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babutle5's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
_jaz_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
purrs_between_pages's review against another edition
3.0
This was probably my least favorite of all her books. I still enjoyed it but the banter that I usually live so much just wasn’t there. Overall it was still a good read.
gkate's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one didn’t hook me like Ali Hazelwood’s other books, but I still did enjoy this one. I really liked the focus on chess, all the ins and outs of the game mechanics, strategies, as well as the culture around chess. I felt like the romance took a back seat, which I wouldn’t have minded except for when things heated up it never felt like the slow burn paid off, I just didn’t really buy the connection between the two. I feel like that could be due to not enough character-building for Sawyer, or not enough relationship-building moments. I think where this book shines is as contemporary coming of age fiction, so if you go in knowing that I think this will be a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Sexism
kerrcas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This novel put me in a massive book hangover, as often happens when I read Ali Hazelwood. I loved everything about it, even more than I could’ve expected.
Although it is categorized as YA, I found the themes and reactions to be mature enough for an adult reader. It helps that most of the characters are older than the FMC and are professionals rather than students. The biggest difference from other Ali Hazelwood novels is the fade-to-black nature of sexual scenes. If you are hesitant to read this book, as I was, due to it being YA, I would highly highly recommend that you give it a try.
Although it is categorized as YA, I found the themes and reactions to be mature enough for an adult reader. It helps that most of the characters are older than the FMC and are professionals rather than students. The biggest difference from other Ali Hazelwood novels is the fade-to-black nature of sexual scenes. If you are hesitant to read this book, as I was, due to it being YA, I would highly highly recommend that you give it a try.
headcanonheadcase's review against another edition
4.0
This is everything I love about Ali Hazelwood.
Awkward girl.
Guy falls first.
Some light discussion of gender stereotypes.
A happy ending.
If you have liked any of her earlier books, you will like this one.
Awkward girl.
Guy falls first.
Some light discussion of gender stereotypes.
A happy ending.
If you have liked any of her earlier books, you will like this one.
chaosbringer566's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
annatl4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
i loved the chess background, Ali always does a great job integrating the theme with romance and cheesy drama. i thought mallory’s sisters brought a nice aspect of humor and actually found myself laughing out loud. i even almost shed a tear toward the end. i appreciated the slow burn romance but was disappointed with the abrupt ending. mallory was also insufferable at some points.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Sexism
bahogan92's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5