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Queen's Move
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Expected 31 Oct 26Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 31, 2026
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July 26, 2026I'M SO EXCITED TO READ THIS !!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the very first chapter of Queen’s Move, I felt totally immersed in the story’s world—a gritty, layered blend of psychological suspense, cybercrime, and dark romance.
I thought the novel’s first-person voices worked so well at expressing emotional depth and complexity. Alexia gripped me instantly—her hyper-intelligence is matched only by her raw vulnerability. Every time she faced panic, loss of control, or the haunting memories of trauma, I saw and felt it as a reader. Her relationship with her loyal dog Odin and her circle of colleagues made the stakes emotional as much as personal.
Jasper, the hacker/antihero, practically leapt off the page for me. I saw a master at digital warfare and manipulation, yet I also glimpsed the damaged soul underneath. His internal narration provided much-needed dark humor (I admit, the hacked playlist and the sardonic quips about MI5 bureaucracy were highlights), but he wasn’t reduced to a set of tropes. I felt the tension and contradiction in him—he’s capable of both brutal violence and surprising tenderness, which made his dynamic with Alexia even more compelling.
What really kept me hooked was the escalating sense of threat: the brilliantly orchestrated hacks, the MI5 raids, and the palpable dread when Alexia is stalked and confronted face-to-face. I thought the author did a fantastic job balancing high-stakes action scenes with slow-burn intimacy and psychological exploration. The depiction of trauma through the panic attacks and the fear in tech-infused isolation felt authentic (and at times, deeply unnerving).
Even the supporting cast felt generally realistic, particularly in the corporate/MI5 scenes, though at times I felt their voices blurred together. Still, their presence reinforced the feeling that this story was about people forced to make impossible decisions in a world where power and truth are always slipping from one set of hands to another.
The story didn’t flinch from its dark themes: trauma, guilt, power, and the messy aftermath of violence. I saw Alexia’s struggle for self-ownership and justice, and the way she transformed pain into defiance made her journey both heartbreaking and inspiring. Jasper’s arc—his belief he’s the villain, even as he risks everything to shield Alexia—felt honest and moving.
I liked that neither character was allowed easy redemption; their scars, their doubts, and their desires felt earned.
Some scenes were so vividly drawn I felt right there with the characters, especially as sexual tension built or when the line between hunter and hunted blurred.
Odin & the Snack Cubby, I felt this scene was peak fuzzy sidekick charm. Odin, the grumpy old Scottish Terrier with the heart (and stomach) of a rebel, manages to break into the forbidden snack cupboard. By the time Alexia gets home, she finds the living room looking like the aftermath of a toddler’s birthday party—and Odin basking in the glory of his snack-based conquest. It’s perhaps the closest thing to a “dog shaming” meme the book delivers (complete with a victorious canine grin and an incriminating trail of crumbs). Cue affectionate eye-rolling and a begrudging snack embargo!
The Cake Caper, I saw this as one of the book’s darkly sweet moments. Alexia comes home to find an elaborate cake, her favorite, left as a mysterious (possibly threatening, possibly loving) gift. Cue an interrogation-worthy standoff: Is this dessert an olive branch, a veiled warning, or just excellent baking paired with questionable boundaries? There’s suspicious sniffing, a battle of cake-cutting control, and a side order of banter so sharp it almost upstages the sugar. In a story full of suspense and danger, this is a delicious, and slightly absurd, moment of vulnerability and trust.
I’ll never forget the climactic confrontation set in the ancient, candlelit church. I saw Alexia, no longer the prey but the huntress, chasing Jasper through stone corridors heavy with centuries of secrets. My pulse raced with hers—the ancient setting amplifying the sense of danger and the electric connection snapping between them. As they circled each other in the shadows, this chase became a kind of dance: a test of will, wit, and mutual obsession. The emotional stakes soared as trauma, desire, and agency all collided in that sacred, haunted space.
The scene explodes with both danger and longing... Jasper is at once terrifying and desperately human, and Alexia emerges not just as a survivor but as a force in her own right.
It’s a sequence that distills the whole novel: intimate, high-stakes, unforgettable.
Overall, I thought Queen’s Move was a brilliant, affecting read... a story that drew me into its darkness but left me with real catharsis and hope.
This book is for anyone who wants their thrillers to throb with raw emotion, layered intelligence, and provocative relationships. I was left thinking about these characters long after the final chapter and read it a second time in order to make a thorough and thoughtful review—and that, for me, is the mark of something truly special.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thought the novel’s first-person voices worked so well at expressing emotional depth and complexity. Alexia gripped me instantly—her hyper-intelligence is matched only by her raw vulnerability. Every time she faced panic, loss of control, or the haunting memories of trauma, I saw and felt it as a reader. Her relationship with her loyal dog Odin and her circle of colleagues made the stakes emotional as much as personal.
Jasper, the hacker/antihero, practically leapt off the page for me. I saw a master at digital warfare and manipulation, yet I also glimpsed the damaged soul underneath. His internal narration provided much-needed dark humor (I admit, the hacked playlist and the sardonic quips about MI5 bureaucracy were highlights), but he wasn’t reduced to a set of tropes. I felt the tension and contradiction in him—he’s capable of both brutal violence and surprising tenderness, which made his dynamic with Alexia even more compelling.
What really kept me hooked was the escalating sense of threat: the brilliantly orchestrated hacks, the MI5 raids, and the palpable dread when Alexia is stalked and confronted face-to-face. I thought the author did a fantastic job balancing high-stakes action scenes with slow-burn intimacy and psychological exploration. The depiction of trauma through the panic attacks and the fear in tech-infused isolation felt authentic (and at times, deeply unnerving).
Even the supporting cast felt generally realistic, particularly in the corporate/MI5 scenes, though at times I felt their voices blurred together. Still, their presence reinforced the feeling that this story was about people forced to make impossible decisions in a world where power and truth are always slipping from one set of hands to another.
The story didn’t flinch from its dark themes: trauma, guilt, power, and the messy aftermath of violence. I saw Alexia’s struggle for self-ownership and justice, and the way she transformed pain into defiance made her journey both heartbreaking and inspiring. Jasper’s arc—his belief he’s the villain, even as he risks everything to shield Alexia—felt honest and moving.
I liked that neither character was allowed easy redemption; their scars, their doubts, and their desires felt earned.
Some scenes were so vividly drawn I felt right there with the characters, especially as sexual tension built or when the line between hunter and hunted blurred.
Odin & the Snack Cubby, I felt this scene was peak fuzzy sidekick charm. Odin, the grumpy old Scottish Terrier with the heart (and stomach) of a rebel, manages to break into the forbidden snack cupboard. By the time Alexia gets home, she finds the living room looking like the aftermath of a toddler’s birthday party—and Odin basking in the glory of his snack-based conquest. It’s perhaps the closest thing to a “dog shaming” meme the book delivers (complete with a victorious canine grin and an incriminating trail of crumbs). Cue affectionate eye-rolling and a begrudging snack embargo!
The Cake Caper, I saw this as one of the book’s darkly sweet moments. Alexia comes home to find an elaborate cake, her favorite, left as a mysterious (possibly threatening, possibly loving) gift. Cue an interrogation-worthy standoff: Is this dessert an olive branch, a veiled warning, or just excellent baking paired with questionable boundaries? There’s suspicious sniffing, a battle of cake-cutting control, and a side order of banter so sharp it almost upstages the sugar. In a story full of suspense and danger, this is a delicious, and slightly absurd, moment of vulnerability and trust.
I’ll never forget the climactic confrontation set in the ancient, candlelit church. I saw Alexia, no longer the prey but the huntress, chasing Jasper through stone corridors heavy with centuries of secrets. My pulse raced with hers—the ancient setting amplifying the sense of danger and the electric connection snapping between them. As they circled each other in the shadows, this chase became a kind of dance: a test of will, wit, and mutual obsession. The emotional stakes soared as trauma, desire, and agency all collided in that sacred, haunted space.
The scene explodes with both danger and longing... Jasper is at once terrifying and desperately human, and Alexia emerges not just as a survivor but as a force in her own right.
It’s a sequence that distills the whole novel: intimate, high-stakes, unforgettable.
Overall, I thought Queen’s Move was a brilliant, affecting read... a story that drew me into its darkness but left me with real catharsis and hope.
This book is for anyone who wants their thrillers to throb with raw emotion, layered intelligence, and provocative relationships. I was left thinking about these characters long after the final chapter and read it a second time in order to make a thorough and thoughtful review—and that, for me, is the mark of something truly special.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
♟️ARC REVIEW: QUEEN’S MOVE by Hope Loewenhoff♟️ (Warning possible slight spoilers)
I genuinely don’t know how I’m supposed to put this book into words because Queen’s Move completely pulled me in. 🖤
This was such an incredibly well-written dark romance. The writing is intelligent, immersive and beautifully descriptive, with vocabulary that made the story feel elevated without ever making it difficult to read. You can tell just how much research went into this book, particularly with the hacking, Romanian elements and vigilante justice. I loved how educational the story could be while still being completely absorbing.
And the mix of darkness, comfort, humour, emotion and spice? SO GOOD. 🖤
The emotional moments actually felt real, rather than being there simply for dramatic effect, and I loved watching the characters develop throughout the story. The FMC is strong, intelligent and wonderfully defiant, while the MMC is exactly the kind of obsessive, morally questionable man you expect to find in a dark romance. Their slow burn made the tension even better.
I also absolutely loved the Romanian dialogue! 🇷🇴 Having the original Romanian included while providing a link to the translation/explanation was such a thoughtful touch. It added another layer to the character and her background without leaving readers confused.
And the humour?? Some of the lines genuinely made me stop and stare at the page. 😂
Tropes/themes I loved:
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 Stalker
🖤 Mask kink
🖤 Strong FMC
🖤 Hacking
🖤 Found family
🖤 Vigilante justice
🖤 Slow burn
🖤 Obsessive MMC
And THEN there were the lines. 👀
“I claim her like I need her soul to stay in my chest.”
“Even a madman knows he needs to kneel before his queen.”
“I had saved her life. And in doing so, I had detonated mine.”
“I never said I was invincible, Little Bee… only inevitable.”
“I wouldn’t be the first woman to choose darkness for its gifts and embraced its inevitability.”
And this one??? THIS ONE.
“He could mess with my job. He could break into my flat. Hell, he could even threaten my entire existence. But he did not touch my music. That is the line. The only line.”
I also loved:
“Bravado comes easy behind the safety of a laptop’s screen.”
“Defiant little creature. I like that.”
And this absolutely beautiful moment:
“I can almost hear his voice, warm and comforting. Remember, Lexica, when the world gets too loud, cover it with music that soothes your soul and protects your heart—and your ears.”
There are so many little moments and lines that stayed with me after finishing.
Queen’s Move is dark, emotional, funny, spicy, intelligent and completely immersive. It has that dangerous darkness I want from dark romance while still giving me characters and relationships that made me genuinely care about what happened to them.
I went into this as an ARC reader and came out feeling like I’d been completely swallowed by the story. 🖤
Hope, you absolutely delivered.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I genuinely don’t know how I’m supposed to put this book into words because Queen’s Move completely pulled me in. 🖤
This was such an incredibly well-written dark romance. The writing is intelligent, immersive and beautifully descriptive, with vocabulary that made the story feel elevated without ever making it difficult to read. You can tell just how much research went into this book, particularly with the hacking, Romanian elements and vigilante justice. I loved how educational the story could be while still being completely absorbing.
And the mix of darkness, comfort, humour, emotion and spice? SO GOOD. 🖤
The emotional moments actually felt real, rather than being there simply for dramatic effect, and I loved watching the characters develop throughout the story. The FMC is strong, intelligent and wonderfully defiant, while the MMC is exactly the kind of obsessive, morally questionable man you expect to find in a dark romance. Their slow burn made the tension even better.
I also absolutely loved the Romanian dialogue! 🇷🇴 Having the original Romanian included while providing a link to the translation/explanation was such a thoughtful touch. It added another layer to the character and her background without leaving readers confused.
And the humour?? Some of the lines genuinely made me stop and stare at the page. 😂
Tropes/themes I loved:
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 Stalker
🖤 Mask kink
🖤 Strong FMC
🖤 Hacking
🖤 Found family
🖤 Vigilante justice
🖤 Slow burn
🖤 Obsessive MMC
And THEN there were the lines. 👀
“I claim her like I need her soul to stay in my chest.”
“Even a madman knows he needs to kneel before his queen.”
“I had saved her life. And in doing so, I had detonated mine.”
“I never said I was invincible, Little Bee… only inevitable.”
“I wouldn’t be the first woman to choose darkness for its gifts and embraced its inevitability.”
And this one??? THIS ONE.
“He could mess with my job. He could break into my flat. Hell, he could even threaten my entire existence. But he did not touch my music. That is the line. The only line.”
I also loved:
“Bravado comes easy behind the safety of a laptop’s screen.”
“Defiant little creature. I like that.”
And this absolutely beautiful moment:
“I can almost hear his voice, warm and comforting. Remember, Lexica, when the world gets too loud, cover it with music that soothes your soul and protects your heart—and your ears.”
There are so many little moments and lines that stayed with me after finishing.
Queen’s Move is dark, emotional, funny, spicy, intelligent and completely immersive. It has that dangerous darkness I want from dark romance while still giving me characters and relationships that made me genuinely care about what happened to them.
I went into this as an ARC reader and came out feeling like I’d been completely swallowed by the story. 🖤
Hope, you absolutely delivered.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 10, 2026
This was such an amazing read!!! I was absolutely hooked from the first chapter - there was so much intrigue sewn into the fabric of every character.
Gosh, this book made me question my sanity a few times, honestly. I’d be quite happy if Jasper bumped into me in a dark alley that’s for sure, and I’m not sure that that is ok 😂
I absolutely loved that in the beginning Lexi actually feared him, like any normal sane person should have done. You could feel the anxiety coming off the pages, and there wasn’t an immediate jump to attraction. But then the slowest of slow progress is made, and believe me I shouted “come on!!” at this book (and the author) a few times whilst reading this… but it is all definitely worth it in the end!
No spoilers, but hold on to your hats for the last 20% of the book 🤯🤯🤯
Big massive thanks to Hope for giving me this advance copy to get my little teeth into! I am so proud of you and the amazing book you have written!! ❤️
Gosh, this book made me question my sanity a few times, honestly. I’d be quite happy if Jasper bumped into me in a dark alley that’s for sure, and I’m not sure that that is ok 😂
I absolutely loved that in the beginning Lexi actually feared him, like any normal sane person should have done. You could feel the anxiety coming off the pages, and there wasn’t an immediate jump to attraction. But then the slowest of slow progress is made, and believe me I shouted “come on!!” at this book (and the author) a few times whilst reading this… but it is all definitely worth it in the end!
No spoilers, but hold on to your hats for the last 20% of the book 🤯🤯🤯
Big massive thanks to Hope for giving me this advance copy to get my little teeth into! I am so proud of you and the amazing book you have written!! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely brilliant. This book packs the perfect punch. Each line is perfectly sculpted to pull you in and showcase the depth of our beloved characters. You will find yourself falling fast for the story between the masked man, the chess prodigy and the deeper connections to greek mythology. Let's not even get me started on Amir!!! I need so much more of him and all our cheeky best friends that not only support the characters but have their own stories I'm sure we are soon to see.
Review of advance copy received from Author
For this being a debut author, she really impressed me. The storyline pulls you in and doesn't let go. It has spice, it has comedy, and it has intrigue. The ending was fantastic! It was just such a great read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I genuinely don't even know where to start with Queen’s Move because I have SO MUCH I want to say, but I refuse to spoil this book for anyone. It took me a day or two after finishing to actually sit down and write this because my brain was still somewhere on that chessboard trying to process everything I had just read.
I was hooked from chapter one.
This book felt like one giant game of chess. Every page brought another move, another secret, another plan, and another piece falling into place. Just when I thought I had something figured out, the board shifted again. The plotting, secrets, planning, and twists kept me completely invested because I never felt like I knew exactly what was coming next.
And then there are these characters.
The MMC, the masked man behind the computer, absolutely wrecked me. His background explains so much about the way he views himself and love. He has convinced himself that he isn't someone who is allowed to be loved or needed, and watching that belief get challenged was heartbreaking.
Then we have our FMC, and this woman is a QUEEN. 👑 She is fiesty, stubborn, determined, and absolutely refuses to be treated like a pawn. Her past has left her carrying anxiety and scars, but she doesn't let what happened to her define her. She wants to LIVE, and this quote perfectly captures her:
“I don’t want a happy ending. I want a happily ever after. I don’t want safe—I want to live.”
That line honestly says so much about her character. She doesn't want someone to simply protect her by keeping her locked away from everything that could hurt her. She wants to experience life, even when it's scary.
And the MMC's response?
“If it ever comes down to your happiness… your safety… your life—there isn’t a line I won’t cross. No matter what it costs. No matter which circle of hell it sends me to.”
EXCUSE ME?! 🫠
Their pasts aren't just background information either. They directly shape who they are, how they love, and the choices they make throughout the story. I loved watching those pieces slowly come together and seeing how their individual scars affected their relationship.
The romance had me completely invested. The tension, chemistry, protectiveness, emotional depth, and devotion were EVERYTHING. And there were so many moments where I just had to stop and stare at the page.
“We don’t trade queens for pawns. Especially shattered ones.”
That one? Straight to my soul. 👑🖤
And of course, I can't leave out:
“Don’t worry, Little Bee,” he’d whispers, voice low and certain. “I will be back, even if I have to burn through Heaven and Hell to get to you.”
I'M SORRY. WHAT?! 😭🔥
This book gave me dark mystery, espionage, hacking, secrets, trauma, suspense, tension, a masked MMC, a fierce FMC, and a romance that had me completely emotionally invested.
And somehow, all of it worked together so well.
Queen’s Move is absolutely a shelf trophy for me. 👑♟️
I am OBSESSED.
I finished this book and immediately knew I needed the next one, but now I have to wait. And honestly? Waiting for the next book might actually kill me.
Because the queen has made her move...
And I have a feeling the game is nowhere near over. ♟️🖤
I was hooked from chapter one.
This book felt like one giant game of chess. Every page brought another move, another secret, another plan, and another piece falling into place. Just when I thought I had something figured out, the board shifted again. The plotting, secrets, planning, and twists kept me completely invested because I never felt like I knew exactly what was coming next.
And then there are these characters.
The MMC, the masked man behind the computer, absolutely wrecked me. His background explains so much about the way he views himself and love. He has convinced himself that he isn't someone who is allowed to be loved or needed, and watching that belief get challenged was heartbreaking.
Then we have our FMC, and this woman is a QUEEN. 👑 She is fiesty, stubborn, determined, and absolutely refuses to be treated like a pawn. Her past has left her carrying anxiety and scars, but she doesn't let what happened to her define her. She wants to LIVE, and this quote perfectly captures her:
“I don’t want a happy ending. I want a happily ever after. I don’t want safe—I want to live.”
That line honestly says so much about her character. She doesn't want someone to simply protect her by keeping her locked away from everything that could hurt her. She wants to experience life, even when it's scary.
And the MMC's response?
“If it ever comes down to your happiness… your safety… your life—there isn’t a line I won’t cross. No matter what it costs. No matter which circle of hell it sends me to.”
EXCUSE ME?! 🫠
Their pasts aren't just background information either. They directly shape who they are, how they love, and the choices they make throughout the story. I loved watching those pieces slowly come together and seeing how their individual scars affected their relationship.
The romance had me completely invested. The tension, chemistry, protectiveness, emotional depth, and devotion were EVERYTHING. And there were so many moments where I just had to stop and stare at the page.
“We don’t trade queens for pawns. Especially shattered ones.”
That one? Straight to my soul. 👑🖤
And of course, I can't leave out:
“Don’t worry, Little Bee,” he’d whispers, voice low and certain. “I will be back, even if I have to burn through Heaven and Hell to get to you.”
I'M SORRY. WHAT?! 😭🔥
This book gave me dark mystery, espionage, hacking, secrets, trauma, suspense, tension, a masked MMC, a fierce FMC, and a romance that had me completely emotionally invested.
And somehow, all of it worked together so well.
Queen’s Move is absolutely a shelf trophy for me. 👑♟️
I am OBSESSED.
I finished this book and immediately knew I needed the next one, but now I have to wait. And honestly? Waiting for the next book might actually kill me.
Because the queen has made her move...
And I have a feeling the game is nowhere near over. ♟️🖤
September 8, 2026
You know those books where you start reading and then suddenly everything else you’re supposed to be doing becomes deeply inconvenient?
Yeah. That was Queen’s Move.
I did not want to put this damn book down.
Hope built this entire story around secrets, moves, countermoves, and characters who are absolutely NOT telling you everything. And every single time I thought I had finally figured something out? Cute. No. Try again.
Alexia finds an error in her company’s finances, and that discovery catches the attention of a masked man known as the Ghost of MI5. And THAT is about all the plot you’re getting from me.
Because I need you to go into this one without knowing where the pieces are going to land. Half the fun was me making theories, feeling very confident about those theories, and then realizing I apparently had no fking idea what game we were even playing.
Alexia was immediately my kind of FMC. She’s smart, stubborn, feisty, determined, a former chess prodigy, and absolutely refuses to quietly become a pawn in somebody else’s game. The absolute fking QUEEN.
And then we have the Jasper.
Masked man. Hacker. Stalking. Vigilante justice. Touch her and die energy. Cat and mouse tension.
Hope. You know my weaknesses. This was rude.
The tension and slow burn had me hanging onto every little interaction, but what really kept me glued to this book was knowing there was always something else underneath what I was seeing.
Everybody has secrets.
Everybody has a move.
And just when you think you get it…
Think. Again.
But somehow Hope also snuck found family into all of this and got me attached to everybody’s damn business. Especially Amir. Hot Scottish MI5 operative. Father figure. Daddy. Mine.
I have nothing else to contribute to that conversation. I saw him, I claimed him, we can move along.
By the time I finished, I genuinely needed to just sit with this book because there is so much I want to scream about and almost none of it can go in a spoiler free review.
This is a long game and if you want to win, you need to know all the players.
This was dark romance mixed with cyber-thriller goodness, masked man obsession, hacking, vigilante justice, secrets, found family, tension, twists, and one hell of a FMC. And I ate it up.
Five stars. No notes. Just several questions I’m not allowed to discuss publicly and an unhealthy need for the next move.
And then…
“Until next time… Little Bee.”
MA’AM.
You cannot say until next time after everything you just did to me and expect me to behave normally.
Hope, thank you for trusting me with an ARC of Queen’s Move and letting me get my hands on Alexia and this entire secretive, morally questionable crew early. Watching this book get ready to head out into the world has been so freaking special.
Now respectfully: GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK.
Yeah. That was Queen’s Move.
I did not want to put this damn book down.
Hope built this entire story around secrets, moves, countermoves, and characters who are absolutely NOT telling you everything. And every single time I thought I had finally figured something out? Cute. No. Try again.
Alexia finds an error in her company’s finances, and that discovery catches the attention of a masked man known as the Ghost of MI5. And THAT is about all the plot you’re getting from me.
Because I need you to go into this one without knowing where the pieces are going to land. Half the fun was me making theories, feeling very confident about those theories, and then realizing I apparently had no fking idea what game we were even playing.
Alexia was immediately my kind of FMC. She’s smart, stubborn, feisty, determined, a former chess prodigy, and absolutely refuses to quietly become a pawn in somebody else’s game. The absolute fking QUEEN.
And then we have the Jasper.
Masked man. Hacker. Stalking. Vigilante justice. Touch her and die energy. Cat and mouse tension.
Hope. You know my weaknesses. This was rude.
The tension and slow burn had me hanging onto every little interaction, but what really kept me glued to this book was knowing there was always something else underneath what I was seeing.
Everybody has secrets.
Everybody has a move.
And just when you think you get it…
Think. Again.
But somehow Hope also snuck found family into all of this and got me attached to everybody’s damn business. Especially Amir. Hot Scottish MI5 operative. Father figure. Daddy. Mine.
I have nothing else to contribute to that conversation. I saw him, I claimed him, we can move along.
By the time I finished, I genuinely needed to just sit with this book because there is so much I want to scream about and almost none of it can go in a spoiler free review.
This is a long game and if you want to win, you need to know all the players.
This was dark romance mixed with cyber-thriller goodness, masked man obsession, hacking, vigilante justice, secrets, found family, tension, twists, and one hell of a FMC. And I ate it up.
Five stars. No notes. Just several questions I’m not allowed to discuss publicly and an unhealthy need for the next move.
And then…
“Until next time… Little Bee.”
MA’AM.
You cannot say until next time after everything you just did to me and expect me to behave normally.
Hope, thank you for trusting me with an ARC of Queen’s Move and letting me get my hands on Alexia and this entire secretive, morally questionable crew early. Watching this book get ready to head out into the world has been so freaking special.
Now respectfully: GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
This was one hell of a game. ♟️🖤
Two prodigies, each in their own arena, collide in a dark cat-and-mouse game where every move matters. She was once a chess prodigy, but now she’s built a new life, leaving her painful past buried beneath smoke and mirrors. He’s a prodigy in his own right, but his circumstances keep him firmly on a leash.
What starts as a chase quickly becomes far more complicated. The hunter becomes obsessed with his prey, but she was never going to surrender. She fights for her choices, her freedom, and herself, while both carry pasts that refuse to stay buried.
Loved how the chess game threaded through the story. The pieces, the strategy, the misdirection, the arrogance of thinking you understand the board, only to realize the queen has changed the entire game and there are other plays quietly unfolding beyond what you can see. ♟️
There’s obsession, tension, pain, secrets and close calls, with two characters who are far more complicated than they first appear.
And then comes the final move. They took the leap, closed the board, and made their choice. Now I need to know where the hell the game goes from here. Book 2, I’m ready. 🖤♟️
Kelly (TheInkAddictsReads on Insta)
This was one hell of a game. ♟️🖤
Two prodigies, each in their own arena, collide in a dark cat-and-mouse game where every move matters. She was once a chess prodigy, but now she’s built a new life, leaving her painful past buried beneath smoke and mirrors. He’s a prodigy in his own right, but his circumstances keep him firmly on a leash.
What starts as a chase quickly becomes far more complicated. The hunter becomes obsessed with his prey, but she was never going to surrender. She fights for her choices, her freedom, and herself, while both carry pasts that refuse to stay buried.
Loved how the chess game threaded through the story. The pieces, the strategy, the misdirection, the arrogance of thinking you understand the board, only to realize the queen has changed the entire game and there are other plays quietly unfolding beyond what you can see. ♟️
There’s obsession, tension, pain, secrets and close calls, with two characters who are far more complicated than they first appear.
And then comes the final move. They took the leap, closed the board, and made their choice. Now I need to know where the hell the game goes from here. Book 2, I’m ready. 🖤♟️
Kelly (TheInkAddictsReads on Insta)
Review of advance copy received from Author
2 brilliant minds playing a dangerous game of obsession, secrets, and chess level calculated moves. ♟️🐝
We have "cyber security/vigilante" vibes, but Jasper and Alexia are on opposite sides of the board, which makes for an addictive cyber game of cat & mouse.
He's met his match when she catches him in her system! 👀
A hacker & a chess prodigy? Checkmate.
I had so much fun with this read. It was fast paced, never a dull moment, and I found myself rooting for both sides! I wasn't expecting the romcom vibes, it was really funny! Loved the banter between everyone.
The perfect blend of action, romance, trauma and humor.
I also really liked the mythology references, it gave it a unique twist.
There were scenes that had me blushing&giggling, wanting to throw my kindle & shake Jasper 😂
This man crossed a line. Do NOT meddle with a gals playlists 😤 !!! (Dont worry, he restored it lol)
Really enjoyed Queens Move!
I'll be looking forward to the next book in the Decode Me series.. whats up with Vlad?👀😏
Thank you Hope for letting me ARC read.
•Dark Romance / RomCom / Thriller
•Multi POV
•Masked Hacker MMC
•Brilliant Romanian Cyber Security FMC
•Cat&Mouse Game
•Devious Strategies
•BLASPHEMY IN A CHURCH 😈
•"Eyes on Me, Little Bee."
We have "cyber security/vigilante" vibes, but Jasper and Alexia are on opposite sides of the board, which makes for an addictive cyber game of cat & mouse.
He's met his match when she catches him in her system! 👀
A hacker & a chess prodigy? Checkmate.
I had so much fun with this read. It was fast paced, never a dull moment, and I found myself rooting for both sides! I wasn't expecting the romcom vibes, it was really funny! Loved the banter between everyone.
The perfect blend of action, romance, trauma and humor.
I also really liked the mythology references, it gave it a unique twist.
There were scenes that had me blushing&giggling, wanting to throw my kindle & shake Jasper 😂
This man crossed a line. Do NOT meddle with a gals playlists 😤 !!! (Dont worry, he restored it lol)
Really enjoyed Queens Move!
I'll be looking forward to the next book in the Decode Me series.. whats up with Vlad?👀😏
Thank you Hope for letting me ARC read.
•Dark Romance / RomCom / Thriller
•Multi POV
•Masked Hacker MMC
•Brilliant Romanian Cyber Security FMC
•Cat&Mouse Game
•Devious Strategies
•BLASPHEMY IN A CHURCH 😈
•"Eyes on Me, Little Bee."
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book and especially Jasper, he is the best book boyfriend for a dark romance. He protects Alexia from the shadows and helps her heal from past trauma. He is very careful and sensitive with her and even though he hides his face and name from her he never hides his true self around her. Also his relationship with her dog is adorable and hilarious at the same time.
I was very happy reading every Romanian reference, every Romanian word and especially a very detailed treath from Romanian culture.
Alexia is a very strong character, she has been through a lot and still has a lot of fire in her and a desire for justice in everything. Even though she has all the reasons to give up on her stalker masked guardian she fights for him and their love for each other.
My favorite moments were the sweet ones when they take care of each other, their banter that never really ends and the ending.
I loved this book and I am very curious about the next ones!
I was very happy reading every Romanian reference, every Romanian word and especially a very detailed treath from Romanian culture.
Alexia is a very strong character, she has been through a lot and still has a lot of fire in her and a desire for justice in everything. Even though she has all the reasons to give up on her stalker masked guardian she fights for him and their love for each other.
My favorite moments were the sweet ones when they take care of each other, their banter that never really ends and the ending.
I loved this book and I am very curious about the next ones!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so good because it is refreshing. I think the best way i can describe this (without spoilers) is imagine having all the ingredients that you love about Dark romance and then the 'chef' makes a dish you have NEVER tasted. Hope is the chef and this dish was DELICIOUS!!!! Do not sleep on this author. The talent is outstanding. The story is fantastic. This is a book you can describe to me and I'll know it immediately because it is going to live in my head - and I will not complain or come for a rent check.
MORE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
Psssst, Jasper, hack Hope's computer and get me book two. It'll be our little secret. ;)
MORE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
Psssst, Jasper, hack Hope's computer and get me book two. It'll be our little secret. ;)
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
Queen’s Move is a dark, addictive romance filled with obsession, tension, secrets, and a dangerous game of strategy. ♟️🖤
The strong, intelligent FMC and morally questionable MMC create an intense slow burn, while the chess, hacking, Romanian elements, and vigilante justice make the story feel unique. The writing is immersive and emotional, with a great mix of darkness, humour, and spice.
A gripping read that leaves you very ready for Book 2! 🖤♟️
Betty - The Ink Addicts Reads (Instagram & YouTube)
Queen’s Move is a dark, addictive romance filled with obsession, tension, secrets, and a dangerous game of strategy. ♟️🖤
The strong, intelligent FMC and morally questionable MMC create an intense slow burn, while the chess, hacking, Romanian elements, and vigilante justice make the story feel unique. The writing is immersive and emotional, with a great mix of darkness, humour, and spice.
A gripping read that leaves you very ready for Book 2! 🖤♟️
Betty - The Ink Addicts Reads (Instagram & YouTube)
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