Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

27 reviews

laheath's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A fun, sweet romance about strong female characters involved in a predominantly male world.  Similar to the author's adult novels, this YA novel presents some of the stereotypes and harassment faced by women in STEM, this time being competitive chess.  Fortunately, most of the men are respectful.  This would be challenging to read without at least a basic knowledge of chess terminology and how it is played.  Considering this is YA, there are some pretty serious issues in the characters' backstories, so be aware of the trigger warnings.

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emilywemily6's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Ugh. I really loved some things about this book but was bothered by so much. I liked the backdrop of chess, though I felt like while chess was a main focus of the book, it was pretty superficial throughout. I loved Nolan- he was the sweetest! But I didn’t see any reason for him to be in love with Mallory. Honestly there was no chemistry. The voice of this book was hilarious and I laughed a ton at some of the phrasing. But I despised Mallory. She carried too much burden, a lot of which was not her burden to bear, and she didn’t communicate her needs to her family. She ran away from any smidgeon of conflict and was really daft when it came to Nolan for most of the book. And the third act conflict was totally because of her misconceptions and her pouting. It was really dull to keep reading about her stupid choices outside of chess matches. Also, this book mentioned sex/spicy stuff and yet was super vague! So I still wasn’t convinced about Mallory and Nolan’s relationship. And the ending totally skipped over the final chess match which was a missed opportunity, though I liked the epilogue. I’m glad I didn’t buy this book, but my time feels a little wasted because this book went a lot of places I didn’t like.
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itsjustkatereading's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

the tension, the pining, the passion. *chefs kiss*

It’s a big statement to make but… I think this might be my favourite book (if not joint favourite) from Ali Hazelwood yet. It had everything I love in a rom-com; 10/10 characters who are fleshed out and well developed, high and emotional stakes, slow burn but gallons of chemistry and so much more. This was a delight to read and I’m keeping my fingers crossed it gets a companion sequel as with Ali’s adult romances because I couldn’t get enough of this.
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sarahyjackson's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Queen’s Gambit meets the CW and I adored it. 
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uranaishi's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book simultaneously wrecked me and was everything to me.  Mallory is no stranger to being female in male-dominated spaces.  Before she secretly re-entered the chess world after a four-year hiatus, she supported her family as a mechanic.  But a surprise checkmate against the world’s top player upends her life in ways she never expected.  A queer queen of hookups and avoider of emotional connection, Mallory may have finally found her perfect match—Nolan, the only person who sees chess the way she does: beautiful, artistic, all-consuming.  The sexual tension between them is unrivaled, and each is healing from family trauma.  This is a story of a gifted young woman who dares to follow her dream.
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lizgriffinwords's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love Ali Hazelwood with my whole chest and I truly consider this book her best work yet!! The vulnerability and rawness of Mallory’s POV hit me so deeply, as someone who played tons of chess with my own dad. And as a woman in a male dominated career field, I ached and raged alongside her with all the sexism she puts up with.

And Nolan is glorious. Chess > sex always.

CW: parental abandonment, family member death (in past), chronic illness, realistic sexism, infrequent strong language
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