A review by beckyyreadss
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.0

I wanted to read this book because I loved The Love Hypothesis, since then every time Ali Hazelwood announces a new book, I instantly pre-order it and then just patiently wait. This book was disappointing.  

This book follows Mallory Greenleaf, and she is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays. After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mum, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of Chess. Nolan’s loss to an unknown rookie shock everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the game and to Nolan.  

I didn’t like a lot in this book. But I will say I liked Easton. She was the only one that saw through all the bullshit that Mallory was trying to pull. Nolan was adorable and I wished he had been in an adult novel rather than a YA book because I put money on it, that man would have a dirty mouth. It was an easy and quick read, and I didn’t really have to have a lot of thought into it. 

I hate third-act breakup, it is completely not needed especially not in this book over something so stupid. Also, I hate the miscommunication, it drove me nuts. A big argument and kick off over something so small. As it has been said in multiple reviews, the amount of Gen Z/Pop references were driving me up the wall, I just wanted a story where they weren’t references so much random shit. Riverdale didn’t need to get mentioned so many times as it did. Mallory’s sisters drove me up the wall and wanted to smack them most of the book and then had to remember that they were children and not adults. I went into this book being caution because this is supposed to be a YA and not a new adult or smutty book and yet the amount of times Mallory talks about sex or hookups and how many times, she had sex. Not that I'm shaming her if it was a new adult book I would be congratulating her for it, but because it was a young adult book, I don’t think it was needed. 

Hopefully Ali’s next book is better, I don’t know if I’ll read any other of her “young adult” novels but I will read her next new adult book.  
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