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beatriks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
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
4.25
Ali Hazelwood never disappoints to infuse some feminism, gender topics into her romance novels.
this time on chess, this time in YA-book. Less sex, still emotional growth and warmth, more family relations. Finished this in 48hrs. This is fast for during a work week.
this time on chess, this time in YA-book. Less sex, still emotional growth and warmth, more family relations. Finished this in 48hrs. This is fast for during a work week.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
noellegrace8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a cute read. It focuses less on the relationship than other Hazelwood's. I appreciated that about it in some ways, but I think I would have given it a higher rating if the plot was something I was a bit more passionate about or could relate to. The chess plot was interesting, but in other Hazelwood novels, she makes you interested in it because of the FMC's love for whatever that focus is.
Some of the past memories of Mallory's, as well as some of the interactions between her and Nolan, were underdeveloped and would benefit from some more attention. But I did like both of their characters and appreciate the chess theme. I also loved that Mallory is a mechanic! But I do question the choice to make it seem as if that job is, by nature, a stepping stone to something better or simply a job that a person gets unhappily thrown into all willy-nilly. Altogether, a solid, fun read.
Some of the past memories of Mallory's, as well as some of the interactions between her and Nolan, were underdeveloped and would benefit from some more attention. But I did like both of their characters and appreciate the chess theme. I also loved that Mallory is a mechanic! But I do question the choice to make it seem as if that job is, by nature, a stepping stone to something better or simply a job that a person gets unhappily thrown into all willy-nilly. Altogether, a solid, fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
nafsaila's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this book, but it also had a good development of characters. Would recommend to those that enjoy a fast-paced romance. You didn't have to have a deep understanding of chess.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Dementia
tmlattime's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
I loved this book. Read it in 7 hours, didn't want to put it down. It felt very relatable. The main character experiences a lot of chaos and is forced to grow up fast, having a lot of responsibilities. It’s nice to watch her to something for herself and learn more about herself as the book progresses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual harassment
annieisawesome's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another amazing read by Ali Hazelwood. I absolutely devour every one of her books. I don’t know much about chess (honestly I find it so boring), but she made it very interesting and easy to follow. Even with the main settings revolving around chess they’re not boring or clinical. Her male MCs are always impeccable and so easy to fall in love with. Nolan was no exception. Mallory was a pain in the butt at points, but not enough to make me set it aside. Everyone was very loveable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kathis_wonderland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
Check & Mate is the first young-adult novel by Ali Hazelwood. Mallory swore off playing chess forever but agrees to play at a charity event. There she wins against current world champion Nolan. After that Mallory starts to play chess more and crosses paths with Nolan. But Mallory has many responsibilities at home and Nolan is her rival. However, this does not keep them from coming closer to each other.
I became a massive Ali Hazelwood fan and I am glad that I enjoyed her YA debut as well. It often happens that when authors who usually write spicy books write a young adult novel tend to include explicit spicy scenes in it. This is something I am a bit sceptical as so many young people in their early teens are reading YA and spice is just something that might be too early for them to read. But Ali Hazelwood did well! We cannot expect for eighteen to twenty-year-olds to not think about or have sex. This book had no explicit scenes in it. There were instances where the reader knows what is happening, but nothing explicit.
This love story is really slow to develop! I was rooting for them for a long, long time and couldn't wait for their first kiss. There were so many swoon-worthy scenes. When he trapped her leg between his during dinner. There first kiss. Him just being there to support without showing himself to her. Oh, Nolan is just the cutest. He is so patient. Mallory has a lot on her plate. My heart ached for her. The book actually made me cry towards the end. That hasn't happened in quite a while. But I kind of knew how Mallory was feeling. The overburdening and overwhelming feelings one has when they feel responsible for everything. I have so much respect for her. And it is awesome that we have a bi main character!
I really enjoyed this book. It had some really slow parts and I had to google some chess words as I don't know them in English. But Mallory and Nolan have good chemistry and I love how they love chess. I can highly recommend Ali Hazelwood's books.
I became a massive Ali Hazelwood fan and I am glad that I enjoyed her YA debut as well. It often happens that when authors who usually write spicy books write a young adult novel tend to include explicit spicy scenes in it. This is something I am a bit sceptical as so many young people in their early teens are reading YA and spice is just something that might be too early for them to read. But Ali Hazelwood did well! We cannot expect for eighteen to twenty-year-olds to not think about or have sex. This book had no explicit scenes in it. There were instances where the reader knows what is happening, but nothing explicit.
This love story is really slow to develop! I was rooting for them for a long, long time and couldn't wait for their first kiss. There were so many swoon-worthy scenes. When he trapped her leg between his during dinner. There first kiss. Him just being there to support without showing himself to her. Oh, Nolan is just the cutest. He is so patient. Mallory has a lot on her plate. My heart ached for her. The book actually made me cry towards the end. That hasn't happened in quite a while. But I kind of knew how Mallory was feeling. The overburdening and overwhelming feelings one has when they feel responsible for everything. I have so much respect for her. And it is awesome that we have a bi main character!
I really enjoyed this book. It had some really slow parts and I had to google some chess words as I don't know them in English. But Mallory and Nolan have good chemistry and I love how they love chess. I can highly recommend Ali Hazelwood's books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Dementia, Car accident, and Alcohol
daisyfont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, and Alcohol
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Infertility, Violence, Dementia, Car accident, and Alcohol
boba_nbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
Spice Rating: 🌶️ / 5
Even though I don't know much about chess, I still had so much fun reading Check & Mate.
At just 18 years old, Mallory feels the burden of providing for her mother, who has rheumatoid arthritis, and her two younger sisters. She's been able to until recently, when she got fired from her job as an auto mechanic. But after playing in a charity chess tournament for the first time in years, Mallory receives an offer for a chess fellowship. Even though Mallory swore off chess after her father suddenly passed away, she can't pass up the great salary. Surely she can keep chess at work and not become obsessed with again... right? Mallory has been keeping her chess fellowship secret to protect her family from the unpleasant memories they associate with chess, but after she starts to win tournaments and becomes internet famous, she might not be able to keep the ruse up much longer. And once she gets to know chess champion Nolan Sawyer, Mallory isn't sure she wants to keep her two lives separate anymore. She finally feels seen, and nothing is more terrifying to Mallory than that.
I thought this was such a cute novel! I loved learning more about chess and seeing the gender gap within the chess world. This is such a sweet romance with plenty of emotional backstory.
Even though I don't know much about chess, I still had so much fun reading Check & Mate.
At just 18 years old, Mallory feels the burden of providing for her mother, who has rheumatoid arthritis, and her two younger sisters. She's been able to until recently, when she got fired from her job as an auto mechanic. But after playing in a charity chess tournament for the first time in years, Mallory receives an offer for a chess fellowship. Even though Mallory swore off chess after her father suddenly passed away, she can't pass up the great salary. Surely she can keep chess at work and not become obsessed with again... right? Mallory has been keeping her chess fellowship secret to protect her family from the unpleasant memories they associate with chess, but after she starts to win tournaments and becomes internet famous, she might not be able to keep the ruse up much longer. And once she gets to know chess champion Nolan Sawyer, Mallory isn't sure she wants to keep her two lives separate anymore. She finally feels seen, and nothing is more terrifying to Mallory than that.
I thought this was such a cute novel! I loved learning more about chess and seeing the gender gap within the chess world. This is such a sweet romance with plenty of emotional backstory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Dementia, Car accident, and Alcohol