Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood is a captivating blend of emotional depth and strategic allure that kept me engrossed from start to finish. Mallory Greenleaf's narrative, haunted by the shadows of a shattered family due to chess, immediately drew me in. Her strength and determination to shield her loved ones from the game's turmoil struck a chord, making her an instantly relatable protagonist.
The unexpected collision between Mallory and the notorious 'Kingkiller' Nolan Sawyer sparked a riveting dynamic, reminiscent of the tension and allure found in "The Queen's Gambit." Their chemistry crackles off the pages, drawing readers into their complex dance of attraction and rivalry.
Hazelwood's storytelling prowess shines through her intricate portrayal of the chess world, masterfully weaving in the electrifying matches alongside the characters' personal journeys. The strategic maneuvers on the board mirror the characters' internal struggles and growth, creating a fascinating parallel that enriches the story.
While Mallory's ascent through the ranks and her conflicted emotions towards the game unfold, the novel navigates themes of family, ambition, and the unexpected paths life can take. The spotlight on Mallory's personal growth and her intricate relationship with chess adds layers of depth to the narrative.
However, as much as I enjoyed the tension and chemistry between Mallory and Nolan, there were moments when the pacing felt slightly rushed, hindering the full exploration of certain character dynamics.
Overall, Check & Mate is a compelling read that combines the allure of the chess world with a beautifully crafted romance. Hazelwood's ability to infuse depth into her characters and their connections, reminiscent of "The Queen's Gambit" but within her own rich storytelling universe, earns this book a solid four stars out of five from me.
#CheckandMate #NetGalley

Check and Mate is a cute and wholesome romance story with loss and loneliness at its soft centre. There is no perfect day to read this, so do it now. Ali Hazelwood has created some beautiful.

This was my first Ali Hazelwood book (I know, I know, where have I been, right?) it’s true, apparently, I’ve been living under a rock. I’m on tik Tok and still, I’ve managed to avoid the hype that is The Love Hypothesis. Well, upon finishing Check and Mate, I ordered a preloved copy of The Love Hypothesis from a second-hand selling site. I also didn’t know that it featured women in STEM. I am sold!

Now, if you’ve been a follower of the blog for any length of time, you’ll know that sweet romance isn’t usually my cup of tea. In fact, I would usually run in the other direction if there were any mention or mere suggestion of me reviewing a romance book. I’m not romantic by nature and I don’t really like reading about it. So here I was more surprised than anyone when I requested Check and Mate from Netgalley a few months ago. Maybe it was the chess angle, maybe it just called to my nerdy side.

Check and Mate is a delightfully sweet tale mixing heartache and passion and producing a heartfelt story perfect for the season.

Mallory Greenleaf swore she’d never pick up a chess piece again.
But her family’s financial situation really calls for it. Her mum is diagnosed with rheumatoid Arthritis and needs specialised meds to keep her going. She freelances but hasn’t been able to do so, due to the constant aching in her joints.

As the oldest child, Mallory feels it is her responsibility to step up for her family. She gets a job in the garage her uncle owned and picks up as many shifts as she can, and completely gives up on any aspiration to go to college with her best friend, Easton. They aren’t comfortable, they’re still three months behind on the mortgage but they’re surviving…that is until Mallory gets fired from her job for refusing to upsell to a woman, It would be taking advantage of her, and she refuses. It ends up costing her her job and now her family doesn’t have much money coming in.

When Easton suggests that she enter a chess competition. She isn’t enthusiastic about it but agrees solely on the basis that they are broke, she just didn’t anticipate on beating the world’s #1 in Chess, Nolan Sawyer.

I adore stories with an unlikely band of characters. Mallory, her sisters, Easton, Nolan and his crew and the evil man of chess, Koch (laughed way too many times and the double entendres!) The banter, the relationships, and the miscommunication. Each character breaths life with their own complex set of motivations.

Mallory Greenleaf – the daughter of a former GM of a chess club. She vows to never let chess consume her again.

Nolan Sawyer – World #1, has a reputation for being fiery when games don’t go his way. Arch nemesis of Koch.

Easton Pena – Mallory’s best friend and the sole reason Mallory picked up a chess piece again.

Highly recommended to readers that love the sweet kind of romance rather than the in-your-face-smut.

This is my first Ali Hazelwood read (I know, I have to catch up) and it did not disappoint.

It's a fluffy and cute story that sucks you in and makes you keep on reading late at night because you just can't put it down. I very much enjoyed the chess aspect of it, it made it different from every other YA romance out there and gave it more substance.

The characters and the chemistry was also on point. Nolan was the perfect love interest (and a shameless flirt) and I am in love with Darcy and Emil.

I just feel a little meh about the ending and the third act break up. I also would've liked to actually read about Mal and Nolan playing the World Championship instead of being told the outcome. Other than that, chef's kiss.

As someone who loves chess, this book was right up my alley. I've enjoyed all of Ali Hazelwood's books and this is now one of my favourites, even though it was more YA than the others.

I thought Mal was a relatable character with flaws. I love a moody, unemotional FMC because they're not traits most female characters get to have because ✨ misogyny.✨

And I thought the romance was cute. Nolan was intriguing but I just wish he was a little more communicative, especially nearer the end. Having the two main characters both be so standoffish was leaning heavily into the miscommunication trope.

There were some funny moments too, especially with Mal's sisters. And an emotional moment that I felt hit too close to home.

I'm excited to read Ali's next book.

I’ve never read an Ali Hazelwood book up until this point, and I was intrigued by chess being a large part of both plot and character (particularly as it has more of a niche receptive audience). Mallory as a character was well written, and is a character you really feel for throughout the story in regards to her circumstances. Nolan is where the chess comes in, as he’s the top player in the world, and his obsession with Mallory is cute but very stereotypical in the whole ‘love on first sight’ for Nolan, who never seemed to have any desire or motivation for a relationship until Mallory.
I would recommend it if you wanted a fairly fast paced read, with some stereotyped romance at times, but overall I did enjoy this read!

It was interesting, fun, captivating, all the while knowing nothing about chess!

It was slow burn and I really really loved Nolan and how he was so open about his feelings he was a cutie, he's most probably the sunshine in the couple while having a grumpy appearance. As a POV, Mallory's a little bit bothering me and was stubborn and sometimes even bothering me hard, but she had a good character development so it was nice.

The romance was good, even if I'd have liked to see more *after* the World Championship. I also loved the secondary characters such as Mal's sisters and Tanil (just like Mal, I'm loving this ship name).

PS: it doesn't feel much like it was YA as MC's ages were 18 and 20. But it's way lighter on the spice (it's not truly spice free, but it's soft and suggested instead of described) than any other Ali Hazelwood books, and that's actually something that I liked a lot!

Everything I need in a Ali Hazelwood Book mixed with Chess! Absolute Perfection!!! Loved the characters, the pacing and just love coming back to the way Ali writes her characters

A book about chess - yes please! It might even teach me how to do checkmate!!!!

Mallory and Nolan are chess whizzes and their lives collide!

You can expect funny banter, heartbreaking moments and the characters emotional journeys.

Although this was billed as a YA I'd say its more NA however.

I didn't love Mallory (I'm sorry!) and don't even talk about her sisters but I swooned for Nolan!

All in all this was a good read and I love my Illumicrate special edition!

Ali Hazelwood has done it AGAIN, and I adored her YA debut! I have to say, I know absolutely nothing about chess, or the world of chess, or chess championships, so I have no idea how accurate this is, but I loved this so much and loved getting to know even a little about how professional chess works. The dynamic between Mallory and Nolan was so great, the tension and the chemistry and the pining was INSANE. Nolan is definitely one of my favourite love interests that Ali Hazelwood has written. They were just so cute together!

There is another important aspect to this book, which lies in Mallory's family dynamics. For a long time, she has been providing for her family after the loss of her dad, and her mother's chronic illness which has left her unable to work. At the start of the book, we see Mallory struggling to cope with the pressure she feels, and throughout the book we get to see her developing her own life, and allowing her family to grow as well. There's a very tender moment between Mallory and her mum towards the end of the book, where they discuss everything that has been going on and what Mallory has been shouldering, and it just made me so emotional.

Ali Hazelwood is really showing that she knows how to write a great book (even if they do tend to follow a formula), and I hope she writes more YA in the future!

Check & Mate - When I saw that Ali Hazewood had written a new book, I would be lying if I said I didn't expect it to be the same as her other books. So far, all of her other books have followed the same formula, and while this book is young adult novel, it definitely still has some ingredients from her much loved formula. Mix together a bit of logic and add a lot of female insecurities and hey presto - you've an Ali Hazelwood book in the making.

That being said, I enjoyed Check & Mate. As a lover of Chess, I really enjoyed reading about different plays and it was great to see how plays were used to indicate personality or character growth. It was a quick, enjoyable read - but I do think Ali needs to add something more to her formula - this being outside of the science world was a minor change.

I work in STEM and anytime I read the blurb of a Ali Hazelwood novel I think: "Blessed be this author as she made STEM sexy and developed heroines who are very clever and talk about romance".
I work in STEM and I know how women were often described
This is a YA and about chess and I hope that a lot of girl will start playing chess, a great logic and strategical exercise.
Love the characters, had fun in reading the novel.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

i didnt like this. at all!!! so ill keep it short for u: the chess references were excessive and the gen z language wasnt cute. the main characters were annoying as fuck. the romance was cringey. overall not worth ur time.

Mallory Greenleaf, disillusioned by chess due to the havoc it wreaked on her family, puts all her focus on providing for her family. She is pushed into participating in a charity tournament by her best friend and unexpectedly defeats renowned player Nolan Sawyer.

“Easton gathers our team around her, like she’s Tony Stark briefing the Avengers, but instead of quippy one-liners she hands out Paterson Chess Club pins.”

Nolan, bewildered by his loss, seeks a rematch. Whilst Mallory is convinced she doesn’t want to return to the world of chess,, her victory offers much-needed prize money, whilst also drawing her closer to the mysterious Nolan. As Mallory ascends in the chess world, she grapples with protecting her family from the game's tumultuous influence while rediscovering her passion for it.

“”The secondary goal is for me to eat popcorn while you hand Nolan his ass, again. But that’s not, like, a must.””

I love Ali Hazelwood’s writing, it’s always so easy to read. I know absolutely nothing about chess but it was so easy to immerse myself in the storyline, imagine being an observer at the numerous chess tournaments and falling in love with Nolan. Because Nolan, Nolan is perfect, flawed and tainted by his past but funny and smart and perfect.

“Is it poison?”
“Rapid-release ibuprofen.”
“What’s that smell?”
“Your armpits.”
“No, the good one.”
“I’m cooking.”

Mallory had the propensity to be a bit trying at times but never veering on the side of an unlikeable character and whilst some of her decisions were frustrating, they were probably typical of an eighteen year old with past experiences like hers, and ultimately important for her character arc.

I loved the plot and felt like not only did Mallory have a strong character arc but her family developed and evolved through the story too. The side characters added equal parts humour and angst that helped set the tone of each of their lives - I would like to be friends with Emil & Tanu now please!

Also, that ending was perfect. BRB off to learn how to play chess.

ACTUAL RATING: 4.5

Dopo essersi tenuta lontana dagli scacchi per anni a causa di alcuni sentimenti complicati verso suo padre, Mallory partecipa a un torneo di beneficenza su richiesta della sua migliore amica e finisce per battere l'attuale campione del mondo, Nolan. A causa delle condizioni economiche precarie della sua famiglia, si ritrova a dover accettare una borsa di studio che le viene proposta in cambio alla sua adesione ad un club di scacchi professionistico, e, dopo un'estenuante lotta con se stessa, decide di accettare, dicendosi che giocherà solo per l'anno previsto dalla borsa di studio. Salvo finire con l'amare di nuovo gli scacchi — per non parlare degli amici (e forse altro?) che farà lungo il percorso. I personaggi sono così coinvolgenti, e Ali ha un vero dono nel includere cose come la scienza e gli scacchi in tutta la loro gloria tecnica senza appesantire la storia con cose che un lettore tipico non capirebbe. È magica, e io la amo molto. Con ogni libro riesce a farmi voler intraprendere una nuova carriera. Con il prossimo immagino vorrà farmi venir voglia di diventare un vampiro (ci aveva già pensato twilight, comunque!)

I was sucked into the world of Ali Hazelwood’s writing, along with a lot of people, a couple of years ago and have read everything she has released ever since. So, of course I was excited to give her YA debut a read. I thoroughly enjoyed Check & Mate and have had a desire to play chess ever since finishing it.

Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. The sport led to the destruction of her family four years ago, so Mallory’s focus is on her mom, sisters and dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she agrees to play in one last charity tournament and unintentionally wipes the board with the current world champion, Nolan Sawyer. The loss shocks everyone but what is even more shocking is Nolan’s desire to cross pawns again. Mallory’s victory opens the door to well-needed cash-prized and despite everything, she can’t help but feel drawn to Nolan.

I grew to love Mallory throughout the book. At first she comes across as quite one-dimensional but actually she has a lot more depth to her and is quite complex. It is clear to see how much she cares for her family and how much she has sacrificed to keep them happy. Not only that she is extremely determined and that is obvious in the way she plays chess.

Nolan comes across as moody and bad tempered at first but as we get to know him it is clear to see how caring he is for those around him. We also get to meet a number of side characters in this book. Some I loved and others I disliked but for good reason. I loved Oz and Defne the most. Both are caring and hilarious in their own ways.

The romance between Nolan and Mallory is adorable. All their interactions are heart-warming and sweet and you can’t help but want what is best for the pair.

Ali Hazelwood is certainly an author I can rely on for a heart-warming story. She has done an excellent job at moving into the YA genre and I hope we see more YA from her in the future.

Overall, Check & Mate is a fun, refreshing and heart-warming YA romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend this one especially if you are a fan of Ali Hazelwood.

Undoubtedly one of the best by Ms. Hazelwood. I so loved and enjoyed this book and I never expected it to become one of my top favourite reads of the year.

Wow - what a brilliantly written and clever story. Chess makes an unlikely topic for a compelling read, but I could not put this book down. There are many reasons to love this story, although I can’t play chess at all, but Check & Mate teaches you so much about the sport. The concept of stereotype threat: when a social group is stereotyped to be inferior and are therefore more likely to perform poorly is interesting and most likely accurate in this field. Despite this being in a YA category, I’m not sure if I would really consider it YA- it will have much wider appeal, although it’s pretty tame and sweet with the romance. I absolutely adored the relationship and rivalry between Mallory and Nolan, along with loving all of the supporting side characters and I am now looking for other rivalry reads. Thanks to NetGallery and Little, Brown Book Group for allowing me to get a copy of the book - I didn’t manage to download it on time, so I brought it myself; and it was well worth the money spent.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and Ali Hazelwood for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2023, and I am beyond grateful to have received an advance copy (and it did not disappoint)!

In Ali Hazelwood's "Check & Mate," the world of chess becomes the backdrop for a clever and swoonworthy romance. Mallory Greenleaf, done with chess due to its impact on her family, reluctantly agrees to play in a charity tournament. In an unexpected turn, she beats the world champion, Nolan Sawyer, sparking a unique romance between rivals. The book combines the thrill of chess with a delightful slow-burn romance, presenting a well-executed YA story that captures both the competitive spirit and the sweetness of young love.

The novel, filled with "Queen's Gambit" vibes, successfully balances chemistry, character development, and family dynamics. Hazelwood's portrayal of complicated family relationships adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a romance. While the romance is well-executed, some readers might find the ending a bit rushed, and there are numerous cultural references that might be overwhelming for some.

"Check & Mate" emerges as a champion in the realm of chess-inspired romance, offering readers an engaging plot, witty banter, and an original storyline. Hazelwood's writing style remains captivating, providing a delightful escape into the world of chess and young love.

LIKES
☀️ It had all the Queen’s Gambit vibes I was hoping for. I loved nerding out over the chess content!
☀️ While it could be mistaken as insta love, it’s more like insta fascination done in the cutest way.
☀️ So. Much. Chemistry. And not the science kind.
☀️ It actually read like a YA book. The characters acted their age and the writing wasn’t too childish.
☀️ Plenty of character development.
☀️ The excellent portrayal of complicated family relationships.
☀️ So many sweet quotes. I must have highlighted at least 10.
☀️ The whole scene where she takes care of him while he’s sick. Adorable.

DISLIKES
🌙 I wish we’d seen a little more of their romance, as the ending felt slightly rushed.
🌙 There were a few too many cultural references for my taste.

C H E C K & M A T E
♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️
by @alihazelwood

💖💖💖💖.5/5
🔥/5

PLOT
mallory greenleaf thought she was done with chess, but when finances get tough and her best friend begs her, she is suddenly thrust back into the world she thought she had left behind. she plays at a charity event working her way up the competition until she finds herself playing the current world champion, nolan sawyer. and she doesn't just play against him ... she beats him!!

what follows is a slow burn, rivals to lovers story where he falls first and orchestrates a chain of events that leads to the beginning of their love story.

MY TAKE
this was a beautifully written story, so don't be put off by the fact that it is YA. ali hazelwood constantly amazes me and i love that she shines light on steminist stories. i would definitely recommend you read this book! i'll be dusting off my old chess set once i've submitted this post!!

TROPES
❤️‍🔥HE FALLS FIRST
❤️‍🔥FORCED PROXIMITY
❤️‍🔥RIVALS TO LOVERS
❤️‍🔥SLOW BURN

QUOTE OF NOTE
"In the name of good sportsmanship, could you both say what you admire the most about your opponent’s play?”
NOLAN: “Every last thing.” 🥺🫶🏼