WOW! Carrie Soto is Back did not disappoint! Let me start by saying that if Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a book about toilets, I would buy it. She writes like no other. I devoured this book in one day!
I know nothing about tennis, yet this book was one of my favorites. It’s about Carrie’s dedication and love for the sport and that it’s not always an easy climb to the top. It usually comes at a price too. Her passion is admirable. I also loved her relationship with her father, Javier. It was so sweet and special. This book will have you laughing, crying, but mostly rooting for her. This needs to be on your must read list!

Look for this book August 30, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this arc!

I could not put this book down and I don't even like tennis. Taylor Jenkins Reid really hit out of the park with this one.

This was a delight to read, but I can't imagine loving it as much if I wasn't really into tennis. Sure, you could read it and probably get surface-level enjoyment if you have only a cursory knowledge of the sport, but this is a real joy for hardcore fans. Fast-moving, exciting, and rewarding even if the big events of the book were very predictable and could be seen a mile away. There was some interesting (and necessary!) commentary on misogyny and racism in sport but it wasn't heavy-handed in any way. (I don't mind heavy-handed commentary, but this wasn't the book for it.) Plus, Carrie is an interesting character and very likable in her unlikeability, if that makes sense. A really fun read for sure. Thanks to NetGalley as always for the ARC.

Oh my goodness, this book! First of all, I devoured this story in less than 48 hours and I don’t know one thing about tennis and this book is literally 90% tennis. It gives a huge nod to TJR’s writing that she can make you care and become so invested in a story about tennis (lol I can’t stop saying that because it’s so true, but so incredible) and let’s hear it for CARRIE SOTO! What a powerhouse character. Strong. Determined. FIERCE. I loved her. I wanted everything for her from page one. Such a unique story, but wow did I love it. I literally was not bored for a single second. Amazing, just amazing. Thank you SO much NetGalley and Random House for this ARC! You made my year!

Amazing! TJR does it again !! Carrie decide to try to defund her records in tennis after an injury caused her to stop playing. I felt like I was there when I was reading about all of the matches and I was on the edge of my seat rooting for Carrie. I also enjoyed all of the relationships in her life and how they intertwined with the game. Such a great book.

This book was outstanding. I loved the main character Carrie and how could you not fall in love with her dad. The storyline was unlike anything I had ever read and is a great lesson in humility. And the ending….there was only 1 of 2 ways for it to end, and I had no idea how it would end until the ending! It was not predictable! TRJ has done it again. Even if you are not a tennis or sport fan, read this book. It is really superb. I was happy I read this on my kindle, however, because there was some dialogue in Spanish. I don’t understand a lot of Spanish and was able to define the unknown words using my kindle. If I had been reading this on a physical book, I would have found that annoying! Amazing book! This book was provided to me by netgalley.com in trade for my honest review.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

1. Is there a way I can pay Taylor Jenkins Reid to be my therapist?
2. I've said it many times before, and I will say it again: Taylor Jenkins Reid is a genius.
3. I think Carrie Soto might just be my favorite.

It's very hard for me to write reviews of TJR books because I'm always left so emotionally overwhelmed after I finish them that I don't quite know what to do with myself. I feel that same exact way now. I'll call it the TJR Effect.

Carrie Soto might be a "bitch" to some, but she's me. I see me in her more than I've ever seen myself in a character. That's the beauty of TJR novels. They may be fiction, but they're the realest stories ever told with the realest emotions. TJR doesn't shy away from telling the ugly truth. She doesn't try to wrap everything up in a neat little bow, where everyone has the perfect happy ending. She lays it all out: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

TJR's books are a reflection of life and a study in human nature and emotion. I feel so privileged to be able to read her work. I feel even more privileged that I was blessed with an advanced copy of this masterpiece.

If Carrie Soto is the greatest tennis player of her time, dare I say Taylor Jenkins Reid is the best author of our time. I believe her works should eventually be viewed as classics. They are new classics to me.

"Carrie Soto Is Back" is not to be missed. A complete showstopper from beginning to end that will pull your heart strings in all the right places.

Taylor Jenkins Reid scores another win - no pun intended. I found this book compulsively readable. The story of a comeback from a retired tennis great, I also learned a lot about the game of tennis. For those of us who watch tennis on tv, the training, the tournaments, and the reality of the grueling training and the cut throat environment of tennis were fascinating. I’d recommend this book to everyone but especially to fans of tennis. I can’t get enough of a Taylor Jenkins Reid!

I have recently started reading books by Taylor Jenkins Reid and have enjoyed every one of them. Carrie Soto is Back did not disappoint. For fans of tennis, this book is a great window into the pro tennis world. For those readers who don’t follow tennis, I believe you will still enjoy this book. I loved all the characters, especially Carrie Soto. Even though she was a bit rough around the edges, her character was believable. Looking forward to another Taylor Jenkins Reid book.

carrie soto is back is the immersive comeback story that follows the raveered and infamous tennis player, carrie soto, who wants to show the world what she's got for one last season. with the help of her father, xavier and fellow tennis player, bowe hutely, she goes to take back her title from up and coming star, nicki chan.

now, i haven't read malibu rising (yet) and from what i understand, it is where this character is introduced initially. however i got what i needed to get about carrie so let's get into it.

this book isn't a tennis book. i mean, it IS a tennis book. it's about a tennis player and there is so much tennis, but in my mind, it's so much more than that. it's an authentic interpretation of how it's like to be in the spotlight. it's showing the behind-the-scenes with every angle touched and inhanced. it was very enlightening on the real struggles female athletes in general have to succumb to by not only male elitests, but the fans of their sport as well. i really really liked this book. it was a tell all that exposes carrie soto in all ways, good and bad. it was a tiny bit pretentious at times, but at the end of the day, it gave feel good drama. it was incredibly honest and raw and i left the netgallery app a changed person.

if taylor jenkins reid is going to do ONE thing, it's devouring. she will chomp. she will eat. thank you so much to netgalley and random publishing for allowing me to read this one early :-)

I was beyond thrilled to be approved for an ARC of this much anticipated release. I've been pretty vocal about my love for Taylor Jenkins Reid and have been continually impressed by her ability to create authentic, deeply researched characters and time periods, bringing storylines to life to the point where you forget this is a work of fiction. Flawed and fierce Carrie Soto was no exception.

Tennis legend Carrie Soto has defined her worth by the accolades she's collected on the court. Coached by her father (and former tennis star) Javi since she was a little girl, Carrie became a driven, dominating force and paved the way for younger generations of female tennis players. When Nick Chan threatens to take the top spot for most Grand Slam titles, Carrie comes out of retirement focused on defending her record, which for Carrie is synonymous with her honor and reputation. Now back in the spotlight, Carrie feels the familiar media criticism regarding her "cold" approach. She doesn't make friends with other players, doesn't show humility and gratitude after a win, and according to commentators, is a bitch who is difficult to root for.

I'll be honest, I never thought I'd read a novel so dedicated toward tennis, and for the first half of the book I had some doubts about the connection I was making with Soto. She’s so complicated that I wasn't even sure I was rooting for her. I now realize that my initial reaction to Carrie is exactly as TJR wants it. She’s frustrating and polarizing. Tennis is all that defines her, so of course we are going to learn every little painstaking detail of the game as if we are right there with Carrie, yelling at the refs, at the edge of our seats in the stands.

I read the second 1/2 of the novel in one obsessive sitting. I loved the supporting characters - Javi, Bowe, Gwen and even Nicki. I loved Carrie’s growth. I loved the ending of this novel so very much.

I can’t wait to see what TJR does next.

This new Taylor Jenkins Reid book did not disappoint.

Grit. Determination. Complicated relationships. Coming to terms with what’s important in life. To you.

Loved it! The most perfect read to start summer vacation.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the digital ARC.

#taylorjenkinsreid #carriesotoisback

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is a remarkable story about failure and success, and the triumphs and consequences of being the best. Like all of Reid's female characters, Carrie Soto is well-rounded, flawed, and relatable. As a woman in the sports industry, I can say that Reid nails what it's like to have to navigate such an unwelcome, male-dominated field where it seems that everyone is rooting for you to fail. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, as if I was really at Carrie's matches. A must-read!

★ ★ ★ ★
Oh TJR…I love you so much! This book is so enjoyable, but sadly does not even come close to Evelyn Hugo for me. I think it will be near impossible for me to not compare of book of hers to Evelyn, but with that being said this was REALLY good!!! 4 stars (comparing Evelyn at at 5) This book is more character driven than plot driven which I don’t normally care for, but the way TJR took Carrie Soto from someone I absolutely hated to someone I adored is truly magical! To see Carrie in all stages of her life and in her career was so enjoyable; from relationships to game play, TJR knows how to write incredible characters. As someone who has also lost her mother, the relationship between Carrie and her dad was so incredibly special to read, it gave me all the feels! I will say that this book is all about tennis, tennis and more tennis so if you don’t care at all about that - beware! BUT, I think TJR was able to make me fall in love with all her characters enough that I didn’t mind that it was all about tennis?! I don’t think this will go down as her best work but it really didn’t disappoint! TJR is an auto-buy author for me and while this wasn’t my favorite it was still incredibly enjoyable!! Thank you SO MUCH to the queen herself Taylor Jenkins Reid, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC! I feel like I have truly peaked in my bookstagram “career” receiving this in advance 😍

Another great book from Taylor Jenkins Reid. I wouldn't typically pick up a time period book on women's tennis but I trusted her storytelling abilities. It was definitely worth the read even if this is outside your comfort zone.

First off, I'm going to say...I will read anything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, but this one had me a little worried. I know NOTHING about tennis, absolutely nothing other than what I can do on Wii Sports against my 7 year old. It didn't matter with this book. I learned the game just as Carrie did with her dad as her coach. I laughed at how arrogant Carrie is, I cried multiple times as the human who Carrie is, came out of her shell. I loved this book. Not just because of the mention of Nina Rivera or the quick nod to Daisy Jones and the Six. I fell in love with Carrie, her drive, her tenacity and her humility.

One line that stuck with me was when her dad said to her, "my heart hurts when you hurt, because you are my heart." Thanks TJR for opening the water works over here.

Such a great novel that I hope EVERYONE reads!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC for an unbiased review.

I certainly was not expecting this type of book from Taylor Jenkins Reid - kudos to her for always doing something unexpected and researching it thoroughly. I'm not interested at all in tennis - but like the series on Netflix "The Queen's Gambit" - I was instantly drawn in from the beginning. I only give it 4 stars because there was a lot of Spanish in the book and Reid never really translated the words - it was somewhat distracting. Otherwise another great book by Reid.

Carrie Soto is Back is a thrilling, fast-paced novel full of heart (though Carrie would never admit it). Carrie is one of the greatest tennis players of all time (or the greatest, depending on who you ask). She retired after an injury six years ago and decides to make a comeback as the current crop of tennis stars, Nicki Chan in particular, are getting close to beating her record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Carrie reenlists her father, Javier, as her coach and together they prepare to dominate women’s tennis once again. But can Carrie play as well as she once did?

Carrie is ruthlessly ambitious, driven, lacking in social graces, not particularly likable or interested in being liked - I loved her. Taylor Jenkins Reid lovingly crafted a complex, vulnerable character that you want to see succeed. I was captivated by Carrie’s determination and the writing - I felt like I was actually witnessing a tense tennis match while reading some of the chapters. On top of enjoying Carrie’s reemergence, readers get to witness Carrie’s sweet relationship with her father and coach, Javier. Then there is also her relationship with Bowe Huntley, who is helping her train. They form a tentative friendship that may grow into something more if Carrie allows. Though not a main focus of the story, the novel highlights the unequal treatment of women and men in the media and how many more expectations and “standards” there are for women to meet. Smile. Play nice. Be grateful. Don’t be vocal about how much winning means to you, etc.

This was wonderful and a true joy to read. You won’t want to put it down once you start reading. I recommend it to everyone. Whether you are interested in tennis or not, Carrie Soto is sure to win you over.

Thank you very much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC via NetGalley.

I have never been so interested in tennis, a sport for that matter or an unlikable character in my life! This story was incredible honestly but I’m not shocked because of who the author is. You follow Carrie through her life with her father and feel as though you know them both. I cried, more than once. Smiled to myself more times than I’d like to admit. And towards the end really rooted for her even though she was quite unbearable in the beginning. The character development was great and the authors made sure you understood the sport and knew what was happening in the games, sets, and matches. I also really enjoyed that Javier spoke Spanish to her and there wasn’t translation after, I know that may bother some people but I liked the challenge of brushing up on my Spanish. Overall I would recommend this to literally anyone!

There are simply no words to describe the magic of this book. TJR has the ability to transport you into these worlds she creates that feel SO REAL. I haven't stepped foot on a tennis court since I was a little kid in camp, yet I could literally feel the ground beneath my feet and could hear the sound of tennis balls hitting the court as I read this. As I've had to do with every TJR book I've read, I finished the book and quickly googled to make sure Carrie Soto wasn't actually a real tennis player.

Short synopsis: Carrie Soto is the greatest tennis player of all time. Not a hyperbole. She has the most records of any player and has worked her whole life to be the greatest at this game. Enter Nicki Chan -a younger player about to take Carrie's record away. Carrie ends her retirement to re-enter the competition to fight to keep her title as the greatest player of all time. The book is laid out in different sections as Carrie trains and competes in different matches, interspersed with transcripts from sports shows and newspaper articles about her comeback.

This book was a beautiful story of personal growth and learning that the only person you need to prove anything to is yourself. There are many lessons in this book, some more obvious than others, but each of them just as important. Carrie Soto is a perfect example to us all that there is always time to open our hearts and change our perspectives in life.