Discover the Penguin books that shaped us

The Favourite

byFran Littlewood, Fiona Button (Read by)

Format:

HardbackEbookAudio Download

Buy the book from:

Apple BooksOpens in a new tabAudibleOpens in a new tabGoogle PlayOpens in a new tabHiveOpens in a new tabKoboOpens in a new tabLibro.fmOpens in a new tabSpotifyOpens in a new tabxigxagOpens in a new tab
Brought to you by Penguin.

The unmissable new novel from Fran Littlewood, the New York Times bestselling author of Read With Jenna pick Amazing Grace Adams: a story of three grown sisters, whose father - in a moment of crisis - accidentally lets slip that he has a favourite daughter…

A STYLIST MUST-READ BOOK OF 2025
A SUNDAY TIMES "STUFF EVERYONE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT" PICK

Nothing derails a family holiday like your dad revealing he has a favourite child.

Alex, Nancy and Eva Fisher. Three grown-up sisters; each wonderful and imperfect in their own individual ways. And loved equally by their parents, Vivienne and Patrick.

Or so they thought.

Right up to the moment when, during a family party, Patrick inadvertently lets slip that he has a favourite. While they try to gloss over it, this sets in motion the unravelling of everything the sisters thought they knew. As their past is re-written, secrets and lies are uncovered, and the Fisher clan implodes in a way they could never have dreamed possible.

But will it take falling apart to bring them closer together?

From the New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace Adams comes a witty, tender portrait of a family’s highs and lows over the years, examining how all siblings are equal – but some are more equal than others.

'FABULOUS . . . God, I wish I had written it. Funny, dark, fascinating and UTTERLY convincing. On my QWJ (Queasy With Jealousy) Scale, I award it 16/10.'

MARIAN KEYES

'Once I picked up The Favourite, I did not want to put it down until the last page was turned.'

LOTTIE HAZELL, author of Piglet

‘Wonderful and very funny. You're in for such a treat.’

GEORGINA MOORE, author of The Garnett Girls

'So sharp, funny, pacey and incredibly well-observed. I loved it.'

REBECCA WAIT, author of I'm Sorry You Feel That Way

'Fabulous - funny and brilliantly claustrophobic on family dynamics.'

LAUREN BRAVO, author of Preloved

'Fran Littlewood has the incredible ability to write like she's been observing you and your family for years.'

ORE AGBAJE-WILLIAMS, author of The Three of Us

'Sizzles with familial tension . . . Heartbreaking, candid and witty.'

JUSTIN MYERS

'Brilliantly funny, dark, insightful, wildly satisfying.'

NATASHA POLISZCZUK

'Has a cinematic quality . . . Every moment feels alive. Full of tender moments and thoughtful insights, The Favourite will be a favourite of readers, perfect with those with imperfect families - which is to say, all of us.'

SHELF AWARENESS



© Fran Littlewood 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Now and again I read a book which is so FABULOUS I get queasy with jealousy. This is one such book. God, I wish I had written it. Funny, dark, fascinating and utterly UTTERLY convincing. On my QWJ (Queasy With Jealousy) Scale, I award it 16/10.

Marian Keyes

About Fran Littlewood

Fran Littlewood is the author of Amazing Grace Adams, which was a New York Times bestseller and Today Show Read With Jenna pick, and has been published in 17 territories to date. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London, and worked as a journalist, including a stint at the Times. She lives in London with her husband and their three daughters. The Favourite is her second novel.
Details
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • ISBN: 9781405962834
  • Length: 637 minutes
  • Price: £14.00
All editions