Check & Mate

Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. The game once held a central place in her life until it led to the downfall of her family four years ago. Now, every move she makes is to support her mother, her sisters, and ensure the bills are paid with her dead-end job. However, an unexpected twist occurs when Mallory reluctantly participates in a charity tournament and unexpectedly defeats the infamous 'Kingkiller' Nolan Sawyer—the current world champion known for both his extraordinary skill and bad boy image in the chess world.

Nolan’s surprising loss to an unknown player astonishes everyone, but what’s even more bewildering is his eagerness to challenge her again. Is Nolan merely seeking redemption, or is there a deeper strategy at play? The rational choice for Mallory would be to move on and leave the game behind. But her unexpected victory introduces the possibility of lucrative cash prizes, and despite her reservations, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic champion.

As Mallory navigates her way up the ranks, she must balance her family's well-being with the game that once tore them apart. Her rekindled passion for chess becomes an increasing conflict, as the spotlight shines brighter and the competition grows fiercer—both on and off the board. Along the journey, she encounters the complexities of attraction, intelligence, and rivalry, making her realise that the games aren’t confined to the chessboard alone.

This novel is suitable for both young adult and adult audiences.