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astridrc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
Ali Hazelwood just keep getting better and better. This is her first YA novel and though I kind of missed the spice the chemestry these MC had made up for it. I've read so many spicy books in which the romance was just so bland, felt so inauthentic. Miss Hazelwood never fails in that regard.
There are so many side characters and they're all so fun and essential to the story.
And obviously, the whole chess setting was incredibly interesting and fun.
Overall, this was fun, insightful, full of postive, healthy messages. It's honestly all I want from a romance book.
There are so many side characters and they're all so fun and essential to the story.
And obviously, the whole chess setting was incredibly interesting and fun.
Overall, this was fun, insightful, full of postive, healthy messages. It's honestly all I want from a romance book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Infidelity, and Death of parent
addieabarnett's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident and Drug use
albare's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness
_mariethln's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity, Chronic illness, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
georgiaisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
wrappingpaper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
ALI HAZELWOOD MY QUEEENNNNN
this book has the best representation of gen z internet and pop culture I’ve ever seen in a book.
It actually felt real and so did all the characters. They were beautifully flawed and they just felt so HUMAN. I loved them all (apart from Koch obv) and I would gladly read another book about them.
As always not only was this read entertaining I also learnt a bunch abt how the chess world works. Thank you dear author for enriching my general knowledge through fun romance novels!!
I could go on and on about why this book was great but I’ll restrain myself and just say if you’re debating it just go ahead and READ IT.
this book has the best representation of gen z internet and pop culture I’ve ever seen in a book.
It actually felt real and so did all the characters. They were beautifully flawed and they just felt so HUMAN. I loved them all (apart from Koch obv) and I would gladly read another book about them.
As always not only was this read entertaining I also learnt a bunch abt how the chess world works. Thank you dear author for enriching my general knowledge through fun romance novels!!
I could go on and on about why this book was great but I’ll restrain myself and just say if you’re debating it just go ahead and READ IT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Car accident
reallyrosalie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Misogyny, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
aysha_blake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol, Car accident, Chronic illness, and Alcoholism
Minor: Classism
schnat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
I love Ali Hazelwood’s books, and Check & Mate did not disappoint. To be honest, I think it’s better than her more recent adult novels because it’s less of a cliché (Nolan, the male main character is still super tall and handsome etc. but it’s not as focused on the height difference as her other books).
Personally, I don’t really like it when characters blame themselves for the actions of others, but it’s bearable in this book.
And I’m ok with classifying it as YA, it’s fade to black and the main characters are in there late teens (early twenties in the epilogue).
Truly loved the story and the characters, great book.
Hazelwood’s writing style is superb as always, I couldn’t put this book down and read until 1:30 am or so haha.
And I’m ok with classifying it as YA, it’s fade to black and the main characters are in there late teens (early twenties in the epilogue).
Truly loved the story and the characters, great book.
Hazelwood’s writing style is superb as always, I couldn’t put this book down and read until 1:30 am or so haha.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Sexism
this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well, as someone who frequently discusses her issues with Ali Hazelwood books, COLOR ME SURPRISED. I've noticed that Ali's writing has improved with every subsequent book, but this one blew her others out of the water! It was wonderful! I loved every single second of it. The premise is fresh and original - how often do we get romances set in the world of chess? Do I know how to play chess? Absolutely not. Was it absolutely riveting? You bet!
I loved these characters so much. Their depth, their chemistry, their lives - everything seemed believable, which I find is hard to come by in Ali's other books. Mallory's struggles were my struggles because I felt like I was right there with her - that's how well she jumped off the page. And Nolan? PHEW. I knew nerds were hot but damn.
I will say that I don't think this is YA as much as NA, but I guess that's semantics.
I loved these characters so much. Their depth, their chemistry, their lives - everything seemed believable, which I find is hard to come by in Ali's other books. Mallory's struggles were my struggles because I felt like I was right there with her - that's how well she jumped off the page. And Nolan? PHEW. I knew nerds were hot but damn.
I will say that I don't think this is YA as much as NA, but I guess that's semantics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident