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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love Ali Hazelwood and this book so much! Do I know anything about chess? No! Will I now be attempting to learn and also now watching the Queen’s Gambit? Yes!
This book follows Mallory Greenleaf, a once-promising chess player who quit the game after it caused upheaval in her personal life. Determined to stay away from the competitive world, she reluctantly enters a charity tournament and shocks everyone by defeating Nolan Sawyer, the reigning world champion. Suddenly thrust back into the spotlight, Mallory must balance her family responsibilities with her rediscovered passion for chess, while navigating her complicated connection with Nolan and the possibility of new beginnings both on and off the board.
I really appreciated the portrayal of Mallory. She was definitely parentified and it gave a real look into older siblings who start managing the household. Seeing her interact with her family and the stress she was under really helped me to connect with her. I wish we got a similar look into Sawyer’s family. I will say I did find myself annoyed with her sisters (mainly Sabrina) but they grew on me toward the end.
Genuinely this was such a fun read. And I loved the connections that were drawn between how Mallory treats chess and how she reacts to hardships in life. I was drawn in and couldn’t get enough. Also, the found family aspect w Oz, Dephne, Emil, and Tanu had me SOLD. I loved their friendships and the way they supported Mallory and Sawyer in the ways that they deserved was adorable.
This book was different from her other books but in a good way! It was an easy read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books shes written!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very cute book I’m not sure why it took me so long to read it. Ali remains queen of nerdy romances.
4 ⭐️
“I want to play chess with you,” he repeats. His voice is lower. Closer. Deeper. “Please, Mallory.”
I had a really hard time getting into this book! Which is really unusual for me when I pick up an Ali Hazelwood book! But I'm so glad I pushed through!
This book was absolutely adorable.
Nolannnnnn!!
“I want to play chess with you,” he repeats. His voice is lower. Closer. Deeper. “Please, Mallory.”
I had a really hard time getting into this book! Which is really unusual for me when I pick up an Ali Hazelwood book! But I'm so glad I pushed through!
This book was absolutely adorable.
Nolannnnnn!!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this my first tournament/sport Romance novel , its nice and exciting to see how the story would unfold , who would win and such , I had an enjoyable time reading it , a break between my journey into fantasy novels
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes