A review by readwatchcrochet
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Absolutely flew through this audiobook which is the Queens Gambit, but make it YA. 

“Do you know how incredible you are?…Do you realise how exceptional you are Mallory?”

📚 rivals to lovers
📚 he falls first
📚 world of chess
📚 single POV
📚 forced proximity
📚 care when sick
📚 slow burn
📚 YA romance

🚫 closed door romance

|Thoughts|
I hardly know how to play, but this book really has me wanting to learn how to play chess. In some ways it’s a love story about chess as much as it’s a love story between Mallory and Nolan. As it’s obviously fairly chess heavy, you’ll still enjoy it if you know nothing about the game.  

“When someone sends a bowl of noodle soup and three snickers bars up to my room”

Also, loved the dynamic between Mallory and her sisters. As heartbreaking & frustrating as it was at times to see her out so much responsibility onto her young shoulders, it also seemed age appropriate. But the honestly that comes out of her sisters mouths, does add some nice humour to the story. 

“When are going to have sex?…”I bet Mallory’s really good at it. She practices at a lot”

It truly is so much pressure to put on someone so young. Do really wish her mum spoke up a bit earlier to prevent her from so much negative self talk. 

“Does she not understand the sacrifices I’ve made for the family? Does she think that I wanted to stop going to school?”

Do love her little rant and blow up to her sisters. It was a long time coming and needed to be said. 
“Who is also a high functionary bitch”

“She doesn’t hate me for calling 67% of the people she gave birth to, bitches”

More references to spice than I’d usually expect in a YA, but at least it made it feel a little more realistic. 

This turns out to be a full circle and wholesome story about family, chess and love. 

“Interest in chess is, for the first time in decades, higher amount women than man”

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