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, Brandon Perea

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—now with bonus material including two never-before-seen chapters!

“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 Wish You Were Here

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.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF which contains the discussion questions, Meet the Ice Dancers, The Favorites playlist, and Ice Dancing: Rules and Fun Facts from the book.

Definitely an Obsession

The story kept going round and round until I got tired of it. I think it could’ve been edited down. And in the end, there isn’t much satisfaction. Unfortunately.

Great Cast, Fantastic Story

Fans of Daisy Jones and Carrie Soto…run! This book is very TJR reminiscent and I loved it. I both read and listened to this book and each version is wonderful. I couldn’t stop until the story was over.

Outstanding story and audio

Loved from the beginning to end. Recommend to everyone who grew up watching figure skating.

So dramatic

So good. So much drama. Maybe too much but I don’t care. I loved it.

One of the best books I’ve read in a while.

This is that kind of book that every second you’re not reading it, you’re thinking about it and wanting to get back into it.
We follow the story of two figure skating partners throughout their lives, and all of the messiness, toxicity, obsessiveness and drama that comes with being some of the top figure skaters in the world, while also being in love.
It may not sound like anything crazy, but I’m telling you — you will love it and be hooked! The narration in this audiobook was amazing as there were different voices for each character and everyone’s narration was great. The book is also partly told through interviews, which adds a cool and intriguing touch throughout.