Let’s Talk About The Favorites: My Thoughts on That Ending
The Favorites by Layne Fargo has been sitting on my TBR forever. It was one of those books I knew I’d probably enjoy, but since I wasn’t familiar with the author, I kept skipping over it. Clearly, I don’t love change… but this time, I pushed myself to branch out. And wow, I stumbled into one of my favorite books of 2025.
From the start, The Favorites had me hooked. The storytelling style reminded me of Daisy Jones & The Six with its dual timeline: one part unfolding in a documentary/interview format, the other moving chronologically through events across the years. That structure made it impossible to put down. I finished it so much faster than expected, completely immersed in the story of ambition, rivalry, and everything in between.
General Thoughts
The Favorites outdid my expectations. Honestly, I thought I might be disappointed. Instead, within just a few chapters, I realized I was not going to be able to put my book down.
This book follows two ice dancers, Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, from their childhood all the way to their Olympic journey. It’s got romance, drama, suspense, and even moments of violence woven throughout. Every time I thought I’d figured out the “incident” teased at the beginning, I was proven wrong. The reveals kept escalating, and each twist felt even sharper than the last.
For me, that’s the mark of a great novel… I’m quick to pick up on patterns, and The Favorites kept me guessing the whole way through.
Spoiler-Free Thoughts
If you’re here wondering whether The Favorites is worth picking up, my short answer: absolutely.
This is a book for fans of:
- Taylor Jenkins Reid’s dual timeline storytelling (Daisy Jones & The Six, Carrie Soto Is Back)
- Stories about sports, competition, and ambition
- Character-driven novels with twists that keep you invested until the very last page
- Olympic Ice Skating Drama!!!
Spoiler Section – What I Loved
1. Katarina Shaw’s Character Development
Katarina begins as a high-energy, laser-focused competitor who will do anything to win. Over time, though, her priorities shift. She begins to value inner peace and balance over relentless ambition. That evolution felt deeply relatable, maybe not on an Olympic level, but in the sense of realizing that “winning” doesn’t always define success.
2. Heath’s Complex Nature
Heath was unlike any character I’ve read before. His motivations, flaws, and intensity made him feel real. Watching his growth (and unraveling) was one of the most fascinating parts of the novel.
3. The Sabotage Reveal
We know early on that something catastrophic happens in Russia. Every time I thought the story was about to reveal the truth, the details didn’t quite line up with the cryptic hints from the beginning. I was left on the edge of my seat, waiting for the moment of blood and shock.
The way the story built suspense around a possible murder between the two skaters was genius. I fully expected the explosive rivalry to end in tragedy but never, in a million years, did I guess Francesca would be the one responsible for the incident.
4. The Dual Timeline Format
I’m always drawn to books with layered storytelling, and this one delivered. The combination of documentary-style interviews with the chronological timeline added so much suspense. The foreshadowing worked perfectly so that you don’t fully understand the weight of the interviews until you reach the ending.
What Didn’t Work for Me
As much as I loved the dual-timeline approach, I sometimes struggled to connect with the interviewees in the documentary sections. Their importance only clicked later on, which meant I occasionally skimmed over their commentary early in the book. Still, by the end, it all tied together seamlessly.
Favorite Quotes
“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.”
“The thing is, when pushing your limits is all you know, when it seems normal to you… it’s hard to remember you even have limits. Until you run right into them.”
Final Thoughts & Rating
Without hesitation, The Favorites is a 5/5 star read for me. It’s firmly in my Top 10 Books of 2025 and one I’ll be recommending to anyone who enjoys layered, suspenseful dramas.
If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six or enjoy books that combine sports, ambition, and high-stakes relationships, this is one you should absolutely add to your TBR.
Layne Fargo has officially won me over, and I’ll be picking up more of her books soon.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Have you read The Favorites yet? Or is it sitting on your TBR like it was on mine for far too long? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I’m always looking for more book recs to add to my list!
