The Favorites by Layne Fargo is easily in my top three (possibly even tippy top) book of the year.
I hadn’t even heard of this book before I hit play (yes, I listened via Spotify). It was just another chaotic evening—my four-year-old was yelling at me to wipe his butt, and thank God I’d already wrangled the tiny one to sleep.
Finally, I locked the bathroom door, queued up something (anything) for my 20-minute shower escape, and started flipping through audiobooks. The Favorites caught my eye. Sexy cover. Quick Goodreads search. “Sure, why not?”
You guys.
My life has been forever changed by this book. I’ve never been so excited to go on walks in 95-degree heat just to find out what would happen next in Kat and Heath’s tumultuous (and gloriously toxic) love story.
The Premise (No Spoilers!)
Two ice dancers, Kat and Heath, meet as kids on the competitive ice-dancing circuit. From day one, Kat’s got tunnel vision—Olympic gold or bust. Her drive is unmatched, her discipline way beyond her years.
When she meets Heath, they become not only ice dance partners but emotional anchors for each other. But business and pleasure don’t always mix, right? Because while Kat loves Heath, she loves that he has the potential to take her to the Olympics just as much (and maybe even more so).
As their careers and career intertwine over the years, Kat has to choose: chase the medal or hold onto the one person who’s been there through it all.
My Experience Reading
I was absolutely obsessed with this book from the moment I started listening. I knew it had a Daisy Jones & the Six vibe with the interview-style storytelling, and that was all I needed to hear.
Once I hit play, I was in. Like, up at 2 a.m., feeding my baby, and wide awake, wondering what would happen next. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
The twists.
The emotional chaos.
The slow unraveling of everything I thought I knew about these characters.
I was in an emotional upheaval weeks after finishing it.
Kat and Heath are the definition of a beautiful, messy, toxic love story. There were moments I didn’t like either of them—and yet I couldn’t stop rooting for them. That’s how good the writing is. Even when it hurt, I was still pressing “next chapter.”
What I Loved
- The character arcs—especially Kat’s. Watching her evolve from an ice-cold competitor to someone more self-aware, vulnerable, and deeply human was incredibly satisfying.
- The audiobook narration. Each character had their own voice actor, and it brought the story to life. Ellis Gray, Jane Kerr—these side narrators felt like real people with real perspectives. I could picture each of them sitting in front of a camera for the documentary, spilling all the tea. It was so juicy, and I don’t think reading the print version would’ve delivered the same level of rawness.
- The plot twists. So many unexpected turns. Just when I thought I had someone figured out, the story hit me with another reveal. It was equal parts infuriating and addicting.
- The song choice at the end. I will never in my life listen to The Last Time by Taylor Swift the same way again. Kat and Heath’s final dance scene? Full body chills. Tears streaming down my face. It was a full-circle moment—epic, emotional, unforgettable.
What I Didn’t Love
Honestly? There wasn’t much. Normally, I’d say the toxic relationship dynamic would turn me off, but in this case, it was part of what made the story so compulsively readable.
I will say, I wish Heath had chapters in his point of view. What was he thinking during some of those pivotal moments? What was his personality like beyond what we hear from Kat and the other narrators? WE NEED TO KNOW.
But overall, I devoured this book like a toddler devours their one and only nap of the day—rare, precious, and never long enough.
Should You Read or Listen?
This is such a subjective question—but let’s break it down to help you decide:
🎧 The Audiobook
If you’re an audiobook lover, don’t hesitate—buy the audiobook and never look back. It’s absolutely worth it. Each voice actor brings so much emotional depth to their character; it feels like you’re watching a multi-episode documentary unfold in your ears.
Between those documentary-style interviews, you get chapters from Kat’s perspective, which pull you right into the story. The format is layered, intimate, and honestly, kind of cinematic.
Not sure if audiobooks are for you? Let me convince you otherwise.
📖 The Physical Book
If you’re a speed reader, have a vivid imagination, or just love to collect books (even if your actual reading happens on a Kindle—hey, same), go for the physical copy. She’s a pretty lady and would look great on your trophy shelf of favorites.
🌀 Why Choose?
Honestly… why not do both? Listen while you fold laundry, read when your kids finally nap. This book is good enough to experience more than once.
Who This Book Is For
If you loved Daisy Jones & the Six, enjoy long-haul character-driven stories full of emotional turmoil, career ambition, closed-door spice, and devastatingly good writing—this one’s for you.
The Favorites will crawl under your skin and stay there. It’s perfect for:
- Audiobook fans
- Lovers of messy relationships
- Anyone who wants a good ugly cry paired with their iced coffee
Final Thoughts
The Favorites is the kind of book that makes you cancel plans, walk around the block twice, and secretly hope your kids nap a little longer. Layne Fargo has written something messy and magical, and I’ll be thinking about Kat and Heath for a long time.
Ready for your next great read? Check these titles out!