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.
The Favorites is a captivating drama romance that explores ambition, friendship, and steamy romance in the intricate dynamics of competitive figure skating. The story follows Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, two childhood friends turned lovers who rise to prominence as Olympic ice-dancing sensations. Their undeniable chemistry and rebellious style captivate audiences, but their journey to fame is fraught with drama, loss, and a complex relationship that keeps readers engaged!
The book’s structure is often compared to “Daisy & The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, as it alternates between a traditional narrative and excerpts from a fictional 2024 documentary titled “The Favorites: The Shaw & Rocha Story.” The format offers a multifaceted perspective on the characters’ lives, blending Katarina’s first-person POV with the third-person (sometimes biased) viewpoints of those featured in the documentary—the combination of POVs highly enriches the story and adds a whole lot of DRAMA!
Most of the characters in the story are flawed, self-serving, and have messy relationships with each other. Katarina and Heath have a very rocky relationship that is completely engrossing. Their chemistry is undeniably intense, but their competitive careers and ambition bring out the worst in each other—the ways they manipulate each other, break up, and get back together, all while facing so much public scrutiny, add incredible intrigue to that story and keep readers hooked! From their shared beginnings as two teenagers from dysfunctional families to their rise as ice dance sensations that capture the world by storm, their story and passion is one readers won’t soon forget!
The book is a longer read at 448 pages and almost 14 hours on audio, but as the narrative spans decades and features POVs of so many interesting characters, it feels like a mini-series that you don’t want to end! Figure skating fans will appreciate the wide range of real-life competitions that are mentioned, from Skate America to US Nationals to multiple past Olympic Games. By the time the story reaches the climax at the Sochi Olympic Games, so many twists, betrayals, and romance dramas have transpired that it’ll leave your head spinning. Unfortunately, after such an action-packed story, the ending falls short—while some readers may be pleased with some character resolution, the final scenes in the short epilogue fall flat after such an epic story.
Overall, “The Favorites” is an engrossing read that delves into the sacrifices and emotional journeys of athletes in the pursuit of Olympic glory—albeit this story is highly exaggerated and entertaining, giving more of a soap opera feel than a true story. The multicast audiobook has been praised by listeners for its exceptional narration by lead narrator Christine Lakin and the brilliantly entertaining performances of the other narrators, including the author herself, and a cameo from real-life Olympic figure skater extraordinaire Johnny Weir! Readers who are passionate about figure skating or who enjoy character-driven dramatic romances set against the backdrop of competitive sports will really enjoy this book!
