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HarperCollins The Bump.
Two men expecting a baby via surrogate go on the road trip of a lifetime in this hilarious and poignant novel by Sidney Karger, author of Best Men.
Wyatt Wallace is a practical, super organized director of TV commercials. Biz Petterelli is a child-actor-turned-magazine-writer who thrives on spontaneity. Though polar opposites, they are fully committed to their relationship and their life in Brooklyn with their dog, Matilda. They’re also about to have a baby together.
And they’re freaking out.
They’ve both dreamed of becoming parents, but now that it’s happening, they’re doubting everything. Their baby is due in a few weeks and instead of flying to California just before the birth as planned, Biz has a better idea. They could use one last hurrah, along with some serious “us-time” to mend the issues they’ve been having lately—before they get tied down by fatherhood and its impending responsibilities. So the daddies-to-be load up their 1992 Volkswagen Cabriolet and embark on an epic cross-country babymoon. They attempt to recharge at the beach in Provincetown, stumble through their impromptu baby shower in Chicago, and endure a Star Wars -themed wedding in Colorado before heading west for the baby.
But when they take several unexpected detours, old wounds are reopened and secrets spill out that could change their relationship for better or for worse, forcing the couple to reexamine the meaning of family while building their own. After all, what’s a road trip without a few bumps along the way?
Wyatt Wallace is a practical, super organized director of TV commercials. Biz Petterelli is a child-actor-turned-magazine-writer who thrives on spontaneity. Though polar opposites, they are fully committed to their relationship and their life in Brooklyn with their dog, Matilda. They’re also about to have a baby together.
And they’re freaking out.
They’ve both dreamed of becoming parents, but now that it’s happening, they’re doubting everything. Their baby is due in a few weeks and instead of flying to California just before the birth as planned, Biz has a better idea. They could use one last hurrah, along with some serious “us-time” to mend the issues they’ve been having lately—before they get tied down by fatherhood and its impending responsibilities. So the daddies-to-be load up their 1992 Volkswagen Cabriolet and embark on an epic cross-country babymoon. They attempt to recharge at the beach in Provincetown, stumble through their impromptu baby shower in Chicago, and endure a Star Wars -themed wedding in Colorado before heading west for the baby.
But when they take several unexpected detours, old wounds are reopened and secrets spill out that could change their relationship for better or for worse, forcing the couple to reexamine the meaning of family while building their own. After all, what’s a road trip without a few bumps along the way?
358 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2024
45 people are currently reading
8737 people want to read
About the author
Sidney Karger
4 books169 followersSidney Karger is an award-winning screenwriter for film and television. He is a former writer/director with Comedy Central, MTV and AMC, among other networks, and contributing writer for Saturday Night Live, Billy On The Street and McSweeney's. He currently lives in New York City with his partner and their Australian Labradoodle, Zelda. Best Men is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 3, 2024
**Many thanks to Berkley and Sidney Karger for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 5.21!!**
How do you know when you're REALLY ready for kids?
Biz and Wyatt aren't sure they know the answer, but after a long, dedicated surrogacy journey...they think they are ready to take the plunge and find out. The pair are a gay couple who have had their ups and downs romantically, but think that despite their frequent sniping at one another and the fact that they aren't married yet (much to Biz's dismay) that now is the PERFECT time to bring a baby into the mix. (Sigh. More on that later). In fact, they decide that they are in desperate need of a Babymoon and figure a cross country roadtrip from NY to CA prior to the birth of the baby is a way to check both boxes. They load up their dog Matilda into the back of their tiny VW Cabriolet and head for the open road, trying to leave all their cares behind.
But IS this match made in heaven a pair of soulmates...or are they simply too different? Biz is a magazine writer who used to be a child actor and although he writes about food for a living, he feels like there's something missing in his current day-to-day...and Wyatt hasn't exactly been helping him find it. His beau Wyatt, on the other hand, is more of your typical Type A personality, and thrives on the order and structure he finds in his work as a TV director...or does the loud and crazy side of Biz clash too harshly against his own rigidity?
As the journey takes from a supposedly relaxing trip to Provincetown (read: it isn't) to a spontaneous baby shower with Biz's vivacious Italian family to a bizarrely random Star Wars themed wedding, the miscommunications multiply and BOTH men in this relationship are hiding pretty substantial secrets from one another. With the days ticking down until delivery, can Biz find the maturity Wyatt feels he needs to take fatherhood seriously? And can Wyatt open his heart to the possibility of making their relationship a LOT more permanent? Or will this new baby deepen the cracks of an already fractured relationship... and splinter it for good?
I can't say that I've ever read a story about surrogacy with a gay couple as the parents before, OR a Sidney Karger book before...so needless to say, I had no idea what to expect from this story...except the HOPE that it would be both a) very romantic and b) very funny.
But instead of a smooth ride...all I kept hitting were speed bumps.
From the off, I could tell I was going to have trouble relating to both characters, Biz and Wyatt, and this gut feeling (like many gut feelings) was spot-on. Not only did I feel like I didn't really KNOW the characters, I also just found them both a bit insufferable in their own ways. The story opens with Biz and Wyatt lamenting the change they are about to face becoming new parents...but as surrogate parents (not to mention surrogates who live ACROSS THE COUNTRY from the birth mom) the part they ignore entirely is that the woman giving birth to their child has ALREADY given up so much autonomy and given so much of herself...and there's a reason why MOMS are the ones who need a babymoon. While I champion their passion in many ways, the naivete and sort of thoughtlessness they both demonstrate towards the woman who is ACTUALLY doing the hard work was a huge red flag for me. If you can't even appreciate how difficult and demanding pregnancy can be (even in theory) how on EARTH are you ready to raise an infant on any level?
Which brings me to the next issue with this plot, and frankly, an age old problem in general: having kids does NOT solve relationship problems. Almost ever. If both parties learn to work together or coexist better, I can understand that...but kids are not Band Aids. I was so annoyed with the fact that both of them had such misgivings about their future together, yet figured they should go ahead and bring an innocent child into the mix (not to mention a kid who isn't fully biologically theirs...they also have zero clue about how THAT challenge might pop up in later years) and honestly, it left me wanting to bop both of them upside the head. Talk about La La Land...I guess there's a reason both of them are in show biz! I honestly felt their conversations often lacked depth and just served to illustrate their 'problems' more than anything else...but there was a problem with that, too.
...I just didn't 'buy' their relationship strife.
I get that not every troubled relationship has slamming doors, yelling, prolonged segments of the silent treatment, etc...but these two had some slight miscommunications at best (or worst?) and that was basically it. The other problems (with their own families, the secrets they kept from one another, etc.) seemed to FAR outweigh any actual relationship trouble. By making their 'fighting' seem more along the lines of good-natured banter and ribbing each other about their idiosyncrasies, it didn't seem like there was much to resolve...moreso that they just needed to TALK to one another. (Go figure!) I thought there might be some third act drama that left me hanging or unsure how this one ended, but alas. It was just as predictable as you'd expect. I kept waiting for all of the big laughs I thought I'd been promised from the start...but unless you find the dog's antics funny, you're going to be be waiting a LOT longer than 9 months for that laugh (if you catch my drift!)😏
And while this story has merit on paper (as it were) in terms of desperately needed rep for LGBTQIA+ families of all shapes and sizes, I think it's safe to say...
The babymoon is definitely OVER.
3.5 stars
How do you know when you're REALLY ready for kids?
Biz and Wyatt aren't sure they know the answer, but after a long, dedicated surrogacy journey...they think they are ready to take the plunge and find out. The pair are a gay couple who have had their ups and downs romantically, but think that despite their frequent sniping at one another and the fact that they aren't married yet (much to Biz's dismay) that now is the PERFECT time to bring a baby into the mix. (Sigh. More on that later). In fact, they decide that they are in desperate need of a Babymoon and figure a cross country roadtrip from NY to CA prior to the birth of the baby is a way to check both boxes. They load up their dog Matilda into the back of their tiny VW Cabriolet and head for the open road, trying to leave all their cares behind.
But IS this match made in heaven a pair of soulmates...or are they simply too different? Biz is a magazine writer who used to be a child actor and although he writes about food for a living, he feels like there's something missing in his current day-to-day...and Wyatt hasn't exactly been helping him find it. His beau Wyatt, on the other hand, is more of your typical Type A personality, and thrives on the order and structure he finds in his work as a TV director...or does the loud and crazy side of Biz clash too harshly against his own rigidity?
As the journey takes from a supposedly relaxing trip to Provincetown (read: it isn't) to a spontaneous baby shower with Biz's vivacious Italian family to a bizarrely random Star Wars themed wedding, the miscommunications multiply and BOTH men in this relationship are hiding pretty substantial secrets from one another. With the days ticking down until delivery, can Biz find the maturity Wyatt feels he needs to take fatherhood seriously? And can Wyatt open his heart to the possibility of making their relationship a LOT more permanent? Or will this new baby deepen the cracks of an already fractured relationship... and splinter it for good?
I can't say that I've ever read a story about surrogacy with a gay couple as the parents before, OR a Sidney Karger book before...so needless to say, I had no idea what to expect from this story...except the HOPE that it would be both a) very romantic and b) very funny.
But instead of a smooth ride...all I kept hitting were speed bumps.
From the off, I could tell I was going to have trouble relating to both characters, Biz and Wyatt, and this gut feeling (like many gut feelings) was spot-on. Not only did I feel like I didn't really KNOW the characters, I also just found them both a bit insufferable in their own ways. The story opens with Biz and Wyatt lamenting the change they are about to face becoming new parents...but as surrogate parents (not to mention surrogates who live ACROSS THE COUNTRY from the birth mom) the part they ignore entirely is that the woman giving birth to their child has ALREADY given up so much autonomy and given so much of herself...and there's a reason why MOMS are the ones who need a babymoon. While I champion their passion in many ways, the naivete and sort of thoughtlessness they both demonstrate towards the woman who is ACTUALLY doing the hard work was a huge red flag for me. If you can't even appreciate how difficult and demanding pregnancy can be (even in theory) how on EARTH are you ready to raise an infant on any level?
Which brings me to the next issue with this plot, and frankly, an age old problem in general: having kids does NOT solve relationship problems. Almost ever. If both parties learn to work together or coexist better, I can understand that...but kids are not Band Aids. I was so annoyed with the fact that both of them had such misgivings about their future together, yet figured they should go ahead and bring an innocent child into the mix (not to mention a kid who isn't fully biologically theirs...they also have zero clue about how THAT challenge might pop up in later years) and honestly, it left me wanting to bop both of them upside the head. Talk about La La Land...I guess there's a reason both of them are in show biz! I honestly felt their conversations often lacked depth and just served to illustrate their 'problems' more than anything else...but there was a problem with that, too.
...I just didn't 'buy' their relationship strife.
I get that not every troubled relationship has slamming doors, yelling, prolonged segments of the silent treatment, etc...but these two had some slight miscommunications at best (or worst?) and that was basically it. The other problems (with their own families, the secrets they kept from one another, etc.) seemed to FAR outweigh any actual relationship trouble. By making their 'fighting' seem more along the lines of good-natured banter and ribbing each other about their idiosyncrasies, it didn't seem like there was much to resolve...moreso that they just needed to TALK to one another. (Go figure!) I thought there might be some third act drama that left me hanging or unsure how this one ended, but alas. It was just as predictable as you'd expect. I kept waiting for all of the big laughs I thought I'd been promised from the start...but unless you find the dog's antics funny, you're going to be be waiting a LOT longer than 9 months for that laugh (if you catch my drift!)😏
And while this story has merit on paper (as it were) in terms of desperately needed rep for LGBTQIA+ families of all shapes and sizes, I think it's safe to say...
The babymoon is definitely OVER.
3.5 stars
June 3, 2024
This is the perfect Pride month read. This book is about a roadtrip that two men, Wyatt and Biz, take a roadtrip as a babymoon before meeting their surrogate in California and welcoming their baby into the world. The trip is planned, but things are tense between Wyatt and Biz and traveling doesn’t make that any easier. Throw in some roadblocks and detours and you have a humorous and heartwarming tale. I will admit I thought the poor communication was a little too far, but overall I really enjoyed this story. The family drama was an excellent touch and an important part of Wyatt and Biz figuring how to be fathers. The writing was great and the characters were well developed (even if I didn’t always like them). I loved the dogs, they added some great humor and joy to the story (although let’s face it this is the role of animals on and off the page. I definitely hope to read more by this author in the future.
June 5, 2024
This actually published last month, but since I suck at reading things in a timely manner we’ll just go ahead and act like it was on purpose . . .
Let me start by saying I will continue to pick up whatever Sidney Karger lays down because his stories are thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to turning me into a superfan. Unfortunately this one had a main plot point that simply was not for me.
In this latest release you tag along with Wyatt and Biz on their “Babymoon” while they make their way cross country for the birth of their new baby via surrogate. The problem here is the two’s relationship was already on the rocks on page one and then ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER they are having a baby while having the exact same problems when in all actuality they should have probably broken up and definitely should have put the babymaking on pause.
I love a road trip and rekindling romance stories, so this would have 100% been my jam if the whole baby thing wouldn’t have been a part of it. A baby doesn’t save a relationship and they should not be brought in to a toxic environment. Having just binged all of Flipping Out recently, these two were reminiscent of . . . .
So I just could not get on board.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying I will continue to pick up whatever Sidney Karger lays down because his stories are thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to turning me into a superfan. Unfortunately this one had a main plot point that simply was not for me.
In this latest release you tag along with Wyatt and Biz on their “Babymoon” while they make their way cross country for the birth of their new baby via surrogate. The problem here is the two’s relationship was already on the rocks on page one and then ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER they are having a baby while having the exact same problems when in all actuality they should have probably broken up and definitely should have put the babymaking on pause.
I love a road trip and rekindling romance stories, so this would have 100% been my jam if the whole baby thing wouldn’t have been a part of it. A baby doesn’t save a relationship and they should not be brought in to a toxic environment. Having just binged all of Flipping Out recently, these two were reminiscent of . . . .
So I just could not get on board.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2025
Actual Rating 4.5 ★- What in the world does Goodreads have against half stars?!!!
Two men expecting a baby via surrogate go on the road trip of a lifetime.
This is very much a heartwarming story. We meet Wyatt Wallace and Massimo “Biz” Petterelli on their journey to becoming parents. These two will have you laughing many times. In chapter One, during their egg donor selection, I became immediately interested in the process. Then we "fast forward" 18 months and they are now ready to take that anticipated road trip across the country to meet their surrogate before the birth of their baby.
Wyatt had the route from New York to California meticulously planned out and Biz is excited for the "babymoon", as they are calling this special event, that he sees as their last big chance to have fun before they are seriously and happily, to become dads. Their different approaches to this trip, shows us the stress that has been building as they prepare for this new phase of life.
There are a few unexpected detours along the way, and we learn more about their background, as they make stops to visit their families. Like many couples, at times it felt like they wanted different things out of their relationship, but they always expressed hopeful feelings for theirs, and their son or daughter's future. Wyatt and Biz weren't perfect, but you could see that they loved each other and truly belonged together. They balanced each other out in the best way with a little help from their adorable dog, Matilda.
I've never read this author before, but I will certainly be searching for more by him in the future. He does an amazing job of exploring the complexities of relationships and the work that goes into them. The fears that Wyatt and Biz have about becoming parents; how it will change their lives for good and bad, forever after, is very relatable to any couple, no matter what sex they are, that has, ever had kids. The surrogacy just added another layer to their worries, something that we don’t often see in books of any genera. I really enjoyed this one.
Two men expecting a baby via surrogate go on the road trip of a lifetime.
This is very much a heartwarming story. We meet Wyatt Wallace and Massimo “Biz” Petterelli on their journey to becoming parents. These two will have you laughing many times. In chapter One, during their egg donor selection, I became immediately interested in the process. Then we "fast forward" 18 months and they are now ready to take that anticipated road trip across the country to meet their surrogate before the birth of their baby.
Wyatt had the route from New York to California meticulously planned out and Biz is excited for the "babymoon", as they are calling this special event, that he sees as their last big chance to have fun before they are seriously and happily, to become dads. Their different approaches to this trip, shows us the stress that has been building as they prepare for this new phase of life.
There are a few unexpected detours along the way, and we learn more about their background, as they make stops to visit their families. Like many couples, at times it felt like they wanted different things out of their relationship, but they always expressed hopeful feelings for theirs, and their son or daughter's future. Wyatt and Biz weren't perfect, but you could see that they loved each other and truly belonged together. They balanced each other out in the best way with a little help from their adorable dog, Matilda.
I've never read this author before, but I will certainly be searching for more by him in the future. He does an amazing job of exploring the complexities of relationships and the work that goes into them. The fears that Wyatt and Biz have about becoming parents; how it will change their lives for good and bad, forever after, is very relatable to any couple, no matter what sex they are, that has, ever had kids. The surrogacy just added another layer to their worries, something that we don’t often see in books of any genera. I really enjoyed this one.
August 27, 2024
THE BUMP by SIDNEY KARGER was such a delight to read.
Summertime is a great time to hit the road and Wyatt & Biz are driving into a whole new life. The long-time partners are expecting a baby via surrogate and with just six weeks until the due date, the two pack up their 1992 Cabriolet and decide to make the cross-country drive from their home in Brooklyn to California.
With their beloved dog Matilda in tow, it’s a chance for some coveted alone-time and one last hurrah before they become fathers. There’s been a definite disconnect between the two men as of late and the trip is a chance to recreate some of the best memories of their relationship, starting in Provincetown. But as with all the best laid plans & the most enjoyable books, things get the most interesting in the detours and the unexpected moments.
Impending fatherhood brings up a lot issues for Wyatt & Biz, reflecting not just on their own upbringings but on their relationship as well. Insecurities bubble up. Secrets are revealed. And the striking contrast between their personalities — Type A, structured, itinerary-loving Wyatt vs. spontaneous, follow-the-flow Biz — absolutely plays into how they handle the bumps and detours along the way.
This is one of those books that is simultaneously hysterical + heavy-ish + heart warming. I truly think one of the many joys in this book is not knowing much about it going in. So buckle up and enjoy the literal ride.
I loved spending time in and out of the car with Wyatt & Biz. It’s silly and serious and strikes a great balance between entertaining and making me feel all the feels. And as someone who isn’t a dog person I really love Matilda’s storyline, because yes, she has one all her own 🐶
Summertime is a great time to hit the road and Wyatt & Biz are driving into a whole new life. The long-time partners are expecting a baby via surrogate and with just six weeks until the due date, the two pack up their 1992 Cabriolet and decide to make the cross-country drive from their home in Brooklyn to California.
With their beloved dog Matilda in tow, it’s a chance for some coveted alone-time and one last hurrah before they become fathers. There’s been a definite disconnect between the two men as of late and the trip is a chance to recreate some of the best memories of their relationship, starting in Provincetown. But as with all the best laid plans & the most enjoyable books, things get the most interesting in the detours and the unexpected moments.
Impending fatherhood brings up a lot issues for Wyatt & Biz, reflecting not just on their own upbringings but on their relationship as well. Insecurities bubble up. Secrets are revealed. And the striking contrast between their personalities — Type A, structured, itinerary-loving Wyatt vs. spontaneous, follow-the-flow Biz — absolutely plays into how they handle the bumps and detours along the way.
This is one of those books that is simultaneously hysterical + heavy-ish + heart warming. I truly think one of the many joys in this book is not knowing much about it going in. So buckle up and enjoy the literal ride.
I loved spending time in and out of the car with Wyatt & Biz. It’s silly and serious and strikes a great balance between entertaining and making me feel all the feels. And as someone who isn’t a dog person I really love Matilda’s storyline, because yes, she has one all her own 🐶
May 22, 2024
In The Bump by Sidney Karger, we meet Wyatt and Biz- a gay couple in their 30s living in Brooklyn with their mini Airedale terrier, Matilda, who are about to have a baby via surrogacy. They decide to skip the flight to California for the birth, and instead take one last fabulous gay cross country road trip before “settling down” and becoming Dads.
I really felt an instant connection to this book as our two MCs, boyfriends of 12 years, are driving from NYC to Provincetown- something my partner of 15 years and I have done before. He is also a huge planner, like Wyatt, and I tend to go with the flow, like Biz. Of course, as with any road trip things never go as expected and the couple has to throw their original itinerary to the wayside and plan a new journey as they go…
Karger’s writing was really lighthearted and easy, even while addressing some heavy topics, and fans of Steven Rowley and Alexis Hall will definitely find themselves laughing, smiling and even crying along at points throughout this book.
The premise was fun and I enjoyed the story, but I felt a lot of what happened to be a bit too unbelievable. There were many times throughout where I felt one additional clarifying question, speaking up sooner, even picking up the phone would have led to a lot of clarity and different, more logical choices would’ve been made if this was an actual cross country road trip.
Definitely a feel-good, easy, gay read- which we could always use more of!! Give this a read when you need a quick palette cleanser this summer, especially with Pride month just around the corner! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC.
I really felt an instant connection to this book as our two MCs, boyfriends of 12 years, are driving from NYC to Provincetown- something my partner of 15 years and I have done before. He is also a huge planner, like Wyatt, and I tend to go with the flow, like Biz. Of course, as with any road trip things never go as expected and the couple has to throw their original itinerary to the wayside and plan a new journey as they go…
Karger’s writing was really lighthearted and easy, even while addressing some heavy topics, and fans of Steven Rowley and Alexis Hall will definitely find themselves laughing, smiling and even crying along at points throughout this book.
The premise was fun and I enjoyed the story, but I felt a lot of what happened to be a bit too unbelievable. There were many times throughout where I felt one additional clarifying question, speaking up sooner, even picking up the phone would have led to a lot of clarity and different, more logical choices would’ve been made if this was an actual cross country road trip.
Definitely a feel-good, easy, gay read- which we could always use more of!! Give this a read when you need a quick palette cleanser this summer, especially with Pride month just around the corner! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC.
May 21, 2024
Sidney Karger's THE BUMP follows a gay couple on a cross country roadtrip to see the birth of their new baby via surrogate. This is very much a paint by numbers roadtrip book, and by that I mean it's a bunch of stops to see family members and other zany supporting characters they meet along the way. The book is quickly paced so I literally read it in a matter of hours, it's cute and funny in parts, it just simply left me wanting more. I really think each stop on their roadtrip could've been longer and fleshed out more, and I also think we didn't get enough of their backstory to really see how these two fell in love. I didn't understand their relationship and honestly didn't think it was healthy. (AND I OOP).
I say that because most of this book is Biz and Wyatt at odds with each other before the baby comes. It's only at the 70% mark or so that they start to realize why they would be good together as dads. I understand that this is the point of their journey, I just wasn't rooting for them to be together or bring a kid into the world at all. It seemed to me like they had WAYYYYYY more to figure out before having Finch and because the story is cut short in many ways, I didn't feel like their happy turn at the end was warranted. Now this isn't to say that this is a bad book, it just feels like a watered down story I've seen countless times before.
I feel like I only have a surface level understanding of all of these characters and that's about it. And I wouldn't even categorize this as a rom-com as there is little to no romance and it's mainly our characters figuring their shit out. There's nothing wrong with that, I just wish Karger offered something that felt more original or surprising. I do love the representation and themes that are presented in the book, I just think it was birthed a little prematurely. Regardless, special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I say that because most of this book is Biz and Wyatt at odds with each other before the baby comes. It's only at the 70% mark or so that they start to realize why they would be good together as dads. I understand that this is the point of their journey, I just wasn't rooting for them to be together or bring a kid into the world at all. It seemed to me like they had WAYYYYYY more to figure out before having Finch and because the story is cut short in many ways, I didn't feel like their happy turn at the end was warranted. Now this isn't to say that this is a bad book, it just feels like a watered down story I've seen countless times before.
I feel like I only have a surface level understanding of all of these characters and that's about it. And I wouldn't even categorize this as a rom-com as there is little to no romance and it's mainly our characters figuring their shit out. There's nothing wrong with that, I just wish Karger offered something that felt more original or surprising. I do love the representation and themes that are presented in the book, I just think it was birthed a little prematurely. Regardless, special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2024
A heartwarming story about Wyatt and Biz who are awaiting their first child. Anytime a cross country trip is planned you know there will be a ton of adventures that will occur.
I laughed at many of the movie, tv, and music mentions. I loved they were going to listen to yacht rock music because that is my favorite channel! I also loved the locale of Biz’s home town because I’m very familiar with the area.
The novel forces the couple to work stuff out as they encounter many bends in the journey (a word that is overused in the book).
I liked the ending the best because it gives readers a glimpse of how their family had progressed and reinforces the idea that everything happens for a reason.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the early read.
I laughed at many of the movie, tv, and music mentions. I loved they were going to listen to yacht rock music because that is my favorite channel! I also loved the locale of Biz’s home town because I’m very familiar with the area.
The novel forces the couple to work stuff out as they encounter many bends in the journey (a word that is overused in the book).
I liked the ending the best because it gives readers a glimpse of how their family had progressed and reinforces the idea that everything happens for a reason.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the early read.
May 21, 2024
Biz and Wyatt are in their thirties. They've been together for over ten years and they're about to become dads! Instead of flying from Brooklyn to California for the birth, they decide on a little road trip with their dog and their VW convertible. One last kid free gay hurrah with a few stops on the way like their favorite vacation spot Provincetown and their friends' Star Wars themed wedding in Colorado.
But being on the road - together 24/7 - is not as romantic and as fun as they were hoping. It seems as if they're constantly arguing and fighting and not telling each other everything they should be tell each other.
Will their relationship survive this babymoon road trip?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
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That was so adorable.
I just love the cover - it's so beautiful and fun and cute. Perfect!
And the story - the blurb - sounded just as fun and road trippy.
And it was fun and sweet and road trippy. But our poor darlings are so scared of the future. And of so many things that they're not really talking about. You'd think that with all the time in the car they would find the time to talk about stuff - but it's not that easy.
We can just hope that it will all turn out perfectly for Biz and Wyatt and the baby and the dog at the end!
I really enjoyed reading this!
And I so want to see this on TV one day!
THE BUMP was such a great and funny and moving and sweet and just adorable road trip - relationship & daddy issues - we're having a baby love story! I LOVED IT!
💜
💜
September 16, 2025
Wyatt is a Type A director of TV commercials. His long-term partner, Biz, is a food magazine writer after a career as a child actor. They have a beautiful life together with their dog in Manhattan, but decide to live their dream of becoming fathers and expanding their family by having a baby via surrogacy. They decide to take an extended road trip vacation (#babymoon) to California to be there for the birth. They encounter several –ahem– bumps in the road on their way to meet the baby behind the belly bump, and old family and personal wounds are reopened. With that in mind, are they ready to start a family?
I absolutely loved this book. It’s so rare that we get a love story that starts in the middle - after the couple has already found love but before they get their happily ever after. The baby bump, the bumps in the road, bumping heads… it’s all so great! The love between the main characters is so tangible that your heart aches at every challenge. There’s comedy in that level of vulnerability in a way that can only happen in an unapologetically queer story, where there’s no question about their queer identity, no fight for acceptance, no explanatory commas to accommodate the audience. It’s beautiful to see such a rare glimpse of the queer narrative that is rarely explored: surrogacy and fatherhood. This was my first novel by Sidney Karger but I can guarantee I’ll be reading (and recommending!) everything else he writes.
Reviewed as part of #GoodreadsGiveway from #Goodreads. Many thanks to Berkley Pub for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you:
🧗 resonate with “ain't about how fast I get there / Ain't about what's waiting on the other side / It's the climb”
🚘 stand by Britney Spears’s choice to make the movie Crossroads
🧑🧑🧒🧒 already follow @gays_with_kids on IG
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
I absolutely loved this book. It’s so rare that we get a love story that starts in the middle - after the couple has already found love but before they get their happily ever after. The baby bump, the bumps in the road, bumping heads… it’s all so great! The love between the main characters is so tangible that your heart aches at every challenge. There’s comedy in that level of vulnerability in a way that can only happen in an unapologetically queer story, where there’s no question about their queer identity, no fight for acceptance, no explanatory commas to accommodate the audience. It’s beautiful to see such a rare glimpse of the queer narrative that is rarely explored: surrogacy and fatherhood. This was my first novel by Sidney Karger but I can guarantee I’ll be reading (and recommending!) everything else he writes.
Reviewed as part of #GoodreadsGiveway from #Goodreads. Many thanks to Berkley Pub for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you:
🧗 resonate with “ain't about how fast I get there / Ain't about what's waiting on the other side / It's the climb”
🚘 stand by Britney Spears’s choice to make the movie Crossroads
🧑🧑🧒🧒 already follow @gays_with_kids on IG
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
May 31, 2024
Thanks for the free book & ALC @berkleyromance #Berkleypartner #Berkley & @prhaudio #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner.
I was sold on reading The Bump as soon as I realized it was a road trip because I knew it would be a good time. What I didn’t realize at the time was that it would also be one of the most heartwarming, moving, feel good stories I’ve read all year!
The Bump follows two men, Biz and Wyatt, who have decided they’re ready to start a family. They are expecting their first child via surrogate and while they’re excited about finally becoming parents, they are also freaking out and doubting their ability to be good parents. Biz and Wyatt live in New York and the baby is being born in California, so they decide to take an epic cross country road trip, a “babymoon” as they call it. They’ve been going through some awkward times lately and hope this trip will not only be a last hurrah but will also give them time to make sure their relationship is in a good place before they become Dads.
I don’t want to spoil the details of this epic road trip but I’ll just say it’s both a wild and hilarious ride, but also a moving personal journey as both men really examine their lives and their relationship. I love a book that brings out all of my emotions and this one did exactly that. I laughed out loud so many times I lost count, but I also shed a few tears along the way too.
I tandem read the physical and the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Ryan Spahn and Michael Urie who do such an incredible job bringing these two wonderful characters and their wild road trip to life!
If you enjoy heartwarming books like The Guncle and The House in the Cerulean Sea, you should definitely check out The Bump. You won’t regret it!
I was sold on reading The Bump as soon as I realized it was a road trip because I knew it would be a good time. What I didn’t realize at the time was that it would also be one of the most heartwarming, moving, feel good stories I’ve read all year!
The Bump follows two men, Biz and Wyatt, who have decided they’re ready to start a family. They are expecting their first child via surrogate and while they’re excited about finally becoming parents, they are also freaking out and doubting their ability to be good parents. Biz and Wyatt live in New York and the baby is being born in California, so they decide to take an epic cross country road trip, a “babymoon” as they call it. They’ve been going through some awkward times lately and hope this trip will not only be a last hurrah but will also give them time to make sure their relationship is in a good place before they become Dads.
I don’t want to spoil the details of this epic road trip but I’ll just say it’s both a wild and hilarious ride, but also a moving personal journey as both men really examine their lives and their relationship. I love a book that brings out all of my emotions and this one did exactly that. I laughed out loud so many times I lost count, but I also shed a few tears along the way too.
I tandem read the physical and the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Ryan Spahn and Michael Urie who do such an incredible job bringing these two wonderful characters and their wild road trip to life!
If you enjoy heartwarming books like The Guncle and The House in the Cerulean Sea, you should definitely check out The Bump. You won’t regret it!
June 24, 2024
A heartfelt, road trip, second chance romance between a gay couple who attempted to take one last vacation together before their new baby arrives only to have unexpected family drama come up that derails their plans and extends their road trip across the country.
I loved the dual POV, messy family drama, road trip shenanigans in this story and thought it was great on audio. Perfect for fans of Nicolas DiDomizio's Nearlywed. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: parental abandonment, MS rep, surrogacy
I loved the dual POV, messy family drama, road trip shenanigans in this story and thought it was great on audio. Perfect for fans of Nicolas DiDomizio's Nearlywed. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: parental abandonment, MS rep, surrogacy
October 21, 2024
TV commercial director Wyatt Wallace and childhood-actor-turned-magazine-writer Biz Petterelli head out on the road trip of road trips for the birth of their new baby via surrogate.
This book was all I envisioned it to be and so much more. Touching on themes of parenthood and the surrogacy experience, dysfunctional family dynamics, and the bumps along the way that make life…well life, this story will make you laugh of course, but also shed a tear or two. You cannot help but be all in with Wyatt, Biz, Matilda and their beautiful little family that’s about to become four.
As someone who struggled with fertility and contemplated surrogacy, I felt such a strong connection with their very real and raw emotion around not feeling as connected to their baby or the experience while in utero. And which couple hasn’t worried about how a child will change the dynamics of their relationship. The complex family dynamics, whether the same or vastly different, are something many of us can relate to. Taking this journey with Wyatt and Biz (and of course Matilda) was a joy and maybe even a bit cathartic as well.
Packed full of witty humor and charm, this book will transport you to the road trip of a lifetime and I think, one of the must reads of Summer.
🎧 As I always love to do, I read this book immersive style, with my eyes and ears (via audiobook). Ryan Spahn and Michael Urie both narrate beautifully, helping to emphasize just how much charm, wit, humor and heart each of our MCs have.
Read if you like:
▪️road trips
▪️dysfunctional families
▪️queer rep
▪️characters with heart
▪️animal sidekicks
▪️Steven Rowley
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
This book was all I envisioned it to be and so much more. Touching on themes of parenthood and the surrogacy experience, dysfunctional family dynamics, and the bumps along the way that make life…well life, this story will make you laugh of course, but also shed a tear or two. You cannot help but be all in with Wyatt, Biz, Matilda and their beautiful little family that’s about to become four.
As someone who struggled with fertility and contemplated surrogacy, I felt such a strong connection with their very real and raw emotion around not feeling as connected to their baby or the experience while in utero. And which couple hasn’t worried about how a child will change the dynamics of their relationship. The complex family dynamics, whether the same or vastly different, are something many of us can relate to. Taking this journey with Wyatt and Biz (and of course Matilda) was a joy and maybe even a bit cathartic as well.
Packed full of witty humor and charm, this book will transport you to the road trip of a lifetime and I think, one of the must reads of Summer.
🎧 As I always love to do, I read this book immersive style, with my eyes and ears (via audiobook). Ryan Spahn and Michael Urie both narrate beautifully, helping to emphasize just how much charm, wit, humor and heart each of our MCs have.
Read if you like:
▪️road trips
▪️dysfunctional families
▪️queer rep
▪️characters with heart
▪️animal sidekicks
▪️Steven Rowley
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
April 9, 2024
I received a free advance reader's copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.
A feel-good story about a couple's journey to parenthood.
Wyatt and Biz are expecting their child to be born soon, and so embark on an epic babymoon road trip. They have a number of places to check out on their way out to California where their surrogate lives, but in the meantime why not have a little fun? But things don't always work out the way we plan them to, and perhaps that's symbolic of what they should expect in parenthood. Written with joy and love and a decent dose of drama, this is a heart-warming road trip story that'll have you rooting for these characters.
It was such a pleasure to read this book. Surrogacy journeys for two dads-to-be isn't something found in fiction all too often, and those that do exist are usually filled with tales of terror that really make the whole surrogacy industry look like something to be weary of. This book removes those misconceptions and paints a truly honest look at what the process looks like from the point of view of the dads. While every journey is different, it's a step in the right direction in terms of representation for how these stories are told. I hope to see more stories told in this stage of life for LGBTQ families, as they are few and far between.
Absolutely loved this one. You should definitely give this one a read and experience these characters' journey to parenthood.
A feel-good story about a couple's journey to parenthood.
Wyatt and Biz are expecting their child to be born soon, and so embark on an epic babymoon road trip. They have a number of places to check out on their way out to California where their surrogate lives, but in the meantime why not have a little fun? But things don't always work out the way we plan them to, and perhaps that's symbolic of what they should expect in parenthood. Written with joy and love and a decent dose of drama, this is a heart-warming road trip story that'll have you rooting for these characters.
It was such a pleasure to read this book. Surrogacy journeys for two dads-to-be isn't something found in fiction all too often, and those that do exist are usually filled with tales of terror that really make the whole surrogacy industry look like something to be weary of. This book removes those misconceptions and paints a truly honest look at what the process looks like from the point of view of the dads. While every journey is different, it's a step in the right direction in terms of representation for how these stories are told. I hope to see more stories told in this stage of life for LGBTQ families, as they are few and far between.
Absolutely loved this one. You should definitely give this one a read and experience these characters' journey to parenthood.
June 25, 2024
4.5 stars. I really liked this one, despite buying it, and then realizing reading a book about two men preparing to have a baby wasn't something I was all that interested in. Luckily the book is about more than that, which I expect is intentional, given that (I think?) the author and his partner don't have kids.
This book is as much about Biz and Wyatt's journey (a word they come to loathe) together, both the literal road trip they take and symbolic trips into their pasts and futures, as it is about their preparing for fatherhood and each questioning their readiness. At the heart of the story is their relationship, and anyone who is or has been in one will recognize all of it - the best parts, the worst parts, the maddeningly frustrating parts, and the reasons we stick around.
Without giving any spoilers, I do wish that this and other books like it didn't always stick to such a traditional portrait of modern gay relationships. There are so many different ways to structure a partnership out there, regardless of who is participating, but especially in gay and queer pairings and beyond. I love books like this for their humor, their heart, their quick, smart references to gay culture - I just wish they portrayed different ways to be together, too.
Don't let that discourage you, though. I found enough in here that made me glad I picked it up in the first place.
This book is as much about Biz and Wyatt's journey (a word they come to loathe) together, both the literal road trip they take and symbolic trips into their pasts and futures, as it is about their preparing for fatherhood and each questioning their readiness. At the heart of the story is their relationship, and anyone who is or has been in one will recognize all of it - the best parts, the worst parts, the maddeningly frustrating parts, and the reasons we stick around.
Without giving any spoilers, I do wish that this and other books like it didn't always stick to such a traditional portrait of modern gay relationships. There are so many different ways to structure a partnership out there, regardless of who is participating, but especially in gay and queer pairings and beyond. I love books like this for their humor, their heart, their quick, smart references to gay culture - I just wish they portrayed different ways to be together, too.
Don't let that discourage you, though. I found enough in here that made me glad I picked it up in the first place.
April 22, 2025
Alternating POVs but both characters blended together so much and mostly because neither of them can communicate!!!!
Almost every single chapter was “We feel so far apart…but I don’t want to talk to him” and “We must close the distance between us but NOT NOW” — it was infuriating to read. I wanted to like this but the main couple is not compatible in any way and all they really did was not communicate or fight. Even the flashbacks of them that were meant to be sweet just didn’t land for me.
TLDR: I hate miscommunication tropes and people seemingly having a baby to try to fix their relationship and this had both in spades.
Almost every single chapter was “We feel so far apart…but I don’t want to talk to him” and “We must close the distance between us but NOT NOW” — it was infuriating to read. I wanted to like this but the main couple is not compatible in any way and all they really did was not communicate or fight. Even the flashbacks of them that were meant to be sweet just didn’t land for me.
TLDR: I hate miscommunication tropes and people seemingly having a baby to try to fix their relationship and this had both in spades.
dnf
July 31, 2024the writing was so simplistic it was bordering on laughable, and I couldn't stand the two main characters. I just couldn't do it.
June 22, 2024
Biz and Wyatt are about to be dads. They live on the East Coast, and their surrogate lives on the West Coast, so they decide to take a meandering road trip across the country for the birth of their baby. The trip is full of lots of funny, sweet, and poignant moments, many unexpected, with each other, their families, and their found family. And the dog - can't forget the dog. This was a super cute, and I recommend it if you are in the mood for a feel-good novel.
May 9, 2024
Some books are just simply fun and filled with heart! Balancing emotional and heartfelt moments with laugh-out-loud ones, I can’t imagine reading this without a smile on my face and warmth radiating through my heart!
Wyatt Wallace is as serious and structured as his partner Massimo “Biz” Petterelli is breezy and creative. The couple is trying to have a baby and the story follows their voyage-to-parenthood that is full of highs, lows, and everything in between.
Biz and Wyatt are using a surrogate, and unfortunately she lives across the country from the couple. Biz has the brilliant idea to take a road trip to California rather than flying there for the birth. They hope to spend time together and heal some of the bumps in their relationship as of late.
Of course, in the same way the journey to parenthood never goes as planned, neither does their road trip. Despite having everything mapped out before they go, unexpected detours and unplanned incidents cause secrets and long-buried hurt to bubble up to the surface.
This book absolutely charmed me. The central couple are fantastic and the characters are so different but I loved them together. Their journey was full of funny and hard and touching moments. I love these types of books because I know that somehow I’m going to get a great ending, so I can just enjoy the ride.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves a novel that is equal parts funny and heartfelt!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Wyatt Wallace is as serious and structured as his partner Massimo “Biz” Petterelli is breezy and creative. The couple is trying to have a baby and the story follows their voyage-to-parenthood that is full of highs, lows, and everything in between.
Biz and Wyatt are using a surrogate, and unfortunately she lives across the country from the couple. Biz has the brilliant idea to take a road trip to California rather than flying there for the birth. They hope to spend time together and heal some of the bumps in their relationship as of late.
Of course, in the same way the journey to parenthood never goes as planned, neither does their road trip. Despite having everything mapped out before they go, unexpected detours and unplanned incidents cause secrets and long-buried hurt to bubble up to the surface.
This book absolutely charmed me. The central couple are fantastic and the characters are so different but I loved them together. Their journey was full of funny and hard and touching moments. I love these types of books because I know that somehow I’m going to get a great ending, so I can just enjoy the ride.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves a novel that is equal parts funny and heartfelt!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
May 21, 2024
I loved that this book was a unique take on romance. I feel like so many of the books I read are focused on single people becoming partnered. This one focused on partners repairing and strengthening their relationship.
That being said, I didn’t love the two main characters. They were fine, but they were too similar. I had to keep reminding myself who was who based on their jobs and family situations. Their personalities weren’t distinct enough, other than one being spontaneous and one being a planner (but then I felt like that wasn’t really consistent).
I also felt like I was missing some conflict here. They really just needed to communicate and trust each other - otherwise their problems all worked themselves out easily. That can make for a positive reading experience, but it leans kind of boring.
Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, I didn’t love the two main characters. They were fine, but they were too similar. I had to keep reminding myself who was who based on their jobs and family situations. Their personalities weren’t distinct enough, other than one being spontaneous and one being a planner (but then I felt like that wasn’t really consistent).
I also felt like I was missing some conflict here. They really just needed to communicate and trust each other - otherwise their problems all worked themselves out easily. That can make for a positive reading experience, but it leans kind of boring.
Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2024
I feel like 2 stars is a little rough, but honestly 3 felt really generous. I’d probably do 2.5. Honestly, it makes sense that this author was on What What Happens Live.. this book is very Andy Cohen-gay coded. It’s again… heavily predicated on gay stereotypes. Which can be fun!!! But the references in this made me roll my eyes.
And the cheesy and romantic parts were supposed to be cute, but again, I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t BAD. It did have some fun moments, but it wasn’t all there for me. I liked the road trip element, I’m sucker for a good road trip storyline.
Honestly, the baby being named FINCH is what really sent me over the edge. I read a whole book only for them to name the baby Finch? Be so serious.
And the cheesy and romantic parts were supposed to be cute, but again, I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t BAD. It did have some fun moments, but it wasn’t all there for me. I liked the road trip element, I’m sucker for a good road trip storyline.
Honestly, the baby being named FINCH is what really sent me over the edge. I read a whole book only for them to name the baby Finch? Be so serious.
May 21, 2024
I always try and give a debut author another shot if I didn’t like their first book but this has made me think maybe I should reconsider and be a one and done reader.
It was better than Best Men but I still didn’t like it.
It was better than Best Men but I still didn’t like it.
May 31, 2024
review- https://booksteacupreviews.com/2024/0...
The Bump is heartwarming and heartfelt story of Biz and Wyatt’s journey to parenthood and the bumps they feel along the way.
Biz and Wyatt always wanted kids, in fact having their own family is one of the things that connected them. 8 months searching donor and then finding a surrogate mother, Flora, they are going to have a baby in a month in California where Flora lives. But this one thing that they wanted most also brought anxiety and strain in their relationship.
As differences surface between them, Biz and Wyatt realize the need to fortify their bond before the imminent changes parenthood will bring. Opting for a one-month road trip, with visits to various gay resorts, they hope to reconnect and address their concerns.
Yet, their journey takes unexpected turns. Detours, shocking revelations, familial discord, and a string of comical mishaps continually thwart their attempts at meaningful conversation. It was interesting to see whether this road trip will mend or fracture their relationship.
The portrayal of two gay men in their 30s embarking on a babymoon is refreshingly unique. I never read a story of gay partners’ journey to parenthood before. The storytelling is seamless, effortlessly drawing readers into the lives of Biz and Wyatt.
I felt like I know the characters. There is right amount of fun, lightheartedness, serious topics like abandonment and commitment issues, and flashbacks of their relationship that made me feel depth of their relationship. It’s not just Biz and Wyatt’s journey to parenthood but it’s journey of their relationship.
Wyatt Wallace is as serious, organized, and control freak who needs plan for everything. Biz Petterelli is fun loving, breezy and spontaneous. Their differences in nature caused lots of friction but it’s easy to see they make a perfect team.
It’s was amazing to see how going through many bumps on their journey, Wyatt learned to be spontaneous and go off the plan. Through learning about his father he could get past his fears and commitment issues and recognize the value of his relationship with Biz.
I loved Biz for understanding Wyatt and having patience to wait for him to realize how important marriage is for him. While I could understand Wyatt’s anxiety it took a time for me to get Biz’s fear and after knowing that I wanted to hug him and reassure him he had nothing to fear. While I loved development in Wyatt, Biz and his family were the highlight for me and also their first baby, their dog, Matilda.
My only issue with the book is I wanted a little more fun I was expecting with gay resorts mentioned in the beginning but that obviously never came with all the detours and deeper issues they needed to solve. Also, that required conversation didn’t happen until last 20% of the book.
Nevertheless, The Bump is filled with heartfelt emotions and genuine moments of connection. I loved that epilogue in the end. The whole journey and the end left huge smile on my face. This sure would make a perfect read for a vacation or road trip.
Overall, The Bump is a captivating and charming LGBT contemporary with unique plot, interesting characters and their heartfelt parenthood journey.
The Bump is heartwarming and heartfelt story of Biz and Wyatt’s journey to parenthood and the bumps they feel along the way.
Biz and Wyatt always wanted kids, in fact having their own family is one of the things that connected them. 8 months searching donor and then finding a surrogate mother, Flora, they are going to have a baby in a month in California where Flora lives. But this one thing that they wanted most also brought anxiety and strain in their relationship.
As differences surface between them, Biz and Wyatt realize the need to fortify their bond before the imminent changes parenthood will bring. Opting for a one-month road trip, with visits to various gay resorts, they hope to reconnect and address their concerns.
Yet, their journey takes unexpected turns. Detours, shocking revelations, familial discord, and a string of comical mishaps continually thwart their attempts at meaningful conversation. It was interesting to see whether this road trip will mend or fracture their relationship.
The portrayal of two gay men in their 30s embarking on a babymoon is refreshingly unique. I never read a story of gay partners’ journey to parenthood before. The storytelling is seamless, effortlessly drawing readers into the lives of Biz and Wyatt.
I felt like I know the characters. There is right amount of fun, lightheartedness, serious topics like abandonment and commitment issues, and flashbacks of their relationship that made me feel depth of their relationship. It’s not just Biz and Wyatt’s journey to parenthood but it’s journey of their relationship.
Wyatt Wallace is as serious, organized, and control freak who needs plan for everything. Biz Petterelli is fun loving, breezy and spontaneous. Their differences in nature caused lots of friction but it’s easy to see they make a perfect team.
It’s was amazing to see how going through many bumps on their journey, Wyatt learned to be spontaneous and go off the plan. Through learning about his father he could get past his fears and commitment issues and recognize the value of his relationship with Biz.
I loved Biz for understanding Wyatt and having patience to wait for him to realize how important marriage is for him. While I could understand Wyatt’s anxiety it took a time for me to get Biz’s fear and after knowing that I wanted to hug him and reassure him he had nothing to fear. While I loved development in Wyatt, Biz and his family were the highlight for me and also their first baby, their dog, Matilda.
My only issue with the book is I wanted a little more fun I was expecting with gay resorts mentioned in the beginning but that obviously never came with all the detours and deeper issues they needed to solve. Also, that required conversation didn’t happen until last 20% of the book.
Nevertheless, The Bump is filled with heartfelt emotions and genuine moments of connection. I loved that epilogue in the end. The whole journey and the end left huge smile on my face. This sure would make a perfect read for a vacation or road trip.
Overall, The Bump is a captivating and charming LGBT contemporary with unique plot, interesting characters and their heartfelt parenthood journey.
June 17, 2024
I. Loved. THIS. BOOK.
As someone who is preliminarily investigating surrogacy with my husband, this book came at the perfect time. The characters were relatable and lovable, and I grew so attached to them, rooting for them until the very end.
The novel centers on Wyatt and Biz, a gay couple of 13 years, as they prepare for their first child. Their surrogate, Flora, is in California, and Wyatt and Biz, who live in NYC, decide to drive across the country for one last gay romp before becoming fathers.
What ensues is a road trip where nothing goes as planned, secrets are unveiled, and the couple faces the harsh reality of imminent parenthood while still growing up themselves.
Karger faces the reader with the question time and again: "Are you ever really ready for parenthood?" This is a question that I constantly ask myself these days. The thing is, we're all growing and ever-changing. I guess that’s the beauty of being human—we all learn and grow (and grow up) together.
Karger’s writing was accessible, hilarious, and filled with heart. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading this novel. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I celebrated the journey (IYKYK) of these amazing characters. If you love Steven Rowley, you will be a huge fan of Sidney Karger. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
As someone who is preliminarily investigating surrogacy with my husband, this book came at the perfect time. The characters were relatable and lovable, and I grew so attached to them, rooting for them until the very end.
The novel centers on Wyatt and Biz, a gay couple of 13 years, as they prepare for their first child. Their surrogate, Flora, is in California, and Wyatt and Biz, who live in NYC, decide to drive across the country for one last gay romp before becoming fathers.
What ensues is a road trip where nothing goes as planned, secrets are unveiled, and the couple faces the harsh reality of imminent parenthood while still growing up themselves.
Karger faces the reader with the question time and again: "Are you ever really ready for parenthood?" This is a question that I constantly ask myself these days. The thing is, we're all growing and ever-changing. I guess that’s the beauty of being human—we all learn and grow (and grow up) together.
Karger’s writing was accessible, hilarious, and filled with heart. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading this novel. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I celebrated the journey (IYKYK) of these amazing characters. If you love Steven Rowley, you will be a huge fan of Sidney Karger. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
June 27, 2024
Thank you @prhaudio @sidkny and @berkleybooks for my gifted ALC and ebook. The Bump is out now!
As I prepare for the birth of my first child soon, I thought this book seemed like perfect timing. The Bump is about a gay couple who are expecting their first child via surrogate. They haven’t been on the same page recently and they want to reconnect before the baby arrives. They decide to take a road trip babymoon to all their favorite vacation spots on the way to their baby’s birth in California.
Their first stop is Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod. This is a summer time Mecca for gay couples and it’s a fantastic spot to visit for anyone! They are only there a few days before Wyatt gets a phone call from his mother that his brother was hurt in an accident and he needs to come help them. A family detour to the middle of Massachusetts brings up a lot of feelings for Wyatt who doesn’t really remember his absentee father. How can he be different for his child when he has no role model?
Biz wants to stop to see his big Italian family in Chicago before the baby too. They throw the guys a baby shower and they each see how close a family can be. But Biz has a lot of feelings about his father, who was always 10 years older than all his friends’ fathers and is now battling health problems. What if his dad isn’t here to see his child grow up?
As someone going through this myself, this book definitely stirred up some feelings about the kind of parent I want to be. But it was so genuine and truly hilarious in places. I also listened to audiobook just because I wanted to hear @michaelurielikesit and he was the perfect voice of Wyatt. I highly recommend the audiobook; I feel like I laughed so much more hearing the narrators’ inflection.
As I prepare for the birth of my first child soon, I thought this book seemed like perfect timing. The Bump is about a gay couple who are expecting their first child via surrogate. They haven’t been on the same page recently and they want to reconnect before the baby arrives. They decide to take a road trip babymoon to all their favorite vacation spots on the way to their baby’s birth in California.
Their first stop is Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod. This is a summer time Mecca for gay couples and it’s a fantastic spot to visit for anyone! They are only there a few days before Wyatt gets a phone call from his mother that his brother was hurt in an accident and he needs to come help them. A family detour to the middle of Massachusetts brings up a lot of feelings for Wyatt who doesn’t really remember his absentee father. How can he be different for his child when he has no role model?
Biz wants to stop to see his big Italian family in Chicago before the baby too. They throw the guys a baby shower and they each see how close a family can be. But Biz has a lot of feelings about his father, who was always 10 years older than all his friends’ fathers and is now battling health problems. What if his dad isn’t here to see his child grow up?
As someone going through this myself, this book definitely stirred up some feelings about the kind of parent I want to be. But it was so genuine and truly hilarious in places. I also listened to audiobook just because I wanted to hear @michaelurielikesit and he was the perfect voice of Wyatt. I highly recommend the audiobook; I feel like I laughed so much more hearing the narrators’ inflection.
September 2, 2024
4.25 rounded down to 4
May 2, 2024
Thank you @BerkleyPub for the free book and thank you @PRHAudio for my #gifted listening copy of The Bump! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐦𝐩
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐡𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐔𝐫𝐢𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
★★★★★ (ALL THE STARS!!!!)
This book gave me all the feels! It was so heartwarming and also so funny and I could not get enough! I equally loved Wyatt and Biz and their “Journey” and feel like this will be one of my top books of 2024! I seriously loved everything about this book. I knew when I listened to the author Sidney Karger describe this book during the Booked With Berkley Spring Preview I was going to love it, but I did not expect to be this obsessed. This is going to be my new go-to book recommendation!
Biz and Wyatt are going to have a baby together. Their surrogate is across the country, and they decide to embark on a cross country road trip together along with their dog Matilda. It’s the perfect opportunity to have some time together before the baby arrives. With everything mapped out, their plans quickly change as unexpected detours and emergencies pop up along the way. Throughout their trip, they are forced to examine their own relationship, and their past family dynamics and how that could impact their own future family. Will Wyatt and Biz make it to the west coast together in time for the birth of their baby? Or will there be too many bumps along the way?
I seriously cannot say enough good things about this book. It was just so good! It’s the type of book that will leave you with such a huge smile on your face. This is one you will not want to miss!
🎧Ryan Spahn and Michael Urie were PHENOMENAL. I mean I could not ask for two better narrators for this audiobook. I binged this audiobook in a day. Not only did I not want the story to end, I just loved listening to these two share the cross country adventures of Wyatt and Biz. They were both so perfect and I HIGHLY recommend this one on audio if that option is available to you. Seriously. Pure perfection!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐦𝐩
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐡𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐔𝐫𝐢𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
★★★★★ (ALL THE STARS!!!!)
This book gave me all the feels! It was so heartwarming and also so funny and I could not get enough! I equally loved Wyatt and Biz and their “Journey” and feel like this will be one of my top books of 2024! I seriously loved everything about this book. I knew when I listened to the author Sidney Karger describe this book during the Booked With Berkley Spring Preview I was going to love it, but I did not expect to be this obsessed. This is going to be my new go-to book recommendation!
Biz and Wyatt are going to have a baby together. Their surrogate is across the country, and they decide to embark on a cross country road trip together along with their dog Matilda. It’s the perfect opportunity to have some time together before the baby arrives. With everything mapped out, their plans quickly change as unexpected detours and emergencies pop up along the way. Throughout their trip, they are forced to examine their own relationship, and their past family dynamics and how that could impact their own future family. Will Wyatt and Biz make it to the west coast together in time for the birth of their baby? Or will there be too many bumps along the way?
I seriously cannot say enough good things about this book. It was just so good! It’s the type of book that will leave you with such a huge smile on your face. This is one you will not want to miss!
🎧Ryan Spahn and Michael Urie were PHENOMENAL. I mean I could not ask for two better narrators for this audiobook. I binged this audiobook in a day. Not only did I not want the story to end, I just loved listening to these two share the cross country adventures of Wyatt and Biz. They were both so perfect and I HIGHLY recommend this one on audio if that option is available to you. Seriously. Pure perfection!
June 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙜𝙤 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.
📍 Read if you like:
• Heartfelt Stories
• Road Trips
• LGBTQ+ Rep
• Miscommunication
This book sounded so good, while I wasn’t the biggest fan of Best Men by this author, I still had high hopes for this book. However, it wasn’t really my favorite… would I still recommend it?! Yes to certain readers!
I love this cover and I love any story that involves a road trip, so I was instantly intrigued. However, the book has a lot of miscommunication throughout the whole book. It’s my least favorite trope and it was extremely difficult to get through.
Wyatt and Biz are the characters in this book and I loved the surrogate idea, it was very heartfelt and inspiring. However, some of the choices these characters made annoyed me.
Props to the author for the unique story and detail of the journey/road trip. I loved the aspect in this book and it was definitely a great premise. It was just super hard to root for the character’s relationship with the miscommunication.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!
𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙜𝙤 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.
📍 Read if you like:
• Heartfelt Stories
• Road Trips
• LGBTQ+ Rep
• Miscommunication
This book sounded so good, while I wasn’t the biggest fan of Best Men by this author, I still had high hopes for this book. However, it wasn’t really my favorite… would I still recommend it?! Yes to certain readers!
I love this cover and I love any story that involves a road trip, so I was instantly intrigued. However, the book has a lot of miscommunication throughout the whole book. It’s my least favorite trope and it was extremely difficult to get through.
Wyatt and Biz are the characters in this book and I loved the surrogate idea, it was very heartfelt and inspiring. However, some of the choices these characters made annoyed me.
Props to the author for the unique story and detail of the journey/road trip. I loved the aspect in this book and it was definitely a great premise. It was just super hard to root for the character’s relationship with the miscommunication.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 18, 2024
This was good, if a bit over the top for me. It was campy in a way that just doesn't appeal to me because it didn't really feel authentic and I could never get behind the characters 100% even though I did find many parts amusing.
What I really did appreciate was the topic. Road trip? Been done. Two men on a save the relationship road trip to reconnect before their baby is delivered? I haven't seen that before. If it had been slightly less over-the-top and I'd found the characters more relatable, I would have absolutely loved it.
As it was clearly intended to be a humorous and somewhat campy road trip, the situations and characters encountered, including Wyatt and Biz's family members and friends, were all over the top to the point that they felt like stereotypes. But then sometimes they would break through the stereotype and feel more real, and that I did enjoy.
It was told in alternating POV style, but for some reason whenever we were in Wyatt's POV and Biz said something, the dialogue tag would be Wyatt saying how Biz felt about it. The same happened in Biz's POV when Wyatt spoke. It was really strange and kept taking me out of the story because it didn't make sense for the characters to know what the other person was thinking, so maybe it was all assumptions? But it happened just about every time anything was said.
Wyatt and Biz also argued and were resentful and childish toward one another for the entire book. I was hoping they'd work things out, and a couple times thought they might, and then they'd revert to sniping at each other. It didn't give me a whole lot of confidence about their ability to handle actually raising a child together. The way it's told it's as if seeing the baby delivered magically fixes everything, cue the adorable 6 years later epilogue.
I liked it enough to continue to read the whole book, however, and I think it will appeal to a lot of people. Especially those who enjoy campy over the top humor.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.
What I really did appreciate was the topic. Road trip? Been done. Two men on a save the relationship road trip to reconnect before their baby is delivered? I haven't seen that before. If it had been slightly less over-the-top and I'd found the characters more relatable, I would have absolutely loved it.
As it was clearly intended to be a humorous and somewhat campy road trip, the situations and characters encountered, including Wyatt and Biz's family members and friends, were all over the top to the point that they felt like stereotypes. But then sometimes they would break through the stereotype and feel more real, and that I did enjoy.
It was told in alternating POV style, but for some reason whenever we were in Wyatt's POV and Biz said something, the dialogue tag would be Wyatt saying how Biz felt about it. The same happened in Biz's POV when Wyatt spoke. It was really strange and kept taking me out of the story because it didn't make sense for the characters to know what the other person was thinking, so maybe it was all assumptions? But it happened just about every time anything was said.
Wyatt and Biz also argued and were resentful and childish toward one another for the entire book. I was hoping they'd work things out, and a couple times thought they might, and then they'd revert to sniping at each other. It didn't give me a whole lot of confidence about their ability to handle actually raising a child together. The way it's told it's as if seeing the baby delivered magically fixes everything, cue the adorable 6 years later epilogue.
I liked it enough to continue to read the whole book, however, and I think it will appeal to a lot of people. Especially those who enjoy campy over the top humor.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.
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