I was apprehensive about reading this book when I discovered it was about a sport. I’m one of the most anti sport people. I can’t stand them. I’ve loved everything that TJR has written but I still dragged my feet. Finally I decided I just had to try it. I’m so glad that I did because I just stayed up way past my bedtime so I could finish. There was no way I could try to sleep before finding out how Carrie Soto is Back would end.

My dad played tennis and was always disappointed that none of his kids played. I also just got a new house with a tennis court right next to it. This isn’t some sign that tennis has been missing from my life and I can make my dad proud, is it? Yeah, I don’t think so. Sorry, dad!

TJR does such an amazing job of writing strong minded, kick ass women. We’ve seen it in every book she has written. Women who break rules and defy reason. I think that is why I couldn’t put it down despite all the sport talk. I immediately loved how hardcore Carrie was on and off the court.

My favorite aspect of the book was the relationship between Carrie and her father, Javier. It broke my heart when they would argue and not speak. But I think that is how real relationships can be.

One of the reasons I don’t like sports is because the games give me too much anxiety. This is a fictional character and I was sweating over her matches!! I would try to peek ahead to see the outcome but you can’t do that. You miss the amazing details of how Carrie played. Major props to TJR for making a game where a ball gets hit back and forth become something beautiful.

Loved the message of going for what you want, with no shame or guilt, no matter your age, race, or gender. Though the book does mention several times that often in history exceptional women are overshadowed by mediocre men.

This book doesn’t just show us how Carrie is a rockstar. Yes the book is about Carrie Soto. But it’s also about the legacies of the other players. Bowe. Nikki. Javier. Also her agent, Gwen.

I love that the book is about coming back and being proud but it also begs the questions-why can’t someone else share in the victory? And I do think Carrie begins to understand what her dad was constantly telling her.

Wonderful to see the progression of Carrie as she makes her return. From being solely about winning to being about enjoying the game. Making friends. Letting people in.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I have written this review voluntarily.

I would like to thank Random House- Ballantine and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. Carrie Soto is Back, is another well written book by Taylor Jenkins Reid. We first met the character of Carrie, briefly, in Malibu Rising. Now we get to learn all about her and her world of tennis. The book takes place primarily in the mid 90's. Carrie had been a star tennis player, winning Grand slams for a record 20 grand slam titles. She was coached by her father, a former tennis player, and had little time for friends, or romance. Now she is retired. The new star on the horizon is about to tie , and possibly break , her record. Carrie wants to come back and take what she feels is hers! It is a fascinating story, about a woman who is super focused on one part of her life, to the detriment of everything else. Even in retirement, Carrie is not interested in romance, or even friends. Her life was tennis and now, well she is not sure what it is.She has a complicated relationship with her father, who was also her coach for many years. There is also a male player, Bowe Huntley, who has also retired, and is now attempting a comeback. Bowe, a former fling, now wants to be a friend and train with her. The book takes us through Carrie's comeback year, Grand Slam by Grand Slam. It is fun, it is sad, it is a good book. I really enjoyed it.

When was the last time you *really* wanted something? How hard would you push yourself to get it?

Carrie Soto was a tennis star. Years later, when Nicki Chan threatens her record, Carrie has to decide if she wants to fight for the top... again.

But this book isn’t only about tennis. It’s about a relationship between a father and a daughter, between a coach and a student. There’s the athlete trying to make time and head space for romance. I loved the relationship between Javier and Bowe.

Good news! You don’t need to know or love tennis to enjoy this book. I don’t and I finished this book in one day. The writing is that good and the characters are that rich.

How do you not root for the underdog?

Well done, TJR, now fuck right off and write another. 😉😘

Thank you thank you thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Ballantine Books for this advanced reader’s eCopy to review. I might have squealed when I opened my email.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60437824

This book was amazing! It was well written, fast paced and the characters were real people, warts and all. I enjoyed learning how Carrie became such a force in women’s tennis, but the second part, when she returned to that world, was simply incredible. Although I am not a big tennis fan, I really enjoyed the tennis aspect of this book. It seemed true to life and the descriptions of the matches were riveting. During Carrie’s comeback, when I was forced to put the book down, I kept thinking about her next match and couldn’t wait to get back to the story.

There was more to this book than just a comeback story, though. There was also the story of a father and a daughter and the story of a woman finding her true self. All of these stories together add up to a book that can’t be missed.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

I love how different each of Reid’s books are. I’m not a huge tennis fan but really enjoyed this book. Thanks so much for this ARC.

Taylor's done it again. Carrie is right beside Evelyn for my favorite of the TJR main characters. The depth to Carrie's story arc and character weren't surprising coming from TJR, but I was surprised at how much I truly loved everything about Carrie and the time I spent in her world. Getting to see so many years of her life really gives you the opportunity to connect to her story and her love of tennis, and I just felt this connection with her story that is often missing in newer books.

More in depth comments to come closer to pub date, but this is a must read! I got the book and finished it the next day.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of Carrie Soto Is Back. This book was such a treat to read, I couldn’t put it down! I don’t know the first thing about tennis but that didn’t stop me from completely devouring this book in order to find out Carrie’s story. I wanted to hate her but found myself loving her more and more. TJK, you have outdone yourself again! I will definitely be recommending this book to all.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has long been a favorite author of mine. I always know to have a large pack of tissues handy when I read her books. Who else could make me care enough about tennis to repeatedly tear up?

Carrie Soto is Back might be my favorite of TJR’s novels so far. Carrie is one of the most unlikable characters you will ever encounter, and you’ll still root for her. The relationship between her and her coach father, Javier, was perfection. As well as her relationship with Bowe. 5 stars for this poignant, unforgettable novel.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Publication Date: 30 Aug 2022

#CarrieSotoIsBack #NetGalley #taylorjenkinsreid

This is the story of a former pro tennis player who comes out of retirement to defend her Grand Slam title record. Carrie Soto retired from the pro tennis world in 1988. She had 20 Grand Slam titles and she retired at the top of her game. Then in 1994 Nikki Chan is poised to best Carrie's record so she makes a comeback.

I love Taylor Jenkins Reid's books and this one is very good. Carrie Soto is not likeable, but she's real. Her actions and thoughts are completely relatable, despite the fact that she's a professional tennis player. Actually, almost none of the players are likeable, with the possible exception of Bowe Huntley. Bowe is an aging player on the men's pro tennis circuit. He's expected to retire soon, but he's giving it one last shot.

Carrie and Bowe had a brief fling years back. Carrie's agent hires him to be her tennis opponent and the sparks fly, but she's trying hard to resist them.

Additionally, this time around she's going back to her childhood tennis coach, her father Javier Soto. During her previous period on the pro circuit, she abandoned her father as coach in order to be coached by a man who had coached other top players. Now her father is coaching her because he believes in her and believes she can actually defend her title.

I wish I understood tennis better. If I did, I'd probably get even more from this book. But it's still entertaining and well-written and it describes the cutthroat world of the pro tennis circuit in detail. Carrie is an inspiration to young girls and an inspiration to adult women.

This book follows her progress throughout 1994 as she battles back and her ranking improves. It combines many themes including family, love, competition, ambition and belief in one's self. And it does so remarkably well. Moreover, it has a believable and charming ending.

I really enjoyed this book and I devoured it. I still think I like Daisy Jones better, but this book is really good.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is simply the best of the best! Her writing never fails to amaze me and just like every great author, she reinvents herself with every novel she writes!

Her latest novel Carrie Soto Is Back will absolutely be in my top favorite novels for 2022! This addictive read centers around Carrie Soto, a retired tennis legend. Carrie worked incredibly hard from a very young age and enjoyed the GOAT status she attained in the women’s tennis world. Now, at 37, a young up-and-coming tennis star is threatening Carrie’s world records. So Carrie Soto decides to do the most Carrie Soto thing ever and starts the rigorous training to get back in the game to once again reclaim her greatest-of-all-time status!

I didn’t just love this book, I adored this book! As per usual, TJR characters are so incredibly well-developed that you feel like you know them in real life! I love that she took a minor character (who had a major impact) from Malibu Rising and created an entire story around her! It’s truly the story we never knew we always needed! Carrie Soto Is Back is a 5+++ star novel that I would give 10 stars if I could! I cannot wait for TJR’s next novel, but until than I can say I will definitely be re-reading this gem!

I love TJR but this did not work for me. The style and substance of this book are huge departures from what I've come to expect in her writing. I get that Carrie is supposed to be unlikeable, but there was so little character development, I found myself not even caring about her. She's just a tennis-playing robot. There's so little of the gossipy feel that Malibu Rising and Evelyn Hugo had. However, I learned so much about tennis - truly more than I ever needed to know!

I was thrilled when this book was announced and even more thrilled to get my hands on an advance copy. I have been a longtime fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid and this just might be my favorite of her new era of books. I enjoyed Malibu Rising, but I LOVED Carrie Soto is Back.

Somehow, Reid does the nearly impossible - she writes a mostly unlikeable character and she makes you root for her. And then she writes her right into a redemption.

Reid has always been the master of character development, and she proves once again she deserves her place on that throne. Summer reading guides everywhere will have this title at the top.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is my favorite author, so I knew I had to read her latest book. That said, I’m not much of a tennis fan, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy this book, which centers on the comeback of tennis star Carrie Sotto.
I admit I was too quick to judge. I absolutely loved this book. Taylor has an uncanny ability to create complex, flawed characters that we can’t help but root for anyway. She develops relationships that are messy and loving and challenging and so familiar. It’s impossible not to get swept up in the world of tennis while reading this book and I couldn’t put it down. Another winner - Carrie would be proud.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher.

A solid TJR quick read, interesting even if you aren't super into tennis, but fair warning: Carrie Soto isn't all that likable. Does she have to be? Why are men athletes allowed to be rude or unlikable or blunt? That's actually part of the point. Carrie is trying for a comeback in a slam in tennis to hold onto her record, but her age and the time she has spent away from the sport take a toll. With her father's help as her coach, can she make her comeback?

I have devoured every book written by Taylor Jenkins Reid and "Carrie Soto is Back" is no different! This may be my favorite book by this author to date! The story is about a professional tennis player deciding to make a comeback out of retirement in order to defend her winning record. There is fascinating insight into the world of professional tennis and sports in general. It also delves into the tricky rollercoaster of the parent/child relationship when the parent is also the coach. I have a family of tennis players, so this story resonated with me deeply. Some characters from the author's other titles make a quick cameo, which is always super fun! Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing the ARC of this book!

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I went into it with low expectations since I wasn’t jazzed by the synopsis and didn’t love Carrie from Malibu. But it’s TJR so I was going to read it regardless. And it totally took me by surprise. Obviously it’s beautifully written and it actually made me care about tennis (which is a true feat).

The relationship between Carrie and her father was a perfect focus for this book. Javier was a bright spot every time he was on the page. Plotwise, this book was very predictable. However, it’s still so enjoyable that I didn’t even care. Carrie is fantastic and is truly a great character. She’s complicated and imperfect but also unapologetically herself.

Overall, I just loved this book. If you’re a TJR fan, read this book. If you’re not yet a TJR fan, read this book and then binge her backlist.

Note: I received a copy of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know anything about tennis and I still read this book in one sitting because it was so entertaining and I wanted to know how it ended. I also kept thinking about how critics would never judge a male athlete for behaving the way that Carrie did.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

TJR has done it again. 4.75 stars (not quite 5 because this one is juuuust shy of my love for Evelyn & Daisy).

I devoured this book and was entranced by the story of Carrie Soto, a 37-year old tennis star who decides to come out of retirement when her record for grand slam titles is broken.

If there is one thing Jenkins Reid knows how to do, it's how to write about relationships and create intriguing characters. Wow. That is where this novel really shines. Don't get me wrong - the plot was great too! But unlike her other novels with a large casts of characters, Carrie Soto focuses on just a few. And I loved the dynamics among all of them. I adored Carrie's father, Javier, and their father/daughter + coach/player relationship. I loved Bowe, another aging tennis player who practices with Carrie, and the way he interacted with her and Javier. Even the side characters, Carrie's agent Gwen and new rival Nicky Chan, were wonderful. Carrie herself is sure to be a controversial character -- she is abrasive and doesn't hold back with her words. But she knows what she wants, and nothing will stop her on her way to achieving it.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a beloved author in the book community online, and her newest release is sure to live up to the high expectations bookstagrammers and booktokers have. I am so grateful to Taylor Jenkins Reid, NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book!

Another masterpiece from Taylor Jenkins Reid - Carrie Soto is Back is now tied with Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for my favorite TJR book. Carrie Soto is complex, stubborn, and some would even call her unlikable, which is part of what makes this story so compelling. At 37, Carrie Soto comes out of retirement to win one last tennis tournament. I was rooting for her and the entire small universe of characters (including her father, tennis rival Nicki, and fellow tennis player Bowe). This book does include a lot of tennis, including details of types of shots and scoring - but as someone who started reading without much tennis knowledge, I think the author explained enough for me to understand what was going on.

One aspect of this book I especially enjoyed is how it goes from Carrie’s perspective to news articles and transcripts covering the sport. It helped clearly illustrate who the character was versus how she was perceived.

Thanks to Netgalley/Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So yeah, I loved this book, a lot. I'm quickly coming to think of Jenkins Reid as one of my favorite writers. I love how she's building an interconnected world. I love how effortless I find it to read her books, and how they hold me.

Carrie Soto is a minor, almost throwaway character in Malibu Rising. And now she takes center court in her own story. Carrie is a 37 year old retired tennis star who comes out of retirement to reclaim her record of having the most slams when a younger player ties her record. This novel is her year of slams.

I didn't much like Carrie as a person (and neither do many of those around her, having given her the nickname of The Battle Axe or later just calling her The Bitch), but I did respect her. And I think she'd be okay with that. In fact I spent much of the book not liking her but felt she was absolutely right when she says she's only doing what men on the tour get away with doing, why should it be different for the women. The feminist in me absolutely agreed with her on that. I loved seeing her go for something she wanted and not giving a damn if anyone else felt she was too old and should just smile and gracefully bow out. Screw that!

I had a hard time at times relating to how stubborn and single minded she was. It frustrated me as much as it frustrated her father (who is also her coach). But as much as this was a book about her tennis comeback it was also about her finally finding peace with where she is in her career. I liked the ending, a lot. I liked Javier and Bowe a lot. I didn't like her a lot. But I loved this book and I liked her growth while she remained true to herself.