Real Readers Review: The Favourites by Layne Fargo

We put a call out to our bookstagram community for early reviewers of this epic new novel from Layne Fargo. Read on to hear their thoughts:

@taylakbooks

"This checked so many boxes for me and what I want out of a book. Immediately to my top reads of the year, maybe even ever. It’s like little pieces of some of my fave reads came together and produced this beauty. Layne Fargo has delivered this addicting documentary style novel retelling the scandalous and intense story of Katerina Shaw and Heath Rocha and their rise and fall to fame in the cut throat world of ice dancing.

I was immediately drawn into Kat and Heaths journey and drawn to them as characters. They are my newest obsession. Kats drive and passion and Heaths loyalty to Kat. Their back stories into who they are showed their depth and also with the people who knew the pair being interviewed allowing us deeper into the world of them at their highs and lows.There were twists and turns that had me nervous, mad and sad but you can best bet I was flicking through these pages needing to know how things turned out. The writing was just so addicting. This is not your typical ice skating romance, it is so much more than that!

I will continue to think about this book and will 100% be rereading at some point or listening to the audio which I’ve heard is fantastic."

Read Tayla's full review here

@carwenreads

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I never know what to expect from a retelling of a classic but this reimagining of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights absolutely blew my mind.

Right from the first page I was pulled into the cut throat world of figure skating and swept up in the whirlwind love of Heath and Katarina ❤️‍🔥 The characters energy throughout the novel was truly contagious and I was as addicted to reading this book as they were to winning🥇 This fast paced story of passion and ambition is an absolute must read if you’re a fan of the TJR universe (specifically Daisy Jones x Carrie Soto) or you just love a story with strong, fierce female leads following their dreams.”

Read Carwen’s full review here

@mybooknookandme

“The next sensation. I LOVED 💕it. Obsessed. Read it in two sittings, couldn’t put it down. I absolutely love figure skating. The dirty and dark side of glitz and glam of ice dancing that no one sees and the scandals of two champions. This would make a perfect movie. Vibes of Baz Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom and Daisy Jones & The Six.”

Read Sharon’s full review here

@aglassandabook

“The drama, the scandal . . . this was the perfect holiday read to start the new year with. Take childhood friends/sweethearts Kat and Heath, throw in some villains mixed with the desire to do anything to win, and scatter in the Russian mob, and top with a scattering of sequins . . . and you've got yourself a little ripper of a book.”

Read Emma’s full review here

@bookswithbryleigh

“With a cut throat fmc that gives fierce Carrie Soto vibes who will do anything to win. You’ll be left unsure of who to root for throughout but also can’t help but love their determination and passion. I highly recommend this book to those who love fierce female leads, love a bit of mystery and those who enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid. An unexpected 5 stars!”

Read Bryleigh’s full review here

@whats_kiara_reading

“This book absolutely BLEW ME AWAY!!!! It was truly an incredible book that was engaging throughout the entire story. I was captivated the whole time whilst reading it. I never put it down. I got Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes ESPECIALLY, Daisy Jones & The Six vibes. The story goes from a first person POV to interview transcripts from a documentary made about the main characters, Kat and Heath. It makes the book a lot more fun and entertaining and helps create more intensity for the drama.

I also feel this book portrayed the intensity of the sporting world really well. By having such headstrong and powerful characters like Sheila in the book, it demonstrated how cut throat the sporting industry is. There were wins and losses and failures and comebacks. This book truly expressed what success is and means to some people. I adore this book.”

Read Kiara's full review here

@adrianas_library

“The Favourites follows a love story between two elite figure skaters as we are taken through the highs and lows of their lives and their figure skating careers. Our FMC is a strong and determined character, and while reading I kept comparing her to Carrie Soto, in Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I love a FMC that knows what she wants, and works so incredibly hard to get there, even if it may not be through “traditional” or “approved” methods. This book is also written between a mixture of documentary style and first POV from Kats perspective which I loved. 

I also loved that it wasn’t solely a romance book. It was a book centred around people and relationships and also had a comforting found family element to it. Overall I loved this one and if you are a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books then you would definitely love this one! Or if you’re just a fan of figure skating ⛸️”

Read Ariana’s full review here

@ronells_bookshelf

“The dynamic between Kat and Heath, set against the backdrop of the cutthroat skating world, is 🤌🏽— it’s almost like the politics of the sport are their third, unwelcome partner, always throwing them into conflict.

While I wouldn’t strictly call this a romance, there’s a deep, complicated connection between Kat and Heath that pulls at your heartstrings. It’s not about a perfect love story—it’s about two people, incredibly flawed and driven, who are destined to be a part of each other’s lives forever.”

Read Ronell’s full review here

@whatchrissiereadnext

“I knew as soon as I started this book it was going to be completely addictive, and I absolutely raced through it. I just had to know what happened!! It's got a lovely intimate feel - you get to know these characters quickly, warts and all, but the mystery keeps you guessing until the close of the book. The Favourites is so cleverly told! Excerpts and interviews from the documentary are peppered throughout the book, and we know upfront that something terrible happened at the Olympics, but we don't know what. We get the story in pieces, from Kat and Heath's rivals, friends, judges and coaches, but we concurrently get Kat's story, right from the start. I love this type of structure and storytelling, and it works absolutely brilliantly here. As you would expect, there's an emotional and rocky love story. While I thought all of the main characters were really interesting, Kat absolutely steals the show. You might not always like her, but you will be captivated by her. As for the ice skating, it was fascinating!”

Read Chrissie’s full review here

@cazthebookworm

“I absolutely inhaled this book from start to finish, it was the perfect book to start 2025 off with. This book is centred around Katarina and Heath and their love for skating, though honestly it’s more her love of skating and his love of pleasing her. This pair are the ultimate childhood sweethearts that absolutely adore each other and will do anything to be with one another. This pair have been through the wringer but nothing or anyone will hold them back. I really enjoyed the storyline a lot, it kept me invested and the angst got high. My heart broke towards the end during a particular scene but the ending more than made up for that. A book that will keep you hooked, desperately wanting to know what happens next. If you loved Daisy Jones then you will adore this book too.”

Read Caz’s full review here