Check & Mate
In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I know nothing about chess, but I was still all in with Mallory and Nolan’s story. The enemy to lovers romance was cute, and seeing Mallory’s journey to accept herself for who she is, was amazing.
Mallory Greenleaf is a former child chess star who gave it all up years ago when her world was turned upside down. Mallory has a lot on her shoulders. Between being the main caregiver to her sisters and caring for her sick mom, she's also managing to make ends meet working at the mechanic shop that her uncle use to own.
Mallory lost her father a while ago and life has been tough for the Greenleaf family. They don't talk about their dad or the complicated relationship that Mallory had with chess. When Mallory's best friend tells her to sign up for a chess match and Mallory beats Nolan Sawyer. Nolan is the current world champion of chess and known as the "King killer." Mallory doesn't know what to think about it.
Soon Mallory finds herself forced back in the chess world to make ends meet for her family. Can she manage to keep her chess playing a secret from her family while keeping a safe distance from the game she used to love and the #1 ranked chess player she might be falling for?
I have read many Ali Hazelwood books, and I think that this one ranks up there near the top. I completely enjoyed this book. The coming of age, the building of each character and how Mallory comes to love herself for who she truly is. Looking for a Meet-Cute book? Here it is!
Mallory Greenleaf is a former child chess star who gave it all up years ago when her world was turned upside down. Mallory has a lot on her shoulders. Between being the main caregiver to her sisters and caring for her sick mom, she's also managing to make ends meet working at the mechanic shop that her uncle use to own.
Mallory lost her father a while ago and life has been tough for the Greenleaf family. They don't talk about their dad or the complicated relationship that Mallory had with chess. When Mallory's best friend tells her to sign up for a chess match and Mallory beats Nolan Sawyer. Nolan is the current world champion of chess and known as the "King killer." Mallory doesn't know what to think about it.
Soon Mallory finds herself forced back in the chess world to make ends meet for her family. Can she manage to keep her chess playing a secret from her family while keeping a safe distance from the game she used to love and the #1 ranked chess player she might be falling for?
I have read many Ali Hazelwood books, and I think that this one ranks up there near the top. I completely enjoyed this book. The coming of age, the building of each character and how Mallory comes to love herself for who she truly is. Looking for a Meet-Cute book? Here it is!
I didn’t realize this was YA when I picked it up, but I’m not mad about it. I enjoyed this modern romance and even though I only know how each chess piece moves, I enjoyed the chess matches & to hear about that world especially from a female POV.
This book was such a waste of time. Nothing happened???? I usually love Hazelwood but the twist was lacklustre and the whole thing was blah. 2/10
Do I know how to play chess? No
Do I want to learn to play chess because of Ali Hazelwood? Heck yes
This book had everything. Very intelligent FMC, great banter. A typical Ali Hazelwood MMC that would do anything for his lady. I loved it!!
Do I want to learn to play chess because of Ali Hazelwood? Heck yes
This book had everything. Very intelligent FMC, great banter. A typical Ali Hazelwood MMC that would do anything for his lady. I loved it!!
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.