Book Review: "The Favorites" by Layne Fargo

More than three years after reading They Never Learn, Layne Fargo’s last book, I’ve been waiting for a new novel from her. I can definitely report that The Favorites was truly worth the wait!

Inspired by an American gold medalist in ice dancing when she was young, Katarina Shaw knew this is what she wanted to do. But as a girl growing up without money or family connections, just talent and drive, she has to work triply hard to make her dream come true.

She meets Heath Rocha, adrift in the foster care system, and she knows she’s found her partner. While Katarina is hungrier for greatness than Heath, he wants what makes her happy, so he commits to making their Olympic dreams a reality. And their turbulent relationship, along with a take-no-prisoners attitude and raw, unbridled talent, sees them reach the highest of highs and the lowest of lows—together and apart.

Yet when they finally reach the pinnacle of their career, tragedy strikes. Ten years after that fateful evening, an unauthorized documentary has been released, purporting to tell the whole story of Shaw and Rocha, chronicling their achievements, their failures, their supporters and detractors, and the unshakable bond between them.

This book is soapy, suspenseful, and absolutely addicting. I never thought a nearly 500-page book about drama in the ice dancing world would hook me so much, but this absolutely did. There’s lots of drama and even a little camp, and the book reminded me a bit of Daisy Jones. Bravo, Layne Fargo!

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book. It will publish 1/14/2025.

Book Review: "Heart of Gold" by Ariel Atwater

It’s Olympic season—I can’t pass up a gymnastics romance, can I? This was a really sweet story, and apparently the first book in a trilogy.

Danny is an American gymnast, known as much for his super-friendly personality as his gymnastic skills and his California good looks. His ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal, but he really enjoys making friends with the athletes from other countries, and believes good sportsmanship and encouragement goes a long way.

Sasha also aspires to win medals, but being a Russian gymnast comes with a different kind of pressure. He goes to the 2012 games as an alternate. When his best friend Kirill overhears Danny’s effusive excitement and congratulations, he lashes out and makes fun of him. Sasha goes to apologize to Danny on Kirill’s behalf, and it ignites a friendship between the two.

The book follows both Danny and Sasha through different international competitions. While Danny is always gregarious, Sasha is more reserved. Both feel a strong connection, and they start to realize their feelings are becoming romantic and sexual, but neither has ever been with a guy before. And while this could have implications for both, Sasha lives in a country where it’s dangerous to be gay, and he doesn’t want to get kicked off the team.

I found myself smiling a lot during this book, and I was so glad there wasn’t any real drama to be had. Sasha and Danny are both characters I rooted for, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for them.

Book Review: "Head Over Heels" by Hannah Orenstein

I honestly never knew I was missing a gymnastics-related love story until I found Hannah Orenstein'a Head Over Heels, but boy, was I ever!

Avery spent her entire childhood training to be an Olympic gymnast. She sacrificed any chance at being a “normal” teenager, endured the emotional abuse of her famous coach, stressed about her weight, and dreamed of the Olympics. And in one moment, her dreams and her career ended, leaving her ill-prepared for what came next.

Now, 7 years later, on the heels of breaking up with her football-star boyfriend, she moves home to Massachusetts to live with her parents. Not long after coming home, she gets a call from Ryan, a former Olympic gymnast that she and her best friend used to have a crush on. He asks if she’d be interested in helping coach a teenage gymnast with true Olympic potential.

Avery jumps at the chance to help coach Hallie, and feels like she’s making a difference. She can’t ignore the sparks flying between her and Ryan, but she isn’t sure if she should trust her heart again, and worries a relationship might complicate coaching. And when a scandal rocks the gymnastics world, and an offer is made, everything may be on the line, including any possibility of a relationship with Ryan.

This book hooked me from the very first word. I was nervous because the last two books I read didn’t wow me, but Orenstein pulled me in completely. I felt totally vested in Hallie’s dreams and Avery’s rebuilding her life and, of course, the sparks between her and Ryan.

Even as I knew the typical obstacles were coming, I rooted for everyone and hope things didn’t go too off-course. I also really loved the way Orenstein meshed some serious subjects with the lightness of a rom-com and the nerves around whether or not Hallie would succeed where Avery failed.

Looking for a great new rom-com of sorts? Maybe you’ll flip for Head Over Heels! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)