This book is hardbto review.
On one hand, I found the topic of surrogacy very interesting and the book shed so much light on different aspects of it, which I found informative and interesting to learn about.
On the other hand, it talks heavily about fashion and the fashion world, which I am not particularly interested in. Some chapters were very hard to get through.
I thought the two main characters and the very rapidly developing friendship between them to be very weird and I didn't necessarily sympathize with either of them.

The Favor

It was a good story, with a surprise ending! I enjoyed this author, and I would like to read more books written by her.

Vintage vibes and flawed but relatable characters--even the ridiculously wealthy ones have their cracks we can crawl into with them--and a, well, *nice* storyline. It's actually hard for me to pinpoint why I was so charmed by this book, but I really was. I'd readily pick up the next Adele Griffin read and hope for this same warm fuzzy feeling.

An unputdownable novel exploring female friendships. I went into this thinking it will be a book about surrogacy and the complications that entails. Yes surrogacy was definitely part of the story but it was also about so much more. The myriad dynamics of female friendships especially when your friends come from economic and social backgrounds different from yours, the importance of being upfront with your friends and setting appropriate boundaries. Small everyday stuff that we don't give a second thought to but that can blow out of proportion if not addressed in right earnest. Definitely an enjoyable easy read!!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!!

Two women’s lives and friendships are challenged when one decides to be a surrogate for the other. The two women could not be more different and the situation quickly becomes fraught with tension, keeping the readers attention to find out what happens. This favor certainly seems like a big one to ask.

This one explored themes such as friendship, infertility, family, wealth inequality, parenthood, and overall family. I liked the characters and found them realistic. This is sure to be a popular book for fans of Women's Fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of The Favor by Adele Griffin. Nora and Jacob are trying to have a baby and their options are running out. Enter Evelyn who couldn't be more different from them, and yet a relationship blossoms and suddenly she's agreeing to be their surrogate. It's an interesting ride with these characters and I enjoyed this book.

I love this book. The cover is beautiful and the writing is as well. The characters are well developed and so is the plot. I can't wait to read what's next from this author.

I think this book had a unique premise and was carried out very well. The story embodied warmth and had themes that would make for great discussion. However, the friendship between the two characters somewhat rubbed me the wrong way and made it not the most enjoyable. In addition, some of the situations were a bit repetitive talked about.

Unfortunately, I didn't connect this one. The friendship with shop worker and rich socialite that starts with a huge purchase from the vintage store and ends with a surrogacy arrangement just didn't work for me.

The plot line is very interesting. What goes on for a surrogacy is a lot. I can’t imagine the emotions. Especially when you become friends with the person. The whole time I don’t trust Evelyn in this book. What you be friends with the person carrying your baby? Would you trust them? It’s nerve wracking to think about. And how much you will be included in the process of it. This book definitely made me thinks. Thanks netgalley and sourcebooks.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Favor..I was engaged with this book from the first few pages. The characters are beautifully drawn, and the plot moves along at a good pace. It was enchanting, humorous, suspenseful and heartbreaking in equal measures. The glimpses of New York life, the lifestyles of the wealthy, the highs and lows of trying to become parents, and the references to fashion were wonderful.

*3.5 stars*

This was such a heartfelt and unique book about a couple struggling to conceive, and the woman who comes into their lives and offers to be a surrogate. At parts heartbreaking and at other parts laugh out loud funny, this was a fascinating look into the lives of NYC elite millionaires juxtaposed against a "normal" Brooklyn couple struggling to make ends meet. I really enjoyed this book, although the characters fell a little flat for me. I'm not sure if I just couldn't relate or if the characters themselves weren't fully developed, but either way there was a bit of a disconnect for me. Overall, a great read that reminded me of all the different ways to create a family.

The Favor by Adele Griffin is not what I was expecting. For some reason I thought it would be light-heated and fun, but the book is actually pretty deep. There are definitely fun and even funny moments, but the story is of infertility, friendship ups and downs, and financial issues and the hardships that go along with those things. I have experienced all of those and feel the author did a good job of being sensitive, while still being real in her handling of them. The story grabbed me early on and I did not want to put it down, I was heavily invested in the lives of Nora and Evelyn. I have always thought of surrogacy as the ultimate gift, and in reading this book I think it even more now.

I am going to be really honest with all of you...

I almost didn't request this book.

I love thrillers, true crime, and the occasional RomCom when its "that time of month". Reading the synopsis, I wasn't sure I would be able to relate to the content. I kept going back to look at the cover and curiosity got the best of me. I hit request and the rest is history.

This is a 5 star book, hands down, without a doubt in my mind, I can tell you that this does not have to be your preferred genre in order to enjoy and appreciate all this book holds.

Adele Griffin, played with my emotions. She had me laughing, crying, and everything in between.

Don't let me keep blubbering, head on over to your favorite bookstore and pick this one up, you won't regret it.

Teaser:

From National Book Award finalist Adele Griffin, an insightful and warmhearted story of two very different women who make an unexpected connection when one decides to carry a baby for the other.

At I'll Have Seconds, a high-end fairytale vintage dress shop in Manhattan, Nora Hammond loves nothing better than pairing a rare find with the perfect client.

At home, Nora grapples with the bleaker reality of enormous debt, a tiny apartment, and ever-dwindling hope that she and her husband Jacob will have a family of their own.

When socialite Evelyn Elliot charges into Nora's life, the women spark an immediate connection, and Nora is jettisoned into the heady whirl of New York's moneyed elite. As Evelyn's stylist and confidante, Nora needs to learn all new rules of engagement for the uber-wealthy. But it isn't until Evelyn decides her next cause is to carry a baby for Nora, that these rules―and this unlikely friendship―are tested.

A contemporary story that celebrates alternative routes to family, The Favor is an incisive examination of what it means to long for a child and what relationships cost us―and what they're worth.

Dnf'd at 51%

I really really wanted to like this story and for the first 30%? I loved it! Loved Evelyn and the humor was good, even if the pacing was a little slow for me.

However, it became very rinse and repeat for me. Someone mentions babies, Nora gets upset, wants to do something with Evelyn, Jacob makes some comment about Evelyn, Nora goes out with her still, Evelyn acts ditzy, Nora makes some inner monologue that is a little rude about Evelyn, Nora goes home upset about something and Jacob basically says I told you so without saying it. Rinse and Repeat.

I forced myself to read to half-way, struggling through most of the chapters despite how short they are and just the thought of there being another 30 chapters of this, of where Nora is going to get upset with Evelyn for not following instructions that she did not give is not something I want to do.

It's not a reading slump because I have finished other books while reading this one, its just not for me and that's okay! Other people have liked it and if the description speaks to you? Great!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

A heartfelt and, at times, humorous read. After being invited by the publisher and NetGalley to review (many thanks!!), I did not have any knowledge of the story content. I tend to prefer going into reads with no preconceived ideas.
That being said, I would say be cautious if infertility/loss is a trigger. This content did bring up some feelings for me, and I’d warn anyone to be cognizant of this.
What a great story, and well-developed characters. I found myself totally immersed in the world of Nora and her crew. I would highly recommend!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I went into it blind and had no idea what it was about. The beginning is very fashion/vintage focused so I assumed it was about clothes, but it turned into so much more than that.

For starters, I want to mention that there are a lot of trigger warnings for this one related to infertility and babies. I’m not going to state them all for the sake of spoilers, but if you’re nervous, be sure to check them out or ask me!

I thought this was a beautifully written story based on infertility, and there were so many other components woven into the story. The focus on friendship, the politics of money, and the fashion world were all written about in a way that had me captivated pretty much from the very beginning.

The MC bothered me quite a bit, but it was probably because I saw a lot of myself in her. Evelyn was my favourite character, and although she definitely had her negative moments, she was just so glamorous and spectacular that I couldn’t help falling in love with her!

I did feel that the book was a bit too long, and a lot of the vintage/clothing references felt a bit overwhelming since I don’t know anything about that topic. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted copy!

Oh my gosh, The Favor by Adele Griffin was amazing, intriguing, suspenseful and impossible to put down! Addressing topics of infertility and the desperation it may create, surrogates, vintage couture, wealth, marriage and friendship. Unexpected plot and fabulous characters. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Nora, who is married and has suffered from years of infertility, works in a vintage dress shop with her best friend in Manhattan. One night a very rich woman named Evelyn walks into her life and changes it forever. This story has a lot of ups and downs and mixes everything from friendship to surrogacy to social media and how it has taken over our lives. Great read!