by Layne Fargo
- Romance
- Seasonal
- Winter Olympics
- Sport
- Ice Dance
- Thematic
The Favourites is a modern reimagining of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, set against the glittering yet ruthless world of competitive ice skating. It follows two skaters who take the sport by storm, surrounded by deceit, sabotage, and a love story that is just as destructive as their fiercest rivals.
The novel centres on Katerina (Kat) Shaw and Heath Rocha, alongside a compelling cast of side characters including the Lin twins, Garrett and Bella, and former competitor turned journalist Ellis Dean. Each character adds another layer to the drama, ambition, and tension simmering beneath the ice.
Kat and Heath begin as troubled teenagers fighting for a place in an unforgiving sport. Heath is an orphan; Kat lives under the shadow of her abusive brother. Neither comes from money, and both must work relentlessly just to afford training. Their early struggles make their rise feel hard-earned and make what follows all the more intense.
As their luck begins to change, they’re thrust into a cutthroat world where winning is valued above everything else family, relationships, even loyalty to your own skating partner. The glamour of the sport quickly gives way to manipulation and betrayal.
What I loved most about this book were the twists. Just when you think the story is about to settle, another shocking turn pulls you back in. It constantly keeps you guessing, making it hard to put down.
My only slight disappointment was that, although it’s marketed as a Wuthering Heights retelling, it’s not as closely aligned with the original as some readers might expect. That said, I didn’t necessarily want a direct copy, and the modernisation does make the characters and themes feel more accessible.
The narrative is told through diary entries interwoven with documentary-style interviews. At times this structure can feel slightly confusing, but I ultimately enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the layered storytelling.
The book tackles a wide range of heavy themes, including teenage pregnancy, sporting sabotage, drug use, violence, sexual abuse, homophobia, and death. It doesn’t shy away from darker subject matter, which adds depth but may not be for every reader.
Knowing the author isn’t an ice skater makes the novel even more impressive. It’s clear a great deal of research went into portraying the sport authentically, and at times you genuinely wonder how much of this kind of drama could happen behind the scenes.
With the Winter Olympics currently on TV, this book felt especially timely. I found myself imagining these characters competing in real life, which made the experience even more immersive.
I went into this expecting a straightforward romance, but what I found was far more dramatic and layered. The twists, intensity, and emotional chaos made it a thoroughly engaging read and overall, a strong and entertaining book.
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