Hazelwood, Ali. Check & Mate. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2023. 978-0-593-61991-9. 350 p. $14.00. Grades 10+.

Recent New Jersey high school graduate Mallory Greenleaf swore off chess years ago, but at the request of her bestie she agrees to participate in a charity tournament. There, she unexpectedly wins against 20-year old Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion and reputed “ill-tempered ball of toxic masculinity.” Based on her stellar performance at the charity event, Mallory is offered a fellowship at a Brooklyn chess club. Despite her complicated history with chess, which is tied up with memories of her deceased father, Mallory can’t resist the promise of a steady paycheck and potential chess winnings. After all, her mother suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and her two younger sisters depend on her to provide for the family. While keeping it a secret from her family, Mallory begins to compete – and win – at chess, all while drawing closer to a rematch with Nolan. She gets to know him as their paths cross, and he’s nothing like his reputation. He’s charming, kind, funny … and seems to genuinely like Mallory. Is it all a ruse on the part of the “Kingkiller” to throw his opponent off balance, or is everything Mallory thought she knew about Nolan wrong? Ali Hazelwood has written several wildly popular adult romances, and her first young adult novel is both true to the romance formula and quite original. Humor, pop culture references, a swoony love interest, and plenty of high-stakes chess matches lend wide appeal.

THOUGHTS: With main characters who have already graduated from high school, Check & Mate is a great choice for older teens who enjoy romance.

Romance