This book was insane. So entertaining, full of drama, betrayals, secrets, angst, tension. It reminded me of some of TJR’s books, like Daisy Jones and Carrie Soto, which I LOVED so I loved this. I love following famous people whether they’re singers or athletes and the things that come with their lifestyle. From page one I was hooked and fascinated by Katarina’s character. This book was never dull, never slow, never boring, and I found myself picking my kindle up whenever I could to get some pages in. I loved the layout of this book with the fast paced short chapters and then interview style commentary from other characters. These characters are so frustrating but so real, so you find yourself connecting to them and hoping for the best for them anyways. The character growth was also so good and exactly what I needed from these characters. So good, so drama filled, so full of tension. Highly recommend grabbing this THE DAY IT RELEASES January 14!! I’ll definitely be doing a reread on audio. Thank you Random House for the arc!!

This book is very interesting as it is a women's fiction about a love story/relationship that spans time and life experiences between them and things in between. Both the fmc and the mmc are complex characters that met each other when they were kids, became inseparable and developed a friendship. The FMC's goal is to be an Olympic skater and she and the mmc start skating together and that leads to the start of their skating career.

The way the book is structured is cool because the beginning of the chapters are done like an interview/documentary-style story. The relationship between the fmc and mmc starts off as a childhood sweetheart story and then once other characters get into the picture it becomes toxic as their careers improve and they get in the limelight. We see toxic friendships, getting in with rich families, breakups, revenge and it's intriguing. I think the writing was good and within the span of these characters' lives, I saw the effects of the spotlight on the relationships and how spiteful it made the main characters. At points in the book I was like all these have acted horribly lol but the character development was great and they did grow in realistic ways. Overall this was good its a relationship at the core of this story but there's a lot more to it.

Thank you Random House for this arc for an honest review.

(4.5) Addicting, captivating and down right bingeable. I went in with the tiniest of knowledge and was immediately engrossed in the story. The format of this made it hard to step away from. I have no doubts most reviews will mention its likeness to Daisy Jones and the Six and my review is one of them. It does have the similar story format and I've been itching for another story like that since I read it so this was perfect. Fargo made me care so deeply for these characters that their every up and down was deeply personal to me. Even at their most frustrating (and there was a lot of that) they had me wrapped around their fingers hanging on their every action. I don't know anything about ice dancing but man did I feel like it was my favorite sport while reading this. The passion and intensity was just so good. This is bound to be popular after its release date and I can’t wait to see what people think!

Thank you to the publisher for the early access!!

Katarina Shaw is absolutely one of my favorite characters of all time, and I loved this Wuthering Heights meets ice dancing culture epic that reads like a thriller!

Heath and Katarina have been inseparable since childhood, when Kat's father took guardianship over Heath, a lonely foster kid. After her father passed, her older brother tortured Heath, and Kat and Heath snuck around, finding solace in each other. Katarina is entirely sure she is meant to be an Olympic skater, and she and Heath hone their skills at their small town's rink. As their skills progress, their journey through the cut throat world of Olympic figure skating morphs their relationship in irrevocable ways, magnifying Heath's consuming need for Kat, and Kat's unyielding, singular motivation to win an Olympic gold.

Told over years of their lives, the story of two scrappy, rebellious childhood sweethearts unfurls through Kat's perspective, and the transcripts of a documentary created about the two of them. Will their fiery, passionate relationship take them to the highest heights or run them into the ground?

Every now and then, I read fiction that's not a thriller that floors me and engages me in the way thrillers do, and The Favorites falls in that category for me. I have never burned through an almost 500 page book so quickly! I thoroughly enjoyed Layne's voicey narrative, her exploration of viciously ambitious women, and the high stakes drama of figure skating. The documentary sections keep the pace moving along, while also providing amazingly snarky monologues that had me laughing out loud a few times. (If you've read it, you know why I want an Ellis Dean in my life).

It's truly a work of art, the way Fargo creates such a deeply layered cast of characters who all ride satisfying story arcs, while providing an unflinching look at both the allure and cost of ambition. I loved living in Katarina Shaw's world, and was surprisingly emotional by the end of it.

My comps are really specific in why they are comped:
- The documentary storytelling and complex relationships between a group of people over a long time period reminded me of Daisy Jones and the Six
- Kat's singular obsession with getting that gold, and the media's response to a ruthlessly ambitious woman reminded me of Carrie Soto is Back
- Kat's unflinching obsession with skating and winning, and the complex relationships between a set of skaters reminded me of the movie Challengers (Zendaya's part in Challengers came to mind so often for me with Kat)
- The hyper-competitive setting of skating and conversations about women's bodies reminded me of Bodies to Die For

All of this said, just PICK UP THIS BOOK. It is absolutely my new go-to recommendation for people who read any genre.

Like Daisy Jones & the Six, but in the world of ice skating. Layne Fargo is a true gem for creating this beautiful, hear-wrenching story.
Full Review to come.

Layne Fargo’s latest novel, The Favorites, has set the bar incredibly high for my reading year—and it’s only January! This stunning story revolves around childhood best friends whose relationship deepens into something more, all set against the high-stakes, emotionally charged world of figure skating. Fargo masterfully balances heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, crafting a journey that is as raw and emotional as it is unforgettable.

The character development in The Favorites is simply extraordinary. From the protagonists to the supporting cast, every character feels real, multidimensional, and alive. You’ll find yourself deeply invested in their stories, rooting for them, aching with them, and celebrating their victories.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would—it deserves 100! This novel is destined to be a favorite among book clubs, sparking meaningful discussions about love, ambition, and the complexities of growing up. I just finished it and am already planning my reread because it’s that phenomenal.

Having read several of Layne Fargo’s works, I came into The Favorites with high expectations—but this book surpasses them all. It’s in a league of its own. Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone who picks up just a few books a year, The Favorites is an absolute must-read. Do yourself a favor and move it to the top of your TBR list right now—you won’t regret it!

Wow. Daisy Jones on ice! I won't give too much away but this was fabulous. I liked the documentary style writing mixed in with Katerina's point of view. It was twisty and angsty and I wasn't even sure who I was rooting for by the end of it. A great read!

"To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession."

I simultaneously loved and hated this book. At parts it was slow and the ending felt rushed, but it was suspenseful enough to keep you turning the pages. Told in a documentary style format, this is a story of two young lovers who become ice skating champions. At times, both the female mc Katarina, and the male mc, Heath are so unlikeable I didn't want to continue. Still I continued on to see how is all comes together. Scandal, betrayal, abuse, love and hate makes for a intriguing read. I also appreciated a glimpse into the darker side of the figure skating world.
All in all I would recommend this book. Some have said this is a steamy take on Wuthering Heights, I'd agree!

The Favorites is a sweeping saga of a story about two ice dancers, Katarina and Heath. The Favorites follows them from their first skating lessons together as children through the many ups and downs of their athletic career. The behind the scenes glimpses of competition and training were fascinating. I found myself rooting for Katarina and Heath as they competed for gold again and again.

This novel was in turns soapy, gossipy, and thrilling. Its length , coming in at 464 pages, is a worthwhile commitment. I rate The Favorites 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Layne Fargo for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Frothing at the mouth over this book! A Wuthering Heights retelling on ice??? Sign me up, babe! Fans of CarrieSoto, Daisy Jones, and even a skosh of Magnolia Parks drama ya better get into this!

To put it simply, I all but inhaled this book and it just might be the start of a new obsession with figure skating romance for me.

“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.” (Ellis Dean you shady lovable, bitch.)

୨ৎ Mixed media
୨ৎ Black cat FMC
୨ৎ Childhood friends to lovers
୨ৎ Lovers to Enemies
୨ৎ Backstabbing, betrayl, and blood
୨ৎ Closed door romance
୨ৎ Fast paced with short chapters
୨ৎ Fantastic character arcs
୨ৎ Part thriller mystery

This is a love story but it’s so much more than a romance. Just when I thought I knew where this story was taking us there’d be another disorienting twist. In ‘The Favorites’ we follow the rise of Katarina and Heath in the competitive and glamorous world of ice dancing. We watch these characters over decades through the rise and fall of their careers and personal lives. Told through Kat’s first person narrative as well as brief documentary style interviews with other characters I could truly watch this story unfold like a movie in my mind which made it all the more enjoyable to read.

The Favorites shows us the dark side of the competitive world of sports and the extremes people will go to in order to reign victorious. In ice dancing, you better watch your back. Even worse, can you even trust your own team?

“Call me what you want. I don’t give a damn anymore. My story is mine, and I’ll tell it the way I skated: in my own way, on my own terms.”

This was SO different than I thought it was going to be in the best way. I love Layne Fargos thrillers but this just shows I’ll love anything she writes.

The Favorites follows the journey of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha from when they were pre teens starting ice dance all the way through adulthood on their journey to the Olympics.

If you take Daisy Jones and the Six but replace a rock band for ice skating, you have The Favorites. I flew through this in a day, simply couldn’t put it down. Some parts were infuriating and devastating but it was a beautiful story to see unfold. The highs, lows, betrayal, obsession - it’s a wild ride start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! ⛸️

As a self proclaimed Olympics geek who will watch every moment of available programming and a fan who grew up completely entranced by figure skating, let me just say, I LOVED THIS BOOK! It is a salacious, drama-filled behind the scenes look at the ugliest part of a sport known for glitter and glitz. I could not get enough.

Part love story, part exposé, part soap opera; THE FAVORITES is the compulsively gripping depiction of the unexpected rise to fame of the ice dancing pair of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. It chronicles their humble beginnings in a sport normally reserved for athletes of means and the subsequent highs and lows of their careers. They are talented and ambitious, and wholly unprepared for the scheming and jealousy found at elite levels. Their personal lives echo their successes and failures on the ice making this an all too human story of the sacrifices made for fame and glory.

There have been parallels drawn to books by Taylor Jenkins Reed and I can see why. The story is told through first person recollections and documentary style interviews, and they result in a compelling page turner. Layne Fargo doesn’t sugar coat a thing and it brought depth to the rivalries and alliances between competitors and friends. This is a gold medal novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

This book was addictive. I throughly enjoyed the format. Switching between the narrative and an interview kept the story moving. The two main characters, Kat and Heath, have their story told by others in the interview sections and it’s interesting to see all the different perspectives. It also keeps you guessing about what is coming. I’ve never been so interested in ice dancing in my life. Kat is not perfect and not always likable which I enjoy because it can get boring when the main character is perfect and wrong is done onto her. In this story, everyone messes up and has to deal with the consequences.

Compared to Daisy Jones is a high bar, but The Favorites is so good and definitely gave me those vibes! The audio with the full cast was perfection! To paraphrase my friend @bethanyburiedinbooks If Daisy Jones and Carrie Soto got together the result would be this book! Layne is an extremely talented author to be able to write one of my favorite dark academia novels, They Never Learn, and then switch to this romance/contemporary fiction novel and do it so well! I did this as a buddy listen and we had it split into 5 days and we all had so much trouble stopping after each days portion! It is a story you want to devour and know what happens immediately! I loved the interview portions to get into the heads of all the supporting characters! It was fascinating to switch between story and interviews. I wasn’t sure I would love this, as I’m not a huge figure skating fan, but it’s so much more than that! It is a coming of age book and a book about forgiveness and love and friendship, and chasing goals and doing whatever you have to do to win. I could go on and on! But this is not one to be missed

This was a fun book to read. I felt that the continuous drama became a bit exhausting, but that was the point. I think this book be very popular and become a lot of book club’s pick.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo is an exciting, emotionally charged ride through the world of Olympic ice dancing, rivalry, and explosive relationships. The story follows Katarina Shaw, a determined young skater who, along with her partner Heath Rocha, rises to fame on the ice, only to see everything crumble after a shocking incident at the Olympics. A decade later, an unauthorized documentary reignites interest in their story, prompting Kat to reveal the truth behind their once-inseparable bond and its dramatic fallout. Fargo’s writing pulls you in with its sharp character development and behind-the-scenes look at the cutthroat world of competitive sports, while the tension between Kat and Heath keeps the stakes high throughout. As a fan of Fargo’s work, I was not disappointed—this book is thrilling and keeps you hooked with every twist. If you’re into stories about complicated relationships and the price of fame, The Favorites is definitely worth reading!

I expected something completely different than what it was and I really loved it. I expected it to be a thriller but this was the story of a woman and her skating partner. They’re top level and Shaw is what you’d expect of an athlete at that top level. Determined and not warm. Her partner Heath is more open and emotional. I would never have picked it up if I’d read the description but I’m glad I did because I was rooting for them to succeed despite all their flaws. I don’t know a ton about figure skating aside from a few infamous scandals and loving to watch it at the Olympics. I recommend it if you enjoy watching figure skating in the Olympics, Carrie Soto is back by Taylor jenkins reid and you liked spinning out. It’s very different from spinning out but you still get to see the beautiful costumes and determination in both.

This book stressed me out occasionally. Why? Because the two man characters couldn't figure their shit out! I liked how the novel is written with first person POV and also from the documentary. You get to experience everything in real time even if it's in the past. You get to follow Kat and Heath through decades of friendship, love and their career.

You hate Bella but then appreciate her being the friend Kat actually needs. Every time Kat and Heath broke up I wanted to bang my head on a wall. I really thought one or both of them might die by the end by luckily that did not happen.

A great book that kept me hooked throughout.

The Favorites is a compulsively readable work of contemporary fiction. Layne Fargo has created characters we root for and despise, in a world many of us know nothing about. A book about ice dancing would have been interesting, but this a novel about drive, passion, and ferocity in a world that seems to be filled with beauty but is as cut throat as they come! There is found family, betrayal, and drama galore. It’s an interesting mix of Carrie Soto Is Back and Daisy Jones and The Six. I was surprised by the characters’ pure determination and fight to win and be the best. I also loved the nostalgia- so many excellent references to 2000s music 🥰 all the stuff I free up listening to! I loved this book about the high-stakes world of Olympian ice dancers so much- thank you for the early copy!!

Wow!
Thanks, Netflix and publisher, for this ARC.
What a book. I could NOT put this extremely engaging and dramatic figure-skating romance? Tragedy? down. I was hanging on every word and more than once exclaimed out loud "NO!!!!" and startled my entire family. If this were a movie it'd be a blockbuster for sure. I have already told all my friends about this one, our library is getting it, and I will be delighted to share it with as many as I can. This is kinda dark at times, it is not a sweet story exactly. There are betrayals and revenge and plotting and complicated relationships and it is absolutely addictive. Loved it!