This book started out like a Cinderella story, poor vintage store worker meets a very rich customer who likes her taste. Evelyn, who blogs about EVERYHTHING she does, opens up opportunities for Nora and eventually gives Nora a very expensive cloak as a Thank Y0u helping her curate her look. Nora begins to believe that Evelyn is her friend, not just a client, so when the offer it made by Evelyn to carry a child for Nora and Jacob, Nora starts to consider it. Eventually Evelyn is inseminated with Nora's last viable egg and becomes pregnant. But, instead of sharing it with Nora, she commercializes it. There is a lot more going on between these two women (and their husbands), but I will say the very end (not the baby), is something that I definitely was pleasantly surprised by and I bet every reader will be too.

Literary fiction, which is not my strong suit, about two women who want different things and what we go through to get it. It's a book about modern day class systems and friendships between women. It's a book full of tender hope and emotions. There are a ton of trigger warnings for this book if you are sensitive to such things and should be handled with care should you choose to read it. The author handles the book with a delicacy and a reverence for the topics. Well done.

Such a thought-provoking book! The Favor by Adele Griffin will tug on every heart string and have you reaching for the tissue box frequently! This was my first Adele Griffin book but I am anxious to read more!

I really enjoyed this book, though it turned out to be quite different from what I expected based on the blurb. At first, I thought it would focus entirely on being a surrogate, and while that was a key part of the story, the heart of the book was really about friendship—especially the complexities of female friendships.

I loved the dynamic between Nora and Evelyn and how the author explored the imbalance of power in their relationship. What began as a "rich woman/poor woman" dynamic grew into something much deeper and more nuanced as Evelyn took on the role of carrying Nora’s baby.

The way the author approached the topic of infertility was both sensitive and insightful, clearly backed by thoughtful research. I also appreciated the unique perspective this story offered, blending themes of surrogacy with modern touches like social media. It was a subtle reminder that we never truly know what someone else’s life is like behind closed doors.

This was a beautifully written and unique take on a surrogate story, and its warm exploration of relationships and resilience made it a memorable read.

I first heard about this book at the Publisher's Weekly Book Show and was immediately interested. I think that any book that handles the challenges that many people face when trying to get pregnant is so important. I loved how this book was also about friendship and power dynamics in different relationships. A really interesting read. Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley!

The Favor by Adele Griffin is a story of friendship, family, and wealth. Griffin masterfully delves into the emotional depths of both women, capturing the joys and challenges of motherhood, infertility, and the power of human connection.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking for more. I absolutely loved this book and read it in one day. I would definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book and it is not in my usual genre! There were several layers to this and much deeper than the cover would lead you to think. There were themes of family, friendship, vintage fashion, wealth, and fertility as the center. It was a very insightful look at infertility and surrogacy, which I previously had little knowledge.

In The Favor, Adele Griffin delivers a nuanced exploration of friendship and the pursuit of family. Set against the glamorous backdrop of Manhattan’s elite fashion scene, the novel follows Nora Hammond, a talented vintage dress stylist struggling with personal and financial challenges. The story takes a dramatic turn when Evelyn Elliot, a wealthy socialite, enters Nora’s life, offering not just a friendship but the possibility of becoming a surrogate.

The plot masterfully intertwines the worlds of high fashion and deep personal stakes, highlighting the complex dynamics of Nora and Evelyn’s relationship. As Evelyn's grand gesture tests the boundaries of their connection, the novel delves into the emotional and ethical implications of surrogate motherhood, offering readers a thought-provoking look at what it means to build a family. Griffin’s vivid depiction of New York’s elite adds an engaging layer to the narrative, making this an evocative and compelling read.

i found the concept of this book to be really interesting and a great representation of the modern questions surrounding infertility and surrogacy. i also found the plot to be super intriguing as we learned about evelyn and nora and watched their relationship evolve (and sometimes stress me OUT). the first 2/3 of this book had me hooked, but unfortunately the story sort of falls off at the end. a big event happens really quickly and then time passes oddly and there’s not enough detail. minus the last page of the book, there’s a lot left to be desired with the ending. this was an unsatisfying close to a well-formed story and great reading experience, making for an overall less positive feeling now that i’ve finished.

This was a very sweet book - I loved the friendship between the characters. The surrogacy aspect was a bit emotional.

This was just an ok book. I could easily put it down and it was hard picking it back up. I really was hoping for better.

This beautiful cover drew me in. This was a sweet story. I enjoyed the friendship aspect of the plot.

The Favor was your typical romance novel. Enjoyable to read, and a nice little escape. I loved the added level of the vintage dress shop. There was also sensitive topics surrounding surrogacy, and I feel like she handled those scenes beautifully.

What a fun story of an unexpected friendship with continued bizarro interactions between the two. An easy listen and a fun light read.

Nora's job at I'll Have Seconds, a high-end store in Manhattan, is a dream. She spends her days pairing clients with the perfect dress and nights fretting about her finances and her future family. When Evelyn Elliot, an effervescent heiress, plucks Nora from obscurity and hires her as her stylist, Nora's world opens up. Soon enough, she and Evelyn are confidantes. When Evelyn gets the idea to offer the ultimate favor - serving as surrogate for Nora and her husband, Jacob - Nora can't help but accept. Will the favor change their relationship?

The Favor was fun to read. The development of the friendship, the glimpses into the world of old money, and a surprising mini-mystery kept the story interesting. It's a good read.

I had the pleasure of meeting this author and she was a delight!

I struggled with this book a bit and had to suspend belief regarding the ease with which the surrogacy was planned. Perhaps it's the cynic in me but I just couldn't fathom such a major life choice coming together so easily. I wish the plot and characters had been a bit more developed.

Nora is looking for direction in her life and Evelyn, a super socialite, offers Nora a job of a lifetime until things change and Evelyn decides her next cause is to carry a baby for Nora. Nora must accept what having a baby means to her and how she will cope. This is a story of what ifs and consequences and holds you captive. Allow yourself to be open to this unique story line and you’ll find yourself reading a wonderful story.
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC!

I loved how the author tried to give attention to the details and depth to the characters. I throughly enjoyed the book and mystery.

I really appreciated and admired how the author was so delicate with the infertility pieces of the book. She did a really nice job with that. Otherwise. Didn’t really grab me. Not bad not great.