Scan barcode
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
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.b_addie_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
I didn’t have many expectations going into this book other than a quick YA romance but BOY were they exceeded. Nolan is the cutest sweetest book boyfriend ever. A nice little break from the violent morally gray assholes everywhere these days. He’s still kinda broody and has his share of issues but his dry humor, quiet self-confidence, and “I only want you” type of love had me giggling and swooning the whole time. Mallory’s eldest daughter, responsible for all mindset was so real and relatable even if at times a little frustrating but it made her journey towards finally making decisions for her own wants and goals so much more satisfying. I honestly loved this book and enjoyed every second of it. Plus yay for bi/pan and gray/ace representation! It was a sweet afternoon read and I look forward to reading more from Ali Hazelwood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Car accident, Death of parent, and Outing
sophie19611'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Great Valentine’s Day read! Like The Queen’s Gambit but lighthearted and less drug addiction lol
This was really enjoyable! I had a great time with these characters (even if the main girl as many of Hazelwood’s FMCs tend to be just needed to SAY WHAT SHE WAS FEELING). I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters, the family conflict, the friendship, and even the chess despite knowing nothing about it.
I suddenly have the urge to rewatch The Queen’s Gambit lol
This was really enjoyable! I had a great time with these characters (even if the main girl as many of Hazelwood’s FMCs tend to be just needed to SAY WHAT SHE WAS FEELING). I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters, the family conflict, the friendship, and even the chess despite knowing nothing about it.
I suddenly have the urge to rewatch The Queen’s Gambit lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Outing, and Alcohol
memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
another banger by ali hazelwood. i loved these characters and reading this after just bingeing the queen’s gambit for the first time was the perfect pairing. it was sweet and emotional and funny and enjoyable like all of ali’s books.
the only difference is that there was no spice, it was more of a fade-to-black. which i was initially disappointed by as i enjoy ali’s spice but then i remembered that she wrote the fmc to be 18.
to be honest i completely forgot until i was reminded, as the way she wrote character felt more early to mid 20s as i related to a lot of what she did and felt and the character wasn’t in school, had a full time job and was the parent of the household so she felt much older than she was. but it didn’t take away from the story at all and i really enjoyed it, even all the chess!
the only difference is that there was no spice, it was more of a fade-to-black. which i was initially disappointed by as i enjoy ali’s spice but then i remembered that she wrote the fmc to be 18.
to be honest i completely forgot until i was reminded, as the way she wrote character felt more early to mid 20s as i related to a lot of what she did and felt and the character wasn’t in school, had a full time job and was the parent of the household so she felt much older than she was. but it didn’t take away from the story at all and i really enjoyed it, even all the chess!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Car accident, Outing, and Alcohol
justinareads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Outing
britwalsh16'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ali Hazelwood has done it again, & though it isn’t my favorite book of hers. I absolutely could not put it down.
I loved Mallory and her struggle with dealing with her guilt & grief throughout the book, but who was she kidding when she said she wouldn’t get sucked back into the world she never stopped loving! Lol
And Nolan! Omg! I LOVE Nolan! He isn’t what you expect when you are told all the stories about him near the beginning. But the love at first sight that he got for Mal when he finally looked up from the chess board when she beat him, what girl wouldn’t want him to fall for them! He fell so hard, & he tried so hard to win Mal over! He is just the sweetest!!! I want a Nolan for myself!!! 🥰🥰🥰
I loved Mallory and her struggle with dealing with her guilt & grief throughout the book, but who was she kidding when she said she wouldn’t get sucked back into the world she never stopped loving! Lol
And Nolan! Omg! I LOVE Nolan! He isn’t what you expect when you are told all the stories about him near the beginning. But the love at first sight that he got for Mal when he finally looked up from the chess board when she beat him, what girl wouldn’t want him to fall for them! He fell so hard, & he tried so hard to win Mal over! He is just the sweetest!!! I want a Nolan for myself!!! 🥰🥰🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Outing, and Abandonment
ryanbada's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Outing