Check & Mate

I have loved reading Hazelwood's novels not just because the plot is interesting but also that het protagonists are work oriented — and not just obsessed with the lead. Having read all her books till now, Check and Mate is as a delightful read and I would rank it as high as her debut, the much acclaimed — Love Hypothesis!

Okay so this was a very cute read, I really liked both the main characters. I could relate with Mallory and her breakdown towards the end really made me cry. Nolan was such a sweet man, he encouraged Mal and never let her feel like she was less. I wanted them to work because they were obviously very good for each other. The plot sometimes felt boring but still I read it in one sitting. I felt like some side characters were good while some were annoying and the epilogue could've been written better. So overall I enjoyed reading this book but it wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be tbh.

It was such a cute and fun read. I felt like it was too short but that’s because I only wanted more Mallory and Nolan moments!

Told from a teenager's perspective, it's no surprise that the emotions in this story run high and wild.Mallory’s character is raw and chaotic, bottling up her feelings for years out of guilt. She’s a teenager burdened by the belief that it’s her responsibility to care for her family because, in her mind, she caused it to fall apart.Each character plays a crucial role in Mallory's journey of self-discovery, helping her break free from the chains of guilt she’s carried for over four years.While Nolan is the main male lead, the game of chess almost overshadows him, acting as the true second lead of the book.For chess fans, this book will hit home with its chess-heavy focus, revolving around competitive tournaments all the way to the world championship. Check & Mate is a solid coming-of-age read.

I didn’t expect it to be this good but it was amazing. I loved reading this one! Ali never disappoints :)

Loved it. Attention to all characters and storyline. It comes together perfectly. 4.9/5, saving the .1 for more such books

seriously i am in love with this book. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 how does anyone write such amazing books (it’s a blessing istg)

Chess, Young Adults, Enemies to Lovers, also he falls first tropes has Ali Hazelwood venturing into the genre of sports romance of sports, away from her genre of STEM! Check and Mate!Mallory has brought herself really away from Chess, it's what she believes broke her family and also killed her dad. Striving hard to provide both monetarily and mentally for her family of two younger sisters and unwell mom, she seems to have taken on the world at hand with all of its burdens. She blames herself for all of it and in spite of being a prodigy, she is working at a garage to earn cash. A charitable chess event which is cajoled into, however, changes her track onto the board again!She defeats the 'King Killer' in a surprising turn of events. Nolan 'King Killer' Sawyer has not lost a match since forever and how he takes this defeat is what takes us onto the story!Nolan has stood undeafeated for a long time and hi defeat actually starts with Mal s start to climbing the charts. With the help of a trust fund, she trains and starts competing at the same time. How they will cross paths, share their stories, unite against rogues in chess, involve in with family and friends but never play against each other is what will bring us to the climax!Maybe not my fav by Ali but the perspectives are all there, I think the camaraderie amongst Mals sisters and mom, her longing for college and both of them learning to kind of forgive themselves for the past are parts that attracted me. Obviously there is a detailed view of current chess tournament playouts and I was quite interested to know those processes as well!

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood is a sweet and enchanting romance that perfectly blends the excitement of competitive chess with the slow-burn chemistry of an opposites-attract love story. Hazelwood has a knack for creating lovable, relatable characters, and in this book, she brings together two people who couldn’t be more different, yet their connection is undeniable. The novel is brimming with Hazelwood's signature humor and heartfelt moments, but it’s the emotional depth and tenderness that make this story stand out.The relationship between Malory and Nolan is what gives Check and Mate its sweet, heartwarming charm. Their interactions are filled with moments of vulnerability, awkward confessions, and playful teasing that feels both genuine and touching. The lead characters, one a fierce chess prodigy and the other, an unknown prodigy, complement each other beautifully. As they navigate the highs and lows of competition and life outside the chessboard, their growing affection is marked by sincere gestures, shy smiles, and thoughtful moments of connection.What makes this book especially sweet is the way Hazelwood shows the characters supporting each other through personal insecurities and struggles. Their love grows organically through shared experiences and mutual respect, creating a story filled with tender, heart-melting moments. Whether it’s their obvious love for chess or an unspoken look across the board, Hazelwood captures the sweetness of two people falling in love while pushing each other to be better versions of themselves.Check and Mate is a delightful, heartfelt read that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.

This story is definitely meant for a younger audience, and when I say younger, I mean, like 18/20s. The characters were really well developed, and the story itself was interesting. more on the romantic side, which I appreciated

Adoro os livros da Ali, me diverti bastante lendo todos. O que me destacou nesse foi a mudança um pouco em relação aos personagens, achei que nos livros anteriores eles eram bem parecidos e a história similar, mas esse foi surpreendente. Recomendo

Es el 4to libro que leo de Ali Hazelwood y el segundo que leo en inglés, lo ame totalmente, es diferente a todo lo que nos tenía acostumbrados, aunque todos estamos de acuerdo que Hipótesis del amor y química del amor son muy parecidos, y lo refrescante que resultó Love, theoretically. Este libro se aleja de la academia para llevarnos a un amor más joven y si eso significa que no hay escenas explícitas, sin duda este es un libro que me imagino adaptado para una película PG13. Lo disfruté mucho.

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