A review by titalindaslibrary
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

challenging funny medium-paced

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

3.25

 Listen, if I didn't absolutely hate Mal for the first 75% of this book, this might have been a higher rating. But I just can't forgive her for that "crazy" comment, PHEW! Sawyer did nothing but be perfect the whole time. Literally loved EVERY ONE else in this book besides the main character and POV we experience the story through lmao. As someone wise once said on TikTok, "Your feelings are always valid, but your behavior is not. You need to be accountable for what you do because of those feelings." 

I do think the last quarter of this book concluded and wrapped up all those messy feelings well, but GOOODDDDD. I do not have the patience for all this teenage angst anymore.