Layne Fargo's The Favorites is an absolute triumph, a dazzling and utterly addictive read that deserves every single one of its five stars. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the complex and compelling world Fargo creates within the realm of elite figure skating.

This isn't your typical sports romance. Fargo delves into the dark side of ambition, the messy complexities of human relationships, and the often-destructive nature of obsession. The characters are brilliantly drawn, flawed, and utterly unforgettable. Katarina Shaw is a force of nature, a protagonist who demands your attention and refuses to be easily categorized. The dynamic between her and Heath Rocha is electric, filled with both intense passion and simmering tension.

What truly elevates this novel is Fargo's masterful storytelling. The narrative weaves together past and present, using a compelling documentary-style format that adds layers of intrigue and suspense. The pacing is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds.

The Favorites is a masterclass in character development, atmospheric writing, and gripping storytelling. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. If you're looking for a read that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, look no further. This would also be a great read for any fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book is a must read- five stars! I also suggest the audio- fantastic listen!

This book was quite the ride! It had just enough delicious drama to keep me guessing what was going to happen next.

I started this book with just my eyes, but ended up finshing it by listening to the audio as well. And I must say the audiobook elevated the story even more for me! So good!

It's been almost 15 years since I've read Wuthering Heights, but I was still able to appreciate the allusions and references to that classic novel.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this book.

What a WHIRLWIND

Already a fan of figure skating, this book was the messy, angsty, absolutely invigorating story of my dreams

Pacing, writing style and characterization all on point

Layne Fargo you are now an auto-buy author to me!

I truly enjoyed this novel; the characters were well-developed, and the engaging plot made it a great read.

I was really excited for this book after seeing so many people loving it. It did not disappoint. I really enjoyed it.

Okay I can see why everyone was raving about this book. The story just really grabs you by the neck and doesn't let you go. You can't help but be sucked in to Rocha and Shaw's complex drama. This book definitely gave me big Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes so I would highly recommend it if you're a fan of her books, especially Daisy Jones and the Six!

In "The Favorites," Layne Fargo delves into the exhilarating yet tumultuous world of competitive ice dancing through the lens of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. Their deep-rooted bond, forged amidst shared childhood struggles, transforms them into a formidable pair in the spotlight, igniting both passion and dramatic pitfalls. Fargo intricately weaves their journey from childhood sweethearts to beloved champions, highlighting how their chemistry not only captivates audiences but also complicates their personal lives.

As the ten-year anniversary of their final performance approaches, an unauthorized documentary threatens to unravel the truth of their past, prompting Kat to reclaim her narrative. Fargo skillfully exposes the contrast between public perception and personal reality, showcasing how the scars of their tumultuous history shape their identities. This narrative invites readers to reflect on the complexities of legacy, love, and the often-hidden truths that define our stories.

Fargo’s writing is both lyrical and sharp, balancing moments of triumph with deep introspection. "The Favorites" transcends the realm of ice skating to deliver a powerful testament to ambition and resilience, illustrating the enduring struggle to define one’s legacy on one’s own terms. This captivating tale lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

You will like this book if you like: sprawling epics of destiny that read like a gossip mag, the feeling of reading Daisy Jones & The Six for the first time, and the hunt for ice dance Olympic gold ⛸️🥇

BOOK: The Favorites, by Layne Fargo

I was looking forward to this book but for some reason, it just didn't grab me. I know others will like it so I will recommend it and try and revisit this book at a later time.

I enjoyed this book! It reads a bit like a young adult novel based on the early part of the book. It kept my attention and had me wanting more.

I know what the cover looks like, but this book was about Olympic ice dancers and it was fabulous! Kat and Heath take you along on their tumultuous journey from kids to adult Olympians and all the bumps along the way. I love the Olympics so much, so this one had me hooked pretty quick. It is written a little similarly to Daisy Jones and the Six’s documentary format but with narrative chapters that follow. I highly recommend if you love Olympic drama and an all around good story.

a thrilling tale of passion, lust, jealousy and competition. I loved the competitive nature of the ice skating world and really loved the two main characters and their love story

I am a big fan of Layne Fargo so I was ecstatic to get read The Favorites. I was hesitant due to the plot but I loved it, and wouldn't really change a thing! She is a must-read!

<i> Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!</i> (3.5/5 stars).
To start, this is a positive 3.5, I really enjoyed The Favorites, but I felt like it needed a little something more to truly stand out. It follows childhood friends Heath and Kat through their journey from small town kids to ice dancing (essentially figure skating) competitors. We follow the duo through not only their skating journey, but their romantic and personal journey too. The format of this book is a lot of fun, as it has "interview" sections sprinkled throughout to mimic a documentary about the pair as outside perspective to contrast Kat's narration. It definitely has pieces of Daisy Jones & The Six, which Fargo mentions as inspiration in her author's note.

This book reads like a dramatic TV series filled with twists, turns, and well... drama. But none of it really was too surprising to me. Maybe because Fargo stayed so tightly in this figure skating world, the shock moments felt predictable (somewhat mirroring real world events, somewhat because there wasn't much room for her to explore or branch out). The only major mystery for me had an underwhelming reveal. The pacing was good, but the book felt like it dragged a bit in order to tell Kat and Heath's full story. There were points where I felt like the story could have finished and was surprised there was still more book left. The toughest part was that the book focused on the childhood experience of Kat, Heath, and their peers for a long time in the beginning. This set the tone to be more YA-friendly, and that tone carried throughout the book. I wish Fargo pushed herself to make the feeling more adult. Overall though, the writing was good and the characters were really well developed. I enjoyed this read and would definitely read another from Fargo.

I wanted to love this more but honestly it didn't hit for me like I thought it would. I think maybe the style of it? I might need to try the audio.

This Wuthering Heights-inspired story shows the cost of ambition and success. Cat and Heath (she, a figure skater with her eye on greatness; he, a reluctant figure skater who'd do anything to stay close to Cat) have grown up together, and nothing can come between them. But as her training grows and everything she's ever wanted feels more and more achievable, Heath becomes the cost she has to leave behind.

Revenge, jealousy, and attraction run rampant throughout this book. Even knowing the plot of Wuthering Heights, The Favorites packs some hidden surprises.

As a huge Layne Fargo, I was desperate for this book! I am sickly obsessed with They Never Learn. I adored the collab for Young Rich Widows. Layne Fargo has the ability to grab emotions and twist them while you squirm. I read an article recently about how The Favorites was a departure from her thriller writing yet, it had a grip on me.

I believe in negatives first: I don't like love stories or codependence. I don't read a lot of authors due to that disinterest. So if it hadn't been for this being a book by Ms. Fargo, I'd never have read it. The codependence of Kat and Heath in the beginning was sickly sweet. I was tempted to skip forward.

At times the book seemed to go on forever. I kept waiting for some actual drama or scandal... But the plot just kept on going...

I expected more from Lee, his character was so basic, so "Midwestern". I expected more yet, it was pretty exacting.

Garrett Lin at times was a baseline character. However if he was "normal" it showed how over the top everyone else was. But he wasn't normal. And truthfully, you see how Famous Professional Athletes act, how different was Kat's attitude? Or is it purely sexism?

The missing 3 years - it was predictable where he went but not what happened.

The 3 is company plot was odd.
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Both Heath and Kat's codependence dissipates as they get closer to the Olympics. They start to become stubborn in their choices and realize that their passion isn't on par with their desire for Gold. As they gear up for The Last Time, I was utterly confused as to who the villain was. I will say I was shocked!

Positives:
I'm not sure why reviewers dislike Kat, she is tough as nails and stays completely in her lane. I found her impressive and professional at the height of Paparazzi.

Ultimately, while this is a departure from Layne Fargo's other books, it was really good. It did seem to go on forever though. I still am not interesting in ice skating or ice dancing, but I do find myself impressed by the dedication of the athletes.

Another reviewer said that Heath is the winner in the story. I'm inclined to half-agree. After Japan, Heath completely changed and he seemingly discovered that he was in control of his own destiny and he was an Adult. And he could be his own family. now that he had money. Heath got all the money, fame and family.

Ultimately, the winner (IMO) are the Lin Twins. They got to re-write their stories and move past their lineage and expectations. Bella got to lean into her passions and Garrett was able to let go and be himself.

This book is my favorite read of 2025 and it’s gonna take a lot to knock it out of first place. This book was so addictive and the messy in the best kind of way that I could not put it down and I recommended to everybody. There’s times where you love and hate all the characters and it’s done absolutely beautifully.

4.25/ This was so entertaining and so toxic. I was invested as this jumped from scandal to scandal and was rooting for Heath and Kat even though they're absolutely awful together. The ending was heartwarming.

ANGGGGGGGSTYYYYYY READDDDDD. If you want angsty, this book is the one for you! One of the best read this year and the way it had me hooked is insane