Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this novel.

I loved this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again with her unique style of storytelling. This book is all about Carrie Soto, and it alternates between narrative and news story, TV transcript, or interview. Beautiful story about competition, the pursuit of perfection, and what makes it worthwhile.

I read an interview with TJR where she talked about how you either love or hate Carrie Soto. I loved her. I loved all the main characters in this book, honestly, and the ending was perfect.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House and Taylor Jenkins Reid for this gifted early copy of Carrie Soto is Back!

Okay but what can I say other than this book was phenomenal. Carrie is a character written unlike any character I’ve read before. I was so captivated during every match, and found myself cheering as if I was actually there. I loved the rivalry, the father-daughter bond, the friendships and the love.

All I can really say is TJR did it again. This whole world she has created is so good. I would, and will, read this again.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley/Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.

TJR has very quickly become one of my favorite authors ever, and Malibu Rising was easily one of the, if not THE, best book of 2021 for me, so I was thrilled when I got approved for an ARC of this book. Of the four books written in the TJR world (Evelyn, Daisy, Malibu, and Carrie), this was my least favorite. This is still a fantastically-written, beautiful book, but I didn't finish it in an absolute state of shock like I did with literally all of the other ones.

I think the reason behind my feelings on this is that this is a tennis book at its heart. Going into this, I knew nothing about tennis, and frankly, I find myself caring very little about sports in general. I was surprised to find that I ended up enjoying how much I learned about tennis by the end, but I sometimes glazed over in some of the many, very heavy tennis-based scenes.

The part of the story that I absolutely loved was the character study. For all intents and purposes, Carrie Soto is an unlikeable character, but her character arc was absolutely beautiful and felt very much like a type of coming-of-age story. I loved the complexity of the relationship between her and her father and the budding relationship between her and Bowe.

All-in-all, I loved this book, but the tennis element took away from the plot for me, but tennis fans will likely feel otherwise. Also, is TJR a pro tennis player and we didn't know it? Because dang, that woman knows tennis.

Thanks again to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

TAYLOR JENKINS REID IS BACK!!! I know, I know. She didn't really leave, but I couldn't help myself. ;) Each new release from this author is something to be excited about. I never know what kind of story is coming next, but I love them all the same. This time, Jenkins Reid has plucked a character from Malibu Rising and built an amazing story around her. Carrie Soto is a retired tennis star who is making a comeback to reclaim her title of the most Grand Slams. 

Before I get into the meat of things, I want to talk a little bit about the writing. Jenkins Reid does a fantastic job of switching up how she formats her stories with each book. I was curious as to how this one was going to be set up. It started out in the present, then took me back to see the rise of Carrie Soto's career, and then met back up with the present. There were also some transcripts from sports media sources woven in throughout. I loved how it was all put together and built Carrie's story. 

Carrie Soto was a complex character. It was very fascinating to read how she was raised by her tennis coach father Javier to be the best tennis player in the world. She had the reputation of being the ice queen of tennis and it was easy to understand why opponents and the press wouldn't love her. While her attitude could be off-putting at times, it didn't stop me from loving her character. She was fierce in the best of ways. I loved how she grew as a person from the first to last page. 

One of my favorite things about this book was getting to experience Carrie's relationships with the people around her and with tennis. Carrie and Javier had a special relationship with everything they went through together on and off the court. I loved their bond. I also loved how Bowe Huntley fit into the story. His story mirrored Carrie's in a way, so it was fun to see them commiserating over age and tennis. Bowe being in Carrie's life made me love Carrie's character even more.

So... tennis. There's a lot of tennis. I have never been a fan of tennis, so it's probably odd that I found all of the tennis stuff to be interesting. I learned a lot while diving deep into Carrie's relationship with it. With each match, I found myself on the edge of my seating waiting to see who won. If you're worried you're going to be bored by all the sport in this book, don't be. 

I don't know if I'm saying all I want to be saying about Carrie Soto Is Back. I'm worried I'll give too much away if I say more than I've already said. I loved this book. When I got to the end, I wanted more time with the characters. It was unlike any other book I've read. That seems to be the way I feel about most of TJR's books. I know people are going to ask if it was like any of her other popular titles and I guess I would have to say maybe a mix? Haha. I know, that doesn't help. Just know you're going to be taken on a journey with Carrie that you will love.

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! I was sucked into Carrie’s story immediately. I love how TJR has a connection through each of her books to characters from her other novels. Carrie is the ultimate competitor, pushing her limits every day. I was totally invested from start to sleep deprived, book hangover induced finish.

I have to give TJR major props because when I heard she was coming out with a full-length novel about Carrie Soto I was skeptical, to say the least.

We first met Carrie in Malibu Rising as the fellow tennis player with whom Nina Riva's husband was having an affair. Now, Carrie didn't cheat on Nina - she wasn't married and unfaithful, but she knew Brandon Randall was married and conducted an affair with him anyway, so I was convinced that nothing could make me care about her or root for her as a protagonist.

But damn it, I was wrong.

Let me be clear - I do not like Carrie Soto. She was not a likable character but she was one I found myself rooting for. I wanted her to win, I wanted her to become a better, more vulnerable person and I wanted her to open herself up to the possibilities and joys of the world around her. I am also endlessly impressed by her professional accomplishments within this world. There is no denying that she is the best of the best, and not just in women's tennis but in tennis as a whole.

I should also make a note that I like tennis. I went to a golf and tennis camp for several summers as a kid and have been thinking about trying to learn again just for something to do, so the technical aspects of the novel were really interesting to me. If you do NOT like or even care about tennis it might be difficult to read through all the matches and trainings (of which there are many.)

But while tennis was a major focus of the novel it wasn't as central as the relationships in Carrie's life. The thing about Taylor Jenkins Reid is that she's going to make me cry and 9 times out of 10 it will be because of the father/father figure. Carrie's relationship with her father, 1960s tennis player turned club instructor turned coach Javier "the Jaguar" Soto is beautiful and messy and endearing and frustrating. This relationship is where the novel really shine, as well as the friendship between Carrie and her agent Gwen, and the potential second-chance romance with former flame and fellow tennis pro Bowe Huntley.

Carrie won me over, slowly but surely, and I think if you give her a chance she can do the same for you.

Wow, what a book! I just have to start with that before diving in. Carrie Soto, once the greatest tennis player in the world, watches on as Nicki Chan ties her record. She looks to her dad and that single glance sets into motion the greatest comeback story for women's tennis ever: Carrie Soto is back. Thus begins the 1995 tennis season. No in between matches, no circuit tours, just the four opens: Australia, French, Wimbledon, and US. While Chan may be her true opponent, Carrie has to conquer many obstacles before meeting Chan to take back her crown. Training with her dad, who is also her coach, and picking up another comeback story, former ranked tennis star Bowe Huntley, along the way, they set out to reclaim what is hers. But being 37 means working harder than she ever has before, and learning a whole new set of players isn't the only lessons Soto will learn as life also hands her some surprises along the way to victory.

TJR has crafted such an amazing story with Carrie and her father Javier. Her character development is thorough and runs deep, you feel like you actually know the characters. While this novel is deeply rooted in tennis, I don't believe you have to know tennis or be an athlete to enjoy this story, but I do believe athletes will truly fall in love with the play-by-plays and the competitiveness that Carrie Soto possesses entirely. The historical aspect is rightly represented in several references to 90s culture as well as the gendered double standard that was highly (and still prevalent) in today's sports. This is a fast paced story, with little to no lulls. It was all I could think about in the few days I was reading it, and I am actually sad that it has ended! There is a part at the end that had me in tears, so be warned. But read it. This was a truly remarkable novel.

Carrie Soto - one of my top three most anticipated books of this year! I have been reading Taylor for over a decade now! Carrie, a minor character from Malibu Rising, is back - she is considered the best tennis player of all time and is coming out of her retirement from tennis after a younger player is set to take over her world record. Carrie has an immense need to be the greatest tennis player of all time and also really struggles to feel good enough to herself. She seems very disproportionate - has extreme confidence on the court but lacks much internal self confidence. She is bold and unapologetic.

This book is very heavy on tennis - it was a lot. If you don't love sports or tennis I can see this really now working for everyone. Carrie has an incredible ego and self absorbed. She is ridiculously confident, came off as unlikeable, and is quite flawed. She certainly knows she isn't charming but boy is she tough to root for the first half of the book. She is also incredibly ambitious - she makes her dreams be a goal and that is remarkable to see her drive. I rooted so hard for her during her comeback and each of her slams.

Interspersed are transcripts of commentary from sportscasters. I was shocked at how catty some of the comments given and received were by the players and others in the sports industry. They exhibited such a small sense of sportsmanship and respect!  The lack of class some players had towards their opponents was so disheartening as well!.I loved the 90s references in here - lots of fun moments and Taylor dropped some fun Easter eggs!

Taylor often writes main characters who have very crappy parental figures - Daisy's parents didn't care, Evelyn's parents didn't provide any support, the Rivas sibling's parents were disasters. But Javier Soto was such an inspiration - his love for Carrie and belief in her is so inspiring.

My favorite part of this book were the relationships - with her father, her love interest, her rival, her publicist, and her father and love interest was one of my favorites. Taylor writes relationships so well. The growth Carrie had came from her relationships and I loved seeing how she started to gain more self love and self confidence after her relationships started to improve. I LOVED where the relationships ended and where we left everyone.

All of a sudden I want to devour tennis matches as much as I devoured this novel! Carrie Soto is Back, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, documents retired tennis player, Carrie Soto’s attempt to make a huge comeback after her record is broken, and her identity of best female tennis player in the world is threatened. I’ve not had a lot of experience watching tennis, but I’m a huge fan of Jenkins Reid’s last three novels, so despite my hesitancy on reading a tennis themed novel, with little to no understating of the scoring or rule system, I just HAD to get to know Carrie Soto better, after her brief appearance in Malibu Rising. I’m glad I gave Carrie a chance and I even learned a little more about tennis! This is a brilliant page turner that explores hubris, perseverance, acceptance, and growth.

Filled with Easter eggs and cross over characters, Jenkins Reid’s novels are a delight to read, and I look forward to meeting more characters in her literary universe. If you haven’t read her previous books, don’t worry, this is a stand-alone novel, but you should definitely go back and read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Malibu Rising.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! Carrie Soto is Back is another HIT or should I say lob over the net for Reid. We meet Carrie Soto, a fierce women’s tennis champion who has retired from the game that her dad/coach Javier taught her and helped her become number one in. After her record for most Grand Slam wins is broken by Nikki Chan, even though she is considered “old,” Carrie decides she has to come out of retirement to regain her lost record. We get to watch as she fights to make a comeback that no one expects her to make.

Known as “The Battle Axe” and worse, there aren’t even many people rooting for her at first. She’s not the friendly player seeking the audience’s approval. She only cares about winning and showing her dad that she is worthy of his dubbing her his “Achilles,” great warrior.

It was a little harder for me to start this book as I am not a sports fan like I am a theatre and music fan, but it wasn’t long before I couldn’t put the book down because I was sucked into the excitement and anticipation of each game Carrie played. We learn she isn’t the easiest person to like, yet there is something so likeable about her that we can’t help but want her to win and win big. Working with Bowe Huntley another older player trying to take back his glory, we see parts of Carrie that we learn to love.

If you’re a fan of Reid, she even throws us some unexpected nods to her previous books which make it even more fun to read. If you’ve loved Evelyn, Daisy, and Nina, get ready to love Carrie! You won’t be disappointed! Talk about a Grand Slam!

Taylor Jenkins Reid has written a grand slam of a book. Carrie Soto is a retired tennis legend. During her career she accumulated a record of firsts that has not been matched during her five year retirement. However, new talent is fast approaching surpassing her record and thus the action of the novel begins. Carrie and her father Javier (former Argentinian tennis star cum tennis coach) are introduced to the reader as they watch a tennis match. When the talented new players seem to be on a path to topple Carrie's record the decision is made by Carrie to try for a comeback. But first the story line backtracks to the beginning of Carrie's life and her tennis career. Each section of the book details various eras of her career and finally arrives at the 1990s and her attempted comeback.

Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing engulfs the reader in the world of competitive tennis. The excitement, the tenacity, the horrific toll it takes on Carrie's life are all described vividly. And even though the tennis world is not particularly of interest when you start reading it will be by the end of this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid continues to write fascinating books about fascinating women.

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for my ARC.

If you like tennis, this is the book for you! I’m not into tennis but it was still an enjoyable read.

Carrie was at her prime in the 70-80s and after 15 years in retirement, decides to train and come back at age 37.

Carrie is very focused and driven to the point of being rude at times, so not easy to like. However, her relationship with her father/coach was a sweet one. The budding love interest in her hitting partner, Bowe, was also sweet to see unfold. I was hoping the book would delve further into those relationships. It was too much tennis strategy for me, but again that’s not my thing.

Points for the ending letting us know what happened and not leaving it hanging.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Oh man, Taylor Jenkins Reid has knocked another one out of the park. This book was such a wonderful, powerful story – I didn’t want it to end. Special thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for my digital ARC copy!

Carrie Soto is a fierce determined tennis player, but she is not well liked! Her nickname is “the battle axe” or the B-word! Carrie is trained by her father, Javier – a famous player in his own right. Carries mother unfortunately passes away at a young age and Carrie makes tennis her life. Carrie ultimately ends her career with the most grand slam titles. At 37, Carrie decides to make a come back to take on rising tennis star Nicki Chan. Carrie isn’t as fast as she once was, but she is just as determined. Will Carrie get to take on Nicki in the championship round to win back her title?

One thing I really enjoyed was the little references to Ms Jenkin Reids other book! That was really fun and now I’m curious if I missed it in her other books – or if this was the first time…I enjoyed The Seven Husbands, but didn’t enjoy Daisy Jones. Maybe I should give it another shot?

QOTD: Have you read Daisy Jones and the Six? Should I give it another go?

I gave this one 4.5/5 stars!

🏆🥎🥇💗👟🎾
-
@prhinternational #prhinternationalpartner
-
synopsis

carrie soto’s fierceness and determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. but she is the best player the world has ever seen. she sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, javier, as her coach.

six years after her retirement, carrie is sitting in the stands of the 1994 us open, watching her record be taken from her by nicki chan.

at thirty-seven years old, carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. even if the sports media says that they never liked “the battle-axe” anyway. even if her body doesn’t move as fast as it did. and even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: bowe huntley. like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.

in spite of it all, carrie soto is back, for one epic final season.
-
lil rant

carrie soto is back is one hell of a book. five freaking stars. i can’t even start to explain how over-the-moon i am to receive an arc of this book. i squeal out loud every single time i think about it. carrie is a #girlboss. she’s more girlboss-y than the girlboss evelyn hugo. i love carrie so much. her competitiveness, her love for gossip and her sport.

i loved how carrie’s character developed throughout the book, from caring about winning only to wondering what’s the meaning of winning to not caring anymore. and bowe is just so sweet. harsh on the outside, but he is carrie’s soulmate. i love him.

onto javier. the jaguar. taylor jenkins reid characters have sucky parent figures, but not carrie. daisy’s parents don’t care. evelyn’s father is nonexistent. mick riva is … i need not elaborate. but javier soto. he is kind. he is caring. he is literal perfection. he loves carrie so much. so. so. so. much. he only wanted carrie to play a beautiful game. winning? that’s just the cherry on top.

carrie soto is back is expected to come out on august 20 and i can’t freaking wait to see you fall in love with carrie. bowe. gwen. javier. nicki. <3 🏹

You’ve met Daisy. Evelyn. Nina. Now meet Carrie.
🎾
Carrie Soto is the best to ever play the game of tennis. With 20 Grand Slam matches won she was able to retire after a knee injury put her out with the certainty that there would never be another like her. Five years later Nicki Chan is on the scene and is looking to earn her 21st Grand Slam title when Carrie decides to come out of retirement. She’ll need the help of her coach/father and someone to hit with after every female in the tennis world turns her down due to her reputation as being a Battle Axe. Enter Bowe Huntley—an almost-40 year old tennis player trying to stay in the mix on the circuit. Will Carrie be able to hold onto her title as GOAT? Is Carrie Soto back?
🎾
Taylor Jenkins Reid is a favorite of mine so when I could my hands on this ARC I had to read it immediately. As much as I love the other female characters Reid has written about…Carrie is hands down my favorite. Just as the book shows Carrie at the top of her game, so is Reid at the top of hers with this newest title. At its core this novel is a story about a father and daughter. It has heart, grit, determination, growth and maturity. I loved how much Spanish Reid included in the book as well. I would give this 10 ⭐️ if I could. Everyone be sure to preorder this title for the August 22 release.

CW: parental death, grief, cancer, heart attack, hospital stay, alcoholism

TJR does it again! Carrie fits right in with the author’s prior heroines and leaves her own mark. Her character is a determined and successful tennis player who after years off the court is ready to make a come back. Carrie is real and very human, you will like her at times and dislike her at times. But you will root for her every step of the way. I really enjoyed this one!

I devour a Taylor Jenkins Reid book as soon as I receive it. Hands down, she is the best at characterization. The reader truly feels like her characters could come to life beside them at any moment. I have given all of her books five stars with one exception, and now there is a second. Although I loved the strong female character of Carrie, her bond with her dad, and seeing her relationship progress with Bowe, there was a little too much specific tennis talk here. I admire the author’s research and attention to detail but I would have liked to veer off the tennis court for a moment or two. Although Evelyn Hugo was about a movie star and Daisy Jones was about a rock band, there was so much more to those stories. I did love however, how she brought in references to so many of her other books.

Two caveats. 1. This is not for everyone and 2. I do think I liked it more knowing who the author was.

HOW DOES TJR CRAFT SUCH AMAZING CHARACTERS THAT YOU THINK THEY'RE REAL!? Seriously, throughout this entire book I had to remind myself that Carrie Soto is not a real person. It blows your mind.

Carrie Soto is a pro tennis player who has an highly decorated career and then retires. After being in retirement for five years she comes back to defend her number of grand slams record.

This book is set up not in chapter but in sections based on both tennis matches and years. I didn't always know if I liked the way it was set up but it worked in the end for me. Once you hit the 50% mark you won't want to stop reading.

As for the not for everyone situation. This is FULL of tennis. With match descriptions in detail, if you have no interest in tennis or sports I don't think you'd enjoy it. That being said if you're competitive and have at least a little bit of knowledge of the sport I do think it helps. It's not a requirement but without it I'm not sure I would have been as into it.

Carrie Soto Is Back also gives you a great look into the idea of women's sports and how if you aren't "so thankful to be here" or you don't smile at everyone you're a B word. The commentary coming at athletes from every which way, how fast the public will drop you if you are too old or too rude or too anything they don't like felt spot on to me.

I'm excited for this to come into the world and I will definitely be rereading it at some point!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t put this book down. When I did put it down, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up! It is a great story about Carrie Soto, famous tennis player, coming out of retirement to defend her Grand Slam singles title record. The reader follows Carrie through the games, competitors, heartache of losing, and joy of winning.

I’m not a huge tennis fan; I honestly don’t know very much about tennis. But this isn’t a book just about tennis! Carrie comes across cold, heartless, and easy to dislike. She is lonely and calls herself a cold “machine.” But on the tennis court she was “always a dancer—agile, graceful on the court.” Carrie is a very focused “who did not delight enough in the accomplishments.” She would win a tournament and move onto the next challenge without enjoying the moment.

As a protagonist, Carrie’s character changes. She learns and grows from the lessons in her comeback. Her relationships with people become more positive which is heartwarming. The book has many lessons for us all including be kind, listen, enjoy life, cope with failure, and “make peace with not being perfect.” By the end of the book, we see a grateful, loving Carrie which is wonderful! This is a book about winning and losing – not just in a game. I recommend this book to everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley and the book’s publisher, Random House, for an advanced reader’s copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Loved. Loved. Loved. I flew through this in about 2 days- could not get enough! Taylor Jenkins Reid has such a way of making her characters come alive- I’m seriously having a hard time wrapping my head around Carrie not being a real person. Carrie, Bowe, and Javier are all A+ characters- adored them all. I’ve loved every TJR book I’ve read and this is no exception- they’re the books that I keep wanting to recommend over and over again!!!