Title: The Object of Your Affections by Falguni Kothari
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Two best friends rewrite the rules of friendship, love and family…and change everything they thought they knew about motherhood
Paris 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 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.
Review:
The Object of Your Affections by Falguni Kothari is an insightful novel of friendship, healing and new beginnings.
Paris Kahn Fraser is happily married to Neal Singh Fraser but due to her complicated childhood, she does not want children. However, knowing how important family is to Neal, she comes up with what she believes is the perfect compromise: pregnancy through a surrogate. They have narrowed their list of surrogates down to two women, but Paris is unable to choose which one she would like to use. But when she reconnects with her estranged friend, Naria Dalmia, Paris decides Naira is the perfect surrogate. But Naira is dealing with her own set of problems and she has a very conservative family who will not approve of acting as a surrogate. With changes in her immediate future, will Naira agree to carry a baby for her friend? And if she does, what effect with the surrogacy have on her friendship with Paris and Paris’s marriage?
Paris is an assistant district attorney who is very career oriented. Until meeting Neal, she never entertained the idea of marriage, but her love for him took her completely by surprise. Their marriage is quite passionate and Neal’s frequent travel allows her to concentrate on her job. She also enjoys being on her own but she is growing a bit concerned about the uptick in his time away from home. Although surrogacy is a little unconventional, Neal agrees to her plan. But how will react to her sudden decision to ask Naira to carry their baby?
Paris’s once close college friendship has never quite recovered from Naira’s inability to attend her wedding. Unbeknownst to Paris, Naira’s life in Mumbia was imploding at that time due to her husband ‘s arrest. Before his case was cleared up, he died which left Naira with a crushing amount of debt to repay. Eager to finally escape her brother-in-law’s ruthless attempts to extort money from her, Naira uses a college friend’s wedding to move to America. She wants to fix her strained friendship with Paris, but she is also hoping her best friend will help her restart the career she was forced to abandon. The two women quickly work through their issues but Naira is not certain she can agree to her friend’s request.
Paris’s surrogacy plan has no shortage of flaws but she refuses to abandon her idea. If her idea comes to fruition, how will her and Neal’s families react to their unconventional path to parenthood? And is Paris fully prepared for the major changes a baby will have on her marriage, her unresolved past and her career aspirations? If Naira agrees to surrogacy, what impact will it have on her plans for her future? And what how will it affect her relationship with her family?
The Object of Your Affections is a charming novel with a fantastic cast of characters and an engaging storyline. Paris can be a little annoying, but she is a very likable character. Naira’s inability to stand up for herself is frustrating yet understandable due to her background. Neal is a delightful rogue although a flaw or two would make him more realistic. Falguni Kothari brings this unpredictable but compelling novel to heartwarming and imminently satisfying conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this fascinating novel to fans of the genre.
