Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood – Love, Rivalry, and the Game of Chess
In Check & Mate, bestselling author Ali Hazelwood delivers a witty, heartfelt romance set against the high-stakes world of competitive chess. Mallory Greenleaf has sworn off chess after it nearly derailed her life—until a charity tournament pulls her back into the game and pits her against the reigning world champion, Nolan Sawyer. What starts as a shocking victory over the unbeatable champion quickly turns into a charged rivalry filled with banter, mind games, and undeniable attraction.
As Mallory and Nolan navigate intense matches and growing personal stakes, they discover that in both chess and love, every move matters. With Ali Hazelwood’s trademark humor, emotional depth, and whip-smart dialogue, Check & Mate is a story about second chances, ambition, and the irresistible pull of a worthy opponent.
Key Features
- Enemies-to-lovers romance set in the world of professional chess
- Strong, determined heroine with a complex past
- Sharp banter and slow-burn tension between rivals
- Themes of resilience, self-discovery, and following your passion
- From the author of The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically
Book Details
- Title: Check & Mate
- Author: Ali Hazelwood
- Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Sports Fiction
- Themes: Rivalry, Ambition, Second Chances, Chess
- Language: English
- Format: Paperback
Perfect For
- Fans of enemies-to-lovers and rivals-to-lovers romance
- Readers who enjoy strong female leads and intelligent banter
- Those looking for a unique romance setting outside the usual tropes
- Followers of Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling romcoms
