Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura

e-Audio, 08:49:16, 
Narrated by: Shaniqua Okwok
Release Date: July 9, 2024
Published by: Tundra
Read from: July 1-2, 2024
Stand-alone
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-audio from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review. I also received a physical ARC but I went with the audio to ensure I could read it by release date.)
Content Warning: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Lesbophobia
For Readers Interested In: Sports Romance (Track and Field), Set Outside the US (UK and Athens, Greece), Black Romance, Adult, Contemporary

    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.
     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?

*MY THOUGHTS*

I’m going to start this with a disclaimer…… As a former track runner, this was so much fun to read. There’s not that many track romances out there, so for this one to come out, just in time for the Olympics? Yeah it was like Kissmet lol I can’t wait for y’all to read this.

Ok so first things first, the reason I loved this one was the sports aspect. I always say I wish there was more sports in my sports romance, but it could just be a me thing. (I am a huge sports fan and I realize that not everyone is) But this one is set at the Olympics, so the sports part is unavoidable. Literally everything is about the Games. This may not seem exciting, but there’s a character that’s like Simone Biles and they talk about the village, and their Olympic training methods, and the cafe, and ugh it was just so enthralling to be “in the Olympics.” Like I said, I’m obsessed with the Summer Olympics, and I read this while I watched the trials for track, gymnastics, and swimming, so I was so happy. This was legit so much fun.

The romance itself was just ok. I don’t think it was anything to write home about. It was like very formulaic if that makes sense. And I remember at the ending that I wished that we had more time with them together. Like more time as a couple. In the book for the most part they are flirting (badly at that) and then they get together and the third act break-up happens. Granted its not that bad and it’s really short, but then it was over. I just wanted a bit more of a relationship between them. So be forewarned, this is more of a HFN and not an HEA lol (To me anyway)

The other thing I took issue with was the plot. It was quite literally all over the place. I thought it was because all of this stuff probably does happen in the Olympic village, but it took away from the story in my eyes. Like there was the gymnast girl and what she had going on, the best friend of Zeke, Zeke’s mental health, the stuff that Olivia was going through with “her” internship, and there was still more. I think it was trying to do too much for a book, if that makes sense. I felt like my head was turning back and forth with whiplash or like I was reading a tabloid and not a book. And that’s not what I WANTED to read, ya know?

Although this shines some light on some important sports issues, I think it was trying to do a little too much. But the romance and the Olympics most certainly cleaned it up and kept me enthralled in this one. I hope y’all read and like this one too!

Overall, I give this

Real rating 3.5. Rounded up for Goodreads.