The Favorites

A Novel

De: Layne Fargo

Narrado por: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Layne Fargo, Eric Yang, Johnny Weir

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.

©2025 Layne Fargo (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The Favorites is a dizzying left hook to the jaw that drops the reader behind the scenes of competitive pairs ice dancing. . . . [Fargo’s] characters are unabashedly extra.”—The Washington Post

“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

Best book I’ve listened to in a long time!

Wow! That was an excellent read! Listening to the audio felt like I was watching a movie. Great character development, storyline, drama - I loved everything about it and highly recommend!

Original & Heartfelt

I was engaged in the storyline from start to finish. I’ve listened to 100s of audiobooks and this was by far the best in recent memory.

Such a good read!

I loved this book. I loved the narration with the interview style and main character POV. It kept me interested throughout the book. The relationships in this story are so complex. I did not find it to be your typical romantic relationship kind of book - it is definitely way more nuanced. The story was so rich and honestly, I would not of guessed the ending was going to turn out how it did. For sure recommending this to others!

One of my favorite books of all time

This was amazing and I’m so upset I finished it and wish I could read it again for the first time. Amazing!

One of my top audible pics!

A full cast and a unique story, I loved it! Highly recommend this audible! My first 5 star read of the year.

The Audio is OUTSTANDING

This book was so so so fun. Start to finish. I wish I could do it again.

I don’t know how to feel

When I saw this book marketed as similar to Carrie Soto is Back (one of my top 2 reads of last year) I knew immediately that I wanted to read it. Then I heard it also had some Off Balance-style pain and I was like yes, please count me in. Then I actually read the book and let me just tell you that I “enjoyed” not one second of it. 😂 The audio, storyline, and the writing were actually all really good. However, I did not like one single character by the end and I absolutely hated the ending. I literally waited the entire book for ANY character to redeem themself and I feel like two did (kind of, like if you look at it sideways and squint). This book pissed me off so much I put it in the naughty corner with a 1 star review for a day or so while I sorted out my feelings. Now, don’t get it twisted…did this book piss me off the entire time? Yes. Do I want to read it ever again? No. BUT I want everybody else to read it so we can have a little rage chat about it and because despite the many flaws, it actually was a good book that (clearly) brought out lots of emotions in me. It’s def toxic AF (love it) and there’s a romance subplot for sure, but I wouldn’t say this is a romance book. So anyway, my official review is as follows: I did not enjoy one second of this book and I absolutely hated every single character….5 stars.

The narration is fantastic!!

Loved the multiple POVs and narrators. It was Daisy Jones meets Carrie Soto—It was a blast from start to finish.

Incredible Audiobook Production!

I know I would have loved this book even if I had read it, but listening to the audiobook was such a gift! Great writing, fantastic and original story, and amazing performances by all narrators.

i loved it!!!!

what was thattttt? i recommend to everyone. the tea, the DRA-MA, it was everything