Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood is a clever young-adult romance filled with chess, rivalry, ambition, family responsibilities, attraction, and second chances.

The story follows Mallory Greenleaf, a talented former chess player who has walked away from the game.

Her life now revolves around supporting her mother and younger sisters.

Chess belongs to a past she would rather forget.

Why Read Check and Mate?

Check and Mate is perfect for readers who enjoy rivals-to-lovers romance, intelligent characters, competitive settings, and slow-building attraction.

Ali Hazelwood combines romance with the unusual world of competitive chess.

The result is both fun and emotional.

Meet Mallory Greenleaf

Mallory once loved chess.

However, events involving the sport damaged her family years earlier.

She decides she is finished with it.

Her priority becomes taking care of her family and working a job that helps keep them financially stable.

Then she agrees to enter one final charity tournament.

Everything changes.

Meet Nolan Sawyer

Nolan Sawyer is a famous chess player.

He is the current world champion and has a powerful reputation in the competitive chess world.

Mallory unexpectedly defeats him.

Her victory shocks everyone.

Even more surprising is Nolan’s interest in playing against her again.

Rivals on the Chessboard

The competition between Mallory and Nolan creates the foundation of the romance.

Both are highly talented players.

Neither wants to make things easy for the other.

Their chess rivalry creates tension both on and off the board.

As they spend more time together, competition slowly develops into something much more personal.

Mallory Returns to Chess

Mallory initially wants nothing more to do with chess.

But defeating Nolan creates new opportunities.

Prize money could help her family.

Her talent also begins attracting attention.

Slowly, Mallory finds herself returning to the game she once loved.

This creates an emotional conflict.

Chess represents both opportunity and painful memories.

Family Responsibilities

Family is an important part of Mallory’s story.

She feels responsible for helping her mother and sisters.

That responsibility influences many of her decisions.

She cannot simply think about what she wants.

Mallory must constantly consider how her choices affect the people depending on her.

Romance and Competition

Check and Mate uses competition to create romantic tension.

Mallory and Nolan are not only attracted to each other.

They also understand each other through chess.

Their abilities make them competitors.

Their personalities make their interactions entertaining.

Their growing connection makes everything more complicated.

A Slow-Burn Romance

The relationship does not immediately become romantic.

Their connection develops through meetings, conversations, competition, and shared experiences.

This makes the emotional progression feel important.

Penguin Random House describes the book as a YA romance bringing rival chess players together in a romantic match.

Women in Competitive Chess

Mallory’s return to chess also places her inside a highly competitive environment.

The story touches on challenges and sexist attitudes women can encounter within competitive chess. Penguin Random House’s publisher page highlights this aspect through critical discussion of the novel.

This adds another layer beyond the romance.

Ambition and Second Chances

Mallory believed her chess career was finished.

Her victory over Nolan changes that.

She must decide whether she is willing to reconsider something she once abandoned.

That makes the novel partly about second chances.

It is also about rediscovering ambition after disappointment.

Finding What You Love Again

Sometimes people leave behind something they once loved because it becomes connected with pain.

Mallory’s relationship with chess reflects this idea.

Returning to competition forces her to separate her love of the game from her difficult memories.

That journey gives the story emotional depth.

7 Irresistible Reasons to Read Check and Mate

1. Rivals-to-lovers romance

Mallory and Nolan begin as chess competitors.

2. A unique chess setting

Competitive chess gives the romance a distinctive backdrop.

3. Strong female protagonist

Mallory is talented, independent, and deeply committed to her family.

4. Slow-burn chemistry

The attraction develops gradually.

5. Family themes

Mallory’s responsibilities toward her mother and sisters influence her choices.

6. Second chances

Mallory receives an unexpected opportunity to return to chess.

7. Ali Hazelwood’s signature romance style

The novel combines intelligent characters, humour, competition, and romantic tension.

About Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is a bestselling romance author.

Her books include The Love Hypothesis, Love, Theoretically, Bride, Mate, and other popular romance titles. Penguin Random House also notes her academic background in neuroscience.

This novel marked her debut in young-adult romance.

Book Details

Penguin Random House lists the following edition details:

Title: Check & Mate
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Paperback ISBN: 9780593619926
Age Range: 14+
Category: Teen & Young Adult Romance

Check the ISBN on your physical copy before entering WooCommerce details because editions can vary.

Perfect for Readers Interested In

This novel is ideal for readers who enjoy:

• YA Romance
• Rivals to Lovers
• Chess
• Slow-Burn Romance
• Ali Hazelwood
• Competitive Romance
• Strong Female Characters
• Family Stories
• BookTok Romance
• Contemporary Romance

Buy Check and Mate in Sri Lanka

Looking for Check and Mate in Sri Lanka?

Ali Hazelwood’s chess romance is a great choice for readers who enjoy smart characters, competition, family drama, slow-burn chemistry, and rivals who gradually become something more.

Follow Mallory as one unexpected chess victory brings her back into competition and introduces her to Nolan Sawyer. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721720/check-and-mate-by-ali-hazelwood/