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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
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Another fun, easy Ali Hazelwood read. I loved seeing a bisexual main character who is comfortable with her sexuality.
I will say that all Hazelwood male characters need to take a class on consent and boundaries. Hanging out with your ex's little sisters after you break up is...weird. Mallory's unbelivable success in the chess world also requires a healthy suspension of disbelief verging on straight up not thinking too much about it. This is also very much not a YA and more of an adult romance with fade to black sex scenes (but sexual themes are extremely present throughout).
With all this said, if you like Hazelwood, this is a fun one.
I will say that all Hazelwood male characters need to take a class on consent and boundaries. Hanging out with your ex's little sisters after you break up is...weird. Mallory's unbelivable success in the chess world also requires a healthy suspension of disbelief verging on straight up not thinking too much about it. This is also very much not a YA and more of an adult romance with fade to black sex scenes (but sexual themes are extremely present throughout).
With all this said, if you like Hazelwood, this is a fun one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Car accident
nixdrafts's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.0
She's the worst, omfg. I love Nolan tho, marry me, pls!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Dementia, and Car accident
lkristin2018's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
This is a romance set in the world of international competitive chess. However, it’s also a coming of age book, and a book where the two main characters deal with challenging family issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide and Outing
There was not an actual suicide, but several examples of characters making jokes about suicide.kalefactory's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism and Car accident
dai_renee410's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment
fkshg8465's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Too sappy and far too whiny for my taste
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Classism
cookiemonster0_0's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
jencolumb0's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Another deeply satisfying Ali Hazelwood delight, filled with funny observations, spice, and (mostly) charming characters. (The characters who are not charming get what they deserve and it is satisfying too.)
My own lack of familiarity with chess made the (comforting) tropes feel less predictable. (Though, in the notes, Hazelwood acknowledges that she took a fair amount of liberty with chess details to make the story work out well. I would expect that, if you are a true chess nerd, this book might be annoying . . . and I’d actually be curious as to what is off, technically, about this book. An annotated copy would be super interesting. I digress.)
Mallory & Nolan are easy to ship. Arguably more importantly, as the book unfolds, it’s lovely to see Mallory put down a lot of the things she’s been carrying because she realizes that relationships can be repaired and she’s not as alone as she thinks she is: it doesn’t have to be, forever, as hard as it has been.
Somewhat relatedly, I really appreciated the discussion in the book of casual sex. Mallory is down, depicted (generally) being responsible about it (the wisdom and safety of hooking up in a car in an otherwise public place raises questions but, throughout the book, there are clear statements of heterosexual couples relying on condoms when engaging in penetrative sex ), clear that “sex” is about sharing of bodies for pleasure and not just p-in-v penetration that can lead to babies, and gives a clearly-articulated explanation as to why she chooses to share her body with the folks she does. The book is fade-to-black (which Hazelwood, naturally, still manages to make steamy but I would call the pre-fade scenes PG-13 at best). Nolan is coded as shades of Ace (or, alternatively, Pan, with Mallory being the only person he’s ever been interested in having sex with ) SO, reviews that complain about too much discussion of sex are . . . slut-shaming a fictional 18-year-old?? That’s messed up.
Personally, I found this to be a sex-positive delight that slips in neatly between binges of Heartstopper and Sex Education. Bravissima, Ali Hazelwood!
My own lack of familiarity with chess made the (comforting) tropes feel less predictable. (Though, in the notes, Hazelwood acknowledges that she took a fair amount of liberty with chess details to make the story work out well. I would expect that, if you are a true chess nerd, this book might be annoying . . . and I’d actually be curious as to what is off, technically, about this book. An annotated copy would be super interesting. I digress.)
Mallory & Nolan are easy to ship. Arguably more importantly, as the book unfolds, it’s lovely to see Mallory put down a lot of the things she’s been carrying because she realizes that relationships can be repaired and she’s not as alone as she thinks she is: it doesn’t have to be, forever, as hard as it has been.
Somewhat relatedly, I really appreciated the discussion in the book of casual sex. Mallory is down, depicted (generally) being responsible about it (
Personally, I found this to be a sex-positive delight that slips in neatly between binges of Heartstopper and Sex Education. Bravissima, Ali Hazelwood!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident and Classism
The bullying and misogyny are challenged. The CWs listed as “moderate” are the avenues in which folks in the book experience abandonment (plus “chronic illness”).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