InthiscleverandswoonworthyYAdebutfromtheNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorofTheLoveHypothesis,life’smovingpiecesbringrivalchessplayerstogetherinamatchfortheheart.MalloryGreenleafisdonewithchess.Everymovecountsnowadays;afterthesportledtothedestructionofherfamilyfouryearsearlier,Mallory’sfocusisonhermom,hersisters,andthedead-endjobthatkeepsthelightson.Thatis,untilshebegrudginglyagreestoplayinonelastcharitytournamentandinadvertentlywipestheboardwithnotorious“Kingkiller“NolanSawyer:currentworldchampionandreigningBadBoyofchess.Nolan’slosstoanunknownrook-ieshockseveryone.What’sevenmoreconfusing?Hisdesiretocrosspawnsagain.WhatkindofgambitisNolanplaying?Thesmartmovewouldbetowalkaway.Resign.Gameover.ButMallory’svictoryopensthedoortosorelyneededcash-prizesanddespiteeverything,shecan’thelpfeelingdrawntotheenigmaticstrategist....Assherocketsuptheranks,Mallorystrugglestokeepherfamilysafelyseparatedfromthegamethatwreckeditinthefirstplace.Andasherloveforthesportshesodesperatelywantedtohatebeginstorekindle,Malloryquicklyrealizesthatthegamesaren’tonlyontheboard,thespotlightisbrighterthansheimagined,andthecompetitioncanbefierce(-lyattractive.Andintelligent...andinfuriating...)
