I’m the first person to tell you that I’m not a Ali Hazelwood fan but I genuinely believed it’s because her adult books are just too steamy. So when she ventured into YA I was intrigued, but could someone please fill me in on what classifies as YA today because this was not what I was expecting. Sure it was cleaner than her adult books but the vocabulary went over my head and the writing style didn’t read much different than her other novels. Also you have to like chess. I liked the concept of having a chess player and the world of chess at the forefront but this was wayyyy too detailed. I liked the concept and the path the plot took but the execution was not there

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of this book!

I’ve read everything by Ali Hazelwood at this point, and her adult novels ALWAYS get me. This one was very close to those, but without the 🌶️ 🌶️ At some points I was forgetting that I was reading a YA! These characters are pretty similar to her adult novel MCs

Mallory’s home situation was infuriating, though, and as some other reviews note, there was a LOT of chess talk. It did spark some interest in me though! A nice quick read from Hazelwood ☺️

This book was cute! Every now and then I like to read a non spicy romance book that has you smiling. I liked the nerdy side of this book with the Chess. Thank you Ali Hazelwood!

If you get the chance to pick up this book I urge you to do so. I absolutely loved Check & Mate - so much so that I was willing to go to sleep way too late before a work day to finish this book in one sitting.

The characters in this novel were all so well done and charming, which was the main reason I was so enthralled. Every character had characteristics that were well thought out and interesting - there weren't any characters that felt useless/not necessary to the plot or enjoyment of the book.

Ali Hazelwood has a great skill of creating very unique relationships and this book is no different. I loved the relationship between our two main characters - it was romantic and intense and everything I wanted. The stakes were just high enough to keep me invested but not too high where I thought they were unrealistic - which I loved.

All in all, this is probably one of my favourite reads from Ali Hazelwood and I am so glad I was able to pick it up as an ARC!

Mallory Greenleaf used to play chess, and she was very good at it. But ever since her dad died and her mom got sick, she has given it up in order to work a mundane job to take care of her mother and her two sisters. She eventually gets the chance to play again, and her plan is to keep it strictly objective and professional- no feelings or attachments, just win a few games to hopefully get ahead in the bills her family is drowning in. Enter Nolan Sawyer- the current number one chess player in the world who has taken a strong liking to Ms. Greenleaf. This book was actually way deeper than I expected it to be. It depicts chronic illness (Mallory's mother has rheumatoid arthritis) and what it is like to be a caregiver at such a young age. Although Nolan seems on top of the world, he also faces his own struggles- he doesn't really have a relationship with his parents, and his grandfather, who was also a world-renown chess player, and the one person Nolan felt like he could count on, is gone. I also like how this showed the relationship between Mallory and her younger sisters. Even the chess games were intense and had me on the edge of my seat. Who knew chess could be so exciting? There were a few things in this that made me surprised that this is categorized as a Young Adult book, but either way, I found it entertaining and I was rooting for Mallory the entire time. Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read a digital ARC of this book!

I read an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but thoughts and opinions are my own. I think this should be marketed as New Adult (even though I know that isn't a marketing category necessarily...) rather than YA as the characters are/are over 18 and there are definitely some more mature references throughout which might surprise readers who are expecting YA aimed younger. However, in classic Ali Hazelwood style, the writing is completely consumable--I couldn't put the story down! I always enjoy stories that have unique competitions/sports featured, and definitely liked the depictions of competitive chess--they read very much like a sports novel's description of an action packed game. I thought Nolan had a little more development than some of Hazelwood's other male leads, and I liked the ways that Mal's sisters where characterized--interesting enough to be enjoyable to read about and unique but not overtaking the story focus. I would recommend to mature high schoolers and up.

I don’t know how to play chess, but this book kept my interest the entire time. This book definitely gives “The Queen’s Gambit” vibes and I loved it. There was enough chess verbiage for those who understand and play the game to enjoy it, without it being too much for those who don’t. I loved the rivalry and tension between the characters and enjoyed that their rivalry was based on competitiveness and mutual respect, rather than animosity. I thought the romance between them was really sweet, and Nolan was swoon-worthy, and lovable. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoyed the TV series The Queen’s Gambit. I don’t normally read YA, but if you’re an Ali Hazelwood fan and also don’t normally read YA, I recommend giving this one a chance. It was such a cute story and was well written, especially for a YA debut. Ali Hazelwood had become an auto-read author for me and I look forward to what she writes next.

🩷Rivals to lovers
🩷He falls first
🩷Forced proximity

Favorite quote (pre-publication):
“Why would you keep something that makes you think of me?”
I feel him shrug. “Because I think of you anyway Mallory.”

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Ali Hazelwood for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Ali Hazelwood’s switching it up with a YA romance that also has some of the things she’s known for, including a reserved hero who’s hard for the heroine to read.

Check & Mate has a lot to offer and Hazelwood’s voice translates to YA *so* well.

Protagonist Mallory Greenleaf is a witty delight of a heroine who can play chess with tremendous skill, though she’s chosen not to play in years after some family turmoil.

But life intervenes & she ends up making grandmaster Nolan Sawyer’s jaw fall to the floor, quite a feat since he is—as I said earlier—reserved, implacable, & doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.

For a bit at least.

Mallory is a powerhouse lead, doing what she can to provide for her family & take care of her mother who has Rheumatoid Arthritis. She’s a boss & the way she does whatever it takes is admirable, even more so when she follows her heart.

There’s bisexual rep** in this one, a hero who makes some pretty sweet gestures, & an exploration of misogyny in the world of chess.

I don’t know anything about chess but this is a really great read that made me excited to see what Ali Hazelwood will write next!

4.5⭐️. Out 11/07.

**Edited: I removed a note regarding “demisexual rep” in this review. Thanks to a question from an Instgram commenter I went back to the book & I think I made some assumptions that maybe I shouldn’t have. The hero has never had sex before & hasn’t had interest “until recently” & meeting the heroine. But I’m not sure that his seemingly unique sexual attraction to her is predicated on their emotional connection and the book never uses the word demisexual. My sincere apologies for any confusion I caused with those assumptions / errors!
Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess’s white hand holds the ebook in front of a pond. A grayish sky & grass are in the background.]

4.75 stars— I was expecting to enjoy this but I loved this book WAY more than I thought I would! Thank you Penguin Random House Canada & NetGalley for the eArc!

I love Ali Hazelwood’s adult romances, but there’s something about a YA romance that just gets me gushing and giggling and kicking my feet. This book had me blushing and doing all of the above. She needs to write more YA. It wasn’t too juvenile and definitely still targeted to high students and older as the characters are 18-20.

Apart from watching The Queen’s Gambit, I have little to no knowledge on the chess world but this book was so interesting and impossible to put down nonetheless. The chess was described in a way where newbies could still enjoy the book.

Expect a nice rivals-to-lovers moment (although Nolan and Mallory don’t directly compete against each other many times, they are still the 2 most talented chess players so there’s definitely tension between them), with a slow-ish burn (the events take place over the course of several months) and some secret pining and crushing. I loved them as individuals but also ate up their delicious romance.

The book was romantic and funny, perfect for romcom lovers. Ali Hazelwood somehow knows exactly what makes me squeal and laugh. And I don’t honestly mind the Tiktok or pop culture references especially because they were mentioned with Mal’s 13 and 15 year old siblings (those topics just happen to be relevant to that age group). If anything, the pop culture mentions make the story feel more realistic while also being funny.

Overall, I can’t recommend this enough if you love YA romances and liked Ali’s previous books!!!

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published November 7, 2023.

This is the first book I have read by this very popular author, and I am now a big fan! It was a quick and satisfying read. Even though I know nothing about chess, I was quickly sucked into the competition and the relationships. It was touching and also very funny.

I think fans of Abby Jimenez and Katherine Center would really like this author (for rom-com books) as well as fans of the Netflix series The Queen‘s Gambit (because of the chess).

I finished this last night and absolutely loved it. I adore her books as so many of her characters are so relatable. I loved Mallory and Nolan and watching them fall in love. At times I was so frustrated by Mallory but it’s ironic bc in some ways I understand her a little too well. Definitely understand the oldest who became the main breadwinner bc a parent suddenly became ill(though thankfully for me this was not when I was a teen) I even understood how hard it was for her to open up to others and that it’s easier to just let people go bc then it’s you who walked away and not them. Ugh just loved this book and yes, as it’s a romance, at the end of the day it had a HEA. ❤️

Mallory Greenleaf hasn’t touched a chessboard in four years. Obsessed throughout childhood, too many bad memories linger to face those 16 pieces again. The loss of her father, her mother’s health issues and her two younger sister’s demands are more than enough to fill her days. As her best friend Easton is preparing to leave for college she begs Mallory to help with a fundraiser situation she has gotten herself into. A chess match to raise money for a good cause, how can she say no? As luck would have it, Mallory is seated across from Nolan Sawyer, alarmingly handsome and currently ranked #1 in the world. And she proceeds to crush him. Shocking the audience, she quickly makes a comeback and receives offers she cannot refuse. Mallory is once again pulled into the electrifying world of chess. But the closer she gets to victory, the more guilt haunts her. Painful memories push any chance of joy aside. As Mallory focuses on taking care of her family, Sawyer becomes harder and harder to ignore. Maybe its a win-win. Absolutely mind-blowing how chess, which I know little about, could be a page turner - but author Ali Hazelwood pulls us in with delicious quirky characters and a birds eye view of one of the oldest games in the world. Intelligent, fun and just a little spicy, don’t be fooled by the YA genre or chess, if thats not your jam. I couldn’t put this one down!

♟️ What’s it about?
Mal gave up playing chess four years ago to care for her family when her father left them and died. But she’s barely living paycheck to paycheck as a car mechanic when a friend convinces her to do a charity chess tournament.

And then she beats the number one player in the world.

Suddenly she’s offered a fellowship at a chess club, complete with enough money to sustain her family for a year.

And then she starts winning tournaments, and the attentions of Sawyer, that number one chess player.

♟️ My Thoughts:

This book made me feel so many big things.

I am honestly still not sure how Hazelwood got me heart-poundingly invested in chess tournaments. But I was all in, turning pages frantically to find out how each would end.

I am also floored that people can be professional chess players and the amount of study and prep for these tournaments. It’s one of those books that makes me want to fall down a YouTube rabbit hole to learn more about chess.

And so many realistic, wonderful characters.

♥️ Mal with all her guilt and genius.
♟️ Sawyer with his unconventional pro chess life.
😝 OZ! My favorite grumpy old man with the best angry phrases on the planet.
🥰 Dafne

🥹 The slow burn romance in this one was everything. *everything*

🐈‍⬛ Also, Ali knows how to perfectly portray teen girls.

"Check & Mate" by Ali Hazelwood is a delightful and swoonworthy young adult debut that cleverly combines the world of chess with a heartwarming romance, family dynamics, and personal growth.

The story follows Mallory Greenleaf, a young woman who has distanced herself from the world of competitive chess due to its painful associations with her family's past. However, when she reluctantly participates in a charity chess tournament and unexpectedly defeats the world champion, Nolan Sawyer, her life takes an unexpected turn. As Mallory navigates newfound attention and the rekindling of her passion for chess, she also finds herself drawn to Nolan, the enigmatic and charismatic chess prodigy.

Ali Hazelwood skillfully weaves together Mallory's personal journey of healing, family reconnection, and self-discovery with the intensity of competitive chess. The character development is well-executed, and Mallory is a relatable and complex protagonist with a strong sense of loyalty and resilience. Her relationships with her sisters and her mother add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

The romance between Mallory and Nolan is gradual and believable, and the chemistry between them is palpable. Their interactions are filled with witty banter and intellectual sparks, making their connection engaging and genuine. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic adds an extra layer of tension and excitement to the story.

The backdrop of the chess world is fascinating and well-researched, making the descriptions of matches and strategies engaging for both those familiar with chess and those new to the game. The pacing of the plot keeps the story moving forward while allowing the characters' emotions and relationships to develop naturally.

"Check & Mate" is a heartwarming and entertaining YA novel that skillfully blends romance, family, and competition into a compelling narrative. Ali Hazelwood's writing captures the complexities of personal growth and the thrill of unexpected connections, making this book a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance and coming-of-age stories.

This book completely blindsided me with how much I loved it! Which shouldn't be surprising considering I love any and everything Ali Hazelwood writes. But with it being classified as a YA, I was wondering how she would approach it. And I never ever should've underestimated Miss Hazelwood. This book was frickin BRILLIANT. I actually got to meet Ali at a book signing while I was reading it and it was easily one of the highlights of my life: no joke.

I loved every single second of this book. I was sucked in from the very beginning and became extremely invested in these character's lives. I just couldn't get over how much I was giggling, laughing, smiling, and swooning. This book was seriously EVERYTHING. As someone who has never even played chess or attempted to play chess, I was sucked into the "chess world." Ali Hazelwood manages to make everything so much fun to read about regardless of if you even know what she's talking about lol. I don't know how she manages to do it, but she does.

The characters were *chef's kiss.* Mallory and Nolan quickly became near and dear to my hearts. I adored them both individually... but of course Ali writes it so their dynamic together is completely unmatched. There was tension, pining, attraction, intense chemistry... quite frankly just all of the things I completely love in a book. I also loved how Ali managed the tougher topics in this story. There were multiple side plots strewn throughout the story that really tested the characters and I feel like everything was handled realistically and genuinely. I just completely adore Ali Hazelwood and her writing (if you haven't gotten that from this review lol) and it's so easy to get completely swept up in the story, the world, and the characters she creates.

I will absolutely be an Ali Hazelwood fan for life and this is just another testament to her incredible writing talent that she's able to transfer the magic of her writing from contemporary romance into a YA romance.

*Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I absolutely devoured this one! I ended up binging it over 2 days and couldn’t put it down. My highlights are exploding with so many adorable scenes and I was screaming and giggling the entire time I was reading this. I didn’t have much luck with the first Ali Hazelwood book I read and honestly, I really do think her writing translates well to the YA genre. A strong debut and I would’ve rated it higher if it weren’t for the jam packed amount of pop culture references which definitely could’ve been toned down in my opinion. Super excited to read more of her work!

thank you to penguin teen and netgalley for the early copy!

Nolan and Mallory’s story was a good one. This was a cute book about love and the game of chess and when to stop. It tells their families intertwined stories. I thought it was a little drawn out for my normal books.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of Check and Mate -- it was great to see Ali Hazelwood venture into the YA genre and not focus on STEM (as much as I love her STEMinist books, I needed to read something new from her). I liked this book but I didn't love it and I think it was because (a) the FL felt too mature for her age and (b) there was a lot of focus on chess. Re (b), yes that's to be expected of course, but a lot of the writing about chess went over my head. I did really like the ML -- and I loved how Hazelwood explored the fact that it's perfectly ok not to have much sexual experience at the age of 18. I am not shaming the FL for having a ton of experience - but she didn't feel like an 18yo to me. I am not the target audience for this book though - so an actual YA reader may relate to the FL more than I did. In comparison to her adult novels, the writing interestingly felt more mature at points. Even though this is not my favorite novel of hers, I am excited to see what Hazelwood comes out with next.

This is a YA romcom, rivals to lovers between chess players! I have never read a book like this and this is also Ali Hazelwood’s ya debut so I was so excited to read it!!!

Overall this book was so much fun. I love all of Hazelwood’s books, and this was no exception! The chess aspect was so interesting and the romance was so sweet. Nolan was just an angel 🥺 I loved that it was no spice (obviously bc it’s ya) and I laughed multiple times as I was reading it.

I did think the beginning was a bit slow, but it was very enjoyable to read and highly recommend you to pick it up when it comes out especially if you love her other books!!

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

THIS WAS TOOOO GOOD. It was the Ali Hazelwood formula but for YA ugh yes yes yes! Don't ever think I've read a romance book based on chess, so something else unique about it. It's great to see her really break more into the romance scene.