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A review by afi_whatafireads
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Leave it to Ali Mother Hazelwood to be inspired to write a chess story after reading a Research Journal on the gender bias, especially in Chess (and yes maam, I did in fact read the paper that one of the characters referenced in here. Love it)
And that is why, whatever Ali Hazelwood writes, I will be biased and love them all anyways. And this one WITH ITS NON EXISTENT SPICE slaps so hard I was giggling, crying and gawking over how nerdy this book is.
And, ladies and gentleman, THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A CONTEMPORARY YA ROMANCE . It checks all the boxes. Not only its a coming-of-age story, BOTH the characters were portrayed really well, especially by their struggles, and, the way Ali Hazelwood actually writes FOR THE WOMEN, yup, we know she's a girl's girl. This book was everything and more, and my gosh, I will not hear any slander of this book because to me? Its perfection.
Let's start off with Mallory. She can be such a pick me girl if not executed well, but, I for one can see myself in Mallory so much, and that's why her character resonated something in me. This book is definitely for the ELDEST DAUGHTERS and for those who didn't believe that you can have a chance on love. Tears were shed, and I learnt a lot from this book as well. Mallory for me is endearing, even if she can be controlling and annoying - but I loved that everyone around her is always there to slap some senses in her.
and, *sighs* no one writes beautiful FICTIONAL men than Ali Hazelwood can, cause mygosh I don't even like trust fund babies, but for Nolan, Imma adopt this boy ;') I swear I love how their relationship progresses and the ANGST????? You would have to think I was reading 5 pages of spicy scenes, but NO, THEY WERE PLAYING CHESS AND IT WAS SO ANGSTY I WAS SQUEALING.
And that brings me to point three..... I LOVE HOW NERDY THIS BOOK IS. As a fan and occasional player of chess, reading Queen's Gambit was something... but reading this? Damn. Its just felt like a book written by a nerd for a nerd, even if its in different fonts. The way the romance was built up? Yeah please Nolan was so down bad for her I can't I love them to pieces.
Honestly, its always hard to write about a book that you love. There's so much emotions when I was reading this, and I love it to a point of no return. This book has my whole heart and AGH please, Ali Hazelwood and her agenda in pointing out the discrimination of women in STEM and men-dominating industries will forever be supported by me.
This one has my whole heart. I love it to pieces.
Definitely did a checkmate on my heart.
5 infinite 🌟 ! Thank you to Times Reads for this copy <3
And that is why, whatever Ali Hazelwood writes, I will be biased and love them all anyways. And this one WITH ITS NON EXISTENT SPICE slaps so hard I was giggling, crying and gawking over how nerdy this book is.
And, ladies and gentleman, THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A CONTEMPORARY YA ROMANCE . It checks all the boxes. Not only its a coming-of-age story, BOTH the characters were portrayed really well, especially by their struggles, and, the way Ali Hazelwood actually writes FOR THE WOMEN, yup, we know she's a girl's girl. This book was everything and more, and my gosh, I will not hear any slander of this book because to me? Its perfection.
Let's start off with Mallory. She can be such a pick me girl if not executed well, but, I for one can see myself in Mallory so much, and that's why her character resonated something in me. This book is definitely for the ELDEST DAUGHTERS and for those who didn't believe that you can have a chance on love. Tears were shed, and I learnt a lot from this book as well. Mallory for me is endearing, even if she can be controlling and annoying - but I loved that everyone around her is always there to slap some senses in her.
and, *sighs* no one writes beautiful FICTIONAL men than Ali Hazelwood can, cause mygosh I don't even like trust fund babies, but for Nolan, Imma adopt this boy ;') I swear I love how their relationship progresses and the ANGST????? You would have to think I was reading 5 pages of spicy scenes, but NO, THEY WERE PLAYING CHESS AND IT WAS SO ANGSTY I WAS SQUEALING.
And that brings me to point three..... I LOVE HOW NERDY THIS BOOK IS. As a fan and occasional player of chess, reading Queen's Gambit was something... but reading this? Damn. Its just felt like a book written by a nerd for a nerd, even if its in different fonts. The way the romance was built up? Yeah please Nolan was so down bad for her I can't I love them to pieces.
Honestly, its always hard to write about a book that you love. There's so much emotions when I was reading this, and I love it to a point of no return. This book has my whole heart and AGH please, Ali Hazelwood and her agenda in pointing out the discrimination of women in STEM and men-dominating industries will forever be supported by me.
This one has my whole heart. I love it to pieces.
Definitely did a checkmate on my heart.
5 infinite 🌟 ! Thank you to Times Reads for this copy <3