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The Favorites
The Favorites: A Novel | Layne Fargo
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 familys 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 skatingand each otherto 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 cant stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy. So, after a decade of silence, shes 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.
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keepingupwiththepenguins
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Pickpick

The epilogue of The Favourites is a bit schmaltzy, but aside from that it‘s an excellent and gripping read (even for those of us who know absolutely nothing about ice skating or high-level competitive sport). Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-favourites-layne-fargo-review/

42 likes2 stack adds
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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

Daisy Jones meets Tanya Harding in this Wuthering Heights retelling. We're hearing the story of ice dancers who become famous in interview snippets after the fact. Heath and Katarina have a toxic relationship and anyone who has read Wuthering Heights won't be surprised to hear that. It's incredibly entertaining on audio, but also exhausting as the characters are just horrible to each other.

deirdrebeecher Would you say there is an element of Satire to it? I quite like horrible people being horrible when it's satirical. 1w
AvidReader25 @deirdrebeecher no satire, just unhealthy obsession. Really it stays pretty close to Wuthering Heights. It‘s a fun listen because the drama keeps things moving. 1w
29 likes3 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

What a juicy, gossipy, and thrilling ride! I loved stepping into the ice dancing world with all the intrigue, personalities, and drama. Complicated characters making passionate and often poor decisions in a wonderfully specific space and time made for a book that was really hard to put down. Released in January, I suspect we‘ll be hearing a lot about this one and oh how I‘d love to see it as a series :) So good!

53 likes2 stack adds
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Nessavamusic
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It was a close call with Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. But I think my favorite is The Favorites!
@Catsandbooks

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Sara_Planz
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Pickpick

I had no idea this was a modern retelling of Wuthering Heights (one of my all time fav classics!) until I read other reviews about it. No wonder I loved it so much. For those who remember the classic ice skating rivalries, this modern twist on star-crossed lovers is a page turner, filled with scandalous tidbits, and is extremely entertaining. I loved all the backstabbing, sniping, and love triangles.

53 likes1 stack add
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Starting this one on audio 🎧 I‘ve heard great things!

📚📚📚

64 likes1 stack add
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Erinreadsthebooks
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Pickpick

I have a pretty clear memory of watching Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding duke it out, but I wouldn‘t consider myself an ice skating fan. Fortunately, you don‘t need to be a fan to enjoy this book, and I didn‘t just enjoy it, I loved it! Very Daisy Jones and Six with the oral history type interviews between chapters and thoroughly entertaining. Highly recommend. Five glowing stars for me! 🏆

Allyneedsbooks Same!!🙌🏼 3w
32 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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GinaKButler
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Excited to start this full-cast audio today! 🎧

And, it will give me a bingo! #bookspinbingo

25 likes1 stack add
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TheLudicReader
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Pickpick

Storm day means Lily and I are bundled up at home and I got to finish this book about ice dancers Kat and Heath, a sport I loved back in the day. Objectively not a fabulous book (it was a lot of telling and big things were resolved way too quickly and for two people who were supposed to be so passionate about each other, if felt a little sterile in the sex dept) and yet I loved every single second of it. Totally would watch the limited series.

AmyG Enjoy your snow day, you two! 1mo
charl08 This is the one with the AI cover, right? 1mo
TheLudicReader Oh, is the cover AI, @charl08 ? I guess, really, so much stuff is these days. 1mo
Ruthiella 😻😻😻 1mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1mo
53 likes5 comments
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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

This was so great! I could not stop listening. I have really enjoyed the authors thrillers and now she has written a beautiful messy love story with found family and ice dancing. Loved it! 5⭐️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I can‘t wait for this one! 1mo
65 likes1 comment
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Jas16
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Pickpick

It has been quite a week. If tomorrow weren‘t Friday I might cry. Thankfully I‘ve had this soapy book about figure skating to distract and entertain me. Secrets, scandal, romance, and sequins abound on every page and I enjoyed every dramatic moment of it.

kspenmoll Hope Friday brings you some much needed relief.🩷 1mo
Jas16 @kspenmoll Thank you! 1mo
AmyG Hope you have a relaxing weekend, then. 1mo
See All 11 Comments
marleed Hope it all gets better! 1mo
TiredLibrarian Hang in there! Glad you had a good book to help cheer you up! 1mo
BarbaraBB Hope you‘ll feel better soon 🤍 1mo
squirrelbrain Hope Friday (and onwards!) is better. 1mo
Reggie I‘m sorry, Jennifer. I hope it gets better. 1mo
Jas16 @TiredLibrarian @AmyG @marleed @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Reggie Thanks friends for the support and letting me whine! 1mo
kimmypete1 I feel you on this week. So glad it‘s over. I hope you have a restful weekend. 1mo
Suet624 Oh, I hope things get better for you. 1mo
68 likes1 stack add11 comments
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keys_on_fire
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Pickpick

Devoured this one! Loved the mix of classic storytelling & interviews. So much drama, little bit of mystery, lots of romance; so much to like! If you followed skating at any point in the last 30-40 years, you will love this book!
#botm

47 likes3 stack adds
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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

Such a fun January #BOTM! With a similar faux-documentary style like DAISY JONES & THE SIX, the central figures here are ice dancing modernizations of WUTHERING HEIGHTS. With great Illinois detail (minus the impossibility of Lake County property tax), this high-drama & sequin-filled read is impossible to put down! Totally entertaining & enjoyable, I hope the screen optioning rights pan out well because this definitely has cinematic flair! So fun!

GinaKButler This is on my list for February…so excited! 1mo
TorieStorieS @GinaKButler I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did!! 🩷 1mo
marleed I love your photo! 1mo
TorieStorieS @marleed Thank you!! Who knew I had so many ice skating ornaments! 🤣 1mo
60 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Injeanious
Pickpick

Suspenseful, competitive, romantic. Love a book that has a different story. Great read!

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nitalibrarian
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I finished 7 books in January. I usually only read a couple non-fiction a year, so I've already hit my quota! Just kidding, I don't know if I'll keep it up, but I already have another non-fiction checked out from the library that I want to read.

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BookBelle84
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Pickpick

This will definitely be one of my favorite reads of the year. It is done in the style of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones but follows the cutthroat world of Olympic ice dancing. The author used Wuthering Heights for her character inspiration, and the whole book read as a car accident I couldn't look away from. I can't remember the last book I was so absorbed in. I needed to know if they ever won the gold. #highlyrecommend #bestof2025

Deblovestoread Great review. I added this to my BOTM box this morning. 1mo
LeeRHarry Ohh that‘s a fab review! It‘s waiting at the library for me to pick up! I just reread Evelyn Hugo too. 😊 1mo
JamieArc I‘m listening to the audiobook and it‘s great with multiple narrators doing the interview sections. 1mo
31 likes3 comments
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AudiobookingWithLeah
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Pickpick

4.75⭐
A searing look at the world of Ice Dance featuring a troubled romance, fraught with heartbreak both on and off the ice. It was a slightly slow start but once it took off, I was hooked. The full-cast narration with interview commentary was perfectly performed and one of the book's highlights. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves Taylor Jenkins-Reid…it was like a mash-up between Daisy Jones and the Six and Carrie Soto is Back.

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Julsmarshall
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My February #BookspinBingo list! There are several I‘m really looking forward to!

49 likes1 stack add
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Maureens_musings
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Pickpick

Drama, romance, a touch of suspense-all in a mock-umentary style? Yes, please! If you enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid, add this to your TBR! @Eggs

Eggs Excited to read this book! 2mo
7 likes1 comment
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BookishClaire
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Purple spredges? Obviously, I caved.

Wish that gorgeous cover wasn‘t ruined by the stupid blurb "sticker" though!

TheSpineView 💜 Cover! 2mo
tpixie Happy Litsyversary 🩷💜🩷 2w
AvidReader25 I‘m reading this right now. This cover is so gorgeous! I can‘t believe we‘ve been on Litsy for 9 years. Happy Litsyversary! (edited) 2w
BookishClaire @AvidReader25 you too! 9 years is bananas! 2w
18 likes4 comments
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jdiehr
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Pickpick

Katarina and Heath are an ice dance couple.

She is obsessed with winning.

They are obsessed with each other.

I am obsessed with this book!!!! SO GOOD!

AmyG Getting good reviews! 2mo
36 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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ICantImReading
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The Favorites” dazzles as an audiobook; I could see it being an awesome limited TV series. While it‘s reminiscent of Daisy Jones and Carrie Soto, it didn‘t make me feel for or believe in the characters quite as much as Taylor Jenkins Reid can. Still, it was an epically entertaining read - completely immersive and packed with juicy drama. 🎧

LMJenkins I have this on my shelf…glad to hear you liked it! 2mo
ICantImReading @LMJenkins it was fun to escape into the ice dancing world! Enjoy! ⛸️❄️ 2mo
Breanne1 I loved this even more than Daisy Jones! 2mo
ICantImReading @Breanne1 I saw you said in your review that you were a competitive skater - how cool!! I bet that made you feel even more connected to this story 🙂 2mo
61 likes4 comments
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marleed
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I was just a couple chapters into the tagged when I was pretty sure it would be my clear favorite of this reading grid. I was completely immersed in skating beauty and drama for years and this book took me back!

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

64 likes1 stack add
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Breanne1
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Pickpick

This may be my favorite book of 2025 and I know it just started. This pulled me right back in to my competitive skating days. So compelling and ultimately an amazing ending. #botm

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marleed
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Pickpick

I followed figure skating religiously for 30+ years and can‘t name why I quit keeping up with it in the 2010s. This fictional retelling brought me right back to all that drama, and I loved my stereo experience of printed word and full-cast audio. If you are reading and think Ellis is giving you Johnny Weir feels - good call as Johnny narrates Ellis in the audio😀

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my list 📚 2mo
marleed @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I think you‘ll like it! 2mo
JessieKB I just heard about this one on three separate and unrelated podcasts!!! Looking forward to it🤍 2mo
marleed @JessieKB I think it‘s my most entertaining read of the year. The supporting character Ellis (‘er Johnny Weir) was comic relief reminding the reader not to take the drama too seriously. 2mo
JamieArc I am listening to the audiobook and totally thought of Ellis as Weir, but didn‘t realize he narrated! 1mo
79 likes1 stack add5 comments
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nitalibrarian
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Wednesday's are my evening shift at the library. I'm home now, supper is eaten and Peri is walked. Now I can relax and start The Favorites. ⛸️

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angel1
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
BOTM is starting out strong in 2025 with this January pick..I already see this as being a book of the year contender!! Absolutely loved all the drama, scandal and intense love story!!❤️⛸️❄️🔥

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mdemanatee
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What new releases are you most excited for this week (and last)? https://youtu.be/AISUCQzbbxE

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TheRomantiCate
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Hello my beauties!! My BOTM box arrived and I couldn‘t be happier!! 😍🤩🤩

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ErikasMindfulShelf
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Pickpick

This was fun and juicy.

34 likes1 stack add
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TheSpineView
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The Favorites by Layne Fargo is my #BOTM January selection. It came today and I already selected a bookmark to use while reading. Now to read it this month instead of June 2035!! 🤣

Aims42 Lol! I hope June 2035 you isn‘t bummed 😅 2mo
TheSpineView @Aims42 👍📖 2mo
Aims42 @TheSpineView Good thing about Litsy, there‘s always something to read 😂👍 2mo
See All 6 Comments
LeeRHarry I have my name down for it at the library when it comes in- looks good! 😊 2mo
TheSpineView @LeeRHarry I've read hood reviews. Looking forward to it. 2mo
CatMS 😁 2mo
82 likes1 stack add6 comments
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nitalibrarian
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I think BOTM did a fabulous job with their picks for January. I ended up picking four.

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TheSpineView
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The January BOTM selections are up. I choose The Favorites. What did you choose?
My goal is to read this in January. Fingers crossed.

#BOTM ##JumpStart2025 @Lizpixie #Read2025 @DieAReader

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I can‘t decide.. I really want the Adrienne Young book, but I don‘t like any of the main picks 🫣 2mo
Laughterhp I chose this one too! Just so I could get the Adrienne Young book. 2mo
TheSpineView @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It was tough decision this month! 2mo
59 likes4 comments