Check & Mate

From the bestselling author of Love, Theoretically comes a smart, addictive rivals-to-lovers romance with heart, humor, and the perfect touch of competitive tension. Check & Mate delivers Ali Hazelwood’s signature charm — but this time in a world of strategy, chessboards, and unexpected chemistry.

What It’s About

Mallory Greenleaf swore she was done with chess.

She quit years ago. She moved on.

Or so she thought.

One charity tournament later, she accidentally defeats Nolan Sawyer — the world’s #1 chess prodigy, the “bad boy of chess,” and public enemy number one to her quiet, private life.

Now the entire chess world wants her back…

and Nolan wants her.

Rivals on the board.

Impossible tension off it.

A game neither of them expected to play — or win.

Why Readers Love It

• Classic rivals-to-lovers trope with perfect execution
• Witty banter and magnetic chemistry
• Female lead who’s brilliant, complicated, and impossible not to root for
• Nolan = the quiet, emotionally intense love interest BookTok loves
• Accessible even if you know nothing about chess
• Fast, fun, deeply heartfelt storytelling

Perfect For

• Fans of Ali Hazelwood’s STEM romances
• Readers who love rivals/enemies to lovers
• Lovers of smart, flirty contemporary romance
• BookTok readers hunting for their next obsession
• Gift buyers wanting a charming, high-demand title

A clever, romantic, feel-good read packed with tension, sweetness, and irresistible chemistry — Hazelwood at her best.