Check and mate

Check & Mate is a smart, witty rivals-to-lovers romance set in the competitive world of chess. Mallory Greenleaf left chess behind after it caused her family too much pain. Now, she's focused on working hard and taking care of her loved ones—until she reluctantly enters a charity tournament and defeats the reigning world champion, Nolan Sawyer. Nolan is intelligent, intense, and unexpectedly intrigued by the one girl who doesn't care about his fame. As Mallory is pulled back into the high-stakes chess world, the tension between her and Nolan builds both on and off the board. Filled with sharp banter, emotional depth, and slow-burn chemistry, Check & Mate is a heartfelt story about ambition, second chances, and finding love in the most unexpected moves.