Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood: A Mixed Game of Chess and Heart
When I first set eyes on Check & Mate, I couldn’t help but feel giddy with excitement. After absolutely adoring The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood quickly became an author on my must-read list. Watering my curiosity with the vibrant cover, I eagerly snagged my copy, dreaming of the clever romance and delightful banter I had come to expect. Yet, this journey turned out to be a bit of a bumpy ride.
Check & Mate centers around Mallory, an 18-year-old navigating the complexities of young adulthood while immersing herself in the intense world of chess. Now, I’ve never crossed the checkered battlefield of chess myself (to be honest, it sounds like a six-hour commitment I’m not willing to make), and I found myself lost amid all the jargon. If only someone could have translated the chess lingo into “checkers” for me!
As I dived deeper into the narrative, I discovered that the story had its humorous moments, yet I felt the juvenile humor dragged me down at times. Jokes like "this morning my roommate repeatedly farted on my pillow" made me roll my eyes hard enough to almost readjust my internal negativity meter. It’s strange; I sometimes feel like the YA genre gets unjustly boxed into childish humor, and this book teetered on that line.
Yet, despite my early frustrations with Mallory’s humor and attitude—she initially grated on my last nerve—I realized she went through significant character development. By the end, I genuinely appreciated her growth, although I wish I’d seen that transformation happen without some of the overly simplistic jokes that could have been cut for a more mature touch.
And then there’s Nolan, who had me crushing hard despite some internal conflict (thanks, family name!). His mysterious aura and captivating persona felt familiar—like the best parts of a well-loved romantic trope. Meanwhile, the secondary characters—especially the unapologetic Oz—brought a refreshing touch to the story. His straightforwardness put Mallory in her place, and I found myself grinning at his fierce loyalty.
Now let’s talk about the romance. I found it cute as a button and undeniably charming, if a tad rushed. With tantalizing tension and giggle-inducing moments, Hazelwood managed to capture some of that magical chemistry. Yet, I was left hanging by that “two years later” newspaper-style epilogue. I wanted more interaction, more sparks flying between the characters—we readers devour those moments!
The writing did pick up as well, with pop culture references swirling throughout, from Taylor Swift to TikTok. Though some felt forced, they added a unique flavor to the narrative, albeit occasionally cringey. My personal favorite had to be the sly nod to Timothée Chalamet.
In the end, while Check & Mate didn’t hit the highs I anticipated, it’s a charming read for YA fans who enjoy contemporary romances with a light-hearted touch (minus the overwhelming number of “elementary school” jokes). If you can embrace the quirky humor and are looking for character growth alongside a splash of romance, then this book might just capture your heart. For me, it’s a solid 2.5 stars, but perhaps I should pick something more magical next for my reading palate.
If nothing else, I think we can all agree on one thing: God bless libraries. Until next time, happy reading!
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