The Favorites Audiobook By Layne Fargo cover art

The Favorites

A Novel

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The Favorites

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
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About this listen

To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.

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 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.

©2025 Layne Fargo (P)2025 Random House Audio
Coming of Age Sports Women's Fiction

Critic reviews

“Violent passions, bloody on-ice accidents, bedroom betrayals, sabotage, paparazzi-driven scandals, and nonstop cliffhangers . . . Colleen Hoover–style romance heads to the Olympic rink. Buckle up.”—Kirkus Reviews

“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

“A true literary triple axel: a smart and nuanced retelling of a classic, a tense sports drama, and a perfectly twisted romance.”—Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author of The Heiress and The Wife Upstairs

What listeners say about The Favorites

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So good!

It lives up to the hype. Reminded me of Taylor Jenkins Reid books in the best possible way. Performance was outstanding!

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1 person found this helpful

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This Years Breakout

One of the best books I’ve read recently. The style of writing was so engaging- something new every few minutes and kept my attention, like the way the characters hinted at bad things happening but you never knew when those things would happen. Can’t wait for this to be a tv show or a movie.

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Fantastic full cast audio!

I couldn’t give this book 5 stars fast enough! I listened on audio and highly recommend it. The full cast audio was spectacular!
The whole story was full of unexpected twists and turns and kept me wondering throughout. I couldn’t stop listening! Such a beautiful and heart breaking story that you need to read!

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Riveting story!

Great story, great narration. This is definitely worth a credit. Don’t miss this great book.

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one of the best books I've read

absolutely captivating great characters twists and illustration of the human condition and competition mindset. I couldn't stop listening it

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Incredible!!

Just WOW!! This book was incredible, bingeable and even more than that memorable, because I have never read anything like it. I loved reading a book in the figure skating world and then to have that book be so incredible was even better!

I don’t want to give anything away, I think going in blind is the best, but I can say that I had no idea how this story would conclude and come together and somehow Layne did it. The ending was worthy of the story that led us there. Highly suggest this one, you won’t regret it!

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OUTSTANDING!!

this was SO SO well narrated! it was so so entertaining & I absolutely loved the style that this was written in. The audiobook was the perfect way to read this book.

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first 5⭐ read of 2025!

The story is amazing. I am sure I would have also loved it in print but this story as an audio book was fantastic! The large cast of narrators brought Fargo's story to life.

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This is amazing

I love the interview/documentary style format of this story. This book made me happy, sad, MAD, want to scream and laugh. I loved it so so much. So much tension, angst and drama!

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Captivating

I loved it! Couldn’t stop listening. Characters are likable but they make mistakes because they are immature. I loved learning about ice dancing and how competitive it is. I loved the angsty love story. There were several plot twists. The end was bitter sweet but very realistic.

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