The Favor

A Novel

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Pub Date 13 Jun 2023 | Archive Date 30 Jun 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark

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Description

From National Book Award finalist Adele Griffin, an insightful and warmhearted story of two very different women who make an unexpected connection when one decides to carry a baby for the other.

At I'll Have Seconds, a high-end fairytale vintage dress shop in Manhattan, Nora Hammond loves nothing better than pairing a rare find with the perfect client.

At home, Nora grapples with the bleaker reality of enormous debt, a tiny apartment, and ever-dwindling hope that she and her husband Jacob will have a family of their own.

When socialite Evelyn Elliot charges into Nora's life, the women spark an immediate connection, and Nora is jettisoned into the heady whirl of New York's moneyed elite. As Evelyn's stylist and confidante, Nora needs to learn all new rules of engagement for the uber-wealthy. But it isn't until Evelyn decides her next cause is to carry a baby for Nora, that these rules— and this unlikely friendship—are tested.

A contemporary story that celebrates alternative routes to family, The Favor is an incisive examination of what it means to long for a child and what relationships cost us—and what they're worth.

From National Book Award finalist Adele Griffin, an insightful and warmhearted story of two very different women who make an unexpected connection when one decides to carry a baby for the other.

At ...


Advance Praise

"A celebration of the unexpected paths and lasting power of female friendship….a gem of a book" ―Rebecca Serle, New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer

"Adele Griffin is a compelling new voice in literary fiction." ―J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of Friends and Strangers

"Beautifully written and charming and funny and real." ― Jennifer E. Smith, bestselling author of The Unsinkable Greta James

"A wise and sparkling story about how we connect and where we belong." ―Jenny Han, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series

"Warm, bright, and funny. I cheered for Nora every step of the way." ―Abbi Waxman, author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

"A celebration of the unexpected paths and lasting power of female friendship….a gem of a book" ―Rebecca Serle, New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer

"Adele...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781728264059
PRICE $27.99 (USD)
PAGES 352

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 16 members


Featured Reviews

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.

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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.

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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...

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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.

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