This book was an emotional rollercoaster—if the rollercoaster was the kind that’s been banned because it has killed multiple people.

The story follows Katarina Shaw, a former Olympic figure skater whose partnership—and entanglement—with fellow skater Heath Rocha captured the world’s attention both on and off the ice. I’ve always been a bit fascinated by figure skating, in the same way I'm interested in people who climb Everest. I know I'm never going to do it but want to scratch beneath the surface of what makes the people who do these things tick. This book certainly delivered on giving an insight into the glamour, the precision and the theatre of it all so getting to see that world up close, with all its beauty and brutality, completely hooked me. Kat and Heath’s skating partnership is the heart of the story, but their relationship is messy, obsessive, toxic in ways that feels completely believable.

The novel alternates between Kat’s perspective as she finally tells her side of the story ten years after a shocking Olympic incident, and transcripts from a documentary about their rise and fall. I enjoyed this narrative choice, it gave the book a really dynamic, almost voyeuristic feel, like you’re piecing together a scandal in real time from interviews and soundbites. It added layers to the characters because you’re seeing how others perceive them versus how they see themselves. I kept thinking that it would make such a brilliant film or TV series. The format, the skating sequences, the high-stakes drama—it’s made for the screen.

The pacing was a bit uneven at the start, and I found it dragged a bit. I also wanted the estrangement between Kat and Heath to simmer a little longer, to dig even deeper into the angst before things started unravelling again. But once it took off, it was wild from start to finish, and I couldn’t put it down. The ending was the perfect bittersweet blend of catharsis and ambiguity, staying true to the complicated, tangled relationship at the book’s core. About half an hour or so from finishing the book I was sure I'd hate the ending but it worked for me in the end.

If you like messy characters, morally grey dynamics, and a backstage pass to the dark side of competitive sports, this one’s worth the ride. And seriously—someone needs to adapt this. I’d watch it in a heartbeat.

Oh it's also a riff on Wuthering Heights if that wasn't clear enough from the name but there's no digging up of corpses this time (unfortunately)

An utterly captivating contemporary romance set against the glittering, high-stakes world of figure skating. The Favourites is as sharp as a triple axel and just as breathtaking—delivering a story rich with emotional nuance, simmering chemistry, and characters you can’t help but root for (even when they’re at odds). Fargo perfectly balances ambition and vulnerability, crafting a slow-burn romance that feels both authentic and electrifying. The competitive skating backdrop adds intensity without overshadowing the tender, complicated love story at its heart.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Never did I think that a Wuthering Heights retelling would fit so seamlessly into the world of figure skating! The stakes were real, the drama was on point and the suspense was insane.

I was always interested in the world of skaters so I was hooked from the description. But once I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down.

Love love loved this book. I knew absolutely nothing about ice dancing before reading but my goodness I couldn’t put the book down.

Kat and Heath are wonderfully tragic characters, their history intertwined with their present storyline. I loved the way it was written, using the interviews for the documentary mixed with the narrative made for keeping the reader entertained and drawn in by the other more minor characters involvement.

I honestly felt a little bit addicted to this, like Kat and Heath were to each other. All the stars possible.

Drama, scandal, and savage rivalry aren't themes I typically seek out in books, however, The Favourites fed off them and I was absolutely here for it. I couldn't get enough of Kat and Heath's passion, obsession, and tumultuous relationship (on and off the ice), as well as the commentary from other ice dancers, coaches, judges, and associates. Revolving around a sport I did for 15+ years, I thought the competitive natures and toxic environments were brought to life in a very realistic way.

From teenage sweethearts to Olympic-driven ice dancers, Kat and Heath have everything they need to be the best in the world - undeniable passion, perfected technical skills, and the determination to win. That is, until it all falls apart.
Fast-forward 10 years, and cue a drama-fuelled documentary on the pair claiming to reveal what really happened. Kat has kept her silence... until now, where it's time to tell her side of the story - the real side.

The ice skating theme, of course, was an easy win for me, although I'm not as familiar with ice dance (except twizzles - my nemesis), which I always considered the 'easier' route. However, it's evident how much precision and skill is required at a competitive level, and I loved all these technical insights.

The interview style was perfect for audio. I was intitally put off by the 10 narrators (I can barely keep up with one, let alone 10), however each perfectly assumed their character's voice and personality, making it easy to differentiate who was speaking. This comparison to Daisy Jones was accurate - the interviews felt authentic to the point where I was convinced we were listening to true accounts. This back and forth with multiple characters also kept the pace moving.

Granted, some of the characters annoyed me after a while and I think the length could have been trimmed down a tiny bit. I'm also confused about the "part Wuthering Heights" comparison; besides the characters' names and turbulent relationship, I'm not really seeing any other connections. It felt more like an attention grab and would have been strong enough to hold its own without the reimagining element (in my opinion).

That said, overall this book was a winner - I binge-listened for hours on end, instantly sucked into the addictive story about doing what it takes to achieve your dreams, and not letting anyone stand in your way.

Tropes:

⛸️Wuthering Heights Retelling
⛸️Figure Skating
⛸️Toxic Relationships
⛸️Angst
⛸️Lies & Betrayal

📖
Written in the unique style of swapping between documentary interview transcripts and Katerina’s POV we hear the story of famous figure skating duo, Katerina Shaw & Heath Rocha and how their seemingly unbreakable bond becomes fractured as their stardom elevates.

💭
Wow this book was incredible and I particularly loved looking out for the little bits that reflected Wuthering Heights, one of my favourite classic books.

It had me completely captivated and I just couldn’t stop reading. I loved how the prose of Katerina’s POV was broken up by the documentary style commentary.

Is Katerina the most likeable MMC? Definitely not, but I really cared for her and what was going to happen to her character, It was the way these characters are so flawed and honest that made it a great read for me.
Same with Heath, did I want to shake him at times, again yes. But sometimes life isn’t picture perfect and this is what this book reflects and what makes it so impactful.

The style of this book was very TJR so if you love her books I really recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-arc.

The Favourites is a wonderful retelling of the Wuthering Heights story set in a backdrop of Olympic figure skating drama.
I absolutely adored this book, I may be biased as a figure skater myself, but it was so gripping, the drama so realistic, and the story so believeable.
As someone who's read and loved Daisy Jones and the Six (which anyone who knows, knows is a similar premise), I was concerned that it could fall into a hole of being too similar, however this was not the case and I absolutely loved this even more!
I really enjoyed the cuts between the 'tv documentary' scenes and Kat's pov 'exposé'. I felt that these were really well done, even at times funny with well placed humour in the cuts between the two.
To be honest, the only thing I didnt like about this book was how Heath left and got with Bella, but for the story and the retelling aspect I know that it was necessary and to be fair it was very well done!
I will be recommending this strongly across my platforms, and by word of mouth. I've already recommended it to many of the girls I skate with, and I know some of them have already confirmed plans to read it!
Thank you so much for sharing this early copy with me.

My goodness I LOVED this book, I loved how you did not know the outcome at all as you're reading through and the characters development was brilliant. I used to figure skate myself in the 90's and this has captured some of the behaviors very well!

Thank you to NetGalley & publisher for the copy.

Thankfully I was approved for an ARC for this from NetGalley just before it was released but hadn’t got round to it till it got picked for this month’s work book club.
And I’m disappointed…
I had such high hopes, the Daisy Jones comparison of course drew me in but I think a few things were just outright copied from the beginning.
I started off thinking it’s a bit of fun and I know it’s about ice skating but my god it was so repetitive and boring.
I didn’t care about any of the characters and the ones I kinda liked were still 1 dimensional.
Some of the plot points felt futile and the pacing was so off.
I didn’t dread picking it up so it wasn’t completely terrible but maybe just not for me.
2.5⭐️

This book was brilliant! I loved it from start to finish. There was so much drama, so much going on, the politics, the rise and fall of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, the Lins, there was so much to this story! It was like Daisy Jones and The Six with ice skating. The format was also interesting, partially interviews and newspaper srticles and radio shows and other commentary, and partially we were with the characters there.

I am still processing the fact I have finished this book, and I don’t think it’s even been 24hours since I started the book, I was addicted! I needed to know what would happen next.

Katarina and Heath have been friends since they were little, and Katarina is incredibly ambitious when it comes to Ice Dance, has her heart set on winning gold at the Olympics. Both worked really hard despite hardships and things that made it difficult for them to succeed, and also opportunities that did help them further their careers a lot. There was so much drama, something happened at each event and something also happened when there was no event, it was entertaining to read.

I can’t say I found all the characters likeable, but I did love them. I am excited to see what else Layne Fargo comes out with, because this was truly an amazing book! I am giving The Favourites 5 stars! I listened to the audiobook and I love a full cast! I think every voice actor did such a fab job bringing the characters to life, it definitely added more depth to the book by having a full cast.

Katakana Shaw didn’t have a happy childhood. The only things that kept her going were her dedication to ice skating and her friendship with Heath Rocha. Heath's upbringing has if anything been worse than her own. On the ice, as ice dancers they have a raw talent and passion that could get them right to an Olympic gold.
The figure skating world can be savage Events leave the fans aghast. Ten years later a planned ‘ tell all’ documentary moves Kat to set the record straight
I have always been a fan of figure skating so this book appealed to me. I found that the author captured the skater’s world very well but I did struggle a bit with the characters. I found it quite difficult to root for Kat Her obsession on winning often made her ruthless.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book. It made a nice change from my usual genre .

This was so addictive! I did not want it to end. Such Daisy Jones & The Six vibes, and I was obsessed. It was so toxic and dramatic, but I was so invested in these characters and their lives - it felt like I was truly watching a documentary. I found myself really emotionally attached to Heath and Katarina, I had no idea what to expect and I felt STRESSED while reading it. I don't know much about ice dance, but I felt like I was an expert, that's how well researched and cleverly laid out this book was. This was truly an experience and I will always be thinking about this book.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐨
✩✩✩✩✩

I was intimidated initially by the reviews (& probably the length). But I’m glad the slow reader in me persevered because every page, every chapter, every character puts me in a precarious situation that made me intrigued, made me want for more. A book’s ability to get you hooked from the very beginning, and makes you stick till the end is what Fayre made The Favourites all about. Because of its dual timing, my mind is boggled, like where is this character now, why were they saying this and that then, and so forth. Loved it so much that a sequel, or a prequel even, will be a brilliant idea. I still want to know about the Kat’s family story and tragedy, her’s and Heath’s love story, what happens in the Summer training and how their career will end or lasts.

When a novel pulls you into a sport you've never known, you know it's a gem! "The Favourites" is one of those hyped-up books that totally deserves the buzz. It dives into the intense relationship and skating careers of Katarina and Heath, two lonely souls who find solace in each other and figure skating. As their bond and elite skating skills grow, their passion for each other and dreams of a better future lead to dramatic rifts, again and again.

Inspired by "Wuthering Heights," Kat and Heath's relationship mirrors their namesakes, with class struggles, miscommunication, and fiery passion at its core. Kat's fierce determination to conquer the Elite Figure Skating world is the story's heartbeat, but Heath is always on her mind, and ours, keeping us on edge for the next twist in their tale.

The narrative shines with its modern, documentary-style format, blending interviews with those close to them and the main story. We get insider opinions, sideline gossip, and firsthand reactions, making the story feel alive. The audiobook is a standout, thanks to this engaging format.

Is it a tad bit long? Probably. But I was so into it I didn't mind.

Have you read any other books that have swept you off your feet like this? Or are you keen to explore more novels that dive into the world of sports?

This is one of those deeply addictive novels that you just can't stop reading. A modern day re-imagining of Wuthering Heights, set in the competitive and cut-throat world of professional ice dancing. It contains all the obsession, desire and destructive love of the original but with added ice skating. Is it a perfect book? No, not at all, there are a few plot lines that I have issues with, and not all the characters are as fleshed out as I would like, but is it worth a read? Yes, absolutely, if you have a free day and nothing pressing to get on with, then I would highly recommend picking it up.

Liked it . Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This made the 15 year old obsessed with Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir in me so happy! A quick read filled with drama and ice skating, what more is there to ask for?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC!

Kat has always wanted to be an Olympic ice skater but she doesn't come from the rich background that most figure skaters come from so she has to work twice as hard to get a coach and be noticed. Luckily she befriends Heath when they're both children and she teaches him to skate and be her partner.

One day she's noticed by her idol who owns a skating facility in LA and has offered to take Kat and Heath on and coach them, which Kat hopes will lead them to Olympic glory. She's prepared to do whatever she needs to do to win, even if that means leaving Heath behind because he's holding her back.

Heath is in love with Kat and will do whatever she asks him to do but he knows he'll always come second to skating with Kat.

The story is told almost as a documentary with interviews with people who skated with Kat, skating officials and other coaches, combined with Kat telling her own story. I don't know the Tonya Harding story in any detail but it felt like it was a fictional retelling of her story but with an epic love story woven in.

I enjoyed reading about a sport I know practically nothing about and the struggle of a figure skater was eye-opening. It sounds horrific to be honest and abuse is rife. Kat is strong-willed character and should be admired for that but she wasn't a particularly likeable character, neither was Heath really. I also didn't like the weird love triangle that was brought in at the end of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Chatto & Windus for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Perfect if you enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six.

Sometimes, the characters made me want to throw myself across the room (in a good way) because of how infuriating they could be. Of course, this meant I had to keep reading to see what they would end up doing.

Thank you Random House for sending an arc.