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30 second book review of The Favorites!Janssen Bradshaw - Everyday Reading

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The Favorites: A Novel Hardcover – January 14, 2025

by Layne Fargo (Author)

6,821 ratings

Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction

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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.

From the Publisher

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Review

“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

“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

“Irresistibly pulpy . . . The Favorites shimmers and delights.”—Bookreporter

“An epic love story set in the dazzling but brutal world of elite ice dancing . . . Think The Cutting Edge meets Daisy Jones & The Six.”—KMUW

“A true literary triple axel: a smart and nuanced retelling of a classic, a tense sports drama, and a perfectly twisted romance.”—Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author of The Heiress and The Wife Upstairs

“A glittery compulsive whirl of a book, filled with spite and love and sequins and ambition.”—Holly Gramazio, New York Times bestselling author of The Husbands

“Breathtaking . . . The ferocious passion between Kat and Heath leaps off the page, and the captivating drama that unfolds on and off the ice is unrelenting.”—Margarita Montimore, USA Today bestselling author of Acts of Violet and Oona Out of Order

“The Favorites combines the emotion of a coming-of-age tale with the sensationalism of the most audacious news headlines, creating a thoroughly intriguing read.”—Chicago Review of Books

“Engrossing, thrilling, and just downright fun.”—Booklist, starred review

“Colleen Hoover–style romance heads to the Olympic rink. Buckle up.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A deliciously scathing, sexy novel . . . passionate, cutthroat, and irresistibly fun.”—Julia Fine, author of Maddalena and the Dark

“A tale of ambition and scorching passion that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.”—Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of The Leftover Woman

“What an addictive read . . .”—Emma Brodie, author of Songs in Ursa Major

“A drama of epic proportions.”—Library Journal

About the Author

Layne Fargo has a background in theater, women’s studies, and library science, so it’s only fitting that she now writes deliciously dramatic, unapologetically feminist stories for a living. She’s the author of psychological thrillers They Never Learn and Temper, as well as co-author on the bestselling Young Rich Widows series, and her work has been translated into over a dozen languages. Layne lives in Chicago with her partner, their pets, and an ever-expanding collection of books she’s definitely going to read before she dies.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

Once I was satisfied, I handed him the knife.

Heath stood up on his knees, and I stretched out in the warm spot he’d left on the bed, watching him: the way his black hair shone in the moonlight, the press of his teeth on his lower lip as he concentrated, making his first mark with the tip of the blade. He was more precise than I had been, drawing curved, graceful lines underneath my savage slashes.

Shaw & Rocha, the carving read when he finished. It was the way our names would be written on the scoreboard at our first U.S. Figure Skating Championships in a few days’ time. The way they’d be announced in medal ceremonies and reported in newspapers and entered in the record books. We’d cut the letters into the center of my antique rosewood headboard, deep enough that no amount of sanding could remove them.

We were sixteen, and so sure of everything.

Our bags were already packed for the National Championships, costumes and skates in a neat stack next to my bedroom door. As many years as we’d been waiting, working, preparing for this moment, those few final hours felt like torture. I wanted to leave right then.

I wished we never had to come back.

Heath left the knife on my bedside table and settled down beside me to admire our handiwork. “Are you nervous?” he whispered.

I looked past him, at the pictures collaged around the drafty leaded glass window—all images of my favorite figure skater, Sheila Lin. Two-time Olympic gold medalist in ice dance, living legend. Sheila never seemed nervous, no matter how much pressure she faced.

“No,” I told him.

Heath smiled and slid his hand up the back of the stretched-out Stars on Ice 1996 sweatshirt I always wore to bed. “Liar.”

Nosebleed seats to see that tour were the closest I’d ever come to Sheila Lin in real life. My father sprung for a signed commemorative photo of her too, which was tacked up on my wall with the rest of my shrine. She was the woman, and the athlete, I wanted to be—not when I grew up, but as soon as possible.

When Sheila and her partner, Kirk Lockwood, won their first U.S. title, she was still a teenager. Winning was a long shot for Heath and me, since we’d never been to Nationals before. We had qualified the previous season but didn’t have the means to travel to the competition venue in Salt Lake City. Luckily, the championships were in Cleveland this time, a comparably short and affordable Greyhound bus ride away. I was certain the competition would change everything for us.

I was right. Just not in the way I imagined.

Heath kissed my shoulder. “Well, I’m not nervous. I’m skating with Katarina Shaw.” He said my name slow, reverent, savoring the sound. “And there’s nothing she can’t do.”

We stared at each other in the shadows, so close we were sharing breath. Later, we’d become world famous for that: stretching out the moment before a kiss until it was almost unbearable, until every member of the audience felt the quickening of our pulses, the pure want reflected in our eyes.

But that was choreography. This was real.

Heath’s mouth finally met mine—soft, unhurried. We thought we had all night.

By the time we heard the footsteps, it was too late.

Nicole Bradford, a middle-aged blond woman wearing a sparkly cardigan and heavy makeup, sits at the center island in her white-on-white suburban dream kitchen.

NICOLE BRADFORD (Figure Skating Coach): There’s always a surge after the Winter Olympics. All these girls who think they’re destined to become stars. Though they usually aren’t quite as intense about it as Katarina Shaw.

Family photos show Katarina as a little girl in various skating costumes. In one, she’s in front of a wall covered in pictures of Sheila Lin, imitating Sheila’s pose in the central image.

NICOLE BRADFORD: At her first lesson, Katarina said she was going to be a famous ice dancer like Sheila Lin. The other girls hated her instantly.

Four-year-old Katarina skates alone with a serious expression, her hair in two messy pigtails.

NARRATOR: Though her name eventually became synonymous with ice dance, Katarina Shaw spent her early career as a singles skater, since no boys were available to partner with her.

Ellis Dean perches on a stool at a chic cocktail bar, holding a martini glass. He’s in his early forties, with an impish smile and carefully coiffed hair.

ELLIS DEAN (Former Ice Dancer): There are vanishingly few guys who want to do ice dance. At least pairs has jumps, plus hurling pretty girls into the air and catching them by the crotch. If you like that sort of thing.

NARRATOR: Ice dance is perhaps the least understood figure skating discipline.

Archival footage of skaters competing in the ice dance event at the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria—the first year ice dance was contested as an Olympic sport.

NARRATOR: Drawn from ballroom dancing, ice dance focuses on intricate footwork and close partnering between skaters, rather than the acrobatic lifts and athletic jumps seen in other events.

ELLIS DEAN: A lot of female ice dancers start out skating with their brothers, cause those are the only dudes they can manage to guilt into it. That was not an option for Kat Shaw.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House; First Edition (January 14, 2025)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593732049
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593732045
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.43 x 1.41 x 9.55 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #184 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books)
- #289 in Contemporary Women Fiction
- #874 in New Adult & College Romance (Books)

Customer Reviews:
6,821 ratings

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Layne Fargo

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Layne Fargo has a background in theater, women’s studies, and library science, so it’s only fitting that she now writes deliciously dramatic, unapologetically feminist stories for a living. She’s the author of the novels THE FAVORITES, THEY NEVER LEARN, and TEMPER, as well as co-author on the bestselling YOUNG RICH WIDOWS series, and her work has been translated into over a dozen languages. Layne lives in Chicago with her partner, their pets, and an ever-expanding collection of books she’s definitely going to read before she dies.

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Customers say

Customers find the book incredibly engaging with a compelling premise and documentary-style storytelling. They praise the well-developed characters, particularly the strong female characters, and appreciate the beautiful portrayal of figure skating, with one review noting how it captures the cutthroat atmosphere of competitive skating. The book features lots of twists and turns, and customers consider it an absolute must-read. The plot complexity and emotional content receive mixed reactions from customers.

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Pacing Readability Storytelling style Character development Twists and turns Visual quality Plot complexity Emotional content

38 customers mention "Pacing"32 positive6 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book incredibly engaging, describing it as a great rollercoaster of a story with a compelling premise. One customer notes how the twists and turns of fate kept them riveted.

"...down on the couch for a cozy night, curious about this new, interesting show only to find out a few minutes in that your life is suddenly no longer..." Read more

"...This book has it all: love, passion, treason and revenge and, at the end of her road, Katarina truly learns what’s important in life...." Read more

"...This was that book for me! It made me feel all the emotions and sucked me into the book having me anxiously turning each page...." Read more

"The Favorites by Layne Fargo offers an intriguing blend of high-stakes ambition, toxic romance, and the intense world of elite figure skating...." Read more

30 customers mention "Readability"26 positive4 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as incredible and thoroughly enjoyable, with one customer noting it's a total page turner.

"...Well bound, no loose pages. Even if you had to read each looseleaf page in a cold stable and it took twenty hours instead of 6.5, who cares...." Read more

"...This book is scandalous, thrilling, and ADDICTING to read. This was so much more than a sports romance...." Read more

"...dark, obsessive rivalries and high-stakes ambition, The Favorites is an absolute must-read!..." Read more

"...What a stellar, standout novel that I will be thinking about for a long time." Read more

18 customers mention "Storytelling style"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling style of the book, which is told in a documentary format, with one customer noting the extensive research evident throughout the chapters.

"...Part I, Tonya, part expertly crafted TJR characters and storytelling, part mystery and revenge, part romance, part sisterhood and found family, part..." Read more

"...Still, it’s a very good story about the tortuous climb to the top of an unlikely heroine, one who doesn’t hesitate to take the hardest steps to..." Read more

"...I love how the story uses the documentary interviews to show the reader Kat and Heath’s story of escaping their hometime, their true relationships..." Read more

"...I was invested. So it was well written enough to do that. But a few things have me fluctuating between a 3 and a 3.5-star rating...." Read more

17 customers mention "Character development"14 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the strong female characters.

"...Part I, Tonya, part expertly crafted TJR characters and storytelling, part mystery and revenge, part romance, part sisterhood and found family, part..." Read more

"...world of elite ice skating is on point and the portraying of the characters was very realistic...." Read more

"...dancing fan, but this book was so much more about relationships and characters than it was about the sport...." Read more

"...These characters are so well developed that you just know them and love them and root for them!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Twists and turns"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's twists and turns, with one customer noting its elements of mystery, while another mentions its scandalous secrets.

"...I, Tonya, part expertly crafted TJR characters and storytelling, part mystery and revenge, part romance, part sisterhood and found family, part..." Read more

"...This book has it all: love, passion, treason and revenge and, at the end of her road, Katarina truly learns what’s important in life...." Read more

"...Read this if you love fierce female leads, scandalous secrets, and sports drama at its best!..." Read more

"...Their relationship and history was so raw and unpredictable. There felt like there was some incontinuity in the story...." Read more

5 customers mention "Visual quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, with one review highlighting its exceptional portrayal of figure skating and another noting how it captures the cutthroat atmosphere of competitive skating.

"...Everything is so vivid, easily visualized, and addictively enchanting. Do I understand all the many choices the characters made?..." Read more

"...Fargo excels at crafting tension and capturing the cutthroat atmosphere of competitive skating...." Read more

"...Fargo's beautiful portrayal of figure skating was exceptional...." Read more

"This book was amazing! A beautiful, well written story, with complex characters, high angst and drama, so many ups and downs to keep your head..." Read more

11 customers mention "Plot complexity"7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot complexity of the book, with several noting that it will always fall short, while one customer appreciates the incredible amount of detail about the figure skating world.

"...and storytelling, part mystery and revenge, part romance, part sisterhood and found family, part tragedy, all parts phenomenal...." Read more

"...There felt like there was some incontinuity in the story. At times, I wasn’t sure if it was a romance or a thriller...." Read more

"...From their first meeting, these four become intertwined into roller coaster relationships and moments that truly had my heart breaking at times...." Read more

"...blend of high-stakes ambition, toxic romance, and the intense world of elite figure skating...." Read more

9 customers mention "Emotional content"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the emotional content of the book, with some sobbing at the truly heartbreaking parts, while others find it melodramatic.

"...and revenge, part romance, part sisterhood and found family, part tragedy, all parts phenomenal...." Read more

"...the novel thrives on passion and drama, it sometimes leans too heavily into melodrama...." Read more

"...It had me gasping at thrilling parts and sobbing at the truly heartbreaking parts...." Read more

"...If you are looking for a binge worthy book that will shatter your hearts into a thousand pieces, then The Favorites is an absolute must read!" Read more

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Emily Simpson
Your life is suddenly no longer your own & you absolutely must skirt responsibilities to fully binge
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025
Verified Purchase

Have you ever plopped down on the couch for a cozy night, curious about this new, interesting show only to find out a few minutes in that your life is suddenly no longer your own and you absolutely must skirt responsibilities to fully binge the show in its entirety in the shortest time possible? That's what this book was like (mostly, I did have some responsibilities I couldn't avoid). I was at once immediately hooked and desperate to unfold the story of Heath Rocha and Katarina Shaw. It must have been difficult for Fargo to abandon two projects she'd spent years on but, man, there's no way she doesn't feel like she made the right call- there's already talk about filming rights?!
You don't have to like Kat and Heath, or Bella and Sheila, Frannie or Ellis, even sweet Garrett, or anybody else in this story, actually. That's the thing though, you don't have to love somebody to be enthralled by them. Especially with so much prime reality tv-esque drama. This story capitalizes on that concept so brilliantly. But that raw energy, that drive, that passion, that hunger, that spark? Oh, it's near impossible to ignore or not be excited by. Everything is so vivid, easily visualized, and addictively enchanting. Do I understand all the many choices the characters made? Abso-friggin-lutely not. Do I respect the choices? Some of them, sure. Does every choice align with what you think said character would do (with two exceptions by the same person, imo)? 100%. There is no uncertainty about who these characters are, about what they are willing, or not, to steal or risk for their dreams, for the gold. There's no "Hollywood" ending here, in some regards, but I think that makes the journey all the better, all the richer.
Part I, Tonya, part expertly crafted TJR characters and storytelling, part mystery and revenge, part romance, part sisterhood and found family, part tragedy, all parts phenomenal.

Did I listen to the author's curated playlist to go along with the book? I put it on, but I was swept in the prose, paying hardly any mind to the music beside me. I did play some of it while driving and doing other mundane chores, and think it expands the emotional aspect of the story.

As for the book's condition: mine arrived on time, in great condition. There is a crease in the front cover, somehow, but that's a-ok. There were a few ink dots on a few pages about halfway through, like from the printer, not somebody letting their fountain pen drool over this masterpiece storytelling. Well bound, no loose pages. Even if you had to read each looseleaf page in a cold stable and it took twenty hours instead of 6.5, who cares. Read the dang book.

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louvejita
Good story
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
Verified Purchase
Katarina Shaw has wanted to be an Olympic champion skater since she first saw the sport on TV at the age of 4, but she’s struggling to make ends meet and her only chance is for her and her partner to be noticed at a major competition. Then she gets her wish in the form of an invitation for the summer program at a prestigious skating academy and their lives will change dramatically.
This book is definitely inspired by Bronte’s work, but the blurb is sadly misleading when it comes to the documentary. Still, it’s a very good story about the tortuous climb to the top of an unlikely heroine, one who doesn’t hesitate to take the hardest steps to sate her ambition and the boy who’s loved her since they were children and who’d do anything for her.
I enjoyed reading this book and it sometimes felt more like watching a movie, the author’s descriptions are that good. I feel the translation of Wuthering Heights into the world of elite ice skating is on point and the portraying of the characters was very realistic. This book has it all: love, passion, treason and revenge and, at the end of her road, Katarina truly learns what’s important in life.

4 stars

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Temi Omotayo
ARC Review
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025
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5⭐️
You ever read a book and instantly know it gonna be a favorite? This was that book for me! It made me feel all the emotions and sucked me into the book having me anxiously turning each page. This book is scandalous, thrilling, and ADDICTING to read. This was so much more than a sports romance. This highlights how far people can/will go to win, power dynamics, manipulations, sacrificing everything for a goal, and more all in the lens of the competitive ice skating world.

From the moment we meet Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, we instantly feel for them due to both of their individual dire home situations. They escape into each other and skating as a reprieve from their situations and a way to make a life for themselves. They are childhood sweethearts who run away from home to begin their journey to become Olympic ice skaters. Their relationship over the years is manipulative, toxic, dysfunctional, passionate, and FILLED with so much damn love. They truly are each other's’ home from the very beginning.

Kat and Heath get a chance to train with the Lin twins, children of legendary Olympic skater Sheila Lin, and everything changes from that moment. I absolutely adored Grant and Bella as the main side characters for what they brought to the story and how they challenged Kat and Heath. From their first meeting, these four become intertwined into roller coaster relationships and moments that truly had my heart breaking at times. After an incident happens, their four lives are changed forever.

Flash forward 10 years later, a documentary is being made about that fateful incident and the aftermath of consequences in caused. I love how the story uses the documentary interviews to show the reader Kat and Heath’s story of escaping their hometime, their true relationships with the Lin twins, and their journey to the Olympics. In these interviews, we get more perspectives from other characters essential to the story including past coaches, rivals, and Ellis Dean, gossip blogger/friend. Through the documentary, we learn what truly happened 10 years prior during the incident, if Kat and Heath had a successful comeback, and where their love story ends years later.

I freaking adored this book and it is one of my favorite (no pun intended) reads of the year!! These characters reminded me of the characters in Magnolia Parks at times were you want to slap some sense into them but you can’t help but love them endlessly because they are being unapologetically themselves. Katarina makes you hate her at times for her blind focus on winning the gold medal despite other people’s feelings but you respect her drive and passion. Heath, MY SWEET BOY. Heath is loyal to a fault at times because he let others treat him like crap and never defended himself. Bella was reckless in her actions to achieving her goals but was also the first person to be honest with Kat and call her out on her shit. Finally, Garret was the peacemaker between the four and truly the most supportive friend in the whole book. I connected to every single character in one way or another and went on the widest range of emotions with them.

The Favorites is one of the books that you can perfectly picture in your mind as a movie. It is drama filled, packed with tension, thrilling, and passionate. It had me gasping at thrilling parts and sobbing at the truly heartbreaking parts. The ending (or dare I saw the true beginning) of this book was absolutely perfect. I could not have thought of a better end for all of the characters. This is the first Layne Fargo book I’ve read but she has made a HUGE fan out of me! I will now be reading her backlist and everything she releases in the future!

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Top reviews from other countries

Carla Monticelli
Addictive, all-consuming, intense, and seductive.
Reviewed in Spain on March 3, 2025
Verified Purchase

To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession. And to me? They were everything.
The drama in this book was on another level. The obsession—both with each other and with winning—the rivalries, the sheer messiness of it all…I devoured every single page. Layne's writing gave me major TJR vibes with how raw and immersive it felt. There’s something almost hypnotic about the way she captures ambition—the way it drives, consumes, and ultimately demands its price.
Katarina Shaw is intense, passionate, and far from perfect—which makes her feel incredibly real. She gives everything to skating, even when it takes more than it gives. Her relentless drive, despite all she’s lost, is both inspiring and heartbreaking. She doesn’t care about approval—only winning. Watching her growth unfold was so satisfying.
Heath Rocha, on the other hand, is a complicated character. His role in the story is crucial, and as his past slowly comes to light, he becomes even more intriguing. His obsession with Katarina is suffocating yet magnetic, making their connection both destructive and impossible to look away from.
Their love story is the definition of messy—intense, wild, toxic, and beautiful all at once. Even when they frustrated me, I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Their chemistry is undeniable, radiating through every dance, every glance, every moment they share. But it’s also destructive. It’s chaotic, it’s theirs, and despite everything, you can’t help but hope they find a way to make it work.
The audiobook is absolutely phenomenal! It features a full cast, with different voice actors for the interview sections, making the story even more immersive. Every actor brought something unique to their character, and I was completely hooked.
Katarina and Heath’s journey is a rollercoaster of twists, heartbreak, and impossible choices. And I know their story will stay with me for a long time.

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Elle
A very intense and messy rollercoaster of emotions.
Reviewed in Italy on January 30, 2025
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The story was extremely addictive and the format made it so easy to fly through, that I finished the book in less than two days. I honestly could not put it down.
The characters felt real, with all their flaws, fears and ambitions...and while I found both Katarina and Heath infuriating at times, I also deeply admired their strength, their passion and their love for each other, despite everything they went through, and for ice skating.
If I had to describe The Favourites in 3 words, they would be: angsty, raw and emotional.
I loved the format and I would recommend to listen to the audiobook for a more immersive experience...the cast of narrators is amazing!

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Justine
love
Reviewed in Australia on March 20, 2025
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Couldn’t put it down…even sneakily read while i was at work! Absolute nail biter. Coupdnt tell if it was based on true events!

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Cassandra Anderson Palmberg
Addicting read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Sweden on April 24, 2025
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Loved this book!

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booksy
Wins Gold!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2025
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I've been in a sort of book slump for a while. I've been reading (I'm always reading!) but I haven't read a novel that's really grabbed me in about eight months. Until this book! I find that the best books are ones that make you feel something - they leave you with a certain mood/impression/feeling. It's about more than the plot or the characters - it becomes an immersive experience. For me, The Favourites ticked that box. I'm not into sports - but there are some sports that I do find fascinating; they seem to be shrouded in mystery and glamour but you know that, behind the scenes, it's probably back-stabby and bitchy as hell. Darts and snooker aren't going to offer that! But things like ballet, dressage, polo (anything with horses, really) and, yes, ice skating, are intriguing and full of surface-level glamour.

This novel gives the same vibes of some of the best 80s bonk-busters (although it's not a bonk-buster itself). Think Jilly Cooper (but better-written) or Jackie Collins. I'm not saying it's like those books - but it gives that vibe. A cast of characters that we follow throughout their lives, that we hate but also love. It was pitch-perfect and never lagged. I loved the mix of first-person narrative by Kat and then Netflix-esque documentary snippet type chapters. It gave a really rounded perspective of how Kat was perceived externally versus what was really going on in her life and head.

If you loved Spinning Out or Tiny Pretty Things then you'll probably love this book. And, truly, it would make an amazing film or series. There are hints by the author, in the acknowledgements, that this might be the case - so, fingers crossed, we get to see The Favourites brought to life on screen.

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Layne Fargo

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Sports Drama at Its Best

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5.0 out of 5 stars Your life is suddenly no longer your own & you absolutely must skirt responsibilities to fully binge

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story

5.0 out of 5 stars ARC Review

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive, all-consuming, intense, and seductive.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very intense and messy rollercoaster of emotions.

5.0 out of 5 stars love

5.0 out of 5 stars Addicting read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5.0 out of 5 stars Wins Gold!

Your life is suddenly no longer your own & you absolutely must skirt responsibilities to fully binge

Good story

ARC Review

Addictive, all-consuming, intense, and seductive.

A very intense and messy rollercoaster of emotions.

love

Addicting read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wins Gold!