About this book
(Blurb from Penguin Random House SA)
Everyone thinks Heath Rocha was my first love. He wasn’t. My first love was figure skating.
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 rollercoaster 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 unauthorised 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 either. 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 rumours have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.
Alternating Kat’s own account of her dramatic rise and devastating fall with scandalous snippets from the tell-all film, and capturing the can’t-look-away intensity of Emily Bronte’s classic novel, The Favourites is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition, and what it truly means to win.
ISBN 9781784745493
Format Trade Paperback
Recommended Price R340.00
Published February 2025
My Thoughts
My Thoughts“There are lots of different kinds of love. Love like a steady, warming campfire that keeps you alive in the cold. Love like a raging blaze that burns down everything in its path until nothing but ash remains.”
When I first picked up The Favourites, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be such a gripping and unique read. The story revolves around Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, former Olympic ice dancers whose dramatic rise and fall are at the heart of an unauthorised biography. It has been ten years since they last skated together, and the book delves into their shared journey through a mix of Katarina’s perspective and documentary-style interviews with those who knew them best. This structure created a story that felt so real—I often forgot I wasn’t reading an actual biography.
“Imagine being down so bad you’d master a whole Olympic sport to spend time with someone.”
Katarina and Heath meet as children, driven by dreams of Olympic gold, and quickly rise to fame as ice-dancing partners. Their relationship, however, becomes messy and toxic, filled with heartbreak, betrayal, and obsessive ambition. It’s a story of two people bound together by their sport, even as their personal lives fall apart. The twists and reveals had me audibly gasping at times—this book was impossible to put down!
“His love for me hadn’t been motivation enough to reach his full potential. His hatred, though? That made him capable of anything.”
One of the things that really worked for me was the documentary-style format. The interviews interspersed throughout the book gave it such an immersive and dynamic feel. It was like watching a documentary unfold, complete with all the different points of view and opinions on what really happened. I also loved how vividly the world of ice dancing was brought to life. Layne Fargo clearly did her research, and the behind-the-scenes look at this niche sport was fascinating.
“I hated them. I wanted to be them. I couldn’t take my eyes off them.”
Katarina, as the protagonist, is flawed, ruthless, and at times completely unlikable—and yet, I couldn’t help but root for her. Her ambition and drive are palpable, and I felt every high and low with her. The relationship between her and Heath, however, was the ultimate rollercoaster. It was toxic and tumultuous, but I couldn’t tear myself away from their dynamic. The drama between them—spanning decades—was equal parts frustrating and compelling.
“I became a skater because I wanted to feel like that. Fierce. Confident. A warrior goddess covered in glitter. So sure of myself, I could make my dreams come true through sheer force of will.”
The book also explores some powerful themes, including the cost of ambition, the complexity of love, and how people perceive themselves versus how others see them. It’s an emotional and angsty story that doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of its characters.
“We used to joke that they were going to die in each other’s arms or kill each other with their bare hands. Nothing in between.”
That said, I did have a few small gripes. While the story kept me engaged, there were moments where the drama felt a bit over the top—like there were just too many scandals packed into one book. Additionally, the ending, though satisfying, felt a little too tidy given the messiness of the story as a whole. But honestly, these are minor critiques because I was so entertained from start to finish.
“I’d convinced myself if I became the best, it didn’t matter who I hurt, because in the end, it would be worth it. Even if I hurt myself most of all.”
If you enjoy fast-paced stories brimming with drama, flawed but compelling characters, and unique storytelling formats, The Favourites is for you. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Carrie Soto is Back or anyone who loves a juicy, scandal-filled narrative will devour this book. For those who follow the Olympics or are intrigued by competitive sports, the deep dive into ice dancing adds an extra layer of interest.
“You can always be better. But don’t let that stop you from carrying yourself like a champion. If you don’t believe you’re the best, no one else will either.”
Layne Fargo’s The Favourites is a wild, emotional ride that will keep you hooked until the very end. The mix of scandal, ambition, and flawed characters makes it a standout debut, and I can’t wait to see what Fargo writes next. This was such a fun and engrossing read, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a book that feels like a mix between a high-drama telenovela and an intimate sports documentary.
“I didn’t invent misogyny, I just shamelessly profited from it.”
Read an extract here: Extract: The Favourites by Layne Fargo Penguin Random House South Africa
Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the chance to read this book!
You may also enjoy: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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