Wow I wanted to love this one, I really really wanted to. TJR is one of my favourite authors but not being a tennis fan had me worried going in and I’ll admit - the first 100 or so pages I thought TJR’s amazing storytelling ability had won me over. But in the end, the non stop tennis play by play just bored me.

I liked Carrie’s “BattleAxe” attitude. I laughed out loud at a couple of things she said in interviews.

I loved the relationship between Carrie and her dad. As much as it was a main focus in the plot, I found the tennis talk overshadowed it. There truly wasn’t much of a story behind the tennis - it got repetitive …fast.

I know I’m in the minority with this one, but I know I’m not alone. I think this will be a major hit or major miss type of book and unfortunately it’s the latter for me.

I loved this book. I refuse to say that Carrie is unlikeable because as a woman, we’re always expected to shrink ourselves.
But although I love TJR, I can hold her accountable for still writing MCs from a community that she is not in.

I really enjoyed this book. I have loved every book by Taylor Jenkins Reid so far. Javier was my favorite character with Bowe as a close second.

TJR has done it again! In this newest book, I will not address whether or not we get to bump into our beloved(?) Mick Riva.

But after getting a glimpse of Carrie in Malibu Rising, I knew I wanted to know more about her.

She is a tough cookie. She’s complicated, she’s focused, and she doesn’t have time for anything that would deter her from the game. However, the battle over being the best and her father’s visions for her as the best butts heads with the fact that maybe she won’t always be the best. At the end of the day, all that matters is her love of the game. And man, she comes to learn just how much she loves it.

And listen, while this is primarily a book about tennis, it’s also not just a book about tennis. There’s love, there’s identity, there’s purpose. And there’s Carrie and Serena and her dad. And Argentinian representation.

And, I will forever read anything TJR writes. And so should you. Especially this beautiful book.

The surest sign of a good book is when you finish it and keep thinking about it for the next several days. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s newest release was that book for me. Even though tennis was not my sport, I enjoyed the book due the focus on competition and how an athlete has to be both physically and mentally prepared in order to win.

Carrie Soto was raised by her father after her mother’s death when she was very young. Her father was also the one who taught her the game of tennis and later became her coach when she played professionally. Having been a tennis player himself, Javier was an expert at how tennis should be played beautifully.

Naturally, Carrie and her father shared a very close relationship and I felt this just made the story that much better. When Bowe, another tennis player, entered the picture to help Carrie train, he became a part of their family unit and tennis team in such a natural and sweet way.

Readers don’t have to have a knowledge of tennis to enjoy this, although it would make the thrill of the games more impactful. I think any reader that loves sports or competition will enjoy the book. The relationships that evolve in the story definitely add another dimension to the sport and I will certainly be recommending this to my friends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

My bookish friends often tease me about the length and detail of my Goodreads reviews because I always seem to have something “interesting” to say about the books that I’ve read. Not so with Carrie Soto. This book is just wow. And I mean wow in a good way.

The book was about unapologetically about tennis, and read with the blinding speed and frenetic energy of a tennis match. There are very few asides or explanations for the reader to slow down the pace. Don’t know what a slice or volley or backhand is? Too bad, this book is moving on without you. Even the bits and pieces of Argentine Spanish between the female main character and her father were left untranslated to keep the story moving forward.

I absolutely loved how the book ended. Although the chapter headings in the table of contents do give away some of the plot, I was amazed by what happened inside the last two chapters. Tearing up now just thinking about how unexpected it was!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is only other Taylor Jenkins Reid book that I’ve read. But after reading this one, I may very well pick up Malibu Rising in the near future.

I received this book as a digital advance reader copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Daisy Jones, Evelyn Hugo, Nina Riva, and now Carrie Soto.
Taylor Jenkis Reid has once again proved that she can write the most perfectly imperfect woman lead. This stands true.
This is the story of Carrie Soto, a tennis player who comes out of retirement to reclaim her world record. It is also another chance to be coached by her father, with whom she is very close. Their relationship throughout this book is so charming.
So with that being said, Carrie Soto is Back is basically a complilation of a ton of tennis matches and their play by plays. Like a lot of tennis. I thought there was FAR too much commentary / narration on tennis matches, recaps and strategy (this took up about 80% of the book). I would have liked to see more focus on the father-daughter storyline! Yes it’s true, we got to know and love Gwen, Carrie’s agent, Ali, and Bowe became not only a real love but an absolute rock to Carrie and her father, I craved more!
If you’re a sports fan (and particularly a tennis fan), I’m sure you’ll love this one. If you don’t care much for sports, this may not be the one for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm the outlier who feels as though she read a different book than everyone else. This starts heavy on the tennis as it traces the rise of Carrie Soto to the top of the tennis world. Lots of time on the court, virtually no time at all in her head or home. I had no sense of her as a human-her competition things of her as an ice queen but really, it would have been nice to have some emotion in her private space. Then, she's forced to retire because of her knee (but when did she hurt it?) but wait-she's coming back, hitting balls with Bowe, a man who is also hoping for a comeback. And once again, heavy on the tennis except when she spends time with her father. I would have liked this more if she'd been at least a little more well rounded. There are offhand mentions of affairs (but no details), the fact that she likes raw almonds for breakfast (but what does she eat the rest of the time?) , and so on. This does trace her up and her down and her up again but really, all I got from that was that she was more committed to besting particular women than anything else. I have very much enjoyed previous books by the author but I found myself impatient with this one, turning the pages in the hope that I would find something to connect me to Carrie. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Reading this book as a person with no interest in or real knowledge of tennis, I found myself suddenly deeply interested in the merits of clay vs grass courts. Carrie Soto, a minor character in Malibu Rising, has centered her life around one thing: being the greatest tennis player ever. Five years after her retirement, at the ancient age of 37, Carrie has decided to reenter the world of professional tennis and defend her title. Part coming of age story, part finding yourself, part underdog athlete...there are a lot of tennis play by plays but it's gripping.

Okay, who knew I’d love tennis so much!?!? I don’t know how TJR does it. She has true magic when it comes to writing. The plot didn’t sound like something I’d like, but cmon! It’s TJR!!! I am blown away by this book. It might even be my new favorite of hers! And I have read them all! Multiple times!

The feelings this book made me feel.. who knew it would be so relatable. This. Book. Is. Going. To. Be. Huge.

Thank you for my gifted copy! I am going to scream about it from every roof top! This book is AMAZING.

I was thrilled to get an ARC of this book. I have been a huge TJR fan since reading One True Loves way back when. I knew then that this was an author with great talent and a lot of stories to tell. I have loved all of her books- Evelyn Hugo had been my favorite until I read this book. First off, this book brought back so many happy memories of my childhood watching Wimbledon, The French Open and The US Open with my family. I cherish those memories. I know a lot of people will be turned off by the play by play tennis but it just resurrected times of pure joy and excitement. I am NOT a sports person at all but watching the Grand Slams with my parents and extended family was like a religion for us. Carrie was so unlikeable at first and then she stole my heart. This book just kind of wrecked me with the story of Carrie and her wonderful father Javier. I have recently lost my own dear father and reading about their bond and mutual passion for tennis just brought back so many bittersweet memories. There is no one in the world who loves you as much a your father. There is also no one else in the world who keeps it as real as your father. The discussions and strategizing between father and daughter were so beautiful. I was not expecting this at all. Javier and Carrie's relationship on and off the court was the true heart of this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest opinion.

never read a TJR book I didn’t like 😍 However One True Loves and Evelyn Hugo still reign supreme in my book. This was on par with Malibu Rising for me. I enjoyed it, I’m glad I read it, but I’ve read books I liked more this year. I think the level of detail in the tennis matches just wasn’t my jam 🙈 I felt like I was reading sport commentary and while I love sports, apparently I don’t love reading about it. Who knew! I did absolutely love the father daughter dynamic and Carrie’s character. TJR always flawlessly creates characters that feel so incredibly real and all of their actions are in line with the personality she has created which I don’t think is an easy accomplishment. All in all it is definitely a good book!! Don’t get me wrong. I think the bar is just so incredibly high for me when it comes to TJR I might’ve had unrealistic expectations.

I will never be the same after reading another of TJR's masterpieces. This is an emotional read about Carrie Soto and her tennis career, both before and after. I was a little hesitant going into it as I was unsure what a book about a side character from Malibu Rising could really do, and let me tell you: I WAS WRONG. So wrong. I went from really disliking this character to rooting for her and understanding her. I was halfway through the book and didn't want it to end. You'll feel the typical TJR range of emotions and come out on the other side with a book hangover, and it is all so worth it. And then that end?! AGH! I am telling everyone I know to read this if they aren't already.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Carrie Soto is back is unfortunately one of my biggest new release disappointments of the year. I’m a huge fan of author TJR (who isn’t?!) and this story lacked the character depth and plot that all her previous novels have. I felt as though I was reading just tennis play by plays and it was just all a huge snoozefest that never went anywhere.

Wow! I have loved TJR's books, next to Evelyn Hugo this one is my favorite. I used to love tennis when I was younger and with Serena just retiring this book just felt like a different world life could've taken if I stayed on that path. Carrie was such a force to be reckoned with. This book just highlighted what women go through, historically, ethnically. just generally - but in a sports world. I also really love how she incorporates people from her previous books, it's such fun. It was an effortless read - I don't think any fans of TJR are going to be disappointed.

If you are thinking to yourself, I'm not sure I want to read about a comeback tennis star, remind yourself we are talking about another Taylor Jenkins Reid book here!! Like Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo, Carrie Soto feels like a real person. I can actually picture her on People magazine! We don't always like Carrie and I think that is in part why she is so believable. An athlete as driven as she is seems likely to have many haters

I just couldn't put this book down. And what better time to pick it up but the moment you get your kids back on the bus after summer! Make yourself a coffee or a mimosa and crawl back into bed and dig in.

I’m obsessed with everything that TJR writes. I was beyond the moon to receive this early e reader addition of Carrie Soto.

And like everything else she writes, I loved this story. Carrie Soto is a badass. I love how she’s so unapologetically herself. People say she’s ‘cold’ or a ‘b****’ but let’s be real… what successful woman isn’t called those things.

The journey she goes on in this book was beautiful. Her relationship with her dad was heartwarming. And the ending? *chefs kiss*. I just love a full circle moment.

Bravo TJR ❤️

TJR YOU HAVE DONE IT YET AGAIN!!!! WOW! This was absolutely PHENOMENAL!!!! I have so many thoughts and words and need to gather them all! An Absolute CHEFS KISS OF A BOOK! I don’t ever really read sporty books but this wow, what a amazing book!! It deserves all the stars and more!!!

“And it stuns me silent, for a moment: just how vast the gap is between who I am and how people see me.”

Taylor Jenkins Reid needs no introduction, but I will give her one anyway. Bestselling author of DAISY JONES & THE SIX, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, and MALIBU RISING, Reid is back and at the top of her game with her fourth larger-than-life heroine in the upcoming release CARRIE SOTO IS BACK.

Carrie Soto is the best tennis player the world has ever seen. And she has the titles to prove it. Coached from the age of two by her father, Javier, a champion in his own right, Carrie retires with twenty Grand Slams to her name. Despite (or, perhaps, because of) her successes, the media is not a fan, dubbing her “the Battle Axe” for what they deem to be her cut-throat rise to the top.

But six years after her retirement, Carrie watches as her record is taken by an electric new player named Nicki Chan. And so, at thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the decision to come out of retirement and attempt to reclaim her record. CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is, on the surface, a book about sports. But I am here to tell you it is so much more than that. It’s about father-daughter relationships and how much of ourselves we owe to our parents. It’s about the disconnect between public and private personas. It’s about forgiveness, and drive, and sacrifice, and how to balance them. It’s about opening our hearts to growth of all kinds. And yes, it’s also about tennis.

When I pitch Reid’s books to library patrons, I tell them that she writes complicated, multifaceted women extremely well. CARRIE SOTO is the epitome of this — weaving Soto’s desire for success with her self-doubt, reflecting her brashness against society’s expectations of what a woman’s ambition is supposed to look like. This was a fantastic reading experience, even for someone who understands nothing about tennis (I had a glossary of tennis terms open in my browser the entire time I was reading). I can’t imagine how much you tennis-loving TJR fans will enjoy it. I’m honestly jealous.

CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is hitting shelves 8/30/22. Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley for the eARC.

cw: grief

Carrie Soto is Back is the latest from Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of the popular summer books Daisy Jones and the Six and Malibu Rising. Reid is known for well-timed, fast-paced, plot-driven books that also prioritize character development, and this book is no exception. Carrie Soto is a tennis legend of the late 1970s and 1980s. Trained by her father, Javier, Carrie doesn’t just strive to be good, she strives to be the best, which she achieves when she breaks the record for most Slam titles of any man or woman. But a knee injury in her early-thirties prompts an early retirement, and in her six years out of the sport a different player, Nikki Chan, comes onto the scene and challenges Carrie’s record. Her whole life, Carrie has told herself that if she is not the very best, then she is the worst, so when Chan ties her world record in 1994 Soto decides to come out of retirement at age 37 and play the four Slam tournaments in order to defend her crown. This is a book about tennis, but it is also a book about perseverance, family, and vulnerability. While I was drawn to the tension and drama surrounding the tennis world and the outcomes of Carrie’s matches, I thought that the book could have been trimmed a bit on the descriptions of Carrie’s training program and the play by play of matches that weren’t the pinnacle of a tournament. If you love tennis, this is absolutely the book for you. If you’re like me and only know the basics of the sport, Reid will draw you in with her impeccable writing about the intrigue and politics of professional sports, even if she loses you a bit on the minutiae of how each point is scored.