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chemeducator's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Grief
tah_014's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Chronic illness, Sexism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism
cassiealexandra's review
funny
lighthearted
4.25
I had fun with this “YA” romantic comedy from Ali Hazelwood. I’ve enjoyed several of her adult novels but heard from several people with the same level of on-page romance preferences as I have say this had become their favorite. I wish I could say the same. On the positive end the book still made me laugh, was full of pop-culture references, and still had Hazelwood’s signature nerdy feminist storyline. The focus on the gender gap in competitive and professional chess was really interesting, even if the author does admit to quite a bit of poetic license. I also really liked the family dynamics in this one with Mallory’s (FMC) interactions with her sisters, Darcy and Sabrina and with her mom.
On the negative side, I have begun to find all of Hazelwood’s male characters to be very similar, tall, brooding, appearing as a grumpy rival or enemy at first and then becoming something else. Nolan took on this same persona. His attraction and interest in Mallory was also a little instantaneous for me even if it took many chapters for it to be expressed. It’s clear that Mallory works hard and also has an aptitude for chess, but there was a slight “instant expert” trope here that I didn’t love. Mallory was also very casual about her sex life, and the level of innuendo and discussion surrounding it would make me personally recommend this for an 18+ audience. Finally, the resolutions/conversations Mallory needed with her family and her best friend came far later in the book than I would have liked, making the ending feel a little anticlimactic to me.
The bottom line: This was cute and kind of a whirlwind. I enjoyed it, but I am perhaps just outside of the stage of life to fully appreciate it. It felt very “young” (as YA would) but had content that felt mismatched to me.
— NOTES —
Genres: YA romantic comedy, but I’d rate this 18+
POV: first-person, singular
Content: character with chronic illness, infidelity, past loss of loved ones
Romance: innuendo, casual mentions of past “hook-ups,” one fade-to-black scene (chapter 21)
— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Craft: 4
My Gut Feeling: 4
Total Stars: 4.25
On the negative side, I have begun to find all of Hazelwood’s male characters to be very similar, tall, brooding, appearing as a grumpy rival or enemy at first and then becoming something else. Nolan took on this same persona. His attraction and interest in Mallory was also a little instantaneous for me even if it took many chapters for it to be expressed. It’s clear that Mallory works hard and also has an aptitude for chess, but there was a slight “instant expert” trope here that I didn’t love. Mallory was also very casual about her sex life, and the level of innuendo and discussion surrounding it would make me personally recommend this for an 18+ audience. Finally, the resolutions/conversations Mallory needed with her family and her best friend came far later in the book than I would have liked, making the ending feel a little anticlimactic to me.
The bottom line: This was cute and kind of a whirlwind. I enjoyed it, but I am perhaps just outside of the stage of life to fully appreciate it. It felt very “young” (as YA would) but had content that felt mismatched to me.
— NOTES —
Genres: YA romantic comedy, but I’d rate this 18+
POV: first-person, singular
Content: character with chronic illness, infidelity, past loss of loved ones
Romance: innuendo, casual mentions of past “hook-ups,” one fade-to-black scene (chapter 21)
— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Craft: 4
My Gut Feeling: 4
Total Stars: 4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Grief
yanagi's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Violence, and Death
mels_reading_log's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ali Hazelwood doesn’t know how to write a bad book. I love that her main characters are such strong and intelligent women who fight back at gender stereotypes. This romance is swoon worthy and I love a story where he falls first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
linwood's review
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Having read several books by this author this is one of the better ones. This book is casual yet smart. The main character is brilliant but emotionally flawed, and held back by her past trauma. Our hero is the strong silent type, equally brilliant, and has already dealt with his trauma. The chess is entertaining and the games can be tense and exciting. I would categorize this as a sports romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Dementia, Grief, and Chronic illness
jessalicemorris's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
wow, wow, WOW, she’s done it again!! Ali Hazelwood I am absolutely obsessed with you and your work and this book is just another incredible addition to a string of great novels. Nolan and Mallory are potentially my favourite couple you have written and the chess theme that runs through this book is so unique and interesting that I truly did not expect to fall in love with it this much! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as always x
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
lilawsahar's review
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
Mallory Mallory Mallory. I really related to her as an eldest daughter. I feel like there are a lot of responsibilities taken on as an eldest daughter that aren’t acknowledged, but taken advantage of. I think the mom could have helped by not putting the burden of the whole household onto her. It was weird how the mom crushed off Mallory’s troubles by her not asking for help when the mom depended on her to make money, buy groceries, and take care of her younger sisters. Like can you take responsibility for not helping or getting help yourself? I feel like the friend did the same thing. She blamed Mallory for not reaching out enough, but you didn’t even respond to her text messages??? Shitty friend. The only one who was kind to Mallory was her chess community. Nolan literally saved her from a shitty situation.
I love how this romance also includes the importance of friendship, family, and having safe sex. Great book for teens to read and relate to.
I love how this romance also includes the importance of friendship, family, and having safe sex. Great book for teens to read and relate to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, Misogyny, and Grief
modernmatilda's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
This was a sweet romance about the game of chess, how people navigate in circles dominated by the opposite gender, and intimidation theory (which is basically this idea that people perform worse if they are afraid, especially when gender is a factor).
I really love "he fell first" love stories - they are so CUTE - and I loved love loved reading about a protagonist who feels the stress and weight of money, caring for a sick parent, and providing for her siblings. The sister dynamic was wonderful.
This is very random, but I promise it makes sense. If you love The Lizzie McGuire movie, you should read this book.
Also, we love the bi rep!
I really love "he fell first" love stories - they are so CUTE - and I loved love loved reading about a protagonist who feels the stress and weight of money, caring for a sick parent, and providing for her siblings. The sister dynamic was wonderful.
This is very random, but I promise it makes sense. If you love The Lizzie McGuire movie, you should read this book.
Also, we love the bi rep!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Car accident and Infidelity
vael's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Dementia