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Check & Mate cover art

Check & Mate

By: Ali Hazelwood
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
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Publisher's Summary

*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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

What listeners say about Check & Mate

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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely LOVED IT!👱🏻‍♀️🤩🌟👏🌟💖🌟💖🌟💖

I love a story that I can learn something from. It deserves repeat listens, which I did! I loved the witty humour, characters & excellent narration!
Enjoy👱🏻‍♀️😃🤩👏🌟💖

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  • Overall
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Couldn’t walk away

I loved this book I would have loved it to be a lot longer the end felt rushed but I can see why it was after finishing it. Definitely another great book from Ali

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  • Ken
  • 08-11-2023

I couldn't put it down

Ali writes comfortable and familiar stories. you can put yourself in the story and feel it as it flows. I've thoroughly enjoyed this title.

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  • Overall
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ali is back 💗♟️

this book was so CUTE!!!! A fun & sweet read, and quintessential Ali Hazelwood romance that we love her for, but with a subtle YA lens. Nolan, my man, I adore him. A male main character who communicates what he wants. No toxic masculinity or injured egos from Nolan here . The writing, the banter, the side character relationships, all just hit the spot.

The Narrators performance was really good, the highlight was her voice for Nolan, (I think I just want to replay chapters to hear his voice hahaha). Disclaimer I do not play chess but I still really enjoyed this.

Tropes: rivals to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, slow burn.
Love to see it: bisexual representation (fmc), non judgemental portrayal of virginity!

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Just perfect for a highly enjoyable listen

Brilliant performance and the story is so enjoyable. I am not a chess fan but I loved it. I am also not a YA (60 year old psychologist with a PhD!).

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Classic Ali Hazelwood - loved it !

Romantic, fun, witty dialogue and smart characters. Everything we've come to expect from Ali Hazelwood. Don't be put off by this being marketed as a "clean" romance - it's really not disimiliar to her other work. Narrator was amazing too.

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The chemistry!

I loved this book and honestly couldn’t stop listening. The sparks and the connection of the main characters was great. The narration was fabulous. The only thing I kind of wish it had was a few chapters from Nolan as well but 5 stars

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All of the feels

Ali Hazelwood has done it again. Could not stop listening. Narration was excellent. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

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An easy but delightful read

Ali Hazelwood doesn’t disappoint. I have been a fan ever since love hypothesis and I just adore the way her female leads feels so relatable, this is true yet again with Check & Mate. It’s an easy listen, the voice is so sweet and soothing, throughly enjoyed this overall.

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One of her best!

Ali never disappoints, absolutely loved this listened to it in one day! So so good!

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