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Rook Takes Queen
Rook Black is determined to leave her chess career in the past. Unfortunately, beyond being able to kick ass on the board, she doesn't have many skills to offer up, which leads her to a hustle-- and a lot of trouble. Trying to make it right, she's stuck back in the game and miserable about it... until she meets Carmen. Carmen Barnes is a beauty queen who's out to prove she's more than just a pretty face. Determined to use her crown to change the world, she wants to leave a mark that makes people think. Hosting a chess tournament for a local teen's homeless shelter is just the thing. One She doesn't know a thing about chess. There's also the stifling rules that come with her title. Romance--or a lack thereof-- is written into her contract. When a stubborn chess player is pitted against an ambitious pageant winner, heads butt and sparks fly. Will Rook's gambit pay off? Fate aims for a checkmate in this lesbian romance!
214 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2017
36 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Em Stevens
11 books74 followersEm Stevens was shortlisted for most likely to succeed. She’s a best-selling author of queer fiction. When she isn’t writing she enjoys all that NC has to offer, from mountains to the sea, wine and distilleries. Em and company, including two furry friends, reside in Raleigh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 28, 2018
Liked this one even more on my second read. I'm upping the rating from 4 to 4.5 stars. A quick and sweet, well-balanced comfort read.
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The chess grandmaster and beauty queen combo is a unique addition to the genre. It's also good to see some emotional connection when so many books are only about physical attraction these days.
There are some decent sex scenes in this book but it's a spice rather than a base ingredient which I appreciate a lot. Too many times I end up skipping a lot of the sex scenes in other books just because they never end or they are badly written, but I had no such problems with Rook Takes Queen. Overall a pleasant read indeed.
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The chess grandmaster and beauty queen combo is a unique addition to the genre. It's also good to see some emotional connection when so many books are only about physical attraction these days.
There are some decent sex scenes in this book but it's a spice rather than a base ingredient which I appreciate a lot. Too many times I end up skipping a lot of the sex scenes in other books just because they never end or they are badly written, but I had no such problems with Rook Takes Queen. Overall a pleasant read indeed.
October 10, 2018
This is a review I wrote for my audiobook blog Lovely Audiobooks.
So, we start out with Rook, genius Grandmaster chess player, failing at live. She has no direction and is fairly immature, despite being in her 30’s. I liked her right away though. She’s a funny little punk 😀 Twists and turns make her run into Carmen, her polar opposite in many regards: An extremely driven beauty queen.
It’s a quite fascinating set-up and both protagonists are adorable, interesting and “real”.
First and foremost, this is a very romantic book though! I really like how Em Stevens follows what I would call a “standard Romance recipe”. That sounds kind of bad but it really isn’t. It’s what I want to read and what I’m often missing in lesfic. The story ventures into the forbidden love trope but it does so in a Romance way, not in a “coming out” way. It was actually an unexpected twist and done really well.
I love Ainslie Caswell’s voice. It fits the two women perfectly and her narration is very captivating. She wasn’t always exactly on point in regard to using the correct intonations and sometimes the voices weren’t so easily distinguishable because of it. Nevertheless, it was an engaging, fun narration style and I was invested in the story.
If you’re looking for a sexy, romantic audiobook with two women, I wholeheartedly recommend this one!
So, we start out with Rook, genius Grandmaster chess player, failing at live. She has no direction and is fairly immature, despite being in her 30’s. I liked her right away though. She’s a funny little punk 😀 Twists and turns make her run into Carmen, her polar opposite in many regards: An extremely driven beauty queen.
It’s a quite fascinating set-up and both protagonists are adorable, interesting and “real”.
First and foremost, this is a very romantic book though! I really like how Em Stevens follows what I would call a “standard Romance recipe”. That sounds kind of bad but it really isn’t. It’s what I want to read and what I’m often missing in lesfic. The story ventures into the forbidden love trope but it does so in a Romance way, not in a “coming out” way. It was actually an unexpected twist and done really well.
I love Ainslie Caswell’s voice. It fits the two women perfectly and her narration is very captivating. She wasn’t always exactly on point in regard to using the correct intonations and sometimes the voices weren’t so easily distinguishable because of it. Nevertheless, it was an engaging, fun narration style and I was invested in the story.
If you’re looking for a sexy, romantic audiobook with two women, I wholeheartedly recommend this one!
May 22, 2022
Loved this!! My first book by this author but I'm already excited for another.
Rook is a badass Grandmaster of chess (I'll be honest, I've just watched The Queen's Gambit on Netflix, so this book about chess on my Kindle was found at the perfect time!) but when she's arrested for hustling, the last thing she expects is to be asked to tutor Miss United States... The beauty queen organising a fundraiser for a youth homeless charity. While Rook teaches Carmen and the youths how to play, Carmen shows how clever and brilliant she truly is, and the two of them make such an awesome team! I was rooting for them the whole way! This was well-written, funny, and sexy, and only had a little angst, which made my heart happy, lol. Excellent. 👌
Carmen: "To be fair, I'll probably put 'beat genius at checkers' on my resume."
Rook: "Go ahead. I'll put 'spent the night with a beauty queen' on mine."
Rook is a badass Grandmaster of chess (I'll be honest, I've just watched The Queen's Gambit on Netflix, so this book about chess on my Kindle was found at the perfect time!) but when she's arrested for hustling, the last thing she expects is to be asked to tutor Miss United States... The beauty queen organising a fundraiser for a youth homeless charity. While Rook teaches Carmen and the youths how to play, Carmen shows how clever and brilliant she truly is, and the two of them make such an awesome team! I was rooting for them the whole way! This was well-written, funny, and sexy, and only had a little angst, which made my heart happy, lol. Excellent. 👌
Carmen: "To be fair, I'll probably put 'beat genius at checkers' on my resume."
Rook: "Go ahead. I'll put 'spent the night with a beauty queen' on mine."
July 31, 2017
I acidentally stumbled over this one and boy, I really liked it. Wonderful chemistry, nice little storyline, cute romance. Checkmate!
"Just think of what you'll be able to do when your wings aren't clipped!"
"Just think of what you'll be able to do when your wings aren't clipped!"
February 27, 2017
Rook Black has lost her way in the world. She perpetually pissed off and has no outlet for her emotions. The thing about Rook that sets her apart from any other loner fueled on too much caffeine and surliness, is she is a Grandmaster chess player. She gave up chess as a way to break free and find herself outside of the game, but with limited skills, Rook’s options are pretty limited. A trip to the clink for public gambling ends up killing her already limited finances. So Rook ends up taking the only job available, a chess tutor.
Carmen Barnes is the current Miss USA. This beauty Queen takes her role seriously, with three months left with the crown, she wants to go out with a bang and raise some serious money for a cause that is very dear to her. Carmen sets up a major chess tournament to benefit a local homeless shelter that caters to young people. The money she raises will make serious improvements to the shelter and prove to all the naysayers that she is more than a pretty face.
When Rook and Carmen meet to discuss the tutoring position it’s a combination of sexy fireworks and sticking your foot right in your mouth. Comical and cringe worthy! Initially, Rook falls back on her frostiness and defense mechanisms when she feels backed into a corner, Carmen never lets her get away with it, though. As time progresses and they spend more time with each other you, as the reader, really see how these two characters just fit. They see each other without all the pretenses, being judged by their titles rather than who they really are. It really makes for great reading and the chemistry is very apparent.
The chess aspect of the game was thoroughly entertaining without being too heavy handed in the technical aspect. You found out just enough about the game to keep it interesting. Rook and Carmen are delightful characters and their romance was super cute and at the same time sexy as hell. Em Stevens writes a fantastic story that is entirely entertaining and I was thoroughly hooked to the very end.
4.25 stars
Carmen Barnes is the current Miss USA. This beauty Queen takes her role seriously, with three months left with the crown, she wants to go out with a bang and raise some serious money for a cause that is very dear to her. Carmen sets up a major chess tournament to benefit a local homeless shelter that caters to young people. The money she raises will make serious improvements to the shelter and prove to all the naysayers that she is more than a pretty face.
When Rook and Carmen meet to discuss the tutoring position it’s a combination of sexy fireworks and sticking your foot right in your mouth. Comical and cringe worthy! Initially, Rook falls back on her frostiness and defense mechanisms when she feels backed into a corner, Carmen never lets her get away with it, though. As time progresses and they spend more time with each other you, as the reader, really see how these two characters just fit. They see each other without all the pretenses, being judged by their titles rather than who they really are. It really makes for great reading and the chemistry is very apparent.
The chess aspect of the game was thoroughly entertaining without being too heavy handed in the technical aspect. You found out just enough about the game to keep it interesting. Rook and Carmen are delightful characters and their romance was super cute and at the same time sexy as hell. Em Stevens writes a fantastic story that is entirely entertaining and I was thoroughly hooked to the very end.
4.25 stars
March 21, 2022
I think this was free a little while back. A nice easy to read rom-com, about two opposites attracting. A quick read, fairly fast paced, not a lot of angst and quite a bit of steamy heat here and there, but not too much either.
A few inconsistencies here and there, so I feel like the author should have fixed that easily enough. (It was pretty glaring, Rook states in one chapter her first kiss at 14, and then in another it's at 18).
It was fun to see the two opposites realize both are far more than they seem and connecting more, opening up and looking toward the future together. It was quite nice and not overly dramatic or angsty. So a good option for a casual satisfying read.
A few inconsistencies here and there, so I feel like the author should have fixed that easily enough. (It was pretty glaring, Rook states in one chapter her first kiss at 14, and then in another it's at 18).
It was fun to see the two opposites realize both are far more than they seem and connecting more, opening up and looking toward the future together. It was quite nice and not overly dramatic or angsty. So a good option for a casual satisfying read.
October 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
I enjoyed Rook Takes Queen overall.
The dynamic between Rook and Carmen pulled me in right away. Rook’s sharp, guarded personality plays off Carmen’s warmth and ambition perfectly, and their conversations had that spark and chemistry that made the romance fun to read.
The writing itself is solid, it’s engaging, with enough emotional depth to keep me invested. The story never gets bogged down, and it stays centered on the relationship and the chess playing too, which I appreciated.
What didn’t quite work for me was the pacing of the romance. Personally, I prefer more of a slow burn, and here things moved a little faster than I would have liked, especially toward the end. That’s less a flaw and more about my taste, but it did keep me from fully loving the story.
Overall, this is a warm, enjoyable sapphic romance. Definitely worth picking up.
I enjoyed Rook Takes Queen overall.
The dynamic between Rook and Carmen pulled me in right away. Rook’s sharp, guarded personality plays off Carmen’s warmth and ambition perfectly, and their conversations had that spark and chemistry that made the romance fun to read.
The writing itself is solid, it’s engaging, with enough emotional depth to keep me invested. The story never gets bogged down, and it stays centered on the relationship and the chess playing too, which I appreciated.
What didn’t quite work for me was the pacing of the romance. Personally, I prefer more of a slow burn, and here things moved a little faster than I would have liked, especially toward the end. That’s less a flaw and more about my taste, but it did keep me from fully loving the story.
Overall, this is a warm, enjoyable sapphic romance. Definitely worth picking up.
February 22, 2022
Fun and sweet, steamy at times. I really enjoyed the read !
October 21, 2018
Loved the story - a little short to be 5* - asked some good questions and faced stereo-types. Recommended.
July 27, 2023
Rounding down
I like it when communication is resolved realistically. It was great to see the characters on one another's sides and dealing with a bunch of external factors against them.
The biggest issue for me was all of the plot points packed into the story. There was very little opportunity to dig into all of the topics and just ended up feeling like it was very surface level.
Something you might enjoy if you're looking for an uncommon pairing. I did enjoy the chess player and beauty queen idea, but it just didn't hit quite right for me.
I like it when communication is resolved realistically. It was great to see the characters on one another's sides and dealing with a bunch of external factors against them.
The biggest issue for me was all of the plot points packed into the story. There was very little opportunity to dig into all of the topics and just ended up feeling like it was very surface level.
Something you might enjoy if you're looking for an uncommon pairing. I did enjoy the chess player and beauty queen idea, but it just didn't hit quite right for me.
September 17, 2017
Another good read by Em Stevens
Yep, just as the heading suggests, I found this to be a good read; well written, enjoyable story line and with characters that are both likeable and evolve through the story. It's also not too long, so good for a fairly quick read, but the writing and story does not feel rushed or undercooked. Would recommend.
Yep, just as the heading suggests, I found this to be a good read; well written, enjoyable story line and with characters that are both likeable and evolve through the story. It's also not too long, so good for a fairly quick read, but the writing and story does not feel rushed or undercooked. Would recommend.
March 16, 2017
Took Takes Queen!!!
I wish I hadn't read it that fast. But, I couldn't help myself. I loved the story, the two main characters were adorable and beautifully flawed. Essentially the story flowed easily to get lost in it. I recommend the book by author Em Stevens.
I wish I hadn't read it that fast. But, I couldn't help myself. I loved the story, the two main characters were adorable and beautifully flawed. Essentially the story flowed easily to get lost in it. I recommend the book by author Em Stevens.
November 18, 2022
I thought the premise of this book was interesting, I was excited to read about a chess grandmaster and an adult beauty queen. While I liked both Carmen and Rook, I liked Carmen a bit better. I felt like her character was more nuanced and her storyline more compelling. I wish we had read more about the chess side of Rook’s life. We do get a lot, as they are teaching the teens and there’s a tournament, but it still feels like the author could have gone deeper.
The narrator had a pleasant voice.
The narrator had a pleasant voice.
September 23, 2017
Would have been better without the blatant biphobia from the main character: 'Rook's nose wrinkled. She hated remembering that Carmen had been with a man. "It's so gross to think about."'
July 15, 2019
Rook Takes Queen — Em Stevens (17 chapters + Epilogue) July 5-6, 2019
This is a story of two consenting female adults in a sexual relationship. Though skipping the sexy bits, which occur later in the book, will not harm the plot, if these kind of circumstances are a concern, skip and red something else.
This was a neat, fun, unique plot involving a beauty queen and a chess masterchief. The first has always been accused of nothing but a pretty face; the second a super genius, with a bad@$$ persona. They come together under a mutual reason and the romance proceeded from there.
There are times that the story did not feel believable, but I really enjoyed this story due to the refreshing take on two lifestyles that seems legit and from experience (but the author.) I appreciated this new approach to a coming out story.
AS per usual with Indies, a few wrong word choice and grammatical/spelling errors, but still decently edited.
Three stars.
This is a story of two consenting female adults in a sexual relationship. Though skipping the sexy bits, which occur later in the book, will not harm the plot, if these kind of circumstances are a concern, skip and red something else.
This was a neat, fun, unique plot involving a beauty queen and a chess masterchief. The first has always been accused of nothing but a pretty face; the second a super genius, with a bad@$$ persona. They come together under a mutual reason and the romance proceeded from there.
There are times that the story did not feel believable, but I really enjoyed this story due to the refreshing take on two lifestyles that seems legit and from experience (but the author.) I appreciated this new approach to a coming out story.
AS per usual with Indies, a few wrong word choice and grammatical/spelling errors, but still decently edited.
Three stars.
May 29, 2022
Quite an amusing reading, all the "tension" between them was so enjoyable to see and at first I thought they'd be the typical nagging-each-other couple you know, but it wasn't like that and honestly, it was quite sweet. I loved these two together and the lack of real drama. And although what happened in the end was "fast" it didn't feel quite like that. Feeling like they were together for much longer because of how the story was told.
Sometime is quite hard getting out of the funk you're deep in so kudos to Rook, better late than ever with the help of Carmen.
p.s.: so I've read most of the reviews before reading this novella and there was a mention by AnnMaree of an error of continuation about Rook's first kiss, 14 and 18, but I think I got it. What happened is that she said the first kiss that MEANT something to her happened at her 18th birthday, so this was the catch.
Sometime is quite hard getting out of the funk you're deep in so kudos to Rook, better late than ever with the help of Carmen.
p.s.: so I've read most of the reviews before reading this novella and there was a mention by AnnMaree of an error of continuation about Rook's first kiss, 14 and 18, but I think I got it. What happened is that she said the first kiss that MEANT something to her happened at her 18th birthday, so this was the catch.
September 24, 2024
4.5 stars. A chess master and a beauty queen opposites attract, toaster oven romance. This was so good and incredibly charming and low angst. No big drama, no third act break up and I appreciated that so much. It was just what I needed today. Something light and romantic. Rook and Carmen are wonderful characters and I was seriously so impressed with both of their developments. Especially Rook. At the beginning she is so rough around the edges and being a jerk is her way of shielding herself. I love that Carmen right from the start was having none of her shit and always called her out when she would get snippy. I loved their chemistry so much and the banter between them. There's not a lot of sex in this but what was there was really hot. This was just a really great read. It was my first one by Stevens but I will definitely be reading more because I loved this.
October 3, 2017
Rook is a chess Grandmaster who quit the game a year ago and is arrested trying to fleece money from amateurs playing in a park. Broke and down on her luck she agrees to tutor homeless teens in chess as part of a fundraising effort organized by Carmen, the reigning Miss United States. While Rook is an out lesbian, Carmen has been only with men, shelving her true desires. Until she meets Rook.
This is a solid lesfic romance. Well written with interesting characters. I was hooked on the story even though there was only a moderate amount of tension in the plot and some growing up by Rook that seemed to occur rather quickly.
This is an author I'd read again and I recommend the book. The descriptions of chess games are not inaccessible and the story is a good one.
This is a solid lesfic romance. Well written with interesting characters. I was hooked on the story even though there was only a moderate amount of tension in the plot and some growing up by Rook that seemed to occur rather quickly.
This is an author I'd read again and I recommend the book. The descriptions of chess games are not inaccessible and the story is a good one.
February 19, 2019
Rook takes Queen audio version. Interested from chapter 1. Different setting and premise. Got to the bit where it goes wrong - it’s a romance, for the sake of story arc it was always going to go wrong and disappointed it had cause I am rooting for the main characters. This is the sign of a good book I think!However I had to suspend belief a bit that they wouldn’t have talked about the situation coming up. This is often a frustration in novels as was the case here, which is a pity because I was enjoying it to this point. However it was quickly resolved (and passing mention that they had talked about requirements) The book carried on and I carried on listening with a smile on my face. Some funny lines. The narrator was good helped by a well written book. Good job all!
May 23, 2019
Started off pretty well, 1/2 if not 3/4 of it was good/had potential. Then it progressed hella fast near the end.
I get that an author isnt well versed on matters concerning beauty queens and Grandmasters. I also dont know whether they actually reached out to said people, but i wish they had. Rook's struggle with Petra ended in like 3 sentences and barely had any chess involvement compared to Carmen. Tutoring chess isnt the same as putting in all the hours when practicing again for a tournament even though she is/was a Grandmaster, there wasnt even a mention of online chess.
I probably dont know what i'm even talking about
I get that an author isnt well versed on matters concerning beauty queens and Grandmasters. I also dont know whether they actually reached out to said people, but i wish they had. Rook's struggle with Petra ended in like 3 sentences and barely had any chess involvement compared to Carmen. Tutoring chess isnt the same as putting in all the hours when practicing again for a tournament even though she is/was a Grandmaster, there wasnt even a mention of online chess.
I probably dont know what i'm even talking about
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2017
Very enjoyable story
This is my first f/f romance and I really enjoyed it. The two main characters, Rook and Carmen are well developed and both of them tug at the reader’s heartstrings, even when Rook is being a surly, arrogant witch. The story arc is well done. I really enjoyed the way the story progressed and focused on character development. I’m a big fan of character driven stories so this was a win for me.
This is my first f/f romance and I really enjoyed it. The two main characters, Rook and Carmen are well developed and both of them tug at the reader’s heartstrings, even when Rook is being a surly, arrogant witch. The story arc is well done. I really enjoyed the way the story progressed and focused on character development. I’m a big fan of character driven stories so this was a win for me.
October 9, 2022
Engaging from the first page
This is a smart, witty and bright romantic comedy of a grandmaster chess player meeting her match in a beauty queen. This novel focuses on their meeting one another from seemingly opposite sides and finding common ground. It follows their developing relationship, and in spite of all the obvious obstacles, there is little angst that mars the well-paced story before it concludes in its happy ending. Very enjoyable and evocative of the world of chess.
This is a smart, witty and bright romantic comedy of a grandmaster chess player meeting her match in a beauty queen. This novel focuses on their meeting one another from seemingly opposite sides and finding common ground. It follows their developing relationship, and in spite of all the obvious obstacles, there is little angst that mars the well-paced story before it concludes in its happy ending. Very enjoyable and evocative of the world of chess.
July 28, 2017
Honestly it was hard for me to get through the book with the main character, Rook, because she acted like a teenager to early 20s through most of the book in my opinion. I loved Carmen. Appreciated there wasn't a huge age gap between Rook and Carmen and how well their characters fit together. It was a cute romance with light hot, sexy scenes.
March 9, 2022
Excellent story
I loved the main characters. They're well drawn and their growth as individuals is thought provoking. There are some nice humorous moments too.
The ending was very endearing. I could have read about their adventures forever.
I loved the main characters. They're well drawn and their growth as individuals is thought provoking. There are some nice humorous moments too.
The ending was very endearing. I could have read about their adventures forever.
April 23, 2022
Good book
I loved the characters in this book. I loved how they met and worked together with the fundraiser. I also thought it was great what they did with teaching the kids. I loved the happy ending.
I loved the characters in this book. I loved how they met and worked together with the fundraiser. I also thought it was great what they did with teaching the kids. I loved the happy ending.
May 11, 2017
Didn't really enjoy this one as much as I liked Stevens' first novel, but it was still a very good read. I certainly enjoyed it!
June 9, 2017
Good story
Good story. The ending is wonderful
I'm glad the it ended on a happy note. Perhaps I can have a happy ending too.
Good story. The ending is wonderful
I'm glad the it ended on a happy note. Perhaps I can have a happy ending too.
May 6, 2018
This is sweet and adorable and sexy.
February 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. It was very much mellow, fun and the ending was exactly what i was looking for.
June 5, 2019
Probably more of a 2.5, but I'm rounding up. It was a cute enough story with relatively low stakes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews