First Time / Reread - Reread!
Star Rating - 5/5
Spice Rating - 1/5 (it’s YA baby)
Tropes - workplace (tournament) romance, forced proximity, opposites attract, slow burn
Favourite Line - “Nolan stares like I’m the center of gravity of the room, like nothing else ever existed but me in all of space and time.”
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What was your overall opinion of the book?
I’ve read this book twice now and both times I’ve read it cover to cover in one sitting, and giggled the whole way through it. That probably tells you everything you need to know!
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What was your favourite moment/scene in the book?
Nolan visiting the Greenleaf house, bonding with Mallory’s sisters (and the guinea pig!) was so so sweet.
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Which character did you like best/most identify with?
Honestly probably Sabrina, the middle sister in the height of her teen years (aka raging bitch) 😂 I definitely can’t relate to Mallory or Nolan (although maybe Nolan slightly in that quiet and yearning way he does - I am also a quiet yearner).
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Did any themes or messages in the book change your perspective on anything?
I think Mallory and her best friend’s relationship was interesting because it showed that even though Mallory grew increasingly detached from their friendship after assuming it would end up that way once she’d moved away for college, we weren’t seeing what Mallory WASN’T saying. She was sharing memes once a week but not any of the important stuff (which I am also guilty of) and then couldn’t understand why her friend wasn’t engaging anymore.
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How did the author’s writing style impact your reading experience?
I love Ali’s writing style - she’s my favourite author. It feels sophisticated without being obnoxious and she’s still funny and obviously very very intelligent (we love women in STEM!)
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Was this book relatable to you in any way?
Not really, but I like that it isn’t.
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What is the one thing about this book you will remember, even a year from now?
I think the imagery of Nolan and Mallory standing together in the chess room in Italy will always stick with me like it did after my first read.
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If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast?
Elle Fanning as Mallory fo sho (I feel like Anya Taylor-Joy is too obvious given the Queen’s Gambit). And someone like Louis Partridge or Liam Woodrum for Nolan!
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How likely would you be to recommend the book to someone else? (use a sliding scale of 1-5 if easier)
5 all the way!