Skate It Till You Make It

Mazarura (Let the Games Begin) delivers a sweet fake-dating sports romance. Great Britain’s women’s ice hockey team is already an underdog when Ari Shumba is unexpectedly made captain. Now she must carry the responsibility of managing the team through Olympic qualifiers while navigating family drama and avoiding her toxic ex-boyfriend and fellow hockey player, Harrison, who’s determined to get back together. Drew Dlamini is similarly at a crossroads when the pair meet at a New Year’s Eve party. He’s recently broken up with his girlfriend, dropped out of college, and moved home to care for his grandmother. Drew and Ari share deep conversation and a midnight kiss, never expecting to see each other again. Months later they’re reunited by the Olympics, where Ari is competing for Great Britain and Drew’s working as an official photographer for a sports brand. Drew agrees to a fake relationship to help Ari deter the dogged Harrison in exchange for access to exclusive events. They agree to keep feelings out of it, but as competition heats up on and off the rink, so does their chemistry. The romance is entertaining and well balanced by Ari’s and Drew’s professional struggles, and Mazarura has some twists up her sleeve, including a secret connection the leads share. This is sure to charm. (Feb.)