The Greenbecker Gambit by Ben Graff REVIEW

The Greenbecker Gambit

by Ben Graff

🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

Synopsis:

‘I only feel truly alive when the chess clock is ticking and the patterns on the squares in front of me are dancing in my head. Very little else gives me the same feeling. Nothing else, that does not involve a flame.’

Tennessee Greenbecker is bravely optimistic as he sets out to claim what he sees as rightfully his – the title of world chess champion. But who is he really? Is he destined to be remembered as chess champion or fire-starter? Either way, might this finally be his moment?

Purchase Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Greenbecker-Gambit-Ben-Graff-ebook/dp/B08774SJYN
https://www.amazon.ca/Greenbecker-Gambit-Ben-Graff-ebook/dp/B08774SJYN
https://www.amazon.com/Greenbecker-Gambit-Ben-Graff-ebook/dp/B08774SJYN

Chess and Bridge
https://shop.chess.co.uk/The-Greenbecker-Gambit-Ben-Graff-p/cb07811.htm

Review:

Thank you to Ben Graff and Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

The only thing Tennesee loves as much as chess is fire. He is determined he will be remembered forever, possibly as a chess champion, possibly as an arsonist. 

Tennessee Greenbecker is probably the most delusional character I have ever read about. Reading from his point of view made me continuously go back and forth from being extremely annoyed by him to being completely fascinated by his cluelessness. Graff did a great job in creating such a steady character. 

The Greenbecker Gambit was certainly a creative piece of work. It was interesting to watch things unfold and finally see how things ended. The writing was good and the pace was good for the storyline. I think this story would be enjoyed by chess lovers everywhere. 

This book is sure to keep you reading, even if it's only to see what delusion Tennessee will come up with next.

About Author

Ben Graff is a writer, journalist and Corporate Affairs professional. He is a regular contributor to Chess and Authors Publish. He is not a grandmaster but did draw with one once.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: GreenBGambit
LinkedIn: Ben Graff

I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn REVIEW

I Love You So Mochi

by Sarah Kuhn

Synopsis:

Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement.

She's obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother disapproves, and when they get into an explosive fight, Kimi's entire future seems on the verge of falling apart. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi's estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.

When she arrives in Japan, she's met with a culture both familiar and completely foreign to her. She loses herself in the city's outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival - and meets Akira, a cute aspiring med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. And what begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.

In I Love You So Mochi, author Sarah Kuhn has penned a delightfully sweet and irrepressibly funny novel that will make you squee at the cute, cringe at the awkward, and show that sometimes you have to lose yourself in something you love to find your Ultimate self.

Review:

It is so hard to write a thoughtful review when all I want to do is gush about how much I loved everything about this book. I'll give it a shot but I can't promise anything more than heart eye emojis. 

Ok, I absolutely loved this book! The relationships were so sweet, I couldn't help but gush over practically every page. We get to see all different kinds of relationships and they are all beautiful and unique, each with its own issues and charms. The writing is engaging. I was drawn in from the very beginning. The story plays out well with a steady pace that fits with the story line. The context of the story is beautiful. The author uses humor and drama in a way that compliments and shapes the story to give its readers maximum impact. When I reached the end I wanted it to continue. Kimi was a wonderful main character. She was charming, delightful and had this spark that made her easy to cheer for. While the ending was well done, it was hard to say goodbye to these characters that I have fallen in love with. 

So that's it I guess, there's my review. I loved every bit of I Love You So Mochi and it's one of my favorite books ever.