Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Ali Hazelwood's YA debut is exactly what you hope for when an adult romance author pivots younger: all the wit and chemistry, none of the explicit content. This is a genuinely smart book that makes chess feel as high-stakes as any dystopian arena, while sneaking in real talk about gender inequality and family trauma.

The language is salty (think: your teen already hears worse in the school hallway), but the relationship is refreshingly healthy—clear communication, enthusiastic consent, two people actually talking through their issues. Mallory is a strong protagonist dealing with real financial pressure and the weight of supporting her family, which gives the story more heft than your average YA romance.

It's not going to change anyone's life, but it's entertaining, educational about a niche world, and models good relationship dynamics. For teens who devoured The Love Hypothesis but aren't quite ready for adult steam levels, this hits the spot. Just be ready for some f-bombs and a protagonist who's been through some real family pain.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14-18, the sweet spot for contemporary YA romance readers. The strong language, mature themes (family trauma, financial stress), and romantic content make it too mature for middle schoolers, but it's perfectly calibrated for high schoolers who want smart, swoony romance with substance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Emotionally grounded YA romance that models healthy communication and consent between an 18-year-old protagonist and 20-year-old love interest. Tackles serious themes like family trauma, financial stress, and gender inequality in chess with nuance. Characters work on their flaws rather than being perfect. Strong language is present throughout (mostly comedic) which keeps it from scoring higher, but overall tone is supportive and age-appropriate for older teens.

Imaginative

72

Brings the niche world of competitive chess to life in a fresh way for YA, making an intellectual sport feel accessible and exciting. The chess-as-metaphor framework is clever without being heavy-handed. However, it's ultimately a fairly conventional romance structure with some creative world-building rather than truly inventive storytelling. The 'rivals to lovers' and 'return to the thing you loved' arcs are well-executed but familiar.

Safe

82

No graphic content, sexual scenes, violence, or triggering material beyond the emotional weight of past family trauma. Common Sense Media confirms strong language throughout (f-bombs, mostly comedic) but no other major safety concerns. The book deals with a parent's gambling addiction and family breakdown four years prior, which is handled sensitively but may resonate painfully for some teens in similar situations. Overall very safe for the YA audience it targets.

Enriching

76

Genuinely educational about chess culture, tournaments, rankings, and strategy without being dry. Meaningfully explores gender inequality in competitive spaces, financial hardship, and the pressure of being in the spotlight. Models healthy relationship dynamics and consent. The protagonist's journey back to something she loved after trauma offers real emotional depth. Entertaining enough to keep teens engaged while delivering substance, though it's more 'smart beach read' than literary fiction.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Makes competitive chess genuinely exciting and accessible—teens will actually learn about the sport, tournaments, and rankings without it feeling like homework
Tackles gender inequality in competitive spaces head-on, giving teen girls language for experiences they may already be having
Models a healthy relationship with clear communication, consent, and two people working on their flaws rather than toxic drama
Balances serious themes (financial stress, family trauma from gambling addiction, pressure of public scrutiny) with humor and genuine swoony moments
Ali Hazelwood's signature wit translates well to YA—it's funny without trying too hard

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What to Watch For

Strong language everywhere (f-bombs galore, mostly for comedic effect)—if your teen isn't ready for that vocabulary, this isn't the one
Family trauma is central: Mallory's dad had a gambling problem that destroyed their family four years ago, and that pain drives the whole plot
The romance is clean (no sex scenes) but definitely swoony and romantic—appropriate for the 14+ crowd who are ready for that
Some teens may find the chess-heavy sections slow if they're not into strategy games or sports

Conversation Starters

"Mallory gave up chess because it reminded her of painful family stuff. Have you ever avoided something you loved because of bad memories attached to it?"
"The book talks a lot about how few women compete at the top levels of chess. Why do you think that is? Have you noticed similar patterns in other activities?"
"Nolan is famous and constantly in the spotlight, which comes with a lot of pressure and scrutiny. Would you want to be famous? What would be the hardest part?"
"Mallory has to balance taking care of her family with pursuing her own dreams. That's a lot for an 18-year-old. What would you do in her shoes?"

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