3.5-4 stars.

This romance is the perfect July-August Olympic season read, about the meet-not-so-cute between a track star and would-be IOC Summer Games intern. Zeke and Olivia are both British, though both parents are immigrants from Zimbabwe, similar to our author. Their backgrounds attribute to the story as both MCs feel pressure to succeed, though their parents obviously just want them to be happy and love them. While Zeke’s summer plans are on track, he has history and grief that he needs to reckon with. Olivia’s plans have been entirely derailed, and now she is forced to look at herself and what she wants and how she will get it. The side characters are great and I’d love more on Zeke’s two Olympic friends, and Olivia’s bff Didi.

If you are looking for a summer romance read, without the sadness that so many seem to feature (heartbreak, loss, etc.), this is perfect. The Olympic Games offer a great backdrop for the story, and everyone is in high spirits as they celebrate the Games and athletes competing.

I listened to the audio and the narrator was excellent. I recommend physical or audiobook.

Olivia heads to the Olympics for her dream apprenticeship. When she arrives she finds out there has been a mistake. She does not have an internship that will introduce her to influential people. Instead she takes a positon as a gopher doing odd jobs around the village. When she accidentally literally runs into Zeke, sparks fly.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN is a fun and refreshing romcom, starring the most ambitious girl you’ve ever met and an Olympic track star, both British-Zimbabwean and head-over-heels for each other. Filled with a blast of a supporting cast and movie-worthy humor, this is the perfect summer read for Olympics-fueled energy.

Looking for a book to read while you keep up with the Olympic Games this summer? Let The Games Begin is the perfect Olympic companion!! During a fictionalized 2024 Olympics set in Greece, Olivia, determined to still make the most of her summer after being robbed of her dream Olympic internship, and Zeke, record breaking sprinter, meet and then continue running into each other. This rom com had me giggling out loud at work 😅🥰 but it also made me cry!!! Automatic five stars. There’s a lighthearted air to this one but the main characters are also going through a lot as the children of immigrants. They both have huge goals to reach and mighty determination to make their dreams come true. Olivia is struggling to find a balance between not wanting to be seen as an angry black girl and knowing that she deserves to take up space. Zeke is struggling with the grief of losing his father and not knowing how to talk about big feelings while training for the most important run of his life thus far. They end up coming together to be a safe space for each other to be their full unapologetic selves which was so freaking sweet to see. I also loved their best friends, their support and fierce love for one another. The narrator was also amazing! Sometimes I hate when a dual narrative only has one narrator but I didn’t even notice in this one because Shaniqua Okwok knocked it out of the park! I’ll definitely look for more books narrated by her and absolutely will await and support more releases by Rufaro Faith Mazarura in the future!

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

A fun enemies to lovers set against the backdrop of the Olympics. Great mental health representation. A perfect no spice romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful closed door sports romance. I read it at the start of the Olympics and it totally delivered on the excitement and the awe of the games. I wondered why the author chose Greece as the book's setting instead of Paris, which is where the Summer 2024 games takes place. The characters of Zeke and Olivia were highly relatable as a first generation immigrant who is constantly striving to achieve and meet parental expectations. I like how there relationship isn't solely based on physical attraction but a both shared common heritage. I loved Olivia's ambitious attitude and her unwillingness to shrink herself to make her more appealing to others. I also loved Zeke's charm but also his vulnerability to let him grieve his father's death. There was the perfect amount of banter and cute moments. This is a great start for the author and I'm looking forward to reading more books by them for the future.

The narrator was wonderful. She provided distinct voices for all of the characters and perfectly captured the characters' emotions.

I listened to this on audio and it was a delight! This was excellent timing, with the Olympics looming it really got me in the spirit. I enjoyed the characters and their storylines. I smiled my way through this one! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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.

"Let the Games Begin" by Rufaro Faith Mazarura is a captivating tale that hooked me from start to finish. The story follows Olivia Nkomo, a determined and ambitious recent graduate, as she dives headfirst into an internship at the Summer Games with dreams of landing her ideal job. Olivia's character, with her tenacity and drive, is not just inspiring but also incredibly relatable, making her journey a mirror to our ambitions.

On the other hand, there's Ezekiel "Zeke" Moyo, the star runner of Team Great Britain. His journey to become the fastest man in the world is thrilling and heartwarming. I deeply rooted for him, especially as he navigated the emotional turmoil from his high-profile breakup with gymnast Valentina Ross-Rodriguez. Zeke's unwavering determination to rise above his past and focus on his athletic goals is admirable, inspiring us to never give up on our dreams.

When Olivia and Zeke's paths cross in a serendipitous encounter, their chemistry is not just undeniable; it's electrifying. Their budding romance amidst the high stakes and intense pressure of the games added excitement to the story. Mazarura beautifully weaves their personal and professional struggles, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

The setting of the Athens 2024 Summer Games is vividly described, immersing me in the atmosphere of the competition. The excitement and intensity of the events were palpable, and I could almost feel the adrenaline and nerves of the athletes. The author does an excellent job of balancing the romance and sports elements, making the story appealing to fans of both genres.

One aspect that stood out to me was the exploration of the characters' backgrounds and personal challenges. Zeke's struggle with memories from his past and Olivia's realization that her internship isn't what she expected added depth to their characters. Seeing how they supported each other through these hurdles was refreshing, ultimately growing stronger.

The narration by Shaniqua Okwok is another highlight. Her voice brings the characters to life, perfectly capturing their emotions and personalities. Okwok's performance adds more enjoyment to the already engaging story.

Overall, "Let the Games Begin" is a delightful read that compellingly combines romance, ambition, and the spirit of competition. Rufaro Faith Mazarura has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and sports fiction.

This was a fun, easy read. I liked how they approached the topic of anxiety in the book with one of the male athletes…we need more of this!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was adorable, and a well timed read with the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics scheduled to kick off just a few days from now. I have alot of fond memories crowding around the TV with my family when I was younger watching the opening and closing ceremonies and whatever event was on at the time cheering on Team USA.

This follows Olivia, an ambitious university graduate who has her future all mapped out. She has always wanted to work with the Olympic committee, so when she lands an internship for Summer 2024 in Athens, she is ecstatic. When a mix-up occurs with her internship, she finds herself as a regular volunteer instead. Determined to not let this derail her plans, she is determined to be the best volunteer ever and make the most of her summer. She puts alot of pressure on herself to achieve the goals she has set for herself, but the games give her a new perspective on her goals and what she wants for her future. Zeke on the other hand is back competing in his 3rd Olympics on Great Britain's track and field team. He puts alot of pressure on himself to win the gold, but he is also under pressure from others to perform. He and Olivia literally crash into each other and they do not initially like one another, but since she is a volunteer they continue to run into each other and they quickly become friends that quickly develops into something more.

I really liked how the aspect of mental health was handled. Athletes have alot of pressure put on them when they compete at such a high level, but when you throw in something like grief or a traumatic event like Zeke experienced it is important that they are not only at their best physically but mentally. I also liked the concept of Summer Olivia. Olivia is always so serious and plans out everything, but while she is in Athens, she lets loose a bit and has fun. She does things she enjoys for the sake of enjoying them, not because they will put her on the right track and look good on her resume/CV. I also loved that both Zeke and Olivia had best friends to call them out when they needed it and to support them.

This is perfect for YA and Adult readers. While it does tackle some serious topics, there is nothing graphic. It is super low spice, and everything that is eluded to is closed door that happens between our main characters. This has a nice balance of humor, emotion and vulnerability. The character development was good and the author did a good job describing the scenes and settings. I was entertained the whole time I was listening.

This was a wonderful debut and I can't wait to read more from the author in the future!

I thought the concept was super original and I really thought I'd enjoy it, but I just wasn't connecting with the characters, the story or the narrator. Unfortunately I couldn't continue.

The setting of the Olympics really made this stand out from other romances in the genre. At times it felt like a YA/adult cross (and interestingly I think it's being marketed as adult in the UK but YA in the US), but the romance was very hopeful and I loved the friendship dynamics between Zeke and Olivia and their respective best friends.

There were moments where the narrative "zoomed out" to show other people across the world watching the Olympics, and I'm not sure this fully worked, as it takes us out of the story and draws focus away from the main plot (which was the most exciting part). But what the book did really well was build up the tension and energy in some of the key sporting moments, and the audiobook narrator brought them to life skillfully. At times the writing skewed more YA for me, especially in the way that some of the moral lessons were delivered, but I still really enjoyed this one and listened to it in less than a day.

Also, I've seen the paperback cover in real life now and let me tell you, it is STUNNING.

DNF @ 66%. This book is cute, but I never really got invested in any of the characters. I’m in a reading slump right now so it very well could be a me problem, but it’s just not working for me.

As this summer Olympic Games begin in Greece, Olivia is thrilled to be accepted for an internship at the games. The job turns out to be not quite what she expected but it does give her the opportunity to meet Zeke, a member of the UK’s track team who hopes to win gold this year. While the two discover their attraction to each other, they also have to deal with Zeke’s past relationship with gymnast, Valentina and Zeke’s best friend, Haruki “carrying a torch” for Olivia. These complications make falling in love difficult and threaten to take Zeke’s attention away from his dreams of an Olympic gold medal.
While not a fan of romance novels, I did find the audio version of this book to be entertaining. It seemed to have all the elements of a good rom com - immediate attraction between the two main characters, interference from other people, big miscommunication and finally, getting back together with hope for the future. I think fans of this genre will really enjoy the book. The narrator was good for the most part except when doing Haruki’s voice, which was weird sounding and distracting.

"Let the Games Begin" is a charming sports romance set against the backdrop of the Olympics. The character development is strong, but the pacing of the romance could be tighter. While the story didn't grab me right away, it did pick up towards the end. Overall, it's a fun read for fans of sports romances.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy. I really enjoyed this. The author did a great job building up the excitement of the Summer Games and the energy of the Olympic Village. You quickly get to know the two main characters and who they are and why they do what they do through a dual POV, which I appreciated. I immediately felt invested in these characters and their lives. The connection between Olivia and Zeke became fun and sweet, and I loved their ambition and how much the games meant to them both. Most of the other sports romances I read were more team-based sports rather than something like track and field, but having the Olympic team provided that comradery, and the side characters provided both fun and depth to the story. This was more sweet than spicy and an overall lovely summer read.

This book is so cute! I am always feeling VERY Olympian and am an Olympic stan when the games are happening. I really loved this sweet, charming story. I'd recommend it to any RomCom reader who is in the mood for some light hearted Olympic village shenanigans.

The audiobook narration was perfection. I loved Shaniqua Okwok's performance. It was a very enjoyable listen.

Thank you NetGalley, Rufaro Faith Mazarura, and Macmillan audio for this audiobook ARC.

"Let the Games Begin" starts with two characters both finding themselves at the Olympics for different reasons. Zeke is hoping to win a gold medal running for team Great Britain. Olivia has finally landed herself an internship with the Olympics after years of working hard and making sacrifices. After literally running into each other on the first day of training, they keep meeting in various situations despite not really wanting to.

I enjoyed the pace and dual POV that allowed the readers to learn more about how Olivia and Zeke each made it to the Olympics and the importance of the Summer Games to them. Shaniqua Okwok did a fabulous job narrating. The voices of Olivia and Zeke fit well with their personalities.

I recommend picking this book up if you like contemporary romance to focus on the characters and their personal growth instead of solely their relationship. Zeke and Olivia's realistic-feeling relationship and the gorgeous setting of Athens combine to make "Let the Games Begin" a perfect romance to read in the summer (or any other time you want a taste of warmth!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. My review is honest and voluntary.