Skate It Till You Make It

by Rufaro Faith Mazarura

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 graduate 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?

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Adult, Audiobook, Fiction, Sports, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

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 now lives in London and 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 is her debut novel.

Reviews

[alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

skate it till you make it • arc book review
🛍️ release date - february 3, 2026
⭐️ rating - 3/5

All of my Winter Olympics lovers stand up 😤❄️⛸️

This was a cute closed-door romance!! Forbidden romance and fake dating are my favorite tropes, so I was truly in my prime for most of this book. There were definitely spots that were slower than others and moments where I wanted to shake the main characters for not talking about their issues instead of pretending they didn’t exist.

I definitely think this could’ve benefitting from a dual narration or, at the very least, someone who has an American accent to take over for the mmc’s sections.

Thanks to @macmillan.audio for the early audio copy 🫶🏼

[Madeline Gautreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely DEVOURED Ari and Drew’s story. Set in the 2026 Olympics, Ari is a hockey player for GB and Drew lands himself a photojournalist gig at the games after a legendary NYE party.

Ari and Drew on their own are facing challenging family dymanics, pressure to have it all together, and people in their lives that are hard to manage. But, after meeting at the NYE party & bumping into each other at the Games, they enter a fake relationship that spirals into a real, raw, and sweet relationship in the end.

I absolutely loved the closed-door aspect of this book, as hockey romance is known in general for it’s sex appeal. But, without the explicitly written scenes? This book still holds a sparkle and a sweetness to it that I absolutely enjoyed.

I also appreciated that the characters were young (21-22) and were going throigh the life crises that are normal around that time as it made their story all the more believable. Similarly, with both main characters being Black, the commentary on the expectations of Black women in sports dominated by white women was really something that I appreciated in this book more than anything. It felt as if this book was tackling so many ideas and prevalent topics but it did so in such a seamless way.

All in all, I adored this story, the characters, and the outcomes, and I think anyone who likes a good hockey romance will feel the same!

[Eliza | lizas.bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

God I love the Olympics!!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great read. There's so much happening in this story that I found myself engaged the entire time. I loved the Winter Olympics aspect it was perfect for the winter season.

When our MC's have an impromptu night on a roof during New Years they find themselves divulging their secrets knowing they'll never meet again. Fast forward and they happen to run into each other during the Olympics. You find their friendship growing and becoming more as they fake date to get our FMC's toxic ex off her back. Both are dealing with family drama and secrets.

A fantastic listen! Thank you Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook.

[Ivory IG ivorypearlreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who does not love a meet cute sports romance mixed with fake dating and just a touch of forbidden romance? Skate It Til You Make It delivers a fun blend of some of our favorite romance tropes while centering Black joy, ambition, and young love on an international stage.

At its heart, this story is about Black women athletes standing on the brink of the 2026 Olympics and the pressure that comes when everything is on the line. An unexpected injury shifts team dynamics right before departure, and Ari Shumba finds herself navigating a breakup, a toxic ex, and the weight of becoming team captain for Great Britain’s women’s hockey team as a first time Olympian. Watching her step into leadership while carrying so much personal baggage added real emotional depth to the story.

Drew’s storyline offered a thoughtful contrast. His journey of choosing between personal dreams and family responsibility felt grounded and relatable, especially as he tries to redefine his future during a season of transition. When Ari and Drew’s lives collide on New Year’s Eve and unexpectedly intersect again months later at the Olympics, their fake dating arrangement becomes a sweet and entertaining way to navigate complicated exes, family pressures, and high stakes competition.

The Olympic setting, the chemistry between Ari and Drew, and the celebration of Black athletes made this a fun and engaging young adult romance. My main critique was the inconsistency in the writing and pacing at times. With a few more final edits, this story could be even stronger and more polished than it already is.

Overall, this was a cute, trope filled sports romance that I enjoyed and would recommend to readers who love fake dating, athlete romances, and stories centered on ambition and growth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of Skate It Til You Make It.

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so grateful that we have a female POC author in closed-door romance! 💘

Ari and Drew meet on New years as she is about to be the captain the British women’s hockey team in the Winter Olympics. He is a photographer and little does Ari know, he is the brother of one of her rivals from the US team. It becomes mutually beneficial to fake date him to avoid her narcissistic Olympian ex, Harrison.

I am shocked at the amount of fake dating tropes that have arisen in 2026 romcoms. It is by far the most common trope that I am seeing for this year, despite the fact that fake dating almost never happens in real life. That aside, I enjoyed this very sweet story and loved the Olympic setting. I don’t know much about hockey, but I loved the storyline about female athletes, how they work together as a team, and the interpersonal relationships. Some really fun and inspiring minor characters. I also love a good kiss cam scene, and I really enjoyed the banter between Drew and Ari.

Audiobook review - I thought that the performance was well acted and easy to follow. Great narrator and the pacing is perfect for audio. This is the perfect winter romcom if you are looking for something lighthearted in the new year.

I might even watch Olympic women’s hockey instead of just figure skating and skiing this year!

Thanks to NetGalley and McMillan audio for the arc. Book to be published 2/2/26

#macaudio2025

[Punkin’ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My next audio arc that was given to me by Macmillan audio! Thank you so much! All thoughts and all parts of this review are my own.

I apparently didn’t know I needed a POC Female hockey captain x photographer fake dating romance but this was a lot of fun and a sweet read for the holiday season. This is a closed door “fade to black” romance and there isn’t really any explicit content in this one. I don’t think it needed it though? I liked the external plot and drama happening along side the character growth; that felt like enough plot without the smut needed for this romance.

This read worked for me because it shook up the usual hockey romance roles and sort of gender swapped them. I liked that Ari was a tough lover and was able to find the confidence to say what she needed to and stand up for her self and I like that Drew was just really passionate about sports photography and wasn’t afraid to love the family and friends around him and protect his relationships. This was a sweet read and I do recommend it.

The Audio book was a slight miss for me though, it really. Needed to be a dual narration because of the narrators accent it took a little bit off of Drew’s POV characters. Also the narrators voice for the grandma was not it! Im sorry but it was like hearing a 25 year old valley girl accent on a 70 year old grandma. Would love if we could tweak that part of the story telling for audio but other than that it was good.

[Nightengale05 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a sweet winter closed-door romance, and the book did not disappoint. I found the book to be fun and lighthearted. I really enjoyed the relationship between Ari and Drew, from the way they met to how they progressed in their relationship, which was fun to read and had me laughing at times. One thing that had me a little confused was just the overwhelming amount of characters. There was Drew's family, Ari's family as well as the girls on the hockey team. I just felt sometimes I didn't need another name to remember, especially those that weren't really main characters. It just felt like a lot to keep track of at once. And I will say that while I know very, very little about hockey, I was able to follow along, and the hockey plot wasn't confusing at all. I am more interested in photography, so I was able to connect with Drew more.

Overall, a fun winter Olympic romance that's perfect for when you're looking for a cozy romance that'll make you smile. I would definitely recommend and will likely look for other books by the author since I enjoyed this one.

Thank you Flatiron for the ARC! It really got me excited for the Olympics and now I might even try watching Hockey!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute non-spicy romance for fans of the Winter Olympics! I liked it lot, but there were several spots where the story dragged a bit. I think if it was shorter, it would help the overall pacing of the storyline in the book, and would make it more action packed. But I loved the relationship between Drew and Ari, Drew's relationship with his family, and the competition between Ari and Drew's sister. I wasn't as interested in Ari's family drama, and felt like it wasn't as crucial to the main story, and I felt like there were a lot of mini back stories for random characters that are great for character development, but made the book too long and aren't necessary. Overall, I enjoyed it, and think that it's a great book to read before, after, or during the Olympics!

Thank you, Flatiron Books, for the uncorrected proof advanced reader's copy! These opinions are my own.

[Britt | Britt Reads A Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up An unfortunate rating. I was just bored. There were things I felt were unnecessary and convoluted the story a bit. Drew was a very bland MMC. The love story was *okay* but this story wasn’t anything too special. I did love that it told a story of female ice hockey teams! But that was kind of where my excitement to pick up the book ended.

I think a bit of my blah feeling also comes from the narrator. Half of the book’s romance duo was American, but even when the British narrator tried to be American, she would say words incorrectly or slip in and out and it got distracting. A bit nitpicky, but it bothered me. Dual narration would’ve helped a ton.

Thank you to Macmillan audio for the ALC!

[Cookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t hate and I didn’t love it. It was an enjoyable sports romance. If you’re into the Olympics, this one is for you.

I really wish they would have used a male narrator to narrate the chapters that were from the male main character’s point of view. Or at least have the narrator use an American accent for those chapters. I get it, some may not think third person point of view may not necessitate those kinds of details but I think it could make the difference between a good audiobook and great audiobook.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received ARC audiobook for review. This was a cute, slow-burn closed door fake-dating romance set during the 2026 Winter Olympics. I enjoyed the athletic side of the story, particularly the portrayal of a female main character elite athlete and artistic mmc. The story kind of drug out and felt a bit flat in spots. The majority of the conflict in the story was individual/internal and just a lack of maturity/communication. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend if you’re in the mood for a feel-good romance with a bit of Olympic magic.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Lillie-Pearl Wildman. The narration was very good. The volume was nice and even and easy to listen to.

This was a fun romance about a woman hockey player in the Olympics. She meets a guy in a bar and really hits it off. They go there separate ways, only to meet up again at Olympics. This is a fake relationship trope that ends up with a complication.

This was a fun audiobook and a really good story. I really enjoyed it!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio copies. All thoughts are my own.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC from Goodreads Giveaways.

This was a charming winter romance with great characters and a fun setting. It has me stoked to watch the upcoming Winter Olympics.

[Katy Gilroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh how precious!!!! absolutely loveeeeeed this Olympics-based ice hockey romance, genuinely so charming; excellent character development and brilliantly paced plot. gimme more!