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Queerly Devoted #1
Baby Bank
Mila Torres is a successful divorce lawyer by day, stand-up comedian by night and by all accounts-except her mother's-living a bisexual elder millennial's dream life in Washington, DC. That is, until she realizes she's only a year away from hitting the ripe old age of thirty-five and her doctor suggests at her annual pap smear that maybe she should consider freezing her eggs if she wants kids in the future. Except, she doesn't want a child in the far future...she wants a child right now. This poses a bit of a problem since she's ten swipes past single and living Golden Girls style with two of her best friends who work on Capitol Hill and one ornery old cat. That is, until she hears a story from a friend about a free sperm bank online app called Baby Bank. A few margaritas later and Mila has swiped on over fifty sperm donors until she finds the perfect match-handsome, successful, brilliant, everything you'd want your sperm to be. Now she's meeting him at a hotel-along with two of her friends for backup-to complete the process. All should have gone smoothly, except when she learns that her sperm donor is the brother of the reporter that Mila has been dodging for months, and that while she originally only wanted this man's baby, she actually wants his sister, too. In a comedic story of LGBTQIA+ romance and millennial-specific drama, Mila finds that motherhood and dating are not compatible when you keep it all in the family and that the modern millennial woman might not actually be able to have it all.
322 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2023
11 people are currently reading
4129 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Robinson
51 books2,226 followers
Contemporary Romances Across the Rainbow…
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About Sarah:
Contemporary Romances Across the Rainbow…
Sarah Robinson first started her writing career as a published poet in high school, and then continued in college, winning several poetry awards and being published in multiple local literary journals.
Never expecting to make a career of it, a freelance writing Craigslist job accidentally introduced her to the world of book publishing. Lengthening her writing from poetry to novels, Robinson published her first book through a small press publisher, before moving into self-publishing, and then finally accepting a contract from Penguin Random House two years later. She continues to publish both traditionally and indie with over 18+ novels to her name with publishers like Penguin, Waterhouse Press, Hachette, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and more.
In her personal life, Sarah Robinson identifies as a queer, non-binary mother and is happily married to the gentle giant of her dreams. The duo have two little children and are happily living in Arlington, Virginia where Robinson also works full-time as a psychotherapist with queer individuals and couples.
Stalk Sarah on Social Media:
Click on any of the links below to be taken to one of the social media sites!
Author Website | Subscribe to Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
About Sarah:
Contemporary Romances Across the Rainbow…
Sarah Robinson first started her writing career as a published poet in high school, and then continued in college, winning several poetry awards and being published in multiple local literary journals.
Never expecting to make a career of it, a freelance writing Craigslist job accidentally introduced her to the world of book publishing. Lengthening her writing from poetry to novels, Robinson published her first book through a small press publisher, before moving into self-publishing, and then finally accepting a contract from Penguin Random House two years later. She continues to publish both traditionally and indie with over 18+ novels to her name with publishers like Penguin, Waterhouse Press, Hachette, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and more.
In her personal life, Sarah Robinson identifies as a queer, non-binary mother and is happily married to the gentle giant of her dreams. The duo have two little children and are happily living in Arlington, Virginia where Robinson also works full-time as a psychotherapist with queer individuals and couples.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
September 25, 2023
They say there is an App for everything and Mila Torres confirms this by finding Baby Bank. It connects you to a free sperm donor. Approaching her mid thirties, Mila wants to have a baby now but cannot afford to use a sperm bank.
Mila works as a divorce lawyer and is representing a politician who is presenting a bill against the right to an abortion. She finds out the politician does not practice what he preaches. Mila’s conscience is battered and bruised representing clients such as these.
I had a hard time with this book. Although I loved the premise I found the writing uneven throughout the novel. The story of becoming a mother overwhelms the romance and the conflict at work. The humour for me was more miss than hit in this romcom as well.
I must say the romantic build up is well done. Even though the angst was manufactured, Robinson creates a wonderful build up to the happy ever after.
Mila works as a divorce lawyer and is representing a politician who is presenting a bill against the right to an abortion. She finds out the politician does not practice what he preaches. Mila’s conscience is battered and bruised representing clients such as these.
I had a hard time with this book. Although I loved the premise I found the writing uneven throughout the novel. The story of becoming a mother overwhelms the romance and the conflict at work. The humour for me was more miss than hit in this romcom as well.
I must say the romantic build up is well done. Even though the angst was manufactured, Robinson creates a wonderful build up to the happy ever after.
August 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this read! The main characters were lovable and easy to root for as they navigate setting and maintaining healthy boundaries within their personal and professional relationships.
This was such a comedic and romantic read that had me actually laughing at loud frequently throughout the book. I also love the representation of found family as well as the diversity in family structures and it was a lovely change from the heteronormative romance that often dominates this genre. I hope to see more representation like this in the future and cannot wait to read more from Sarah Robinson!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a comedic and romantic read that had me actually laughing at loud frequently throughout the book. I also love the representation of found family as well as the diversity in family structures and it was a lovely change from the heteronormative romance that often dominates this genre. I hope to see more representation like this in the future and cannot wait to read more from Sarah Robinson!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2023
The premise is what drew me to this book. Using an app to find a sperm donor and falling for the donor’s sister sounded different and fun. And it is, mostly, if you read this as queer chick-lit. However, if you read it as a romance, as I did, it falls flat.
Like I said above, it’s better if you read this as chick-lit. This is told from Mila’s first-person point of view. And you follow her as she changes just about all the aspects of her life. As a lawyer she’s dealing with a case that goes against her ethics while also juggling her side job as a comedian. She then decides she wants to get pregnant on top of that. Mila and her group of friends were entertaining as they helped her deal with all of it.
As for the romance, Mila meets Ari, the sister of her sperm donor. She recognizes her as a journalist who has been hounding her to talk about a case that Mila is working on. They have a spark from the beginning and I liked their chemistry. However, they spend very little time together on-page and there’s no growth or emotional connection. There are weeks and months between chapters so I can only assume that they spend more time together off-page? I also didn’t like how little Mila respected Ari’s boundaries when she told her she wanted to be just friends. The romance was completely disappointing.
I would be interested in following this series if the romances have more depth to them than this did.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Like I said above, it’s better if you read this as chick-lit. This is told from Mila’s first-person point of view. And you follow her as she changes just about all the aspects of her life. As a lawyer she’s dealing with a case that goes against her ethics while also juggling her side job as a comedian. She then decides she wants to get pregnant on top of that. Mila and her group of friends were entertaining as they helped her deal with all of it.
As for the romance, Mila meets Ari, the sister of her sperm donor. She recognizes her as a journalist who has been hounding her to talk about a case that Mila is working on. They have a spark from the beginning and I liked their chemistry. However, they spend very little time together on-page and there’s no growth or emotional connection. There are weeks and months between chapters so I can only assume that they spend more time together off-page? I also didn’t like how little Mila respected Ari’s boundaries when she told her she wanted to be just friends. The romance was completely disappointing.
I would be interested in following this series if the romances have more depth to them than this did.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2023
I was so excited for this book, but ultimately it was not for me.
There was a whole lot happening here. Between Mila's two jobs, Ari, her donor, her work-related ethical dilemma, and her decision to become pregnant, there was a lot that didn't really get the exploration it deserved. Ari had some really intense back story that felt like a side note. Her character didn't feel fully realized. Mila and Ari didn't have much build up in their relationship, and it didn't seem like there was much to root for there.
I really loved the idea of a book about a queer 34 year old deciding to get pregnant! But as a queer 34 year old on a fertility journey, this book felt so invalidating. Mila's path is straightforward in a way that maybe has occurred in the history of the world but is far from the norm. And I get it! It's a romance novel, it's not a guide to conception. But I wanted to put this out there, because I hadn't seen it mentioned in the reviews so far.
This book had such a neat premise, and I really wish I had enjoyed it.
Very grateful to NetGalley for the eARC.
There was a whole lot happening here. Between Mila's two jobs, Ari, her donor, her work-related ethical dilemma, and her decision to become pregnant, there was a lot that didn't really get the exploration it deserved. Ari had some really intense back story that felt like a side note. Her character didn't feel fully realized. Mila and Ari didn't have much build up in their relationship, and it didn't seem like there was much to root for there.
I really loved the idea of a book about a queer 34 year old deciding to get pregnant! But as a queer 34 year old on a fertility journey, this book felt so invalidating. Mila's path is straightforward in a way that maybe has occurred in the history of the world but is far from the norm. And I get it! It's a romance novel, it's not a guide to conception. But I wanted to put this out there, because I hadn't seen it mentioned in the reviews so far.
This book had such a neat premise, and I really wish I had enjoyed it.
Very grateful to NetGalley for the eARC.
July 12, 2023
This was a fresh novel with really fun and bubbly characters. It gives the book a lot of life and humor that reminded me of rom-com I watch. Ari's character is more mysterious because the book is written in Mila's POV only. I was glad to see a strong independent woman going on the motherhood road alone.
The pace is fast and I read chapter after chapter smoothly.
There was a lot going on : Mila's pregnancy, her issues at work regarding her disclosing confidential informations to Ari, her passion for comedy, and of course her story with Ari. The author also brings up topics like women's rights for reproduction, societal notion of gender.
It felt like I was in an all you can eat buffet, chose too many dishes and ended up not properly enjoying each one of them. The ending is sweet but went like a whirlwind, I didn't realize how Ari went from one stand to another.
That was a light and enjoyable read, but my brain was a bit overwhelmed.
The pace is fast and I read chapter after chapter smoothly.
There was a lot going on : Mila's pregnancy, her issues at work regarding her disclosing confidential informations to Ari, her passion for comedy, and of course her story with Ari. The author also brings up topics like women's rights for reproduction, societal notion of gender.
It felt like I was in an all you can eat buffet, chose too many dishes and ended up not properly enjoying each one of them. The ending is sweet but went like a whirlwind, I didn't realize how Ari went from one stand to another.
That was a light and enjoyable read, but my brain was a bit overwhelmed.
November 10, 2023
I’m still trying to decide whether I liked this book or not. Humour is a very personal thing, keep that in mind while reading this review, not everyone laughs at the same jokes, so what didn’t work for me may very well be what makes you laugh out loud. Baby Bank is marketed as a “comedic story of LGBTQIA+ romance and millennial-specific drama”, and it took me a while to find anything funny. Maybe I’m too old for “millennial-specific drama”.
Mila is thirty-four, a divorce lawyer by day, a comedian by night. Her doctor suggests that she’s at an age when she should start thinking about whether she wants to have children, suggests she might want to freeze her eggs, but suddenly she decides right now is the right time and a week or so later has found a sperm donor, Aston, on an app and inseminates herself.
The romance comes in the form of the sperm donor’s sister, Ali, a journalist who has been hounding Mila for an article she’s writing about one of her clients, an anti-abortion politician.
I won’t lie, reading this book required a lot of suspension of disbelief. A lot. The whole donor thing is over the top and kinda creepy, even if the author manages to make Aston sound sweet. As the story goes on, Mila is shown as having wanted children all her life, as if being a mother was her goal along, yet when her doctor mentioned it, she seemed completely surprised. To be fair, she could have been stunned by his vagina jokes.
All this asides however, once I stopped trying to make sense of things, it was a fun read, efficiently written and with character growth. 3.5⭐️
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
September 28, 2023
This was hard for me to review. I read the blurb for it and thought wow, there is an app for everything.
I thought this would be over the top and I wasn't wrong, but it just was not for me.
In here we have Mila, who wants a baby but not to have to pay for a legitimate insemination, who signs up for an app that will have someone show up and meet you in a hotel room.
This fella ends up being related to someone she really wants and then its off to the races on the whole romcom aspect.
I have to be honest, I did not like either MC, which made rooting for them hard. I also did not like the group of friends, but that may be just me.
But this was written well and if you can get past the whole aspect of how that pregnancy came to be, then you will have fun.
I thought this would be over the top and I wasn't wrong, but it just was not for me.
In here we have Mila, who wants a baby but not to have to pay for a legitimate insemination, who signs up for an app that will have someone show up and meet you in a hotel room.
This fella ends up being related to someone she really wants and then its off to the races on the whole romcom aspect.
I have to be honest, I did not like either MC, which made rooting for them hard. I also did not like the group of friends, but that may be just me.
But this was written well and if you can get past the whole aspect of how that pregnancy came to be, then you will have fun.
July 12, 2025
An almost 35 year old pansexual lawyer decides to self inseminate only to end up falling for the sister of her baby’s sperm donor.
I picked this book up on a whim based on the description alone and was pleasantly surprised that this #SapphicSeptember choice was equally funny, fresh and deep!!
If you like found family, great queer romcoms and stories about unconventional HEAs this is the perfect choice. It was also really good on audio narrated by Karla Serrato.
Highly recommended for fans of authors like Anita Kelly, Alison Cochrun and Rachel Lacey.
Many thanks to @homecookedbookspromos for the opportunity to listen to an early copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own.
🔥Steam level: open door & spicy
I picked this book up on a whim based on the description alone and was pleasantly surprised that this #SapphicSeptember choice was equally funny, fresh and deep!!
If you like found family, great queer romcoms and stories about unconventional HEAs this is the perfect choice. It was also really good on audio narrated by Karla Serrato.
Highly recommended for fans of authors like Anita Kelly, Alison Cochrun and Rachel Lacey.
Many thanks to @homecookedbookspromos for the opportunity to listen to an early copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own.
🔥Steam level: open door & spicy
September 25, 2023
This is a really clever book about Mila and Ari who connect in an unusual and meet-cute way! Attorney by day, comedian by night, pansexual Mila is determined to be a mother even though she is single. But when she discovers the sperm donor she has chosen is related to a journalist investigating something she knows, everything blows up--with comedy, panic, and a range of emotions that kept me laughing all the way through! II enjoyed this immensely and will read anything Robinson writes!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
September 15, 2023
I loved the synopsis of this story and knew I had to read it. “Baby Bank” is a fun, sweet and emotional Sapphic book that pulled me in with its great characters and was such a great read.
Mila is a lawyer living in D.C. and after a recent trip to the doctor, has her thinking about her future and if kids are in that future. After thinking about it, she decides yes and goes on the hunt for a sperm donor since she’s going to do it on her own. When one of her friends tells her about an app called Baby Bank, she finds her donor. While doing all of this, she’s being pursued by a reporter named Ari, who wants her help taking down a senator that is trying to pass a bill that is threatening women’s rights. And the two have another connection they weren’t expecting, Ari is the sister of Mila’s sperm donor.
The storyline is full of green flags and makes it even more special. It’s all from Mila’s POV so we get to see her learn and grow as she gets pregnant and realize that she has feelings for Ari. Mila is a pansexual and it’s so great that it had that kind of representation in the book. Hearts not parts. Mila grew so much in the book and I ended up admiring her and what she stood for. She wanted to be a mom and took matters into her own hands to get it done. And also being brave enough to stand up and make sure people knew about that senator. Ari was such a great character and I admired her for who she was as a person. The last few chapters were great and left me with a smile on my face. This is the first book in the series and I hope we get more soon.
Mila is a lawyer living in D.C. and after a recent trip to the doctor, has her thinking about her future and if kids are in that future. After thinking about it, she decides yes and goes on the hunt for a sperm donor since she’s going to do it on her own. When one of her friends tells her about an app called Baby Bank, she finds her donor. While doing all of this, she’s being pursued by a reporter named Ari, who wants her help taking down a senator that is trying to pass a bill that is threatening women’s rights. And the two have another connection they weren’t expecting, Ari is the sister of Mila’s sperm donor.
The storyline is full of green flags and makes it even more special. It’s all from Mila’s POV so we get to see her learn and grow as she gets pregnant and realize that she has feelings for Ari. Mila is a pansexual and it’s so great that it had that kind of representation in the book. Hearts not parts. Mila grew so much in the book and I ended up admiring her and what she stood for. She wanted to be a mom and took matters into her own hands to get it done. And also being brave enough to stand up and make sure people knew about that senator. Ari was such a great character and I admired her for who she was as a person. The last few chapters were great and left me with a smile on my face. This is the first book in the series and I hope we get more soon.
November 9, 2023
Maybe 3.5 ⭐️ This was fun and fast to read. An interesting look into the beginnings of motherhood and a great cast.
I think it fell a little short on developing depth in relationships, making it feel a tad rushed. But it is happy, and that's awesome.
I think it fell a little short on developing depth in relationships, making it feel a tad rushed. But it is happy, and that's awesome.
October 12, 2024
Mila Torres leads a double life; during the day a DC lawyer working for a company supporting the worst types of senators, and in the evenings as a stand-up comedian under her pseudonym Tori Miles. She only sticks at her day job because she hopes to work her way up to becoming partner in the future, and one day to have a family.
Ari Elliot is a reporter with a sense of right and wrong, searching to ‘out’ senators and politicians who are corrupt or hypocritical. She badgers Mila for information about a senator Mila’s company is representing.
I found this to be a warm, happy story, with some very funny parts. The humor is thoughtful, and quite deep. In certain parts it’s jokes all the way! All the characters are great, especially Ari and Mila, and Ari’s brother Aston and the mothers of both Mila and Ari.
Ari Elliot is a reporter with a sense of right and wrong, searching to ‘out’ senators and politicians who are corrupt or hypocritical. She badgers Mila for information about a senator Mila’s company is representing.
I found this to be a warm, happy story, with some very funny parts. The humor is thoughtful, and quite deep. In certain parts it’s jokes all the way! All the characters are great, especially Ari and Mila, and Ari’s brother Aston and the mothers of both Mila and Ari.
May 25, 2025
Joyful!
October 5, 2023
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Copy provided by Wildfire Marketing.
Mila Torres is a successful divorce lawyer by day, stand-up comedian by night and by all accounts, living a bisexual elder millennial’s dream life in Washington, DC. That is, until she realizes she’s only a year away from hitting the ripe old age of thirty-five and her doctor suggests at her annual pap smear that maybe she should consider freezing her eggs if she wants kids in the future. Except, she does not want a child in the far future she wants a child right now.
This poses a bit of a problem since she is ten swipes past single and living Golden Girls style with two of her best friends who work on Capitol Hill and one ornery old cat. That is, until she hears a story from a friend about a free sperm bank online app called Baby Bank. A few margaritas later and Mila has swiped on over fifty sperm donors until she finds the perfect match—handsome, successful, brilliant, everything you would want your sperm to be.
Now she is meeting him at a hotel—along with two of her friends for backup—to complete the process. All should have gone smoothly, except when she learns that her sperm donor is the brother of the reporter that Mila has been dodging for months, and that while she originally only wanted this man’s baby, she actually wants his sister, too.
I was really intrigued by the book because of the synopsis, however, it did fall a bit short for me. The humour in the book was done so well for an aspiring full-time comedian. But other then that, everything else was okay. I do appreciate Robinson touching upon topics such as reproduction rights and gender, it does feel like sometimes it was forced. It was indeed a quick read but I think there is a lot left unexplored. However, I love the theme of found family and the characters supporting Mila on her journey, and I still wanna read and see the continuation of other characters in the series. If anyone is thinking of having a baby I would also recommend checking this book out.
Mila Torres is a successful divorce lawyer by day, stand-up comedian by night and by all accounts, living a bisexual elder millennial’s dream life in Washington, DC. That is, until she realizes she’s only a year away from hitting the ripe old age of thirty-five and her doctor suggests at her annual pap smear that maybe she should consider freezing her eggs if she wants kids in the future. Except, she does not want a child in the far future she wants a child right now.
This poses a bit of a problem since she is ten swipes past single and living Golden Girls style with two of her best friends who work on Capitol Hill and one ornery old cat. That is, until she hears a story from a friend about a free sperm bank online app called Baby Bank. A few margaritas later and Mila has swiped on over fifty sperm donors until she finds the perfect match—handsome, successful, brilliant, everything you would want your sperm to be.
Now she is meeting him at a hotel—along with two of her friends for backup—to complete the process. All should have gone smoothly, except when she learns that her sperm donor is the brother of the reporter that Mila has been dodging for months, and that while she originally only wanted this man’s baby, she actually wants his sister, too.
I was really intrigued by the book because of the synopsis, however, it did fall a bit short for me. The humour in the book was done so well for an aspiring full-time comedian. But other then that, everything else was okay. I do appreciate Robinson touching upon topics such as reproduction rights and gender, it does feel like sometimes it was forced. It was indeed a quick read but I think there is a lot left unexplored. However, I love the theme of found family and the characters supporting Mila on her journey, and I still wanna read and see the continuation of other characters in the series. If anyone is thinking of having a baby I would also recommend checking this book out.
August 20, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this weirdly funny book
mila torres is a successful lawyer and a comedian by night and she is more attracted to girls
but she also wants a baby and when her friends introduce her to baby bank...an app that lets you swipe for sperm...yeah thats right
and with a likely candidate picked for his sperm the meeting is set up but it doesnt help whilst waiting for him to do his thing that mila bumps into his sister and thats when things start to get interesting....
a weirdly funny read that i hope is far into the future for this to be so real...
mila torres is a successful lawyer and a comedian by night and she is more attracted to girls
but she also wants a baby and when her friends introduce her to baby bank...an app that lets you swipe for sperm...yeah thats right
and with a likely candidate picked for his sperm the meeting is set up but it doesnt help whilst waiting for him to do his thing that mila bumps into his sister and thats when things start to get interesting....
a weirdly funny read that i hope is far into the future for this to be so real...
July 26, 2023
Format Read: Ebook from Netgalley (Releases 9/18/23)
Review: This book had a lot happening and covered a good chunk of time. A modern storyline that I have never read before, but very detailed and crass in many spots. Some section were long and dull, but overall a great strong book full of interesting female characters.
Recommended For: Those looking for a different romance book.
Review: This book had a lot happening and covered a good chunk of time. A modern storyline that I have never read before, but very detailed and crass in many spots. Some section were long and dull, but overall a great strong book full of interesting female characters.
Recommended For: Those looking for a different romance book.
October 16, 2023
First off I really appreciate any chance I get to review a book for NetGalley! The blurb of this book sounded super cute, and I loved the idea of an independent woman taking things into her own hands and getting pregnant via an app. However, the writing is this book seemed redundant with many phrases repeated several times. The main character seemed fairly immature for a 35 year old attorney. She was also a part time comedian, but she never actually told jokes she just had conversations with the audience. There were a lot of side stories that were kind of glossed over. For this to be labeled a rom-com, there wasn’t much romance until the very end that felt super rushed. Overall, this wasn’t a favorite of mine, and I don’t think I’d continue the series. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my free copy in exchange for my review!
December 8, 2023
Good book, difficult to shelf - but funny, a wide range of characters help it to bubble along. Recommended. Oddly, has a ‘bonus’ chapter at end that, chronologically was from earlier in the story! Recommended.
July 19, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. My voluntary review is below:
Let's start with the good. This book does humour very well, which is a great start for a book about an aspiring full-time comedian whose day job is a soul-sucking gig as part of the legal team for a conservative Congressman. I'm not a laugh out loud while reading person, but I did a couple of times reading this book. As a rom-com, this was really enjoyable, funny, and retained my interest throughout.
Now, the things that didn't quite click for me. The biggest of the issues I had was with the romance aspect, which appears to be central to the premise rather than a side note in an otherwise comedic story about a woman changing every part of her life. Ari is an interesting, mature, and complex woman but we don't get to know much about her. She and Mila barely have any conversations on-stage and the attraction between them seems superficial, given that they literally don't know much about each other or spend any time as friends. It's a shame because Ari actually does have a complex backstory to rationalise her trauma and aversion to getting emotionally close to a pregnant woman, but this is almost an afterthought (and none of the reveals about Ari's personal backstory come from Ari herself, since she and Mila barely ever have any conversations).
The second thing that I didn't quite enjoy was the intentional pregnancy. Mila seems to almost decide to get pregnant on a whim, gets pregnant on the first try, and has a breeze of a pregnancy (which also mostly happens off-stage so we can assume it's been moderately uncomfortable at worst). For a thirty-four-year-old woman who is smart enough to be both a lawyer and comedian, she barely gives a thought to how a baby will change her life, the living situation, her career, her support system, or even informing her one living relative about it, which gives the impression of flippancy rather than a serious life decision.
I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been more focused on the comedic aspect rather than the central romance because the former was more successful for me while the romance doesn't have a lot of meat to it.
In summary, really funny at times if you consider it a lighthearted comedy but it becomes a bit frustrating if viewed as primarily a love story because the meat of a relationship is missing and there isn't much personal growth to make the reader root for a well-deserved happily ever after.
Let's start with the good. This book does humour very well, which is a great start for a book about an aspiring full-time comedian whose day job is a soul-sucking gig as part of the legal team for a conservative Congressman. I'm not a laugh out loud while reading person, but I did a couple of times reading this book. As a rom-com, this was really enjoyable, funny, and retained my interest throughout.
Now, the things that didn't quite click for me. The biggest of the issues I had was with the romance aspect, which appears to be central to the premise rather than a side note in an otherwise comedic story about a woman changing every part of her life. Ari is an interesting, mature, and complex woman but we don't get to know much about her. She and Mila barely have any conversations on-stage and the attraction between them seems superficial, given that they literally don't know much about each other or spend any time as friends. It's a shame because Ari actually does have a complex backstory to rationalise her trauma and aversion to getting emotionally close to a pregnant woman, but this is almost an afterthought (and none of the reveals about Ari's personal backstory come from Ari herself, since she and Mila barely ever have any conversations).
The second thing that I didn't quite enjoy was the intentional pregnancy. Mila seems to almost decide to get pregnant on a whim, gets pregnant on the first try, and has a breeze of a pregnancy (which also mostly happens off-stage so we can assume it's been moderately uncomfortable at worst). For a thirty-four-year-old woman who is smart enough to be both a lawyer and comedian, she barely gives a thought to how a baby will change her life, the living situation, her career, her support system, or even informing her one living relative about it, which gives the impression of flippancy rather than a serious life decision.
I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been more focused on the comedic aspect rather than the central romance because the former was more successful for me while the romance doesn't have a lot of meat to it.
In summary, really funny at times if you consider it a lighthearted comedy but it becomes a bit frustrating if viewed as primarily a love story because the meat of a relationship is missing and there isn't much personal growth to make the reader root for a well-deserved happily ever after.
June 19, 2023
When DC lawyer in part-time comedian Mila decides to have a baby after a visit to the doctor her friend tells her about baby Bank an app where you can get free donations to help single in LGBTQ wanna be parents have a baby. During taco and margarita night her and her friends go through the list of potential fathers and they find one who they think is perfect his name is Aston Lee and he’s done it before and is willing to do it for Mila. He even has a Facebook group with those who have successfully used his services before and he comes with references including his mom. This isn’t the only thing on Mila‘s plate however she is trying to dodge a reporter who wants a comment about the public official she is repping in a divorce who has staunch opinions about women’s reproductive needs which is totally contradictory to the fact he got his mistress to have an abortion. she has successfully dodged the hot reporter but when she finds out the night of the “donation “that the reporter is the sister to Aston Lee she is amazed by this but this will not be her only run in with Ari and Aston will not be her only family member that Mila becomes acquainted with. From one crazy encounter to another this book is full of funny and heartwarming scenes that makes for one great romantic book. I can’t believe since I started reading romance stories outside of my preferred genre how the author can make someone who I wouldn’t feel attracted to seem so attractive to me and that is it exactly what happened in Baby Bank by Sarah Robinson. The way the author described airy, made me think that she did sound attractive not to mention the funny hilarious narrative that follows Milla and her attempt to have a baby. I loved Milla‘s mother and so many other characters in this book the author truly has great talent and I will definitely be reading her books in the future. This is a book I highly recommend it’s funny timely heartwarming and thought-provoking it includes everything you read books for. I received this book from NetGalley and Sarah Robinson but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
June 3, 2023
Mila Torres is 34, a successful divorce attorney in Washington DC and lives with her best friends. She also does a comic stand up act on the side. After a visit to her OBG she realizes that it is time for the one thing that she has always wanted to do, become a mom. With the help of her friends she selects a sperm donor via an app and makes contact. In the mean time she meets Ari Elliott a reporter for the Washington Tims. She wants some inside information on one of her firms clients. I wouldn’t have spoiled, but it is in the blurb, Ali is also the sister of the chosen donor.
There is a lot of representation here in ethnicity and queerness. Mila is drawn to Ari and she responds physically and with emotional support. But Ari puts boundaries in place seemingly not wanting more than friendship. There are lots of laugh and humor in the book from comic bits to friends antics and unique situations. But there is some series topics to, especially concerning reproductive rights. Mila makes some questionable personal choices and I like that Robinson doesn’t make the consequences magically disappear.
I thought this was a fun and enjoyable read. I liked the characters, and friends and family. Mila’s mom gets her own special nod. I’m more familiar with the author from her sweet Heart Lake series (2022) but have read a f/f romance from her too. It looks like this is the first in a new series of stand alone lesbian books. I will be ready to read what ever the author writes next.
Thank you to Sarah Robinson for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.
There is a lot of representation here in ethnicity and queerness. Mila is drawn to Ari and she responds physically and with emotional support. But Ari puts boundaries in place seemingly not wanting more than friendship. There are lots of laugh and humor in the book from comic bits to friends antics and unique situations. But there is some series topics to, especially concerning reproductive rights. Mila makes some questionable personal choices and I like that Robinson doesn’t make the consequences magically disappear.
I thought this was a fun and enjoyable read. I liked the characters, and friends and family. Mila’s mom gets her own special nod. I’m more familiar with the author from her sweet Heart Lake series (2022) but have read a f/f romance from her too. It looks like this is the first in a new series of stand alone lesbian books. I will be ready to read what ever the author writes next.
Thank you to Sarah Robinson for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.
May 30, 2023
This book is all about female empowerment and choosing the family you want. Mila is a single pansexual woman who wants to start having a family on her own. When she finds out about an app that she could swipe right on a perfect sperm donor, she jumps on the opportunity. After Mila picks her ideal candidate, she soon realizes she knows his sister, Ari, and she might have feelings for her. This is when things start to get interesting, leading up to Mila giving birth.
The writing was very well done. I felt it was realistic and full of heart. It was easy to fall in love with the characters and immediately invest in the story. There were plenty of witty one-liners that I had to laugh out loud constantly. I loved that Mila had instant support from her friends and, eventually, from her mother. It shows that sometimes family is not just blood but people you want in your circle who love and support you no matter what. If you’re looking for a cute, humorous story that is feel-good for your soul, I highly recommend Baby Bank.
Thank you to NetGallery for giving me a copy of this book.
The writing was very well done. I felt it was realistic and full of heart. It was easy to fall in love with the characters and immediately invest in the story. There were plenty of witty one-liners that I had to laugh out loud constantly. I loved that Mila had instant support from her friends and, eventually, from her mother. It shows that sometimes family is not just blood but people you want in your circle who love and support you no matter what. If you’re looking for a cute, humorous story that is feel-good for your soul, I highly recommend Baby Bank.
Thank you to NetGallery for giving me a copy of this book.
July 16, 2023
I was intrigued by the blurb but I wasn't sure anything billed as a romantic comedy would make me laugh, but it did.
The book is told from the view of only one main, who although she says she has been with men, women, trans and non-binary people, in this book she is only with a lesbian. She is very clear she is not a lesbian and does not approve of the "gold star" or exclusivity of some lesbians. The other main is a lesbian.
The book is interesting and anyone thinking of having a baby I recommend it...... I'm just not sure to recommend you read it or avoid it..... I believe it is very honest!!
I didn't see enough of the main's behaviours to see her turnaround as necessary but the information revealed about the other main made sense. I wasn't quite with picnic scene towards the end.
There must be a better phrase out there than uterus havers!!
The bonus scene confused me as it is actually set before the epilogue but appears after the ending. Once I figured that out, it made sense.
3 cos it made me laugh but a younger demographic might enjoy it even more.
The book is told from the view of only one main, who although she says she has been with men, women, trans and non-binary people, in this book she is only with a lesbian. She is very clear she is not a lesbian and does not approve of the "gold star" or exclusivity of some lesbians. The other main is a lesbian.
The book is interesting and anyone thinking of having a baby I recommend it...... I'm just not sure to recommend you read it or avoid it..... I believe it is very honest!!
I didn't see enough of the main's behaviours to see her turnaround as necessary but the information revealed about the other main made sense. I wasn't quite with picnic scene towards the end.
There must be a better phrase out there than uterus havers!!
The bonus scene confused me as it is actually set before the epilogue but appears after the ending. Once I figured that out, it made sense.
3 cos it made me laugh but a younger demographic might enjoy it even more.
July 20, 2023
4.5 stars!
This was such a great book! The plot turned out to be very different from my expectations, but nevertheless, it was damn good.
The characters are quirky and fun, a great depiction of middle age. There was easy banter, genuine connections and a lot of feelings, which all make for a fantabulous character driven story.
I found the story to have a good flow that kept me hooked- the single sitting kind. However I sometimes found bits hard to read which I ended up only sieving through. There were instances where I laughed out loud and I bookmarked my ebook on multiple occasions.
Now if you do read this novel (I insist that you do) make sure you read the bonus scene which was hilariously put AND the author's note- an insightful reflection into the making of the book.
I recieved a complimentary e-ARC from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Segments touched upon in this review are subject to change in the final copy.
This was such a great book! The plot turned out to be very different from my expectations, but nevertheless, it was damn good.
The characters are quirky and fun, a great depiction of middle age. There was easy banter, genuine connections and a lot of feelings, which all make for a fantabulous character driven story.
I found the story to have a good flow that kept me hooked- the single sitting kind. However I sometimes found bits hard to read which I ended up only sieving through. There were instances where I laughed out loud and I bookmarked my ebook on multiple occasions.
Now if you do read this novel (I insist that you do) make sure you read the bonus scene which was hilariously put AND the author's note- an insightful reflection into the making of the book.
I recieved a complimentary e-ARC from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Segments touched upon in this review are subject to change in the final copy.
September 15, 2023
This book is hilarious!!!!! When this author says it’s a romantic comedy, she delivered JUST THAT! Mila is goals, she has her 9-5 lawyer job, and on the weekends or at night’s she’s a comedian, I think that’s so awesome. She was told that after a certain age it will be hard to conceive and that she should have alternatives lined up for the future, she tells her funny AF friends and they suggested this app where you can actually get sperm, GRINGY AF!!!! But she does it. And to add more drama and comedy to this WHOLE thing, the guy she chooses has a sister, and she’s someone she has been crushing for some time but because of their occupations they keep things separate until it can’t be helped, and they feed into their attraction. I feel like I’m running on and on, but this whole book is full of laugh worthy scenarios. I didn’t realize how much of a good laugh I needed. The author did her thing I can’t wait to read more from this author.
September 30, 2023
Tinder for babies!
The book straight (or not so straightly 😏) stood out to me, and I was curious to find out all about Mila’s and Ari’s story. It’s such an interesting premise. I enjoyed the humour. I also liked that baby daddy donor was more on the quirky side and that it was seen ultimately in a positive light. I have some things that I didn’t enjoy about the story such as the way a trans character was introduced or lack thereof. There wasn’t really any role beyond being mentioned. I also had issues with the development between MC & the LI, and how it ended didn’t add up. It felt like steps were skipped for me. I did still enjoy the book and was rooting for them to have a hopeful or HEA.
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book straight (or not so straightly 😏) stood out to me, and I was curious to find out all about Mila’s and Ari’s story. It’s such an interesting premise. I enjoyed the humour. I also liked that baby daddy donor was more on the quirky side and that it was seen ultimately in a positive light. I have some things that I didn’t enjoy about the story such as the way a trans character was introduced or lack thereof. There wasn’t really any role beyond being mentioned. I also had issues with the development between MC & the LI, and how it ended didn’t add up. It felt like steps were skipped for me. I did still enjoy the book and was rooting for them to have a hopeful or HEA.
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 14, 2023
I feel so lucky to have been able to read an ARC of the fantastic new book by Sarah Robinson 📚 I can't believe I haven't come across her books before, but they're definitely on my radar now!
From the very first page, this book had me laughing, cringing, blushing, and aww'ing. It is a complete rollercoaster of an emotional journey as told through the eyes of Mila, a single woman, lawyer by day and dabbling in comedy hy night, who decides she's going to go it alone at motherhood. Her unspoken thoughts were as funny as they were relatable, and the triumphs and stumbling blocks made me want to celebrate and commiserate with her.
Check it out on September 19th!
From the very first page, this book had me laughing, cringing, blushing, and aww'ing. It is a complete rollercoaster of an emotional journey as told through the eyes of Mila, a single woman, lawyer by day and dabbling in comedy hy night, who decides she's going to go it alone at motherhood. Her unspoken thoughts were as funny as they were relatable, and the triumphs and stumbling blocks made me want to celebrate and commiserate with her.
Check it out on September 19th!
June 16, 2023
I’ll start by saying thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
This book is about a 34 year old woman whose biological clock is running out. It took a while for me to get into this book, but I did end up liking it. There were multiple moments in the book that had me laughing out loud, and I love when a book can do that! I love the women empowerment and the diversity of the book! 3.5 for me!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
This book is about a 34 year old woman whose biological clock is running out. It took a while for me to get into this book, but I did end up liking it. There were multiple moments in the book that had me laughing out loud, and I love when a book can do that! I love the women empowerment and the diversity of the book! 3.5 for me!
Read
August 12, 2023disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. Most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book.I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all.
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not.
Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
premise:
contemporary adult fictional romcom set in Washington DC (but in the general DMV area too!)
first-person POV of main character
34-year-old Mila Torres, full-time lawyer who moonlights as an amateur stand-up comedian Tori Miles, decides that she wants to pursue motherhood!
Her friends/roommates (Isa, Yasmeen, Rachel) tell her about Baby Bank, an app where you can find sperm donors!
Mila interviews and background checks Aston Li, who has created his own Facebook group of "Pieces of Aston" for the moms to keep in touch
Mila has also been hounded by this journalist, Ari Elliot, who wants Mila to spill on one of her horrible clients (a man who is trying to limit abortion and birth control access, yet paid for his mistress to get an abortion)
Mila pursues motherhood without updating her mom, Chicky, about it, though they are extremely close and Mila wanted this to be just for her for the moment
tropes: forbidden love, forced proximity, baby daddy's sister, found family
representation: Mila is pansexual & Latina, Aston and Ari Li are AAPI, Isa Reyes is Filipino, Yasmeen Kianai is undisclosed POC, Yasmeen & Rachel Blumenthal are both queer
steam: 1.5/5 - it's like almost open-door, but not quite there???
cw: pregnancy, sexism, abortion, infidelity, gender reveal party, medical content, depression
thoughts:
Ah, I thought this was a delightful millennial queer romcom! I adored how familiar these characters felt, from Mila to her group of found family/besties, to her mom Chicky, to Aston and Ari. They were all so much fun to get to know, and it really felt representative of the diverse world we live in today.
I appreciated that Mila had a great relationship with her mom, who raised her as a single parent. They had such a close relationship that Mila felt like she had to actively separate which parts of her were *her* since she shared almost everything with Chicky. I was raised by two parents so I can't speak to this experience, but I believed Mila when she expressed a desire for more autonomy and not feeling as if she had to keep her mom informed of everything she did, right as she did it. I also thought this was lovely representation of how an already loving and healthy mother-daughter relationship can still be examined, and even improved in ways you wouldn't think of before!
He really was not in the story TOO much but Aston was the ultimate himbo hahaha. He was direct, supportive, and gave sweet golden retriever energy hahaha. He was a breath of fresh air and levity for sure. I loved his mom Nomi, and how full of joy she was at having so many scattered grandchildren.
Ari's arc for overcoming her past trauma and divulging this to Mila took a lot of bravery, and there is a layer of mystery and intrigue there during the first 80% of the book. I'm glad we got answers, and that we got to see Ari get out of her own way!
I loved what the author said in the acknowledgements: "Why wasn’t there more trauma and conflict? Because there are an unending number of books out there to fill that need, but so few books that demonstrate happy, healthy queer people and relationships. Happy, healthy queer people who are out and proud, and go to therapy and have resolved past wounds…exist. Period....The reality is that queer people create families in dozens of ways, and live happy, healthy lives doing so. Or at least, have the potential to do so when they’re not targeted by others or the government." This book absolutely gave queer joy, millennial humor, and found family. I can't wait to read Yasmeen's story next!
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not.
Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
premise:
contemporary adult fictional romcom set in Washington DC (but in the general DMV area too!)
first-person POV of main character
34-year-old Mila Torres, full-time lawyer who moonlights as an amateur stand-up comedian Tori Miles, decides that she wants to pursue motherhood!
Her friends/roommates (Isa, Yasmeen, Rachel) tell her about Baby Bank, an app where you can find sperm donors!
Mila interviews and background checks Aston Li, who has created his own Facebook group of "Pieces of Aston" for the moms to keep in touch
Mila has also been hounded by this journalist, Ari Elliot, who wants Mila to spill on one of her horrible clients (a man who is trying to limit abortion and birth control access, yet paid for his mistress to get an abortion)
Mila pursues motherhood without updating her mom, Chicky, about it, though they are extremely close and Mila wanted this to be just for her for the moment
tropes: forbidden love, forced proximity, baby daddy's sister, found family
representation: Mila is pansexual & Latina, Aston and Ari Li are AAPI, Isa Reyes is Filipino, Yasmeen Kianai is undisclosed POC, Yasmeen & Rachel Blumenthal are both queer
steam: 1.5/5 - it's like almost open-door, but not quite there???
cw: pregnancy, sexism, abortion, infidelity, gender reveal party, medical content, depression
thoughts:
Ah, I thought this was a delightful millennial queer romcom! I adored how familiar these characters felt, from Mila to her group of found family/besties, to her mom Chicky, to Aston and Ari. They were all so much fun to get to know, and it really felt representative of the diverse world we live in today.
I appreciated that Mila had a great relationship with her mom, who raised her as a single parent. They had such a close relationship that Mila felt like she had to actively separate which parts of her were *her* since she shared almost everything with Chicky. I was raised by two parents so I can't speak to this experience, but I believed Mila when she expressed a desire for more autonomy and not feeling as if she had to keep her mom informed of everything she did, right as she did it. I also thought this was lovely representation of how an already loving and healthy mother-daughter relationship can still be examined, and even improved in ways you wouldn't think of before!
He really was not in the story TOO much but Aston was the ultimate himbo hahaha. He was direct, supportive, and gave sweet golden retriever energy hahaha. He was a breath of fresh air and levity for sure. I loved his mom Nomi, and how full of joy she was at having so many scattered grandchildren.
Ari's arc for overcoming her past trauma and divulging this to Mila took a lot of bravery, and there is a layer of mystery and intrigue there during the first 80% of the book. I'm glad we got answers, and that we got to see Ari get out of her own way!
I loved what the author said in the acknowledgements: "Why wasn’t there more trauma and conflict? Because there are an unending number of books out there to fill that need, but so few books that demonstrate happy, healthy queer people and relationships. Happy, healthy queer people who are out and proud, and go to therapy and have resolved past wounds…exist. Period....The reality is that queer people create families in dozens of ways, and live happy, healthy lives doing so. Or at least, have the potential to do so when they’re not targeted by others or the government." This book absolutely gave queer joy, millennial humor, and found family. I can't wait to read Yasmeen's story next!
September 23, 2023
This is one of those stories that further my theory that when you listen to cues from the universe, life starts to fall into place.
Who’d have thought that when Mila (divorce lawyer by day, stand up comedian by night) decided to become a single mom using a sperm donor from a phone app, that she’d find the perfect person to rev her motor (mentally and physically) in the donor’s sister?
Mix in an amazingly supportive found family, some crazy bio-family fun and some work drama that has you weighing the pros/cons of professionally unethical behaviour and it’s quite the fun ride to be taken on.
Karla Serrato did an amazing job with this single POV story. The confusion of never knowing what was going through Ari’s heard and heart until you learn her heartbreakingly complicated history is well worth the journey of self discovery. I think knowing the story sooner might have lessened the impact of Mila’s growth and I really enjoyed that. From laugh out loud moments to irritation, disgust and moments of tenderness or confusion, there were a lot of feels in this performance.
I requested and was provided with an advance copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.
Who’d have thought that when Mila (divorce lawyer by day, stand up comedian by night) decided to become a single mom using a sperm donor from a phone app, that she’d find the perfect person to rev her motor (mentally and physically) in the donor’s sister?
Mix in an amazingly supportive found family, some crazy bio-family fun and some work drama that has you weighing the pros/cons of professionally unethical behaviour and it’s quite the fun ride to be taken on.
Karla Serrato did an amazing job with this single POV story. The confusion of never knowing what was going through Ari’s heard and heart until you learn her heartbreakingly complicated history is well worth the journey of self discovery. I think knowing the story sooner might have lessened the impact of Mila’s growth and I really enjoyed that. From laugh out loud moments to irritation, disgust and moments of tenderness or confusion, there were a lot of feels in this performance.
I requested and was provided with an advance copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.
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