A review by readingtheskyline
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked this book. It's very rare in media where
you see male characters who love their partners to death yet still are stoic.
The main thing I didn't like was the whole point of Mallory’s character development,
It took her so long to realize why she was so uptight regarding chess and emotional vulnerability. Though, that talk with Oz at the end, was so cathartic, finally getting to see that characters in the universe also thought she was being silly was awesome.

I liked Nolan, he was such a character! He was the dark and mysterious type that I think many women find appealing because he has that mystique without being a total dick. 
Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and this author's writing style and ability to make all the characters in her books seem to have so much personality, even side characters.
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