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Description
Set against a sizzling-hot Greek summer Let the Games Begin is a page-turning sports rom-com about two strangers at the top of their game. MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF JULY 2024: NPR, Kirkus, Elle, Amazon, Bustle, and more!!! "A debut deserving of a gold medal." ―Kirkus (starred review) "A radiant, joyful debut novel with a particularly fun setting." ―ELLE "Sweet and inspiring, a savvy and layered romance" ―NPR Summer can only mean one thing: the Olympics. And Zeke and Olivia are there to win. Zeke Moyo is the star athlete of Team GB. He's in Athens to claim the title of fastest man in the world. Olivia Nkomo has landed a career-making internship, finally earning her seat at the table. Then Zeke and Olivia collide - literally - on the first day of the games, and something unexpected (and fiery) begins. But the competition is stirring up uncomfortable memories from Zeke's past. And Olivia's dream job is turning into a nightmare. Will love become a hurdle? Or could running beside the right person change the whole game? Perfect for fans of: Enemies to lovers. He falls first. Sports romance Readers LOVE Let The Games Begin: "The definition of a feel good rom-com" Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka Where is Your Husband "Vivid and beautifully written" - Amy Lea, author of Set On You ''A complete delight'' Mia Sheridan, author of Archer''s Voice ''A beautiful romance'' Lauren Ho, author of Last Tang Standing "My favorite read of the summer!!!" Reader, 5 "The chemistry... is literally the best thing I've read" Reader, 5 Read more
Publisher : PENGUIN
Publication date : July 11, 2024
Language : English
Print length : 384 pages
ISBN-10 : 140596541X
ISBN-13 : 15
Item Weight : 8.7 ounces
Dimensions : 5.08 x 0.83 x 7.76 inches
Customer Reviews: 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (191)
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Kindle
Let the Games Begin was my first sports romance book! To me it felt like contemporary YA romance, & not in a bad way! What I mean by that is that though the characters are adults, 23, Olivia is on a journey through her career path to her ideal job, & Zeke is at the zenith of his athletic career & experiencing the anxieties that come with not knowing for how much longer he’ll be able to keep winning races, These two plot lines therefore felt like that middle ground between ending high school & beginning adulthood. Olivia & Zeke are also dealing with coming to terms with the concessions & compromises they’ve made to get where they are as well as discovering exactly who they are when it comes to love & friendship—all themes of contemporary YA romance, & reasons why I love that genre & greatly enjoyed this book! Meanwhile, this book takes place during The 2024 Summer Olympics & features beautiful athletes in top form! Yet, my impression is that a sports romance is meant to have the sport featuring into the story of the romance, while Let the Games Begin felt more like sports was the setting rather than a plot point. This wasn’t a bad thing, just a way this book broke all of my expectations (& also, I could be wrong, because it was my first sports romance book!). I loved that the meet-cute in this book was immediately angsty & gave enemies-to-lovers vibes! The banter was absolutely on fire between Zeke & Olivia. On a deeper level, I so appreciated the gray areas that Olivia & Zeke had to navigate as Zimbabwean citizens of the UK—the complex nuances of their desires to stand up for what’s right versus surviving & ultimately succeeding in their dreams. Watching Zeke & Olivia find the middle ground that worked for them, & also serving a bit of comeuppance to those who deserved it, felt so visceral! Zeke’s storyline also features mental health awareness, acceptance, resources, & healing, & I loved that that was included during a time in our history that mental health is becoming a recognized aspect of athleticism. This was a Macmillan Audio pick & was narrated by Shaniqua Okwok, who I’d previously seen in It’s a Sin, & I absolutely loved her voice!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024 by Marina
Format: Kindle
I enjoyed this easy read because the characters revealed their inner thoughts and fears and it made me examine my own. The Greek scenery is intoxicating!
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2024 by AUtigerinnc
Format: Kindle
3.25/3.5 ⭐️ I have been CRAVING an Olympics romance since the summer, as soon as this libby hold came through I RANNNNNNN. This was a really wholesome story, I think it just wasn't exactly what I was expecting / looking for and that's ok! This story felt overall more YA to me, than adult romance. I also feel like it was more of a fiction with a small romance subplot than full blown romance. I loved the character development that our MMC went through and the scene at the end during his final run was so emotional and well crafted. It had me tearing up and the suspense it brought like you were sitting there watching the race was really well done. I felt like the writing was very engaging, and kept me in the story the entire time. I listened in one sitting so it was super bingable. I would say if you're able to read the physcial or digital def go that route! I didn't dislike the audiobook, but it wasn't my favorite either. I wish I would have immersive read it, but overall it didn't hurt the story for me. Personally, this felt a bit forgettable overall. I didn't dislike it, I didn't love it. It was just wholesome and sweet. I would definitely recommend if you're wanting something in the Olympics setting. I WISHED it was written in first person, but overall it was sweet.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2025 by bookishobsessedmama
Format: Kindle
A great debut novel by Rufaro Faith Mazarura . Zeke is the fastest man in the planet and is Athens for the Olympics 2024 to win the gold medal . While he seems very cool & calm he actually suffers from anxiety . Olivia had a dream since she was a kid to work at the Olympic Games Committee and now she has earned an internship to Athens . When she arrives she discovers that she has lost the position to an other candidate who is healthy and has connection . But that doesn't stop her from making her dream come true and she works as volunteer . When Zeke and Olivia the sparks start to fly . They keep bumping into each other and she never treat him like he was a famous athlete . But when they been stuck in the elevator that changed their feelings . Will what they feel will only be a summer fling or something more powerful ? I loved that both of our heroes were kids of Zimbabwe immigrants and they wanted to make their families proud and happy . I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .
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Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024 by eva mara
Format: Audiobook
Zeke Moyo is a sprinter heading for the Olympics again. He is representing Great Britain again, and he is hoping all of his training will win him a gold medal. His anxiety is up a little, especially since his ex-girlfriend will be there too, gymnast Valentina Ross-Rodriguez. But he’s ready to experience the games again, and the legendary parties. Olivia Nkomo has been looking forward to her summer internship. She has been a fan of the Olympics since she was a little girl, and now that she’s graduated from university, she managed to get one of two prestigious internships working with some of the international dignitaries. However, when she gets to the Olympic village, she finds out that those two unpaid internships were changed to one paid internship, and it went to the other intern they’d chosen, her nemesis from school, a man who grew up in a very wealthy family and had been given every advantage already. Olivia is strong and driven, so she doesn’t take no for an answer and makes them offer her a volunteer position, sort of a floater, to help out wherever they need. She has to take several trainings—first aid, driving a golf cart, the usual—but she gets to spend her time helping get the athletes where they need to go and making up gift bags for the honored guests and cleaning up or delivering towels or whatever anyone needs. On her first day, wearing the new suit her parents bought for her internship, Olivia runs into Zeke. Literally. And then Olivia has green smoothie all over her beautiful new clothes. She calls him out on his rudeness for not looking where he was going (not that she was looking either). But it’s not until later that night, at the party where she was singing karaoke in front of a bunch of the Australians, that she gets her revenge. As Olivia and Zeke keep bumping into each other in the Village, the chemistry between them gets stronger. The meet cute turns into flirting and then genuine attraction. But he’s busy with training and races. She is busy helping out. Zeke’s ex-girlfriend is there and is intimidating. His best friend is there too, and he’s crushing on Olivia as well. And then there is Zeke’s panic attacks, which could potentially affect his performance on the track. Meanwhile, Olivia is turning into summer Olivia, where she is more open to experience and less focused on being the best and making the most of her potential. Since her internship turned into just a volunteer gig, she can let her hair down and have fun. But she is worried about what will come after. She had planned on turning her internship into a full-time job. Now she has to send out job applications whenever she can. Or she should. She has a future to plan. But as Olivia learns to lighten up and Zeke learns to let others in on what he’s feeling, they find themselves returning to each other over and over, like there is something genuine there. But is it for the long-term, or is it just an Olympics fling? Let the Games Begin is a smart, funny rom com set at a fictional Olympics in Athens, and it’s filled with insider gossip and stories about being in the Village. The characters of Olivia and Zeke are strong and multi-dimensional, and the writing is witty and the chemistry between them sparks. I listened to the audio of Let the Games Begin, narrated beautifully by Shaniqua Okwok. I really enjoyed this book. I especially liked the character of Olivia, who has intelligence and spunk. Since the Olympics just started, I thought this would be an especially fun read to get the games started, and I was not disappointed. If you’re wanting something to read while you’re waiting for your favorite competitions to come on, then this is a fun read. And if the Olympics are over by the time you read this, you can pick up Let the Games Begin to remind you of how it feels while the Olympics are on. An early copy of Let the Games Begin audio book was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2024 by Jill Nicely
Format: Kindle
I listened to this audiobook during the Olympics, and the timing was perfect. The narrator's ability to capture multiple characters accents and emotions contributed to the story. This was a coming of age story with romance. The backdrop of the Olympics was a wonderful setting and became integral to both of the main characters' stories and growth as the grappled with identity ( both grew up in England w/immigrant parents), success and pleasing other people (especially family). Thanks to the publisher for sharing an audiobook. All opinions are my own.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024 by J Gordon
Format: Kindle
Two twenty-somethings fall in love during the 2024 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in Rufaro Faith Mazarura’s Let the Games Begin. He’s a famous track-and-field athlete on the British Olympic team. She’s an intern with a carefully plotted plan outlining the steps she needs to take to achieve her dream career. At a glance: - Meet-disaster - Summer Olympics backdrop - Athlete + non-athlete - Both are driven by the expectations and goals of immigrant parents - Both with parents who immigrated to Great Britain from Zimbabwe - Dating a professional athlete / celebrity - Depictions of anxiety and grief - How one dictates their own behavior in relation to others’ preconceptions based on gender, race, and social class - Depictions of nepotism - Learning how to pivot when plans change - Figuring out what one’s willing to do to get ahead - Trying to strike a balance between working towards goals and having a life outside of them - Closed door - Queer rep (secondary characters) Highlights for me: - The friendships / found family aspects - The atmosphere and connections in the Olympic Village - Olivia’s and Zeke’s families - The flirtatious banter What didn’t work as well for me: - It’s an enjoyable story, but the love story was missing that intangible spark and sparkle for me. - I wanted to get even more swept up in the phenomenon of the Olympic Games. There are moments when the author describes people watching all over the world that gave me a glimpse of that magic, but I would have loved to feel that tug to become engrossed in the events and the athletes’ stories even more. I listened to an advance copy of the audiobook, and Shaniqua Okwok’s narration kept me going. I was especially impressed with the number of accents she tackles in the audiobook. Since the story is set at the Olympics, there is quite an array of international characters, and she uses an appropriate accent for each and every one. I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024 by IllStopTheWorldAndReadWithYou
Format: Kindle
I enjoyed this romance, that center's around dual pov between Olivia and Zeke. Olivia has big dreams and is looking forward to the scholarship she got accepted to work for the Athens Olympics. Zeke is competing with the UK running team and working hard towards getting gold, unsure if this could be his last Olympics. There is some hiccups for Olivia regarding her internship and challenge's she's facing. Her dreams and goals aren't going as she planned them. But she's trying to find herself and make the most out of this summer. Zeke and Olivia literally collide with each other and find themselves at odds. Do they eventually get closer and give things a chance? I really enjoyed the friendships in this book and Aditi was my favorite. Haruki seems like such a sweet guy. I also liked to Valentina was supportive of Zeke pursuing Olivia, glad that things didn't turn ugly between the girls. I just wished there was more romantic scenes. I personally don't prefer romance with closed door scene's and some of the story felt like a slow burn. It felt more focused on plot than the romance at times. I would've liked an epilogue to see where things progressed between Olivia and Zeke. But I still enjoyed the story overall and was happy with the way the story ended and all the successes both characters gained. Thank you Netgalley for a free arc copy, all opinions are my own.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024 by Sara Demler