Check & Mate

Bookseller recommendation

“Once upon a time, someone I love gave me a chess set and tried to teach me to play, and it gave me one of the worst headaches of my entire life. That being said, this f’ing delightful story was almost enough to make me want to try again. As ever, Hazelwood displays her brilliance, constructing her story like a chess game, sprinkled with red herrings where cynics like me feel like we can see where she is driving the plot. There was a terrible moment where I feared that this, at last, was going to be the book where Ali Hazelwood disappointed me, and our heroine was set on a trajectory of terrible decisions and absolute self-ignorance. Not so! Hazelwood was fifteen moves ahead of me and instead of the climax and resolution going in one predictable direction, she came in with an end-game swerve that reaffirmed my absolute faith in her narratives. While, as a romance, this one certainly falls into the PG category, I dispute this being called a YA as the main character, while only 18, is dealing with issues like mortgage payments. However, I love that I could hand this to a parent of a 12 year old who is reading 'ahead; and have zero qualms. Karissa Vacker does an awesome job narrating, too. 10/10.”

— Amy • Charter Books

Bookseller recommendation

“After staying away from chess for years because of her complicated feelings about her dad, Mallory plays in a charity tournament and ends up beating the current world champion, Nolan. When she is approached to join a chess club on a fellowship, she ends up taking it, telling herself she'll only play for the year. Except then she actually starts playing chess again and realizes with Nolan's help just how much she really loves it - not to mention the friends (and maybe more?) she makes along the way. The characters are so engaging, and Hazelwood has a true gift for including things like science and chess in all their technical glory without making it bog down the story with things a typical reader won't understand. She's magic, and I love it.”

— Melissa • Fiction Addiction

Bookseller recommendation

“Hazelwood makes chess sexy! Definitely upper YA due to themes and topics. Like all of my Hazelwood reads I couldn't put it down. I started it as an audiobook but couldn't wait between trips in the car, so I also got the digital ALC so I could keep going!”

— Angela • The Haunted Book Shop

Bookseller recommendation

“Ali doesn't need my vote of confidence but here it is anyway! This was enjoyable, witty and gives YA readers the type of story they deserve - swoon worthy and full of heart. Karissa Vacker's narration was easy to get swept away by! ”

— Destinee • East City Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Ali Hazelwood never disappoints, and her first YA novel is no different. I cannot recommend this book enough to romance readers of all ages! Mallory is forced back into the chess world despite her past, and meets Nolan, the current world chess champion. Tension, pining, angst, and swoon-worthy. ”

— Chloe • Quail Ridge Books