The Favorites: A Novel
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 By Any Other Name
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: MARIE CLAIRE, BOOK RIOT, SHE READS, CRIMEREADS
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.
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 By Any Other Name
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: MARIE CLAIRE, BOOK RIOT, SHE READS, CRIMEREADS
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.
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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI
Readers say *The Favorites* delivers a fast-paced, twist-filled dive into competitive ice dancing with an addictive “us vs. the skating world” vibe. T...
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What’s it about?
Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha are small-town kids from Illinois with dreams of making it big in the ice-dancing world. But their path is anything but smooth. Ten years after their retirement, an unauthorized documentary airs, uncovering the “real story”.
What did it make me think about?
The world of ice skating is not what it seems….
Should I read it?
So this goes in that category of propulsively readable mass-market fiction. Besides being a little long in the middle- this book flies by. I did not know it was possible to have so many twists and turns in one book. As with all twisty suspense-thrillers, you need to put all sensibility aside. This would be a great pick if you are in a reading rut. It would get you turning the pages again, and getting a glimpse into the ice-dancing world was the best part of the book.
Quote-
“Figure skating is a strange sport, because it depends so much on image and narrative. You have to kill it on the ice, but you also have to look the part and have a compelling story.”
What’s it about?
Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha are small-town kids from Illinois with dreams of making it big in the ice-dancing world. But their path is anything but smooth. Ten years after their retirement, an unauthorized documentary airs, uncovering the “real story”.
What did it make me think about?
The world of ice skating is not what it seems….
Should I read it?
So this goes in that category of propulsively readable mass-market fiction. Besides being a little long in the middle- this book flies by. I did not know it was possible to have so many twists and turns in one book. As with all twisty suspense-thrillers, you need to put all sensibility aside. This would be a great pick if you are in a reading rut. It would get you turning the pages again, and getting a glimpse into the ice-dancing world was the best part of the book.
Quote-
“Figure skating is a strange sport, because it depends so much on image and narrative. You have to kill it on the ice, but you also have to look the part and have a compelling story.”
This was so good and I’m glad to finally get out of a reading slump. Great for anyone is in their “ice rink” phase..
I listened to the audio book, and the readers were fantastic! You felt like you were actually at the competitions. The book was a great read and a fascinating look behind the scenes of ice dancing and the lives of athletes who compete at the highest levels. I highly recommend getting the audio book.
I enjoyed parts of the book but I found it alittle dull in other parts. I cannot quite put my finger on it why this book didn't excite me. I will say the unique approach with how the characters tell the story with "interview injections" was interesting.
3.75 ⭐️
The format of this story was really interesting. Not only are you moved through the story with the main characters, but you have chapters focused purely from the judges and professional commentators as well. It gives the main story another layer.
Kat and Heath’s story is mostly predictable but isdoes have a number of twists and turns which is needed.
Really enjoyed it though.
The format of this story was really interesting. Not only are you moved through the story with the main characters, but you have chapters focused purely from the judges and professional commentators as well. It gives the main story another layer.
Kat and Heath’s story is mostly predictable but isdoes have a number of twists and turns which is needed.
Really enjoyed it though.
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