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The Games
In sixteen days, medals can be won and hearts can be lost . . . Tessa Rutledge, once an Olympic champion figure skater, returns to the Games as a coach, encountering her first love and only heartbreak and testing her ability to forgive. Alpine skier Kyle Armstrong has made a terrible mistake that could cost her a shot at Olympic gold as well as any hope of reconciling with the man she loves. Biathlete Rikki Lodge thinks she's just happy to be at the Games, until she meets a hockey player who demands that she do what she's never done before: put it all on the line. Let The Games begin! "A gold-medal winner" Christine Brennan, USA Today sports columnist "Patricia McLinn wins gold with this sparkling romance" Carla Neggers, NYT bestselling author "The Games accurately portrays the emotional roller coaster an athlete rides in pursuit of Olympic glory" Michael Weiss, U.S.Olympic figure skater and three-time U.S. Men's Champion
305 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
30 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Patricia McLinn
128 books313 followersUSA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2014
A story of five women athletes competing at the Winter Olympics, skaters, alpine skiers, and a biathlete. Always enjoy romance novels featuring women athletes and their passion and commitment to their sport. The Olympics was a rich setting for romantic meet-ups, coach interactions, and politics. The author, Patricia McLinn, was previously a sports journalist, and her background added to the authenticity of the entangled stories.
June 30, 2024
THE GAMES is an emotional roller coaster that keeps the reader turning pages. Young, focused, dedicated, passionate contenders are pressed into the crucible of the Olympic Winter Games while the reader gets to go along for the ride. For 16 days and nights, from multiple points of view, every thought, every breath is about winning and deciding if they want to win alone. There is conflict, lust, hard work, self-control, romance, and perhaps love. With about eight main characters, it’s often difficult to keep track but this story is worth the effort! Be prepared for foul language.
March 13, 2022
An insider look at athletes at the Olympic Games. A new pod system is being trialed. Athletes from different sports are housed together, skating, skiing and Biathalon. These women interact together and with men from various sports. In the two weeks of the games close bonds are formed and they are a close knit and protective group when one of them has a problem, medical, love or media.
I enjoyed the inside look at the Olympics and have also enjoyed other books by McLinn.
I enjoyed the inside look at the Olympics and have also enjoyed other books by McLinn.
February 13, 2018
***I won this through a goodreads giveaway***
Gold-Medal Read! The perfect book for any Winter Olympics fan. This book is well-researched, has interesting characters, and thought-provoking scenarios. As a lifelong figure skating fan, I enjoyed being able to follow these fictional athletes in those spare moments between the short and long programs this Winter Olympics.
Gold-Medal Read! The perfect book for any Winter Olympics fan. This book is well-researched, has interesting characters, and thought-provoking scenarios. As a lifelong figure skating fan, I enjoyed being able to follow these fictional athletes in those spare moments between the short and long programs this Winter Olympics.
March 4, 2018
Insight to Olympic games
Romance,athletes and the inside scoop on how the Olympic village works. I loved and learned about how different winter Olympic sports work. Loved the refreshing aspect of this book. Only thing that could of improved it would be if I read it during the Olympics!
Romance,athletes and the inside scoop on how the Olympic village works. I loved and learned about how different winter Olympic sports work. Loved the refreshing aspect of this book. Only thing that could of improved it would be if I read it during the Olympics!
July 16, 2018
Games of the Olympics and the heart!
Join in the world of athletes, coaches, and the Olympics. This story takes you into different sports and personalities, the people they meet and form bonds with, on and off the fields of play. It includes friendships and romances of the past, present, and future. Enjoy the ride.
Join in the world of athletes, coaches, and the Olympics. This story takes you into different sports and personalities, the people they meet and form bonds with, on and off the fields of play. It includes friendships and romances of the past, present, and future. Enjoy the ride.
January 21, 2019
An experiment to be housed in a pod, that after the Olympics would be apartments. Housing them from a different sport, age, personalities would be also. Sixteen days a life‘s goal, the memories would be for a life time.
The author had been a sports announcer and this came thru giving us the tensions, the laughter and tears, and memories these five had,
The author had been a sports announcer and this came thru giving us the tensions, the laughter and tears, and memories these five had,
February 21, 2018
Celebrating the Winter Olympics
These stories, woven together In this tale of the Olympic, are definitely worthy of a gold medal. The characters are the kind you want for friends and their stories keep you involved from first page to last.
These stories, woven together In this tale of the Olympic, are definitely worthy of a gold medal. The characters are the kind you want for friends and their stories keep you involved from first page to last.
March 31, 2018
Glad it is over!
I’ve enjoyed so many of this author’s books but this one was not my cup of tea at all. Had to make myself slug through it. At times I started to just flip to the end so I could move on to my next book. I did live the ending
Though it was a long long time coming!
I’ve enjoyed so many of this author’s books but this one was not my cup of tea at all. Had to make myself slug through it. At times I started to just flip to the end so I could move on to my next book. I did live the ending
Though it was a long long time coming!
February 21, 2018
This very timely romance novel was pretty hot for winter games. I enjoyed it very much and cave me many new insights into a variety of events. Read it, you'll enjoy it.
March 10, 2018
I’m not a “romance” book fan, so this book wasn’t my cup of tea. McLinn is always enjoyable, but not my genre of choice.
February 17, 2020
Fabulous!
I absolutely loved everything about this book! I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the Olympic Games from the point of view of the athletes and coaches, and it begins with the pomp and circumstance the history those 5 rings represent. Told from many different perspectives, this story follows three strong, independent women who have sacrificed everything for their sport and all have different expectations of the Olympic experience. One has something to prove to her wealthy parents and is keeping a huge secret. One is experiencing the Olympics for a second time as a coach after having won a gold medal in her youth, and the third meets someone who challenges her to be her very best self. During the course of 16 days, these women experience a roller coaster of emotions that touched me and kept me glued to my Kindle for an entire afternoon of delicious reading. Extremely well written and fast paced, this story will change the lives of athletes and coaches alike and will teach them things they never knew about life, love, winning and losing and the courage to reach out and grab life with both hands. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come and I will definitely read it again and again. This book is a fabulous adventure that I highly recommend.
I absolutely loved everything about this book! I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the Olympic Games from the point of view of the athletes and coaches, and it begins with the pomp and circumstance the history those 5 rings represent. Told from many different perspectives, this story follows three strong, independent women who have sacrificed everything for their sport and all have different expectations of the Olympic experience. One has something to prove to her wealthy parents and is keeping a huge secret. One is experiencing the Olympics for a second time as a coach after having won a gold medal in her youth, and the third meets someone who challenges her to be her very best self. During the course of 16 days, these women experience a roller coaster of emotions that touched me and kept me glued to my Kindle for an entire afternoon of delicious reading. Extremely well written and fast paced, this story will change the lives of athletes and coaches alike and will teach them things they never knew about life, love, winning and losing and the courage to reach out and grab life with both hands. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come and I will definitely read it again and again. This book is a fabulous adventure that I highly recommend.
November 8, 2019
I really liked this book. It follows four female Winter Olympians, and one of their coaches, whom room together in the Olympic village. They are from different backgrounds, different ages, different sports, but they end up forming a bond and friendship during the two weeks of the games. You follow their wins and their loses, both in the competition and with their love lives. The character development is done well and you actually start to really care for the characters. The story starts with the opening ceremony and ends with the closing ceremony. While it works well for the stories, and all major plot points are tied up at the end, I was invested enough to want more...
October 7, 2014
I enjoyed The Games, but there did seem to be a lot going on. I wished that I could spend more time with all the characters. There were three major character arcs: Kyle and Rob, Tess and Andrei, and Rikki and Lanny. The two secondary character arcs involved Nan and Amy separately.
If it had been possible, I would have read three separate books that focused on Kyle and Rob with Nan as a secondary plot line, Tess and Andrei with Amy as a secondary plot line, and Rikki and Lanny with Mike as a possible secondary plot line. Alas, I guess it wasn’t meant to be three separate books.... I look forward to reading more by Patricia McLinn.
If it had been possible, I would have read three separate books that focused on Kyle and Rob with Nan as a secondary plot line, Tess and Andrei with Amy as a secondary plot line, and Rikki and Lanny with Mike as a possible secondary plot line. Alas, I guess it wasn’t meant to be three separate books.... I look forward to reading more by Patricia McLinn.
December 27, 2016
I received a copy of this audio book free for an honest review.
I was impressed by my first Patricia McLinn audio book. The book was an intriguing look at the Olympic Games from the Competitors point of view and followed several relationships, both romantic and friendship. It took me a couple of chapters to sort out who was who and what was happening but once I was in the swing it was difficult to stop listening. I lost quite a bit of sleep listening into the wee hours. I would recommend this book, especially if you are interested in winter sports. Thank you Patricia for allowing me to experience this audio book
I was impressed by my first Patricia McLinn audio book. The book was an intriguing look at the Olympic Games from the Competitors point of view and followed several relationships, both romantic and friendship. It took me a couple of chapters to sort out who was who and what was happening but once I was in the swing it was difficult to stop listening. I lost quite a bit of sleep listening into the wee hours. I would recommend this book, especially if you are interested in winter sports. Thank you Patricia for allowing me to experience this audio book
July 30, 2016
Olympics
I love everything about the Olympics. This books takes a look inside the lives of 4 athletes and a coach. I love that they support each other and try to make it to other events. Amy's ice skating, Rikki's biathlon, Nan's downhill skiing and Kyle also. Tess is trying to keep Amy focused but to also have fun. The practicing, the actual events, being perused by reporters and yet still find time to make friends. Some actually will find love at the Games.
I love everything about the Olympics. This books takes a look inside the lives of 4 athletes and a coach. I love that they support each other and try to make it to other events. Amy's ice skating, Rikki's biathlon, Nan's downhill skiing and Kyle also. Tess is trying to keep Amy focused but to also have fun. The practicing, the actual events, being perused by reporters and yet still find time to make friends. Some actually will find love at the Games.
July 12, 2011
It's not often you get to read a story that takes place during the Olympic games. The author did a good job of melding the two together and included many details about the sports and the games themselves. You can tell she did her research. The story focuses on several different people and each has their own unique story. Overall, it's a good read.
August 1, 2012
Loved this book so much wish it hadn't ended :(
August 10, 2012
Maybe is because I'm watching the summer Olympics but this book really captivated me. I enjoyed all of the characters and fascinated by all the "behind the scenes" facts. This book deserves a Gold!
February 6, 2014
I absolutely love this book. It gave me a new appreciation for the Olympic Games. I was sad to see it come to an end, but it was worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews