In this clever and captivating debut in the young adult genre from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, the intricacies of life bring together rival chess players in a heartfelt competition for love.
Mallory Greenleaf has sworn off chess, the game that once tore her family apart four years ago. Now, her focus is entirely on her mom, her sisters, and the mundane job that pays the bills. However, a reluctant decision to participate in a charity tournament changes everything when Mallory unexpectedly defeats the renowned “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan’s surprising loss to an unknown player raises eyebrows, and what’s even more puzzling is his eagerness to face off against Mallory once again. What strategic move is Nolan making? The logical choice for Mallory would be to walk away, to resign and call it game over. Yet, her victory opens doors to much-needed cash prizes, and despite herself, she can’t resist the pull of the enigmatic strategist.
As Mallory climbs the ranks, she grapples with the challenge of keeping her family shielded from the game that caused their strife. Amidst it all, her rekindled love for a sport she wanted to despise becomes apparent. Mallory soon discovers that the games extend beyond the chessboard, the spotlight is more intense than she imagined, and the competition proves to be not only fiercely attractive but also incredibly intelligent and, at times, infuriating.
