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…)
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Community Reviews
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!!
Short and sweet. A book with the MMC is secretly pining for the FMC is always a good read. For me, I just wish there was more at the end. It kinda felt up in the air.
I wouldn’t necessarily call this book YA? If so, it’s upper YA, borderline NA.
THAT BEING SAID. This book was cute as hell. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an Ali Hazelwood without me getting gut punched in the feelings in the third act.
THAT BEING SAID. This book was cute as hell. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an Ali Hazelwood without me getting gut punched in the feelings in the third act.
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