First off, as always, huge thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let’s face it, I adore Ali Hazlewood! There’s something about her writing style that I find so utterly engaging and welcoming. I enjoy time spent in her books and he first foray into YA fiction was no different. I read this book in two sittings and I’m already sad that it’s over. I know absolutely nothing about chess but I was hooked from the opening chapter. Both male and female MCs were perfect - her male MC in particular was brilliantly written - and I enjoyed every word of their romance. As is often the case with Hazlewood’s work, her band of supporting characters were also a joy and I enjoyed the feminist angle we’ve become so accustomed to in her books. Whilst I’ve loved the world of women in STEM she’s introduced me to previously, I found myself engrossed in Mal’s journey into professional chess (that feels like a sentence I didn’t think I’d ever write before!).

It’s safe to say, I will literally read anything Ali Hazlewood chooses to bless us with and I can’t recommend this enough!

Another fun & fabulous read from Ali Hazelwood!Strong well developed characters, clever potting and the usual zingy dialogue. What’s not to like?

With thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for giving me an eArc copy for this book in exchange for my honest review.

There are no words to describe how much I loved this book. Don’t get me wrong, I love anything that Ali Hazelwood writes, but I think this has to be my new favourite. I started this at midnight (I’m an idiot) and literally could not put this down till I was at least halfway through at 3am.

This was a YA romance book focusing on two characters ~ Mallory, the girl who loved chess but now refuses to play and Nolan, chess superstar and ‘sex icon’. As this was advertised as YA, I was expecting it to a bit a little more tame for Ali and was unsure how I would feel about it. Thankfully, it came across a little bit more new adult with some spicier scenes and I was blown away by how much I loved it. The characters and their development, the setting, the TENSION. I loved it all, kicking my feet and screaming like a teenage girl kinda loved it.

Mallory was definitely my favourite character, you watch her grow so much throughout the story and face her fears to push herself out of the life she had resigned herself too. The sisters were such great background characters and it reminded me so much of the way me and my sisters treat each other.

There is nothing bad I can say about this book, it was another hit out of the park by Ali and I cannot wait to read her next book. (You do not understand how excited I am for the next book, it’s FANTASY!!!).
As always, I would highly recommend this to any fantasy readers out there, you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks so much to Little Brown Book Group, Ali Hazelwood and NetGalley for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own!

Ali Hazelwood does it again, this YA debut is perfect, the growth, the journey and the sheer drama and twist and turns in the world of chess was absolutely enthralling to follow. Whilst reading, it reminded me of the Queen's Gambit and I love how Mallory takes on the role of chess Genius, whilst Hazelwood seamlessly showcases the struggle women face in a male dominated sport. The pressure Mallory faces from her family (albeit somewhat self inflicted) was heartbreaking to follow as she's torn between her passion and duty.

But I have to talk about Nolan, what an incredibly MMC, so patient and his allure was so captivating. Hazelwood has concocted the perfect recipe, creating a book boyfriend that is obsessed and captivated by the FMC, I loved seeing the way their relationship developed and the ending was my absolute favourite. I could talk about this book forever, but I cannot recommend this enough! incredible!!

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5*

I really enjoyed the competitive chess settings from this book, the sexism within the chess world felt realistic and I’m sure stuff like that happens in a male-dominated world like chess.

The one thing that really irked me about this book was the Mallory’s family dynamic. I really disliked her sisters and how ungrateful they were to Mallory throughout the whole book when she had sacrificed and was doing so much for them.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.

This book was phenomenal, I loved every second of it.
I had never read a story around chess. I enjoyed the concept and knowing more about it as I have never played it.

And Nolan, AH NOLAN. The sweetest. Since chapter 1 I loved him. I enjoyed when they referred to the meat loaf especially as it was something between the two of them 💗

And Mal. Such a great main character. Caring, smart, but also with some faults.

I would 100% recommend this book. It was AMAZING and felt different from the author’s other books.

Check & Mate is Ali Hazelwood's debut Young Adult novel, based in the world of competive/professional chess. This was so readable and I flew though it. Once again Hazelwood brilliantly highlights the challenges women face in male dominated worlds, whilst giving us a good slow burn romance.

Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 7th November 2024.

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. Ali Hazelwood is one of my favourite authors and each book doesnt disappoint. Check & Mate was no different, it was a very quick read and i loved the plot. The characters were fantastic and i wanted more.

Thank you Little Brown Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

3,5*

I’ve read all of Ali Hazelwoods books so far and I was happy to find out she wrote a new book about chess instead of science. You can see that she investigated it before she wrote this book. It’s a good balance between information about chess without getting too much of it for this kind of story.

Because the story is refreshing for her kind of books I was hoping the troves she uses were also refreshing, but that didn’t happen unfortunately.

The female main character was a whiny, irritated characters who thought everyone hated her, especially the male main character even though he didn’t show this, on the contrary like all her books. It’s annoying and irritating to read the same characteristics in all of her books.
That also means that the male main character is again really good! He’s charming, intelligent and someone to fall for as soon as you read about him.
The side characters are also good and they don’t shy away to tell the Mallory that she’s acting as a whiny, selfish person instead of grow up and look at others and what they are going through.

When I ignore Mallory for the most part and just look at the other characters, the world building, the story and the writing style than I enjoyed reading this book.

For people who seen the troves of Ali’s book and are annoyed by it, read this book with some time between her other books so you can be annoyed because you’ve seen enough of this but also can enjoy the books because of all the other elements of it.

Is my understanding of chess limited to watching the Queen’s Gambit? Yes! Did I still enjoy this novel? Also yes!

It’s unfair to compare ‘Check & Mate’ to Ali Hazelwood’s previous books because it’s a whole different genre, but I will say it sticks to her witty and humorous FMCs, fantastic side characters and nods to the nerds amongst us.

If you’re looking for a flat out romance, you won’t get it with this book. The MMC isn’t really on page until around 40% in, and the main plot is mostly Mal’s story and chess.

As with most YA’s, this book is more about Mallory finding herself and sorting out her own life, than her romantic relationships. I do love that she is bi though, and how it’s discussed in context but not made a big deal out of. If you’re looking for a flat out romance, you won’t get it with this book. The relationship aspect doesn’t really start until about 40% of the way in.

However, when the golden boy of chess does because a more regular on page character, you can’t help but swoon for him.

Overall it’s a fun read and I’m excited to see what else Ali Hazelwood has for store for us in this space.

Thanks NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.

I love Ali Hazelwood's books, The Love Hypothesis is absolutely my fave, so I was very curious and excited to read her YA debut. Alas, Check & Mate fell flat for me. I usually laugh through her stories, but this one didn't have the usual spark. I was bored to tears and couldn't connect with the main character at all. Even the romance didn't capture my interest. I'm very disappointed because it was one of my most anticipated books of the year.

This read as quite ‘The Queens Gambit’ coded and I’m not mad at it! A fun, enjoyable plot and characters who had some depth to them which is nice read in a YA romance. It did feature Hazelwoods classic size difference but it wasn’t overly mentioned.

Ali Hazelwood does it again.

Mallory has hit a bit of a road block; it feels like everybody is moving forward with their lives whilst she’s stuck being the backbone of her family. Between her job as a mechanic, running errands, driving her two younger sisters around, taking care of her sick mother, and scrambling to pay all the bills, she has little time to think about everything she’s missing out on and the love she has left behind: chess. Chess used to come so easily to her, until some family tragedies unfortunately had her reshape her priorities.

When she randomly ends up playing a match against the World Champion (Nolan), and she not so randomly wins, she is thrust back into the world she didn’t even know she’d been desperately craving. Finally the universe is providing her with the means to follow the path she’d have probably ended up on, had it not been for her trauma surrounding her father. Mallory is able to blossom into her full potential and catch a break (partly) from all the responsibilities misplaced on her shoulders.
She finds friendship, kinship and love. She has to fight her demons and overcome her biggest obstacle yet: herself.

Let me tell you, this book is worth your time! I absolutely loved it and was beyond touched by it.

I know what it feels like to be the older sibling and have to step up. I remember everyday the things I gave up and the excuses I made up. I can still feel all the tears I shed. All of the anger is still still embedded in my skin. I never stopped wanting to scream at having my youth robbed and the injustice of it all.
I carry all these things in my body, no matter where I go, who I am or how old I turn. I am yet to overcome it all like I witnessed Mallory do.
I don’t know how Ali does it; I’m either the biggest cliché of all times or she brings to life a part of my soul one book at a time.

What to say about Nolan… I can’t possibly do him justice, but rest assured, he’s everything you want plus everything you don’t know you need.

For someone who literally knows nothing about the game of chess, I absolutely love a good chess story. Combine that with the fact I am a massive Ali Hazelwood fan and this was always going to be a winner. I loved this foray into New Adult writing (I would definitely say we’re in NA rather than YA territory here, and I actually think that’s a space where this book is going to really shine) Check & Mate was laugh-out-loud funny, sexy, and so sweet. The romance between Mallory and Nolan was delicious, I was FULLY invested in the chess developments - rooting for Mallory in every aspect of her life, FURIOUS with anyone who crossed her in any way. The balance between light and shadow is handled beautifully, and as well as a very sweet, gentle romance there are moments that pack a tough emotional punch.

As others have said, I would have loved to see the championship games at the end, but that’s just me being greedy because I could not get enough of this book. Honestly, I would read Ali Hazelwood’s shopping lists at this point.

This is a YA novel so it's a bit different from the other books of Ali's that I've read, however it was still very sweet. There are no spicy scenes, just a couple of young adults slowly falling in love with each other and chess. And when I say slowly I mean sloooowly.

I loved the change in scenery from the other books (University/Science) and also loved the characters. Mallory's young sisters were funny. I still don't understand how to play chess but I'd watch Nolan and Mallory play anytime.

(This would've been a four star if there had been more romance involved but I appreciate that it's a YA and focuses more on the plot)

3,5 stars
I love Ali Hazelwood, I've read everything she published.
This book starts out slow and it typical YA manner we learn the MCs struggles before the plot really takes off. I ultimately enjoyed the way Hazelwood integrated the struggles of her MCs I her adult novels better because they were addressed without being overwhelming.
What I loved was the theme of chess, I always love how Hazelwood integrates the job/ career of her MCs closely in the plot and makes it a driving factor. In some romances the career of the MCs feels like a fun fact and the reader never sees the MC do their job although that's where they spend most of their time, so Hazelwood's book being career heavy make them feel more real.
However that's exactly why the final felt quite anti-climatic. What do you mean after reading through several chess games in detail I don't get to experience the world championship? That's what the whole book was leading up to... Well, that was a bit disappointing.
The way Nolan and Mel just reconciled by a simple talk also wasn't the most romantic, otherwise their story was quite, and the story was fun. And I love that her stories alsways have repensentation of ACE characters, sometimes men and sometimes women.
Did I prefer Hazelwood's adult books? Yes!
Would I prefer her sticking with adult? Yes!
Will I read more YA if she writes it? Yes!

Mallory Greenleaf was chess-mad as a child, then something happened, something to do with her father, and she hasn't played or competed since. Her father is no longer in the picture, her mother has a serious medical condition and no health insurance, and she has two younger sisters who need guinea pigs and skates for roller derby. All of which means, while her friends are leaving to go to college Mallory is working as many jobs as she can to keep the family afloat (as an aside, maybe its the exorbitant cost of housing in the South-East of England, but I can't see any eighteen year old being able to make enough money to cover my mortgage payments).

Anyhoo, Mallory's BFF Easton ropes her into being part of a four person team competing in a charity chess tournament. Her first game is against notorious Kingkiller Nolan Sawyer, the world's number one rated player, and she manages to beat him. Now Mallory has been offered a one-year fellowship by a chess club to help her develop as a player. It could be the answer to all her financial woes, not only by paying her a salary but also with the potential for big winnings, but it will mean reading about chess and playing chess eight hours a day.

Also, rumour has it that Nolan is bad-tempered and holds a grudge, being beaten by a nobody must have been excruciating, how can Mallory avoid him when he seems to pop up everywhere she goes.

I watched The Queen's Gambit on TV and this is obviously playing to that audience. I don't play chess so I have no idea of how likely/feasible any of the game outlines are. There were plenty of gambits thrown about. True chess aficionados would be better able to opine on whether it makes sense.

Ali Hazelwood writes about YA/NA (I always put that because I can never remember which is which) FMC who are clever, hard-working, generally breadline poor, with sad/tragic backstories. In contrast her MMCs are usually very successful and wealthy, albeit with some lack of self-confidence. This book is no different, However, I think Ali Hazelwood may have taken onboard some of the criticisms that were levelled against her previous books, because those aspects were turned right down in this book. Yes, Nolan is large and loomed a lot, but I don't recall Mallory being described as particularly petite or delicate. Similarly, Mallory doesn't feel the need to use big words to show the reader how smart she is and the right-on eco message is there but muted.

Which is all a long-winded way of saying, I liked it, I really liked it.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I had my doubts because from Ali Hazelwood I did not expect a YA, but I had a great time reading this book, which obviously reminded me of the "Queen of Chess" series, but with a funnier and less alcoholic protagonist. It's not that it's all that different from this author's other novels, except that sex is only hinted at and all in all the eighteen/twenty year olds to read are also a way to understand the world around me that I often find rather incomprehensible.

Avevo i miei dubbi perché da Ali Hazelwood non mi aspettavo uno YA, ma mi sono divertita tantissimo a leggere questo libro, che ovviamente mi ha ricordato la serie de "La regina degli scacchi", ma con una protagonista piú divertente e meno alcolista. Non é che poi sia cosí diverso dagli altri romanzi di questa autrice, se non fosse che il sesso viene solo accennato e tutto sommato i diciottenni/ventenni da leggere, sono anche un modo per capire il mondo che mi circonda e che spesso mi risulta piuttosto incomprensibile.

I received a complimentary DRC from the Publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I honestly thought I would never find myself here writing, in preview, a review for a book signed by Ali Hazelwood.
Yet here we are and I still can't believe it!

Mallory's family was destroyed because of chess, so she decided to call it quits. Now her only goal is to be a livelihood for her family.
When she finds herself having to agree to play at a charity game, her victory catches the infamous "Kingkiller," or Nolan Sawyer, currently leading the league.
Nolan and Mallory find themselves faced not only with a chessboard between them, but also in real life, and they are the pawns in this game.

Check&Mate is a concentration of sweetness and passion, but also a good dose of competition.
The novel is a slow burn, Ali takes her time, so much so that we find romance more or less around 30 percent of the book.
One thing I appreciate so much is that Ali creates non-stereotypical characters.
Nolan could very well be the guy next door, the person you meet on the bus or in the checkout line at the supermarket. Why do they all have to be bad boys!?
Same thing for Mallory.
From a realistic point of view, I think Nolan and Mallory are my favorite couple.
Now, something unrelated. I understand absolutely nothing about chess, however, while reading, I felt part of the game. Of the series, yes good Mallory, the bishop had to be put right there. To trust.

2,5 stars.
Marketing this book as YA debut is foul because this book is BARELY a YA. it has typical AH romance novel formula, but instead of going on full detailed length about the sexual intercouse, this book cut off only the most explicit-but-obviously-happened parts. The characters also swear a lot. like... A LOT. And Mallory, the MC, was totally insufferable for me. The love interest wasn't appealing for me either. He's nice, but I don't get why he's absolutely smitten with Mallory. If you've read You've Reached Sam and thought that Sam didn't deserve Julie, then you probably would feel the same about Nolan to Mallory. God. My fav character is probably Darcy. Oh and the chess, it's so heavily referenced that instead of feeling curious about this stuff that wasn't familiar for me, I just zoned out or skipped every time the chess description or scenes were intense. That's it for now. Honestly feeling sad that I didn't enjoy this book because I've loved 3 of AH's previous novels. Will still check on her upcoming books, tho.