5/5 stars. Readers who loved "Malibu Rising" and Daisy Jones & The Six" will love "Carrie Soto is Back," they may even love it more, as I did. Taylor Jenkins Read captivates the reader from the start with the story of Carrie Soto, a tennis legend fighting her way back to the top. Carrie is not exactly the most likable character, but the reader cannot help but cheer her on. This is due to the power of the writing, the character development, and the world-building that Jenkins Read implements throughout the book. I could not put this one down and I can't stop thinking about how much I enjoyed it. Once again, Jenkins Read gives us a flawed main character and despite it all, we root for her every move. We follow her on her journey. We grow with her. We wait with bated breath to see how the story ends. I loved this book full-heartedly and it will be a nice one to revisit in the future when I want to be captivated by the story of Carrie Soto again.

There's a reason Taylor Jenkins Reid is so popular—she consistently delivers a compelling story. With Carrie Soto, her timing is perfect. I read this while Serena Williams fought her way through her (last?) US Open, and remembered vividly all those Virginia Slims tournaments I watched years ago. I love tennis, so I'm glad it seems to be having a moment, or at the very least, a bump in popularity as the old stalwarts step aside (or are pushed) for the next generations. The author offers an insider's view into the complicated web of relationships between players, coaches, the media and the fans. I was rooting for Carrie Soto, but I also pitied her; what you wish for isn't alway what it seems. I recommend this, especially for tennis players or fans.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again! I read this book in one sitting on a flight and absolutely loved it. The best part for me was seeing the relationship between her father and Carrie throughout her personal life and coaching career. You really feel like you have watched Carrie her whole life and see her ups and downs. You wanted to root for Carrie in parts of the book and root against her based on her behavior. I would recommend this book to mainstream and EL Spanish speaking students especially if they like sports.

Carrie Soto has only ever wanted to be the world's greatest tennis player, and everything seems to be standing in her way. Losing her mother at a young age and having to overcome so many obstacles has hardened her into ruthlessness on and off the court, in spite of her father's unparalleled coaching and his love for her. The other players and the sports commentators seem to enjoy criticizing her and calling her all sorts of unkind names. When an injury forces Carrie to retire after setting multiple records and being number one in women's tennis, she thinks it's over, until the day when Nicki Chan ties her record for most Slam wins. Carrie comes out of retirement and asks her father to coach her once again. She also begins training with her old flame and fellow tennis player Bowe Huntley. While fighting for her records, Carrie begins to see that maybe the most important things in life aren't tied to being the greatest player of all time.

I enjoyed this book overall. I had a hard time with Carrie at first because she just seemed like another self-absorbed athlete who didn't care about anyone except herself. The most beautiful thing about this book is how her character changes and she opens herself up to caring for and loving others, as well as embracing who she is, faults and all. I liked the straightforward writing style, which seemed to bring Carrie and her father to life through the pages. I did notice a few inaccuracies regarding tennis, even though I don't know a great deal about the game. I also tried to understand the Spanish being spoken, but I would have liked more context clues or translation. I didn't care for the large amount of profanity used throughout and I was offended by it, though I know I'm in the minority. It became easier for me to sympathize with Carrie as the story went on, and I ended up rooting for her to succeed in spite of everything she went through. I am glad the sexism in sports and the media was addressed so accurately and so well. Even though great positive strides have been made, there is still more to do. The contrast between the hopelessness and injustice I felt at the beginning of the story started changing about halfway through and I began to really get into the story. There was so much hope springing from the narrative by the end that I was thoroughly satisfied with the way everything ended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

You will always get a solid story from TJR. She is a phenomenal author and as a high school athlete I enjoyed this story.
But it is A LOT of tennis, a game I don’t know much about.
Her characters were spot on as usual though.
Carrie is a bit of a love hate heroine but I adored how the book ending. It hit home (no pun intended)

I still love #daisyjonesandthesix the absolute best of this “quartet” of books. I am thriller to have read them all though, each bring something to the table.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is my favorite book of the year so far! This story kept me mesmerized from the very first page to the last, I loved it. The funniest part about me enjoying this book so much is that I am clueless when it comes to tennis, I've done a cardio tennis class once and that was not playing at all, it was running laps because I missed the ball so much! The writing is vivid in details, I felt like I was in the stands at the tennis matches, I was part of the story. This is the story of Carrie Soto, think the best tennis player ever. Carrie would never be considered the nicest person you would encounter, but her tennis game was second to none, that is until it suddenly is after she goes into retirement. Based on Carrie's attitude and demeanor, there is no way she is going to let this slide and back she comes to defend her record at the age of 37. I would highly recommend this book, even if tennis isn't your thing. I have read other books by TJR and enjoyed them, but none nearly as much as this one.

I started reading this novel soon after Serena Williams retired and when I had tennis on my brain. Carrie is not Serena but there is no doubt that tennis has defined her life. As the story opens, Carrie is at the U.S. Open waiting to see if her long held record for most wins will be shattered. From here the book moves back in time to when she first began playing and goes forward to the time of the book’s title.

I understand the basics of tennis but don’t have the knowledge base to know how accurate the descriptions in the matches played were. I know that they were deeply involving and that I always wondered how Carrie would do.

This novel, however, is not just about Carrie’s tennis but is also about Carrie. She has a rather hard and brittle shell and most although most everything about her has been about tennis, she has things to figure out. Readers get to know the people around her; there are those that she lets in to some degree. The most important one is her father who has shared Carrie’s dream. Another is a player on the male circuit named Bowe and, of course, many of the women players.

Along with a page turning story, this novel offers some food for thought. Are we our accomplishments? Does winning mean everything? How is it to have to deal with being in a constant limelight? What happens when a game that one started to play out of love becomes so dominant? No spoilers for the end of the book. Find out for yourself what happens to Carrie.

I recommend this title to tennis lovers, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fan base and those who enjoy an involving story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again—made a time-consuming, perfect book. Goodness, I don't know where to start. Reid wrote a book about the greatest tennis player in the world, Carrie Soto. Soto's record was just matched by a younger player—forcing her to come out of retirement

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid was covered in my Fall Book Preview, where I share a curated list of the season’s hottest new titles including the books I’ve most enjoyed, the ones I’m most looking forward to reading, and the ones the industry is most excited about. I really enjoyed this compulsively readable tennis novel!
Our Fall Book Preview event is exclusively for members of our MMD Book Club community and What Should I Read Next Patreon “Book Lover” supporters. Our communities will also receive a printable of all the picks with Carrie Soto is Back's publishing info and release date included.

A retired tennis player returns to reclaim her record and cement her legacy as the GOAT—in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s CARRIE SOTO IS BACK.

In 1989 and at 31, Carrie Soto bows out of the game, retiring as the best tennis player in the world, with records aplenty.

“I was now the most decorated tennis player by nearly every measure. Most Grand Slam singles ever. Most weeks at number one for any player in the history of the tour. Most singles titles, most aces over the course of a career. Most years ending number one. Highest-paid female athlete of all time. I was the Carries Soto I had always believed I could be.”

Five years later, she and her father (former coach and retired Argentinian tennis player) sit in the stands and watch Nicki Chan tie her record. Both Soto and Chan aren’t looked on favorably by the media—criticized for their aggressive tennis playing and not-so-soft temperaments. Chan is dubbed “The Beast” while Soto, “the Battle Axe,” makes her comeback amidst continuing vitriol that she’s cold, “a machine” (cue The Bitch is Back by Elton John).

Soto rejoins the circuit—the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the final, nail-biting match—the 1995 U.S. Open.

Carrie is a brash, often unlikeable character, her ambition and competitiveness driving her every decision. It’s exactly these traits, however, that make her fascinating and deepen the narrative’s impact. CARRIE SOTO IS BACK probes the scrutiny around women’s ambition. The unfeminity of it, the unlikability of it, the sexism of it—especially when levied against how the media treats men of similar ambition. The timing, and parallels to Serena William’s own story and retirement, makes this novel all the more topical, and impossible to put down.

I’ve been a devoted fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid for many years, have read—and loved—every single novel she’s published, and this latest once again proves her storytelling prowess.

An immediate 2022 favorite, and a riveting and powerful must read.

The fourth in Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo universe was 5 stars for me just like the rest of them! Carrie Soto (who played a minor role in Malibu Rising) is 6 years into her retirement from her record breaking pro tennis career when she decides to return to the court to defend her record for most grand slams won in a career...and she's be coached by her father, Javier. Reid is a master at writing books that go down easy, but that have lots of substance. This story is a celebration of a woman choosing to play, while risking failure, rather than retreating to the sidelines. Reid nailed the sports psychology and all the emotions that go along with being an elite athlete. And, I love that she avoided the stereotype of the terrible sports Dad with Javier. One of the best in the badass female athlete micro genre!

I read this book in less than 24 hours!! Carrie Soto is an incredible tennis player and life character. I know very little about tennis and this book had me from the beginning. Author, Taylor Jenkins Reid has another hit on her hands! Get a copy and read it! Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #CarrieSotoisBack

*I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I'll be honest, this is my first TJR book. I know, I know. I've heard great things, I have multiple on my shelf to read, I even know that Carrie Soto is a minor character in another book of hers.

But I will say, I loved this book. I loved this character. I even enjoyed the minor characters.

Carrie Soto is a tennis star. Due to an injury, she has to work her way back to the top and find her true self again.

I just love Carrie Soto! I'm also a big sports person so that probably helped me enjoy this one even more. I always look forward to TJR books and was really excited to read this one. I enjoyed it so much! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this one. Can't wait for the next one!

While Taylor Jenkins Reid's newest book, Carrie Soto is Back, did not captivate my interest the way that Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones did, I still found it thoroughly entertaining. I like that TJR ventured into some new territory covering (fictional) professional sports - this book was different from anything else I've read before topic-wise.

That being said, it took me until approximately halfway through the book to feel at least somewhat invested in Carrie's journey. It felt very repetitive, like Carrie and her father had a lot of the same conversations over and over, and like Carrie's inner thoughts were essentially the same throughout the book.

The ending was satisfying, I truly felt like I didn't know how the tournament was going to conclude and I liked the choices that TJR made. I did, however, predict that Javier would pass away in the end.

Thank you for my advance copy!

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again, with characters who leap off the page and moving storytelling wrapped up in the tale of a 90's tennis star who returns for one last push for greatness. Carrie Soto may be my favorite of Reid's characters, as she's ironically endearing, and sometimes relatable, in her unlike-ability. Though the ending of the story was neatly tied up, it was a satisfying conclusion to Reid's exploration of the latter decades of the 20th century in American pop culture. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

5⭐️
The book that put me in a month long reading hangover 🥲

This is my fourth TJR book, and man. She can write a strong-willed, badass female character that you will root so hard for. Honestly, her main character could be a rat, and I’d still read and root for her.

Things I loved:
🎾Carrie Soto, obviously.
🎾The timelines. I loved going back and forth between Carrie’s current life and training, and her childhood life and training.
🎾Fast-Paced! Idk if it was the timelines, or just wanting to know how Carrie did in tournaments, but the story was a quick read for me.
🎾I never watch tennis, but this explained it well and made it interesting to read about! I was on my toes to see how matches would go.
🎾Love when a book has different text forms woven in, and loved the (terrible & biased) news articles throughout!
🎾Crossover with Malibu Rising & a mention of Daisy!!🥹 Out of the 4 I’ve read, MR was my least fave, but still enjoyed it! The mentions of some of those characters were fun! (But you don’t have to read that one to read and enjoy this one)
🎾The character development of Carrie was just 🙌👌🤌

Once again, Taylor Jenkins Reid (TJR) has hit ball out of the park, or in this case: the tennis court.
TJR digs in to the personal competitiveness of tennis and in particular, Carrie Soto, once a premier winner.
Carrie wants to make a comeback and nothing will stop her.

She is determined to succeed and whip the 'tar' out of her younger, but less experienced, challengers.

TJR takes every nuiance of trying to make a comeback into account. Carrie's personal life, her physical condition, and her mental health.

This gripping novel of a former tennis star and her quest to win again, is not to be missed.

Thank you Netgalley and TJR's publisher.

I ENJOYED…
☂️
You know what? Let’s say it right away: I adore Carrie Soto. It’s made it there at the top of my TJK books, following Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones. I. AM. OBSESSED.
Just like in her previous work, Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers with her characters. Carrie, her main character here, is one fierce, determined, stubborn to a point you want to shake her person and yet. Oh, how you’ll fall for her. I really did, discovering as the story went on, behind her fierce exterior, someone caring, afraid to open up to love. She’s one heck of a badass, excuse the vocabulary, but really.
Former tennis player, Carrie decides to get out of retirement in order to keep her own record HERS. She’s older than all of her other opponents in all the competitions and no one expects her. I absolutely adored following her journey, both in the tennis tournaments (and this is from someone who knows absolutely nothing, nor does care about tennis) and her own journey of growth. I just. I don’t know. I absolutely adored her and was obsessed from the very first pages. I could write a novel about Carrie Soto.
One of my favorite things about Carrie Soto is Back, was Carrie’s relationship with her father. This relationship takes a whole lot of space in this story. Carrie’s father, Javier, is a former tennis player immigrated from Argentina to the USA and, in this story, we get to see him as he coaches his daughter to become the great tennis player that she is. While their relationship has ups and downs, I found it so, so wonderful to follow and my heart soared, oh.
Another highlight of this story was Bowe Hunter, an older tennis player trying to get back on track now that he’s finally sober. He was such a lovely addition to the story and in Carrie’s life, with his struggles similar to hers. He was also so kind and caring and I loved him so very much okay.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s is once again showing her talent for storytelling in those pages. Told between past and present at first, we get to see Carrie’s career starting off before following her in the biggest tournaments of her life. With a mix of press releases, interviews and narration, this book had me hooked from page one, wanting to know what would happen next, if Carrie could make her dreams come true and, most of it all, if she could find happiness after all. I adored it.

OVERALL
☂️
Taylor Jenkins Reid won my heart again with Carrie Soto is Back. This was an excellent adult contemporary read with characters I won’t forget and I’m going to be screaming about this for a long, long time.

Compelling read from Taylor Jenkins Reid as per usual...an ageing tennis star makes a comeback and inspires all the 30-somethings reading.