I really wanted to like this book, but it fell short for me on many levels. It feels like a lot of Hazelwood's books sound the same. I loved both characters and the storyline, but would like to see different writing in the future

I will always read Ali’s books. It’s just a fact but this book was not YA imo. It had some disturbing dialogue that I would never recommend to a YA aged reader. I think a NA rating would’ve been much better. Because of the YA marketing I cringed multiple times thinking of this book in the YA section.

Also chess being as popular and widely discussed as the Super Bowl? A little far fetched.

I know that ‘new adult’ isn’t as recognized as an age grouping as young adult or adult romances, but I don’t love that this is marketed as a young adult novel. It definitely feels more new adult to me, which fits the characters ages (18 & 20, although there were times where they felt at least a few years older to me) and I’ve seen the author describe it as such on social media.

My Queen's Gambit loving heart made me want to pick this up, and the chess aspect of this book did not disappoint. I feel like I learned so much about chess, and it was really interesting. Especially towards the end of the book, I was just so intrigued, I could not put this down.

The main characters were fine, but this was definitely more of a ‘read for the plot’ story for me. But I can understand that some people may really connect with Mal and it’ll be more of a character driven story for them. I do think that the way the book is written, it can absolutely work both ways, depending on the reader.

I’ve read a few books by Ali Hazelwood before, and I think her writing style overall just may not be for me, but I do really appreciate the topics she writes about so she keeps pulling me back in.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Think this just wasn’t for me personally but was still a great book for someone younger and will recommend! I wasn’t a fan of all the cultural references but again that’s just me. Ali’s writing really shines in all her work so this was still fun to read and adorable

There is not a single Ali Hazelwood book that I do not like. This was no exception. I absolutely adored it. The main character, Mallory Greenleaf, is pretty much a female *important* chess prodigy, which gave me major The Queens Gambit vibes. I loved how ms. Ali Hazelwood dealt with the themes of sexism in this environment (and that statistic about women in chess, made me literally sob). Nolan "Kingkilller" Sawyer easily is one of my top 5 book boyfriends. I mean, he was just quite literally perfect and I don't have a single complaint about him. NOT. ONE. which is very, extremely rare to not have a single fault.

If that was not enough to get you to read, please allow me to continue. The familial & friendship relations in this book hit hard too. You deal with grief and older sibling sense of responsibility for their family. Mallory dealing with parting ways with friends going in different directions after high school. Overall, her journey of learning how to express her emotions and heal from her trauma.

If Ali Hazelwood writes it, I'm going to read it.

I adore Ali Hazelwood, and her writing.

Truly, I do. I've read all of her works to date (and will continue to do so) -- and yet I don't think I've ever quite connected with anything of hers in the same way as I now have with Check & Mate.

I found it to be incredibly refreshing, and, in my opinion, to have more heart and rawness than anything else of Hazelwood's so far. I related to many of Mallory's struggles, admired her relationship with her sisters, and was ultimately satisfied with her development/journey.

The slow burn between Mallory and Nolan was fantastic, and I absolutely adore the way that those two adore each other.

The spice in Hazelwood's adult books can be rather hit or miss for me, so to be quite honest, the fade to black here worked really well for me, while still having some tension and being an overall sex positive book.

I wasn't really expecting a lighter side of romance, YA/NA, but this book was okay. It was typical of this author and if people enjoy her style, then they will enjoy this book as well. I prefer more spice.

ali hazelwoods foray into ya romance was absolutely well done. mallory being the oldest daughter who takes care of everone is absolutely relatable and the way that she is unapologetically herself is wonderful to read. as always i love ali hazelwoods love interests and nolan is no objection. i loved how their relationship went from supposed rivals to more, i hope ali hazelwood has more ya coming because i really really loved this

this was a FANTASTIC book! Mallory & Nolan have the sweetest, tenderest, strongest bond & friendship. the way Nolan is so enamored with Mallory from the first moment— encouraging her, supporting her, challenging her, loving her so deeply in everything she did. he was written with that classic Ali Hazelwood level of dreaminess that us mere mortals in the real world fantasize about having IRL one day.

I loved the lead up to how Mallory gets back into Chess, but it took up practically a third of the book where we got all Mallory & no Nolan so that was a little drawn out to me…I would have loved more Mallory/ Nolan content from their first meeting/chess game. that’s my only issue…my only critique is MORE PLEASE 🙏

I loved seeing the chess tournaments play out on page, I know very little of chess myself but appreciate how complex & dedicated it is. I loved all the side characters, especially Tamil! I really felt for Mallory & her whole family trying to navigate a normal they know is not fair or enduring for any of them, especially as Mallory is becoming an adult deserving of her own life & dreams

overall, just a perfect debut YA from one of my favorite authors! Ali Hazelwood writes such smart, passionate, liberating, unique stories! I loved it so much!

thank you for the ARC!!!!

I love all the books I’ve read from Ali Hazelwood and this was no exception! I normally do not read the “young adult” genre but because I love this author I decided to apply for an ARC for this one. I’m happy I did! Aside from the focus on gen z culture and less sex scenes there wasn’t much of a difference from this novel and the adult books the author has written. This book is a sweet romance telling the story of two chess geniuses meeting. I thought the author did a really great job of developing angsty teenage characters and the dialogue was hilarious! Thankful to have received this ARC!

I love Ali Hazelwood book and this one is literally The Queen's Gambit in a book. Mallory and Nolan. A girl who loves to play chess but stopped because of her dad versus a worldwide champion chess player. The catch? She plays against Nolan and wins. All he can think about is her and all she can think about is this is just a job a fellowship. She needs to take care of her family. Strangers to friends. Friends to lovers. I enjoyed this book so much.

I've heard great things about Ali Hazelwood's books but this was the first one I've read, and it was adorable. Other than watching The Queen's Gambit on Netflix like everyone else did when it came out, I know nothing about chess, but I got so pulled in by the premise and invested in the characters and the outcome.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Ali Hazelwood’s writing—Check & Mate is a refreshing YA twist compared to her typical works! As it’s YA there is, of course, no spice—which I really enjoyed. I felt that Hazelwood managed to maintain the tension and sweet romance without her typical adult stylings. While this book was a bit cringe (but it’s Ali Hazelwood we’re talking about here), it’s ultimately a well-developed, entertaining, and fun read. I took issue with some elements of the novel but overall will recommend this to my audience!

4⭐️

Ali Hazelwood's debut young adult had similar vibes as her adult novels. This time focusing around the game of Chess. She does a great job again making the topic fun and interesting while telling a sweet romantic story. She continues to do a great job writing a story that captivates the reader.

In this story we follow Mallory, she's 18 and taking care of her sick mom and two sisters. She used to competitively play chess when she was little, but suddenly quit just before highschool. She randomly plays in a charity tournament and surprised everyone when she beats the #1 chess champion, Nolan.

This was story was very enjoyable with depth, as we watch Mallory grow. Come to terms with her relationship with her father and open her heart up to others. I was also pleased to see that the he's so big and I'm so small trope was not used in this book.

Although, sometimes I felt the characters read much older than young adult I think this was a great debut into the young adult genre. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys other work by Ali Hazelwood.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers, and GP Putnam for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites close or on publication.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this!
I am not always the biggest Ali Hazelwood fan: it comes and goes for me. But I thought this was a nice departure for her. I loved the focus on chess, especially so close after the commercial success of the Queen's Gambit. I thought the focus on the female leads family, especially that of a sister 'mothering' her siblings, was done really well. The love story was really cute and definitely YA appropriate.
Overall, just a fun and enjoyable read. Might be one of my favorites she's done

Ali Hazlewood has had my heart since Love Hypothesis. That book made me feel so many things and it was one that I read SLOWLY because I didn’t want it to end. This is the first one she’s published since then that gave me some of those feelings again. The difference here is I devoured this book in one sitting. I do want to make one thing clear though, this book is not YA. Do I think I think if a 13 year old reads it they’ll be scarred by the 7 uses of the F word and a couple orgasms? Not at all. But it worries me a lot with all of the discourse around banning books I’d hate to see that happen with this book. Because I know 15 year old me would have had her life changed with this book if I read it in high school.
My final critique is the niche pop culture references, there are SO many that you drown in them. At least 50. I worry that in ten years this book will be cringe because tiktok will be the equivalent of Facebook. Otherwise, I had a lot of fun with this book 4.5/5

Ali Hazelwood’s YA Debut was a lovely intro to another side of her writing. Check & Mate is what I would call an upper YA rom com that has Ali’s usual wit and addresses gender stereotypes. Instead of the STEM world, we are immersed in the land of professional chess. I know nothing about chess but the book does a great job of throwing you into this competitive world that is dominated by men.

The FMC, Mallory, is 18 years old and has given up on chess and many of her own hopes and dreams due to some tough life circumstances. Until a charity game where she beats the broody, good looking, “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer. In need of a better way to provide for her family, Mal jumps back into the world of chess.

The romance in this book is witty, a bit angsty, and written in a lovely way. If you are looking for Ali’s usual spicy rom com, this is YA with main characters who are 18 and 20. There are sexual references but this is a closed door romance. I would consider this book to be more upper YA due to character ages and the main character’s stance on casual hookups and use of dating apps.

I adore Ali Hazelwood’s writing style and Check & Mate did not disappoint. I love getting a witty, swoony rom com while also thinking about real life issues that women face.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Mallory Greenleaf was a child chess whiz, but she gave it up when her parents divorced, her mom began to have health issues and she needed to help raise her sisters and support her family. Now working as a mechanic to pay the bills, Mallory has pushed aside her dreams in service to her mom and sisters. That is until Mallory’s best friend talks her into competing in a team charity chess tournament and she beats the current World Chess Champion and #1 player, Nolan Sawyer. Mallory is offered a scholarship to train and play for an elite chess club. When she realizes how much money she can make for her family playing chess, Mallory decides to give it a year and then return to her normal life. As she navigates the world of competitive chess, Mallory finds herself in the orbit of grumpy, hyper focused Nolan. The two prodigies begin to form a friendship that verges on becoming more. But competitive chess is cutthroat and Mallory’s real life is starting to merge with her chess life. Will a relationship survive the intense pressure placed on them or will chess come between them and their fledgling relationship?

Ali Hazelwood can’t write a bad book. Her first young adult novel is as rich and complex as her adult novels. The inclusivity in this book is amazing with bisexual, demisexual, neurodiverse representation. I didn’t like Mallory at first, her martyr complex was off putting, but her character arc was exceptional. Her emotional growth and realization that she couldn’t control everything and needed to allow others to help changed my views. The background of competitive chess was fascinating and fresh. Such a small, insular, misogynistic, and sexist space…a blood sport for the brain. The action was almost entirely cerebral with many big plot points being played out in the mind of the main character. The dialogue was intelligent and witty, sometimes so much so, that it left me feeling like the characters were reading older than the new adults they were supposed to be. The secondary characters were as great as the main characters and brought so much to the table. A stellar, smart read.

Ali Hazelwood did it again! She wrote another wonderful book that I read in one sitting! I absolutely loved this book and the competition in the book. Made me want to learn chess. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley & Penguin Teen for the E-ARC! I loved this book! The relationship was so cute and I loved the characters. Ms. Hazelwood's done it again!!