Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

10 reviews

sariefaerie's review

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

I went in assuming this would be good but that it would be my least favorite of Ali Hazelwood's books. With my lack of interest in chess I, wrongfully, assumed that I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters at all. Ali Hazelwood is a genius at making relatable characters, or maybe she just knows people like me a little too intimately. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Violence, Mental illness, Addiction, and Forced institutionalization

yanagi's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Infidelity

Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Violence, and Death

ghostmomxoxo's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Sexism, Violence, and Misogyny

Minor: Alcoholism

tabea1409's review

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Abandonment, Sexism, and Bullying

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Car accident, Death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, and Violence

kaitisbooknook's review

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

It’s been a minute since I read an entire novel in one sitting, but I could not put this down. Charming, adorable, funny, and sexy. (I mean the plot but this also kind of applies to Nolan?? Who knew chess had bad boys, but I’m into it.)
Not only did the romantic relationship feel earned and real (and so cute I actually giggled and kicked my feet), I also loved the dynamic between the mother and sisters, as well as the idea of how to maintain childhood friendships into adulthood. 
The key elements of a Hazelwood rom com were here (they’re both wicked smart, she’s tiny, and he’s tall and broody!) but it WORKS and manages to feel different from her precious works. 
Darcy and Oz were stand out side characters and regularly delivered the best one liners. My only come there is I wanted to see more of a conclusion to the Oz’s storyline, or see their friendship become more developed. I also would have loved more time between the moments of getting together and breaking up, which would have made that interaction feel as devastating to the reader as it was to the characters.
Overall I greatly enjoyed myself and would recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted and engaging rom com. Also I will be purchasing a chess set!!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Dementia, and Death of parent

greta_b8's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This one was really sweet.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Mental illness

brookishbrunette's review

emotional funny 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent

Minor: Mental illness and Violence

britwalsh16's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Ali Hazelwood has done it again, & though it isn’t my favorite book of hers. I absolutely could not put it down. 
I loved Mallory and her struggle with dealing with her guilt & grief throughout the book, but who was she kidding when she said she wouldn’t get sucked back into the world she never stopped loving! Lol
And Nolan! Omg! I LOVE Nolan! He isn’t what you expect when you are told all the stories about him near the beginning. But the love at first sight that he got for Mal when he finally looked up from the chess board when she beat him, what girl wouldn’t want him to fall for them! He fell so hard, & he tried so hard to win Mal over! He is just the sweetest!!! I want a Nolan for myself!!! 🥰🥰🥰

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism

Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, Bullying, Car accident, Grief, Infidelity, and Chronic illness

Minor: Violence, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Outing, Abandonment, Car accident, Alcoholism, and Sexual content

marywahlmeierbracciano's review

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.

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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

ryanbada's review

emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Car accident, and Death of parent

Minor: Outing, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Physical abuse, and Mental illness