A review by icarusandthesun
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

exasperating and unrealistic.
the feminist commentary did little to spice things up. the way mallory and her family didn't communicate for the longest time was the worst – i didn't like her nor her weird family with both sisters being annoying to the moon and back. there was nothing cute or comforting about their family dynamic. the only person who didn't piss me off all of the time was nolan, because he seemed sensible, and like an emotionally mature person and was the most relatable with the way he didn't whine about absolutely everything. 
the chess in this chess romance was alright, the references to chess players and moves plenty, so at least one can't complain about that.
i thought mallory's backstory was overdramatized and so over-the-top, i couldn't really sympathise with her at all. there was basically no conflict in this book that couldn't have been solved by a medium-long serious conversation.
not one of ali hazelwood's best books, imo.
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