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sunshine608's review
4.0
Full disclosure: Sometimes, when I start a new book on my Kindle, I don't recall what the synopsis is about, and often times after I start reading, it will come to me why I purchased/borrowed/requested a book. That for sure happened here. At first, I thought I was reading about a dress shop, but then I got sucked into the best kind of story.
A Favor lives up to its title- a story about a very unlikely Favor. Nora and her husband have been struggling to have a baby. Left with debt from failed IVF attempts, she ( and her husband Jacob, a lot more begrudgingly) turns to a favor unlikely option for an even unlikelier source.
I often feel that I can figure out what a book is about and how it will end within the first few minutes, but this story was very different in a good way. I was curious about how this would turn out. There were lots of red flags, and I was curious as to why Nora had a blind spot about Evelyn and why she continued to befriend her, and why her husband was a little passive, but I found that to be very realistic and part of human nature. I didn't like Evelyn, and at times she felt unreal, but that was part of the allure of Nora. I think that is what I liked about the book- the characters felt imperfect and flawed, which made some aspects of this book seem realistic. I did like the little glimpse into the influencer role with Evelyn ( and the lives of the very rich). I also like how Nora's character approached infertility. As someone who has also struggled, I enjoyed her emotions regarding the various situations in her life ( her co-workers and best friend).
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this title.
A Favor lives up to its title- a story about a very unlikely Favor. Nora and her husband have been struggling to have a baby. Left with debt from failed IVF attempts, she ( and her husband Jacob, a lot more begrudgingly) turns to a favor unlikely option for an even unlikelier source.
I often feel that I can figure out what a book is about and how it will end within the first few minutes, but this story was very different in a good way. I was curious about how this would turn out. There were lots of red flags, and I was curious as to why Nora had a blind spot about Evelyn and why she continued to befriend her, and why her husband was a little passive, but I found that to be very realistic and part of human nature. I didn't like Evelyn, and at times she felt unreal, but that was part of the allure of Nora. I think that is what I liked about the book- the characters felt imperfect and flawed, which made some aspects of this book seem realistic. I did like the little glimpse into the influencer role with Evelyn ( and the lives of the very rich). I also like how Nora's character approached infertility. As someone who has also struggled, I enjoyed her emotions regarding the various situations in her life ( her co-workers and best friend).
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this title.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
A touching and often humorous women's fiction story that sees an ultra wealthy NYC socialite slash influencer offering to help a couple struggling with infertility by being their surrogate. I really enjoyed the unexpected heart in this book about unexpected friendships and the over the top kindness of a lonely rich woman.
Good on audio read by a quickly growing favorite narrator of mine, Kristen Sieh and recommended for fans of books like The new person by Loretta Nyhan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
Good on audio read by a quickly growing favorite narrator of mine, Kristen Sieh and recommended for fans of books like The new person by Loretta Nyhan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
shannonsbookcase's review
3.0
In my true style, I picked this book based on its beautiful cover so I went into it blind. While I enjoyed the story itself there were just parts of that I just had a hard time with. To be totally honest, there were times when I had thoughts of DNF’ing but I am glad that I didn’t.
Nora & Jacob struggle with infertility and are saving up for their last attempt for in vitro. While working at the vintage resale shop, Nora meets Evelyn, an eccentric socialite. They quickly become friends and Evelyn offers to be the surrogate for Nora.
As much as I enjoyed the social media aspect with Evelyn and how she graciously offered to be the surrogate, I just couldn’t get past what a truly entitled, awful person she really is. The way she just threw money at Nora commenting that it was for the baby fund and knowing how important it was to her. The way she put the baby at risk was truly selfish, especially when the baby is not hers!
While I did not like Nora as a character when she was around Evelyn, I truly felt terrible for all that she endured. The author did an amazing job conveying all of those emotions. I could feel the emotional roller coaster that Nora was on - the not knowing, the lack of communication/miscommunications. I could especially feel Jacob’s frustrations!
Even though this wasn't fully my cup of tea, I look forward to reading more books by Adele Griffin!
Ⓦⓗⓐⓣ Ⓘ Ⓛⓞⓥⓔⓓ:
✨️Beautiful cover
✨️I’ll Have Seconds, the Vintage Resale Shop
✨Even with the struggles, Nora was able to get her happy ending
Ⓦⓗⓐⓣ Ⓘ Ⓓⓘⓓⓝ’ⓣ
✨️How Nora seems to change how she acts around Evelyn
✨️How Evelyn “bribes” Nora to do stuff for her
✨️The pacing was a little off throughout the book
CW: Infertility, Surrogacy, Pregnancy Complications
Thank you to @netgalley, @sourcebook for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
maralyons's review
4.0
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 Kristen 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.
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 Kristen 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.
jshettel's review
3.0
Given the reviews I read, I honestly thought this was going to be much more of a psychological thriller. It was not. Really just a story of friendship, relationships, and the choices people make.
seachell1's review
4.0
The Favor by Adele Griffin is a book about relationships. All types of relationships: friendships, partnerships, marriage, parenthood, family. This story is centered around and her newfound friend and eccentric millionaire Evelyn. Evelyn can give Nora and her husband the gift of something they have struggled to have for years. I really enjoyed this story and the characters that Ms. Griffin develops in the year or so this story takes place. The main focus is the surrogacy storyline but I really enjoyed the other offshoot storylines as well.
Overall a beautiful read.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.
Overall a beautiful read.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.
jessyam's review
4.0
4.5/5 stars!
After finishing The Favor, I can definitely say that this book wasn’t quite what I expected. I thought it was going to be a breezy read and tell about love and friendship and relationships through a surrogacy. It felt more like a thriller and I honestly was on the edge of my seat at some points.
I felt like I immediately connected and resonated with the characters - which can be hard for me to do sometimes. I was immediately locked in to Nora, who has always longed to be a mother even when it puts her and her husband, Jacob, deep into debt. When Nora, who works at an upscale resale shop, meets rich socialite Evelyn, her life takes a big turn. After months of what some could call a friendship, Evelyn offers to be a surrogate for Nora’s baby.
As surprised as I was with where the book led me, I really enjoyed the ride. I loved the writing style of the author, I loved the plot, I loved many things about this book. It was one that I had a hard time putting down, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking of it.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley, and the author for the eARC!
After finishing The Favor, I can definitely say that this book wasn’t quite what I expected. I thought it was going to be a breezy read and tell about love and friendship and relationships through a surrogacy. It felt more like a thriller and I honestly was on the edge of my seat at some points.
I felt like I immediately connected and resonated with the characters - which can be hard for me to do sometimes. I was immediately locked in to Nora, who has always longed to be a mother even when it puts her and her husband, Jacob, deep into debt. When Nora, who works at an upscale resale shop, meets rich socialite Evelyn, her life takes a big turn. After months of what some could call a friendship, Evelyn offers to be a surrogate for Nora’s baby.
As surprised as I was with where the book led me, I really enjoyed the ride. I loved the writing style of the author, I loved the plot, I loved many things about this book. It was one that I had a hard time putting down, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking of it.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley, and the author for the eARC!
marisae's review against another edition
4.0
Unexpected friendship and surrogacy and infertility. This book kept my attention and was a light read that deals with some heavy topics. I enjoyed the unexpected plot twist at the end.
linsliterarylove's review
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
What I read did not match what I was expecting but that made it a pleasant surprise. I loved the characters especially Evelyn with her eccentric come at ya like a hurricane personality. The Favor truly touched on the beauty of friendship. Surrogacy is a huge and intense gift to give someone and I loved that Evelyn agrees to do so for her new friend, Nora’s baby. I really enjoyed this book.
What I read did not match what I was expecting but that made it a pleasant surprise. I loved the characters especially Evelyn with her eccentric come at ya like a hurricane personality. The Favor truly touched on the beauty of friendship. Surrogacy is a huge and intense gift to give someone and I loved that Evelyn agrees to do so for her new friend, Nora’s baby. I really enjoyed this book.