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.

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.

Siempre que leo un libro de Ali Hazelwood, no sé cómo lo hace, pero siempre termino interesándome en algún tema científico. En este caso, fue el ajedrez (aunque de este ya controlo un poquito más 😌). Me ha gustado muchísimo el libro. Obviamente amé a Nolan, esta mujer siempre logra crear intereses románticos de 10 ✨. Me ha dejado con ganas de más y estoy deseando leer lo siguiente que publique.

Ich habe seither nur Bride von Ali Hazelwood gelesen, aber ich musste dieses Buch einfach auch einmal ausprobieren. Und wow ! Es war wirklich toll und Mega süß. Der Schreibstil hat mir insgesamt sehr gut gefallen. Die Entwicklung der Protagonisten wurde toll dargestellt und es wurden auch viele Themen aufgegriffen, mit denen wahrscheinlich viele Jugendliche Probleme haben. Das Thema Schach hat mich sehr fasziniert und am Ende hatte man sogar das Gefühl das Spiel besser kennengelernt zu haben.

Leuke romance boek met leuke personages en een fijne schrijfstijl

Chess was her life. Unfortunate event makes her turn her back on chess and she has to support her family. Losing her job but a new opportunity comes up, the drawback? It is Chess.

LISTEN. Listen. This is the first Ali HAZELWOOD book I’ve ever read, I KNOW, I’m late to the party. But it was the CHESS that got me (I’m not a star wars fan). Now, I read a lot of books, like 100 a year books. But this one? THIS ONE??!! I giggled, I screamed, I threw up (metaphorically). Some people say there was too much chess but I LOVED IT. I was on the edge of my seat at every moment and the romantic aspect to it was in PERFECT quantity. The characters were believable, the love, the challenges and arcs. It immediately made its way to my favourites shelf after finishing it in 3 hours. Did I mention I got it as a gift for someone who likes chess but kept it and had to buy a second? Yes. It’s that good.