Skate It Till You Make It - by Rufaro Faith Mazarura (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The weather might be icy, but the tension is red-hot in this fake--dating hockey rom--com from the author of Let the Games Begin.

Ari Shumba never expected to make it to the Winter Games, let alone be the one to lead Great
Britain's women's hockey team through the most important competition of their lives. But when
an unexpected injury catapults her to the role of team captain, Ari reluctantly shoulders the
responsibility, all while trying to dodge her toxic ex.

Drew Dlamini has always feared taking risks. But after uncovering a family secret, breaking up
with his ex-girlfriend, and dropping out of medical school, he's desperate for a fresh start. So
when he finds himself in London for the holidays, he decides to rekindle his hidden dream of
becoming a professional photographer.

When Ari and Drew bump into each other on New Year's Eve, neither one is looking to fall in
love. Despite their instant chemistry, they're from opposite sides of the Atlantic, and when they
reveal all of their red flags, they realize that things between them would never work out. But
then, when their paths unexpectedly cross two months later in the snowy Swiss Alps, memories
of what they almost did that night resurface. And the combination of complicated exes, over-
involved families, and stress-inducing teammates convinces them that the perfect solution to their
problems is to fake date their way through the Games.

After all, there's no risk of falling in love if it is doomed from the start . . . right?

Review Quotes

Praise for Let The Games Begin

"A debut deserving of a gold medal." --Kirkus (starred review)

"[A] fun and wholesome debut... Mazarura is a writer to watch." --Publishers Weekly

"A radiant, joyful debut novel with a particularly fun setting." --ELLE

"Sweet and inspiring." --NPR

"A perfect Olympic-year read. This debut rom-com sparkles and is sure to delight contemporary-romance fans, particularly those who love reading about athletes, celebrities, and tenacious underdog heroines." --Library Journal

"Let the Games Begin is THE way to kick off the summer games! They say what happens in Olympic Village stays in Olympic Village... but let's just say the competition wasn't the only thing that was hot!" --Danielle Allen, author of Curvy Girl Summer

"Let the Games Begin is pure delight! Rufaro Faith Mazarura's threading of Zimbabwean and British culture masterfully displays how the love interests, Zeke and Olivia, can exist in two worlds yet learn to remain true to themselves and to their roots. Filled with friendship, family, and the competitive thrill of the Olympics, Zeke and Olivia's growing romance shows what it means to follow one's heart and take the leap towards love." --Preslaysa Williams, author of A Lowcountry Bride

"Rufaro Faith Mazarura's Let the Games Begin is a vivid, moving story of finding love--and yourself--in the exhilarating world of the Summer Games. The heart stopping action and propulsive love story makes for a gripping and life-affirming read. I loved it!" --Katelyn Doyle, author of Just Some Stupid Love Story

"Rufaro is such a fresh and exciting new voice in romantic women's fiction. I've never fallen as fast as I did for Zeke and his family, and Olivia is such a perfect heroine, battling between her head and her heart. Let the Games Begin is funny, romantic, gripping and relatable. I loved every second of it. If you need me, I'll be in Athens." --Tessa Bickers, author of The Book Swap

"One of the most heart-warming books I've ever read with characters you will immediately root for. A complete delight." --Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author of Archer's Voice

"Both a beautiful romance and a stirring coming-of-age story... you can't help but root for Zeke and Olivia as they navigate familial expectations and their own ambitions while falling for each other. Rufaro Faith Mazarura is a fascinating and talented new voice in women's fiction." --Lauren Ho, bestselling author of Last Tang Standing

"As someone with vivid memories of the 2012 Olympic Games, Let The Games Begin brought back the excitement and atmosphere of those heady two weeks, creating the most tremendous setting for the unfolding stories of two talented, determined and fierce individuals who somehow in their fight to achieve, have lost sight of what is most important to them. A gorgeous atmospheric coming of age, love story which had me hooked from page one. Rufaro Faith Mazurura's debut novel packs the most delicious punch and I can't wait to read more of her work." --Julie Caplin, international bestselling author of the Romantic Escapes series

About the Author

Rufaro Faith Mazarura is a British Zimbabwean writer who grew up in Birmingham and studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Surrey. She works as a podcast producer, bringing stories to life through audio, and has written and produced podcasts for the BBC, iHeartRadio and Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books. Let the Games Begin was her debut novel.