A review by kelsbookzone1
The Favorites by Layne Fargo

dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for access to an early release copy.

So there are not enough ice skating stories out there. I’ve enjoyed Layne Fargo stories so I was happy to see a new one coming out. Katarina and Heath not only felt like the perfect dance partners as early teens but soulmates. An endless love kind of thing. Told in documentary style, it was easy to picture the moments, from competition to heartache. Once they get an invite to prestigious academy, the real gossip begins. And the elite world finally feels like it’s in their grasp.

The book doesn’t explore anything new for the skating world- that it’s elite and you need a good amount of money to get ahead. And Heath and Katarina felt like the perfect couple on the outskirts looking to break in. Heath’s obsessions started to feel repetitive and a little tiresome- like it would have been nice for him to have a different side. And for the first half of the book, he felt very one note. I would say the highlight may be the side characters; intriguing and always leaving you wondering their true intentions. 

This was nicely written, adding a little more drama to already intense competitive, athletic world. I wouldn’t have minded a little more suspense or having a twist somewhere. But I did enjoy it overall and found it easy to read through.