A timeless story of fertility, surrogacy, friendship, family and growing up while dealing with all the "stuff" that is thrown at you. As messy as true life, heartwarming in places and entertaining till the twist at the end. Loved the characters, plot and even the ending - even though it left lots unfinished and maybe an opening for a sequel.

Nora works at a second hand store that carries some high end items. She's barely making ends meet with the bills she and her husband have. They have also been trying for a long time to have a baby, and things just aren't happening the way they want.

Enter Evelyn, a major socialite and social media star. She drops in one day and buys more than 10K in clothing and purses. Evelyn and Nora start up an unusual friendship that turns into something more that neither really expected.

I was very interested and entertained the first 30% of this book. Although it seemed to slow down for me and didn't have enough punch to the plot to keep me super engaged. It was a decent read but not one I'll remember.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance e-copy of this book.

I did not enjoy reading this book. I stopped after a few chapter DNF.




**************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.****************************

Nora and her husband Jacob want a baby. They've exhausted almost all of their options and are down to their final embryo. They want to find a surrogate, but it's so expensive and they are saving a much as they can. Enter Evelyn Elliot, an ultra-wealthy woman who enters the shop Nora works at one night. The two woman form an unlikely bond, and Evelyn decides she wants to carry their baby. As they traverse the ins and outs and subtleties involved, both women are tested beyond what they expected.

I loved this book. I read most of it with a bit of trepidation, since I was sure it was going to turn into a thriller and we'd be in the middle of a "where is the baby?!" scenario, but I honestly couldn't put it down. The feelings of Nora and her husband were so raw and they were so vulnerable. It was hard to read sometimes - I was so sure they were going to be disappointed and I'd be heart-broken for them.

This is an excellent book that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available June 13, 2023.

This lovely book dives into the struggles of infertility, debts and numerous trials and failures associated with it, strong female friendship and hope against hope

~ All the characters were beautifully written and the ending is going to leave you feeling happy and content

~ I loved the MCs Nora and Evelyn and the evolution of their friendship through trusts, honesty & forgiveness. I was intrigued by Evelyn's eccentric and compassionate personality

TW: Infertility

Nora loves finding the perfect vintage fit for all her customers, but when Evelyn drops in and spends a ton, Nora immediately feels connected to her. The two form a friendship and over time Nora shares her inability to get pregnant. Knowing they don’t have the money for a surrogate, Evelyn offers to help them out.

This book was not what I expected but I really ended up loving it. I can’t imagine how it would feel to have someone else carrying your child, and knowing that you really have no control over how they chose to live their life while pregnant, or what they will do when the baby comes. This was a beautiful story not just of surrogacy, but of friendship, even in the hardest of times. Infertility is obviously discussed, but I thought it was done really well, so while I recommend not reading if thats a big trigger for you, I really appreciated how well written it was.

I loved every second of this!! A perfect beach read, great characters, enough twists and turns to keep me reading with breaks only to sleep! I look forward to reading more by Adele Griffin. Truly well written and exceptional got it’d genre.!

Nora and her husband are experiencing the financial strains of having been through multiple courses of IVF. Now her male co-worker at I’ll Have Seconds, a Manhattan high-end vintage dress shop has announced that he and his husband are expecting twins via a surrogate.

When a multi-millionaire named Evelyn comes into the shop, Nora spins her magic finding multiple pieces perfect for her. The two get on famously despite the differences in social class and Evelyn begins paying Nora to find her unique pieces. The extra money begins allowing Nora to pay off some of their debt. Eventually, the relationship grows to the extent that the two begin socializing together.

Then Evelyn offers to be Nora’s surrogate for the one remaining embryo. After careful contemplation, Nora and her husband agree and begin to dream of their long-awaited child. Evelyn decides to track and monetize this journey on social media. Her jet-setting lifestyle continues as the pregnancy progresses. Then a break in trust between the two women starts to threaten everything in their relationship.

What an interesting story of social class, friendship and trust! The Favor is propulsive and suspenseful with messaging surrounding trust. The characters are well-developed with interesting backstories. The story flows logically and the conclusion satisfying. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Literary Fiction or Women’s Fiction.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Nora Hammond works at I'll Have Seconds, a high-end fairy tale vintage dress shop in Manhattan, and her and her husband struggle with debt and live in a small apartment. When socialite Evelyn Elliot comes into her shop, they make a connection. Evelyn is used to getting what she wants and after seeing what Nora could do, she wanted Nora. Nora agreed to help her part-time, and we start to see the differences in the two women. As their journey continues, feelings change, relationships change, but they continue to follow the journey they are on.
It will keep you reading, because like your own journey, you just want to know what is going to happen next.
It has the highs and the lows, the feelings that they are having, and it will bring us to where it feels like, something is so different here.
I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley. I read what the book was about, but I sure was surprised at the depth, Adele Griffin took us. This was my first book I have read by the author and I was impressed with her writing.

I think this book is a very interesting concept. A chance meeting leads to a connection. One that crosses two worlds. Nora is in so much debt, but dreams of one day being a mom. Something that hasn’t happened yet naturally, luckily, they have one last hope of having their own child. Evelyn has everything. Money is no issue; they jet set around the world on the drop of a hat. When Nora and Evelyn start to build an unlikely tenuous friendship, Nora tells Evelyn about her pregnancy issues, and that they were hoping to use a surrogate on their one last egg. Evelyn asks if she can carry the baby. Yet can this friendship not quite friendship withstand bringing a new life into this world.
I think this book really highlights the concept of how much do we know people? Is taking such a risk worth going through. How would you feel if an almost stranger offered to carry your child, but didn’t want any type of payment, or formal legal document in place. Could you really trust that they would do what was best for the child, and would they really hand the little one over at the end. You have two such different people and ideals on life and how to grow a human. How do you go about making sure your interests are protected while still respecting the surrogate and their life? There are still so many concepts I am still rolling around in my brain with this book. I don’t know that I could have done what Nora decided to do. Yet knowing I might finally have my biggest wish, maybe I could have. This was an interesting book and I think a great one for book clubs.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Adele Griffin and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Favor. This is my personal review.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am grateful I got to read it. I will now look for other books by her.
As I started the book, I had a good idea of what to expect but the further I read the more I saw it had a depth to it that I did not see coming.
The characters were written so perfectly that they all fit together. I wanted to get to know more about Nora and Evelyn as they grew closer together.
This is a perfect beach read. Publication date is June 13.

The Favor is a beautiful story about two women from different spheres who find an instant kinship from a chance encounter. Nora and Jacob desperately want a baby, but have had no luck conceiving. Nora meets Evelyn at her job at an upscale consignment store and they immediately bond over similar taste. Evelyn comes from family money and is dazzling and impulsive. Evelyn decides to be Nora's surrogate. I really enjoyed the relationship between Nora and Evelyn. I liked reading how their relationship evolved throughout the book. It was a very heartwarming story despite the ups and downs in any relationship. There is also a bit of fashion and decor, with sumptuous descriptions. I listened to the audiobook, which was perfectly narrated by Kirsten Sieh. She's one of my favorite narrators because her voice is so warm and emotive.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ebook / audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was a book that I really enjoyed reading. It's a very interesting take on modern life.
The book was well written and engaging. I loved Nora and Jacob as characters and was wholeheartedly rooting for them. Can't say as much for Evelyn- her character left me cold and shaking my head about the evils of too much money.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the vintage clothing in the store where Nora works.
I also enjoyed the truthful story of infertility and how it might play out in the modern world. Gloria truly captured my heart as a neonatologist. (Spoiler)
This was a quick read as I could hardly put the book down.
Congratulations on a book that will appeal and educate the current generation of parents in waiting!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC to read in exchange for a honest review.

This is a fantastic read. The author has knocked it out of the park with this book. It has a little of everything from friendships, problems, to victories.. This story will warm your heart and invoke tender feelings for the couple that longs for a child of their own. A stranger ends up saving the day and the end will shock you. The book was so good I couldn't stop reading it. I was given an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley and wanted to share my thoughts. You won't be disappointed!!

I enjoyed how The Favor explored the female friendship between Nora and Evelyn. Issues of trust, power imbalance, and compassion are explored and I liked how it made me think about my feelings on each. When Nora meets Evelyn, she is immediately feels connected and is drawn to Evelyn. So when she gets the opportunity to become closer to her, she jumps at it. The difference in the woman's social situation is striking. This would be a great book club read to discuss the way the relationship changes overtime and how it impacts Nora and her husband Jacob's lives. The character of Evelyn was incredibly interesting to read. Her motivations, and personality were hard for me to fully nail down. The author handles the topic of infertility and surrogacy in a kind and clear way.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I also really love the cover, I think it is beautiful. This is a story about the rich, friendship, fashion, surrogacy, and the struggles that surround infertility. I wasn't a huge fan of Evelyn but she was a product of her environment and I don't think I could really blame her for how she acts. It started out slow but really picked up about 25% in. It could be a difficult read if infertility is a struggle for you, but the beauty and troubles with surrogacy are written in beautifully. I really enjoyed seeing how different things affected the different characters and their relationships with each other. The ending was also an added little bonus of fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5538427075

When someone gives you a gift or does a favor for you, what do you owe them in return? The Favor seeks to answer this question, but it is also a character driven story of friendship, family, and love.

Nora Hammond works at I'll Have Seconds - a vintage thrift clothing store. She has longed for a family of her own with her husband Jacob. They have tried everything, and as a result, are in deep debt. In swoops Evelyn Elliot, a wealthy socialite and heiress. Money is no object for Evelyn as she sees Nora's talent for styling and tailoring the vintage clothing both women love. Their acquaintance grows into a friendship. Their growing relationship puts Nora at odds with her husband as he points out the vast difference in their lifestyles. Despite their differences, they get along like sisters and find common ground in their love for art, culture, and clothing.

I really enjoyed this novel. Deeper questions on morality, class, loyalty, and money are examined, but the story itself is heartwarming and makes you think about what really matters in life.

Nora and Evelyn are both sympathetic characters, and the theme of giving and receiving favors is strong throughout the story of their friendship. I also loved all the vintage fashion, Nora's styling sessions and the shop I'll Have Seconds. Evelyn's lavish lifestyle and influencing career are as fun for the reader as they are for Nora. The supporting cast of friends and family lead to well-wrought emotionally charged situations that accurately convey the anxieties of infertile couples and how love truly carries us when we need it to.
4/5 stars to this compelling addition to women's fiction.

This story was incredibly heartwarming, well-researched, and funny. I found the characters quite nuanced and multi-faceted, and I actually enjoyed both of the main leads immensely.

I have to admit that this book wasn't what I expected it to be, and I wouldn't say it's up my alley at all. However, I'm happy I read it, especially because it tells such an important story about friendship and womanhood. I was scared where the plot was going and afraid i wouldn't like the ending, but it was all a pleasant surprise.

I didn't know a lot about surrogacy and the entire process of it prior to reading this, but I think this book handled it quite well and respectfully.

The highlight for me were definitely the characters, as well as how the author subverted our expectations of who is usually the surrogate in the real world. All in all, this was very enjoyable!

My initials perception of this book was that it was going to be a book about being a surrogate, and it was that; however, this was an unexpectedly great and heartwarming story about two very different women who make a connection..

Nora lives as a polar opposite in her simplistic lifestyle with her husband Jacob. They have suffered ups and downs with infertility leaving a mountain of debt. When Evelyn throws money right and left to Nora for nonsensical items and jobs, she realizes their friendship is more about Evelyn taking her under her wing out of love.

The story has a whimsical Cinderella story, but Evelyn takes it to another level when she offers to carry a baby for Nora and Jacob. A beautiful women’s fiction delivering so many laughs and tears. I was intrigued by Evelyn’s personality and her compassion, yet she keeps the story on edge with what she is going to do next. Kudos to this gifted author who has two books as National Book finalists.

Thank you to Adele Griffin, NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest and unbiased review.

This is the first book I have read by Adele Griffin. I was excited to start it and it dove right in. The book follows Nora, who 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. A very rich Eleanor, 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. This book is a story about unlikely friendships, unconditional love, found family, fertility struggles, and surrogacy. Fertility issues are real and are a real struggle, this helps a little to explain some of the pain and struggles surrounding with emotions as well as financial strain. The book definitely looks at the risks and worries involved with infertility and surrogacy in a more realistic way. Some parts of this book simply fell flat for me unfortunately. Some of the characters were very frustrating at times, particularly at the beginning. Although I liked that the chapters were nice and short, I felt like some scenes dragged on a bit while others, especially the end, could have been elaborated a bit upon. I do appreciate the opportunity to review and provide feedback. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.