Ratings1
Average rating4
Set against a sizzling-hot Greek summer filled with sunshine and souvlaki, Rufaro Faith Mazarura’s Let the Games Begin is a page-turning debut rom-com about two strangers at the top of their game. "A debut deserving of a gold medal." —Kirkus (starred review) "A radiant, joyful debut novel with a particularly fun setting." —ELLE Athens, 2024. Olivia Nkomo has always been ambitious, smart, and an overall go-getter. Now that she’s graduated from university, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to land her dream job at the Summer Games. The first step? Securing her new internship, which will put her in the center of all the action, where she hopes to run into some of her favorite athletes. Ezekiel “Zeke” Moyo, the heartthrob star runner of Team Great Britain, is more than ready to claim his title as the fastest man in the world, following in the footsteps of the greatest athletes of all time. His future to the finish line is looking bright—despite his recent breakup with celebrated gymnast Valentina Ross-Rodriguez constantly making headlines. When Olivia and Zeke collide—literally—on the first day of training, sparks fly. As the games grow closer, so do Olivia and Zeke. But the competition starts stirring up uncomfortable memories from Zeke’s past . . . and Olivia’s internship doesn’t turn out to be what she expected. Will they be able to overcome these hurdles and achieve their dreams? Or will it come at the cost of their budding romance?
Reviews with the most likes.
Olivia has a dream and she finally thinks she has made it when she gets a intern position at the olympics. When she arrives in Greece she finds out that her position was filled by a white boy of priviledge and her dreams are dashed. Not willing to accept defeat, she offers to take any intern position in hopes of being indispensible and gettingher plan back on track. She wasn't prepared for Zeke....
Zeke is an athlete. He doesn't talk aboyt the traumas of his life and keeps everyone at a distance but he keeps running into, literally running into, Olivia and there is something about her that opens him up to facing the things that have closed off his heart.
It was super cute and I loved the concept of the olympics. It wasn't so much about the racing but about what happens behind the scenes and the things that athletes have to contend with to be the very best.
I really enjoyed that Olivia didn't take the hand she was dealt lying down and got what she was owed.
I thought the writing was great, narration was excellent and a seriously great all round book
4 stars