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
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
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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Community Reviews
What an interesting tale of competitive ice dancing. I thought the story was interesting, tad dragging at times, but over a good story to read right before the National Championships this week. I did not like a few of the characters (Bella was incredibly manipulative and no one called her out on it) and Francesca was just bad. Those two were too soap opera for me. Overall, this is a must listen read, since its a full cast performance and even a former ice skater, Johnny Weir, lends his voice to it.
4.5 stars
This audiobook has a full voice cast and I definitely recommend listening. However!! If you listen on Spotify DO NOT look at the chapter names because there is a major spoiler in one.
This story was so fun, Kat is such a bitch but you still root for her. The four main characters were surprisingly well developed. I wish there were like two more chapters before the end of the book that detailed how they got from Sochi to the events of the epilogue. I am obsessed with figure skating now and my whole YouTube algorithm now reflects that this is my new personality.
This audiobook has a full voice cast and I definitely recommend listening. However!! If you listen on Spotify DO NOT look at the chapter names because there is a major spoiler in one.
This story was so fun, Kat is such a bitch but you still root for her. The four main characters were surprisingly well developed. I wish there were like two more chapters before the end of the book that detailed how they got from Sochi to the events of the epilogue. I am obsessed with figure skating now and my whole YouTube algorithm now reflects that this is my new personality.
This book was just not for me. The story is intriguing and holds your attention but the characters are too toxic. It's too much anxiety and angst for me and just did not like any of the characters enough to redeem it for me.
It's written well so take this for what you will.
It's written well so take this for what you will.
The audiobook is a MUST listen. Wow! I’ll be thinking about this story for the rest of the year. Now to fall down the rabbit hole of Olympic ice dancing videos…
If you liked Daisy Jones & The Six, you’ll love this book. Similar vibes with multiple POVs, chock-full of juicy drama.
genuinely don’t know why i even tried when i read the synopsis. hated every character and the plot was cheesy and fan fic-y.
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