A Sharp, Addictive Read!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo isn’t just a good book — it’s one that reached deep into my heart and shook loose feelings and memories I hadn’t revisited in years. If you love stories full of ambition, secrets, complicated relationships, and razor-sharp writing, this needs to be on your TBR immediately.
Growing up, I was a competitive figure skater — the real deal. Pulled out of elementary school, a coach, a personal trainer, a ballet teacher, a nutritionist, and a choreographer from Russia who spent summers at my best friend’s house in Salt Lake City to train us for new programs. Skating was my life for over a decade… until I broke my hip. That injury ended my career while the friends I shared the ice with for years went on to compete — and win — at the Olympics.
Reading The Favorites felt incredibly personal. This book hit every emotion, every feeling, and every complicated thought I’ve had about competition, ambition, and self-worth. It was all-consuming — I couldn't put it down. And even though it’s been 15 years since my injury, the final sentence of the book captured something it took me decades to learn:
💬 "I get to spend everyday with the people I love, and that is what real winning is."
That line wrecked me — in the best way.
Yes, I'll always be competitive. Yes, I'll always be a little bit of a crazy perfectionist. But this book reminded me (and anyone who's ever chased a dream until it broke them) that there’s a different kind of gold medal in life too.
If you’re ready for a book that’s fast, sharp, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable, The Favorites deserves a spot on your shelf.
Fargo does an incredible job creating characters you can’t help but be fascinated by, even when you’re not sure if you should be rooting for them. The tension builds in all the best ways, with friendships, rivalries, and ambition tangled together so tightly you’re never quite sure who’s going to rise to the top — or who’s going to fall spectacularly.
The Favorites feels like a mix of dark academia and reality TV drama, but with smarter writing and characters that feel painfully real. It’s the perfect pick if you’re in the mood for something fast, a little scandalous, and totally addictive.
If you love messy characters making messy choices, you’ll fly through this one. Don’t be surprised if you stay up way too late telling yourself just one more chapter. 👀📚
