As a 90s kid who grew up with posters of figure skaters on my wall, this book was EVERYTHING! The Favorites is a high-stakes, scandalous, and deeply emotional novel set in the cutthroat world of elite figure skating, where ambition, obsession, and love collide in the most spectacular way. Layne Fargo delivers a masterful retelling of Wuthering Heights-but make it ice dancing-with a toxic, addictive romance that will have you completely enthralled.
If you love stories that blur the lines between love and rivalry, passion and destruction, then buckle up-because The Favorites is a wild, exhilarating ride from start to finish.
Summary - Spoiler Free
To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, they were an obsession.
Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha have been inseparable since childhood, bound together by their love for figure skating and an unshakable, intense connection. Heath has always loved Kat, but she has only ever had one dream: winning Olympic gold. When they run away together as teens to chase that dream, they enter the world of elite skating under the legendary coach Sheila Lin, training alongside her children and rising stars, the Lin twins, Bella and Garrett.
But the pursuit of greatness comes at a cost. Their four lives become dangerously intertwined, tangled in rivalries, betrayals, and personal sacrifices that lead to shocking consequences. As Katarina and Heath fight their way through grueling competitions, manipulative coaches, and their own toxic relationship, the pressure builds to a breaking point.
Then, everything falls apart.
A devastating scandal ends Kat and Heath’s skating careers, separating them for a decade. Now, ten years later, a tell-all documentary is set to reignite old wounds and expose the truth behind what really happened. With their past coming back to haunt them, Kat and Heath must confront their demons-because their story isn’t over yet.
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The Favorites Main Characters
One of the biggest strengths of The Favorites is its deeply complex and flawed characters. Each of them is layered with ambition, love, and the desperate pursuit of something just out of reach. Here’s a closer look at the key players who drive this intense, emotionally gripping story:
Katarina Shaw
Katarina is intense, passionate, and unapologetically flawed-which makes her all the more real. She gives everything to skating, despite the sport often giving her nothing in return. Her relentless pursuit of success, no matter the cost, is both inspiring and heartbreaking. She doesn’t care what people think, and her focus on skating is unwavering. Watching her grow, break, and rebuild herself throughout the story is a fascinating journey.
Heath Rocha
Heath is complicated, to say the least. There were moments I adored him, and others where I wanted to scream at him. His role in the story is essential, and the layers of mystery surrounding him made his eventual backstory reveal all the more satisfying. His relationship with Katarina is charged with obsession, passion, and destruction. His devotion to her is suffocating at times, but it also adds to the raw emotional intensity of their connection. Love and ambition collide in their relationship in a way that is both magnetic and tragic.
Bella Lin
At first, Bella is hard to love. She’s just as intense as Katarina, but in a mean, ruthless, and competitive way. However, once I warmed up to her, I never looked back. She’s fiercely determined, and her friendship with Katarina is toxic, real, and layered with deep emotion. Their dynamic is fascinating because, despite its flaws, there is a deep, unshakable bond between them-one built on both rivalry and mutual understanding.
Garrett Lin
Garrett is the most precious character who deserved nothing but good things from the start. His quiet strength and unwavering support made him easy to love. I had my suspicions about where his storyline would go, but in the end, he proved himself to be an incredible and exceptional human being. In a world full of ambition, betrayal, and cutthroat competition, Garrett was a rare source of warmth.
Sheila Lin
Sheila is the epitome of cold, calculating ambition. She’s conniving, ruthless, and utterly fascinating-the kind of character you love to hate but can’t help but admire. She has no problem sacrificing people for the sake of the sport, success, and her legacy. Every move she makes is carefully calculated, and her influence over the story is chilling.
Each of these characters brings something raw, real, and emotionally charged to the book. Their ambitions, betrayals, and obsessions make The Favorites an addictive, gut-wrenching, and unforgettable read.
Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars - Absolutely unforgettable!
Why You Need to Read The Favorites
From the very first page, The Favorites hooks you with its sharp, immersive storytelling. Written in a documentary format, with multiple POVs-including ex-skaters, judges, and rival coaches-the book feels like you’re watching a Netflix docuseries unfold in real time.
What Makes This Book So Addictive?
✅ A Toxic, All-Consuming Love Story
This is not a fluffy romance-it’s dark, obsessive, and filled with angst. Kat and Heath’s love is passionate but wildly dysfunctional, filled with years of resentment, sacrifice, and miscommunication. If you love stories where love and ambition clash in dramatic ways (think Daisy Jones & The Six but make it Olympic skating), this book seriously delivers!
✅ A Look at the Cutthroat World of Figure Skating
The skating world is brutal-the immense pressure, the politics, the betrayals, and the lengths skaters will go to win gold. Fargo pulls back the curtain to show the harsh reality behind the sequins and perfect routines, revealing the physical and emotional toll of elite competition.
✅ Complex, Messy, Unforgettable Characters
Kat is fierce, ambitious, and often ruthless. More than willing to push herself (and others) past their breaking point. Heath, her opposite in many ways, is reckless, brooding, and deeply devoted to her-but also self-destructive. The Lin twins, Garrett and Bella, add even more depth, drama, and tension, making for an intense character dynamic that keeps you hooked!
✅ Scandal, Betrayal, & Olympic-Level Drama
This book has everything-love triangles, sabotage, heartbreaking sacrifices, and shocking plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat! You can feel the intensity of the competitions and the high stakes of their choices with every page.
✅ The BEST Audiobook Experience
I listened to the full-cast audiobook, and let me tell you-this was an incredible production. The documentary-style storytelling makes it perfect for audio, bringing the drama, rivalries, and emotions to life. If you love immersive audiobooks, this one is a must-listen!
Final Thoughts: Should You Read The Favorites?
If you love:
✨ Wuthering Heights retellings
⛸️ Sports romances with elite competition drama
🎙️ Multi-POV & documentary-style storytelling
🔥 Rivals, betrayals, and a love story that HURTS
Then YES, you need this book in your life. It’s scandalous, heart-wrenching, and completely addictive-I could NOT stop listening!
3 Books to Read If You Loved The Favorites
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - While not about sports, this is another documentary-style novel that captures the rise and fall of an intense, obsessive relationship in a high-stakes world.
Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton - A dark, twisty ballet school drama with ruthless ambition, betrayals, and toxic relationships.
One Moment by Becky Hunter - A poignant, emotional story about love, loss, and second chances, featuring a competitive sports element and deep character relationships that will break your heart in the best way.
