Thank you net galley and the publisher for the early copy. This was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases and there aren't enough words to describe how upset I am that it didn't live up to expectations for me.

It started very strong and gradually went downhill. I loved Kat and her ambition and how author portrayed women in elite sport. Overall this felt like a safe book, touched on a few social issues but glossed over them fast. The book mostly focuses on a soapy drama and relationships, not enough on skating or technicalities.
The ending is what ruined it for me. Last 100 pages felt rushed, next to zero descriptions (especially comparing to the first part of the book) and just overall ending didn’t left much to chew on.
With that said I recognize this is not that type of the book so it’s more of a me problem. This is a brain candy and a perfect read by the beach. And it did not find me at the right time unfortunately.
The other issues that bothered me:
1. We all know what happened in Sochi 2014. Seeing author fully ignoring that event in the book seemed weird. I don't need a full account but it was shocking to not even see the offhand comments about it.
2. Also considering what happened in 2022 games (specifically skating discipline), the choices made in the book are extremely tone deaf.
3. As a last straw the presentation of “good russian” was weird and truly did not have to be included at all.

Considering this was a fiction book that included real life events, it felt wrong for me that author chose to ignore major events that have a ripple effect 10 years later.
Overall, I still had fun and i will not discourage anyone from reading it but I am providing my true and honest thoughts about the book.

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.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book was so immersive and vivid- I physically could not put it down!

A wild, toxic, all-consuming love story set on ice skating- Katarina Shaw is determined from a young age to win Olympic gold, after witnessing icon Sheila Lin do just that, at a time when she needed hope the most. When she meets Heath Rocha, a foster kid who’s never had a place to belong, they form a bond that will span decades. With very little resources and support, these two cling to each other and set off against all odds to achieve their dream (really it’s her dream- but he would do anything for her).

The trajectory of their lives change when they meet the Lin twins, ice skating duo and children of the iconic Sheila Lin, and are invited to train at their mother’s school. As they dedicate their lives to training for that Olympic gold, we see just how ruthless the competition, and they, can be.

The story is told by our FMC Kat, as well as through a documentary that has just come out ten years after all of the events that dives into the “Shaw & Rocha” story.

Characters you love and hate, toxic and found family, love, drama, betrayal, heartbreak, insatiable drive, glamour and the dark side of sports. You do not want to miss this one!

Pub date January 14th! Thank you so much @netgalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars rounded up

This was dramatic and all-around intriguing. I love following a toxic, ambitious main character over the course of many years, and seeing how her relationship to the sport evolves with life experience. If you like sports dramas, ice skating, the Olympics, and a toxic push-pull romance, with sometimes soap opera levels of drama, you’ll enjoy this.

I highly recommend this to fans of Daisy Jones & the Six (and TJR in general) for the format. It’s a mix of documentary/interview style transcript and first person narrative — which really lent itself to seeing situations from all perspectives.

Thanks to netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!

Layne Fargo’s The Favorites is a gripping, cleverly constructed novel that earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars. What stood out most was how the story unfolded like a documentary, with shifting perspectives and a narrative style that felt both intimate and cinematic. This unique approach made it easy to visualize the events as though they were playing out on screen, and it left me thinking how incredible this would be as an audiobook, with distinct voices bringing the characters to life. Throughout the book, the characters kept referencing a mysterious, seemingly explosive event in the main character’s past, which built up my expectations for something truly shocking. While the reveal didn’t quite live up to the hype, the journey there was undeniably entertaining, filled with tension, intrigue, and sharp commentary on ambition and loyalty. It’s a book that lingers with you, even as you wish for just a bit more from its conclusion.

An early contender for one of my top books of 2025! I immediately ordered myself a physical copy, to go along with my ARC.

This is perfect for anyone who loves books about competitive athletes, insights into Olympic/ pro sport teams, and for fans of TJR (there’s an aspect of Daisy Jones meets Carrie Soto).

Passion, drama, high stakes, big personalities - you feel every emotion alongside the characters. I was immediately sucked into the world of ice dancing - a sport I wasn’t even aware of, before I started reading.

The style of this book was also so well done - it’s primarily told from the FMC’s POV (first person), but between each chapter is a snipped of interviews from characters in present day, as they’re building a documentary about the story.

This is a book I’m going to be recommending to everyone know, and I won’t be able to stop talking about it for months. I’m already planning a reread before the 2026 Winter Olympics!

This book hooked me right away with its gritty, high-stakes dive into the world of competitive ice dancing—not to be confused with figure skating! Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha are childhood best friends and skating partners, both driven by rough upbringings and a shared Olympic dream. The premise felt fresh and exciting, like Daisy Jones & The Six but with ice-dance rivals and a tangled romance at the center. And as someone who doesn’t know much about ice dance, the sport seemed beautifully researched and felt like stepping into an entirely new world.

The format was one of the book’s highlights for me. The story alternates between Katarina’s perspective and interview-style narration from people in the skating world. It gave the book a documentary-like feel that kept things engaging and layered, especially in the audiobook, which had a fantastic cast bringing these voices to life. That part of the storytelling really stood out.

However, as much as I loved the setup and the first half of the book, things started to lose momentum for me around the halfway mark. The pacing dragged, and while there were some clever twists, they didn’t always land. The book teases Katarina as a kind of Tonya Harding figure, with hints of some shocking, cruel act—but when the reveal finally comes (very late in the book), it’s underwhelming. In fact, an event that happens earlier, around two-thirds in, would have made a stronger climax. The actual ending, while surprising, felt rushed and didn’t pack the punch I’d been hoping for.

Another issue I had was with the characters. While Garrett stood out as likable, I didn’t connect with most of the others—Katarina included. And Heath, who seemed like he’d have such an interesting story, ended up feeling underdeveloped because the format didn’t give us enough of his perspective. At 468 pages, the book also felt longer than it needed to be—there were moments where I found myself wondering why certain scenes were even included.

That said, I totally get why people love this book. It’s an ambitious and unique story that peels back the layers of a fascinating, cutthroat sport. The ice-dancing world is a phenomenal backdrop, and the interview-style narration adds an immersive, dynamic touch—especially in the audiobook version. While it wasn’t a personal favorite for me, I think fans of nuanced thrillers or sports dramas will find a lot to love here.

If you pick it up, I’d just say to temper your expectations about the twists and enjoy the ride for what it is. For me, it was a mixed experience—parts of it were absolute page-turners, but others felt like they missed the mark. Still, if you’re drawn to the dazzling, darker side of Olympic dreams, The Favorites might just hit the spot.

Thank you to Libro.FM for an early review audio copy and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions are my own.

Obsessed is truly an understatement. I had absolutely no clue what ice dancing was before this, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. The emotion I felt during this book, I had to put the book down and physically walk away NUMEROUS times on the verge of tears. The emotional turmoil of not wanting to end this story but needing to immediately know the whole story was whipping at my heart constantly while reading this. Heath and Katarina!! Soulmates is every way possible.

If I could use one word to describe this book it would be passion. Katrina’s passion for ice dance, Heath and Katrina’s passion for each other, passion to do whatever it takes to achieve one’s dreams. Katarina is such an incredible character to not only read about but read from (her POV). I loved the style that this was written in, the documentary sections made this novel even more thrilling to reading. Despite the flaws of each (and every one) of these characters, you can’t help but connect and resonate with some aspect of them, and that made this all the more thrilling and addictive to read. One page you love the characters, the next you hate them and then 5 chapters later you love them again. The inner war is so real, it feels wrong to say that these characters aren’t real people.


This book wrenched my heart out, shredded it to pieces, sewed it back up, and shoved it back in my chest all within 400 something pages. This was frustrating and jaw dropping and I will forever be thinking about this story. The Favorites has sank its class into my and I can’t see it leaving any time soon. Believe every good thing you have heard about this book because it is true (and then some!).

Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC!!

The things I would do to read this for the first time again. There’s a reason this book is getting so much love and hype — it’s because it IS that good!!! It is literally utter perfection. It’s a fictional story, but it felt so real. The interview style chapters really give you a feel to the figure skating world from the perspectives of people surrounding Kat and Heath.

The drama in this book is INSANE, but it’s exactly what kept me reading and made this book hard to put down. These main characters go through so much and I always found myself rooting for them despite their flaws and terrible decisions.

There is a romance element to this book, but I wouldn’t classify it as such. However, it is a beautiful story of two people who will forever be intertwined with each other no matter what.

This story has it all: family drama, sports politics, young love, scandal, self discovery, sabotage, triumph, tragedy, betrayal. The way all of these elements come together to create Kat and Heath’s story is just incredible. This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time.

I can’t wait to reread this one on audio because I just know it’s going to elevate this story to another level.

I absolutely loved this book! It hooked me from the very first page, and I couldn’t put it down. The format, similar to Daisy Jones & The Six, made it such a fun and engaging read. The story was fascinating, and the world of figure skating was so captivating—it felt like I was right there on the ice with them. I could totally see this becoming a TV series one day and if it does just know I will be sat. There was just one part that didn’t sit right with me and really made me mad, but overall, such good read and I just adore Katarina Shaw!

Shout out Netgally for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 🌟

I absolutely could NOT put this down - I was HOOKED. The drama, the betrayal, the obsession with each other and ice dancing? Loved every second of it. I knew nothing about ice dancing but now I’m ready to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics with a passion.

I had to stop myself from googling these outfits and routines because I forgot this didn’t actually happen. I felt like I was reading about something real and that was the best part of this whole book.

Gave me major TJR vibes because to me it’s a perfect mix between Carrie Soto and Daisy Jones. I did not see a few things coming and loved the conclusion of everything despite all the drama! Definitely huge on the found family as well, which I’m always a sucker for (that and toxic relationships - I will about these two things all day)

Layne Fargo’s The Favorites is an addictive, sharply written exploration of rivalry, ambition, and the complexities of female friendships, set against the backdrop of elite,
Ice skating. In it, we follow the intense dynamics between a group of skaters. As the story unfolds, we’re thrust into a whirlwind of loyalty, jealousy, and betrayal, all wrapped in a layer of privilege and social power.

What stands out about The Favorites is Fargo’s ability to craft a story full of emotional tension and drama. The stakes are high, and each interaction between the characters feels charged with both affection and resentment. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, which allows the reader to see the same events from different angles, making the story even more compelling. It’s a tale of power and obsession, where people both uplift and destroy each other in pursuit of their desires.

If you're a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work—particularly Daisy Jones and the Six—you’ll find a lot to love in Fargo's novel.
Fargo’s writing is direct, and it excels in creating drama that’s just as compelling as it is uncomfortable. You can’t help but get caught up in the manipulative power plays, the shifting alliances, and the moral grayness of the characters. It’s a page-turner in the truest sense, filled with twists that make you both love and hate the characters, which is exactly what makes the story so riveting.

So I should note this was absolutely my fault for choosing a book without reading the synopsis. I saw Layne Fargo and got too excited and so that’s the short version of how Alison ended up reading a sports romance - probably my two least favorite genres of books. Luckily Fargo’s compulsive writing and excellent characterization made it an enjoyable read.

In a shocking turn of events the two main male protagonists in this Fargo novel were the most likable. Katarina, Bella and Sheila have their moments but also have some insanely questionable decision making. Heath and Garrett ended up being like calmer wholesome ones as opposed to some of the icky men Fargo has previously written included in her tales.

The story moves along at a decent clip but at its core it’s still a sports romance so there was a lot of repeating elements throughout the story. A bunch of will they won’t they and then endless training and competitions , rinse repeat. I feel like Fargo does a great job at not getting too bogged down in some of those more monotonous sects of the story, but it’s still a fairly long book overall.

I expected this to be much cornier but it *is* a Layne Fargo so while it had some cinematic vibes there’s still a dark undercurrent and none of this book would fall in the fairytale section. I felt the ending was appropriate and appreciated the flawed protagonists as they navigated growing up with this unflinching pressure always surrounding them. Overall I don’t think I’ll go for any more romance novels, but this was a well written read and if you do like romance, definitely give this one a go.

First I’d like to thank Random House and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. It was spectacular . Think The Cutting Edge meets Wuthering Heights meets Daisy Jones and the Six meet I Tonya. My Michelle Kwan obsessed 9 year old self was screaming this whole novel. I think once it is released this will be a much beloved/ much talked about book of 2025. 5 full stars.

I was absolutely obsessed with this book- the characters, the skating, the format, the relationships... All of it. It was the literary equivalent to the tango the main characters performed in their ice dances. If you loved Carrie Soto is Back this just might top it. I'm sad I sat on this ARC for as long as I did - especially now that I'll have finished one of my favorite books of the year and it's only the first week of 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the early copy- I'll be acquiring a physical copy for my shelf as soon as it's released.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo
✨ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💃🏼 Vibes: Love & Ice Dancing
📕 If you like ______, you’ll like this: Carrie Soto is Back; Daisy Jones and the Six
📖/🎧 Read Type: ARC (thank you @netgalley, Penguin Randomhouse, and Layne Fargo!)
🐶(s): Finley & Willow, projected favorites if tail wagging becomes an Olympic sport.

In this Wuthering Heights inspired novel, the Favorites dives into the captivating world of figure skating/ice dancing duo Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. From childhood best friends to Olympic icons, their bond—fueled by shared trauma—has always been as intense as it was fragile. But just as they finally reach the peak of their fame, tragedy strikes, clouding their legacy. Ten years after their final skate, an explosive documentary threatens to expose the truth about their rise to fame. Told in a mixed media format, we follow both the documentary and Kat’s retelling of secrets she’s buried for a decade.

I was so conflicted (in a good way?) on how to rate this book because it has three specific plot points that I will DNF a book over. That said, it was absolutely a six star read, so now I’m in crisis. I could not put this down! I was a bit nervous because this isn’t the type of story I’d usually go for but They Never Learn was my favorite book of 2023 so now I’d read Layne Fargo’s to do lists. This was so much more than a sports romance; it's a captivating exploration of ambition, obsession, and the complexities of love and loss. The way the characters were all written to be flawed and compelling made the story relatable. Everyone has a Heath or a Kat (to some degree), and their tumultuous dynamic was both familiar and captivating. I am still in my feelings but 10/10 would recommend to anyone interested in character-driven narratives or stories about the price of fame.

The Favorites releases on January 14! 📆

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Layne Fargo’s The Favorites dazzles with its intense exploration of passion, ambition, and the razor-thin edge between love and obsession. Through the volatile partnership of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, the novel immerses readers in the high-stakes world of figure skating, where triumphs and betrayals skate hand-in-hand. Fargo masterfully balances the characters’ emotional depth with the glitz and grit of their sport, delivering a story that’s as electrifying as an Olympic performance. While the narrative’s twists echo the drama of its Wuthering Heights inspiration, some moments of exposition around the documentary framework feel slightly overdrawn, pulling focus from the central, fiery connection. Nevertheless, The Favorites is a breathtaking exploration of love’s ability to both save and destroy.

Layne Fargo, does it again

I mean, did we expect anything else?

I completely fan-girled out last year after reading “They Never Learn", and fell in love with Layne Fargo’s writing style. Right then, after concluding, I knew that Fargo, would join my list of "auto buy authors" .

I love the way Fargo throws us right into the chaos. The suspense is present early on. The character development is on point and each one of the characters come to life between the pages. The twist got my pulse racing and left me in pure shock.

This is a MUST READ for everyone who loves thrillers, suspense, and even drama.

Check out this teaser :

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, starring a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice

“Part Wuthering Heights and part Daisy Jones & The Six, this novel is as brilliantly choreographed as a gold medal performance and will keep you guessing until its last page.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here

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 roller-coaster 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. 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.

idk i’m conflicted on this one. these are some of the wort characters i’ve ever read. just so infuriating and lacked so so much communication for their ages. if all of the drama happens when they were younger i may have let it go, but doing this shit from 22-26 is literally insane.

Thank you to Random House & Netgalley for the e-ARC.

4.5 stars - I loved this! I can understand the comparison to Daisy Jones & the Six because of the interview style documentary, but The Favorites did it better in my opinion. The entirety of Daisy Jones was an interview whereas there was only a page or two of the commentary from the documentary at the end of most chapters in The Favorites. The rest of the book was told from Katarina's perspective, looking back on everything. I thought it was a very clever way to get multiple viewpoints while also understanding the true version of events through Katarina's eyes.

Katarina & Heath were obsessed with each other, and I was obsessed with them. I ate up their story and couldn't get enough of it. Almost 500 pages, and I probably would have enjoyed reading another 500 pages. It spanned over a decade, but I didn't feel like anything was lacking. On the contrary, so much happened. Twists and turns throughout the book, with the interviews giving us a sneak peek at what to expect to up the suspense. It was truly an addicting read.

This was an immediate five star read for me, but after sleeping on it, I'm subtracting half a star because of the - well, I wouldn't call it miscommunication, but non-communication between the MC's. It was frustrating, but not enough to sour the story for me. I went through heartbreak, shock, and so many more emotions throughout. The chapter cliffhangers really got to me - I just loved all of the drama. This will be a book I won't soon forget.