To be honest, I could barely remember who Carrie Soto was in the book Malibu Rising. But in Carrie Soto is Back, she makes a lasting impression. Tennis fans and fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will adore this book.

Carrie Soto Is Back was the perfect novel. It somehow got me interested into tennis, though I never once played this sport nor watch it. The writing style was perfect as usual and it was as if I was into the story. Would highly recommend it!

I could not get into this book while reading, I did not realize how heavily tennis the content was and I could not connect to Carrie Soto at all. I do love other books by TJR but this one was just not it for me,.

To be perfectly honest, this had been a much anticipated read for me as I had enjoyed TJR's writing before. But as I began, I immediately hit a wall with the Spanish. It caused me to pause and struggle to pick it back up. There are others who have discussed this more eloquently but the critique deserves repeating - I understand the desire for diversity in stories and believe it should be there but that to me means making appropriate space for authors of marginalized groups to write their own stories and get the support that white authors do. When white authors tell these stories, which are not theirs to tell, you end up with a book like this that often made Carrie and Javier feel like caricatures of their culture (at least that is how it felt to me). My Spanish is not as strong as it once was but it felt like the Spanish from google translate and not wholly natural/conversational. Again, I recommend you follow latine reviewers who can better offer insight to this and I want to hold space for them because its important to do so. (I am not saying you shouldn't have diversity in your books but if you're going to do it, you need to do it well and this did not meet the mark for me. I can appreciate what TJR has said that she likes to write about powerful women and it didn't seem right to only write white women as powerful but the critiques of her writing women of color are fair and valid)

Outside of that, the book is okay! I love tennis and sports stories but there were parts of this book that felt ripped from the Williams sisters' lives and interviews and pasted in here. The originality felt lacking but again I like sports enough and the Williams sisters more that I could enjoy the basis of this book. The books is heavy on the tennis, which is the part that I enjoyed, but I know will not be for everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Is there any world that Taylor Jenkins Reid can’t take us to? She’s done it again with Carrie Soto is Back, immersing the reader in the world of competitive tennis. The title character is not immediately likable but as the story unfolds she grows on you and you find yourself rooting for her. The father daughter relationship is beautifully written. The story is well told. Bravo Ms. Jenkins Reid!

Carrie Soto is back! At 37 years old Carrie decides to start training again and come out of retirement when her tennis record is threatened. Her competitiveness never won her any friends but she did shatter records. Carrie will find out what it takes to prove to herself and everyone else that she’s still got it. Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the egalley in exchange for my honest review. I loved it. Carrie Soto is the most relatable yet bitchy character I’ve ever read. I loved the moments when she started opening up and being vulnerable in her own way. Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again with a powerhouse female character who is a total badass.

I typically love TJR, but was not into this one. I think it was the sports aspect of it that had me at a lost. I still will read anything she comes out with though!

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, Carrie Soto Is Back, is an inspirational story about pushing past your limits and striving for greatness even when it seems impossible. Through vivid and captivating storytelling, Reid captures Carrie’s journey as she battles her age, the media, and herself to reclaim the title that was once hers. With a powerful message of hope, Reid creates an inspiring story about never giving up, even when the odds are stacked against you. A must-read for any fan of uplifting literature.

TJR is truly one of my favorite authors. I love the way she makes you feel like you actually know the characters shes writing and I also love a clever tie in to some of her older books. HOWEVER this one really did not hit for me like her older stuff. This was very tennis focused, which I understand as a huge plot point to the story, but I did not need *quite so much* tennis. I think the point could have been made with more focus on the story, however I dont think there was much of a story without the tennis. So needless to say, this was not my favorite book but I do understand why it was written this way, it just wasnt my taste specifically.

Perfectly acceptable for a book club. This didn't stand out to me as much as Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones and the Six, but was a much better read than Malibu Rising.I appreciated the choice of chapter breaks here.

There was way too much tennis lingo in this book. For someone who isn't super familiar with Tennis that could be a bit confusing. Overall, a good story.

Carrie Soto is a force to be reckoned with, or at least she was six years ago when she set the record for most Opens won and retired from tennis. Now her record is about to be broken. The 37-year-old phenom comes out of retirement to uphold her record and prove that she is the best tennis player in history. Along the way, Carrie is on a journey to heal the relationships she has broken and come to terms with who she really is.

I loved this book. I loved Carrie. I loved (and continue to love) Taylor Jenkins Reid. When Carrie showed up in Malibu Rising, we knew there was more going on, but this book delves to her deepest parts and shows us everything about her, warts and all. While I was reading, I felt like my best friend was telling me about her life. I didn't want to let go.

I highly recommend Carrie Soto is back and all of the California quadrilogy - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, Malibu Rising, and Carrie Soto Is Back. These books will build you up, tear you down, and build you up again.

I really didnt like this book. I found the main character to be whiny and entitled. Honestly my least favorite of all of her books. Do not recommend.

Carrie Soto was fantastic per usual for a Taylor Jenkins Reid book. Carrie showed grit and determination and was a character I can get behind. I identified with her drive. I enjoyed learning a bit more about a sport I don’t normally watch.

I learned so much about the world of tennis! I also learned how much an athlete trains, gives up, and has to get in the right emotional head space. Not easy for the 20 year olds, but so much harder for those who return in their 30's with something to prove. Inspiring, if not exhausting read, if you can put yourself in Carrie's place.

I loved this so much. I know very little about tennis so a lot of the terms were lost on me. But I couldn't put it down. And loved the references to Malibu Rising and Daisy Jones & the Six!

I really enjoyed this book! I never knew just how much I didn't know about tennis. My daughter plays, so I have a very elementary knowledge and I loved the look into the world of tennis and just how much is involved in that sport. Truly inspiring the kind of work that goes into learning how to play tennis.

Carrie Soto held the record for most Grand Slam titles and and surpassed all records by the time she retired. But then an up-and-coming athlete is about to break that record. Carrie needs to decide how important those records are to her. She was never liked on the tennis circuit, as it was never about the other players, only winning. As she considers returning at the age of 37, she has a lot of hurdles to jump- it's hard to get into the same kind of shape she was in her 20's! She decides to train with her father again and has one year to reach her goal of winning a Grand Slam. In the process we also get to follow the story of a former flame, Bowe Huntley and the journey he has traveled.

Again, I feel as though I learned so much in this book. I loved that it wasn't an easy journey for Carrie. She had to work hard at not only her craft, but also her relationships in order to mentally get into the right space to do her best. It was such a great read. Truly enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What can be said about a book that tears at the heartstrings about a dad and his love of his daughter? This book does just that. Javier has such an unconditional love for Carrie that it takes you into the story and makes you want to be swallowed by him and his love. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Carrie Soto was the world’s most decorated tennis player who has come out of retirement to take back the title. Carrie was trained to be the best there was from a young age and has dedicated her entire life to winning- at the expense of everything else in her life. 

I loved this book so much, that I could not put it down. I alternated between reading and listening to the book and have to say that the audio version was really fantastic. My heart was pounding with each and every game played. Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again with this book.

I was not sure if I would like this book, based solely on the description. However, I am a big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid so I wanted to give it a chance. I'm so glad I did! I am not a fan of tennis, but somehow Reid is able to get you invested in the game and the story anyway. I was a big fan of Carrie's character and found her very relatable, even in her flaws. It was a fun book, and I can't wait for the next Taylor Jenkins Reid book.