Thank you to both #NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for providing me an advance copy of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, Carrie Soto Is Back, in exchange for an honest review.

I have adored TJR’s writing ever since discovering #MaybeInAnotherLife in 2015. In the spirit of Javier Soto, #CarrieSotoIsBack is a beautifully, simplistic tale of redemption involving a retired world-class tennis player and her epic return to become the greatest tennis champion in history. The story is written in first person from the perspective of the protagonist, Carrie Soto, and it is set primarily throughout the 80s and 90s. Thus, the reader also receives a heady dose of nostalgia.

I happen to love and play tennis, but you do not need to have love for the game to enjoy this novel. Despite her brash and cynical attitude towards the world, Carrie is a symbol of hope for anyone who has strived for a dream and was met with devasting obstacles. TJR makes it easy for even those of us who are not pro-athletes or celebrities to identify with feeling, of failure and letting yourself or others down. The novel also touches on themes of womankind, race, the media, grief, self-realization, and familial love.

The strangest and somehow most endearing part of the reading experience is how awful and immature Carrie’s attitude is towards everything, including a lack of grace and sportsmanship in winning, and yet, the reader still incredulously cares for Carrie by the end. That is the hallmark of a truly unforgettable character. As if this is not enough, the rest of the supporting cast is just as loveable if not more so; I can already envision the developing screenplay. I also felt that some of the random tennis pros peppered throughout were fictional versions based on real tennis greats due to the shared parallels.

Some other amazing portions worth mentioning include the nod to Daisy Jones and the Six (in the vein of Stephen King worldbuilding), the sports announcers who reminded me of the movie, Best in Show, the relationship between Carrie and her father, any conversations between Carrie and Nicki, and of course, Bowe. TJR has truly outdone herself this time.

Wow, guys. This book was truly phenomenal. Every book I have read by TJR I have liked just a littttttle bit more than the previous one. She just keeps getting better.
 
Prior to reading this, I knew next to nothing about tennis, but I’ve always been into sports. As a former athlete, everything described about the competition, the pressure, and the need to win – it was very relatable. I closed this book a tennis fan.
 
I was soooo invested in Carrie’s career and especially her comeback which is funny because Carrie was generally unlikable for most of the book, but that’s what made her character arc so enjoyable. Throughout most of the story she was cocky. I mean she was the best in the world, but she definitely needed to be humbled. Through guidance from her father/coach, Javier and men’s pro tennis player and “friend,” Bowe - she got there.
 
The last few chapters were so bittersweet. I loved that I actually didn’t know how her final tournament would end. And I loved the way that it did end.
 
This book was pure genius. The fact that TJR can suck a reader into a sport, or topic in general, that meant nothing to them prior is a testament to how amazing she truly is. It publishes on August 30th, and I’m telling you now that you need to preorder it.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is BACK and expanding the world of Malibu Rising with a beautiful exploration of elite tennis player and record breaker Carrie Soto. I found myself on the edge of my seat even though I'm not a tennis fan myself. My only complaint is that it was over too soon!!

Going into this book, I didn’t know much about Tennis and how the sport works but through this book, I loved it. TJR wrote another incredible book with great female leads. I will forever read anything and everything she writes.

I was hesitant to read this book because I don’t like sports books, but I trust TJR! I can no longer say I don’t like sports books. I loved this book. I think I liked it better than Daisy Jones of Malibu. I thought I would want to skip pst the play by plays because I would find them boring, but it was all I could do not to skip just to find out what happens in each match. Packing my bags for Indian wells now……

Slightly predictable plot, but Carrie was a great character to keep in my company for a short while. This is likely to sell very well.

TJR does it again with another incredible story about an incredible woman. This is my third TJR book and she never lets me down.

Carrie Soto is a successful tennis player who comes out of retirement to defend and maintain her record. This is the story of a hard-headed, driven woman who will stop at nothing to accomplish her goals.

This is also to the story of beautiful personal growth, and Carrie’s journey to loving and appreciating what she has in the moment. Carrie’s character is hard to love, and she pushes people away every chance she gets, but she realizes that maybe loving and being loved isn’t as scary and hard as she thought.

I loved this book and devoured it in just over 2 days. I can’t wait for this to release so I can add it to my shelf.

I’m so happy that we have another TJR novel adding to this amazing universe she has created. Carrie Soto Is Back is a powerhouse of a book and Carrie as a character is one you root for from beginning to end. She is incredibly flawed like Evelyn and Daisy and doesn’t apologize for it which I love. Her relationships with those closest to her, Bowe, her father, and Gwen all support Carrie’s character arc throughout the novel and the development Carrie goes through is the best thing about this book.

As soon as I picked this book up it was hard for me to put down. Reid’s writing is something I can grasp so easily and I can disappear into whatever world or character she writes about and I always love the reading experience I have with her stories. The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is because there was so. much. tennis. and that was totally okay. That’s what Carrie’s life revolves around. As someone who doesn’t watch or play tennis I definitely learned a lot by reading this book. It just became very repetitive at times but when you write a book about a world renowned tennis star, there is no way around that.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC! I cannot wait to see what TJR does next and I really hope this universe of unapologetic, strong, and complex female characters doesn’t end here. Her books are magic and I will always read anything she writes.

*I received a copy for review.*
Typically, I do not like a redemption story. When a person is a villain in one book, I am not likely to read a book about them. If they are truly awful, I don't care if they get an HEA. In many cases, I'd rather picture them alone, destitute , and perhaps falling off a cliff. However, I forgot who Carrie was and I didn't figure it out until about 1/2 way through. I am glad I didn't remember.
This book is definitely one with an unlikeable character who is the villain in some one else's story. Carrie Soto was made to play tennis. Her father was a decent player and put a racket in her hand when she was three. She is dedicated and fierce and when she loses her mother, it becomes her whole like. Her father pours all of his love and determination into making her the best but he forgets that she needs to learn how to lose and how to keep her love for the sport. She takes the tennis world by storm but her directness makes her unpopular and she comes across harsh. This story is her journey to the top with all her mistakes and her walking away then trying to come back to keep her record in tact.
Carrie is not easy to know or like. She doesn't know what tact is and has no desire to play down her abilities or compliment people she beats. Either she's the best or she's not. And she cannot handle the not. She's complicated and her relationship choices are unhealthy and destructive.
It is not always an easy read but I loved getting inside this complicated, stubborn woman. I loved that parts of the text were in Spanish because I got to use my very rusty skills to translate and if I couldn't, I used the translator on my Kindle. I love a book that teaches me something.
This author has such a grasp of layered characters that are not always easy to understand. I loved this book even though I really didn't want to see this character in a new light.

I am a big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid and when I saw she was writing another book, featuring Carrie Soto from Malibu Rising, I couldn't wait. I was so excited to begin and devoured the book in 2 days. I love Taylor's style of writing and really enjoyed that Carrie Soto isn't your average character. Carrie Soto is rough around the edges - she says what's on her mind without regard for others and doesn't mind being disliked. As you peel back the layers of Carrie in Carrie Soto is Back, you begin to understand why she's this way.

As the world's best tennis player, Carrie refuses anything but perfection and you can see the heart in her game throughout all the pages of Taylor's newest novel. I loved the relationship between Carrie and her father and loved even more that Carrie is a hispanic women. Reid weaved in some Spanish throughout her pages and I couldn't get enough.

This book was everything I would've hoped for. Even though I knew nothing about tennis, I was interested and followed along pretty easily. I can't wait to see what Taylor has next for us!

screaming crying throwing up
First of all, never would I have thought I would be receiving an ARC from one of my absolute favorite author’s books. So thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing—Ballantine, and Taylor Jenkins Reid for this wonderful opportunity to read this incredible book.
I started this, decided I wanted to take a nap, and then finished the book soon after I woke up from my nap. Taylor Jenkins Reid did such an incredible job on this book and I feel like the universe must love me enough to let me read this book. To say I am obsessed is an understatement. I ate this up and I loved it with all of my heart.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. I honestly cannot tell you an author who's writing I have ever loved more than hers. The way she describes all of the characters makes you feel like you truly know them. I love how realistic Carrie's character was throughout the whole book. Yes she was a bitch but when facing criticism like she was throughout the book, who could blame her? I just absolutely fell in love with Bowe. He was so kind and forgiving with Carrie. He truly understood her. This book made me feel every single emotion it possibly could have. I laughed, I cried, I got so angry I wanted to scream. Another 5 star book from TJR for me

Dust off your tennis rackets people - in the way that Queen's Gambit had us digging out our Chess boards - the hottest book of the summer is going to cause an upticking in tennis lessons.

When I saw Taylor Jenkins Reid had a new novel coming out this year, I was ELATED! I loved both "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" and "Malibu's Rising" (YES I know I need to move Daisy up on my TBR list). I am not big a historical fiction reader but there is something about the way that TJR writes that transports me into the worlds she has created (It's just Mick Riva's world and we're all living in it --- IYKYK). She writes so beautifully and I can not put her stories down. So upon learning of her new book I did what anyone would do, I avoided learning anything beyond when it comes out.

I knew this book was about tennis - but that was all I knew. And honestly this book is ABOUT TENNIS. TBJ created a realistic tennis star. In fact a few times during the novel, I thought to myself "I should watch this match on youtube" until I rememebered Carrie Sota is not real. TBJ someone crafted such a likely character with totally unlikable qualities. It's a "coming of age" story - except our main character is an adult. We got heartbreak, persistance, suspence. It's my favorite TBJ novel (which is saying something) and most likely going to be one of my favorites of not only the summer but of the year.

I don't want to give anything away about this book (HEY - I went into into blind - you can too) but I can NOT wait to discuss this book with others as they finish it. I will be hyping this book up all summer to anyone who will listen and then talking their ears off once they have finished.

A GIANT THANK YOU to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel. When I tell you a squeeled when I was approved to read this - I mean I am glad no one was around me when I opened that email.

Review Plan: review is up on goodreads and adding to my @christi_reads instagram tonight. (also cross posting to my personal account @christiha. Plan to do Amazon review in August. Will continue to talk about on instagram leading up to the release.

This was, without a doubt, my favorite book Taylor Jenkins Reid has ever written. And I absolutely did not expect it to be.

I went into it not wanting to like Carrie Soto. It would’ve been so easy to get sucked into the narrative that she is, quite frankly, a bitch. And yet, I couldn’t help but love her. Here is a woman who has dedicated her whole life to her sport, but is judged at every turn, and for what? Knowing she’s good at something she has proven time and again to be good at? Men can yell at the umpire, throw their racket in anger, have a full on tantrum and still be universally loved, but female athletes make one harsh comment and are forever branded as “the Battle Axe,” “The Beast,” and of course, a bitch.

And bitch though she may be, Carrie Soto is so much more. She’s strong and determined, relentlessly striving to do better than her best even when nobody but her coach-slash-father believes in her. As she rediscovers her love for tennis, she also learns to open her heart a little and let the people in who have been cheering her on through her whole career: Her agent, her new man, her rival, but especially her father.

Javier “el Jaguar” Soto is perhaps my favorite literary dad I’ve ever encountered. Though he and Carrie had their ups and downs through navigating the father-daughter-coach-player dynamic, it’s clear all along that nobody believes in her more than her dad does. He may love tennis, but he loves his daughter the most, and that is abundantly clear through the detailed notes he gave her on how to defeat every potential opponent. Javi reminded his daughter that her passion for tennis is so much more important than her obsession with winning, and while it took awhile for that idea to sink in, I believe Carrie understood it in the end.

I have about 400 more words written, but none of you are going to read all that, so I think I’ll end my review here:

At its core, “Carrie Soto Is Back” is a love story. It’s the love between a player and a game, a girl and her father, and a touch of the sweetest romance. I laughed, I cried, I cried some more, and I can’t wait to read it again in print so I can stain the pages with more tears (I promise they were mostly happy tears I’m just a very emotional person). I felt like I was standing right there on the court with Carrie through every single match, and I am so so proud of her. TJR, thank you for writing this unstoppable character; she’s one of the best.

Carrie Soto Is Back packs one helluva serve! Having practically zero interest in tennis, and only the most basic high school gym class knowledge about tennis, I went into this book a bit nervous that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. The amount of interest or knowledge you have for tennis does not matter when it comes to enjoying this book. ⁣
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I was as blown away by this book as if I was facing a volley smashed at me by Carrie herself. For not being a tennis fan, I was immediately hooked. This book was a front row seat at Wimbledon, a behind the scenes at the French Open, and a standing in center court at the US Open. ⁣
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The characters are so well formed, well developed, and multidimensional. I enjoyed watching their growth throughout the book. The story is so vibrant and energetic that it hummed. And the writing! The writing is exquisite. The way that Tara Jenkins Reid selects and crafts her words and phrasing to create such vivid imagery is amazing. The book read like watching a movie; there is nothing flat about it. Athough I’m equipped with the bare basics of tennis, I was still able to picture everything so clearly. As I was reading, I wondered how Jenkins Reid would be able to make each tennis match interesting and she managed to do so beautifully. ⁣
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Tara Jenkins Reid has done it again with this riveting book that will have you turning pages as fast as Nicki Chan serves that tennis ball! You’ll be holding your breath as if you were watching the games play out from a seat in the stands at Wimbledon. If you’ve read other TJR books, expect a few Easter eggs to pop up throughout the book. Definitely add this book to your end of summer reading list. It’s the perfect book to wrap up your summer! ⁣
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Pub Date: August 30, 2022⁣
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Thank you to @Ballantine, @NetGalley, and @TaraJenkinsReid for the advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review. ⁣
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#CarrieSotoIsBack #TaraJenkinsReid #BalantineBooks #NetGalley

Absolutely loved this! I am not a TJR super fan but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Carrie is a powerhouse - ambitious, ruthless, determined, and inspiring I loved the way the story unfolded, and it did remind me a bit of Daisy Jones. It was a completely linear timeline so no jumping back and forth. There are beautiful moments here about family, the cost of ambition, sexism, and letting yourself be vulnerable. I am a passing tennis fan that added to the experience for me.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is my favorite author and I'm so grateful to be given the advanced copy of this book. Readers were briefly introduced to Carrie Soto in Malibu Rising but TJR gives an incredible backstory of who Carrie Soto is and what she is capable of. In Carrie Soto Is Back, TJR tells story of heartbreak, loss, grief, new love, Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the advanced copy.

Is it terrible to say that this is just what I expected it to be? Because it was just what I expected it to be - quick to get in to, characters to root for (or against?), fast-paced and entertaining. Carrie Soto is a famous retired tennis player who returns to the game at the age of 37 to reclaim a record of hers that was broken. Lots of tennis talk that I loved even though I’m not super tennis-y.

I DIDN’T ASK YOU TO RIP MY HEART OUT ON A RANDOM TUESDAY NIGHT, TAYLOR JENKINS REID.

This book is everything. Taylor Jenkins Reid is the queen of writing strong, badass female characters that stay with you long after the last page. Carrie, Nicki, and Javier are characters you will never forget. Carrie Soto Is Back is a beautiful story about perseverance, love, and the power of being vulnerable. I loved every second of this story!

Thank you net galley for providing me with an ARC of this masterpiece.

Carrie Soto is Back is definitely one of my favorite books of 2022 (is it too early to say it is my absolute favorite?) I was literally sobbing when I finished it. TJR is my favorite author ever, she does an amazing job in creating this characters. I personally love tennis, so this was chef kiss.

This comes out in august, and I already pre-order it (ready to reread by then)