Check & Mate

I see why this was classified as YA, but the characters are 18 and 20 and definitely have very adult conversations. This is a closed door romance though, and Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong in my eyes. There has not been a bad book by her, and I don't think there ever will be. I LOVED this book! I wasn't sure if I would, because I'm not a YA fan but this was great. I also don't know anything about chess, but the author did a great job explaining everything and really making me feel like I was a part of it. It was just fun, with the right amount of banter, romance, competition and obstacles to overcome for the characters. I really loved that both Mallory and Nolan were prodigies but both had different jouneys to get there and both had faced adversity in their personal lives when it came to their families. I loved their rivalry, but also how they supported each other and recognized each other's greatness without feeling jealous or superior. I love how Ali Hazelwood always touches on important topics, like LGBTQ+ and gender discrimination. These are issues that are important to acknowledge and talk about and to write about and I absolutely love that she never shies away. I know her books are not for everyone but I love them! They are so well written, have great characters, solid plots, funny banter with laugh out loud moments, obstacles to overcome and happy endings. What's not to love? I'm looking forward to her next book.

Chess, family, and young love have never been this fun. In short, this was adorable. The book follows Mallory, an eighteen-year-old who struggles to help her sick mom and two younger sisters while hiding a burning love for chess deep within her. As faith would have it, Mallory finds herself at a charity chess match, where she, against all expectations, beats the number one chess player. From then on, she finds herself tangled up in it. I appreciated how this book had an unapologetic female who knew she was good at what she did and did not try to hide it; sure, she had her insecurities, but which eighteen-year-old would not? It only made her all that more human. Each character was surprisingly loveable (major shoutout to Oz), and even though it took me some time to warm up to most of them and their dynamic, as the book progressed, I felt as though each character found their footing and felt more well-rounded. Normally, I tend to crumble with anxiety when a character's life builds on lies, and Mallory did not make it easy for me not to stress on her. However, I found myself strangely pleased with how the conflict resolution was mature, honest, loving, and not unnecessarily overdramatic. Mallory was definitely a character you wanted to grab hold of and shake into reality when she got lost in her head at times. However, I think she was the most grounded and real character Ali Hazelwood has yet to write, and it was a joy to live inside her head for a few hundred pages. For me, the story stood out because of Mallory's journey with herself, her wishes, and her family, but of course, we cannot overlook sweet, sweet Nolan. Ali Hazelwood knows how to write a man who is perfectly rough around the edges while still being perfectly kind, sweet, and loving. Nolan was exactly that. It was an absolute pleasure to have a character who so perfectly complimented Mallory's mental spiraling with direct and honest communication. In addition to the characters, there is naturally the chess aspect of the book, and I must admit, I never understood its appeal, not before reading this, anyway. This is likely because I have no knack for it and simply am not smart enough to fully understand its extent, but the way it was written about was enchanting, really. My relationship with Ali Hazelwood's writing is a complicated one. I read everything she writes because I see this potential in her, and I have a burning desire to see it reach its peak. Because of that, reading this book was an offering experience. I have enjoyed the adult books Hazelwood is known for writing, but as someone who does not normally like reading young adults all that much, I will say she shined brighter with this one. This was good, and I cannot wait to read where Hazelwood takes us next.

I've read some of her other books and the reviews are not kidding when they call her a romance powerhouse. Her books are phenomenal, though they are made for adults, just so everyone is aware. Lol

I love Ali Hazelwood and her storytelling is always compelling. But, even though she is one of my favorite authors, I'm starting to notice that her stories are becoming like other authors in this genre in that it's starting to feel the same novel after novel - she uses the same format and the characters have the same core beliefs/reactions/issues, so the scenario changes but the protagonists feel the same. For example: -the conflict of the story is always a real and a perceived lie -heroine always assumes hero hates her initially -the heroine always has a singular 'her person' / best friend -heroine always goes away in anger and avoids hero for a while -someone always is celibate and then has a awakening when they meet the hero/-ine -heroine and her person always have something against "rich" people -Star Wars -dislike of Jeff Bezos (Do any of us actually believe he'll donate his fortune like he professed? But really don't want to read about him anymore more than I have to) -revolting descriptions of morning breath (seriously, gross - why?? ) -exaggerative phrases (some frankly, disgusting) that don't add value to the book (there are some really good zingers in the book, but a lot of the bad ones should have been removed) -allusion to Bill Nye efiction That stated, the scenario for each plot for her books has always been well-researched and I appreciate each fact delivered in a non-pedantic way - I learned a great deal again in this book like all her other books (this time about chess, stereotype threat concept). This book was great and Oz was a different character than we've seen before, but with higher expectations than for other authors, it was a 3-star. Dr.Hazelwood, can we get a mystery rom-com next round? And even though this review is perhaps more critical than my others, thanks for being a scientist that gives other scientists (and non-scientists) fun material to read. Thanks for not presuming that marriage and a baby on the way should be the last chapter of each book. Thanks for giving us an ideal hero/heroine where the relationship is built on more than physical attraction and giving us the opportunity to dream and imagine better relationships for women, LGBTQ+, minorities (and therefore, everyone).

I enjoyed this. It’s very different from the other Ali Hazelwood books I’ve read. I really liked that it was about the world of chess, it brought an interesting dynamic to the book. As with most Ali Hazelwood books, I loved the characters. I did get annoyed at Mallory because she was so freaking stubborn and her stubbornness caused like all the problems. If she had just acted better and talked about her feelings and didn’t lie to everyone, her life woulda been way better. The romance was good, but felt a little secondary at times. That didn’t bother me too much though because the plot was interesting and on a topic I haven’t read a book about before. The whole time I was reading, I wanted to go play chess. Maybe this will rekindle a love for chess?

♟️ Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood ♟️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Spice: 🫑.5 Characterization: 4/5 Plot/Storyline: 4/5 Writing Style: 5/5 ♟️ - Mallory has a tenuous relationship with chess, and despite wanting to say no to any reunion with the sport/game, she does. It’s not an ex she wants back, but alas, it pays better than expected. Enter Nolan Sawyer, the number one ranked chess player in the world. What starts as an enemies who seemingly shouldn’t stand each other turns into far more complex. ♟️ - Mal represents female bad assery in a male dominated area. This book is great for representation of women and queer folx, and of course, queer women. The open discussions of identity, sex, fluidity, and more are a major selling point for me in this book. As usual, Hazelwood writes smart characters with complex identifies, and it’s beautiful. ♟️ - The writing style is just effortless to read. Ali is smart, thoughtful, and crafty with her sentence structure, allusions, and tone of voice. The fact she makes the characters feel so real and read so well is unbelievable. Low key: Oz is the absolute best and again, I’ll word fight with anyone who suggests otherwise. Final Recommendation: OMG YES. It’s not spicy, it’s tense, and so we’ll done. The epilogue: chefs kiss perfection. The writing style! The writing style!!

This book was definitely a coming of age story that was fun, quirky, funny, and enjoyable. It touched on some sad topics but was entertaining throughout. I loved seeing these two main characters interact and bond. It was a bit like pulling teeth, but oh, so worth it. Though this is classified as a YA Romance... I wouldn't necessarily agree. I would classify it more in between YA and NA and much more of a coming of age story than a romance. Don't get me wrong, there was romance..... but it was very much a background thread to me. This was a lot more disappointing then I thought it would be, because the relationship development seemed to mostly happen off page and they didn't really have that much interaction with eachother through most of the book, which just killed me. I also had a hard time liking Mal about 60% of the time. She had her moments... but mostly, I wanted to strangle her. And Nolan... what a dreamboat. I wish we had actually gotten to see more of him and seen his character develop throughout the book more. Despite these drawbacks, this book had its cute and fun moments. I would definitely give this a 6 out of 10. Tropes Include MF Love Interests Chess Players Rivalry YA.... but really just closed door Rivals-to-Friends-to-Lovers Trauma Medium Angst No Heat HEA

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood is a sweet and enchanting romance that perfectly blends the excitement of competitive chess with the slow-burn chemistry of an opposites-attract love story. Hazelwood has a knack for creating lovable, relatable characters, and in this book, she brings together two people who couldn’t be more different, yet their connection is undeniable. The novel is brimming with Hazelwood's signature humor and heartfelt moments, but it’s the emotional depth and tenderness that make this story stand out. The relationship between Malory and Nolan is what gives Check and Mate its sweet, heartwarming charm. Their interactions are filled with moments of vulnerability, awkward confessions, and playful teasing that feels both genuine and touching. The lead characters, one a fierce chess prodigy and the other, an unknown prodigy, complement each other beautifully. As they navigate the highs and lows of competition and life outside the chessboard, their growing affection is marked by sincere gestures, shy smiles, and thoughtful moments of connection. What makes this book especially sweet is the way Hazelwood shows the characters supporting each other through personal insecurities and struggles. Their love grows organically through shared experiences and mutual respect, creating a story filled with tender, heart-melting moments. Whether it’s their obvious love for chess or an unspoken look across the board, Hazelwood captures the sweetness of two people falling in love while pushing each other to be better versions of themselves. Check and Mate is a delightful, heartfelt read that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.