The Favor

Nora Hammond spends her days selling vintage fashion and antique finds in an upscale vintage shop in Manhattan. She’s beautiful, successful and happily married. On the surface, her life looks perfect. It’s not. She and her husband Jacob are drowning in debt, debt caused by treatments for infertility and failed IVF attempts. They have one embryo remaining but, with her history of miscarriages, Nora knows she cant attempt another pregnancy. Enter Evelyn Elliot. And what an entrance she makes, barging into the shop to spend thousand of dollars in a late day sale. At the end of the day, Nora, her co-worker Frankie and Evelyn sit in the store, surrounded by her purchases, and toast each other with champagne. Friendship follows and penny pinching Nora, as Evelyns’s new part time stylist, enters the world of multimillionaires with yachts, multiple homes, private cars, housekeepers and chefs. It’s a delicate balancing act but Nora is managing until Evelyn offers to carry Nora and Jacob’s baby.

The Favor blends themes of friendship, the definition of family, infertility and surrogacy against a glamorous background. The details about vintage clothing are enjoyable and add to the story. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Adele Griffin for this ARC.

This book was a very pleasant surprise! I wasn't sure what to expect from this premise but I found myself in love with the characters - Nora's desperate want for a child and Evelyn's carefree attitude towards everything (including surrogacy) were so well balanced. I liked the pacing of the book, the little fashionista moments and felt that I was constantly wondering when their deal was all going to turn sour. The concept of lying for social media was also intriguing and felt very relevant. Overall - great book! It felt real, realistic (mostly) and approachable.

SO GOOD! This is one that would be stellar adapted for TV. Thank you netgalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review. Excuse me while I put together my dream cast for this book...

Nora Hammond spends her days selling vintage fashion and antique finds in an upscale vintage shop in Manhattan. She’s beautiful, successful and happily married. On the surface, her life looks perfect. It’s not. She and her husband Jacob are drowning in debt, debt caused by treatments for infertility and failed IVF attempts. They have one embryo remaining but, with her history of miscarriages, Nora knows she cant attempt another pregnancy. Enter Evelyn Elliot. And what an entrance she makes, barging into the shop to spend thousand of dollars in a late day sale. At the end of the day, Nora, her co-worker Frankie and Evelyn sit in the store, surrounded by her purchases, and toast each other with champagne. Friendship follows and penny pinching Nora, as Evelyns’s new part time stylist, enters the world of multimillionaires with yachts, multiple homes, private cars, housekeepers and chefs. It’s a delicate balancing act but Nora is managing until Evelyn offers to carry Nora and Jacob’s baby.

“Obviously, nobody would call Eleanor out for being spoiled. But shouldn’t somebody let her know what might be perceived as out of touch? Wasn’t that the job of a friend?”

The story is told by Nora, and I found her charming and relatable. Though at times Eleanor’s money and privilege could be irritating, I could also see how it was necessary to highlight the contrasts in the two women’s values when professional dabbler Eleanor sees being a “compassionate” surrogate as a great way to add content to her brand on social media. Jacob frustrated me through the whole book, his insensitiveness to situations had me cringing.

The story journeys down the road of fertility issues, and the storms couples face, not the least being the very real debt that can happen with infertility. I went into this book thinking it would about high-end fashion and friendship. I do think this book is for a specific group of people, I was surprised by the main issue being infertility. This book had me surprised throughout the book, i kept waiting for the TURN. Surprisingly enjoyable, I did feel like the beginning was quite slow, but I flew through the end. For some this may be a heavy read, due to the infertility factor. It was emotionally relatable. The side characters and their intertwined stories were relatable and enjoyable.

The Favor is one of those special books that will be read in book clubs and will start conversations about infertility/alternative family experiences. It is the perfect start to those uncomfortable taboo family topics.

I requested to read and review this book for free from source books Landmark. This story line has many feels such as love. Romance, mystery, drama and possibly betrayal. You will meet Evelyn who is high on life and hasn't had to work hard for much in life. But there is more to her then what you think. Also Nora who has tried to work hard in life and desperately wants the one thing she can't have right at the moment. But a split making decision changes both of their life's in so many ways. Family can be related and non related. Love has many different forms. A beautiful decision has many different ways it can turn out. And if someone is doing you a favor how much can you say about their life choices? Follow these two and their families journey and be surprised for the twist at the very end!

Wow, this was a good one. It kept me wondering if this was a mystery, was it going to end with some sinister finish, or was it just a beautiful human interest novel, with a friend offering the ultimate gift, a long wanted baby?
This story focuses on Nora and Evelyn, their unlikely friendship with such startling differences in their situations and their lives. Until, the ultimate gift, a favor beyond measurement changes the focus of their friendship, the ultimate gift of surrogacy, the willingness to carry her friend’s child.
This novel is so entertaining, with the journey among the super wealthy and entitled, the interesting dabbling into vintage clothing, and the emotional journey of surrogacy. Adele Griffin really goes all out with this novel, interesting subject, complex characters and a look inside the “playgrounds” of the super wealthy.
A strong 5 stars from me and my thanks for the ARC, for my independent opinion.
An added bonus, an ending that I didn’t see coming!

The Favor by Adele Griffin is intriguing and thought-provoking. Nora and Evelyn meet when Evelyn comes into the shop where Nora works. Evelyn is used to getting what she wants and Nora is what she wants. So begins a friendship that will cause pain and joy for both women. In addition, there are other friends and Griffin does an excellent job of describing friendship and family ties on multiple levels. I thoroughly enjoyed The Favor and look forward to searching out other books by Adele Griffin.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I enjoyed The Favor very much, a quick and light read. Ironically, this "light" read touched on some very heavy topics including fertility, surrogacy and class differences.

Nora was a likable character - not the thickest skin, however, a decent human being that did what she thought best for her family. Evelyn on the other hand was extremely shallow and superficial which was totally the point!

The social media aspect was interesting, I love books that incorporate influencers lately. Very modern and relevant and played perfectly into the self esteem issues and attention seeking Evelyn.

This is my first Adele Griffin book and I will be on the lookout for more!

I would like to thank Net Galley and SourceBooks for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.Nora works in a second hand clothing shop. She and her husband Jacob have been trying to have a baby , with no success. They have a frozen embryo left but little money, or hope. Evelyn , a wealthy socialite/influencer comes into the shop meets Nora and strikes up a friendship. Nora is level headed, hard working and serious. Evelyn is flighty, rich and pampered.Evelyn likes to give expensive gifts, offer trips and dinners to Nora and Jacob. If their friendship seems improbable, what happens next is down right impossible. Evelyn offers to be a surrogate for Nora and Jacob. It is a roller coaster of a book.Nora and Jacob try to understand Evelyn and Evelyn's life. Evelyn seems like she has their best interests at heart, or is she just trying to getting more likes for her social media?It is a well written book, with twists and turns where you least expect them. And the epilogue will blow you away. This was a book that I didn't want to end, but couldn't wait to see how it turned out!

The Favor by Adele Griffin features two women from very different backgrounds. Nora has a flair for vintage fashion and works at a second hand store specializing in high end vintage clothing. One day socialite Evelyn strolls in buying whatever she likes and some with the help of Nora. Evelyn really likes Nora's taste and choices and she calls upon Nora quite often to assist her with what to wear to her next function. Although Nora appreciates all the extra commissions, she also feels like she's becoming more to Evelyn than just a store clerk. Nora and her husband are in great debt, mostly due to their desire to have a baby and the medical procedures that have not helped. They live in a tiny apartment and is a great contrast to Evelyn with her large New York apartment and many houses she owns. When Evelyn offers to be a surrogate mother, Nora jumps at the chance. Evelyn gives Nora a fabulous vintage cloak that means a great deal to Evelyn's mother and its ties to a famous poet. Nora feels pressure to sell the cloak in order to come out from under the debt they have accrued. Evelyn seems to enjoy her higher profile on social media due to her surrogacy. Nora seemed like she thought she was better friends with Evelyn than Evelyn thought due to their very different backgrounds. The book was a very quick read, but I was always nervous about what Evelyn was going to do because her wealth created a very different lifestyle for her. I really enjoyed the twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Favor.

Oh my! This is such a good read. Adele Griffin hit it out of the park with this story. This book has it all. Friendships, trials, growth of personalities, triumphs. Very heartwarming tail of a couple longing for a child of their own. The swooping in of a philanthropist to save the day. The twist at the end that I did not see coming. I could not lay this book down. It had me from the first page to the last. A must read. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely leaving my review.

This was SO FUN! I cannot not imagine Jennifer Coolidge as Evelyn. This has twists and turns galore. It’s the most silly, fascinating, heart tugging, cozy, high stakes, low stress thriller about fashion, parenthood, marriage, money, friendship, and authenticity I’ve ever read.

Thank you #netgalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!

This book pulled at my heartstrings and I was rooting for Nora and Jacob the entire time. Although this book is not in the thriller genre, it did read this way to me. I loved it!

Fascinating story and beautifully told. Nora and her husband Jacob long for a babybut have not been able to conceive. One day Evelyn breezes into her shop, a high end vintage dress shop, and practically buys out the place. Evelyn is happily married with a son and is also a wealthy socialite. The two women are very different and become close friends. In fact, Evelyn offers to carry a baby for Nora. The story is one about what friends can do for one another and managing expectations.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was charmed by the cover... But the cover is deceiving - it's not a fluffy rom-com. It is, however, a quirky, interesting story about two completely different women who become friends. The one friend faces a path of infertility and the other friend offers a "favor", a solution to the problem. The author handles this issue with humor, compassion and a sense of warmth between the friends, and yet you will feel a frisson of tension throughout, this book ALMOST reads as a thriller at times. As a reader, you will find that this book has well defined characters and a plot that is finely detailed. An enjoyed read.

I am a huge fan of Adele Griffin, so I was super excited to receive an early arc of The Favor. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.

Nora Hammond lives and works in Manhattan. She seemingly has it all...success, beauty, and a loving marriage. However, Nora and her husband Jacob are trying desperately to have a baby, and have landed themselves in debt due to fertility treatments. Nora has one embryo remaining but knows another pregnancy attempt will end her. Welcome Evelyn Elliot. After her friendship, many champagne toasts, and talks later, Evelyn offers to carry Nora and Jacob's baby. Thus, the favor!
This story is relatable, and charming, and for any woman who has experienced the struggles and raw emotions of fertility treatments, it is heartwrenching. This could be a trigger warning for some, so that should be mentioned.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters feel like your old friends, and you ride the roller coaster of emotions with them.
I can't wait to grab a hard copy when this publishes in June.

I really enjoyed Adele Griffin’s new book, The Favor. Although somewhat predictable as to what the aforementioned favor would be, a lot of the book had a sense of intrigue that I was not expecting. I was never quite sure what the outcome would be or how relationships would develop (or dissolve) throughout the unfolding drama. I couldn’t pick sides during arguments, as I saw both sides of the situation. And I couldn’t choose my favorite characters, as I grew to love them all. What a beautiful tribute to a tender subject matter. Thank you, Ms. Griffin, for opening my eyes to how difficult surrogacy is for all involved.

At first, the perception of Nora is a kind hearted individual with a great eye for fashion but lacks self confidence and almost appears defeated in how her life has evolved and setbacks that have led to a insurmountable amount of debt. She like the store would almost prefer to go back in time. Then enters Evelyn with her charismatic personality and generosity as far reaching as her giving Nora a cloak that was worn by her favorite author. Nora seems ecstatic about Evelyn bringing her into her life. But as she draws her in deeper and asks for Nora's help, she becomes indebted to her personally and financially. Her becoming the surrogate further deepens their becoming intertwined. Jacob knew all along that Evelyn was a facade that lived her life via social media. The ending is certainly a plot twist and I learned that actually Nora had a backbone of steel. She knew what she wanted for both herself, Gloria and Jacob and went to great lengths to get it. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Such a good read - I overall enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher an opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own. Nora runs a vintage shop in New York. Her and her husband are drowning in debt trying to have a child. Socialite Evelyn comes in right at closing and they strike up a friendship that eventually includes Evelyn wanting to be a surrogate for Nora. This book was good, kept this reader turning the pages well into the night, will look for more from this author.

I LOVED this book. Absolutely loved it.
Nora works at a high-ish end second hand clothing store and lives with her husband Jacob in a small, cramped apartment. They have decided to give up on trying to have a baby, and overall, there life is just a bit sad. That is, until Evelyn Elliott drops into the shop and buys just about everything they're selling. And that begins and unlikely friendship between Evelyn and Nora.
But is it a friendship, or is Evelyn using Nora for her fashion sense and the fact that she's always available for whatever Evelyn needs someone for? That's the question for the first half of the book. And when Evelyn offers to be a surrogate for Nora and Jacob, the questions of her motivations drive the second half of the book.
This is a wonderful story of friends and family: the family we were born with, and the families we make. It's a story of authenticity in a social media driven world, where the choices we might make for our online persona are in conflict with the choices we might ordinarily make in the 'real world'. The tone is light but the themes are serious, and Nora is a wonderful character.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this read.

The Favor by Adele Griffin was a beautiful, poetic read about female friendship, infertility, and their impacts. I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy for my home library! I was wow-ed by Griffin's ability to draw the reader in with her thoughtful words. I thought about this book when I was not reading and talked to my husband about how much I loved it during every tea steep.

Meet Nora. She works at a vintage boutique in New York City. She wants to start a family with her husband, but there are complications. She soon develops a friendship that will forever change her life. Will she finally be able to have the family she desires?

Meet Eleanor. She is an extroverted socialite who buys out the inventory of a vintage boutique for her closet. She forms a new friendship and offers to help this friend. They say opposites attract, and that works for friendship too, right?

I applaud Griffin’s ability to normalize the traditionally taboo topic of infertility. As someone who has struggled with fertility, I found solace and comfort in this story. It was comforting to discover this aspect of relatability. The Favor is a distinctive novel book clubs will love, and will generate conversations about infertility and alternative family experiences. This book is a safe space. Add this to your TBR and pre-order your copy ASAP!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!