Nora, who works at an upscale vintage shop called I’ll Have Seconds (isn’t that the best name?) has a chance meeting with Evelyn, a millionaire. Evelyn doesn’t take no for an answer when she enters the shop one evening at closing time and ends up buying thousands of dollars worth of vintage couture. Over these few hours with Evelyn, Nora finds that even though their bank accounts may mean they have nothing in common, they actually find that a friendship begins to bloom.

Nora and her husband, Jacob, live in a tiny apartment in NYC. Nora’s closest friends are Meg, her best friend from college, and her co-worker Frankie. Nora and Jacob have a wonderful marriage and live by their routines together. The only problem is that they can’t get pregnant and have depleted their bank accounts trying. Nora struggles when her friend Meg seems to have no issues with getting pregnant while Frankie and his partner have decided to go the surrogate route (which she and Jacob couldn’t afford) to have their baby.

“Her requests are like a bright silk ribbon woven through the plain cotton fabric of my day, and I’m thrilled when she’s back in town and wants to make an in-person plan.“

Nora’s friendship and business relationship with Evelyn deepens as she repeatedly hires Nora to source her some outfits, paying her large amounts to go toward “their baby fund”. When Evelyn suggests that she become Nora’s surrogate, their friendship takes on a whole new meaning and as you can imagine, isn’t without some bumps along the way.

Griffin’s raw and honest peek into the lives of a couple dealing with infertility, a woman grieving her mom, and the reality of friendships that ebb and flow were quite realistic. Her creative use of similes had me highlighting all kinds of sentences because I was thinking, “Yes, that is such a great way to describe that feeling.”

"It’s moments like this when I realize I haven’t moved past my grief at all; I’ve just hidden it, like a drop cloth thrown over a pile of broken glass."

As the novel moved along, Evelyn and Nora’s friendship started to annoy me. Neither was being honest with the other and Nora was obsessing over Evelyn’s social media posts and ignoring some pretty important real-life relationships. Evelyn was acting quite immaturely while flaunting her riches rather than focusing on being a good friend to Nora. But, when push came to shove and they both had to face the reality of their situation, I saw the reason for the drama Griffin created.

I didn’t expect to love all the vintage fashion mentioned in this novel. Living in small-town Iowa doesn’t offer many opportunities to see or experience the kind of amazing dresses, purses, coats, etc that Griffin describes in this novel. Her fashion research and a fun surprise twist at the end of the novel definitely had me swooning.

I was surprised by how emotional the novel’s last section made me. Nora’s thoughts on motherhood overwhelmed me and I had to put my Kindle down a few times to wipe away my tears and keep reading. Sometimes, it’s these last few moments in a novel that will push a book into the win category and this definitely was a win for me. Evelyn and Nora’s relationship isn’t one to model a friendship on, but their relationship served a purpose. The Epilogue was maybe my favorite section of the whole book and I was so thrilled with how Griffin tied up everyone’s story together in one special event. Stick with this one and ride out the eventual frustrations you might have with the characters because, just like in real life, we have to have the roadblocks to experience the joy.

Nora runs a high-end second hand dress shop and is just about to close up one evening when Evelyn comes in and ends up spending a lot! This begins a relationship of little favors (that are really big favors) that Evelyn asks of Nora. These favors impede on her life and her marriage with Jacob, but ones they accept when Evelyn offers to be the surrogate for Nora and Jacob. From the beginning of this story, I kept saying "no, No, NO!!!" in my mind! Cringey and uncomfortable! The ending wasn't what I expected at all, but the story kept me reading and interested.

My thanks to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy of this e-book and to Orange Sky Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

A visit by Evelyn to the vintage clothing shop where Nora works changes many lives in more ways than either of them can imagine. Evelyn has millions and spends freely while Nora and her husband Jacob are struggling with the bills from unsuccessful fertility treatments. And then Evelyn gifts Nora a Dior cloak worn by poet Nora adores. She wraps her up and starts paying Nora for things. Jacob is never happy about this but then Evelyn springs the biggest surprise-that she would like to carry the one last frozen embryo for Nora. And she does. You will feel a sense of tension here as the pregnancy progresses, that's for sure. This has terrific characters like Gabi and Meg as well as loathsome ones like Evelyn's father. And fashion, vintage fashion. This was a page turner for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read and remember the cape!

Actual rating 3.5.

I loved the concept of this book, and the gorgeous cover was an added bonus, but I had trouble connecting with the characters. The situations never felt entirely authentic (Nora had severe money problems and lived in a somewhat broken down apartment but she and her husband went out to eat A LOT?) and the people themselves just never engendered any kind of sympathy or empathy. Perhaps because I've never lived on the East coast I don't understand how things work (I've heard that it's a very different way of life compared to the West coast), and that created a bit of a divide, but I have to admit this was a little disappointing.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalleyy and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This book is nothing like I expected it to be. Unfortunately, for me, I had a difficult time with this. It is mostly all about fashion, so if that is something you like then this is your book. We follow Nora and Jacob who live in a tiny apartment and are struggling pay off debt. Nora works at a second hand consignment store where she is partly responsible for finding items that they can then sell. One day they have a very wealthy customer who comes in after hours and spends a ton of money. Evelyn, has money and she is not afraid to spend it. Evelyn knows that money can take you anywhere and get you anything you want. These two women start up a friendship of sorts, though it is mostly based on the fact that Evelyn has the money and is willing to sprinkle it around like fairy dust and Nora needs money.
For me this friendship just didn't feel authentic and it is clear to me by the end that it wasn't. It was hard for me to really care at all about either of them as they were manipulative and only in the relationship for what they could get from one another. By 30 percent into the book there was very little mention about the surrogate situation. Once that started to take place it changed a little and got more interesting but even with all that it was a very weird situation.
Because I did not care for the extreme amount of fashion content and I didn't really like either of the female main characters, this book just didn't fit for me.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this novel.

Nora Hammond works in a high end vintage store in NYC. Happily married, Nora and her husband Josh are struggling through infertility, crippling debt due to IVF and are trying not to let everyone's pregnancy/baby news bother them too much.

Late one evening, socialite Evelyn Elliot comes to the store, and she strikes up a kinship with Nora. They strike up a friendship that seems a little bit lopsided as Evelyn is beyond loaded and Nora is struggling to get by.

I don't want to give away too much, but this is an interesting portrait of women friendships, adulthood and income inequality. The Favor by Adele Griffin was well written and was a quick and entertaining red.

Don't let the pretty pink cover fool you - this one is not predictable! Exploring the difficult themes of motherhood, surrogacy and female friendship that will keep you engaged!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC!

First of all, I was in love with the cover of this book! It's beautiful and sets the tone for this gem of a novel. Nora is working at a vintage store in Manhattan, in debt because of IVF bills, when a socialite comes in, buys a ton of clothes, and makes a deep connection with Nora. Through their relationship Adele Griffin explores the themes of marriage, mother/daughter relationships, social media, and surrogacy. I really enjoyed this book!

This is the first book I’ve read by Adele Griffin. It took me a little bit to get into the book but it was worth the read. The relationship between Evelyn and Nora is a bit odd and hard to understand. I was kinda holding my breath throughout the entire book because I wasn’t sure I trusted Evelyn. After reading the book, I kind of feel for Evelyn and her actions make more sense. Bless sweet Jacob (Nora’s husband) for his patience, understanding and commitment to his family. There are so many emotions that I experience while reading this book. Adele handles the tough topics with grace.

Nora Hammond is closing up I'll Have Seconds, the upscale vintage retail shop where she works, and contemplating the chickpea meat loaf she will make for dinner for her husband when socialite Evelyn Elliot rushes in to buy a very expensive dress she saw on-line. From that meeting, the pair become close friends, with Evelyn introducing Nora to the smoothly running, stunning life of the well to do, beyond anything Nora has ever imagined. In THE FAVOR, Adele Griffin explores what happens when this unlikely friendship takes a sudden turn into unexpected, wild territory when Evelyn proposes carrying a baby for Nora, fulfilling her most heartfelt desire. Throughout this fascinating, well-written story, I grappled with moral dilemmas, complex relationships, and the power of one person to change the life of another. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

This book follows MC’s Nora, her husband Jacob, and the unexpected friend & socialite, Evelyn. Evelyn and Nora cross paths at the high-end vintage dress shop where Nora work & they have an instant connection. This instant connection brings Nora into the world of the elites, which drastically differs from the more “mainstream” life she leads. Their story explores themes of friendship, relationship, family planning struggles & takes readers on a journey that displays a different way to grow ones family. Yes, I’m writing that as vaguely as I can, as to not spoil anything from this beautiful story!

I was pleasantly surprised by this gem of a book, to say the least. At first, it seemed that there was a lot of focus on the fashion components, which is not my forte, but as I continued to read it was clear to me that the fashion information was intentionally included in the writing to help readers understand the way in which Nora thinks and how she sees the world.

The way that the friendship between Nora and Evelyn played out was beautifully done - and honestly, incredibly true to life! Displaying the good times & the bad, while also adequately representing the anxieties than can also come with friendship and finding ones place amongst new friends. The challenging topics (which I’m holding back from listing as to not give anything away) were profoundly explored with not only curiosity, but also with respect - noting that these can be incredibly hard, but also laced with beauty too. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend that you pick it up as well!

Nora has an eye for retro fashion and works at a high end, mostly evening wear, shop where just before closing one evening, Evelyn enters the shop. Evelyn comes for a monied family and buys several items that night and leaves telling Nora that she owes her a favor for keeping the shop open. Nora goes home to her husband Jacob that night and tells him of this magical person she met. Nora and Jacob have tried for years to have a child and have gone into debt to pay for IVF. Several weeks after meeting Evelyn, a package arrives from her and it's a cloak that was worn by a once famous poet. Jacob wants to see how much they could get for it but Nora is hesitant. Nora becomes somewhat of an assistant to Evelyn and she is drawn into her world of extravagence. Jacob isn't as excited about Evelyn's presence in their lives but I love that he always sticks by Nora. Evelyn wants to be a surrogate for their last remaining embryo. Thus, the favor. Good story. Total surprise at the end regarding the cloak.

This new release had me holding my breath for hundreds of pages. Would the flamboyant and generous uber-rich Evelyn, the surrogate and star of "Evy Does It" keep her word to hand over the baby to Nora and Jacob, the bio parents unable to carry to term. The lifestyle contrasts make a fascinating contrast. Then there is the haute couture and a mini mystery. My favorite character was Nora's stepmother Gabby. If you also read this one, you will know why. Absolutely LOVED this on audio.

Thank you to Orange Sky audio and Netgalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Nora is about to close up the vintage clothing shop where she works when a woman comes banging on the door looking for the perfect outfit. Evelyn is flamboyant and confident and after buying a lot Nora does a tally of how much she earned. Her and her husband, Jacob, have exhausted their savings in an effort to have a baby. Evelyn keeps coming back and seems to bond with Nora and Nora enjoys being around her but not used to the extravagance and the way Evelyn can throw money around. I don't think I really bought into the fact that they were great friends. Evelyn is larger than life, throws money around, paying Nora to style her clothes, and once giving her a cloak once owned by a poet that the two admired. When Evelyn offered to be a surrogate for Nora and Jacob it was a leap for me to accept that you'd do that for someone you have known for a few months and obviously she didn't need the money. At times I felt Evelyn was manipulative, monetizing her surrogacy on social media and at times shutting Nora out. But I kind of liked her, probably more than I did Nora. It was an easy read, kept my interest and just flowed to the end which might have felt a little rushed.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebook Landmark for providing me with a digital copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Adele Griffin & Sourcebooks Landmark for an arc of The Favor in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own & may not be reproduced.

This sweet story follows Nora who owns a high-end vintage dress shop. But at home, she and her husband are struggling to make ends meet and the fact that they may not ever have a family of their own. Enter Evelyn, an uber rich socialite who comes into Nora’s store. They immediately form a bond and become amazing friends. Then Evelyn decides that she should be the one to carry a baby for Nora and Jacob, which really tests the boundaries of their friendship.

Expected Release is June 13, 2023 and you need to RUN, now walk, to grab a copy ASAP.

For anyone who has struggled with infertility, this book will hit home. The characters were very well written so that you can resonate with each of them. This was such a heartwarming story that had me laughing, smiling, crying, angered – ALL the feels!!!

This was my first Adele Griffin read and she had me hooked from the very beginning. Her writing style flowed perfectly, the pacing was great and you can tell that she either really knew the content she was writing about or she researched it extremely well.

I’m definitely signing up for all future Adele Griffin novels!

4.5/5 Stars (rounded to a 5)

As I start to type this review, I find myself thinking that as far as I know, there are few books out there that address surrogacy (at least well-publicized books). In her Instagram posts, Griffin shares that she has personal experience with the surrogacy experience, and I think that comes through in this book. I loved the vintage clothes shop as a backdrop element to the story, and it definitely makes me want to look into buying more vintage clothes! I think the wealthy vs. debt laden dynamic was well done and added an extra element of tension to the plot. I had mixed feelings about the two female leads and how their relationship unfolded, but it did feel realistic (though at times frustrating). I think this book would provide many discussion points for a book club and would definitely recommend it for that purpose.

Nora and her husband have exhausted their finances pursing IVF. When Evelyn walks into the vintage designer thrift store where Nora works, they instantly become friends. But the friendship turns weird as Evelyn keeps paying Nora to help find her clothes among other tasks. Just as Nora starts questioning the friendship, Evelyn offers to be her surrogate. This book often left me uncomfortable and holding my breath. It felt like Evelyn was fully realized in Griffin's mind but it did not quite translate into words. Having said that, she would be an interesting character to dissect with someone else who has read the book.

The story of two women, Nora and Evelyn, and a chance meeting in the vintage clothing store where Nora is employed which leads to the women’s friendship. The plot revolves around wealthy socialite, Evelyn, becoming the surrogate for infertile Nora. Societal inequality between the two women causes friction and fissures in the relationship throughout the pregnancy. The huge twist at the end, while surprising and fitting to the story, felt out of character for Nora and as a result, like an afterthought.
Thank you to Sourcebooks, Netgalley, and the author for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Nora Hammonds works at a vintage dress shop, I'll Have Seconds, in New York. One night, just at closing time, Evelyn Elliott shows up and proceeds to buy everything in sight, including some antique books that Nora has found and scattered around just for atmosphere. Among them is a book of poetry by a long-forgotten mid-century poet, who had a relationship with the Elliott family. Nora and Evelyn are immediately bonded by their shared love of the poet's work, and Evelyn also likes Nora's sense of style, especially with these vintage jewels.

At home, Nora and her husband Jacob are drowning in debt, barely making the minimum payments on the credit cards they used to fund their many tries at IVF. For some unknown reason, Nora is unable to get pregnant and that is a constant sorrow, along with the concerns of their debt.

So when Evelyn starts texting Nora to find her the perfect costumes for her many society outings, and sends money to boot, Nora starts to see this just may be a way to finally get out of debt. Evelyn also seems to enjoy hanging out with Nora, and one night when they have both had too much to drink, Nora confides that they have one remaining frozen embryo, but are unable to come up with the money to hire a surrogate.

Months later, Evelyn announces she wants to serve as their surrogate, at no charge, because she had such an easy pregnancy and delivery of her only child years ago. Nora and Jacob at first are hesitant, but finally come around and Evelyn is implanted with their one remaining embryo.

But then, things seem to change. Evelyn has finally hired a full-time Assistant, and no longer needs Nora's help. And she is strangely distant, putting all her energies into a blog she has started about her adventures as a surrogate!!

It is hard not to like both Nora and Evelyn, and Jacob is just along for the ride. But what ride it is!!

I give this an enthusiastic thumbs up!!

I had heard so much about this book, I really thought I was going to fall in love with it from page one. Well, it is such a unique story I wanted to see where it went, but I wasn't captivated by it.

I thought it was strange how Evelyn came into the store where Nora was working and just stripped down and tried on all the clothes. It seemed an odd way to start a friendship - if that is what you want to call Evelyn and Nora's relationship.

I am a huge fan of stories about how people who deal with infertility, but this one was really different and hard to relate to. I could not relate to the dead poet and the perfume line - not sure how that fit in to the rest of the story for me.