A review by pageswithmeg
The Favorites by Layne Fargo

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“There are lots of different kinds of love. Love like a steady, warming campfire that keeps you alive in the cold. Love like a raging blaze that burns down everything in its path until nothing but ash remains.”

This may be one of the easiest five stars I have given since I took reading back up a couple of years ago. Talk about a book that hooks you from the first chapter… I couldn’t put it down. 

The character development in this book is second to none. Layne does an exceptional job of making you feel for these characters; whether it is love, hate, annoyance, or disbelief. They’re complex. They’ll drive you wild. They’ll force you to feel deeply as you read. 

I’ve also been a big fan lately of podcast or documentary subplots infused into the story (think Listen for the Lie), and this one is done masterfully. While I read it vs. listening on audio, Layne wrote these sections in such a way that I felt like I was actually watching a documentary.

And let’s talk about the settings… Jet-setting around the world for ice dancing competitions could be confusing if not written well. But Layne really nailed it. I felt like I had been transported to Paris, Sochi, Vancouver…that I was *in* the story.