***this review will contain spoilers***

I feel like I haven’t read an romance novel in a HOT MINUTE so going back to my roots was amazing! I’ve read past books of Ali Hazelwood’s such as The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically. However, Check & Mate follows a completely different plot than the usually stem filled romance novels.

Check & Mate follows main characters Mallory Greenleaf and Nolan Sawyer who both happen to excel in the chess world. Mallory coming from a rough childhood with her father gone, her mother in and out of hospital care, and her two younger sisters who are hitting puberty; Mallory’s responsibilities are ever growing. Mallory’s in desperate need of making a sustainable income to help provide for her family and an opportunity comes her way when she asked to pay competitive chess for a company. Through these competitive games, Mallory meets Nolan Sawyer who is the current world champion. In her first game playing chess in years, Mallory ends up beating Nolan which causes shock amongst those involved in the chess world and the interest in this “random” girl who miraculously beat the world’s #1.

As time goes on, rivals become lovers. Mallory and Nolan start to become interested in one another and bond outside of just this world of chess. They both remain top players as they age and still carry that competitive spark that has been apparent.

This book was the CUTEST little romance book and it was refreshing to have the main characters be somewhat close in age compared to more recent books I have read. If you are looking a quick read I would highly recommend especially since I finished this book in less than 5 hours!!!!

-Madison C.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.