The Favorites Book Review | A Novel by Layne Fargo
There’s just something awesome about sports fiction. You get so engrossed in the backstory of the characters and become obsessed with watching their rise to the top. I felt that way when reading Carrie Soto Is Back and I felt the same way while devouring The Favorites by Layne Fargo. So if you like passionate stories about athletes (including drama in their personal and professional lives), keep reading for my The Favorites book review.
The Favorites is a story about flawed people and their violent passions. I really enjoyed this book and I know it will be a story that I keep thinking about long after I’ve finished it.
What is The Favorites by Layne Fargo About?
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
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. (from Amazon.com)
My Initial Thoughts
I know it’s only February as I write this review, but I think The Favorites by Layne Fargo is going to be one of my favorite new book releases of 2025.
Growing up, I loved the movie Ice Princess. It’s a young adult coming of age movie about a high school math whiz who uses her love for equations to help her learn to land massive jumps on the ice skating rink. It might have been a little farfetched, but the acting was good and the story really intrigued me. I just had to know if she would wind up going to Harvard for college (which is what her mom wants), or if she would pursue ice skating and try to go all the way to the Olympics.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo felt a little similar, because it’s about two friends who grew up ice dancing together and decide in their teen years that they want to try to compete and go pro. But Heath is an orphan and Katerina is under the guardianship of her alcoholic older brother. Neither of them has much in the way of money or support. So from the beginning of the book (as they prepare for their first competition) until the end of the book (their final… performance) it’s safe to say that there is a lot that goes on in their skating journey.
A Documentary is a Cool Format for a Book
I loved the format of this book. The premise is that a documentary is being filmed about Katerina Shaw and Heath Rocha, and their final skate. It’s very mysterious because for readers, the truth is not revealed until the very end. Different people who knew them during their careers are interviewed for the film, like fellow skaters and ice dancing insiders. Clips and scenes are described along with the conversations, so you really feel like you’re taking in a documentary over the course of the book.
Shout Out to the Side Characters
Part of what made this book so great is the world that Layne Fargo created. There are so many different characters mentioned and if I were her, I would have had trouble keeping track of them all! My favorite (but also least favorite) was Ellis Dean. As annoying as he was, the idea behind his blog made me laugh. All stories need an instigator in order to keep things interesting, right?
My Final Thoughts
My rating for this book is 5 stars. It’s a story that I truly loved and will be recommending to all my friends. My only critique is that I would have liked more scenes from the past, explaining the relationship between Heath and Kat. When we meet them, they are teenagers who are a couple, as well as skating partners. Throughout the book everyone talks about their love and their passion for each other. But in my opinion, I would have liked to know more about how they got there. I felt that part of the story was a little lacking.
Who Should Read This Book?
If you like Ice Princess, The Cutting Edge, Daisy Jones and the Six, I Tonya, and complicated romances… Well, this book is for you! If you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to put it down once you start reading.
Have I convinced you yet? Because I have one more thing that I’d like to say. The Favorites does not have a linear path to the top.
Katerina and Heath are obviously talented skaters. But they make a lot of mistakes in both their personal and skating lives that make for an interesting journey. If you’re expecting a story where the characters just keep working harder and harder until they get to the top, you will not find that in this book. There are so many mistakes and regrets and things that get in the way. Kind of like real life.
