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Bluffing the Queen
Not yet published
Expected 14 Feb 26Catherine Scott, a biology graduate with anxiety, dreams of being named a chess Grandmaster. Then there’s her childhood archnemesis Wyatt Marshall—a smooth-talking poker player who’s also a writer. Catherine hates her job in biology and doesn’t know where her career is headed. She’s a devout reader of rom-coms but is beginning to doubt if she’ll ever find love.
When Catherine enters a chess tournament, she gets just a few moves away from winning when her anxiety takes over. A single, horrible misplay costs her the event. In desperation, she seeks Wyatt, asking him to teach her how to stay calm and cool under pressure. The two agree to an uneasy partnership.
As Wyatt, using the techniques he uses to stay calm while playing poker, helps Catherine build confidence, she begins to understand herself and what kind of future she wants. But when she starts falling for the last person she expected, her anxiety begins to threaten a chance at her own love story.
When Catherine enters a chess tournament, she gets just a few moves away from winning when her anxiety takes over. A single, horrible misplay costs her the event. In desperation, she seeks Wyatt, asking him to teach her how to stay calm and cool under pressure. The two agree to an uneasy partnership.
As Wyatt, using the techniques he uses to stay calm while playing poker, helps Catherine build confidence, she begins to understand herself and what kind of future she wants. But when she starts falling for the last person she expected, her anxiety begins to threaten a chance at her own love story.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 14, 2026
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About the author
Darin Neuberger
1 bookDarin Neuberger is the author of the novel Bluffing the Queen. When he is not reading or writing, he can be found on a book-buying spree, eating out, or spending time with his family and writer friends.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Read! I did enjoy the characters and the development between them (and of the characters themselves), though, and I'll be completely honest, the comparison that chess and poker aren't all that different from each other is one I never would have thought of myself.
I'll admit, this was an odd read for me, in the sense that while the premise was straight forward and well-plotted, the pacing felt... just a little off. Too fast and too slow at once. I'm also willing to concede to the fact that it's probably because I don't know much about chess, and that was a central focus of the book.
Overall, I put it at three stars with the potential to be more depending on the reader!
I'll admit, this was an odd read for me, in the sense that while the premise was straight forward and well-plotted, the pacing felt... just a little off. Too fast and too slow at once. I'm also willing to concede to the fact that it's probably because I don't know much about chess, and that was a central focus of the book.
Overall, I put it at three stars with the potential to be more depending on the reader!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A great book to read if you love a romance novel that has you asking 'what's next?'
Relatable characters, valuable life lessons, and a catchy plot made this book a charming read.
Relatable characters, valuable life lessons, and a catchy plot made this book a charming read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews