Taylor Jenkins Reid's books are addicting. I couldn't put this book about a 1980's tennis sensation staging a comeback after being retired for several years down. The best testament I can give to this book is that I was completely disinterested in tennis before reading this book and now that I've read it, I can't wait to follow and watch the US Open.

I don’t even like tennis!! Don’t let that keep you from reading Carrie Soto is back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m not a tennis fan but while reading this book, I actually wanted to watch the matches.

Carrie Soto is Back is about so much more than tennis. Carrie is retired but her record is about to be broken so she comes out of retirement to try to keep that from happening. It’s been six years since she’s been on the court so she basically has to start from scratch for training and she’s six years older so her body is not the same as it was at her best. That doesn’t stop Carrie from trying. She’s a determined and fierce and she’s going to leave everything out on the court.

This book is not about tennis…it’s about relationships. Carrie’s dad, Javier, is her coach. Bowe Huntley is another tennis star with something to prove so he starts training with Carrie; but could it turn into more? We get to see how Carrie came up in the ranks through her early career and how she climbs back to try to gain her former glory.

I absolutely loved this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid is an auto-buy author for me…I love her characters. I love her storytelling. I love that she can take something you know nothing about, like tennis, and immerse you in that world like you’ve been a fan all along.

Can’t wait to see what Taylor Jenkins Reid comes up with next!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Just finished this ARC of Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse)

If you like Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing and/or like tennis- I highly recommend checking out this book.

For me, I love how TJR switches up her writing format and introduces transcripts from sports announcers in this one. I found this book to be a light and easy read for me.

That being said, I have to admit it wasn't my favorite of TJRs. The character development and buildup was kind kind of schmeh for me and there were times where I was a bit bored with the plot. I think The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo may have spoiled things for me in that regard.

Mick Riva does get a shout in this and I laughed at that part. I also did have to try not to cry at the gym during another part in the book. There is some untranslated Spanish in the book so have Google translate ready if you're Spanish is a little rusty.

Overall- fun and light read. TJR is still one of my author's to keep an eye out for.

“We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men.”

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Another amazing story about another powerhouse woman. I loved Carrie, though at the beginning I kinda loved to hate her. She was brash and unapologetic about her abilities. Characteristics that we’re taught women shouldn’t be.

I could feel the thrum of excitement and anticipation as the story progresses. As Carrie begins her comeback and plays at the various tournaments.

I also loved how this book centers on how women are viewed in sports. Carrie is called all sorts of names. She is expected to be a champion but also be approachable and humble. They don’t like seeing her acknowledging her success so bluntly.

Of course I loved the small love story between Carrie and Bowe. It was sweet to see her open herself up to someone who could love her and support her.

And her father. There is not much I can say, but I man I love him and their relationship.

Basically this was an excellent book. I could go on and on. But you should just read it yourself.

Carrie Soto has not made many friends on or off the tennis court. Her father/coach has groomed her from birth to become the best tennis player in the world. When her record is challenged, she makes the decision to come out of retirement to defend her title. She’s back!
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I had to sit with my thoughts for a minute after finishing this book. It’s about tennis. A lot of tennis. I’m not a big follower of tennis. And yet, I think I loved it. I am a TJR superfan. She is an auto-buy author for me. I had to figure out if I loved the book or if I just loved her writing - the answer is both. Carrie Soto is an absolute bad ass. She is tough and competitive and apologizes to no one. The writing is so good and the character development so strong, I could not put this book down. I am so excited to attend an (in person!) author talk in September at Warwicks to hear TJR share some insight into writing this story.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the MASTER at creating strong female leads. I loved that Carrie showed the themes that female athletes are still critiqued for today.

Heavy on the tennis themes, but I enjoyed it.

I finished reading this book in almost two days and was on the edge of my seat the entire time because the storytelling is so engaging and addictive. Jenkins Reid is skilled at skillfully weaving together a gripping narrative, the challenges of celebrity, and the additional challenges of women.

Even though I've never been interested in tennis, I found myself emotionally invested in Carrie and the girls she was competing against as well as being captivated by the matches.

I think it might be time to admit TJR is not for me. I loved Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones, but Malibu Rising was just okay and I could not get myself to finish Carrie Soto.

A lot of reviewers have said it you don't need to enjoy tennis to enjoy this book, and I completely disagree. It's literally all about tennis, and if like me you have zero interest, there isn't enough else going on to pull you in.

I'm sure with TJR's huge success over the past few years that this book will do fine.

TJK does it again!! I am not a fan of tennis but this book was so good. I love following the career of Carrie Soto and her tennis career. It was a great to see a BTS on the dedication it takes to be a pro tennis player. I love all the references to the older times like the show ER and blockbusters. What I love most about this book is the relationship that Carrie has with her dad, I love how he was such an amazing coach and dad as well.

Taylor Jenkins Reid just continues to amaze me. I have been hooked to her writing since I first read Daisy Jones and the Six a couple years ago and am now a fan for life. All TJR stories are just so beautifully constructed and the characters are woven in seamlessly into the fictional world. I often find myself believing that her characters are actually real because they are just so darn vivid and lifelike. They stick in my mind long after I finish reading each character's story, and Carrie Soto was no different.

Carrie Soto might just be my favorite TJR character so far just from how flawed and raw she is. I loved her character arch, especially since I found myself desperately hoping for her to find happiness. The only criticism I have of this book is that I wish it delved a little deeper into Carrie's journey to accepting love from Bowe and herself because I felt that that was such a crucial piece of her character's story. I also would've loved to have seen a bit more of Nicki and Carrie's new relationship after the US Open when she starts coaching her. Each time Carrie would start to be a little kinder to others I always wished she would go just a step farther, but she is a human with her flaws, after all. Which is what I love about TJR's characters- they are human and she doesn't always give you everything you want in an ending or character because then the constructed world would be unrealistic.

This book was just so darn fun to read and I know I will continue thinking about Carrie Soto and her beautiful relationships with her dad, Bowe, Nicki, and Gwen.

TJR is incredible. Carrie Soto is Back is, at its core, the story of a girl playing tennis. This phenomenal book explores her relationship with the sport and with others in her life in a way that draws readers in. I may not be a fan of tennis myself, but I still found myself rooting for and empathizing with Carrie throughout the book.

Another marvelous read. I became obsessed with Carrie and her fight to return after injury and early retirement. The fire is here in this one as it was in Evelyn and I couldn't stop turning the pages. The character development is key and TJR does a phenomenal job of digging deep into background and making these characters the most interesting people we have in our pages. Can't wait for more!!

What I love most about his book is that it incorporates characters from some of the other books. I love when characters reappear.

I love the many women in the novel because they are flawed characters that are relatable, though they made some bad decisions they happen to learn lessons from them. I love the elements of tennis and sports in this book as I am an athlete, already telling all my friends about this.

Love means nothing. But this book is EVERYTHING. A stunning story for everyone, even those like myself who know little to nothing about tennis.

Carrie Soto has dedicated every waking moment of her life to tennis, earning title after title and claiming victory as the world’s greatest. Years after retirement, her title is at risk of being taken from her, and her and her father embark on a journey to resurrect her talent and once again reclaim her place - one slam at a time.

Not surprisingly, this story is captivating through and through. TJR’s writing immediately drew me in, and I felt like I was right back in Evelyn’s home hearing about her seven husbands and it was amazing. The characters, the backgrounds, and their connections are all so well done.

This story had everything from perseverance, love, friendship, overcoming obstacles and a sense of raw humanity that comes with dedicating one’s life and body to a sport. So many times I felt like I was right there in the stands or on the sidelines, watching and cheering Carrie on, both as a tennis player and as a person growing and learning who she is beyond tennis.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Full review to be posted on my IG: @manis.and.manuscripts on 7/29 and again on publication day because everyone should read this book!

Movie stars. Rock stars. Taylor Jenkins Reid has given us an intimate view into their lives. Now, with Carrie Soto is Back, she delves into the world of a professional athlete; but not just any athlete, Carrie Soto was once considered the greatest women’s tennis player in the world. Now, her records on the line, Carrie is determined to make a comeback and retake her crown, despite the injury and years that have kept her off the court. This amazing story takes us back in time to when Carrie, coached by her father, breaks into the tennis ranks as a teenager, with skill and determination that come at the cost of her personal life. I was fascinated not only by the tennis and the tense matches Carrie plays, but also by her growth as a person—a daughter, a friend, a lover. My heart beat a rapid pace when she was on the courts competing, and then slowed down again as she found peace within herself, professionally and personally. I cheered for her to win, I was crushed when she lost; at the same time cheering her on to open her heart to intimacy and possibilities. Game, set, and match to the author for bringing Carrie and her story to life.

I love most TJR books but I just couldn’t get into this one at all. I get it’s supposed to highlight some of the backlash females get that males absolutely don’t deal with and how hard it can be to be a strong and dominate female because people assume you are just being a jerk. And it’s also supposed to be how Carrie Soto became the best by being highly dedicated, committed, competitive and at times ruthless for her craft. And you appreciate how hard she worked and dedicated her life to being the best. I think if Carrie had all those traits just for tennis that would be one thing, however she was also awful to the people closest to her which made her wildly unlikeable overall. She didn’t have one redeeming quality which made the book hard to read.
The first half of the book you spend with every tennis detail possible to learn how she became the best which just wasn’t interesting and frankly boring.. After the 50th time of talking about how great she was I wanted to yell “yes we get it, she’s the goat.” The only saving grace in this book was Bowe and seeing him deal with Carrie. The last 100 pages were slightly better and the only reason it’s getting 2 stars because you see more of the human side of her and not just the person being terrible to everyone around her.

Tennis isn't my thing, but this book was compelling and (once I started) I couldn't put it down. Prior to reading the book, I feared ALL THE TENNIS descriptions would bog me down and take me out of the book, but I was (mostly) wrong. There was a tad too much tennis (for me) in the First Time Around section, but I got into the groove once Carrie was on The Comeback trail.

TJR does it again!! Her female leads are incredible - and Carrie Soto might be my favorite one yet! if this book was a song it would 100% be "The Man" by Taylor Swift! Carrie is so strong and I loved her attitude - she doesn't put up with anything, especially sexism! I only wish it was longer! You definitely don't need to like tennis to enjoy this book, but I really loved it because I could connect to the competitive drive Carrie has!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for honest opinions.

The way that Taylor writes characters is unlike anything I have ever read before, and when I saw the announcement for this book I was beyond excited to read it. Carrie Soto Is Back is about a woman that wants to prove to herself that she can still be something great, and I think it was a great ending to Taylor’s group of books about famous women. I absolutely adored the relationships between Carrie and her father, Carrie and Bowe, and Bowe and Carrie’s father, and I think they may be some of the strongest relationships that Taylor has written. I also loved Carrie’s “doesn’t give a damn” attitude. She is playing tennis to win and she will not back down and I love how driven she is. I think fans of Taylor’s will enjoy this book a lot, and I will definitely be recommending it to others. So far this has been my favorite book of the year.

Wow! This book was absolutely incredible and such a joy to read!

It follows the life of Carrie Soto, both as she grows into becoming one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and also as she fights her way back into a comeback after retirement.

She is a complex and nuanced character, and her relationships with others in the book, especially her father are fascinating and rich. I was hooked from the beginning to end of the book. The story is tight and somehow is deeply personal and authentic without becoming trite or overdone.

My new favorite of the authors books! Highly recommend.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC