Genre: Romance, New Adult Fiction

Rating: ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️️

I went into this novel not really knowing what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The Favorites by Layne Fargo isn’t a romance novel, per se. Instead, it’s a layered drama that blends elements of sports fiction with shades of coming-of-age and just a touch of romance.

I want to start by saying I absolutely loved this book. The writing was sharp and engaging, told in two distinct styles: most of the story unfolds through Katarina’s point of view, while the rest is presented as a documentary-style dialogue exploring her relationship and career with Heath.

This story spans decades, showing glimpses into Katarina and Heath’s childhood togther, moving into their teen years and how they ended up being the messy ice dance stars they were. There were twists and turns, all of which I loved, and made the book feel more real. They get their version of a happy ending, but in the least traditional sense of the term. I honestly did not care as much if they ended up together, because the story was that good.

Despite all of the characters carrying their own layers and hidden agendas, the dichotomy between the sport’s ruthlessness and the friendships at play was especially intriguing. That complexity felt authentic to the reality of such a competitive sport, and the “Tonya Harding” edge made the story even more captivating. The novel also doesn’t shy away from harder topics, weaving in money struggles, abuse and the geopolitics of a Russian-dominated sport in the 1980s and 1990s, a fascinating layer that added even more depth to the narrative.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. While it isn’t a romance novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main plot was so compelling that, in my opinion, the various romantic subplots naturally fell to the side.