Reviews

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Only show reviews with written explanations

linngoss's review

Go to review page

5.0

Ali Hazelwood's newest novel Check & Mate, is undiluted joy printed and compiled into 347 pages!

michelleklejmont's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative 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? Yes

3.75

librarygirlreads's review

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.75

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Ali Hazelwood’s switching it up with a YA romance that also has some of the things she’s known for, including a reserved hero who’s hard for the heroine to read.

Check & Mate has a lot to offer and Hazelwood’s voice translates to YA *so* well.

Protagonist Mallory Greenleaf is a witty delight of a heroine who can play chess with tremendous skill, though she’s chosen not to play in years after some family turmoil.

But life intervenes & she ends up making grandmaster Nolan Sawyer’s jaw fall to the floor, quite a feat since he is—as I said earlier—reserved, implacable, & doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.

For a bit at least.

Mallory is a powerhouse lead, doing what she can to provide for her family & take care of her mother who has Rheumatoid Arthritis. She’s a boss & the way she does whatever it takes is admirable, even more so when she follows her heart.

There’s bisexual rep in this one, a hero who makes some pretty sweet gestures, & an exploration of misogyny in the world of chess.

I don’t know anything about chess but this is a really great read that made me excited to see what Ali Hazelwood will write next!

4.5⭐️. Out 11/07.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

readbymelissa's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This had zero reason being THIS good. I couldn’t put it down and I freaking loved and adored Mal & Nolan. I never wanted it to end!

library_kb's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? Yes

4.0

I read an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but thoughts and opinions are my own. I think this should be marketed as New Adult (even though I know that isn't a marketing category necessarily...) rather than YA as the characters are/are over 18 and there are definitely some more mature references throughout which might surprise readers who are expecting YA aimed younger. However, in classic Ali Hazelwood style, the writing is completely consumable--I couldn't put the story down! I always enjoy stories that have unique competitions/sports featured, and definitely liked the depictions of competitive chess--they read very much like a sports novel's description of an action packed game. I thought Nolan had a little more development than some of Hazelwood's other male leads, and I liked the ways that Mal's sisters where characterized--interesting enough to be enjoyable to read about and unique but not overtaking the story focus. I would recommend to mature high schoolers and up.

alissamargaret's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood (@alihazelwood) is a cute YA book about Mallory, a young adult who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders while trying to support her mother and two younger sisters. She used to love chess but stopped playing after after a traumatic incident (which readers will learn about as the book progresses). Her bestie Easton ropes her into playing in a charity tournament and Mallory ends up shockingly beating the #1 rated chess player, Nolan Sawyer. The rest of the book follows how Mallory’s life turns upside down and how events unfold as she navigates situations she never thought she would be in.

I thought this was a cute book! I have enjoyed other books I’ve read by Ali Hazelwood, and was excited to get this as an ARC. While it is technically considered YA, it was spicier than I thought it would be. Nothing graphic but just more open about sex than I thought a YA book would be (I must be getting old, LOL). I was glad to see how sex-positive this book was. Anyways, this was a nice easy read that kept me entertained and wanting more. I will definitely read more Ali Hazelwood books in the future, including any other YA ones she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and author for granting me an ARC. This book is expected to come out in November 2023.