The Favorites by Layne Fargo

A Five-Star Book

The Favorites by Layne Fargo hit Bookstagram like steel on ice this winter. And it’s well worth the hype. I loved this story of two ice dancers’ complicated love, hard determination, and chasing dreams. It’s the first 2025 Book of the Month pick that I’ve loved this year.

Summary of The Favorites (No Spoilers)

The Favorites immerses you in the cutthroat world of ice dancing, told from the perspective of Katarina Shaw, an ambitious teen whose only support comes from her partner and boyfriend, Heath Rocha. Both Katarina and Heath have troubled backgrounds and no family or financial support, but their chemistry and grit give them star appeal. They buck traditional ice dancing standards and opt for rebellious, passion-filled skating until there’s a shocking moment that brings Kay’s Olympic dreams to a halt. As the two pivot between other ice dancing partners and literally dance around each other for years, we see the inexplicable, intense bond that cannot be erased.

Beyond the story of how Kat and Heath began, Ms. Fargo explores their relationship through documentary interviews upon the tenth anniversary of their split. The documentary participants add commentary and context on Kay’s relentless drive and Heath’s devotion while Kat narrates her own version of the story. 

An inspired Wuthering Heights tale, The Favorites is a fast-paced, drama-filled look at what it takes to be the best and what happens when you finally get what you think you want.

I didn’t become a skater because I harbored some childish fantasy of wearing sequins and spinning around like a pretty little top. I became a skater because I wanted to feel like that. Fierce. Confident. A warrior goddess covered in glitter. So sure of myself, I could make my dreams come true through sheer force of will.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

(Page 20)

What I Enjoyed about The Favorites

The Favorites is a five-star book for me, and here are a few reasons why.

• Katarina: She is relentless and calculating, driven by her childhood dream of being an Olympic champion. She and Heath had hard childhoods, including conflicts with Kay’s abusive, drug-addicted older brother. But, she refuses to let that stop them. She refines her edges so they are as sharp as her skates, latching on to the glamour and 24-7 practice lifestyle because she knows that will help them win. While that hard edges exacerbates the divide with Heath, Kat emerges as a more confident and determined competitor. Also, I loved that her narrative against the documentary interviews helps to show her humanity.
• Heath: His brooding personality hides a deep devotion to his Katarina. Heath is a troubled boy who will clearly do anything to make Katarina happy, including pushing himself to the brink in ice dancing. While his heart is not as set on winning Olympic gold, he is set on making her happy. His ego does make things complicated, but in the end, his love for Kat is like Heathcliff’s—passionate to the level of obsession.
• Documentary Storytelling: I loved the interspersed documentary interviews throughout the book. The interview subjects helped to explain the rigors of competitive ice dancing and to provide a look back at Kat and Heath’s history. From Garrett Lin, one of their key competitors and the twin son of Kay’s idol, Sheila Lin, to Ellis Dean, the gossip-loving, complicated friend, to the industry ice dancing leaders, these interview subjects help move the story along while providing insight into Kat and Heath’s careers.

My Final Thoughts about The Favorites

The Favorites is a drama-fueled story on ice, cold and hot at the same time. With fully developed characters, complex relationships to the point of obsession, and a relentless pursuit of Olympic gold, the story is a love saga that surpasses its potential. It is a tribute to Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights without being heavy-handed, and the characters are memorable. Read this one soon!