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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
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book simultaneously wrecked me and was everything to me. Mallory is no stranger to being female in male-dominated spaces. Before she secretly re-entered the chess world after a four-year hiatus, she supported her family as a mechanic. But a surprise checkmate against the world’s top player upends her life in ways she never expected. A queer queen of hookups and avoider of emotional connection, Mallory may have finally found her perfect match—Nolan, the only person who sees chess the way she does: beautiful, artistic, all-consuming. The sexual tension between them is unrivaled, and each is healing from family trauma. This is a story of a gifted young woman who dares to follow her dream.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, and Car accident
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