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A review by fairytalefootnotes
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Bi FMC, He Falls First, Forced Proximity, Sex Positive
3rd Act Breakup?: Yes
The Praise: Honestly, no author can make me laugh like Ali. Her books are hilarious while also being swoony and sweet. Mallory is messy and complex and occasionally unlikeable, but it gives her a sense of realism. Nolan was so sweet. I loved that he fell so hard for Mallory, how badly he wanted to play against her, and how supportive he was of her. I also really liked the bi rep and how Mallory having sex and several past partners was not a shameful thing. Sex positivity in a YA book is so important.
The Critique: That final fight before the third act breakup RUINED ME. I gasped out loud, had to put down the book and walk away for a bit. Mallory went for the throat and I understand that she was upset and defensive and hiding behind the untrue things she said, which is fine! BUT I wish her apology to Nolan had been more substantial. It felt kind of halfhearted to me, even though it wasn’t (but I only know that because I was reading her inner monologue!) This would’ve been a perfect 5 star for me if the apology had been better.
Final Thoughts: I’ve yet to read an Ali book that I don’t love. Her characters are always so funny and relatable and I love that she tends to focus on her FMCs succeeding in male-dominated fields/sports.
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Bi FMC, He Falls First, Forced Proximity, Sex Positive
3rd Act Breakup?: Yes
The Praise: Honestly, no author can make me laugh like Ali. Her books are hilarious while also being swoony and sweet. Mallory is messy and complex and occasionally unlikeable, but it gives her a sense of realism. Nolan was so sweet. I loved that he fell so hard for Mallory, how badly he wanted to play against her, and how supportive he was of her. I also really liked the bi rep and how Mallory having sex and several past partners was not a shameful thing. Sex positivity in a YA book is so important.
The Critique: That final fight before the third act breakup RUINED ME. I gasped out loud, had to put down the book and walk away for a bit. Mallory went for the throat and I understand that she was upset and defensive and hiding behind the untrue things she said, which is fine! BUT I wish her apology to Nolan had been more substantial. It felt kind of halfhearted to me, even though it wasn’t (but I only know that because I was reading her inner monologue!) This would’ve been a perfect 5 star for me if the apology had been better.
Final Thoughts: I’ve yet to read an Ali book that I don’t love. Her characters are always so funny and relatable and I love that she tends to focus on her FMCs succeeding in male-dominated fields/sports.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Infidelity, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, and Dementia