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modernmatilda's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a sweet romance about the game of chess, how people navigate in circles dominated by the opposite gender, and intimidation theory (which is basically this idea that people perform worse if they are afraid, especially when gender is a factor).
I really love "he fell first" love stories - they are so CUTE - and I loved love loved reading about a protagonist who feels the stress and weight of money, caring for a sick parent, and providing for her siblings. The sister dynamic was wonderful.
This is very random, but I promise it makes sense. If you love The Lizzie McGuire movie, you should read this book.
Also, we love the bi rep!
I really love "he fell first" love stories - they are so CUTE - and I loved love loved reading about a protagonist who feels the stress and weight of money, caring for a sick parent, and providing for her siblings. The sister dynamic was wonderful.
This is very random, but I promise it makes sense. If you love The Lizzie McGuire movie, you should read this book.
Also, we love the bi rep!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Car accident and Infidelity
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Death, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Car accident, Chronic illness, Cursing, Grief, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
A fun, sweet romance about strong female characters involved in a predominantly male world. Similar to the author's adult novels, this YA novel presents some of the stereotypes and harassment faced by women in STEM, this time being competitive chess. Fortunately, most of the men are respectful. This would be challenging to read without at least a basic knowledge of chess terminology and how it is played. Considering this is YA, there are some pretty serious issues in the characters' backstories, so be aware of the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment
emilywemily6's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Ugh. I really loved some things about this book but was bothered by so much. I liked the backdrop of chess, though I felt like while chess was a main focus of the book, it was pretty superficial throughout. I loved Nolan- he was the sweetest! But I didn’t see any reason for him to be in love with Mallory. Honestly there was no chemistry. The voice of this book was hilarious and I laughed a ton at some of the phrasing. But I despised Mallory. She carried too much burden, a lot of which was not her burden to bear, and she didn’t communicate her needs to her family. She ran away from any smidgeon of conflict and was really daft when it came to Nolan for most of the book. And the third act conflict was totally because of her misconceptions and her pouting. It was really dull to keep reading about her stupid choices outside of chess matches. Also, this book mentioned sex/spicy stuff and yet was super vague! So I still wasn’t convinced about Mallory and Nolan’s relationship. And the ending totally skipped over the final chess match which was a missed opportunity, though I liked the epilogue. I’m glad I didn’t buy this book, but my time feels a little wasted because this book went a lot of places I didn’t like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness, Classism, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Infidelity
girlreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
the tension, the pining, the passion. *chefs kiss*
It’s a big statement to make but… I think this might be my favourite book (if not joint favourite) from Ali Hazelwood yet. It had everything I love in a rom-com; 10/10 characters who are fleshed out and well developed, high and emotional stakes, slow burn but gallons of chemistry and so much more. This was a delight to read and I’m keeping my fingers crossed it gets a companion sequel as with Ali’s adult romances because I couldn’t get enough of this.
It’s a big statement to make but… I think this might be my favourite book (if not joint favourite) from Ali Hazelwood yet. It had everything I love in a rom-com; 10/10 characters who are fleshed out and well developed, high and emotional stakes, slow burn but gallons of chemistry and so much more. This was a delight to read and I’m keeping my fingers crossed it gets a companion sequel as with Ali’s adult romances because I couldn’t get enough of this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexism
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Queen’s Gambit meets the CW and I adored it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
uranaishi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Dementia, Sexual content, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Car accident, and Infidelity
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book simultaneously wrecked me and was everything to me. Mallory is no stranger to being female in male-dominated spaces. Before she secretly re-entered the chess world after a four-year hiatus, she supported her family as a mechanic. But a surprise checkmate against the world’s top player upends her life in ways she never expected. A queer queen of hookups and avoider of emotional connection, Mallory may have finally found her perfect match—Nolan, the only person who sees chess the way she does: beautiful, artistic, all-consuming. The sexual tension between them is unrivaled, and each is healing from family trauma. This is a story of a gifted young woman who dares to follow her dream.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Alcohol, and Chronic illness
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Car accident, Infidelity, Sexual content, Dementia, and Violence
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
I love Ali Hazelwood with my whole chest and I truly consider this book her best work yet!! The vulnerability and rawness of Mallory’s POV hit me so deeply, as someone who played tons of chess with my own dad. And as a woman in a male dominated career field, I ached and raged alongside her with all the sexism she puts up with.
And Nolan is glorious. Chess > sex always.
CW: parental abandonment, family member death (in past), chronic illness, realistic sexism, infrequent strong language
And Nolan is glorious. Chess > sex always.
CW: parental abandonment, family member death (in past), chronic illness, realistic sexism, infrequent strong language
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content and Cursing
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