Reviews

This was a cute, fast, and fun read. I’m a huge Ali Hazelwood fan and my hopes were high for this book because I think what she does best is tension and I was not let down on that front at all. The journey from kind of rivals, to colleagues, to friends, to a little more, to lovers felt comforting and believable, especially the hints along the way that the MMC falls first and falls hard. As someone who is a fan of dual POV romances, it never seems necessary with her books because it’s so clear Nolan is obsessed (in a good way) with Mallory. Where this fell a little flatter for me was the focus on the FMC’s flaws.

A large portion of the plot is focused on how Mallory’s dedication to her family is getting in the way of her success and relationships. It’s clear from the beginning of the story that she has some kind of martyr complex, so rather than empathizing with how hard it must be for her it feels a little more like waiting for her to realize that she’s not the only person that has complex feelings.

This was compounded by Nolan not really having any flaws that are focused on, despite his own complex history coming into play a few times. Also, for anyone familiar with her other books, it’s worth noting that this book is classed as YA and is about this spicy ->🫑, but I didn’t miss it at all because the pining and romance and friendship was so good, I just wish we had more time with Nolan and Mallory not in conflict.

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4.0

3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️ the one thing about ali hazelwood is that she will never fail to make you giggle and kick your feet in the air. this was a delightful time! to the people calling this book cringe i can only say “do not kill the part of you that is cringe, kill the part that cringes”.

the romance… absolutely precious!! they are so wonderful and they admire and respect each other so much :( ms hazelwood really Delivered on the tension and chemistry in this one. both of them were going through their own personal struggles with guilt and grief, it added so much dimension to their characters and the relationship.

i know nothing at all about chess, but the drama of the chess world was surprisingly juicy and it was so fun to follow all the tournaments.

if you’re a burnt out gifted oldest child from a complicated family, this one is for you and about you. you will feel seen And you will be called out on your bullshit. it is so healing and so cathartic to read the scene where the greenleaf family has The conversation.

i found most side characters (defne, oz, easton) very charming, however i feel like darcy and sabrina are a little too cartoonish in their infuriating ungratefulness + tanu and emil only exist to wink wink hint hint to mallory and nolan that they are perfect for each other.

my main complaint is that the series of very satisfying resolutions in the back third of the book felt a little too rushed + i wish we got to actually See some of the happy ending. possibly even at the expense of the numerous almost identical scenes of mallory being inexcusably oblivious to nolan’s feelings or the dynamic in her family. her character is fleshed out well enough for us to understand where all of her responses are coming from + this is YA and she is young, but there comes a point where we Get it already and there is no need to hammer the point home.

my smaller complaint is that mallory is an avid guinea pig anti. justice for the sweetie little rodents!!