The Favorites

A Novel

By: Layne Fargo

Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Layne Fargo, Eric Yang, Johnny Weir

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

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • 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 By Any Other Name

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.

©2025 Layne Fargo (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“One of the most heart-wrenching, epic and passionate romances I’ve read in quite some time . . . I already wish I could read it again for the first time.”—Betty Cayouette, People

“The horny ice skating novel The Favorites could not have possibly arrived at a more perfect time. . . . Immersive, wildly addictive.”—Paste

“[The Favorites] has a simple premise, executed perfectly: Wuthering Heights, but make it Olympic figure skaters. . . . So effing good.”—CrimeReads

Great ice dancing Drama- Juicy!!

It's Daisy Jones and the 6 for Ice Dancing! Such a fun drama and yet sort of sad too like real life! It was fun to listen to on audible. Since they had different actors

This Years Breakout

One of the best books I’ve read recently. The style of writing was so engaging- something new every few minutes and kept my attention, like the way the characters hinted at bad things happening but you never knew when those things would happen. Can’t wait for this to be a tv show or a movie.

So good!

It lives up to the hype. Reminded me of Taylor Jenkins Reid books in the best possible way. Performance was outstanding!

Olympic back stabbing

fast moving story. characters each had distinct voices and views. Many plot twists and changes of directions.

Messy Olympians

A very lightly Wuthering Heights inspired underdog Olympics story. Kat and Heath have only wanted one thing become gold medalists; but as the local white trash and foster kid the deck is stacked against them.
Told in the transcript of a documentary commentating the 10 (?) year anniversary of the pair’s disastrous last competition readers delve into how Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha got so big.

Loved Andy Weir’s narration of Ellis Dean!

SO SO GOOD!

I love when I try out a new author and LOVE it! This book will stick with me for a long time to come! Kat & Heath! Bella & Garret! GUSH! The drama, the turmoil, the love. In the end it’s just pure love!

Especially enjoyed the audiobook format

I purchased this in the audiobook format and thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast of readers did such an excellent job of dramatizing the story that I think I enjoyed it even more than I would have just reading the book, I enjoyed the way the author chose to cover the story from the perspectives of several different characters in the story. Well done,

Captivating

The twists and turns! The drama! I didn’t want this book to end but couldn’t stop listening to it. The full cast narration was fantastic! Loved this book!

Wow

I really loved how the author used Wuthering heights as an inspiration. It still kept me on my toes and surprised me. The format with the documentary interspersed with Katarina's first person narration was a great vehicle to tell the story. Maybe I was expecting something a little bit different in the epilogue, but overall I loved this book and would recommend it enthusiastically.

Top 2025 read

I do not write many reviews but this book is one of my top reads for 2025. I will be making all my friends read this book or listen! Love the characters and narrators!