If you watched The Queen’s Gambit and thought, “wow, I like so many things about this but really wish we could have a story where a woman’s genius isn’t tied to her being clinically insane and incapable of receiving a happily ever after” then, Ali Hazelwood has written the book for you!

Check & Mate follows Mallory, an 18yo who gave up chess at 14 despite her talent for it, and has forgone college to support her mother – who has rheumatoid arthritis – and two younger sisters. But when her best friend begs her to play in a chess tournament for charity, Mallory ends up casually beating Nolan, the number one chess player in the world. Who is 20. And very hot, naturally. And then she goes viral, and the chess world and all its money comes knocking, and Nolan wants to play against only her.

As Mallory re-enters the world of chess, the story navigates a plethora of coming-of-age growing pains (friendships, family, keeping secrets, unresolved emotional trauma, trying to be an adult when you don’t feel like one) while also tackling the privilege, misogyny and sexism of professional chess. It’s a lot of ground to cover, but Ali Hazelwood does it well, expertly balancing the sports and Big, Dramatic Feelings aspects.

And of course, there’s also the slow-burn romance between Mallory and Nolan as they move from opponents to something more. Though this is technically YA, it is very sex positive – Mallory is bi and very experienced, and the topic is not taboo in her family. So if you’re looking for Ali’s specific brand of spice, you’ll still get it here – even with a fade-to-black scene, little is left to the imagination.

It’s a very fun read, full of delightfully brainy characters, lightning-quick banter (fair warning, there are *lots* of pop culture references, which I don’t mind but I know a lot of people do!), a satisfying love story, and, of course, a ton of chess.

And don’t worry if you can’t tell the different between a rook and a knight – you’ll still love this.

4.5🌟
1.75🌶️

If Ali Hazelwood wrote it!? I’m reading it.

While I typically don’t read YA books, this was a must read when I knew Ali wrote it. The FMC is everything you would expect - nerdy, spitfire, and has the right things to say.

The family dynamics in this book had me wanting to squeeze the FMC. She deserves the world. Especially the golden retriever MMC who swoons over her.

pick this up! You will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Check & Mate follows Mallory and Nolan. Mallory used to play chess - and was great at it. Nolan is ranked #1 in the world at chess. Mallory attends a charity chess tournament and beats Nolan. Nolan isn’t beat often.

Mallory is given the opportunity to have a chess fellowship, which she takes. Mallory’s past with chess is tough for her and not something she likes to think about. She’s doing this for her family. The money is great and they need it. What happens when Mallory and Nolan keep crossing paths?
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I love Ali Hazelwood. I would read anything that she writes. With that being said, this was my least favorite book of hers, but I did enjoy it. I liked that book continued to offer the empowerment of women in a field dominated by men. I think Mallory is a great character, just in her head a bit. I think her and Nolan are very similar and balanced one another out.

This book is YA, which was different for Ali Hazelwood’s books. I did still like it a lot! She writes strong, intelligent, and driven characters, which I love and adore.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen for an advance copy of this book!

OBSESSED.

That's it - just kidding but also not really. I was really excited when Ali announced she was writing a YA novel. I just love her style of writing and as much as I would love her to have more diversity in the size of characters, I also like knowing what I'm getting into when I read her books. It doesn't bother me that her female and males are always similar and if I want a certain type, I'll read elsewhere.

"Do you know how fucking good you are?"

I do not know how to play chess. I am fascinated by those who can because it is such a mental game and you have to see future moves and think about what your opponents moves are going to be. My only ever exposure prior to reading this was watching the show The Queen's Gambit. And I absolutely loved the show! Even with not having the knowledge of chess, it did not deter me from following along. I think those who have the knowledge of chess definitely would have an enhanced experience.

I felt that Mallory was a great character and showed a lot of growth from start to finish. She felt like she had to be the caretaker to her family after her father died and her mother was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She had been a chess prodigy but then suddenly stopped (which we do learn why). I think that having the conversation with her mom should have happened sooner than it did because girl was doing a lot. I understand Mallory wanted to do right by her family and step in when her mom was hurting but the mom could've done a little bit better at expressing that she doesn't need that much help. I loved Mallory's relationship with her younger sister Darcy. I thought that their relationship came off as really special. I thought Mallory's relationship with Sabrina felt believable. Sabrina was at that perfect age of teenage angst and is only a few years younger than Mallory so they are at that odd age dynamic that won't be nice now but in 5 years, perfect.

"But life is too long to be afraid."
"Too short you mean."
"No. Years spent carrying grudges, talking yourself out of things that might make you happy? They go slowly."

Mallory and Nolan.
Sigh.
I love them!

I definitely was not expecting for the guy to fall first but as the audience you could pick up those vibes right away. I just loved how persistent he was but in a way that also gave her space. He didn't rush her but somehow always made himself known that he was there for her. Nothing ever seemed to faze Nolan except for Mallory. Hazelwood definitely had me swooning from left to right. I just loved Mallory and Nolan together. They complimented each other so well and I just love the tension between them. I would love to see a chapter or two from his point of view especially when he first met Mallory (or when he shows up at her house or maybe in Vegas or wait when they are at Worlds).

Were there parts of this predictable? Oh yes but I loved it all the same.
This book is right at the cups of the New Adult genre as both the FMC and MMC are both out of school. It did not necessarily bother me that the FMC was 18 but I would've loved to have seen her start at the age of 20.

If you are a fan of Ali Hazelwood's prior work, then you likely will all in love with this one too!
If you are new to Ali's work, check this out if you enjoy a swoony YA with some sister drama & lots of chess!

Swoon Meter: 12/10
Karaoke: Sadly, no

Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, Penguin Group, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

While this is a YA book, and it's not her usual genre, Ali did an amazing job. I liked the characters and the plot. It was refreshing to read a book about chess as I have never read one on that topic before. But it wasn't boring or overly done. This is definitely worth the read.

Check & Mate is a delightfully clever and quick-witted New Adult rom-com that is fun to read. I go into every Ali Hazelwood book knowing that there are things that will go right over my head... I don't play chess─or even understand it─and you don't need to either to enjoy the story. Am I going to start watching chess matches? Absolutely not. But the chess world with a romantic comedy vibe (there's really not a lot of romance) AH created was certainly entertaining to read, even though I do wish there was more story rather than quickly ending after the resolution. The smidgen of an epilogue of sorts was not enough for me.

Note: I think it's quite common for books to be miscategorized as YA and this is one of them. Mallory is 18-19 and Nolan is 20-21, so the 12-18 YA audience is not the best choice in regards to some of the content.

3.5 stars

I’m not sure what Ali’s health regimen is, but I want in. Her work is getting better with age. I wasn’t sure how a YA novel was going to trump her adult novels, but I think this is my favorite of hers yet!

Ali’s writing is so full of wit and laugh out loud humor. That I found myself so caught up in Mallory and Nolan’s story, I had to physically make myself put the book down to go take care of my children.

Mallory has found herself, a child protégée chess phenomenon, swearing off the thing she once loved four years ago. Until one day, she find herself paying a favor to a friend and participating in chess tournament for charity. Just this once, she says. Until she find herself across the board from none other than Nolan Sawyer. Currently the number one chess player in the world. These chain of events lead Mallory to be far from done with chess… or the brutish intense Nolan.

This book, like all of Ali’s work, is full of addicting page after addicting page. And Mallory and Nolan’s story is one I can’t wait o revisit again and again! Out November 11, Check & Mate is competitors to lovers, he falls first, found friends, secret chess playing kept from family, and just the sweetest romance you’ll ever read.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen for the advanced copy!

OMG ALI HAZELWOOD!! She is one of my favorite authors I bought the physical copy of this book because I love it so much!

i say this with love in my heart and not-at-all creepy connotations but Ali Hazelwood’s brain needs to be studied. i don’t understand how she does it??? the classic combination of Ali’s a-spec representation plus a main character who is just too relatable PLUS a very moving example of yet another male-dominated world women are not welcome in does me in every. single. time!!!!!! i was initially hesitant in reading this book because one thing i love about romance is SMUT! but this book is a perfect example of how YA or fade to black romances can be incredibly steamy and sexy even without the details. my only complaint was that i wanted this book to be a billion pages. i never wanted it to end and i am craving more nolan and mallory.

When Mallory reluctantly joins her friend in a team chess tournament for charity after quitting the sport four years prior when it tore apart her family, she tells herself it's just the once time. She has more important things: taking care of her family. But after she beats the current World Champion, Nolan, financial pressure leads her to accept a year-long chess fellowship. Mallory struggles to keep her rising chess fame from her family as she falls back in love with the sport she had left behind--and her attractive opponent, Nolan.

I loved this book even more than I expected. I've actually only read one of Hazelwood's adult novels (her first) and loved it, but have been belated in picking up the rest. I finally put my hands on this young adult (really, new adult) novel and could not have been more impressed. I know nothing about chess, but was enthralled by beautiful descriptions of the game that Hazelwood crafted. The romance was woven in, and a constant, wanted presence, but not overpowering in the face of Mallory's personal growth and chess ranking climb. I really have no negative thoughts on this one and couldn't recommend it enough.

Thanks to Penguin Teen / Putnam for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

✨mini review✨

Ali Hazelwood is 100% my autobuy author!!! she just cannot miss!

this book was marketed as a YA romance, however, i thought it leaned more to the NA side! some of the topics discussed were a little more adult than i was expecting, however some of the banter & inter monologues would remind me this was technically for a younger audience.

i absolutely LOVED this book tho you guys. the topic of chess was so fresh & made for such an interesting read to me about a world i know nothing about ♟️

i think where Ali’s books really slap for me are her side characters… she makes the most loveable, BEST side characters in her books that you just can’t help but love every aspect of the story even when one MC takes a back seat for a little while

the love story, the banter, the drama… i LOVED this book!! Ali Hazelwood has done it again!!

this is out on Tuesday Nov 7!! go pick up your copy asap so we can discuss 💗

thank you @penguinteen @alihazelwood for my eARC in exchange for an honest review!

🩷 Check & Mate ARC Review 🩷
By Ali Hazelwood

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
YA • Romance
368 pages

♟️ young adult romance
♟️ rivals to lovers
♟️ slow burn
♟️ chess competition
♟️ he falls first

“I’ve got you, Mallory. Nothing bad is going to happen. You can let yourself want this, because you already have it. You have me.”

Let me first tell you that this reads more like a closed door NA than YA. Okay, with this out of the way… let me also tell you a quick story. Ali was the one who got me into romance. The Love Hypothesis was the first true romance (no, I don’t include Pride & Prejudice nor fantasy books in true romance) and my life (and booksta) was (were) never the same.

I also have a fun fact for you guys: I was part of my school’s chess club. I also believed I was way better than I really was, in true Leo fashion. My first competition was terrible and still gives me nightmares to this day 🙈

But that doesn’t mean I stopped loving chess. Because I didn’t. Stop, I mean. I love everything about it and when I found out Ali was releasing a book with chess as the background, I might have channeled my best fan girl.

This book was delightful, painful and funny… and so, so beautiful. Nolan is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs. Mallory is all of our young mistakes, our young insecurities, our young walls we built… in one character who has such heart that it will be impossible to stay indifferent.

I wasn’t sure if YA romance was my thing.
But here is what I found out: everything Ali Hazelwood writes is my thing. 💜

“Because when I’m with you, Mallory, everything is different. When I’m with you, I want to play more than I want to win.”

4.5⭐️

After the role it played in the destruction of her family years ago, Mallory Greenleaf decided she was done with chess forever. Now 18, Mallory has given up the typical college experience in order to work and help provide for her mom and two younger sisters.

One day, she is convinced by her best friend to play in a charity chess tournament. By the end of the tournament, Mallory ends up playing the current world champion, Nolan Sawyer, and winning. But she can just forget about it and go back to normal life, right? Until an offer comes that she can’t refuse…

Mallory agrees to train with a prestigious chess club and spends month climbing up the international ranks. Can she reconcile her rekindled love for chess, her dedication to providing for her family, and her growing feelings for Nolan?

Ok I absolutely adored this! It has all the typical Ali Hazelwood humor and a smart as hell FMC excelling in a male dominated area. I was hooked right away! The side characters are all so lovable as well, and I loved how sex positive this book is. I was surprised at first since this book is YA, but it’s definitely on the upper regions of that as the main characters are 18 and 20. This romance is close door of course, but the frequent references and discussions of sex are so important in the normalization of it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this lovely book!🥰

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood was a phenomenal YA debut!
Which is no surprise! She is damn good at what she does.
Hazelwood delivers a fantastic, engaging read here with great characters that I absolutely adored, totally immersing me in Mallory and Nolan’s story.
It’s smart, funny, and oh so swoon worthy! And it was truly one of those books that reminded me why I love reading. I fell in love with both Mallory and Nolan so quickly,
I loved the characters, their journeys, and the overall plot.
There wasn't one thing I would change about this story or the characters. I loved everything about it!
Another delicious contemporary romance!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

this is such a solid YA debut from Ali, as always her writing is funny and engaging and this book was surprisingly deep and emotional. mallory gave me very much "you're on your own kid". vibes, I related so much to her. Nolan had me screaming, I highlighted nearly every single damn thing he said. The romance in this book felt secondary to the plot, but I didn't mind that at all because they were excellent. The chess plot kept me really engaged and I loved the personal journey that mallory had along with that. I recieved an ARC from Netgalley.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley and Berkley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s no secret that I am a huge Ali Hazelwood fan. I devour any and all books she puts out, I owe my tiktok fame to her (thank you to the Bobby Pin video, iykyk). However, I was SLIGHTLY scared that a YA novel wouldn’t entice me as much as her adult romances.

Boy, have I ever been glad to be SO WRONG. This book had it all- the tension, the banter, the mentions of sexism in a new way, and ALL the feels.

I loved Nolan and Mal together- the way they both feel and think, like they just CLICK. Their romance was very well written and developed, and Mal had an amazing character development as well on her own.

I have zero complaints. This book is perfection, I can’t wait to scream about it all over Tik Tok.

“I resign. You win. Can I kiss you?”

{arc review}
oh my god. what did you put in this ali. if you asked me a single think about chess you would get a dumb stare as an answer. never in my life have i ever played chess. like i saw that it looked cool but it just never really been something i gave much of a thought too until now. who knew chess players could be so fucking hot like excuse me. Nolan Swayer…. ohhhhh

i didn’t understand a single chess term they were talking about in this book. but man did i swallow this book whole. like it didn’t even bother me once that they were talking chess like c4 whatttt? i was hooked, line and sinker too. i really liked mallory, i feel like she is just so freaking related. but like not in the family situation and chess way but in the way she thinks if things. like how her relationship with easton. i also love how she not ashamed for the things she enjoys and what she likes and doesn’t. And oooooooooh when he’s the virgin mannnn I would pay so much money to read a smut scene between those two i think that really the only problem i got with this book. oh and the scenes where his hand was on tanu’s waist, how do you explain this?

and nolan swayer. i don’t think a guy can get hotter than this. like it was painfully obvious, his feeling for her and i didn’t even mind that she was so clueless about it. like i was eating it up. and the way he makes it soooo painfully obvious ughhh why can’t people be like this. why make life so much harder.

“Do I wish I were having sex?”
“No.” He doesn’t even think about it. “Not until recently.”

Another fabulous romance by Ali Hazelwood. It's cute, and has focus on personal and familial responsibility while trying to find your way in the world in the very best way. Nolan is almost instantly hit with cupids arrow and quietly and patiently waited for Mallory to find her way in navy ways.

Mallory Greenleaf, once done with chess due to family devastation, stuns the chess world by defeating the notorious "Kingkiller," Nolan Sawyer. His unexpected desire for a rematch ignites a complex game of emotions. As Mallory rises through the ranks, she must protect her family from the game's past wounds. Love and rivalry intertwine in this chess-centric drama that challenges more than just the board.

💕💕
“Why did you keep it?”
“It made me think of you.”
“Why would you keep something that makes you think of me?”
“Because I think of you anyway, Mallory.”
💕💕

Nolan was everything. Clever. Swoony. Honest. From the very beginning I was rooting for both main characters and loved joining them on their journey. Ali has a unique way of writing that is simple yet so captivating. This is filled with pop culture and gen Z references, and while I wouldn’t want every book I read to include that, it was so enjoyable for this story. Check & Mate is being shelved in YA romance (teen), but I do think some themes and discussions definitely lend themselves to be mature content. The characters are new adults (18 and 20). I feel warm, comforting butterflies every time I finish an Ali Hazelwood book, and this one is no exception.

Thank you @penguinteen for the ARC, I enjoyed this so much 🥰

BRB, gotta google chess champions to see which one can be my tall, dark and handsome rival.

Perfect for you if you like:
Lovable MMC
“I only want you” vibes
Combating gender stereotypes in chess

Similar to:
Love Interest by Clare Gilmore (adult romance)
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood (adult romance)
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (historical fiction but has similar family dynamics and competition feel)

⛔️fade to black romance
⚠️explicit language, previous death of a parent, grief, mature themes for YA

This is Hazelwood's debut into YA. The sex scenes are toned down but don't worry, the hero is still tall, broad shouldered, and handsome. Nolan is the current world champion of chess and gets destroyed by seemingly nobody, Mallory. She was a chess prodigy as a child until she suddenly disappeared from the world of chess. Really enjoyed these characters and the care Hazelwood takes when addressing family dynamics. It's a hard transition to make from writing adult fiction to teen fiction and she did it well.