Layne Fargo & 'The Favorites': Complicated Conversations Series

02/11/25 • 40 min

*with a spoiler section - listen if you want to hear Layne explain THOSE moments*

On this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome Layne Fargo to discuss her new novel, The Favorites, an epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice.

The Favorites is a retelling of Wuthering Heights set in the world of Olympic ice dancing. While it has vibes of Daisy Jones & The Six mixed with Carrie Soto Is Back, it is uniquely its own page-turning sensation! We had so much fun gushing to Layne about our mutual love for the novel and chatting about themes of female ambition, intense rivalry, the complexities of toxic relationships, and her highly effective narrative style that combines her main character Kat's perspective with documentary elements. Layne shares a passion for astrology so we also delve into the influence of astrology on character compatibility and the creative process behind writing.

Warning - there are some spoilers in this one because we just had to talk about reader expectations and reactions to some of the reveals/twists in this book! Don’t worry - we give spoiler warnings on air mark them here:

Spoilers begin at 15:56 and end at 28:35, which is where the astrology chat starts!

The Favorites is out now! Listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts.

*with a spoiler section - listen if you want to hear Layne explain THOSE moments*

Spoilers begin at 15:56 and end at 28:35, which is where the astrology chat starts!

The Favorites is out now! Listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts.

Previous Episode

Sandra Chwialkowska & 'The Ends of Things': Debut Discussions

On this episode of Debut Discussions, we welcome Sandra Chwialkowska to discuss her novel, The Ends of Things, a story that is both a thought-provoking suspense and a meditation on female friendship and agency.

Sandra shares her journey as a writer and producer, discussing her literary influences, the transition from literature to television writing, and the personal inspiration behind her debut novel. We chat about themes of solitude, freedom, and the complexities of female friendships, as well as the character development of Laura, the protagonist, who grapples with her own fears and the concept of catastrophizing. The significance of the title and the exploration of female obsession are also highlighted. Finally, we turn to the woo-woo and get tangible inspiration from Sandra about the power of manifestation through vision boards and how it has played a part in her publication journey.

Listen now to Sandra’s story. The Ends of Things is out now -- buy it, read it, and share it (in other words, make a debut author’s dreams come true!).