Check & Mate

$22.99
(1) Write a Review
UPC:
9781408727614

Product Description

In this clever and swoonworthy new novel from the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, 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.

Other Details

Author:
Ali Hazelwood

Reviews

  • 4
    romance, chess, follow your dreams, believe, sports, relationships, growth, change, passion, trust

    Posted by Novel Insight Reviews on 8th Nov 2023

    After her father walks out on her family, Mallory Greenleaf doesn’t want to play chess anymore. She loved playing chess with her dad, but now she doesn't talk about him. At eighteen, Mallory spontaneously joins a charity chess competition against a world champion, Nolan Sawyer, and easily wins. Nolan is amazed, but Mallory runs away so she doesn’t have to face him. Even though Mallory has no ranking, a scout approaches her, determined to get her into competitions. After she loses her job at a workshop, Mallory agrees to the scholarship. However, she refuses to tell her family and stipulates that she will only do it for one year. Across several tournaments, Mallory encounters Nolan. He desperately wants a rematch, but she refuses. Through these encounters, romantic tension grows between them. Mallory is invited to be a wild card challenger, but because she isn't ranked, many people are against this. Will Mallory rekindle her love for chess through these tournaments...or will her beliefs about love be challenged altogther?