This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This second-chance romance between two complex, deeply imperfect people was an emotional rollercoaster—in the best way. Scarlett and Jaime are both dealing with heavy baggage: an incarcerated parent, emotional trauma, sexism, and the lingering pain of a devastating breakup. Their personal histories are so messy and complicated, which makes their journey all the more gripping.

The angst is real in this one. There were so many moments when I just wanted to shake them both and beg them to stop running from each other—and their feelings—and just talk. But that slow-burn tension is part of what makes their eventual reconnection so satisfying. Barry gives Scarlett and Jaime the time and space to grow into better, more open versions of themselves. Their journey toward honesty, communication, and acceptance feels hard-earned and genuine.

On top of that, the way chess is woven into the story is brilliant. It’s such a clever metaphor for the push and pull of their relationship. It wasn’t just about the game—it became a powerful symbol of strategy, patience, and the risks they had to take to truly reconnect after so many years apart.

If you love romance with depth, complexity, and a whole lot of angst, this one’s for you. It’s a slow burn, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Bold Move Review:

I love the title of this book! The reference, both to chess and the dynamic between Jaime and Scarlett, is clever and spot on. Right from the beginning of this book, I was hooked. The alternating perspectives gave us a look in the headspace for each character, and enhanced our understanding of the character actions. I was drawn in by the way that we were given hints about the trauma and hardships in both pasts, and that the mystery persisted as we watched them reconnect. I constantly found myself thinking, “What on EARTH could Scarlett have done?” and trying to brainstorm possibilities. I enjoyed the humor that was woven throughout this book- it was often unexpected humor found in Jaime’s self-deprecating thoughts or Scarlett’s stubbornness. Reading this book made me want to go on a documentary-watching tear, with a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work and effort.

Seventeen years after their devastating breakup, exes Jaime Croft and Scarlett Arbuthnot are forced back into each other's lives to work on adapting Scarlett’s memoir. Jaime, a film director desperate to prove his artistic range, sees the project as his chance to shine. For Scarlett, a chess grandmaster who’s faced endless pressure and scrutiny in her career, it’s just another challenge she can conquer—until the close quarters start stirring up old feelings.

As they dive into Scarlett’s story, the process unearths painful memories, unresolved emotions, and undeniable chemistry. Jaime still wrestles with the heartbreak Scarlett caused, while she hides a secret she’s sure would make him hate her even more.

This was my first read from this author and I really enjoyed this. As someone who has enjoyed chess-themed stories like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, Check Mate by Ali Hazelwood, and The Queen’s Gambit, I loved how much chess was woven into this story. Scarlett’s role as a chess grandmaster was great, it's nice to see a woman representing in a typically male field. Jamie's terrible chess skills added a fun, lighthearted element.

The relationship between Scarlett and Jaime was beautifully layered. Reuniting after 17 years apart and working on her memoir, their interactions were full of tension, unresolved emotions, and undeniable chemistry. I appreciated the slow, deliberate way they confronted their past hurt and gradually found their way back to each other. Their sexual chemistry was intense and well-written, but what stood out most was the emotional growth both characters went through. Scarlett’s and Jaime’s differing natures sometimes clashed, but ultimately, they learned to meet each other in the middle.

The story also tackled some heavier themes, which added complexity without overwhelming the romance. Scarlett’s resilience in the face of systemic challenges made her an incredibly compelling protagonist, and I loved seeing her moments of vulnerability, too. Jaime’s need to prove himself in his career and his personal struggles felt equally well-developed, and watching him learn to trust Scarlett and step back when needed was deeply satisfying. This book had such a great balance of humor, spice, and emotional depth.

This was a fun premise and I enjoyed the chess involvement throughout the novel (thank you, Queen's Gambit, for giving me an overview before I read this!)
However I really struggled with Jamie's POVs as he was constantly describing Scarlett's appearance and this made their connection feel a lot less authentic.

This novel is incredibly well written. There is a lot of internal turmoil for the characters, and it drags out over a year in the book. But you’re still rooting for this second chance up until the end.

I thought this had a lot of promise at the beginning. At 50% I got bored and nothing was really happening… they finally got together and then nothing much was really happening again. I skimmed the last 40%.’

I just loved it, it's my favourite book by Emma Barry.

It's a high heat, emotionally intense romance that doesn't shy away from difficult topics - his father is in prison for life, her mother is the opposite of a caring parent, she is facing sexism in sports, he is under pressure to prove himself in the movie industry.

All this is just the background of their relationship and what a relationship it is. They started as high school lovers then went through a most devastating breakup, going no-contact for 15+ years, to a very intense, emotionally challenging, sexually explosive relationship in the present day. What I really liked how the author gave them time to come to terms with their feelings - feelings of hurt and hatred and disappointment, to I-can-no-longer-live-without-that-person feelings. There was nothing rushed, well the sexual chemistry was there from the start and they didn't shy away from it too long, but great sex didn't solve their issues. They both were not ready for a/that relationship.

She is strong and independent and I loved her for it. Yet, she also needed care and someone to lean on when things get rough, she just couldn't admit it, even to herself.

He, on the other hand, was all about taking care of people. This is his love language though can get too much, too smothering and he needed to learn how to let others be themselves, trust them to appreciate/love him for who he is.

I really, really liked how both of them grew and changed in order to have a healthy relationship, yet neither demanded that change from the other person. They realised they loved the other with all their faults and weaknesses. He, especially, put it very clearly that his life is infinitely better with her in it than without her. I found it so powerful, it's simply put but it very much fits with my understanding of love.

Oh, and there is chess, so much chess. I can't play myself though I know the rules in general and very much enjoyed how present was the game in the story. The heroine is a chess grand master and the games is very defining of her personality. And he is so bad at it, it's hilarious. I feel this fitted so well with their personalities- she is a strategist in life, as well as in sports, he is very much an open book, spur of the moment type of person.

CW: loved one in prison, parental neglect, sexism,

Adult contemporary romance. Jamie Croft still lives in his hometown, where he dealt with the fallout of his Dad's very public arrest as a teen. The girl he loved in high school, Scarlett Arbuthnot, left as soon as she could and hasn't been back. But now Jamie has become a successful independent producer and Scarlett has risen to fame as a chess grandmaster. She just released a memoir on her journey into the male-dominated world of chess. And Jamie wants to adapt it for film.

Scarlett and Jamie both have unresolved feelings for each other. Can they work together without falling in bed, or in love? This was a steamy second-chance romance with a full cast of characters. I couldn't put it down!

Advanced digital copy provided by Netgalley.