Author Spotlight: Sarah Ready – Honest Reviews of a Romance Author Who Keeps Surprising Me
Yes, they’re romances – but they also tackle deeper topics like infertility, grief, second chances, and self-discovery. And she somehow manages to do it with warmth and humor, without ever losing the emotional depth that really makes a story stick with you.
If you’re new to her books or wondering where to start, here’s a quick breakdown of what I’ve read so far – in the order I read them (which also happens to be their release order). I’ll give you a short summary, my honest thoughts, and how I rated each one.
Josh and Gemma Make a Baby
Published: January 25, 2022
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
Summary
Gemma, who was previously diagnosed with infertility, decides to make having a baby her New Year’s resolution. She just needs a sperm donor and she has someone in mind: Josh, her brother’s best friend. They agree to keep things businesslike, but nothing about making a baby together is that simple. What starts as a practical plan turns into something neither of them expected.
My Thoughts
I went into this not expecting anything deep and got absolutely surprised. It’s a wonderfully written story about the ups and downs of infertility, friendship, and love. Although sometimes predictable, I 100% enjoyed reading about Josh and Gemma’s journey. Great character development. Humor where it’s appropriate, especially when dealing with such an emotional topic. I loved this from start to finish.
Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around
Published: October 18, 2022
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
Summary
Josh and Gemma are back. And they are facing new challenges in this book: grief, uncertainty, and a series of emotional upheavals, their relationship is tested in ways they never anticipated.
My Thoughts
This sequel was more emotional than the first and hit me right in the heart. The story deals with real challenges that couples go through, and I appreciated the rawness and vulnerability we got to see. Watching Josh and Gemma navigate loss, love, and the messiness in between was heartbreaking but also hopeful. It’s a beautiful continuation of their journey, and if you loved the first book, you’ll definitely want to follow them through this next chapter.
French Holiday
Published: July 18, 2023
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Summary
French Holiday by Sarah Ready follows Merry DeLuca, heartbroken after her best friend marries the woman she secretly loves. Seeking escape, Merry travels to a picturesque French chateau for three months, only to discover Noah Wright—the best man from the wedding—is also staying there.
Initially at odds, Merry and Noah's mutual annoyance turns to understanding as they spend time together, uncovering family secrets and a mysterious painting linked to a missing artist. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the French countryside, this enemies-to-lovers romance is filled with humor, emotional depth, and an unexpected twist.
My Thoughts
It’s a lighter read that still doesn’t lack depth. The characters were likable, although I didn’t feel as connected to them as I did with Josh and Gemma – and I think the pacing is to blame. Just when things started to build, there was always an interruption. There were simply too many subplots. Pierre and Camille could have filled a whole novel themselves, and Merry’s sister Angela? Not sure I’d enjoy her story. That said, I liked Merry and Noah, loved the funny scenes (Louis the lobster is iconic), and enjoyed Noah’s backstory. A great enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story overall.
The Space Between
Published: March 28, 2023
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
Summary
The Space Between follows the intense love story of Andrea Leighton-Hughes, a wealthy Upper East Side heiress, and Jace Morgan, a talented musician from the Bronx. Their worlds collide when Andrea rescues Jace from bullies in Central Park, leading to a deep connection fueled by their shared love of music. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, they embark on a passionate romance. However, their relationship faces numerous challenges, including family pressures, betrayal, and personal growth. After years apart, their paths cross again, forcing Andrea to choose between rekindling her love with Jace or fulfilling her obligations to another.
My Thoughts
This novel sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Be prepared to get your heart broken – not just once. But it’s also heartwarming and sweet. It’s the perfect read if you want something light, but not too light. The characters are incredibly well-developed, and I couldn’t help but love all of them and feel for all of them. Some twists caught me by surprise, and others were a little predictable, but I didn’t mind. Insta-love usually isn’t my thing, but it worked so well here I barely noticed.
Ghosted
Published: August 15, 2023
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Summary
Jillian, a romance writer, moves into a new apartment and discovers it’s haunted by Daniel – a ghost with no memory of how he died. As they dig into his past and get closer, an unusual love story begins to unfold.
My Thoughts
This was a really cute romance with a paranormal twist. At times it felt a little YA-ish, but I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. As always with Sarah Ready, the characters were well-rounded and the story struck the right balance of emotional depth and lightness. Beautifully written and a really sweet premise.
Switched
Published: November 14, 2023
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars)
Summary
Imagine meeting the love of your life… and then hating each other. That’s what happens to Serena (aka Ducky) and Henry – and then they swap bodies. Chaos, hilarity, and surprising depth follow as they learn to navigate each other’s lives.
My Thoughts
This was such a fun and easy read. The body-swap trope was done really well, mixing humor and some genuinely emotional moments. Sarah Ready writes quirky yet deep characters, and this book is no exception. Also, it was fun seeing characters from Ghosted again. Like the other books in the series, this works perfectly as a standalone.
Fated
Published: March 12, 2024
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Summary
Fiona inherits a magical mirror – a family heirloom that lets her dream her deepest desires. But when reality and dreams start to blur, she’s forced to figure out what she truly wants – and what she’s willing to fight for.
My Thoughts
This is the third in the Ghosted-universe series, and like the others, it brings in a little magic. At first, it felt like I was reading two completely separate stories, and I wasn’t sure how they would come together. But they did – beautifully. Of all the characters in this series, these two felt the most mature, and I really appreciated that. I liked the exploration of parenthood and finding love later in life. While not my favorite in the series, it was still a good read thanks to the writing and character development.
Wished
Published: April 30, 2024
Publisher: W.W. Crown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Summary
Anna makes a wish on Max Barone’s magical family heirloom, and suddenly she’s living out multiple alternate versions of her life. From awkward dates to dream scenarios, she gets to see what might have been – and what could still be.
My Thoughts
This one has a fun genie-in-a-bottle kind of twist. I liked Anna, although she felt almost too perfect at times. Max, who we first met in Fated, didn’t shine quite as much as I hoped. While the pacing was good, a few of the wish scenarios felt repetitive and a little like filler. That said, the story flowed well overall and the ending wrapped everything up in a satisfying way.
Final Thoughts: Why Sarah Ready Is a Must-Read Romance Author
Sarah Ready has quickly become one of my go-to authors for romance that hits all the right notes – emotional, funny, heartfelt, and often with a little magical twist. Even when I didn’t fully connect with a story, I still enjoyed the experience because her writing and character development are consistently strong.
Whether you’re already a romance fan or just looking for something with a little more heart and depth, I honestly can’t recommend her books enough. Every one of them brings something unique to the table.
Have you read any of Sarah Ready’s books? Which one is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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