Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on November 7, 2023
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Young Adult
Amazon Audible
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 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…)
Check & Mate is Ali Hazelwood’s first venture into the young adult/new adult arena. I listened to the audiobook, which boasts impeccable narration by Karissa Vacker. Combined with an excellent story, it makes for an entertaining listening experience.
Mallory is 18 and the sole breadwinner of her household. She bears the responsibility of making sure the mortgage gets paid, ensuring her sick mom receives her meds, and catering to the needs of her ungrateful sisters. She was a gifted young chess player many years ago, but she quit playing when she was 14 due to a painful turning point in her life. When an opportunity comes along to get paid for studying and playing chess, Mallory is reluctantly forced to reconsider returning to the sport she once loved but now resents.
Nolan is an enigmatic, broody 20-year-old undefeated chess phenom and the current world champion. When Mallory unexpectedly beats him in an amateur competition, he becomes intrigued by her and fixated on playing her again.
I’ve lost count of the variety of sports romances I’ve read, but not once have I read a book set in the chess world. I don’t pretend to know the first thing about the game, but this story gave me an appreciation for the skill and dedication required to play chess at a professional level. I was totally invested in the outcome of this sweet story.
I discovered something while reading Check & Mate. “He fell first” love stories are my jam! Nolan falls hard for Mallory. The frosty guy just melts whenever he is around her, but she is so busy worrying about her family that she’s oblivious. Fortunately, Nolan has endless patience.
There’s an enjoyable amount of drama and suspense as Mallory rises in the rankings. Her fellow chess players are fun side characters, which partially makes up for how annoying her sisters are. I’m usually not a huge lover of young adult fiction, but this was a special treat.
Recommended for fans of:
Chess
Rivals-to-lovers
Slow burn romances
Independent young adults
About Ali Hazelwood
My favorite thing in the world is to explore traditional romance tropes—and to picture how they’ll play out in academic settings.
Rival scientists falling in love despite their better judgement?
There’s only one cot in the lab?
Fake dating during faculty meeting?
Sign me up!
I’m originally from Italy, lived in Japan and Germany, and eventually moved to the US to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. I recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies me. Oh, the sheer dread of being entrusted with the care of young minds!
When I’m not at work you can find me binge-watching shows with my feline overlords (and my slightly less feline husband), running, or eating candy.
Oh, and I’m a New York Times Bestselling Author.
I’m represented by the amazing Thao Le of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.
Great review! I’m so happy you loved this one. I did as well. I knew nothing about chess beforehand (and probably still don’t), but had a great time reading about it.
Thanks! Who knew chess was so interesting?
Not me!
Sounds like fun! I haven’t felt particularly drawn to YA lately, but I might give this one a try!
You should definitely give it a try!
Now I want to get this. I also like he fell first trope. Amazing review!
It’s definitely refreshing, particularly in new adult books.