This is a moving story about friendship, infertility, and motherhood. For some, motherhood comes easy but for others it takes a lot more work. Griffin takes such care to dive into the different and difficult issues that come up when a couple very much want to have kids but aren’t able to. She writes from experience, and it shows. I would recommend this book about friendship and motherhood to anyone who enjoys those types of stories.

I wasn't very sure of the friendship that was at the heart of this book. It seemed very one-sided to me, even when one of the main characters decided to become a surrogate mother to the other. I felt like Nora was too in awe of Evelyn to be her real self around her, and I felt like Evelyn used Nora - first as a personal assistant and stylist; and then when Evelyn decided to become a surrogate, she didn't really consult Nora and her husband, she kept them out of the loop throughout the pregnancy, and used the whole situation to gain popularity on social media. I feel like the tables had turned somewhat by the end of the book, but I still would've like to see Nora stand up for herself more.

Overall, I liked this story, but was bothered by aspects of it. I did feel like it was a new and interesting take on female friendship and surrogate pregnancy. Thank you to NetGaley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this.

I’m so glad I was accepted to read this book here on NG. First time author for me but won’t be the last I read from her. I love the story of two very different women meeting that resulted in a friendship. There were some hard topics such as infertility but these topics are important and should be represented more. Heart-warming and engaging I truly adored this book.

I thought the idea of this book was definitely cute. I really enjoyed the fashion and the glamor of the world that Evelyn lives in and that Nora got to experience a little of. Having Evelyn carry a baby for Nora was something that you had to suspend reality a bit for. Just didn't seem likely. It was a fun and quick read.

This book covered a lot of issues … infertility and surrogacy; and emotions … unconditional love, friendship, and financial instability. While I could appreciate the high-end clothing store, the constant focus of the fashions and Evelyn’s wealthy life were a little too much. I didn’t connect well with either of the main characters and that left me wanting more from the book. But I could see how this book could offer lots of things to talk about for book clubs. So, it may be just the thing you would want to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Contemporary fiction novel centered around wealth inequality, friendship, and surrogacy. While working in a vintage clothing shop, protagonist Nora meets socialite Evelyn Elliot and is immediately drawn into her orbit. Their lives couldn't be more different, but they quickly form an unexpected friendship. Nora gets to experience a bit of the elite lifestyle that Evelyn enjoys, and she happily accepts the payments she receives from helping to style Evelyn. The money goes a long way towards reducing the debts that Nora and her husband Jacob had accrued in the process of trying to conceive. Then Evelyn offers an unthinkable gift: to be a surrogate for Nora and Jacob, giving them the baby they had longed for. But can the friendship survive this added stress? Pick up The Favor and find out.

I really enjoyed this novel. Had moments of both laughter and tears. It's easy to imagine falling into the orbit of someone like Evelyn. She's just so vivacious, though her privilege would be frustrating to deal with. There's such a big power imbalance between the friends, and I was afraid that Evelyn would take advantage of Nora. She may do so a bit, but it's also an honest friendship. Infertility does not make for easy subject matter, and I'm glad that the author found a way to deliver a lot of information in a compassionate way. My heart truly went out to Nora, and even to Evelyn by the end of the story, which is a sign of great characterization. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The Favor by Adele Griffin is a wonderful story filled with amazing characters. Enjoy!

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

Good story with sympathetic character s. Just not for me. A few triggers fir some. Thank your to NetGalley and the publisher

The Favor is a story of two women, both completely opposite from the other but also somehow able to find a common ground. It's a story of friendship and family, and keeping hope that things will happen at the right time. This is my first time reading Adele Griffin and I do look forward to reading more of her work. Infertility is such a heavy subject for many but this was written so well.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of The Favor in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars

I had a long review on Goodreads. I thought I posted it here too. I loved this book. When a story involves a surrogate mother you think you have some idea about what will happen. Not here! So good!

What I would kill for a friend like Evelyn... and not just because she's rich and could make my week in commission earnings with the wave of her hand... this book took me a few sessions to get into, but once I was, I could not put it down.

In all seriousness, "The Favor" is the story of Nora, who has unexplained fertility issues, and her new friend Everlyn. After only knowing each other a short while, Evelyn offers to be Nora's surrogate.

The book was well researched and was very sensitive to the topics at hand.

It also touched on friendship and social media, and how it can distort our view of people.

Overall it was a good read and I'm very thankful to Netgally and @adelegriffin for giving me an Advance Reader Copy

I loved this book about an unlikely friendship which included surrogacy. A fantastic story.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a fun quick read with interesting characters. It explores surrogacy, but also friendship and the power of both the wealthy and social media. Although there are not huge insightful takeaways, it is entertaining and fun...which is something we often need. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing a digital ARC for review.

This was my first by this author and I would be interested to read her next book.
I enjoyed this story, it was an interesting premise. I liked that the story was woman focused.

an unexpectedly great novel about two women and their unconventional bond.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

Thank you very much @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Nora has a good life in Manhattan, but she and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for a long time. She works in a very high end vintage store, and is shocked when a customer who becomes a regular offers to be her surrogate. Are there strings attached? How reliable is this rich and spoiled person? We follow the path of the pregnancy, and feel all of Nora’s anxiety. Even though this is a hard and serious subject, the book is fairly light. I wasn’t expecting much from this one, but did end up enjoying it. #thefavor #adelegriffin #infertility #vintageclothing #surrogacy #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday #netgalley #advancedreadercopy

I don't usually read books like The Favor, but I enjoyed this more than I expected. I found myself hoping the protagonist would get what she wanted even as I questioned her choices. The family dynamics, the realistic friendships, the stresses of life and the hopes and dreams for the next generation were real and wonderful, and the ending was satisfying.

Tried this book out as it was out of my normal genre and I got a widget for it. Wasn’t really for me. I think it was well written just isn’t what I normally go for.

Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @orangeskyaudio for a free download of the audiobook.

The Favor blends the themes of friendship, family, infertility and surrogacy in to a wonderful story. Nora sells vintage fashion and antiques in an upscale shop in Manhattan when Evelyn walks into the store. The two form a tight but odd friendship that makes Nora’s husband raise an eyebrow. Evelyn enjoys looking out for her friends and offering to help where she can…even offering to be a surrogate.

This book was a pleasant surprise and I was sad when it ended. I fell in love with Nora!

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #sourcebooks #orangeskyaudio #ltbreaderteam #thefavor #adelegriffin