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Check & Mate

the instant Sunday Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards winner - an enemies-to-lovers romance that will have you hooked!

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Check & Mate

By: Ali Hazelwood
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
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About this listen

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

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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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐©2023 Ali Hazelwood Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Romantic Comedy Comedy Chess Heartfelt Hockey Game Sports
All stars
Most relevant
I loved this book I would have loved it to be a lot longer the end felt rushed but I can see why it was after finishing it. Definitely another great book from Ali

Couldn’t walk away

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I love a story that I can learn something from. It deserves repeat listens, which I did! I loved the witty humour, characters & excellent narration!
Enjoy👱🏻‍♀️😃🤩👏🌟💖

Absolutely LOVED IT!👱🏻‍♀️🤩🌟👏🌟💖🌟💖🌟💖

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i love this story so much, Nolan and Mallory’s story was so good, I loved the way chess is integrated into this as well as both the characters’ family dynamics. The narrator was perfect for this as well :)

PERFECTION

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Romantic, fun, witty dialogue and smart characters. Everything we've come to expect from Ali Hazelwood. Don't be put off by this being marketed as a "clean" romance - it's really not disimiliar to her other work. Narrator was amazing too.

Classic Ali Hazelwood - loved it !

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I loved this book and honestly couldn’t stop listening. The sparks and the connection of the main characters was great. The narration was fabulous. The only thing I kind of wish it had was a few chapters from Nolan as well but 5 stars

The chemistry!

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