Check & Mate
the instant Sunday Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards winner for 2023 - an enemies-to-lovers romance that will have you hooked!
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4.3 • 170 Ratings
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- £5.49
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- £5.49
Publisher Description
In this clever and swoonworthy new novel from the New York Times and Sunday 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 Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan's loss to an unknown rookie 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...)
This novel is suitable for both young adult and adult audiences.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Ali Hazelwood makes a triumphant opening move into YA fiction with this delightfully witty chess-inspired romance. Mal Greenleaf is a former chess superstar, who sacrifices college to stay at home and support her single-parent family. When she’s entered into a charity chess tournament by her best friend, Mal doesn’t expect to defeat the legendary Nolan Sawyer—an infamous prodigy, renowned for his short temper and irresistible good looks. As Mal’s unpredictable win thrusts her back into the chess limelight, she struggles to ignore the intense attraction fuelling her competitive desire to outplay Nolan. Hazelwood’s absorbing YA debut is jam-packed with sharp dialogue and gripping drama as Mal, the unassuming outsider, disrupts the chess establishment. From start to finish, Hazelwood keeps us captivated as we eagerly await Mal’s winning endgame.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bisexual 18-year-old Mallory Greenleaf was once a talented chess player, but ever since her Grandmaster father abandoned the family four years ago then died, she's given up the sport and instead prioritized caring for her arthritic mother and two younger sisters. Rather than attending college, Mallory gets hired as an auto mechanic; things take an unexpected turn, however, when she reluctantly agrees to play in a charity chess tournament and beats 19-year-old Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion. When she loses her job—and realizes that she can earn decent money by competing in tournaments—Mallory accepts a paid fellowship for potential pros at a local New Jersey chess club. And as Mallory navigates sudden acclaim alongside grief and guilt over her return to chess, she grows closer to Nolan, who turns out to be her biggest supporter. Hazelwood (Love, Theoretically, for adults) makes a seamless transition into YA romance with this well-researched read. Via Mallory and Nolan's complementary personalities and complex histories, Hazelwood crafts a feminist rendering that sheds light on sexist views within the world of competitive chess, all while spinning a swoon-worthy romance. Protagonists read as white. Ages 14–up.
Customer Reviews
Good
Almost a 5* read, but Mals character became too irritating for it to be enjoyable near the end! 🤦🏽♀️
Beautiful
From the moment I picked up this book I couldn’t put it down. It was such an amazing story of growth from the main character and full of love and passion not only from the brewing romance but from all the characters.
Such a great book!
Who knew I’d love a book about chess
This was engrossing at every moment. I loved learning about chess and the environment these players play in, and also getting to know two well formed and captivating characters. Another great Ali Hazelwood boo. So content