why does he like her? It's never said and she is shown to have been a dick to him. I do appreciate that they have at least some history but their chemistry is conflicting imo.
The second point of conflict is her relationship with her boss. He sucks and nothing about him is surprising and I find his subplot entirely superfluous. His pages could have been used to further flesh out the relationship between the leads or give more depth to the FL in regards to her life goals or *something.*
Finally...there's the stupid recurring double in the fertility office. I don't like using the word stupid as a descriptor but they were nearly book ruining for me. They were in two (rather long) scenes and I almost just skipped those completely. They're not funny and they just made me uncomfortable in an awkward and cringey way.
The last critique I want to give this book is that the title is...unfortunate. I don't really want to have this title on my shelf just due to the fact that it lacks any sort of subtlety (kind of like the book in a lot of ways). I get it's maybe a bit tongue in cheek but it sounds more like a pregnancy how-to than a novel.
Overall, I wanted this book to be something it's not. It didn't entirely fail - I was entertained for a few hours - but it definitely needed some refining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Vomit, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, and Grief
imlaurenshelton's review against another edition
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, Death of parent, Sexual content, Blood, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Vomit
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