The Favourites

By: Layne Fargo

Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Layne Fargo, Eric Yang, Johnny Weir, Brandon Perea

Brought to you by Penguin.

BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick.

Everyone thinks Heath Rocha was my first love. He wasn't. My first love was figure skating.

Katarina Shaw has always known she’s 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 fans with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style and rollercoaster relationship.

Until, at the Olympic Games, as the world holds its breath, a shocking incident instantly destroys their partnership.

Ten years later, an unauthorised tell-all documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha. If Kat wants to own her story, she must break her silence. As Kat’s account of her dramatic rise and fall alternates with scandalous interviews from the film, The Favourites spins into a dance between passion, ambition and what it truly means to win.

Sensational rumours have haunted Kat and Heath’s every step for years, but the truth may be even more outrageous than the headlines.

‘Part Wuthering Heights and part Daisy Jones and the Six . . . As brilliantly choreographed as a gold-medal performance’ JODI PICOULT

© Layne Fargo 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Critic reviews

Perfect if you’re a fan of Daisy Jones and the Six

Brilliant… will keep you guessing until its very last page (Jodi Picoult)

A delight - I was completely hooked (Sophie Cousens)

Scorching

'Intense'

Heart-wrenching, epic and passionate (Betty Cayouette)

'The Favourites is a true literary triple axel- a smart and nuanced retelling of a classic, a tense sports drama, and a perfectly twisted romance.'

‘A glittery compulsive whirl of a book, filled with spite and love and sequins and ambition’

'An addictive read... as shimmering and lethal as ice-dancing itself.'

This is an unputdownable book, with a lot to say about competition, ambition, love and obsession (Roxane Gay (on Goodreads))

Phenomenal performance

One of the best audio books I have read! Even the non-English speakers had the right accent. The writing was beautiful! Thank you! I will surely be rereading this one again!

Worth a listen

The storyline had lots of eyeroll moments but overall it kept me engaged. inwould recommend this book.

Such a lovely listen

Absolutely loved The Favourites! It’s super cute and gave me total Gossip Girl vibes—stylish, dramatic, and addictive in all the best ways. The fashion, the friendships, the secrets… it’s everything you want in a juicy, escapist read. Loved the writing style too—witty, sharp, and easy to devour. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something glamorous with a little bite. Highly recommend!

Book of the year

Loved every bit of this book! So well written and this audible version is such a good performance.