*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST YA FICTION 2023*

---

Life's moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious 'Kingkiller' Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.

Nolan's loss to an unknown rookie shocks everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist...

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent... and infuriating...)

This novel is suitable for both young adult and adult audiences.

Real readers love Check & Mate:

'Just the book I needed...I absolutely adored it...I laughed so much my stomach hurt...cute, fluffy, fun, hilarious...Do yourself a huge favour and pick it up immediately. I can't recommend it enough.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong! This book, omg, this book... I read [it all] in one sitting....The tension had me blushing...the ending was perfect.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'GOD, this book is perfect. Probably my favourite of the year!...Ali Hazelwood's voice is so unique and distinct and she carried it SO well into this book.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Compulsively readable...I didn't want it to end!...The romance had me BLUSHING...a romance with character growth and characters that feel like real people.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'OMG! Ali has done it again!...I loved everything about this book: the characters, the pace, the storyline. EVERYTHING...Nolan was one of the best love interests I've ever read.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The tension, the pining, the passion. *chef's kiss* It's a big statement, but this might be my favourite book from Ali Hazelwood yet. It had everything I love in a rom-com: 10/10 characters who are fleshed out and well developed, high emotional stakes, slow burn but gallons of chemistry...A delight to read...I couldn't get enough!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I absolutely adored this. Couldn't put it down...The romance! Oh, it was sweet. Perfectly swoony...A gem of a read.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Ali Hazelwood's writing never disappoints! [This book] had its funny moments, sad moments, heartfelt moments, and all of this because the author knows how to create an environment that will make you go deep into this world!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐