Scan barcode
alexxmichelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really really enjoyed this book! I picked it up cause I like romance but I honestly would have enjoyed it without the romance. This is a weird pull but Nolans dominance reminded me of 2023 Max Verstappen specifically when during the challengers the other players say that they don't even think about beating him cause no one can. Sweet romance, interesting plot, good character development, and I learned a little about chess. Lost a star because I don’t think this should be classified as YA. I would not give this book to anyone under 14. There is no graphic sex but sex is talked about quite a lot and there are some more adult themes. <There is also a third act breakup that felt silly and unnecessary> My inly other critique is that she does tend to use the same basic formula for all her books. But ya know if it works it works cause I (and plenty of other people) eat it up every time. That being said overall a lovely book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
nicoles_reading_corner's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Misogyny
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Car accident
pianokeys's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
easefcik's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was enjoyable although it drove me nuts that one of her younger sister was such spoiled brat for much of the book. The martyr thing she had going was understandable yet frustrating. I also felt like the attempt to have the main character be this sexually empowered character, was spoiled by the fact that it seemed like all the meaningless sex for pleasure was an unhealthy coping mechanism and the unhealthy/potentially unsafe part of meeting strangers was never addressed. But it was fun nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Dementia
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
clairebartholomew549's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I put off reading this despite my absolute love for Ali Hazelwood (I've been pre-ordering her books since Love on the Brain, lol) because I'm not a huge fan of YA romance - unfortunately, I need my smut, lmao! Thankfully, as my favorite book Instagrammer Beach Reads & Bubbly put it in her review, this book is absolutely brimming with sexual tension, and despite no overt sex scenes, there is a lot of steamy content. Ali is so good at taking opaque and esoteric fields that are not that easily digestible to a layperson and making them make sense - I know nothing about chess, and I was able to follow all of this relatively easily - and she always exposes the sexism and misogyny inherent in those fields with a deft and light touch. I loved Mallory as a character, and I adored her family and the way their ecosystem operated. That was one benefit of Ali writing YA - in her other books her characters are grown-ups and we don't get to see a lot of how they grew up, and of course Mallory's family is so central to her story. As usual, the found family aspect is also quite strong. I just love Ali's books so much! I'm pumped to read Ali's newest book Not in Love, which is supposed to be her steamiest yet, squeal!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Sexual content
ka_schulze's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Dementia
filipa_maia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After reading 'Bride' I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. I think my brain was conditioned to expect one thing and got the exact opposite.
I loved this story so much. I really like Mallory (although I found her annoying sometimes) - I appreciate her sense of family and the fact that she simply feels like supporting them; and I really like Nolan - he's just a good guy who learned the hard way how to grow up alone surrounded by cameras. They are perfect for each other.
And I loved the ending - everything was exactly as it should be.
P.S.: I love Oz, he is my favorite character.
I loved this story so much. I really like Mallory (although I found her annoying sometimes) - I appreciate her sense of family and the fact that she simply feels like supporting them; and I really like Nolan - he's just a good guy who learned the hard way how to grow up alone surrounded by cameras. They are perfect for each other.
And I loved the ending - everything was exactly as it should be.
P.S.: I love Oz, he is my favorite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, and Abandonment
Minor: Car accident and Sexual harassment
passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the writing. I love all the chess! I liked Nolan and his friends. I didn't like Mallory 's relationship with her family or with Nolan. Mallory is a well written character, but I didn't connect with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Car accident