Okay, this novella wasn't nearly as insufferable as some of the other installments in The Selection series. Marlee was never super annoying to me, although her character (and all the characters honestly) was a little flat. So a novella from her perspective was easy enough to get through. I actually liked seeing more into her view and just what happened to her in general. It was a welcomed shift from the awful love triangle. 
 However, we do get some serious spoiler action here, and I'm not happy about it. The Favorite is listed as 2.6, but having read it now, it definitely should have came after The One at least. I'm glad to know things are going to happen (basically) how I want, but I'm a little irritated with the spoiling.