Ali Hazelwood is life! If you haven’t read any of her books yet just try it! She writes for a range of ages and this book is one of her YA reads. Although the main characters are 18 and 20 I feel like perhaps this could be in an older range. There is some steam but it’s not spiced hot like in other books. I love the storyline in Check & Mate weaving chess in with family and life drama. Mallory Greenleaf is an eighteen-year-old former chess prodigy that has had to forgo college to help support her family after some tragic circumstances. Nolan Sawyer is the correct Chess world champion and the broody handsome type with a bit of a temper. Their first scene together is literary magic when Mallory agrees to enter a chess competition to help a friend and is randomly placed opposite of Nolan. When Mallory wipes the floor with him, her life changes in many ways. Will she be able to handle the new stardom her win brings? Will the rivals ever become more? This is such a great book that I read in one sitting. The chemistry is felt through the pages and the story is romantic and well written. Definitely another great book by Ali Hazelwood! Highly recommend! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.