Having left chess years ago, Mallory is sucked back in when she wins against the current world champion, Nolan, in a charity tournament. Both can’t deny being drawn to the other. Mallory desperately needs the money from the cash prizes to supplement her dead-end job. Struggling to keep chess separate from her family as she moves up the ranks, Mallory begins to rekindle feelings for the sport that she hated for destroying her life.
Mix the vibe of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ with a lot of YA angst and you’ve got CHECK & MATE. I wasn’t particularly fond of the main characters and so consequentially didn’t care very much about their relationship. I actually found one of Mallory’s younger sisters to be the most endearing. What carried the book for me was the exploration of gender stereotypes and the misogynistic world of chess. Following Mallory’s journey from that context is what kept my interest.
CHECK & MATE is the first book of Ali Hazelwood’s that I’ve read. I have a couple of her adult novels on my TBR shelf.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the gifted ARC.
Mix the vibe of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ with a lot of YA angst and you’ve got CHECK & MATE. I wasn’t particularly fond of the main characters and so consequentially didn’t care very much about their relationship. I actually found one of Mallory’s younger sisters to be the most endearing. What carried the book for me was the exploration of gender stereotypes and the misogynistic world of chess. Following Mallory’s journey from that context is what kept my interest.
CHECK & MATE is the first book of Ali Hazelwood’s that I’ve read. I have a couple of her adult novels on my TBR shelf.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the gifted ARC.