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Check & Mate

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Check & Mate

By: Ali Hazelwood
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
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About this listen

*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST YA FICTION 2023*

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Life's moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious 'Kingkiller' Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.

Nolan's loss to an unknown rookie shocks everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist...

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent... and infuriating...)

This novel is suitable for both young adult and adult audiences.

©2023 Ali Hazelwood (P)2023 Hachette Audio UK Clean & Wholesome Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Romantic Comedy Comedy Chess Funny Heartfelt Witty Hockey

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I love the fun family dynamic between the characters. lots of really funny digs at each other and uncomfortable conversations. lots of laughs and smiles from me.

Like anyone who enjoyed this book, I don't think we got enough of the 2 main characters together. especially at the end. we lead up to the big game and coming to terms with everything that has happened then it just ends without any wind down. we don't really know how things play out after the big game. just felt quite abrupt.

Smiles all round

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The characters, plot and plot twists are as expected. clique and very easy to follow.

However this story I couldn't put down, I was eager to know what happens next and finished this in one sitting.


Other than that I enjoyed this, the voice actress was amazing at setting the scene along with differentiating each character which I enjoyed.

Another classic AH story which I adore

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I loved this book so much, I never wanted it to end. I want to keep reading Mallory and Nolan's story.
P.s. I loved the epilog.

This might be the hottest book i've ever read

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The story itself was simple and beautiful. It tugged on my heart strings but was also hilarious. The narration was excellent.

Check and Mate

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Was I meant to like any of these characters?
I didn’t mind the love interest I guess but everyone else’s choices angered me so much I couldn’t get over it

Zero likeable characters

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Such a lovely listen. I am a huge Ali Hazelwood fan and have read almost all her books. This one is so unique as I haven’t read any rom-coms evolving around chess. Love it, and have already listened to it multible times! Big recommendation from me🥰

Chefs kiss

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Nolan was unrealistic as a person. He sounds exactly like a woman's fantasy. Emasculated and sees her as everything! He's never been with anyone? Really? When he looks and acts like that? He's famous, handsome and rich.

Mallory was not likeable, I didn't believe she was bisexual. It was awkward when the writer forced this in. Especially as her best mate was a lesbian and they fall asleep holding each other! It's just uncomfortable and cringe especially if you're routing for Nolan and Mallory.

Mallory is not written as monogamous. In reality no man would fall for a woman who behaves like that, making it not credible. Sorry to be blunt but it just made me cringe. I feel like Hazelwood has simply jumped on a trend to virtue signal. Mallory's interiority was mostly redundant making this story unnecessarily long.

The subplots were also unbelievable and irritating. The little sisters were like Disney characters. (Disney as it is today with all the pride virtue signals)

It was OK overall, I liked the premise and I love a love story. Making the settings interesting. I stayed all the way because I was hopeful for an exciting ending. I loved the queens gambit so saw this and hoped I'd get some dopamine.

However many of the climax moments between Mallory and Nolan was like a deflating balloon. Because it was just not credible, and the moments were void of interest. Everything just felt bla bla bla. Like the ending, she sees him at a portrait apologises and that's that. Where is the passion? Where is the long looks, the desperation, the longing, the thirst, the need, the inability to stay away?? You know the stuff we want from a good romance. (Hence why we tune in.)

I guess I expected more and didn't leave feeling satisfied. Such a shame.

Not credible

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The story was a little more YA than I anticipated, but I still enjoyed it.

Cute

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I mean, I love Ali Hazelwood! I'm up to date now (sob) but have pre-ordered her next 2 titles. The narrator here was great & her voice for Sawyer was believable also. Not as spicy as Hazelwood's other books, but I think that fits with the FMC & MMC's easy going (in the end) relationship? Highly recommend.

Great story, great narrator

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This is my favourite book by this author, I love the vibe that girls can do anything and be as powerful as men with the idea of still having an amazing love story!

My fav audiobook by this author so far!

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