"Check & Mate" by Ali Hazelwood

 A unique romance featuring diverse characters that is perfect for readers looking for some angst. 

This was my first Ali Hazelwood book, which may surprise some as Ali Hazelwood is a world renowned romance author, but this is Hazelwood's first attempt at writing Young Adult Fiction. 

I could definitely tell that this author primarily focuses on adult readers because her writing style and her characters felt more elaborate and involved than most YA writing. Also, the characters were college aged students which has this book flirting with the line of New Adult Fiction rather than Young Adult Fiction. 

Overall, I did enjoy this book. In essence, this is a book about two chess prodigies who meet unexpectedly at a charity chess tournament and sparks begin to fly. Mallory, who has sworn off chess forever because she believes chess is responsible for destroying her life and her family, only plays in the charity tournament as a one time favor to her best friend. Nolan, the current world champion, was beginning to lose his passion for chess as it seemed like there was no one left to really challenge him. That is, until Mallory defeats him in the tournament. Now, Nolan wants nothing more than to play another match with Mallory, and Mallory wants to be left alone to continue her work in the local automotive shop so she can support her struggling family.  But when Mallory is offered the opportunity of a lifetime and the chance to really change her family's future, she finds herself once again immersed in the world of chess. The competition is fierce and so is the growing attraction she feels for Nolan.

I found Nolan, the male main character, to be an adorable cinnamon roll of a guy. He wanted nothing more than to be with Mallory in whatever way made her happy. Mallory was a bit of a frustrating character as she had some trauma to overcome before she could start making the decisions she needed to make for her own future and her family. But the overall love story was sweet and satisfying.

I will warn some readers that if you have never played chess before, then some of the language and chess speak can be a little confusing. But as an ameture chess player myself, I really enjoyed this dynamic for this love story. 

This book is a great choice for someone who is looking for something a little deeper and more complicated that the traditional YA love story. 

"A Cruel Thirst" by Angela Montoya

Move over Twilight, there is a new vampire book in town!

And I LOVE the cover!

I also love that the vampires in this book are monsters! They aren't romantically tragic figures, they are the undead cursed by a trickster god and forced to feed off the souls of the living. 

This enemies-to-lovers vampire story was unique, engaging and had excellent world building. Carolina, the female main character, is no awkward, whimpering human girl. She is a kick butt Latina vampire hunter who is descended from a long line of hunters, and her only goal is to prove to her family that she has what it takes to continue the family tradition and rid the world of as many vampires as possible.

Lalo, the male main character, is NOT a dark brooding vampire. He in fact is a slightly awkward, although handsome, bookworm who has never been in a fight in his life. That is, until he tried to avenge his parents' death by killing the vampire that brutally murdered them. However, instead of getting revenge, Lalo finds himself turned into the one thing he hates most in the entire world: a vampire.

Desperate to find a way to turn him back, Lalo and his younger sister journey to a remote pueblo after following clues from their research in hopes of finding and killing the first vampire, which in turn may rid Lalo of his curse.

This puts him on a collision course with Carolina, who would gladly stake him before lifting a finger to help him. But in a twist of fate, Carolina finds she needs Lalo's help and that they have a common enemy. As they work together to put an end to the evil that has plagued their pueblo and their lives, they find their lives and their hearts become irrevocably intwined.

Carolina was a great spunky female character with a lot of strengths and character growth, while Lalo was a warm cinnamon roll of a male character who just melted my heart each time he fought to do the next right thing. 

I loved the setting and the Latinx cultural influence as well.  Overall, I highly enjoyed this one and any Twilight fans will be sure to enjoy it as well!