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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
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
exasperating and unrealistic.
the feminist commentary did little to spice things up. the way mallory and her family didn't communicate for the longest time was the worst – i didn't like her nor her weird family with both sisters being annoying to the moon and back. there was nothing cute or comforting about their family dynamic. the only person who didn't piss me off all of the time was nolan, because he seemed sensible, and like an emotionally mature person and was the most relatable with the way he didn't whine about absolutely everything.
the chess in this chess romance was alright, the references to chess players and moves plenty, so at least one can't complain about that.
i thought mallory's backstory was overdramatized and so over-the-top, i couldn't really sympathise with her at all. there was basically no conflict in this book that couldn't have been solved by a medium-long serious conversation.
not one of ali hazelwood's best books, imo.
the feminist commentary did little to spice things up. the way mallory and her family didn't communicate for the longest time was the worst – i didn't like her nor her weird family with both sisters being annoying to the moon and back. there was nothing cute or comforting about their family dynamic. the only person who didn't piss me off all of the time was nolan, because he seemed sensible, and like an emotionally mature person and was the most relatable with the way he didn't whine about absolutely everything.
the chess in this chess romance was alright, the references to chess players and moves plenty, so at least one can't complain about that.
i thought mallory's backstory was overdramatized and so over-the-top, i couldn't really sympathise with her at all. there was basically no conflict in this book that couldn't have been solved by a medium-long serious conversation.
not one of ali hazelwood's best books, imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Car accident
sweetteaandfiction's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood doesn’t feel like a YA novel as much as it does a standard Ali contemporary romance, except the sex scenes fade to black instead of making you sweat.
PROS:
♟️I genuinely love chess
🤍The sexism was portrayed in a painfully accurate way
♟️The oldest, middle, and youngest child syndromes
🤍The slow acceptance of her “rivals” affection
♟️Keeping their private life private
CONS:
🤍I hate a third act break up
♟️The internalized hatred and blame
🤍MOST (but not all) men
♟️The burden of adults’ physical and mental illness on their family, while done well, was a hard read.
🤍Rejection of innate talent because of the selfish actions of others.
♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️ out of five castled Queens
PROS:
♟️I genuinely love chess
🤍The sexism was portrayed in a painfully accurate way
♟️The oldest, middle, and youngest child syndromes
🤍The slow acceptance of her “rivals” affection
♟️Keeping their private life private
CONS:
🤍I hate a third act break up
♟️The internalized hatred and blame
🤍MOST (but not all) men
♟️The burden of adults’ physical and mental illness on their family, while done well, was a hard read.
🤍Rejection of innate talent because of the selfish actions of others.
♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️ out of five castled Queens
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
4.0
My thoughts:
- the main character wasn't awful, but gosh girl was soooo dumb half the time
- love interest was highly unrealistic
- was an addicting read
- not a huge fan of the romance in this one
- I was more enthralled with Mallory healing and having a healthy workplace environment
- why was chess so sexual in this?
- overall a light fun fast read
- the main character wasn't awful, but gosh girl was soooo dumb half the time
- love interest was highly unrealistic
- was an addicting read
- not a huge fan of the romance in this one
- I was more enthralled with Mallory healing and having a healthy workplace environment
- why was chess so sexual in this?
- overall a light fun fast read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Outing
rachelann88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.5
Very engaging, all my favorite tropes. Wish the pacing at the end was a little different.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexism, and Death of parent
ireevesy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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's first YA novel, and I liked it! It was very cute (without being condescending) and I could see the difference between this and Ali's other works, both in the characters and their personalities and in the plot etc. Yes, Nolan might not be super developed and is in real need of a bit more detail at times, but when I think that the story is through the eyes of an 18/19 year old, that makes sense to me! Something I will reread :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
taliabasma's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
I was engaged in the plot even though the FML was very much an extreme version of her flaws. That said I have a similar flaw - oldest sibling syndrome ig so I def understood it and respected the character growth.
ML was cute and just the perfect amount of into her haha
ML was cute and just the perfect amount of into her haha
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
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
funshine3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Infidelity
Minor: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
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