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Title details for The Favorites by Layne Fargo - Wait list

The Favorites

A Novel

by Layne Fargo
Christine Lakin
Audiobook
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To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • 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 family’s 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 skating—and each other—to 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 can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy. So, after a decade of silence, she’s 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.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    January 14, 2025

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593946459
      • File size: 392129 KB
      • Duration: 13:36:51

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      September 9, 2024
      Thriller writer Fargo (They Never Learn) tries her hand at women’s fiction in this melodramatic story of two ice dancers’ obsessive love affair and their long-held dreams to make it to the Olympics. Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha are children when they begin skating together in 1990s Lake Forest, Ill., fueled by Kat’s “gnawing ache of ambition” to follow in the footsteps of gold medalist Sheila Lin. In 2000, Kat and Heath travel to Cleveland to compete against Sheila’s twins, Bella and Garrett. Though Kat and Heath come in sixth, Sheila invites them to join her training facility in California. There, Kat’s drive outruns her loyalty, and she breaks it off with Heath, claiming he’s holding her back. What follows over the next 14 years are a series of betrayals between Kat and Heath, as well as feuds pitting them against the Lins, a retired skater turned blogger, and others. After many thwarted attempts at making the Olympic team, Kat and Heath get one last chance to compete in the 2014 Sochi games. The overly long story is sunk by the repetitive interpersonal drama, and by a foggy attempt to parallel the themes of Wuthering Heights (Heath/Heathcliff, Shaw/Earnshaw). Like the characters’ lives, it’s a bit of a mess. Agent: Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Listeners don't need to be superfans of ice skating to be drawn into this audiobook. The world of pairs skating competition provides the setting for a story of young, elite athletes who are fighting for Olympic gold. Structured as oral history, the narrations are uniformly exceptional. Standouts include Christine Lakin as the complicated lead; her voice captures a mix of focused competitiveness and messy relationships. Amy Landon embodies the poised, media-savvy coach. Suzanne Toren, as the experienced skating judge, conveys steely reserve and authority. Graham Halstead, as a former skater, captures the tone of a professional with endless insights. Louisa Zhu anchors the program as the steadfast producer. And Johnny Weir, a real-life Olympian, provides a fittingly energetic performance as a gossip blogger. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      March 7, 2025

      Fargo's (They Never Learn) epic coming-of-age story traces the skating careers of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, who bond during their troubled childhoods and find themselves continually drawn to each other through their callings as Olympic ice dancing partners. Now a tell-all documentary about Katarina's life is coming out, and Katarina wants to get out in front of it and set the record straight by telling her story herself. Interspersed between Katarina's reflections are snippets from the documentary, told in a manner that lends itself perfectly to full-cast audiobook narration. In riveting fashion, the story switches from Katarina to her fellow skaters, coaches, journalists, and others integral to the world of ice skating. Christine Lakin does a fantastic job voicing Katarina and is supported by 10 additional narrators, including former Olympic skating champion turned American sports commentator Johnny Weir. Bursting with drama, ambition, romance, betrayal, jealousy, and the tenacity of dedicated athletes, this book is guaranteed to please figure skating lovers. VERDICT Fargo's standout, multi-layered work of fiction is especially suited to audio. Highly recommended for listeners seeking sports fiction with heart, suspense, and strong characterizations.--Shannon O'Connor

      Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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