Member Reviews

π‘―π’‚π’‘π’‘π’Šπ’π’†π’”π’” 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 π’˜π’π’. 𝑰𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 π’‰π’–π’π’ˆ 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 π’π’†π’„π’Œπ’” π’˜π’‰π’Šπ’π’† 𝒂 π’„π’“π’π’˜π’… 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅. 𝑰𝒕 π’˜π’‚π’”π’'𝒕 𝒂 π’‘π’“π’Šπ’›π’†, π’”π’π’Žπ’†π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’˜π’† 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’•π’π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏. 𝑰𝒇 π’˜π’† π’˜π’‚π’π’•π’†π’… π’‰π’‚π’‘π’‘π’Šπ’π’†π’”π’”, π’˜π’† 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 π’Šπ’• 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔.

She captivated readers with the Chicago theater scene in TEMPER, delighted readers with her female vigilante English professor in THEY NEVER LEARN, and now she's back to dazzle readers with her upcoming release set in the competitive world of figure skating.

Because I am far removed from the world of competitive sports, the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding debacle of 1994 was my first glimpse into just how ruthlessly competitive that world is. In Fargo's tale, she's created a dynamic female protagonist, Katarina Shaw, who may not have a trust fund or the support of her family, but she makes up for it in her drive and ambition. As a little girl, when she sees Sheila Lin on the ice through her television set, gliding effortlessly into the hearts of the audience and the score sheets of the judges, she knows she wants the same for herself.

When she meets Heath Rocha, an introverted, quiet boy in the foster care system, they form an instant connection both on and off the ice. Heath matches Katarina's intensity, and the pair form a bond that allows them to leave their less than stellar lives behind and soar to fame. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their talent is genuine. They go all the way to the Olympic Games when a shocking event abruptly ends their partnership.

Interspersed with tabloid-style commentary from both various spectators and those directly involved in the rise and fall of the power couple, this was a totally immersive read wrapped in layers of ambition, sensuality, competition, ruthlessness, and desire. Highly recommended! Thank you to the author for my early read! At the time this review was written, this title was expected to release January 14, 2025.

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I have never been more excited to receive an ARC! I’ve been a figure skating fan since I watched the 1994 Olympics at seven years old, and I am a giant fan of ice dance in particular. I read Wuthering Heights right before I read The Favorites so I would (hopefully) fully grasp the themes of the book.

First of all, I loved the name choices for the main and many of the supporting characters; I love a sly nod to a classic!

Second of all, the Lin Acadamy reminds me of the current Ice Academy of Montreal: (many of) the top teams training alongside each other (although as far as I know, there is no somewhat-malevolent Sheila Lin-type figure at IAM!). It’s clear that Layne Fargo really did her homework on the sport of ice dance. That being said, you don’t need to know anything about ice dance to enjoy the book!

As for the characters, I could feel Kat and Heath’s passion; it jumped off the page. While Heath Rocha isn’t as malicious as Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights, he certainly engages in some, as one character says, β€œmessy and manipulative” behavior, β€œ[r]eal fuckboy shit” (truly a top-notch quote, by the way). Kat is every bit as fiery as Catherine Earnshaw (and maybe more so!).

The format of this book was so engaging. It flips between documentary-style interviews with other characters and Kat’s first-person point-of-view. While Kat and Heath are the stars of this book, the supporting characters are also fleshed-out and interesting. (I also appreciated how, like in Wuthering Heights, the weather is like a character in the book.)

I recommend this book to anyone who likes something that’s well-written and will keep you on the edge of your seat with lots of twists and turns. I definitely agree with Jodi Picoult’s comparison to Daisy Jones and the Six (and Fargo gives Taylor Jenkins Reid a shoutout in the acknowledgements!). I’ll be screaming about this one to anyone who will listen, and I expect it to be a BIG book of 2025!

Finally, Fargo’s acknowledgments are a must-read: she credits several skatersβ€”including two of my favorites, Jason Brown and Madison Hubbellβ€”for inspiring her. I just loved this!

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I simply ADORED this book! Loved loved loved it!!!! One of the best books I have ever received from NetGalley and Random House, so thank you!

If you are a fan of sports fiction, oral history format like Daisy Jones, drama, and a bit of romance this book is for you. The female MC Kat is strong and determined to get everything she ever wanted in professional ice dancing, and she won’t let anyone stop her. Even if that means hurting people she loves including Heath her partner.

Just read this book!

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Fantastic read that will easily be in my top 5 books of the year! This book is perfection! Not only is this a complicated, sexy, scandalous love story but also a deep dive, behind the scenes look at the world of the competitive elite sport of ice dancing. The ice dancing scenes are cinematic and the grit, raw ambition, stress, and obsession of the characters makes for an intense ride. I alternated between wanting to devour this book quickly to see what was going to happen next and savoring it slowly because I didn’t want it to end. The intermingled excerpts of the documentary interviews added to the tension and provided the perfect amount of foreshadowing. I connected so deeply with these characters, despite their many flaws and at times downright unlikeablility. There were several jaw dropping moments as well as chuckle funny parts that made this story sizzle. I absolutely loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I loved this book!! This was my first of Layne Fargo's books, and it did not disappoint! The Heathcliff x Cathy concept is right up my alley, and both characters were well-drawn -- and had great chemistry. I could have read 200 more pages of Heath and Kat breaking up/ getting back together/ torturing each other. Such a fun read!

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4.25 Stars ⭐️

I love the inner world of competitive ice dancing. I really found the elements of this story brought you into this inner space that few of us know about. The Competetion is so Intense and Winning is Everything.

So, begins the story of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. They met as children with a desire to skate. Yet, when they enter competitive competition both are young, naive, arrogant, and poor. Each will face much hardship and frustration in their desire for one another and to be the best. They finally get their big break and can train with the famous Ms. Lin, a Two Time Olympic Champion. Kat idolizes her, for she sacrificed everything to be a true champion. Heath is not as certain that he wants to move to Los Angeles and train with her and her two children, Bella and Garrett. Both are spoiled and have never known anything but a life of privilege. Yet, Kat sees this as their chance and Heath loves Kat more than himself. Yet, as both start to mature and understand the wonder of excelling and also the price of success, it will call into deep question their own love and passion for each other. This is not going to be a simple love story and an easy trip to the Olympics. Yet, it may be within reach. Ultimately, it demands a hard look at oneself and deciding what is really important in life. I felt the push and pull life demanded of these two and how that would be so hard at such a young age. I loved this story overall, loved learning about ice dancing, felt the passion, need for independence and dependence in such an insular world, and wanted both to have their dreams met. The story was a little melodramatic, but not much, as I enjoyed reading this book and did so quickly. It was a Gold Star Read for Me!

Thank you NetGalley, Layne Fargo, and Random House for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews for books I read.

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This book is a triumph! I knew, after a couple of pages, that I was about to read something really special. Pulitzer Prize worthy writing and storyline, and characters that leapt off the page and right into my heart.

This book will live rent free in my soul.

I thought about this book when I wasn’t reading it. I dreamed about these characters. I read six other books while reading this so this story would last longer in my head. I never wanted it to end. I wasn’t ready when it did end. I wanted more!

This novel encapsulates what it means to be human, on a visceral level, and that’s it. Everyone can relate to this story. We may not all be reaching for Olympic gold, but we all, at one time, have reached for the stars! Layne Fargo has richly captured everything we experience and evokes every single human emotion.

This is a saga about Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, spanning from the time they are 16 year old dreamers to 40 year old retired professional ice dancers. But it is So. Much. More! It is about all the β€˜in between’ years. We joyfully and agonizingly journey through the jungles of life where we watch them grow up. We grieve when they fall on their faces, when they experience the failures and betrayals. We celebrate over the wins and root for them when they overcome.

This book is EVERYTHING, and nothing will ever compare. I can’t wait to own a hard copy and read it again. It is so very, very good!

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on January 14, 2025 and is available for preorder NOW!

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I was drawn to this book because of the comparison to Heathcliff and Cathy, one of my favorite literary couples, and although Heath and Kat have their toxic moments, their story reaches a resolution Heathcliff and Cathy never did. Despite wanting to love this book, I found it to be just fine. The angst I hoped for between Heath and Kat didn’t quite hit the mark for me, though the issue might lie with my own expectations.

Kat, the protagonist, felt hard to connect with, she kind of comes across as overly competitive and cold. Although there’s some growth in her character, I didn’t feel she was as well-written. The repetitive interview-style chapters also became tedious, especially when each ended with vague statements that somewhat break the fourth wall.

The book’s pacing felt offβ€”introducing a mystery towards the end, which wasn’t given enough time to develop. I think it would’ve benefitted from either being shorter or focusing more on suspense earlier on.

That said, I did appreciate the complexity of Kat and Heath’s relationship. It’s not your typical romance, and their challenges make their growth, both individually and as a couple, more rewarding to witness. While it didn’t fully resonate with me, I can see others really enjoying this book so you may love it!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

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Any time I'm reading a synopsis and I see the name Heath (followed by a Kate, Kat, KATARINA), I automatically ask: Is this a Wuthering Heights reimagining? Answer: Yes. Every time. πŸ˜†

Although Fargo infuses creativity into this version of Cathy and Heathcliff's turgid love story, overall the plot feels shallow and really soapy. I just didn't find Kat and Heath to be fully formed characters in their own right and their chemistry felt derivative. The inserted documentary transcripts initially added some drama but gradually just created anxiety with its blatant foreshadowing.

You do not need to have read Wuthering Heights beforehand, but it will be useful to have some knowledge of the sport of figure skating.

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Raw and intense, more an experience than a book. A deep dive into the ultra competitive world of competitive ice skating - the drive, struggles, physicality, betrayals and manipulations to the top. Tense and emotional, so primal that you feel the emotions as if you are there. Highly recommended.

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Wow! What an another amazing novel by Layne Fargo. I greatly enjoyed They Never Learn and was cautiously optimistic about The Favorites since it was a different genre then the authors last. I really enjoyed the Favorites. It did read more Fiction then Romance. I can see why previous reviewers have drawn similarities to Daisy Jones and The Six. The story felt realistic, messy, and addictive. I do recommend!

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I really loved this book. I loved the set up with the documentary and everyone giving their opinion and then diving back into the actual things that happened. All the characters were great even when they were acting terrible and I just really loved the ice dancing setting and everything related to it. I loved it and will be recommending it to everyone.

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Not your typical sappy romance all tied up with a bow and I loved it. Could not put it down.
Katarina and Heath are our β€œfavorite” ice skating couple with big dreams. Kat thinks they have a shot when her Olympic idol decides to train them. This couple risks everything time and time again to try and achieve that Olympic gold.
Fantastic character development…I found myself cheering for the favorite skating couple and hating all the obstacles that got in their way. I loved their version of a happily ever after, not perfect but content.

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Katarina Shaw wants Olympic Gold. Starting at a young age, Kat dreamed of following in the footsteps of legends and showing the world her figure skating abilities. Kat began her journey in a gloomy home with a brother raising her. Her father believed in her and left their family in debt upon his passing to support her dream. Kat meets Heath Rocha in their small world outside of Chicago. Together the two become a power duo full of life and hope. Watch their rise to stardom and the falls they face along the way.

A documentary is currently interviewing people who know the Golden couple, each with their own thoughts on their lives. Who do you believe in a world so ran by media? At the end of it all, what matters more? Everyone has an opinion on Katarina Shaw, but what does she think of herself.? When Kat breaks her silence after ten years, she's ready to tell her story, from the good, bad, to down right heartbreaking, buckle up for all the duo's heart wrenching tales.

Layne Fargo stepped out of her norm with this and was deeply rewarded. She created a story built on people who are just that people. Kat, Heath, Garrett, and Bella have personalities and you truly feel for them throughout the story. They put themselves in the limelight but all handled that pressure so differently. This gave Daisy Jones and the Six vibes. Bursting with triumphs, downfalls, backstabbing, gossip, and realness, Layne Fargo built a story that immediately grabs attention and begs to be read without stopping. I absolutely enjoyed this book in its entirety. Plus the cover is just stunning. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I cannot wait for the release in January.

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THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo grips the reader in a tight hold from the first page and doesn’t let go until the thrilling end. This novel combines Katarina Shaw’s perspective on her and Heath Rocha’s ice dancing career along with an effective oral history format that gives others’ insider perspectives into a complicated skating dynasty. It publishes January 14, 2025.

I was β€œall in” on ice skating in the 1990s and early 2000s, like a huge segment of the country. The 1994 feud between Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan spurred many of us to be glued to our TVs and become enamored by the beautiful skating. This novel gives many vibes similar to those of DAISY JONES AND THE SIX but set against ice dancing instead of music.

In this fictional story that takes elements from the ice dancing world, Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha meet early in life, and they both don’t have role models. They just have each other. They are scrappier than the other ice dancing couples, including Garrett and Bella Lin, who are the twins of ice skating legend Sheila Lin. When Sheila Lin takes Katarina and Heath under her wing, they move to the upper echelon in skating with more resources and coaching skill at their disposal.

Part ice dancing manifesto - with play-by-plays of many competitions, from Katarina’s as well as other insiders’ perspectives - and part interpersonal drama, I was glued to this novel from the first page. The main characters were fascinating along with the characters that give commentary on each performance in a documentary interview style. I think if you’re like me and have seen several ice skating competitions, this will pull back the curtain on a world that is very intriguing.

While a little longer than the typical novel, I didn’t feel the length at all and had to find out if these ice dancers attained their ultimate victory, given all the obstacles and frenemies in their way.

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I am truly left in awe of this figure skating drama. It's my pick for my best read in 2024.

I was a figure Skater for 9 years and a coach for 1. I felt all the highs and lows of this book. I know the butterflies in the stomach while you take the ice, nearly blacking out most of your performance and the blur of leaving it all in the ice.

I was not the classic figure skating body type. I had to work hard for my axel and solo spots. The spirit of un-belonging and scrappiness to get to the top was perfectly mingled with deep desire and passion.

I gasped, I nearly cried, I closed my eyes at one point out of fear of what may be next and I literally cheered..out loud, to the fear of my cat, dog and husband. There were moments I was tempted to look on YouTube for these performances only to remember Layne Fargo created all these moving scenes.
Shaw and Rocha will be forever my favorite fictional Ice Dancing team.

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I absolutely loved this Wuthering Heights retelling set in the world of competitive ice skating. The characters are so well developed and Fargo does a great job of showing us their flaws without making us hate them (except when we're supposed to, lol) I was already a fan of this author and this book solidified her on my auto buy list.

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This was absolutely riveting. Layne Fargo never disappoints, and this was no exception. This was twisty and fun, with lots of drama and scandal. I'm fascinated by the world of figure skating, so this was a win from me!

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5 freaking spins. 5 twirls. 5 gold medals. 5 stars. I AM REELING!! The Favorites is a chaotic story filled with scandal, rage, revenge, love, lust, and fiery characters who WILL DO ANYTHING TO WIN!!! Brb as I go back in time to become an ice dancer. WHEW LAYNE CRUSHED THIS!!! It has been so long since I’ve been hooked from the get-go. The story switches from Kat’s recollection of events to interview-style summaries from other characters AND MAN DID I EAT IT UP! I felt like I was living the highs and lows of Heath and Kat’s Olympic journey WITH THEM! Now, don’t let the cutesy coupley cover…this is not
written as a romance. Yes… there is love. But if you look closer, this is a story of two people who have given EVERYTHING for the chance to stand on a podium.

Kat is a hard girly to root for. She makes questionable decisions. She hurts people. She gets hurt by people. She cracks under pressure. She rises from the ashes. BUT YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE HER!!!

PLEASE READ THIS WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE!! I WILL BE BUYING A PHYSICAL COPY IMMEDIATELY β›ΈοΈβ˜πŸΌ

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If you are remotely a fan of any of the following - ice skating, competitive sports, the Olympics, cut throat competition, and a jaw dropping love story, get this book on your TBR list.

Let's harken back to the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding skating scandal of "94, but this time we'll change the Olympic sport from womens figure skating to couples ice dancing and jump forward a decade. Our main characters this time are a teenage couple from Lake Forest, IL, with stars in their eyes. Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha want nothing more than to become Olympic champions.

Katarina (Kat) suffered the loss of her mother when she was just 4 years old. She found solace that very evening as she watched TV and saw Olympic skating star, Sheila Lin, take the gold. Kat decided at that very point that she, too, would some day be an Olympic champion. Her situation is not ideal. She does have the talent, the drive, the grit; however. her circumstances now see her living in her family's run down home on the rural Lake Michigan shore with her older, alcoholic brother as her guardian after her father's untimely death. Her skating partner, Heath Rocha (himself coming from numerous foster family situations), resolutely believes in her...and in them.

The saga plays out taking them to California to train, in fact to Sheila Lin's now famous Skate Academy. What ensues is a plethora of victories, of defeats, of break-ups, of make ups, of scandals, of disgraces, and of glories spanning their lives from sixteen to forty.

This is a book about dreams; it's a book about the cut throat world of amateur and Olympian sports and what one would do to reach those top levels. It's about revenge and about finding oneself. Along the way, we meet so many more colorful characters - the judges, the journalists, more skaters, coaches.

The timeline and POVs played out so well in this story. It is told as a flashback mainly through Kat's eyes, but interspersed, we have chapters in almost television interview dialogue shedding more light on the characters from people from Kat and Heath's past (some who wanted them to succeed, some who did not).

The story is sometimes scandalous, sometimes exhilarating, and sometimes scintillating. Thank you, Netgalley and Random House, for this dazzling ARC that hits shelves Jan 14th.

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