Check & Mate

The New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis makes a brilliant and dreamy young adult debut in which dueling chess players square off in a fight for the heart thanks to life's shifting pieces.

It's over for Mallory Greenleaf and chess. These days, every move matters; Mallory's priorities are her mother, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on, since the sport destroyed her family four years ago. That is, until she reluctantly consents to participate in one more charity match and unintentionally defeats infamous "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer, the reigning Bad Boy of chess and current world champion.

Everyone is shocked by Nolan's defeat against an unidentified rook-ie. What could be more perplexing? His want to switch pawns once again. What kind of trick is Nolan pulling off? It would be wise to turn around and go. Step down. The game is done. However, Mallory's triumph provides much-needed financial rewards, and in spite of everything, she can't help but be pulled to the mysterious tactician.

Mallory fights to keep her family securely away from the game that first destroyed them as she soars to the top. Additionally, Mallory soon learns that the games aren't only on the board, the limelight is greater than she had anticipated, and the competition can be fierce (-ly alluring) as her passion for the sport she so strongly wanted to despise starts to revive. And perceptive...and irritating...)