Two best friends rewrite the rules of friendship, love and family…and change everything they thought they knew about motherhoodParis Kahn Fraser has it all—a successful career as an assistant district attorney, a beautiful home in New York City, and a handsome, passionate husband who chose her over having a family of his own. Neal’s dream of fatherhood might have been the only shadow in their … the only shadow in their otherwise happy life…until Paris’s best friend comes to town.
Naira Dalmia never thought she’d be a widow before thirty. Left reeling in the aftermath of her husband’s death, all she wants is to start over. She trades Mumbai for New York, and rigid family expectations for the open acceptance of her best friend. After all, there isn’t anything she and Paris wouldn’t do for each other.
But when Paris asks Naira to be their surrogate, they’ll learn if their friendship has what it takes to defy society, their families and even their own biology as these two best friends embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.
Wry, daring and utterly absorbing, The Object of Your Affections is an unforgettable story about two women challenging the norms…and the magic that happens when we choose to forge our own path.
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Sometimes, you want a book that will both entertain AND make you think. Falguni Kothari’s stories deliver on both counts. This book is by turns funny, challenging, insightful, and bold. Issues about what defines good friendship, wife-ship, and woman-ship make for a tale that covers a lot of ground, includes a hot Scottish-Indian baron (husband), and nimbly pirouettes across cultural, familial, and social fault lines, all without losing the sense of the characters as people we root for while they cope with the cards they’ve been dealt. Falguni Kothari is an author to watch… and enjoy.
I loved My Last Love Story so I jumped on The Object of Your Affections – and it has the same sweetness and sadness. I enjoyed the characters awkward and sometimes heartbreaking efforts to muddle through a surrogate pregnancy, friendship and marriage.
I love that the author kept me guessing the outcome until the very end. These were untraditional characters and I never knew what they would do next. I like surprises.
I found this to be a very interesting read, because (at least for me) it was a new story line. Ms Kothari introduces us to the main characters (best friends/husband) and uses the theme of childbirth to delve into their story, friendship and culture/traditions.
It was interesting (and easy) for me to see how easily circumstances can stress out relationships and where the story goes eventually is (I thought) left up to the reader. Reminding us that sometimes life often offers very little in the way of/if any answers/solutions, the best we can hope for is to hang on to what we value and work towards the best outcome.
I thought the characters were all well round and believable, I especially liked Paris (oh, oh). I found Paris Kahn refreshing, strong and very human. She reminded me of the meme “those who think they got it like that are annoying to those of us who do”.
I can recommend this as a definite read that while not perfect is engaging and entertaining …
First read by this author and a really enjoyed it- a departure from my normal read. The main characters are best friends Paris and Naira. They are reunited at a friend’s wedding. Paris is searching for a surrogate and Naira is searching for a new start in NYC after fleeing India following her husband’s death. The story is full of rich cultural and family traditions. A great reads for fans of the romance genre.
The Object of Your Affections is a unique and thought provoking look at surrogacy. Although I at times struggled with Paris(I think mainly because our beliefs are so different), I came to love her along with Naira and of course, Neal. I would love to see a sequel about their lives as the twins grow up!
Would you be a surrogate for your best friend?
A book centered around this question?! I mean, sign me up! These two friends GO THROUGH IT. Just imagine all the complexities involved in the relationships within this book. I really enjoyed this thought provoking book!
What a wonderful book about love, family, friendship and motherhood. It was well researched and the subject matter made me reminisce about my own experiences with surrogacy. The characters were true to life and the emotional reactions the author has written about their experience were spot on, in my opinion. Overall a unique story about the challenges of beginning a life of co-parenting and the strain put on friends and families learning to live with this modern situation. I loved this book SO much! Well done Ms. Kothari!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Object of Your Affections” By Falguni Kothari, Graydon House Books, February 19, 2019
Falguni Kothari has written a unique, intriguing, dramatic, entertaining and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present,and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or the events in the story. Falguin Kothari describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, and complicated.
I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friendship, marriage, relationships, communication, love and hope. I love that Falguni Kothari presents some unorthodox and unconventional ideas to the story. How refreshing!!
Paris appears to have it all. She is an attorney, and has a handsome, sexy, wealthy creative husband, Neal. They live in New York City. Paris made it quite clear to her husband that she doesn’t want children. As a compromise, she agrees they can use a surrogate. That is not as easy as it seems.
Naira and Paris had been the best of friends, until a misunderstanding. Naira is now a young widow and has many responsibilities back in India. When the two reconnect at a wedding, Paris has what she feels is a wonderful idea, and an even better idea who the surrogate should be.
Can this “modern type of family” work out? There is some humor and quirky family members and traditions. I would highly recommend this delightful unusual novel for those readers who enjoy a thought-provoking story. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I loved traversing cultures, friendship, family and all the angles of love that weave through this story. Among all the controversy and the pressure in their lives, these two friends show us the universal power in female friendship.