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!

"Josh and Gemma: The Second Time Around" by Sarah Ready is a poignant and emotionally charged contemporary romance that delves deep into the complexities of love, loss, and resilience. As a reader, I was immediately drawn into the lives of the protagonists, Gemma Jacobs and Josh Lewenthal, as they grapple with the sudden upheaval of their seemingly perfect lives.

Ready skillfully sets the stage for the novel by introducing Gemma and Josh as a couple deeply in love, with promising careers and a baby on the way. However, as the story unfolds, we see their relationship tested in ways they never imagined. Gemma's unwavering positivity and Josh's laid-back humor are put to the ultimate test as they confront devastating challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

The characters are vividly drawn and authentically flawed, making them relatable and sympathetic. I found myself empathizing with Gemma's struggles to maintain her optimism in the face of heartbreak, and rooting for Josh as he navigates the uncertainty of their future. Their journey is filled with heartache, but also moments of profound growth and self-discovery.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of themes such as resilience, forgiveness, and the true meaning of love. Ready doesn't shy away from portraying the messy, imperfect nature of relationships, but also offers a message of hope and redemption that resonated deeply with me as a reader.

The return of Ian Fortune, a figure from their past, adds an extra layer of tension and intrigue to the story, keeping me eagerly turning pages to see how his presence would impact Gemma and Josh's already fragile relationship.

Overall, "Josh and Gemma: The Second Time Around" is a captivating and emotionally resonant tale that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you cheering for its resilient protagonists. With its compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and poignant themes, this novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

This book was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for a review. Please not that the opinions formed are my own. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book and give a my review.

I enjoyed Josh and Jemma's story. However I cannot endorse this book due to the amount of explicit content. I liked the pregnancy representation and Jemma's journey of recovering and living after a serious health crisis. However this book was not as good as the first book in the series.

I don't think this was a necessary sequel but enjoyable overall. I wish more focus had been paid to Josh and Gemma rediscovering their love.

"Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around" by Sarah Ready is a four-star romcom that serves as the highly anticipated sequel to "Josh and Gemma Make a Baby." The novel continues the delightful journey of Gemma Jacobs and Josh Lewenthal as they navigate the ups and downs of life after the happily ever after.

Gemma, with her upbeat and positive outlook on life, and Josh, the laid-back and fun-loving creator of a successful web comic series, are faced with unexpected challenges that disrupt their seemingly perfect lives. Ready masterfully explores the complexities of love, marriage, and the resilience required to weather life's storms.

The strength of the novel lies in its ability to tackle the "after the happily ever after" phase, offering readers a realistic and heartfelt portrayal of the struggles that can arise in long-term relationships. The characters, who were initially introduced in the first book, continue to evolve and face new hurdles that test the depth of their love and commitment.

The narrative is rich with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers engaged and invested in the fates of Gemma and Josh. The return of the world-infamous Ian Fortune adds an intriguing layer to the story, introducing an element of suspense and uncertainty.

Ready's writing style is captivating, blending humor with emotional depth. The novel seamlessly weaves moments of laughter with more poignant scenes, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that mirrors the complexities of real-life relationships.

The exploration of a devastating separation adds a level of intensity to the plot, forcing the characters to confront uncomfortable truths and make difficult decisions. The resilience and strength displayed by Gemma and Josh contribute to the novel's overall message that love requires continuous effort and a willingness to fight for what truly matters.

While the story offers a satisfying continuation of the characters' journeys, some readers may find certain plot points and conflicts to be somewhat predictable. The resolution of certain challenges may adhere to familiar romantic tropes, potentially leaving readers seeking more unconventional twists.

In conclusion, "Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around" is a four-star romcom that delivers a compelling and authentic exploration of love, laughter, and life's unexpected curveballs. Sarah Ready skillfully captures the essence of long-term relationships, offering readers an engaging and emotionally resonant story that goes beyond the traditional happily ever after.

DNF
I've tried multiple times to arrive at the end of the book, but I don't understand the whole sense of the story.
I loved Josh and Gemma have a baby with all my heart and I was overexcited to have a sequel.... but I didn't expect this. It's all focused on Ian and his sort of redemption arc and... did we really need it? I would have understood if we have his redemption and a further development of Josh and Gemma... but this...?
I'm really sorry, but I didn't enjoyed it at all...

After reading the first book in the series, I was really satisfied with the ending and was really excited when I found out that there was a sequel! That's how I ended up reading Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around.

This book is not at all what I expected. I was expecting a continuation of the happily ever after from the past but from the very beginning, I realized that wasn't the case. The story it chose was very different - what do you do when your happily ever after is shattered? As before, I loved the writing style and the characters.

This book kept breaking my heart and putting it back together. While I did love the continuation to learn about Josh and Gemma’s baby not sure the sequel was necessary although one thing I loved about this book and the first one are the unique story lines and how they are a bit deeper than what you would expect. I was not expecting the twist with Ian. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, I did enjoy it in the end, but don’t think the story line will be for everyone.

Amazing book!

Fantastic story, just like the 1st book but better.

I loved the themes covered and the characters overall growth in the story.

One to add to the book shelves for sure.

This sequel involving Josh and Gemma was a more involved read than it’s predecessor.

When life is rolling happily along for the two (about to be three), a sudden and unexpected situation arises that changes everything.
This sequel takes us on the journey of rebuilding life, love and trust.

Thank You for this advance copy.