Why did I listen to Josh and Gemma Make A Baby?
Josh and Gemma Make A Baby was available to listen on Netgalley and sounded like it would be a hilarious romantic comedy. It sounded like there was some history between these characters. This made me really curious and I wanted to see how this plan for a baby actually went. So, I clicked request and was approved relatively quickly, I was so excited to check it out!
What’s the storyline here?
Gemma Jacobs life is going relatively perfectly well. She has a decent job, a cute home, and a close knit family. There is only one thing missing: a baby. Gemma has had multiple failed relationships, been divorced, and has an infertility diagnosis. All of this complicates her real desire which is to start a family and have a baby. So, she does her research and realizes that she may still be able to get pregnant if she uses IVF (invitro-fertilization). Now all she has to do to decide on the sperm.
Enter Josh Lewenthal. He is her older brothers best friend and has been a part of her life as long as she can remember. He’s laid back and usually just goes with the flow. He’s also really smart but in Gemma’s opinion has never fully applied himself. Yet he has a good heart and a good sense of humor, and his positive qualities outweigh his negatives. So, Gemma presents a deal to Josh for his sperm and only his sperm and surprisingly he agrees. And so there adventure begins…
How did I like Josh and Gemma Make A Baby?
Oh boy, I really wanted to like this story. And there were some parts of it that I did. Unfortunately, there were also some parts that made me want to shake the characters (Gemma more than Josh). First of all, there is history between the two characters besides them just being around each other. Gemma had a crush on Josh and they slept together. In present day, she is acting like it doesn’t matter and the past is the past. Honestly I had a hard time buying it and as the story progressed I knew exactly where this was heading.
I enjoyed the fact that Josh and Gemma Make A Baby tackled IVF and everything they is involved in that process. There is alot of emotion in this storyline. Although I personally do not have any experience with IVF, I have some friends who have, and based on my interactions with them during this time, I think that the IVF sections of this book felt very realistic. There was so plenty of humor throughout which helped with the emotions. Gemma and Josh have such a good chemistry that grew throughout their time together.
I wanted to shake Gemma so many times. She was so missing out on what was right in front of her. Instead she was putting her faith in the wrong people and places. It just grated on my nerves after a while. Her family and local members of the community also grated on my news with their negativity about Gemma’s infertility issues. The gossiping about her and the manipulation by her mother left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m glad Josh was nothing like the rest and was so sweet and supportive. Too bad it took Gemma so long finally see it and to stop being so judgmental of surface details.
How is the narration?
Josh and Gemma Make A Baby is narrated by Erin Mallon and is 9 hours and 29 minutes long. I listened to it on 1.5x speed and was able to finish it in one day. I found the narration to flow well. I liked the different voices which she used for the characters. It felt like they actually had their own personalities both good and bad. I enjoy this when listening to an audiobook because then the conflict and emotion feel even more real. Even if the conflict was driving me crazy at times.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
**I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
Review layout courtesy of Good Books and Good Wine
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