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Bold Moves: A Novel
From the author of Bad Reputation comes a smart and sexy second chance romance, where exes reunite to adapt a memoir, only to discover that after a decade apart, they might finally be ready for more.
Working with your ex isn’t that bad an idea—not with artistic integrity on the line. Jaime Croft is determined to prove his directorial range, and Scarlett Arbuthnot’s biography is the perfect project. He once thought Scarlett was his perfect match too, but it’s been seventeen years. Surely he’s over it by now.
Or maybe not.
Scarlett is a grand master taking the chess world by storm. If she can handle that pressure, she can handle Jaime Croft. Even if that means working together in close quarters . . .and constant reminders of how she broke his heart. She didn’t do it without reason, but if he knew the details, he would despise her even more.
As Jaime and Scarlett pore over her memoir, they unlock their own memories, and old feelings rise to the surface. But giving in means abandoning the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and that’s a move neither one seems ready to make.
Working with your ex isn’t that bad an idea—not with artistic integrity on the line. Jaime Croft is determined to prove his directorial range, and Scarlett Arbuthnot’s biography is the perfect project. He once thought Scarlett was his perfect match too, but it’s been seventeen years. Surely he’s over it by now.
Or maybe not.
Scarlett is a grand master taking the chess world by storm. If she can handle that pressure, she can handle Jaime Croft. Even if that means working together in close quarters . . .and constant reminders of how she broke his heart. She didn’t do it without reason, but if he knew the details, he would despise her even more.
As Jaime and Scarlett pore over her memoir, they unlock their own memories, and old feelings rise to the surface. But giving in means abandoning the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and that’s a move neither one seems ready to make.
331 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2025
253 people are currently reading
5989 people want to read
About the author
Emma Barry
29 books222 followersEmma Barry is a teacher, novelist, recovering academic, and former political staffer. She lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, and she occasionally finds time to read and write.
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April 18, 2025
જ⁀➴ 2 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Bold Moves will be officially published on April 22nd, 2025!
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚
I'm not going to lie, when I first saw this ARC on NetGalley, I was on the fence about requesting it. For some reason, I kept getting pulled back to it time and time again, and so I bit the bullet and requested it. However, the more I continued reading, the more I realized that the only "bold move" I could've made was to not read it. I love a good second-chance romance. For example, Final Offer by Lauren Asher's probably one of my favorites. I love the pining, the tension, the memories, the unspoken feelings, and everything that was left unsaid between the two MCs. In Bold Moves, though, I think this was one of those scenarios where an ex should stay an ex for a reason.
Scarlett Arbutnot's at the top of her (chess) game. She's breaking the glass ceiling in the chess world as she tries to make a name for herself and advocate for more diversity in the game to include more women and the LGBTQIA+ community, all while doing it on her own, because the top of a lonely place. As a proverbial middle finger to the organization that runs the chess competition world, she comes out with a biography. When her old high school fling, Jaime Croft, reaches out to her with an opportunity to turn her biography into a TV series, she gives him the green light. As they spend months together working on scripts, filming, and everything else in between, old memories and feelings spark between the two. What could possibly go wrong?
For two people who are in their thirties, Scarlett and Jaime were PAINFULLY immature. They both need to do A LOT of growing up before they can figure out what they want in a romantic relationship. I'm a big believer in "You have to work on yourself and love yourself before you can give that love to someone else" and Scarlett and Jaime both needed to do that. Scarlett had to learn how to do life on her own at times, which made her independent--we love an independent woman!--but Jaime just didn't like that he couldn't be a part of her decision-making process at times, and he couldn't stand not feeling included in things. On the other hand, Jaime also lashed out at Scarlett many times throughout the story for making some of the decisions she did, and to be completely honest, Scarlett was 100% justified in making those decisions, in my opinion. (I can't say more without spoiling anything, but that's all I'll say on the matter.)
Their relationship was so toxic and unhealthy and I don't mean that in a "Kat and Heath from The Favorites" type of toxic, like the kind of toxic you can't tear your eyes away from. It was the kind of toxic vibe you get from that one couple you know in your life who constantly break up and get back together and you just go, "...bruh, WHY?!" There was no deeper connection between them beyond physical and sexual attraction and it's painfully obvious throughout the entire book AND both of their POVs. There was not a single moment throughout the eARC where I felt like they were in love and they deserved to be together.
I also thought we'd get more information about the chess world and Scarlett's thought process that goes behind how she prepares for a chess match, what goes through her head when she's in a game, and anything else related to the chess world, but we didn't get much and that disappointed me. She wrote an entire biography about her life and included details about her most important matches, but we barely hear about any of them besides maybe two or three of them.
Overall, this book didn't make the "bold move" of impressing me. It just wasn't for me and it didn't meet my expectations. Hopefully, someone else will read this book and enjoy it--it seems like a lot of people did if the current rating is sitting at 3.71 stars at the time of writing this review--but this just wasn't what I expected.
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚
Trigger/content warnings: incarceration, sexism, mentions of the opioid epidemic in the US and its effects on loved ones, drug use and overdose, mentions of a difficult childhood, sexual content
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I just realized that all of the books I've read so far this month have been 400+ pages and on top of that, I have a giant backlog of ARCs that are due in May so I need to lock in and read them all. What better way to do a quick palate cleanser than with a short and sweet second chance rom-com?!
The premise is giving me The Queen's Gambit and Check and Mate vibes. I LOVED The Queen's Gambit and I have 2 Funko Pops of Beth Harmon on my bookshelves so I'm a little biased here but that's why I picked up the ARC. Let's see what happens!♟️💜✨
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Bold Moves will be officially published on April 22nd, 2025!
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚
I'm not going to lie, when I first saw this ARC on NetGalley, I was on the fence about requesting it. For some reason, I kept getting pulled back to it time and time again, and so I bit the bullet and requested it. However, the more I continued reading, the more I realized that the only "bold move" I could've made was to not read it. I love a good second-chance romance. For example, Final Offer by Lauren Asher's probably one of my favorites. I love the pining, the tension, the memories, the unspoken feelings, and everything that was left unsaid between the two MCs. In Bold Moves, though, I think this was one of those scenarios where an ex should stay an ex for a reason.
Scarlett Arbutnot's at the top of her (chess) game. She's breaking the glass ceiling in the chess world as she tries to make a name for herself and advocate for more diversity in the game to include more women and the LGBTQIA+ community, all while doing it on her own, because the top of a lonely place. As a proverbial middle finger to the organization that runs the chess competition world, she comes out with a biography. When her old high school fling, Jaime Croft, reaches out to her with an opportunity to turn her biography into a TV series, she gives him the green light. As they spend months together working on scripts, filming, and everything else in between, old memories and feelings spark between the two. What could possibly go wrong?
For two people who are in their thirties, Scarlett and Jaime were PAINFULLY immature. They both need to do A LOT of growing up before they can figure out what they want in a romantic relationship. I'm a big believer in "You have to work on yourself and love yourself before you can give that love to someone else" and Scarlett and Jaime both needed to do that. Scarlett had to learn how to do life on her own at times, which made her independent--we love an independent woman!--but Jaime just didn't like that he couldn't be a part of her decision-making process at times, and he couldn't stand not feeling included in things. On the other hand, Jaime also lashed out at Scarlett many times throughout the story for making some of the decisions she did, and to be completely honest, Scarlett was 100% justified in making those decisions, in my opinion. (I can't say more without spoiling anything, but that's all I'll say on the matter.)
Their relationship was so toxic and unhealthy and I don't mean that in a "Kat and Heath from The Favorites" type of toxic, like the kind of toxic you can't tear your eyes away from. It was the kind of toxic vibe you get from that one couple you know in your life who constantly break up and get back together and you just go, "...bruh, WHY?!" There was no deeper connection between them beyond physical and sexual attraction and it's painfully obvious throughout the entire book AND both of their POVs. There was not a single moment throughout the eARC where I felt like they were in love and they deserved to be together.
I also thought we'd get more information about the chess world and Scarlett's thought process that goes behind how she prepares for a chess match, what goes through her head when she's in a game, and anything else related to the chess world, but we didn't get much and that disappointed me. She wrote an entire biography about her life and included details about her most important matches, but we barely hear about any of them besides maybe two or three of them.
Overall, this book didn't make the "bold move" of impressing me. It just wasn't for me and it didn't meet my expectations. Hopefully, someone else will read this book and enjoy it--it seems like a lot of people did if the current rating is sitting at 3.71 stars at the time of writing this review--but this just wasn't what I expected.
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚ ⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚
Trigger/content warnings: incarceration, sexism, mentions of the opioid epidemic in the US and its effects on loved ones, drug use and overdose, mentions of a difficult childhood, sexual content
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I just realized that all of the books I've read so far this month have been 400+ pages and on top of that, I have a giant backlog of ARCs that are due in May so I need to lock in and read them all. What better way to do a quick palate cleanser than with a short and sweet second chance rom-com?!
The premise is giving me The Queen's Gambit and Check and Mate vibes. I LOVED The Queen's Gambit and I have 2 Funko Pops of Beth Harmon on my bookshelves so I'm a little biased here but that's why I picked up the ARC. Let's see what happens!♟️💜✨
February 10, 2025
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc & an audiobook in exchange for an honest review!*
3.75 stars.
This was my very first Emma Barry book that I read and I really enjoyed it.
The characters were fun to read about, the pacing was fast and the story was very gripping.
I am totally going to read this again in the future.
A smart and sexy second chance romance, where exes reunite to adapt a memoir, only to discover that after a decade apart, they might finally be ready for more.
AND THE FMC IS A GRAND MASTER AT CHESS?
I'm so looking forward to this one!
3.75 stars.
This was my very first Emma Barry book that I read and I really enjoyed it.
The characters were fun to read about, the pacing was fast and the story was very gripping.
I am totally going to read this again in the future.
A smart and sexy second chance romance, where exes reunite to adapt a memoir, only to discover that after a decade apart, they might finally be ready for more.
AND THE FMC IS A GRAND MASTER AT CHESS?
I'm so looking forward to this one!
November 5, 2025
Chess Grand Champion agrees to let a major streaming service adapt her memoir into a TV show, but is aghast to realize the screen writer and director is her former high school boyfriend, the boy who's heart she broke both purposefully, and secretly, when she left him in their small town to pursue her dreams.
SO angsty, and so full of pining and yearning. Emma Barry just deftly weaves in chess game play in a way that I, a non-chess player, recognize and understand without being overwhelmed. SO sexy. I need to listen to this on audio!!
SO angsty, and so full of pining and yearning. Emma Barry just deftly weaves in chess game play in a way that I, a non-chess player, recognize and understand without being overwhelmed. SO sexy. I need to listen to this on audio!!
January 23, 2025
Bold Moves is a fun short second chance romance and I really enjoyed it.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 22 April 2025
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
It is about Scarlett and Jaime, two adults who know each other and dated in high school.
Scarlett is now a professional chess player and the author of her own memoir and Jaime is a film director.
As they work on a new project, they must work together and overcome any obstacles to make it a success.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕:
Personally, I loved this book and FMC Scarlett. She was brave and independent and has learnt to stand up for herself since she was a child.
𝓙𝓪𝓲𝓶𝓮:
I liked his character and I understand his struggles because of his father, but sometimes I think he overreacted.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
In conclusion, I loved the character development and the dynamics of Scarlett and Jaime's relationship. I would recommend this book but if you don't like spice it might not be for you or you could skip a few chapters.
————————————————————————————
❥ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭:
❥ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐄-𝐀𝐑𝐂.
❥ 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽:
💕𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
♟️𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝙵𝙼𝙲
🎬𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚛 𝙼𝙼𝙲
💕𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
♟️𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚡 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚎
🎬𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜
💕𝚋𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝚡 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝙼𝙲
♟️𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚏𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 22 April 2025
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
It is about Scarlett and Jaime, two adults who know each other and dated in high school.
Scarlett is now a professional chess player and the author of her own memoir and Jaime is a film director.
As they work on a new project, they must work together and overcome any obstacles to make it a success.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕:
Personally, I loved this book and FMC Scarlett. She was brave and independent and has learnt to stand up for herself since she was a child.
𝓙𝓪𝓲𝓶𝓮:
I liked his character and I understand his struggles because of his father, but sometimes I think he overreacted.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
In conclusion, I loved the character development and the dynamics of Scarlett and Jaime's relationship. I would recommend this book but if you don't like spice it might not be for you or you could skip a few chapters.
————————————————————————————
❥ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭:
❥ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐄-𝐀𝐑𝐂.
❥ 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽:
💕𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
♟️𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝙵𝙼𝙲
🎬𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚛 𝙼𝙼𝙲
💕𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
♟️𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚡 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚎
🎬𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜
💕𝚋𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝚡 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝙼𝙲
♟️𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚏𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗
January 6, 2025
I just loved it, it's my favourite book by Emma Barry.
It's a high heat, emotionally intense romance that doesn't shy away from difficult topics - his father is in prison for life, her mother is the opposite of a caring parent, she is facing sexism in sports, he is under pressure to prove himself in the movie industry.
All this is just the background of their relationship and what a relationship it is. They started as high school lovers then went through a most devastating breakup, going no-contact for 15+ years, to a very intense, emotionally challenging, sexually explosive relationship in the present day. What I really liked how the author gave them time to come to terms with their feelings - feelings of hurt and hatred and disappointment, to I-can-no-longer-live-without-that-person feelings. There was nothing rushed, well the sexual chemistry was there from the start and they didn't shy away from it too long, but great sex didn't solve their issues. They both were not ready for a/that relationship.
She is strong and independent and I loved her for it. Yet, she also needed care and someone to lean on when things get rough, she just couldn't admit it, even to herself.
He, on the other hand, was all about taking care of people. This is his love language though can get too much, too smothering and he needed to learn how to let others be themselves, trust them to appreciate/love him for who he is.
I really, really liked how both of them grew and changed in order to have a healthy relationship, yet neither demanded that change from the other person. They realised they loved the other with all their faults and weaknesses. He, especially, put it very clearly that his life is infinitely better with her in it than without her. I found it so powerful, it's simply put but it very much fits with my understanding of love.
Oh, and there is chess, so much chess. I can't play myself though I know the rules in general and very much enjoyed how present was the game in the story. The heroine is a chess grand master and the games is very defining of her personality. And he is so bad at it, it's hilarious. I feel this fitted so well with their personalities- she is a strategist in life, as well as in sports, he is very much an open book, spur of the moment type of person.
CW: loved one in prison, parental neglect, sexism,
It's a high heat, emotionally intense romance that doesn't shy away from difficult topics - his father is in prison for life, her mother is the opposite of a caring parent, she is facing sexism in sports, he is under pressure to prove himself in the movie industry.
All this is just the background of their relationship and what a relationship it is. They started as high school lovers then went through a most devastating breakup, going no-contact for 15+ years, to a very intense, emotionally challenging, sexually explosive relationship in the present day. What I really liked how the author gave them time to come to terms with their feelings - feelings of hurt and hatred and disappointment, to I-can-no-longer-live-without-that-person feelings. There was nothing rushed, well the sexual chemistry was there from the start and they didn't shy away from it too long, but great sex didn't solve their issues. They both were not ready for a/that relationship.
She is strong and independent and I loved her for it. Yet, she also needed care and someone to lean on when things get rough, she just couldn't admit it, even to herself.
He, on the other hand, was all about taking care of people. This is his love language though can get too much, too smothering and he needed to learn how to let others be themselves, trust them to appreciate/love him for who he is.
I really, really liked how both of them grew and changed in order to have a healthy relationship, yet neither demanded that change from the other person. They realised they loved the other with all their faults and weaknesses. He, especially, put it very clearly that his life is infinitely better with her in it than without her. I found it so powerful, it's simply put but it very much fits with my understanding of love.
Oh, and there is chess, so much chess. I can't play myself though I know the rules in general and very much enjoyed how present was the game in the story. The heroine is a chess grand master and the games is very defining of her personality. And he is so bad at it, it's hilarious. I feel this fitted so well with their personalities- she is a strategist in life, as well as in sports, he is very much an open book, spur of the moment type of person.
CW: loved one in prison, parental neglect, sexism,
May 15, 2025
This was a most uncomfortable book to read, not least, I'm afraid, because it made me confront my own prejudices.
I wondered at first whether Emma Barry had had her namesake in mind in creating Scarlett. Jane Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." And indeed I disliked Scarlett intensely. She was thoughtless, selfish, petulant, manipulative and unkind. (Jaime, on the other hand, was a cinnamon roll: family oriented, supportive, creative, emotionally honest, dedicated and kind.)
What worries me about writing that, is that if the genders of the MCs had been swapped (say, Silas & Jane) I realised I'd probably be describing Silas in much less pejorative terms—as driven, emotionally challenged, ambitious, good at managing situations, etc etc. In other words, I've become accustomed to white-washing in (fictional) men what I perceive as faults in women. I think Emma Barry has deliberately set up this 'gender-swapping'; if it didn't quite come off, it was because (for both Scarlett & Jaime) the polarisation was slightly over-done.
However, understanding why Scarlett might feel so exaggeratedly driven isn't enough to redeem her—I still couldn't sympathise with her. I can give her a pass for being ambitious but not for how she treats her former love, Jaime.
I think there are a couple of weaknesses in the structure of the book that don't work in Scarlett's favour. Firstly, this is dual PoV, so we get to hear Scarlett expressing to the reader her feelings (75% lust, 25% remembered affection—this is a 2nd chance romance.) But does she show Jaime any kindness as a result? No. He tells her (without pressure) that he still loves her; she instantly says she will walk out. Again. So we're told she likes him, but she has no compunction about hurting him. Great.
Secondly, much is (rightly) made of Scarlett's attempts to enable women to play chess on equal terms with men, attempts that have been frustrated by the (fictional) world chess federation, PAWN. This is, we're told, her driving ambition. But the thing is we're told that: we never see it manifested. I think I'd be able to sympathise with her more than merely academically if I could see her butt heads with someone in PAWN during the book. I'd like to see situations where her single-mindedness and strategising were shown to be completely necessary and advantageous. Because without an opportunity to side with her emotionally, to root for her to fight her foes, her ruthlessness comes perilously close to cruelty.
Spoiler for the plot from here on.
A lot of Emma Barry’s books are about women struggling for recognition that men are awarded as if by right, and I am here for them. Earth Bound would make one of my top ten DIKs without a doubt (my review is here). But the difference between 'Earth Bound' & 'Bold Moves' is that in the former, Charlie Eason and Eugene Parsons don’t just lust after each other, they respect each other. And Charlie’s struggles are vividly shown, as are Eugene’s doubts and imperfections.
I don’t normally write such long reviews about books I really haven’t enjoyed. If I’ve done so here, it’s partly because this is a twisted shadow of 'Earth Bound' and I wanted to understand why—and also because I think Emma Barry was trying something courageous (a literal Bold Move) in crafting a gender-reversal story, which I respect. I’m sorry it didn’t work for me, but she still remains an author I will auto-read.
I wondered at first whether Emma Barry had had her namesake in mind in creating Scarlett. Jane Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." And indeed I disliked Scarlett intensely. She was thoughtless, selfish, petulant, manipulative and unkind. (Jaime, on the other hand, was a cinnamon roll: family oriented, supportive, creative, emotionally honest, dedicated and kind.)
What worries me about writing that, is that if the genders of the MCs had been swapped (say, Silas & Jane) I realised I'd probably be describing Silas in much less pejorative terms—as driven, emotionally challenged, ambitious, good at managing situations, etc etc. In other words, I've become accustomed to white-washing in (fictional) men what I perceive as faults in women. I think Emma Barry has deliberately set up this 'gender-swapping'; if it didn't quite come off, it was because (for both Scarlett & Jaime) the polarisation was slightly over-done.
However, understanding why Scarlett might feel so exaggeratedly driven isn't enough to redeem her—I still couldn't sympathise with her. I can give her a pass for being ambitious but not for how she treats her former love, Jaime.
I think there are a couple of weaknesses in the structure of the book that don't work in Scarlett's favour. Firstly, this is dual PoV, so we get to hear Scarlett expressing to the reader her feelings (75% lust, 25% remembered affection—this is a 2nd chance romance.) But does she show Jaime any kindness as a result? No. He tells her (without pressure) that he still loves her; she instantly says she will walk out. Again. So we're told she likes him, but she has no compunction about hurting him. Great.
Secondly, much is (rightly) made of Scarlett's attempts to enable women to play chess on equal terms with men, attempts that have been frustrated by the (fictional) world chess federation, PAWN. This is, we're told, her driving ambition. But the thing is we're told that: we never see it manifested. I think I'd be able to sympathise with her more than merely academically if I could see her butt heads with someone in PAWN during the book. I'd like to see situations where her single-mindedness and strategising were shown to be completely necessary and advantageous. Because without an opportunity to side with her emotionally, to root for her to fight her foes, her ruthlessness comes perilously close to cruelty.
Spoiler for the plot from here on.
A lot of Emma Barry’s books are about women struggling for recognition that men are awarded as if by right, and I am here for them. Earth Bound would make one of my top ten DIKs without a doubt (my review is here). But the difference between 'Earth Bound' & 'Bold Moves' is that in the former, Charlie Eason and Eugene Parsons don’t just lust after each other, they respect each other. And Charlie’s struggles are vividly shown, as are Eugene’s doubts and imperfections.
I don’t normally write such long reviews about books I really haven’t enjoyed. If I’ve done so here, it’s partly because this is a twisted shadow of 'Earth Bound' and I wanted to understand why—and also because I think Emma Barry was trying something courageous (a literal Bold Move) in crafting a gender-reversal story, which I respect. I’m sorry it didn’t work for me, but she still remains an author I will auto-read.
March 30, 2025
Lately, I’ve been into stories about second chances, and this one really got to me. The way the characters felt their emotions was so real; you could feel their pain and hope. It was easy to connect with them because their struggles felt genuine.
They had a complicated past that affected how they interacted. Watching them try to move forward was interesting. They didn’t have all the answers, but they kept pushing through, which made everything feel real. They weren’t perfect, but they weren’t giving up either.
The chess world made a nice setting. It added to the story and made their dynamic more intense. The strategy and focus of the game matched the way they had to handle their emotions and choices.
The way they dealt with everything felt natural. They struggled, made mistakes, and kept going. Seeing them figure things out made the story feel real.
They had a complicated past that affected how they interacted. Watching them try to move forward was interesting. They didn’t have all the answers, but they kept pushing through, which made everything feel real. They weren’t perfect, but they weren’t giving up either.
The chess world made a nice setting. It added to the story and made their dynamic more intense. The strategy and focus of the game matched the way they had to handle their emotions and choices.
The way they dealt with everything felt natural. They struggled, made mistakes, and kept going. Seeing them figure things out made the story feel real.
life-is-too-short
September 9, 2025Emma Barry has crafted some memorable romances for me. This one just feels like a slog, and I'm not feeling connected to it or the characters to each other. I may revisit at some point, but it's time to give up KU now (when I go through multiple weeks without caring what's waiting there)
Until the next trial!
Until the next trial!
April 16, 2025
I don't like playing chess, but I do love reading about chess, especially when it gets all dramatic and sexy.
January 15, 2025
Bold Moves by Emma Barry 3.5⭐️
I was really excited for this book because it was giving The Queen’s Gambit vibes but make it a romance book! This second chance romance was definitely steamy and entertaining.
I liked the premise of a second chance with “the one that got away” 17 years after their initial breakup. Jaime and Scarlett had obvious chemistry at the start and I was very curious to see what the big secret Scarlett was keeping for all those years. I did appreciate that this story took place over the course of about a year. I find that way more realistic than some books that happen entirely in a week.
The main characters however I couldn’t entirely get behind. I loved that Scarlett was the badass woman of chess. She was unapologetically independent, honest, and fought to help others which was fantastic. I did however find her to be unnecessarily mean and even cruel to Jaime at times. She broke his heart (albeit for legitimate reasons) the first time so I think she could’ve been a little gentler in the beginning. Jaime was definitely the lover and a genuine caretaker but he was also flawed in his own ways. He was almost too hung up on Scarlett’s appearance and I also think he blew the incident with the reporter way out of proportion. If he really loved Scarlett for the way she is he should’ve known she did that with the best intentions and she’s not going to change overnight. That could’ve just been a long conversation not an immediate hit the breakup button.
It also felt like they were just having the same fight over and over again. It was frustrating that they couldn’t just decide if they wanted to be together or not. Dragging it out for so long was unnecessary.
I did enjoy the roles the side characters played including Nate, Emery, Kit, and Martina. I also loved that Musgrove wasn’t necessarily the most idyllic small town but that Jaime and Scarlett both love it so much anyway.
This book definitely kept me entertained between their steamy scenes and exciting chess scenes/commentary. I would honestly watch the show they were making if it was real! Overall, I think I would give this book 3.5⭐️
Thank you so much NetGalley and Montlake for this advanced copy!
I was really excited for this book because it was giving The Queen’s Gambit vibes but make it a romance book! This second chance romance was definitely steamy and entertaining.
I liked the premise of a second chance with “the one that got away” 17 years after their initial breakup. Jaime and Scarlett had obvious chemistry at the start and I was very curious to see what the big secret Scarlett was keeping for all those years. I did appreciate that this story took place over the course of about a year. I find that way more realistic than some books that happen entirely in a week.
The main characters however I couldn’t entirely get behind. I loved that Scarlett was the badass woman of chess. She was unapologetically independent, honest, and fought to help others which was fantastic. I did however find her to be unnecessarily mean and even cruel to Jaime at times. She broke his heart (albeit for legitimate reasons) the first time so I think she could’ve been a little gentler in the beginning. Jaime was definitely the lover and a genuine caretaker but he was also flawed in his own ways. He was almost too hung up on Scarlett’s appearance and I also think he blew the incident with the reporter way out of proportion. If he really loved Scarlett for the way she is he should’ve known she did that with the best intentions and she’s not going to change overnight. That could’ve just been a long conversation not an immediate hit the breakup button.
It also felt like they were just having the same fight over and over again. It was frustrating that they couldn’t just decide if they wanted to be together or not. Dragging it out for so long was unnecessary.
I did enjoy the roles the side characters played including Nate, Emery, Kit, and Martina. I also loved that Musgrove wasn’t necessarily the most idyllic small town but that Jaime and Scarlett both love it so much anyway.
This book definitely kept me entertained between their steamy scenes and exciting chess scenes/commentary. I would honestly watch the show they were making if it was real! Overall, I think I would give this book 3.5⭐️
Thank you so much NetGalley and Montlake for this advanced copy!
April 9, 2025
The Queen’s Kiss was one of the most devastating forms of checkmate. It was when you landed your queen squarely in front of your opponent’s king, but they couldn’t take it— because if they did, then their king would immediately be taken by another piece of yours. It was an absolute power play, and Scarlett adored delivering it.
Bold Moves is a sizzling second chance romance between high-school sweethearts, who meet again 17 years later. Though Scarlett, the main female character, is not the one you could call a sweetheart, quite the opposite, it is really hard to like her at the beginning of the story, it took some time to warm to her. Meanwhile, Jamie, the main male character, at first glance appears to be a perfect book-boyfriend, especially his older version, thanks God (or rather, the author) for the flaws and little insecurities that made him absolutely yummy. Loved the way the topics of the chess world as well as having imprisoned relatives were blended into the story. The audiobook narrators did a decent job, but I felt as if they toned it down a little bit, since while reading the story seemed more emotional and intense.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Bold Moves is a sizzling second chance romance between high-school sweethearts, who meet again 17 years later. Though Scarlett, the main female character, is not the one you could call a sweetheart, quite the opposite, it is really hard to like her at the beginning of the story, it took some time to warm to her. Meanwhile, Jamie, the main male character, at first glance appears to be a perfect book-boyfriend, especially his older version, thanks God (or rather, the author) for the flaws and little insecurities that made him absolutely yummy. Loved the way the topics of the chess world as well as having imprisoned relatives were blended into the story. The audiobook narrators did a decent job, but I felt as if they toned it down a little bit, since while reading the story seemed more emotional and intense.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
December 13, 2025
Never have I ever read a romance book that made chess this sexy (but if any genre could make chess sexy, it’s this one). Loved Jaime and Scarlett’s push and pull, enjoyed it a little less when he kind of just withdrew from her altogether at the two-thirds mark, but overall I couldn’t put this one down (which seems to keep happening for me with Barry’s books).
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 30, 2025
Second chance
This was a good listen. I enjoyed the audiobook.
Dual narration - Jeremy York & Savannah Peachwood
Jamie and Scarlett were high school sweethearts. It was fun listening to their story.
Great characters. Scarlett is a strong and independent FMC. When Jamie finally gets himself together I was like omg about time.
This was a good listen. I enjoyed the audiobook.
Dual narration - Jeremy York & Savannah Peachwood
Jamie and Scarlett were high school sweethearts. It was fun listening to their story.
Great characters. Scarlett is a strong and independent FMC. When Jamie finally gets himself together I was like omg about time.
April 18, 2025
I absolutely adored the FMC, Scarlett. She’s a chess grandmaster who came from humble beginnings and built her success on her own terms. She’s confident in who she is and fiercely independent—something I really admired about her—even if it means she sometimes keeps people at arm’s length.
Scarlett and Jaime reconnect when he approaches her about adapting her memoir into a TV series, and from the start, it’s clear there’s still something between them. I loved watching their dynamic unfold as they not only rekindled their relationship but also worked through some of the hard history and decisions that drove them apart in the first place. Their journey felt honest and earned, and I really appreciated how they grew—not just as a couple, but individually too.
The audiobook was also fantastic. Savannah Peachwood and Jeremy York were so well cast and really brought Scarlett and Jaime to life. Their voices captured the characters' personalities and emotional depth so well—I was completely drawn in.
Scarlett and Jaime reconnect when he approaches her about adapting her memoir into a TV series, and from the start, it’s clear there’s still something between them. I loved watching their dynamic unfold as they not only rekindled their relationship but also worked through some of the hard history and decisions that drove them apart in the first place. Their journey felt honest and earned, and I really appreciated how they grew—not just as a couple, but individually too.
The audiobook was also fantastic. Savannah Peachwood and Jeremy York were so well cast and really brought Scarlett and Jaime to life. Their voices captured the characters' personalities and emotional depth so well—I was completely drawn in.
October 3, 2025
This was such an interesting read, a second chance romance with a long timeframe. Both characters were flawed and they had amazing chemistry but sucked at being in a relationship with each other. I loved the character growth for both Jaime and Scarlet but found the long breaks between their reconnections made the book feel a bit disjointed to me. Chess provided a great framework, though, and the chemistry was electric.
April 22, 2025
Bold Moves is an emotionally gritty second chance love story between two high school lovers that were destined to orbit one another and eventually collide with an explosive impact.
Jaime and Scarlett had amazing chemistry and energy from the moment they met their junior year of high school. However, it wasn’t enough to build a relationship. Scarlett grew up poor, with a single mom who was more friend than parent, so at an early age, she learned to be independent and rely on no one. Jaime lived a life of comfort with his respected and stable family and large home. Her dreams to become a world-class chess player took her out of Muskgrove as soon as she graduated, leaving Jaime behind to pick up the pieces of his heart while holding his family together after his father was sent to prison for dealing opioids.
Fast forward seventeen years and Jaime is an award winning television show producer, his first series a docu-drama about his father’s arrest. Scarlett is a celebrity, taking the chess world by storm, with her recent autobiography a huge success. After denying all others the right to adapt her book, she agrees to work with Jaime, selling him and his studio the rights to her book, Queen’s Kiss.
Jaime and Scarlett’s romance takes place over the course of years, with fits and stops along the way. They never deny their bond which draws them together regardless of drama, time, and emotional well-being. Both feel better when they are with the other, but there is always something that blocks them from a true emotional connection. First, it’s Scarlett’s need to leave Muskgrove. Then it’s a huge secret that Scarlett has held on to for seventeen years. And then it’s Jaime’s pride and need to be the fixer. The couple ebb and flow, at times a trickle and others the rush of Niagara Falls.
Bold Moves was tougher on me than the author’s previous titles. But I am such a sucker for emotional second chances. And honestly, if I didn’t know and trust Barry as a romance author, I would have been worried for the ending. There just seemed to be so many obstacles keeping the pair from finding their HEA. Both have baggage that they need to unpack. For years, the chip on Scarlett’s shoulder kept her from letting anyone in; she holds any potential friends at arms length, believing they wouldn’t want to know the “real” Scarlett. But also, she doesn’t want to be vulnerable and exposed. She views life as a challenge to overcome.
Meanwhile, Jaime is driven to take care of his broken family and fix problems. He needs to be in control and sees the world sometimes as black and white. When her learns Scarlett’s secret, he’s not hurt so much by what she did as that she didn’t give him the chance to participate in making a decision that impacted his life, as well as mad at himself for not seeing what was happening in his own home.
It takes time and work to bring these two to their HEA. Scarlett learns to trust others and that life is better, richer when she’s not going it alone. And really, that’s what Jaime learns… he doesn’t need to be the one fixing everyone/thing. I have to admit, I was a little mad on behalf of Jaime that no one took “his side.” While he needed to figure it out his feelings and grow from the experiences, I do wish someone had told him, you have the right to be angry… and then get over it.
Bold Moves is gripping, emotional, and ultimately rewarding. My heart broke when either Jaime or Scarlett would bare their soul, only to be ignored or turned away. It’s an up and down journey that needs the time to blossom into an HEA, and it’s a journey worth taking along side the pair.
My Rating: B
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Netgalley
Jaime and Scarlett had amazing chemistry and energy from the moment they met their junior year of high school. However, it wasn’t enough to build a relationship. Scarlett grew up poor, with a single mom who was more friend than parent, so at an early age, she learned to be independent and rely on no one. Jaime lived a life of comfort with his respected and stable family and large home. Her dreams to become a world-class chess player took her out of Muskgrove as soon as she graduated, leaving Jaime behind to pick up the pieces of his heart while holding his family together after his father was sent to prison for dealing opioids.
Fast forward seventeen years and Jaime is an award winning television show producer, his first series a docu-drama about his father’s arrest. Scarlett is a celebrity, taking the chess world by storm, with her recent autobiography a huge success. After denying all others the right to adapt her book, she agrees to work with Jaime, selling him and his studio the rights to her book, Queen’s Kiss.
Jaime and Scarlett’s romance takes place over the course of years, with fits and stops along the way. They never deny their bond which draws them together regardless of drama, time, and emotional well-being. Both feel better when they are with the other, but there is always something that blocks them from a true emotional connection. First, it’s Scarlett’s need to leave Muskgrove. Then it’s a huge secret that Scarlett has held on to for seventeen years. And then it’s Jaime’s pride and need to be the fixer. The couple ebb and flow, at times a trickle and others the rush of Niagara Falls.
Bold Moves was tougher on me than the author’s previous titles. But I am such a sucker for emotional second chances. And honestly, if I didn’t know and trust Barry as a romance author, I would have been worried for the ending. There just seemed to be so many obstacles keeping the pair from finding their HEA. Both have baggage that they need to unpack. For years, the chip on Scarlett’s shoulder kept her from letting anyone in; she holds any potential friends at arms length, believing they wouldn’t want to know the “real” Scarlett. But also, she doesn’t want to be vulnerable and exposed. She views life as a challenge to overcome.
Meanwhile, Jaime is driven to take care of his broken family and fix problems. He needs to be in control and sees the world sometimes as black and white. When her learns Scarlett’s secret, he’s not hurt so much by what she did as that she didn’t give him the chance to participate in making a decision that impacted his life, as well as mad at himself for not seeing what was happening in his own home.
It takes time and work to bring these two to their HEA. Scarlett learns to trust others and that life is better, richer when she’s not going it alone. And really, that’s what Jaime learns… he doesn’t need to be the one fixing everyone/thing. I have to admit, I was a little mad on behalf of Jaime that no one took “his side.” While he needed to figure it out his feelings and grow from the experiences, I do wish someone had told him, you have the right to be angry… and then get over it.
Bold Moves is gripping, emotional, and ultimately rewarding. My heart broke when either Jaime or Scarlett would bare their soul, only to be ignored or turned away. It’s an up and down journey that needs the time to blossom into an HEA, and it’s a journey worth taking along side the pair.
My Rating: B
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Netgalley
March 29, 2025
I love a good second chance romance - even more when there's mutual pining and a strong female main character and Scarlett - a world champion chess master looking for a comeback, was just that!!
When Jamie, her high school ex comes calling asking if he can adapt her memoir for the television, Scarlett is reluctant to agree knowing there's a dark secret she's been keeping from him for years. However, she does agree, wanting to be able to help tell her story her way which has them spending months together in their home town co-writing the script and falling back in love.
While this does have a lot of miscommunication and a third act break up, I still loved it a lot and enjoyed the fresh, unique characters and the insights into the limitations of the chess world when it comes to gender and equality. I'm also always a sucker for a meant to be love story and really enjoyed this opposites attract pairing set in Southern Appalachia.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. This is perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood's Check & mate.
When Jamie, her high school ex comes calling asking if he can adapt her memoir for the television, Scarlett is reluctant to agree knowing there's a dark secret she's been keeping from him for years. However, she does agree, wanting to be able to help tell her story her way which has them spending months together in their home town co-writing the script and falling back in love.
While this does have a lot of miscommunication and a third act break up, I still loved it a lot and enjoyed the fresh, unique characters and the insights into the limitations of the chess world when it comes to gender and equality. I'm also always a sucker for a meant to be love story and really enjoyed this opposites attract pairing set in Southern Appalachia.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. This is perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood's Check & mate.
June 7, 2025
Emma Barry’s co-authored, 1960s-set historical romance series, Fly Me to the Moon, is one of my favourites. But she has also written several contemporary romances with a good balance of heart and heat and Bold Moves follows that trend, giving us an inside look at the world of professional chess in an emotional second chance romance.
High school sweethearts Jaime Croft and Scarlett Arbuthnot had had it all – until they didn’t. When Jaime’s dad was convicted of a drugs and money scheme that tore their small town of Musgrove, Virginia apart, it also spelled the end of their relationship. Scarlett left Jaime in order to pursue a career as a chess grand master and Jaime was left to pick up the pieces of his family’s life. He’d become the man about the house and kept his sister and mother from despair. Years later, he’d turned the experience into a gritty documentary film that garnered critical acclaim and awards.
It’s been seventeen years since the events of that awful time, and Jaime is looking to make another movie. Specifically, he wants to adapt Scarlett’s memoir, Queen’s Kiss, but it’ll be a tall order, especially since they haven’t spoken since she left town as a teenager. And Scarlett’s agent has made it clear that Scarlett isn’t interested in selling the rights to her story – now or ever. But this hasn’t stopped Jaime from going in person to try to convince her to let him tell her story.
Scarlett never expected to see Jaime again, and when he first pitches his idea to her, she turns him away. But seeing him again triggers long closed-off memories, and she knows that if she were to give the rights to her story to anyone, it would be to Jaime. After all, he was there when the chess bug first bit, the start of her success, and he had known her, really known her, back then. Surprising even herself, Scarlett changes her mind and next thing you know, she and Jaime are back in Musgrove, working on her story and re-discovering what had drawn them together in the first place. But as old secrets come to the surface, will their second chance at romance crash and burn?
For more of this review, please visit All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher.
High school sweethearts Jaime Croft and Scarlett Arbuthnot had had it all – until they didn’t. When Jaime’s dad was convicted of a drugs and money scheme that tore their small town of Musgrove, Virginia apart, it also spelled the end of their relationship. Scarlett left Jaime in order to pursue a career as a chess grand master and Jaime was left to pick up the pieces of his family’s life. He’d become the man about the house and kept his sister and mother from despair. Years later, he’d turned the experience into a gritty documentary film that garnered critical acclaim and awards.
It’s been seventeen years since the events of that awful time, and Jaime is looking to make another movie. Specifically, he wants to adapt Scarlett’s memoir, Queen’s Kiss, but it’ll be a tall order, especially since they haven’t spoken since she left town as a teenager. And Scarlett’s agent has made it clear that Scarlett isn’t interested in selling the rights to her story – now or ever. But this hasn’t stopped Jaime from going in person to try to convince her to let him tell her story.
Scarlett never expected to see Jaime again, and when he first pitches his idea to her, she turns him away. But seeing him again triggers long closed-off memories, and she knows that if she were to give the rights to her story to anyone, it would be to Jaime. After all, he was there when the chess bug first bit, the start of her success, and he had known her, really known her, back then. Surprising even herself, Scarlett changes her mind and next thing you know, she and Jaime are back in Musgrove, working on her story and re-discovering what had drawn them together in the first place. But as old secrets come to the surface, will their second chance at romance crash and burn?
For more of this review, please visit All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher.
May 8, 2025
2.5
I usually love Emma Barry's books, and was intrigued both by the chess-world setting and by the teen lovers get a second chance to make thing work trope in this latest. But this story just didn't work for me.
Oddly, since Barry spends so much on-page time inside her two characters' heads, I didn't get a good sense of who they were until I was well into the book. Jamie and Scarlett tell us (and tell us, and tell us) what they think of each other, and what they think of themselves, and the reader has to take their word for it, because Barry doesn't SHOW us much that would allow us to draw our own conclusions about either of them.
I got very frustrated because there's so much TELLING, so much introspection, but so little on-page SHOWING, especially on-page interactions between the two protagonists (even though the spend the first third of the book basically alone together!). We hear over and over again how much they are drawn to each other, especially physically, but Barry doesn't SHOW us through scenes on the page what (if anything) makes Scarlett and Jaime like each other. Do they have anything in common besides incendiary chemistry?
I did end up liking Scarlett a lot as a character—tough, strategic, wearing masks to protect herself, unwilling to apologize for her ambition, drive, or ethics—but throughout the book, there wasn't anything much at stake for her. Oh, we're told she's committed to disrupting gender bias in the chess world, but since the focus of the book is on shooting a biopic about her, rather than her actual chess-playing, nothing happens on page to SHOW us that fight, that commitment.
As for Jaime, the male lead, I found myself deeply confused by his actions, particularly at the romance's big turning points. Jaime's reaction to Scarlett's big mid-book secret reveal proved particularly hard to buy.
It also seemed odd to me that the man who made that documentary about his father would constantly be repressing all difficult feelings, constantly refusing to ask the hard questions, hold the difficult conversations. Did he not have to ask those questions, feel those feelings, while he made the documentary about his father?? Thus I found also found Jaime's response to Scarlett's offer at the end of the book's second part hard to buy, too. He's suddenly that self-aware of his own needs?? And can't summon the gumption to talk about them with the woman he's purportedly in love with?
I also couldn't buy his abrupt turnaround at book's end—his inner narration just tells us that he's changed his mind about a potential long-term relationship with Scarlett, but shows us no real reason for the change.
So much potential here, but so many moments where I just kept saying "no, no, no, this makes no emotional sense..."
I usually love Emma Barry's books, and was intrigued both by the chess-world setting and by the teen lovers get a second chance to make thing work trope in this latest. But this story just didn't work for me.
Oddly, since Barry spends so much on-page time inside her two characters' heads, I didn't get a good sense of who they were until I was well into the book. Jamie and Scarlett tell us (and tell us, and tell us) what they think of each other, and what they think of themselves, and the reader has to take their word for it, because Barry doesn't SHOW us much that would allow us to draw our own conclusions about either of them.
I got very frustrated because there's so much TELLING, so much introspection, but so little on-page SHOWING, especially on-page interactions between the two protagonists (even though the spend the first third of the book basically alone together!). We hear over and over again how much they are drawn to each other, especially physically, but Barry doesn't SHOW us through scenes on the page what (if anything) makes Scarlett and Jaime like each other. Do they have anything in common besides incendiary chemistry?
I did end up liking Scarlett a lot as a character—tough, strategic, wearing masks to protect herself, unwilling to apologize for her ambition, drive, or ethics—but throughout the book, there wasn't anything much at stake for her. Oh, we're told she's committed to disrupting gender bias in the chess world, but since the focus of the book is on shooting a biopic about her, rather than her actual chess-playing, nothing happens on page to SHOW us that fight, that commitment.
As for Jaime, the male lead, I found myself deeply confused by his actions, particularly at the romance's big turning points. Jaime's reaction to Scarlett's big mid-book secret reveal proved particularly hard to buy.
It also seemed odd to me that the man who made that documentary about his father would constantly be repressing all difficult feelings, constantly refusing to ask the hard questions, hold the difficult conversations. Did he not have to ask those questions, feel those feelings, while he made the documentary about his father?? Thus I found also found Jaime's response to Scarlett's offer at the end of the book's second part hard to buy, too. He's suddenly that self-aware of his own needs?? And can't summon the gumption to talk about them with the woman he's purportedly in love with?
I also couldn't buy his abrupt turnaround at book's end—his inner narration just tells us that he's changed his mind about a potential long-term relationship with Scarlett, but shows us no real reason for the change.
So much potential here, but so many moments where I just kept saying "no, no, no, this makes no emotional sense..."
did-not-finish
April 6, 2025I received this as an advanced reader audiobook copy from Netgalley.
I really wanted to like this. This is second chance romance. The author wrote one book I loved and I keep hoping I'll even like another of her books, but so far, nope. This book was NOT for me.
There are three things I need to make a second chance romance work really well:
1. A real reason the two people broke up, that isn’t due to them being crap people.
2. Real growth leading them back to each other.
3. An abiding love and faithfulness, meaning there were no other folks they pursued while they were broken up.
----------
Sadly, this book was annoying and the 2nd chance didn't work for me.
1. They were kids and she left to pursue her dreams. His dad was arrested and he stayed behind. It made sense that they broke up.
2. They didn't grow up well. Scarlett doesn't seem to have grown beyond her traumatic childhood. She's stuck and her emotional constipation is a disease she needs to work through. Jaime "looks" like he's all mature and well put together but he also has some major issues. He is so busy being the perfect son/brother/friend. He's not REAL and when Scarlett shares something with him, he freaks out and doesn't know how to process it. He doesn't accept any blame for how their relationship went bad the first time. He's the good one and she's a "feral cat" (his description of her in his own mind). He lusts after her, but doesn't understand her.
3. They both sleep with other people during their time apart. Blech.
-------
I ended up speeding through the audiobook around 50-60% to try to make it through... but it really wasn't worth it.
They have a fight and don't really see each other for 9 MONTHS!!!!
I gave up and DNF'd around 60% because this book was SO EXHAUSTING.
I really wanted to like this. This is second chance romance. The author wrote one book I loved and I keep hoping I'll even like another of her books, but so far, nope. This book was NOT for me.
There are three things I need to make a second chance romance work really well:
1. A real reason the two people broke up, that isn’t due to them being crap people.
2. Real growth leading them back to each other.
3. An abiding love and faithfulness, meaning there were no other folks they pursued while they were broken up.
----------
Sadly, this book was annoying and the 2nd chance didn't work for me.
1. They were kids and she left to pursue her dreams. His dad was arrested and he stayed behind. It made sense that they broke up.
2. They didn't grow up well. Scarlett doesn't seem to have grown beyond her traumatic childhood. She's stuck and her emotional constipation is a disease she needs to work through. Jaime "looks" like he's all mature and well put together but he also has some major issues. He is so busy being the perfect son/brother/friend. He's not REAL and when Scarlett shares something with him, he freaks out and doesn't know how to process it. He doesn't accept any blame for how their relationship went bad the first time. He's the good one and she's a "feral cat" (his description of her in his own mind). He lusts after her, but doesn't understand her.
3. They both sleep with other people during their time apart. Blech.
-------
I ended up speeding through the audiobook around 50-60% to try to make it through... but it really wasn't worth it.
They have a fight and don't really see each other for 9 MONTHS!!!!
I gave up and DNF'd around 60% because this book was SO EXHAUSTING.
Read
March 7, 2025Scarlett no se relaciona con nadie y no quiere sentir nada. Se comporta de manera desagradable para alejar a la gente, y cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles, huye. Jaime necesita tener el control.
Ambos fueron novios en la adolescencia, pero algo paso que hizo que ella huyera.
Años después se reencuentran ya que él quiere adaptar las memorias de ella.
~
Lo que Scarlett hizo en el pasado fue lo correcto, y me parece excelente que no siempre sienta remordimiento (porque no debería sentirlo).
Al principio, su actitud me pareció exagerada, hasta que comprendí lo que había hecho. Jaime le demostró que no podía confiar en nadie, que estaba sola y que solo se tenía a sí misma.
En esta situación, se entiende la reacción inicial de él, pero tuvo casi un año para reflexionar y ponerse en su lugar, y aun así no lo hizo. Incluso su mamá y su hermana se pusieron del lado de Scarlett.
No entiendo cómo Scarlett volvió con él. Se la pasa diciendo que ella huye, ¿y qué hizo él dos veces? Lo mismo. Lo de ella tiene una justificación; se entiende por qué no pudo enfrentarlo y decidió terminar la relación. Pero él, al primer problema, la dejaba y se excusaba diciendo que era porque ella jamás se abriría a él. ¿Y entonces qué fue lo que ella hizo en ambas ocasiones antes de que él la dejara? Se mostró vulnerable… y aun así, él la abandonó.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 29, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was deep into many non-fiction books when NetGalley approved me for this book, and it was like a breath of fresh air! This is the type of easy romance that I love. It was a quick listen for me.
The characters in this book were romantically involved in high school, but then due to a decision made by FMC Scarlett, they lost touch.
Scarlett became a pro-chess player (think Queen’s Gambit) and wrote a best selling memoir. Jamie made a popular documentary about the opioid crisis in their Appalachian town and his dad’s involvement (think Hillbilly Elegy minus Mr. “I’m a never Trump guy.”)
Now Scarlett and Jamie are working together to write a tv script and produce a show based off of Scarlett’s chess-playing memoir (hollywood romance meets second chance romance). They have to confront old wounds and family drama while working together and having their old feelings arise again.
Narrators on the audio did a fabulous job too!
This book is open door 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was deep into many non-fiction books when NetGalley approved me for this book, and it was like a breath of fresh air! This is the type of easy romance that I love. It was a quick listen for me.
The characters in this book were romantically involved in high school, but then due to a decision made by FMC Scarlett, they lost touch.
Scarlett became a pro-chess player (think Queen’s Gambit) and wrote a best selling memoir. Jamie made a popular documentary about the opioid crisis in their Appalachian town and his dad’s involvement (think Hillbilly Elegy minus Mr. “I’m a never Trump guy.”)
Now Scarlett and Jamie are working together to write a tv script and produce a show based off of Scarlett’s chess-playing memoir (hollywood romance meets second chance romance). They have to confront old wounds and family drama while working together and having their old feelings arise again.
Narrators on the audio did a fabulous job too!
This book is open door 🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 9, 2025
I’m going to be so honest…. I wanted to love this but Scarlett was SO annoying. She was upset that Jamie was mad at her for her calling the cops on his dad but like ??? Okay you hid that for 17 years and you’re mad that he’s processing it????
Also…. Jamie took the blame for everything! Scarlet was the one with the baggage and Jamie just wanted her to let him in and when she couldn’t and just said “okey dokey” and walked away???? Like??? What….. and then she was mad at him for rejecting her???? You literally said you couldn’t give him what he wanted: to be included in her life!!!! I’m so fucking annoyed with her. Jamie wasn’t perfect but like what did he have to apologize to her??? I’m??? Like yes he was flawed that he always needed to be the caretaker but it’s not like he was trying to control her. I just think the 2nd and 3rd breakup was so unnecessary… it felt like all they did was write and have sex and it was this magical thing… but it didn’t feel like they even knew each other that well?
And tbh they didn’t have much chemistry… I did not feel it with this book. I really wished they would’ve showed some of their relationship from high school and given more a back story other than briefly mentioning it. You had no context and for this to be a second chance romance with not even A LITTLE flashback is kind of wild.
Also…. Jamie took the blame for everything! Scarlet was the one with the baggage and Jamie just wanted her to let him in and when she couldn’t and just said “okey dokey” and walked away???? Like??? What….. and then she was mad at him for rejecting her???? You literally said you couldn’t give him what he wanted: to be included in her life!!!! I’m so fucking annoyed with her. Jamie wasn’t perfect but like what did he have to apologize to her??? I’m??? Like yes he was flawed that he always needed to be the caretaker but it’s not like he was trying to control her. I just think the 2nd and 3rd breakup was so unnecessary… it felt like all they did was write and have sex and it was this magical thing… but it didn’t feel like they even knew each other that well?
And tbh they didn’t have much chemistry… I did not feel it with this book. I really wished they would’ve showed some of their relationship from high school and given more a back story other than briefly mentioning it. You had no context and for this to be a second chance romance with not even A LITTLE flashback is kind of wild.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I loved the complexity of this story and its contribution to the romance genre, which often gets portrayed as corny or frilly. This book was neither of those things and covered serious topics with complex characters. I really enjoyed the chess elements and the subplot involving the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. I really liked this author’s writing style and will check out her other books!
April 22, 2025
Publishes tomorrow!
“It’s better to start from nothing than to start from crap.”
Jamie and Scarlett ended things years ago: She wrote a memoir about her chess career, he’s adapting it for TV…what could go wrong? If you like an enemies to lovers, women in STEM, second chance, forced proximity, steamy romance, this is for you! I enjoyed the story, writing style and the narration! Love all the comparisons of chess to life!
Thank you Brilliance Publishing for an ARC.
“It’s better to start from nothing than to start from crap.”
Jamie and Scarlett ended things years ago: She wrote a memoir about her chess career, he’s adapting it for TV…what could go wrong? If you like an enemies to lovers, women in STEM, second chance, forced proximity, steamy romance, this is for you! I enjoyed the story, writing style and the narration! Love all the comparisons of chess to life!
Thank you Brilliance Publishing for an ARC.
April 23, 2025
Emma Barry knows how to write an achy book was my main takeaway from this one though that's something I have known for years. It's funny, I'm writing this review last of all of the second chance romance ARCs I read in a row and it's absolutely the one where the second chance is most central to the plot and the best executed. You can FEEL the years between the FMC and MMC and then you can feel the years falling away. It's a gift.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 2, 2025
This book is exactly what it says it is going to be. It’s your traditional romance where there are continuous miscommunications between the MCs which eventually they realize (many,many many pages later) that they are meant to be. It’s exactly the fluffy kind of read we all need once in a while.
This book follows Scarlett (the bad girl or competitive chess) and her high school flame Jamie (now a filmmaker). They are thrown together when she agrees to let him do the film adaptation of her book, Queens Kiss. And let the chaos ensue from there.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
This book follows Scarlett (the bad girl or competitive chess) and her high school flame Jamie (now a filmmaker). They are thrown together when she agrees to let him do the film adaptation of her book, Queens Kiss. And let the chaos ensue from there.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
January 20, 2025
I picked this book up because I love a book with a pro/genius and because I find women in chess interesting. When I started the book, I found myself comparing it to Queens Gambit, but the romance aspect of the book really set it apart. I was rooting for them and following along with the roller coaster of will-they-wont0they & please-can-they-just-get-together. There were some big words that I had to look up but I really enjoyed that in a book about chess. I loved the Scarlet, the FMC, was strategic in her work and life and I liked seeing her POV. I liked Jamie because he seemed soft, in love but also passionate in a way that only she saw. My favourite trope. I love a multi-POV especially when you can see the vulnerability and realness between the characters. The integration of chess to the story and to their story was well done. I have come to love reading romances about the one who got away and seeing what that is like BUT I did find myself against rooting for them when I saw that months had gone by without either of them talking to eachother. Atleast a whole full year gone after 17 years also gone. I would have loved to see a wee more from the epilogue about the move and their relationship, but all in all happy with the way it ended.
This story had second chance romance, HEA, banter, slow burn, enemies to lovers (kinda). There is A LOT angst and a some grovelling (a lot internally).
Thank you to NetGalley & Montlake for the free ARC in exchange for a review.
This story had second chance romance, HEA, banter, slow burn, enemies to lovers (kinda). There is A LOT angst and a some grovelling (a lot internally).
Thank you to NetGalley & Montlake for the free ARC in exchange for a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
This was a fun second chance romance about chess.. more accurately about females playing chess and I love that so much and the fact that everything is so wholesome
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