I loved the sports aspect with the occasional sports announcer chapters. I thought Carrie's character was interesting and her character development was strong.

This is a classing Jenkins Reid novel. As a tennis fan I loved this book, if you aren't familiar with the game you may find the technicalities difficult to follow. Regardless, it follows being a women, a competitive women who isn't here to please, in sports. Which I found very interesting,

Carrie Soto is Back unfortunately just wasn’t the book for me. I felt like this book could have been edited down into a short story since the middle portion was basically just chapter after chapter of her training. I liked the beginning and the end but I did find it way too long.

I'm still thinking about this book after reading it several months ago... TJR has done it again. Carrie Soto comes out of retirement to compete again on the WTA, specifically the Grand Slams. She trains hard to get her body back in shape to compete with athletes who are nearly 20 years her junior. Complete with love, heartbreak, and struggle, Carrie Soto has all the feels and especially hits for my tennis girlies out there. 10/10 once again from TJR

Being that Seven Husbands is hands down one of my absolute favorites, Carrie Soto had a lot to live up to! It was a good book, pretty well paced and definitely, as other readers have pointed out, more about perseverance and relationships than tennis. Even if you know nothing about tennis, or you don't necessarily like tennis, you'll still enjoy the book! I was on the fence at first about how I felt about Carrie, but I did end up liking her and pulling for her, as most readers probably do. She definitely does not have that "likability" quality that a lot of characters have that grab you, but the way TJR writes her makes you want her to pull through, to show everyone what she's made of in the end.
I went through every emotion reading this book and enjoyed every one of them. While it did not live up to Seven Husbands for me, it certainly was worth the read! 4 stars!
Thanks to Taylor Jenkins Reid, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Just amazing... I knew TJR was going to tear out my heart... I knew it.
Loved carrie, loved her strength. Loved her relationship with her dad. Loved how the author developed Carrie, Chan and Bowe. Loved the shout out to Daisy Jones and the Six. Just an overall, great book!
I can easily say that TJR is an authomatic to-read for me!

My love of Daisy Jones and the Six is strong and deep, as is my love of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Both books cemented Taylor Jenkins Reid as a must buy. I had mixed feelings about Malibu Rising (though I enjoyed it more than I didn’t, if that makes sense) and was so unsure when the next book in this universe TJR created was going to be around Carrie.

Carrie was introduced to us in the not best light in Malibu Rising. Set in the 90s, Carrie is in her 30s and is a now retired professional tennis player. She grew up playing tennis and made her name known during her time playing. Carrie decides to come out of retirement when her record is about to be passed.

This book is about relationships, which TJR excels at. The main relationship being with Carrie and her love of tennis. The father/daughter relationship hit me hard. The romantic relationship with another tennis player seemed so forced to me at times. I liked Bowe as a character and felt their dynamic playing tennis was really interesting.

As a non-sportsperson, I was curious if I would like the tennis angle. And I actually did. There is A LOT of tennis, though. I couldn’t relate to Carrie’s ambition but seeing her love of the sport through her eyes was actually well done.

But let’s be real: why was this story made? I have been keeping up with the discourse about this but I just don’t understand why TJR felt she needed to tell a story from a Latina’s perspective (again) — with a lot of untranslated Spanish dialogue throughout (something a Latinx author most likely would not get away with) — when the only times it was obvious the characters were Latinx were during the Spanish dialogue/random mentioning. There was a small part where racism and homophobia within tennis was touched upon but it wasn’t even a fleshed out thought. To have used her platform to really discuss this would have been fantastic.

TJR writes accessible literary fiction that just draws you in. With this book, there some choices that were made that should have been reassessed. And I really wish she would have a real conversation about this with someone, instead of just using buzz words/phrases to try and take some heat off of her.

I absolutely loved this one! I was completely immersed in this story. Carrie Soto retired from tennis at the top of her game and years later, comes out of retirement to take back her title. The unconventional writing style, the flaws/vulnerability of her characters, and the subtle connection that you build with each of them, this is why I love Taylor Jenkins Reid. One last thought, I loved Bowe and Javier…that is all. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for this e-ARC for my honest review.

Taylor Jenkins Reid's "Carrie Soto Strikes Back" is a triumphant and enthralling sports novel that will leave readers cheering. With its fiercely determined protagonist, gripping plot, and poignant exploration of sacrifice and redemption, this book shines as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Reid masterfully captures the complexity of Carrie's character. As a fierce and relentless competitor, Carrie is unapologetically ambitious, determined to win at any cost. Yet, beneath her tough exterior lies a vulnerability and a deep longing for validation. The author skillfully navigates Carrie's journey, delving into her past, her sacrifices, and her tumultuous relationship with her father, who served as her coach. Through Carrie, Reid explores the price of greatness, the sacrifices made in pursuit of one's dreams, and the toll it takes on personal relationships.

Reid's writing style is captivating, with vivid descriptions that bring the world of professional tennis to life. The matches are depicted with such intensity and detail that readers can almost feel the adrenaline pumping through their veins. Moreover, Reid seamlessly weaves in themes of identity, forgiveness, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment, elevating the story beyond a simple sports narrative.

"Carrie Soto Strikes Back" is a deeply resonant tale of redemption, reminding us that success is not always measured by trophies and records. It explores the complexities of human ambition, the sacrifices required to achieve greatness, and the profound impact of second chances. Reid's masterful storytelling and empathetic portrayal of Carrie's journey make this book an absolute winner.

Taylor Jenkins Reid once again proves her prowess as a storyteller, delivering a five-star novel that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. This book serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of greatness is not without its costs, but it's the resilience and determination of the human spirit that truly defines a champion.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Carrie Soto is BACK. I love everything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes.

If you are interested in a female-driven comeback story- and you loved Reid’s other novels- this is for you!

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

Gah!!! TJR is becoming a fast favorite and I didn't think I could love anything more than Daisy Jones & The Six, but this was just as good! Such a good character, such a bada**!! Can't wait to read more from her!

I have read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books and unfortunately, this is my least favorite. Don't get me wrong, in typical TJR fashion, the writing is phenomenal. I just could not keep up with the tennis talk. It kept me from really grasping the storyline until towards the end. Overall, I loved Carrie's bada** attitude and the relationship she had with her father.

My favorite TJR yet. Pulls together all the energy of the past 3 heroines and ends the series with rapid honesty, excitement, and talent.

Wow this book is a lot of detailed descriptions of tennis and it is not for me. DNF at page 63. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the free ebook to review. I tried starting this around when it came out and it didn’t work and I thought maybe just bad timing. I tried again now and am calling that it just isn’t for me.

Possible spoilers ahead. I also just really really don’t like Carrie. I can sometimes stay on the ride with unlikable characters but that plus allllllll the tennis talk is too much for me. Right from the very start when Carrie had to decide to go back to tennis because someone was beating her records from years ago I thought - but why? Do you need to keep the record of most wins forever??? Someone had it before you and someone will have it after you. Let go. And know what? This is probably why I’m not the GOAT of anything. Because that doesn’t matter to me. And was a good sign this book wasn’t for me. I still love TJR though and am excited for whatever she writes next.

I don't know why I couldn't get into this. I've loved her other novels. Somehow the plot just didn't do it for me.

Having recently finished the previously published “Carrie Soto is Back” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I am happy to have had the chance for the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books!

I know little to nothing about tennis and hoped this book would help educate me, as well as entertain me. Carrie was written as a self-absorbed and flawed character, determined to succeed in her chosen sport, but her drive left little to nothing in what I quickly envisioned to be her tiny, yellow, tennis ball shaped-heart. I would have enjoyed reading about her comeback, if I had liked her more before her fall.
But then, toward the very end of this story, a little black notebook and the love of a father warmed my heart, and seemed to bring back "the joy of smashing a ball" that had been missing from Carrie’s heart during her career. I still don't know what all these tennis terms mean, but reading "Carrie Soto is Back" was at times a "perfectly executed" and entertaining story.

“I do not know how to play tennis without my full heart.”

This book brought back my love for all things tennis - watching a tournament losing track of time was just what I did once I started reading. Carrie Soto returns to tournament play after retiring six years prior to regain her position of the most Grand Slam wins when another player catches up to her. I loved everything about her competitive spirit, the relationship she has with her father / coach and Bowe, a romantic interest. Another strong driven woman who knows what she wants and goes after it.

I absolutely loved this book and I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to read this novel!! Before reading Carrie Soto I read TJR previous novel, Malibu Rising and the character of Carrie Soto was perceived as very egotistical and bratty. I think since I already had this character in my mind- the idea of reading a story devoted to this character I was on the fence about. However, of course, I was totally wrong! Carrie Soto is a brilliant come-back story that depicts how you aren't too old to follow your dreams. I look forward to more historical fiction novels by this author, since I 100% believe this is where TJR excels.

I have to start off by saying I am not usually a fan of sports books. However, I am a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid. So I gave this a chance. I am so glad I did. As always this author's books hook me in and I can't put them down. This was really good but not as good to me as Malibu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I did really enjoy the character Carrie. She is such a strong, fierce, competitive, and stubborn character. Even if sports books aren;t your thing, give this a chance.
*thank you to netgalley for an arc.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again with this fast-paced book. I am not a fan of tennis, but even if you know nothing about the sport or don't like sports at all, you should read this book. It is about overcoming our greatest obstacles, even if that obstacle is ourselves. I finished it in 1 sitting and you won't want to put it down until the last ball is served.