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A review by sophs_mood_reading
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Ali Hazelwood is an autobuy author for me so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her new book.
One of my favourite aspects of Hazelwoods books is her FMCs are intelligent women who have a field of expertise and are at the top of their game.
For her chess book (as the author put it) we have Mallory who is watching her best friend move to collage while she stays home with her ill mum, two younger sisters and works to pay the bills.
But when she accidentally beats the world number one in a charity chess game, everything changes and she is flung back into the world of chess and all the memories that brings back.
This is a YA romance which still ticks all the Hazelwood boxes for me. Being YA (and closed door romance) we got a lot more insight into Mallory’s personal struggles.
Hazelwood mentions in the authors note that this book was written to highlight her previous work in stereotype threat and you could see this coming out well in the book. Although I would have loved even more as Mallory did get a dream run, I feel a conversation with Defne or another female player could have highlighted this on a more personal level.
As always Hazelwood hit some great plot tropes and inclusions.
♟️ LGBTIA + rep
♟️ He falls first
♟️competitor romance
And if you aren’t a fan of chess please don’t let it turn you off. Yes, chess talk is hugely present but it’s used so well it’s not overbearing.
One of my favourite aspects of Hazelwoods books is her FMCs are intelligent women who have a field of expertise and are at the top of their game.
For her chess book (as the author put it) we have Mallory who is watching her best friend move to collage while she stays home with her ill mum, two younger sisters and works to pay the bills.
But when she accidentally beats the world number one in a charity chess game, everything changes and she is flung back into the world of chess and all the memories that brings back.
This is a YA romance which still ticks all the Hazelwood boxes for me. Being YA (and closed door romance) we got a lot more insight into Mallory’s personal struggles.
Hazelwood mentions in the authors note that this book was written to highlight her previous work in stereotype threat and you could see this coming out well in the book. Although I would have loved even more as Mallory did get a dream run, I feel a conversation with Defne or another female player could have highlighted this on a more personal level.
As always Hazelwood hit some great plot tropes and inclusions.
♟️ LGBTIA + rep
♟️ He falls first
♟️competitor romance
And if you aren’t a fan of chess please don’t let it turn you off. Yes, chess talk is hugely present but it’s used so well it’s not overbearing.