I really wanted to like this one, but it took me so long to read because I never had the urge to pick it up and keep going. The pacing finally felt on point at around 60%, but at that point, I was already fairly disinterested.

I would rate the first half 2 stars, and the second half 4 stars.

It's difficult to say exactly what was missing, but this book didn't have the usual magic of a Hazelwood novel. I'm a big fan of Hazelwood, and also of many YA novels, but this one just didn't work. I feel that it was misclassified as YA as the characters are 18 and 20 years old, and living independently from their families.

Unfortunately, the story felt disjointed and disappointing.

I really enjoyed this book, like all of Ali’s other work. Nolan is literally the perfect book boyfriend I can’t stop thinking about him and Mallory. I do wish we could’ve have a longer epilogue or scene of them together at the end besides the article.

This was an incredibly cute YA (but I would very much argue on the upper YA side) debut from Ali Hazelwood. I can't compare it to all of her books - I've only read The Love Hypothesis so far. But it definitely didn't feel like a retread from that. I loved Mal and Nolan and all the supporting cast. I can't speak to the chess part, because I don't know it, but it was presented in such a way that I was totally engaged. There were a bunch of pop culture references that probably won't age well, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down.

I want to start out by saying the story of this one was good. The romance could have used some work. For example the main characters had only interacted 3 times by the 40% into the book and 2 of those interactions were less than 10 words total. So I had some issues connecting with the romance. Even in the scenes later in the book once they started interacting more were just lacking depth between the characters.
The characters themselves were fine. Nolan was a good character. He honestly carried me through the story. I loved how sweet he was. Mallory on the other hand tried my patience. I get she’s a young woman still learning but there were so many times I wanted to throw the book because of her. I appreciated her dedication to her family. I liked the family aspect to the story. I felt like there could have been more depth into the backstory with her dad. Yes it was all revealed but it felt like a small part of the story in relation to how much it messed her up.
The chess in this story was interesting. I can’t speak to how accurate things were because I know absolutely nothing about chess. I feel like the chess competition, and becoming a better chess player, and learning about chess was a very large focus of the story.
Overall I’m still going to read everything this woman writes. They can’t all be winners and I still enjoyed my time reading it even though the story itself wasn’t my favorite. I appreciate that Ali has shaken up her writing a bit. Can’t wait to see what comes next.

Thank you Penguin Teen and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Ali Hazlewood’s YA is just as swoony as her adult novels. I was kicking my feet and giggling like nobody’s business. Definitely pick this one up and get ready to feel the incredibly strong urge to pick up a chess hobby.

Our favorite STEM Romance writer is diving into the world of YA.

Ali Hazelwood's first YA romance is an absolutely delightful tale. I know Hazelwood is a huge hit or miss for some people and I know she follows a very specific formula for her books, but I think they're fun and enjoyable reads.

Check & Mate has all of the usual elements you expect from her novels, enemies to lovers, smart women, and a cute little love story.

Side note: While looking through goodreads I saw a few reviews mention how much they hated all the modern references in this one, such as ao3 (which tbh I never heard of before), Riverdale, etc. Usually these bug me but I felt like they were sparse enough to just set a feel for time period. Its weird, no one complains about period references in a book taking place in 1852, so why is it a problem for a book taking place in 2023?

ANYWAYYY

Mallory is a former chess star and a somewhat likable character. She wasn't my favorite Hazelwood MC, she's stubborn as all hell and her dislike of Nolan is extremely superficial.

But I LOVED Nolan. Extremely smart, killer chess player, handsome, loyal af to his friends? Sign me up. He also is the one who gets a thing for Mallory first and I just really love that. Too many stories have the women pining and I love seeing a smitten man. The awkwardness and blushing and just PINING, is great. I'M HERE FOR IT.

Mallory was reminiscent of most of Hazelwood's MC's, but in her case she's just a teenager dealing with entirely too much and putting too much weight on her own shoulders. She has her moments of pure insecurity, feeling lost within herself, her family, her friendships. She was oddly stereotypical but also felt very realistic. I also really liked the fact that she was comfortable enjoying and having sex.

I loved the dynamics Mallory and Nolan had with their other people too. Mallory had a complicated family relationship - assuming way too much of a parental role for someone so young. Even though her sisters were a tad annoying, I really enjoyed their dynamic and her relationship with her best friend as they grow into adulthood.

Then there's Nolan's found family. His friends were such well flushed out characters and you could tell Hazelwood put real effort into developing all her characters. (There's also a cute little side romance)

There really isn't a whole lot more to say. You know how its going to end so any other details I give will be spoilers.

The story has some predictable moments, a few magical coincidences that move the story along, and a whole lot of cute vibes. If you're a fan of Hazelwood's other books, you're sure to like this one too.

4.5 stars, rounded up

My first Ali Hazelwood definitely didn’t disappoint! I know this one is very different from her others, but I really enjoyed her writing and her character development. I will absolutely be checking out others by her soon!

As someone who doesn’t care one iota about chess, it’s amazing how invested into this storyline I became! Yes, there were definitely some things that I didn’t understand, but it didn’t take away anything from the story and my enjoyment of it. It’s very approachable, even if you don’t know anything about the game of chess.

I absolutely ADORED the romance. It felt natural and realistic. Although the FMC was really irritating to me at times, the MMC made up for it tenfold. Plus, I’m a fan of books that keep their characters realistic, flaws and all.

Things that kept it from being 5-stars for me:

There were Way. Too. Many. Pop culture references. Normally just one is too many for me, but this completely went overboard. There were honestly dozens.

There was also a bit of disappointment for me in the end of the book. Throughout the whole story there is an intense buildup to a particular event. Sadly, that particular event never happened and it felt like a huge letdown.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m not sure what Ali Hazelwood laced this book with, but wow, I could not put it down!

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in but I was fascinated by this world and these characters created by Ali. I loved every moment I could spend in Mallory and Nolan’s presence. I loved them both so much and their banter was perfect.

Mallory was the epitome of an older sister - carrying the world and all its responsibilities on her shoulders. She was soft and giving but also so hard on herself and it was beautiful to finally see her take the joy in the world for herself. I couldn’t get enough of her younger sisters and this might’ve have been because they reminded me way too much of my sisters.

Overall, this story blew me away in the most unexpected way. I devoured every word and was heartbroken at the end because I couldn’t bear for it to end.

This was the softest love story and everyone deserves to find that bit of happiness you’ll get while reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced ready copy of “Check and Mate” by Ali Hazelwood. All opinions are my own.

I have read Ali Hazelwood’s other books and mostly enjoyed them. I didn’t have the biggest expectations going into this, since it was YA and a lot of her other books are similar storylines about women in stem (which I love but it was kind of repetitive). This book thoroughly surprised me!!

It follows Mallory, a recent high school graduate and chess prodigy who has sworn of playing. When she finds herself in a competition and then beating the best player in the world, (enter chess heartthrob Nolan) her world gets turned upside down. She receives a fellowship to study and play in competitions, which she reluctantly takes because the pay will help her family. But will the thrill of the game and the players keep her coming back for more?


Overall enjoyed and would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s first YA novel! I know nothing about chess, but I was still very invested in Mallory’s story. The rivalry to romance was cute, and seeing Mallory’s journey to forgiving herself and her own imperfections was very sweet. Hazelwood certainly know how to write a sweet romance!

Hazelwood's debut young adult romance novel was a great read. It was refreshing to read something different from the author, and I found it quite entertaining. The chess world added an interesting dimension to the story, even though I had no prior knowledge of it. I appreciated that it didn't detract from the overall narrative, and rather, taught me a little bit about it. The characters, particularly Mallory, were well-crafted, and I enjoyed her flaws and journey through life, especially for her age. Her character development throughout the story was well-executed, and the supporting characters were equally intriguing. The ending, particularly the epilogue, provided closure on events that occurred years prior. Overall, I highly recommend this book once it's released.

I Love Ali Hazelwood's books so much and getting an arc of her new release made me really happy. This book was perfect. The relationships between characters were complex but so interesting to read about. Mallory and Nolan getting from rivals to lovers were cute and addictive. 5 stars.

Rating: 4.25 ⭐️

Check & Mate was an absolutely delightful and refreshing YA debut from Ali Hazelwood. If you are a big fan of the Netflix show, The Queen’s Gambit, this book will definitely be right up your alley.

This was in the heroine’s, Mallory Greenleaf POV only, which was great but I would have liked just a few chapters in the hero, Nolan Sawyer’s POV to be honest. There were some amazing tropes though like, rivals to lovers, opposites attract, hero falls first, and a chess tournament setting. I would recommend checking the content and trigger warnings before reading just in case.

The overall premise was so interesting. The chess element was so captivating and just fun to read about. All the mechanics, plays, and history involved in chess was explained amazingly and it definitely made me want to pick up a chess board. Mallory’s history and experience in the chess world was intriguing and her journey back into that world was filled with some crazy, intense and heartfelt moments.

There were also some amusing and heartbreaking moments. Mallory’s journey with grief, anger and guilt was beautifully written and handled. Her devotion and love towards her family was amazing as well. There were various side characters that made the story more enjoyable and all the pop culture references was just an added bonus.

The romance between Mallory and Nolan was quite slow and minimal to be honest, but I really didn’t mind. This book definitely focused more on Mallory and her struggles and character development. But the romantic development between them was very cute and heartwarming. Their tension, banter and connection was just sweet.

The conflict towards the end was a bit heartbreaking but understandable. I would have liked just a bit more discussions on certain aspects/matters but the conclusion was great. The epilogue just wrapped up the story perfectly as well.

Overall, just another incredible book from Ali Hazelwood that will leave you smiling and wanting to become a chess player.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another hit from Ali Hazelwood. This borders on upper YA/NA but it was super fun and engaging! I loved the chemistry between Nolan and Mal and the journey Mallory goes on. This is perfect for getting yourself out of a reading slump.

#NetGalleyARC This was another fun cute, and quick read by Hazelwood. I really enjoy this author's works and love that her characters aren't the stereotypical romance book characters. Mallory and Noah were both easy to relate to and fall for. A great end-of-the-summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ali Hazelwood and Penguin Group for a digital ARC of Check & Mate in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own and may not be reproduced (except quoted synopsis).

“Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.

Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)”

Ali Hazelwood can literally do no wrong. There may not be a single author that I love more than her right now. I love that she has starting writing a YA line.

In typical Ali fashion, she has give us the most lovable characters with Mallory and Nolan. The enemies to lovers trope is one of my favorites.

I absolutely love Ali’s adult smut, but this was a cute YA-friendly romance. This woman can do everything and she does it all VERY well.

Recommended for all Ali Hazelwood, Romance and YA fans!

5 Stars, as always!

I grew up playing chess and competed in it for a while, so I dived into this believing it is my forte.

Here's a couple things I noticed immediately: this is an Ali Hazelwood book (almost to a fault), the protagonist is literally the same as always and the love interest is also the same. There is no difference between this and Love Hypothesis to me. The message of smart women in predominantly mens fields can be so much more complex and diverse but this formula...not it at all.

Secondly, the use of "Gen Z" related items or phrases honestly breaks this book for me. It makes it unrealistic and hard to get absorbed into. Mentioning AO3, Tumblr, BTS, etc. is genuinely such an odd idea for me.

Thirdly, this is based on Magnus Carlsen?? What?????? That in it of itself is just beyond icky to me. If I could look past the using of slang this breaks it for me. It makes me want to go back in time just to DNF the book...

Ali you can do better bestie.

I absolutely adored this book! I think this is Ali Hazelwood's best novel and her writing style translates super well to YA. I loved the setup of the story with Mal being forced back into a previous passion and inadvertently ends up beating the reigning world champion so that we're truly left to wonder, if she's so good, why did she leave chess 4 years ago and what will she do now? I was pulled into the story right from the beginning. All of the characters (even the more minor side characters) were super compelling and their motivations and personalities felt well developed while still making sure most of the attention was kept on the leads, Mal and Nolan. Nolan was the sweetest and cares so deeply for Mal which is exactly what she needs in her life and seeing them slowly become friends and then more was such a beautiful progression through the story. The ending was so perfect and now I'm really hoping Ali decides to write a book about one or several of the side characters because I need to be back in their world for more! I have been shouting from the rooftops how much I love this novel and telling everyone I know to keep their eye out for it come November, and I can't wait to hold a physical copy in my hands!

Mallory is done with chess, that is until she plays one match 3 years after she decides she is done with it, purely for monetary reasons, and wins against the "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer. This comes as a surprise to everyone and even more so to his desire to play against Mallory once again.

This book was not what I expected. It is very Ali Hazelwood coded, the main character is pretty much clueless to the amount of pining that the love interested is doing. And I think that that is what makes this book so good, the way that Nolan just wanted to be with her, close to her at all times, insisting on playing more matches with her, was so freaking addicting.

My negatives are the insane amount of Gen Z slang and pop culture references found in this book. As a Gen Z, I found it cringe. As well as the amount of sex that this teenager seems to be having. And while it's not graphic, I don't think it was very appropriate for a book marketed as Young Adult. And I'm not saying that sex-positive books are bad, just that the number of times this topic came up in the book was a bit ridiculous. God, Mallory's sisters made me want to yank my hair out because of how ungrateful they acted.

The best things about this book
- Nolan (he's a softie)
- guy falls first

Check & Mate is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that seamlessly blends the world of chess with the complexities of personal relationships.

Emma is my favorite. Her character growth it’s beautiful. She learns valuable lessons about trust, forgiveness, and the importance of human connections. As she navigates the complexities of her personal relationships, Emma also faces the challenges of the chess world, where she must prove herself against formidable opponents and confront the sexism that still prevails in the game.

Ali Hazelwood's captivating storytelling and well-drawn characters made for an engaging read that will left me pondering the power of forgiveness, the pursuit of passion, and the importance of human connection. The books pacing is well-balanced and made for a quick read.

Whether you're a chess enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a well-crafted story, Check & Mate is a must-read.