The Favorites

First, I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked the documentary writing style; the story was nuanced and well-executed. It revolved around Katarina, a young girl who dreamed of winning a gold medal for ice dancing. She felt real to me. She grew up with no mother, a father who died when she was young, and a brother who did not always have her best interest at heart. The one constant in her life was Heath - her childhood friend who wanted nothing more than to help her achieve her dreams.

Another great thing about this book is Layne Fargo's excellent job of showing the ice dancing world's physical and emotional demands. She really deep dives into it - exploring not only the passion, intense work, and commitment it takes to excel, but also the dark side, the corruption, and backstabbing that happens. I did not realize the dedication required to succeed and the intense pressure these young skaters are under.

Aside from the world of skating, this story is about love and friendship, both the endearing kind that transcends time and the energy-draining toxic friendship that leaves you emotionally exhausted. My thoughts are mixed on this part of the book. I loved the deep bond between Katarina and Heath - but it may have been a little overdone. After a while, I dreaded reading about yet another fight between them. But, it did not deter me from wanting to race to the end to find out how everything gets sorted out. Katarina also has other relationships; again, they are messy but real, adding a layer of complexity to the story that intrigues you.

In short, I liked this book and look forward to more from this author. It's perfect if you want something light or like stories with seriously flawed characters and complicated relationships. And it's a must if you love professional ice skating. I'm excited to see what this author will bring next, as I'm sure it will be just as captivating as this one.