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A review by annagwritesandreads
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5/5 Stars
General Description: Mallory lost all interest in chess once her father left. However, Mallory's best friend needs another player for a charity event. How could Mallory say no? Well, when she ends up playing against the world chess champion and wiping the floor with him, she wishes she never said yes. Now, Mallory is in the chess world spotlight. She'll come face to face with Nolan Sawyer, that chess champion she meet, more than she was expecting. Can she face the world of chess again? Will she end of meaning more to Nolan than she ever expected, or becoming his biggest enemy?
The goods:
- The details that went into the chess world in this book engrossed me in the entire book. I even google the chess world championship while reading it because I was so curious.
- I don't know what Ali puts into her words, but they instantly pull me in every time without fail.
- The side characters in the chess world, especially the villain, keep the story going even when Mallory and Nolan aren't in the same room.
- This was an extremely quick read that I enjoyed.
The loss of a half star:
- There is a conversation between Mallory and her mom that I absolutely hated. It felt so gaslight-y to me and harsh.
Overall, I think this is a stunning YA (realistically a new adult in my opinion) romance that will sweep you off your feet, and teach you more about chess than you ever thought you'd learn if you're not a chess player.
General Description: Mallory lost all interest in chess once her father left. However, Mallory's best friend needs another player for a charity event. How could Mallory say no? Well, when she ends up playing against the world chess champion and wiping the floor with him, she wishes she never said yes. Now, Mallory is in the chess world spotlight. She'll come face to face with Nolan Sawyer, that chess champion she meet, more than she was expecting. Can she face the world of chess again? Will she end of meaning more to Nolan than she ever expected, or becoming his biggest enemy?
The goods:
- The details that went into the chess world in this book engrossed me in the entire book. I even google the chess world championship while reading it because I was so curious.
- I don't know what Ali puts into her words, but they instantly pull me in every time without fail.
- The side characters in the chess world, especially the villain, keep the story going even when Mallory and Nolan aren't in the same room.
- This was an extremely quick read that I enjoyed.
The loss of a half star:
- There is a conversation between Mallory and her mom that I absolutely hated. It felt so gaslight-y to me and harsh.
Overall, I think this is a stunning YA (realistically a new adult in my opinion) romance that will sweep you off your feet, and teach you more about chess than you ever thought you'd learn if you're not a chess player.