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hayleysdean21's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It wasn’t awful, I’m perhaps too old for this particular YA book. But I did feel the family got let off far too easily from some of the stuff they put Mallory through. It screams of a person who will be having therapy when they get to 30.
phoenixxx's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookwyrm082's review against another edition
funny
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
myunghhoe's review against another edition
4.0
HATED how ali hazelwood made a 12 year old bombard nolan w questions about sex!! it was so uncomfortable to read and frankly WEIRD AS FUCK like she couldve been asking about dating instead of straight up sex ugh PLUS i thought this was a YA book?? ali needs a reminder that not everything has to have sex and i feel like she really missed out on having this be a really wholesome journey
also the constant tiktok, meme and pop culture references were horribly forced and terribly placed so it would ruin the pace and atmosphere of a scene begging miss ali to get a young editor or an editor WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS THE TARGETED AUDIENCE bc i knowww everyone who has read this was cringing - this dropped the book down from a five to a four stars for me and is the reason why i haven't bought the physical copy
i did like nolan but he had a really flat personality i thought she was trying to make him neurodivergent bc of how limited his interactions and dialogue was it was really hard to get a grasp on anything about him except his physique
mal was an extremely realistic and likeable character i love everything about her she was working so hard for her entire household and i really related to her about her friendship with easton and i was actually so happy when she exploded on her family bc they were really horrible to her when she really needed them to just be supportive no matter what except darcy i love her
sabrina WAS a brat “i am extremely grateful” no u never ACTED LIKE IT and ur words were HORRIBLE and u treated mal like SHIT like she put the clothes on ur back!! shes fucking 18 she sacrificed sm for ur dumb ass but i did love how realistic her character was bc teens really are angry at the world!! but still didn't excuse her rudeness to mal
mom too like “u can do what u want now” NO THANKS TO YOU MOM and she also enabled sabrina’s bratty behaviour and acted like the adult in the house when she's barely provided for the family even though she's disabled i feel like her ability to act as a mother and provider was extremely lacking
and i hate easton for acting like mal was the one pulling away when we never had any indication that easton even BOTHERED TO REACH OUT TO MAL FIRST like ohh noo my bestie stopped texting me even tho i never text her back this is all her fault BFFR i hate her ass mal deserves better
also nolan being very touchy feely with tanu but just being friends?? thats really strange imo
i loved how defne supported mal from the very beginning "i'm on YOUR team" it was such a sweet moment between the two
i did love the discussions of women being in a male dominated sport and how it affects their plays, it was so engaging and i really could not put the book down - overall i did really love it
also the constant tiktok, meme and pop culture references were horribly forced and terribly placed so it would ruin the pace and atmosphere of a scene begging miss ali to get a young editor or an editor WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS THE TARGETED AUDIENCE bc i knowww everyone who has read this was cringing - this dropped the book down from a five to a four stars for me and is the reason why i haven't bought the physical copy
i did like nolan but he had a really flat personality i thought she was trying to make him neurodivergent bc of how limited his interactions and dialogue was it was really hard to get a grasp on anything about him except his physique
mal was an extremely realistic and likeable character i love everything about her she was working so hard for her entire household and i really related to her about her friendship with easton and i was actually so happy when she exploded on her family bc they were really horrible to her when she really needed them to just be supportive no matter what except darcy i love her
sabrina WAS a brat “i am extremely grateful” no u never ACTED LIKE IT and ur words were HORRIBLE and u treated mal like SHIT like she put the clothes on ur back!! shes fucking 18 she sacrificed sm for ur dumb ass but i did love how realistic her character was bc teens really are angry at the world!! but still didn't excuse her rudeness to mal
mom too like “u can do what u want now” NO THANKS TO YOU MOM and she also enabled sabrina’s bratty behaviour and acted like the adult in the house when she's barely provided for the family even though she's disabled i feel like her ability to act as a mother and provider was extremely lacking
and i hate easton for acting like mal was the one pulling away when we never had any indication that easton even BOTHERED TO REACH OUT TO MAL FIRST like ohh noo my bestie stopped texting me even tho i never text her back this is all her fault BFFR i hate her ass mal deserves better
also nolan being very touchy feely with tanu but just being friends?? thats really strange imo
i loved how defne supported mal from the very beginning "i'm on YOUR team" it was such a sweet moment between the two
i did love the discussions of women being in a male dominated sport and how it affects their plays, it was so engaging and i really could not put the book down - overall i did really love it
hnakrs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
this is probably my favorite silly little love story i've ever read
tisili's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
enjolrac's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
_minareads's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
this was so cute I legit wanted to kill myself because the cuteness aggression that this book caused me was simply too much (talking about chapter 14 specifially)
I could relate to Mallory a little too much and felt called out by, my beloved Nolan, myself. I did cry a lot during the last 20%. bcus I felt for Mal. and it beautifully seeing that sometimes the thing you think in your head aren't how they really are and that it's okay to need people.
Ali knows how to write men and tension.
this made me yearn for love.
I could relate to Mallory a little too much and felt called out by, my beloved Nolan, myself. I did cry a lot during the last 20%. bcus I felt for Mal. and it beautifully seeing that sometimes the thing you think in your head aren't how they really are and that it's okay to need people.
Ali knows how to write men and tension.
this made me yearn for love.
spreadyourpages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Not my usual trope but it was pretty interesting since it was about chess prodigies that simultaneously compete and fall in love with each other. I appreciate that the plot wasn't dragged out, there was just enough backstory build up, the conflict (while annoying it was also understandable considering their ages) was not stretched and the resolution was sweet. I will say I was surprised when I realized I was finished with the book because I just kept wanting more of Mallory and Nolan. Overall, short and sweet - a great quick read!
Content Warnings
Spice Level: 2
jazzyj92's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5