Natalie's Reviews > The Favorites

The Favorites follows Katarina Shaw who has strived to be an Olympic skater most of her life. And while this book is pitched as a romance, I felt it was most about her obsession with achieving this goal and the length she'll go to obtain it - including straining her relationship with her partner, Heath. (It's got a soap opera kind of vibe to it if you ask me)

At a fourth of the way through this book, I was convinced I would love it. However, along the way the repetitive nature of the story started to grate on me. There were interviews that hinted towards an incoming scandal/reveal, that would occur, then a lot of skate practice and performances. I have to say I looked forward to the performance scenes, but felt that the description of these moments were not as impactful as hoped. I failed to feel the emotions of them and the characters within these critical moments.

I also had a hard time feeling the angst of Katarina and Heath's relationship. Their obsession was lost on me and I feel like their characters needed a bit more background/details for me to feel invested and most importantly, to back an understanding of why they continued to long for another even though they did not appear to be suited for another. I wish that there were more moments of stepping away from the rink or possibly focusing more on Katarina herself than this relationship. Or maybe a dual POV? I also have to add that I did not love the ending and how these relationships wrapped up. It just didn't sit well with me, probably due to reasons I stated above.

As a positive, the writing of this story flows easily and I did enjoy some parts of Katarina's story - mainly her intense drive to do whatever, even performing injured, to achieve her goals. I think these moments stand the strongest in this story.

I do know that Layne Fargo drew lots of inspiration for writing this story from Taylor Jenkins Reid, which I think is evident and will be to anyone who has read Daisy Jones & the Six. I commend her for trying what I think may be outside of her comfort zone but sadly, it did not resonate with me.

I do think this book will find its readers though and I know some of yall will eat this up.

PS I have never read Wuthering Heights which this also derived inspiration from.