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Check & Mate
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Check & Mate - June 2024
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It took me a little over half way through the book to say I was a fan. Ultimately though, the characters did it for me. I loved their dialogue (especially between the sisters..and of course, Oz), their vulnerability and the inter workings of their relationships.
I would have enjoyed it more if I knew anything about chess (maybe…as I’ve read in some reviews it’s a rip off a real life chess pro and his rival). And I would have enjoyed it more-so if I could have had the ending I was writing myself as I read.
I’ve developed a 20-year old me mini-crush on Nolan. I love his honesty and boldness. And I feel like through the book Mallory took a crash course on Berne Browns “Rising Strong”, growing so much in vulnerability.
I'm at 50% and i'm really enjoying it! So far, I've liked every Ali Hazelwood book I've read (I still need to read Love on the Brain and Bride). I do agree with Kristie about the sisters and I definitely like Nolan more than Mal.
I watched several Magnus Carlsen chess videos a year ago when I was trying to learn the game and I keep picturing Nolan as him. I definitely think Ali used him as inspiration.
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Jenna wrote: "I'm at 50% and i'm really enjoying it! So far, I've liked every Ali Hazelwood book I've read (I still need to read Love on the Brain and Bride). I do agree with Kristie about the sisters and I definitely like Nolan more than Mal.
I watched several Magnus Carlsen chess videos a year ago when I was trying to learn the game and I keep picturing Nolan as him. I definitely think Ali used him as inspiration."
I liked the book. This is my third book by Hazelwood, and I've liked all of them. This was my least favorite - probably because I know too much about chess and there are some things that aren't right, but overall, it was a fun book.
I agree with both you and Kristie about the sisters, and also like Nolan more than Mallory.
I think the author got the idea from Magnus Carlsen and Anna Cramling. Those two aren't dating, but a lot of people wish they were.
I actually liked and enjoyed the book. For me the characters were enjoyable and I did like Mallory and Nolan’s banter. I did get tired of the self blaming Mallory did.
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They are cute and feel good, i love it.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life's moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan's loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent...and infuriating...)