To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.

'Part Wuthering Heights and part Daisy Jones and the Six . . . As brilliantly choreographed as a gold-medal performance' JODI PICOULT

BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick

***** READERS ARE OBSESSED WITH THE FAVOURITES*****
'A true gold medal 5-star book'
'Forever changed me'
'Completely captivating'
'Spectacular drama'
'My book of 2025 - already'
'Get ready to be obsessed'

Everyone thinks Heath Rocha was my first love. He wasn't. My first love was figure skating.

Katarina Shaw has always known she's 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 fans with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style and rollercoaster relationship.

Until, at the Olympic Games, as the world holds its breath, a shocking incident instantly destroys their partnership.

Ten years later, an unauthorised tell-all documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha. If Kat wants to own her story, she must break her silence. As Kat's account of her dramatic rise and fall alternates with scandalous interviews from the film, The Favourites spins into a dance between passion, ambition and what it truly means to win.

Sensational rumours have haunted Kat and Heath's every step for years, but the truth may be even more outrageous than the headlines.

The first print run of The Favourites will have purple sprayed edges, while stock lasts.

About the Author
Layne Fargo has a background in theatre, women's studies and library science, so it's only fitting that she now writes deliciously dramatic, unapologetically feminist stories for a living. She's the author of psychological thrillers They Never Learn and Temper, as well as co-author on the bestselling Young Rich Widows series, and her work has been translated into over a dozen languages. Layne lives in Chicago with her partner, their pets and an ever-expanding collection of books she's definitely going to read before she dies.

Reviews
'The Favourites is a true literary triple axel- a smart and nuanced retelling of a classic, a tense sports drama, and a perfectly twisted romance.' * Rachel Hawkins, author of The Wife Upstairs *
'A glittery compulsive whirl of a book, filled with spite and love and sequins and ambition' * Holly Gramazio, author of The Husbands *
'An addictive read... as shimmering and lethal as ice-dancing itself.' * Emma Brodie, author of Songs in Ursa Major *
'If you have ever watched Olympic ice dancing teams and wondered if the chemistry between them persists when they're not competing . . . well, have I got a book for you. Part Wuthering Heights and part Daisy Jones And The Six, this novel is as brilliantly choreographed as a gold medal performance, and will keep you guessing until its last page.' * Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE and MAD HONEY *
'A scorching saga of rivalry, betrayal and love' * Melinda Salisbury, author of The Sin Eater's Daughter *
'As romantic as it is thrilling' * Ela Lee, author of Jaded *
'As a former competitive figure skater, I devoured this... Layne Fargo proves she is the queen of writing complex, fierce and utterly compelling women' * Wendy Walker, author of What Remains *
'Layne Fargo is back with another deliciously scathing, sexy novel. You might not have known you needed Wuthering Heights on ice, but trust me, you do. Passionate, cutthroat, and irresistibly fun. You won't be able to put it down.' * Julia Fine, author of MADDALENA AND THE DARK *
'The Favourites is nothing short of breathtaking. The ferocious passion between Kat and Heath leaps off the page' * Margarita Montimore, author of The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart *
An utterly compulsive read... Fargo's experience as a thriller writer...is evident in the breathless pace at which The Favourites unfolds... The Favourites will be your next obsession * Bookseller *



Book Information
ISBN 9781784745493
Author Layne Fargo
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Chatto & Windus
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 542g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 153mm * 33mm