The Baby Planner

In a world where zygotes need preschool applications and the wrong stroller can label you an unfit mother, pregnant professionals turn to Katie Johnson, San Francisco's most prestigious baby planner, long before their baby bumps become obvious under their Armani suits.

But setting up her clients with the latest must-have baby gadgets, top-notch doulas, and most desirable playgroups is just the start. For the anxious mommies who have her on speed dial, Katie is also therapist, referee, and best friend all in one.

Secretly, however, Katie longs for a baby of her own. Her husband, Alex, refuses to do more than what he calls keeping an open mind, but when he gives her reason to doubt he means even that, Katie throws herself into helping her most clueless client of all. Seth Harris is raising his newborn daughter solo.

While Katie helps him navigate this difficult journey, she learns ones very important lesson about family: How we nurture is the true nature of love.

REVIEWS

"Brown takes baby mania to its illogical, hysterical extreme in this bubbly romp. But what begins as a light foray into Bugaboo country turns into something bigger than a satire of status-obsessed Bay Area yummy mummies as Brown takes a dark look at the fears of parenthood and family, with Katie's heartbreaking longing for a child unveiling a disturbing reality about her marriage and family. Still, the message from the somber realities is one full of hope: love makes a family, commitment keeps it together." —Publishers Weekly

"We love Josie Brown. Plain and simple. We first fell for her when we read the impossibly delicious Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, and now we’re falling all over again after consuming her latest fun, funny and  completely satisfying novel, The Baby Planner." —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, co-authors, THE GOOD WIDOW and THE YWAR WE TURNED FORTY

"A funny, engaging, and often bittersweet tale." —Cincinnati Public Library Spotlight Feature

"If you’re looking for a fun and thought-provoking summer read, Josie Brown’s The Baby Planner is the one to pack in your beach bag." —Examiner.com

"Fun with a bittersweet twist, The Baby Planner will have you putting the kids to bed early so you can put your feet up and dive into this delicious read." —SheKnows.com

"...The other thing I loved about "The Baby Planner" was the how realistic the characters seemed, the humor value and the way Ms. Brown was able to get the reader to connect to and sympathize with Katie. Ms. Brown never uses exaggeration to get her point across. Her characters thrive on their own and take on various personalities, based on their role in the story. They always give off a familiar feel that makes me think they're standing right in front of me. Katie is down to earth, but also going through the longing for children that many women can relate to. And even if they can't, she's still someone you want to hug, laugh with and cry with, all at the same time." —Melissa Amster, Chick Lit Central

"I could not put this book down. If you like Sophie Kinsella, Sarah Pekkenan or Melissa Senate, you will love Josie Brown's writing." —Mary Jacob, BookHounds.com

"One of Brown's biggest strengths as a writer is that her characters are so very real - from their flaws to their crowning glories, they are authentic, with easily relatable emotions and paths in life that you can see your friends or yourself taking. I found myself reading well into the wee hours." —Write Here, Write Now

"Exceptional chick lit. It was simply fun read. And although it’s mostly light-hearted, there were some serious issues and struggles that most women go through." —LitFest Magazine