Set in the world of glittering, gruelling ice dance this story has as many twists, turns and spins as a four minute ice dancing programme. With a nod to the passion and darkness of Wuthering Heights (all the names and pseudonyms) the narrative sweeps along with addictive success.

This book will be very high in top of the best books read in 2024. The characters, the drama and the idea of ice dancing all make such a great combo that I just didn't want to get to the end of the book. The book deserves a movie that's for sure. I am so happy that in December Goldsboro has a special edition of the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Favourites

Thank you @laynefargo and @netgalley for providing me with a e-copy of this book to read and review!

Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha are childhood best friends turned world famous Olympic ice dancers. Known for their unique routine style and the turbulent drama that always seemed to follow them; this documentary-style x Interview-style book tells all for the first time. Details shared on the final time Shaw and Heath took the ice, and the devastating routine that shook the ice dance sport.

This book is in the same gripping, twisty format as books similarly, but not the same as ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ and ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’. With multiple character interviews and input, gossip, drama, twists, plots and so much more.

I stayed up until 2:40am reading this book - I could not stop turning the pages. Kat’s character is so complex…she is perceived in such a different way to how I took her true personality. She is just a woman with dreams trying her hardest to get where she wants to be.

The romance aspect of this book is so sad, it builds you up, to tear you down, to rebuild the broken pieces, to then rip up the foundation…but it is all worth it; Heath is as complex as he is talented.

All of the characters are so definable and have their own voice through words. This talented author is able to personify a whole person through interview excerpts and it really feels like you are following a documentary and these people could be on the TV screen in front of you.

Touching on some and delving into other areas of sport politics, it is the truthful tale of some less than glamorous aspects of young athletes.

Truly unforgettable, unputdownable and a story that seems devastatingly realistic - a must read!

Layne Fargo is an author of "The Favourites". Amazing novel coming out on 16th of January 2025 is definitely going to be talked about.
Combination of Carrie Soto and Daisy Jones showing rivalry on and off the ice skating ring. It's a story of passion, lust, betrayals and behind the scenes of many athletes and their journeys.
When I was reading it I felt like watching documentary and was immersed into the story from the very first pages. My only regret was that it only lasted me for 2 evenings as I couldn't get enough of it. What I loved about it most was that it wasn't just your typical childhood sweethearts story but a real life experience with ups and downs and a lot of in between.
To all of the future readers - you're in for a treat
Huge thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for providing me with the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Easy 5 🌟 or deserved gold medal for @laynefargo

I loved this book. It would make a fantastic film. I felt like I was there with the characters. It had me hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I read this book in 24 hours. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This was a great, extremely fun read! Loved the documentary style and the drama of the highly competitive world of ice dancing (which i knew nothing about prior to this).

The Favourites - Layne Fargo ⛸️🩵
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The EASIEST 5 ⭐️ I’ve given in ages. Oh my GOODNESS!!! I absolutely adored this book - it was full of scandal, drama, tragedy and the most stunningly written on again, off again romance you could ever witness. I can say with 100% certainty - this will be a bestseller & you’re going to want to read this 📖
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Katarina is strong willed, determined and fiery - she is going to win Olympic gold, no matter what it takes. Heath loves Katarina, and if it takes becoming a world class ice dancer, at the expense of his own identity to keep them together, he’ll do it.
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The Favourites follows our two main characters, along with their friends, foes, coaches and competitors on their route to becoming Olympic medalists. I was enthralled from very early on and desperate to know what became of all of these characters I grew to love so quickly. The book having multiple timelines (first person vs. a documentary with multiple interviewees) made for great reading, and meant every character got their moment to weigh in on the story of Heath & Katarina.
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From a personal perspective, I have a background in dance, having danced competitively until I was 18, and can appreciate the competitive environment the characters are written into. I’m no ice dancer (broke my wrist skating earlier this year!), but I can say with certainty that the trials and tribulations of a competitive performer have been captured immaculately in this book 🩰
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Layne Fargo has written a masterpiece - truly. It’s like Daisy Jones and the Six met Wuthering Heights and had a modern sports-romance baby & I can’t wait for this to come out in the new year so I can get my hands on a physical copy!!🫶🏻
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Huge thanks to NetGalley & Random House for giving me access to this ARC, and thank you to @laynefargo for writing such an amazing book - I can’t wait for the world to read this ⛸️🩷

I fear I’m going to be the dissenting voice on this book!

Despite really looking forward to picking this up, it just didn’t do it for me I’m afraid.

I enjoyed the documentary style format but I didn’t really ‘feel’ the heat with Kat & Heaths relationship and I found the whole high and lows of competition and the falling out and making up got a bit repetitive.

Overall, an OK read for me but sadly didn’t hit the heights I was hoping for - maybe my expectations were too high?

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

I picked this up before bed the other night thinking I would just read a couple of chapters to get a feel for it. Well, the first chapter grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go, and I finished it in a day (and stayed up way too late reading).

We follow Katerina and Heath through their tumultuous relationship. I’m not really interested in winter sports or ice skating, but I was riveted. The pacing is lightning fast and the storyline is so dramatic. I’m so appreciative for the ARC, because I don’t know if I would have picked up this book otherwise, and I’m so glad I did.

I would absolutely recommend The Favourites to fans who like high drama stories.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a fan of ice dancing, documentaries, angst, and drama? Add childhood sweethearts and the relentless drive to win at any cost—then "The Favourites" might be just what you're looking for!

Having grown up watching ice dancing (mainly because my country had a strong couple competing), I’ve heard stories about the shady and volatile world behind the scenes. This book pulls back the curtain, giving a fascinating insight in that type of high-stakes environment.

The story follows Katarina and Heath, who meet as children and grow up together. Heath becomes a skater because Katarina needs a partner, and their journey spans decades—full of victories, betrayals, and a love that endures, even through the most difficult moments. The narrative unfolds like a documentary (think "Daisy Jones and The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid), with different characters offering commentary alongside Katarina’s story that is told in real-time. The stakes are high from the outset, making for an intense read!

Reading this book was like being on an emotional rollercoaster (which, for the record, I hate!). I wanted to throw my book across the room* multiple times due to the intense twists and frustrations. The characters are complex and, in many ways, unlikeable, yet I found myself respecting Katarina for knowing exactly what she wanted, even if it meant hurting others. While I’m not a huge fan of angst and drama, "The Favourites" drew me in just enough to keep reading—and I’m so glad I did. It’s one of the most memorable stories I’ve read in a long time.

If you’re into winter sports, reality TV, and twisty, well-written narratives, I highly recommend giving this one a try!

4.25/5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

*Ebooks are harder to throw across the room

So fun, and absorbing! A little clunky in places but you don't mind because the plot is pacy. For fans of Daisy Jones & The Six for sure!

4.5 ⭐️

This book had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. This is unlike anything I’ve ever read. I was so immersed in the story, that I read this book in basically one sitting.

It’s a gripping tale of pride, revenge, betrayal, love, and loss, and I was spellbound from start to finish. Deliciously scandalous, I devoured every word!

Katerina Shaw was unapologetic about her desires. I loved that the author didn’t shy away from showing us the good and bad. The chemistry between Heath and Kat was intense and palpable, I couldn’t stop reading! The way the dances mirrored the ups and downs of Shaw and Rocha's relationship was brilliant. I found myself rooting for them, even when I probably shouldn’t have! 😂

I really enjoyed this and I highly recommend it 🤍

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for the e-arc

The Favourites by Layne Fargo follows Katarina Shaw who wants to become an Olympic skater. She meets Heath Rocha and develops an instant connection with him. They both cling to skating but at the Olympic Games an incident destroys their partnership. Ten years later, a documentary tells the story of Shaw and Rocha. Kat has the chance to say what really happened after the childhood sweethearts fell.

This was okay but I honestly just didn’t love it like others have. I just didn’t get the hype around Shaw and Rocha. I think this was too long and I was bored for quite a bit of this. Plus some of the documentary sections added nothing to the story. That said I do think this is reminiscent of many books involving fame. This most reminded me of Where Are You Echo Blue? by Hayley Krischer in terms of the tone.

Wow!!!!… Amazing… Absolutely fantastic, unputdownable… Kept me on the edge of my seat and then on the edge of my bed until late at night as I just could not put it down!!!… Perfect… Addictive, page turning… I LOVED it

I can’t remember the last time I loved a piece of contemporary fiction as much as this.

As someone who loves watching figure skating, I was so excited to get my teeth stuck into the drama of the skating world and this didn’t disappoint. Seeing the two of them grow up together and then apart was everything I wanted.

The relationship between the two of them is brilliant - I also loved the way it was written. It gives me Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes but in the best possible way.

I didn’t want to put it down and i immediately started it again once I finished to see if I could squeeze anything else out of it, I loved it that much.

Came for the drama, stayed for the characters.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

This was much more literary than I was expecting! I thought the romance and the characters were very convincing, and it offered a fascinating glimpse into competitive figure skating. It reminded me a lot of Challengers (the movie).

I am pleasantly surprised by this!
As someone who loves Wuthering Heights, I was curious to see how this book was influenced by it and I want to say I had a good time with this book.
Felt all the emotions and I think this book will be a massive hit!

This book is absolutely stunning. The drama was immaculate, the suspense and the tension and characters were perfectly crafted. The plot was executed brilliantly. This book is perfect. This book was like a documentary playing out in real time. I loved the different characters and how their personalities shone through the interview format. Layne Fargo is such a brilliant author and her writing and storytelling is on a league of its own. I can't wait for readers to get their hands on this book in January 2025.