My one sentence review: Read this book.

Carrie Soto (a minor mention in Malibu Rising) gets her time to shine in a novel about her tennis career and life. After retiring five years prior, Carrie decides to return to the sport to try to reclaim her title from Nicki Chan.

What I liked: Taylor Jenkins Reid excels at crafting what should be unlikeable characters that you end up rooting for. They act, talk, and feel like real humans with all our good and bad traits. Carrie Soto is no exception. She’s unapologetic about her desire to win and her talent, she’s a bit prickly and standoffish, and she’s blunt. If she were a man, she’d be called driven and ambitious, because she’s a woman, they call her a bitch.

I love the relationships throughout the book - they are messy and complicated but there is also love and respect. You can see the characters grow and open up to each other as the book progresses. Everything felt natural.

Despite taking tennis lessons for a summer in high school, I know next to nothing about the sport, that being said TJR gives you enough information to care about Carrie’s comeback without being overwhelming. I was crying at one point during Bowe’s match.

What didn’t work for me: Absolutely nothing.

There are transcripts and news articles throughout and the format reminded me a bit of Daisy Jones with someone looking back on their career.

Who should read it: Everyone. You enjoy competitive sporting events, complicated characters and want to root for someone that might not always be the “good” guy.

If you’ve loved TJR’s previous work, I think you’ll find Carrie a winner.

TJR does it again!! Love this story so much! If you enjoyed Daisy Jones, you will LOVE this one! Highly recommend!!!

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! I was hooked from the first few pages, and even though I didn't always like Carrie Soto, I liked her story and I pulled for her successes. The reader learns what they need to learn about tennis without feeling like they are reading a how to book. Great summer read with wide appeal.

I would not consider myself a tennis fan, but THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE. Thankfully tennis holds a place in my heart thanks to my grandpa, but if you do not have links to tennis it might not be enjoyable. Thankfully I loved the storyline, and I would read anything TJR writes! Unlike Carrie, I am the most non-competitive person, but even without similarities to the MC, I was still invested in the story. Carrie is not the most likable MC but you will for sure warm up to her and end up rooting for her in the end. My dad raised me when my mom left when I was 9 months old so the father-daughter bond in the story caught me in the feels. I think it is def worth the read.

Another winner by TJR! It’s a sweet and fantastic story and great for fans of tennis. I did have to pull out google translate at by times because the conversations in Spanish got to be too much and I felt like I was missing out on a lot.

I read enough of this book to know that I'll buy it for our library. As always, TJR weaves a fantastic tale and Carrie Soto makes an interesting protagonist. She's cold and hard to relate to but that's the point. Her relentless pursuit for excellence, nay to be the best in the world, is inspiring if nothing else. I picked up this book because I loved "Malibu Rising" and I was curious how she would overlap the two stories. Unfortunately, this section was breezed over. I could see why the author would do this though, because the focus was all about Carrie and this relationship was only a brief blip over the course of her life.

I'm a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books. In fact, I've loved every book that I've read of hers so far. "Carrie Soto Is Back" was definitely a well-written story. Carrie Soto is a strong, persistent, stubborn, and frankly an amazing tennis player. This book tells the story of her life. Growing up with her dad as her coach, she won tournament after tournament, until she was injured. This story focuses on her comeback. I enjoyed Carrie's unusual personality - tennis is really the only thing in her life that she truly loves, besides her father. Reading about her return to tennis at age 37, was both uplifting and inspiring. The only reason that I rated the book a 4 instead of 5 is because I honestly thought that the book was written with way too much tennis lingo and descriptions. I personally don't enjoy the game of tennis and I felt like at times, the book read as a sports play-by-play. However, I would 100% read another book by Taylor Jenkins Reid as I enjoy her writing so much.

Carrie Soto is Back is a masterpiece from start to finish. This is a story about dedication, resilience, relationships and love. The usage of Spanish was perfect and culturally-appropriate, which made it even better. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work is perfection.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really have little interest in tennis by TJR made me so committed to Carrie. I was reading on the edge of my seat just waiting for see how to all turned out. I love the cameo of mick and the unsalted almonds references. Excellent story about grief and meeting goals.

Carrie Soto is destined to be the greatest tennis player of all time. That’s what she’s been told as a little girl by her father, Javier “The Jaguar” Soto, a former professional tennis player and also her coach. Crowned “the Battle Axe,” Carrie is cold and abrasive, but her determination gets her what she’s been working for her whole life - she retires as the greatest of all time.

Fast forward a few years, and Carrie has now been superseded by Nikki Chan, who passes Soto’s record. Having something to prove, Carrie comes out of retirement at and is back on the tennis court at 37 — working not only to be the oldest player to win a Slam, but to regain her title as the greatest player of all time.

There is so much I loved about this book. From the 90’s pop culture references and other TJR characters interwoven to the little nuggets of motivation we get from “The Jaguar.” Carrie’s inner dialogue is so vulnerable and beautifully written, you feel like you’re inside her head. I didn’t find her character likable in Malibu Rising, but you can’t help but root for her in this book because she's unapologetically herself. Carrie’s hard to relate to with her undying commitment and obsession with the sport, but that’s what makes this book so captivating. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel reading about tennis matches, but TJR gives the reader so much action and anticipation that you feel like you're there. A couple other things I loved was the relationship between Carrie and her father (it was so heartwarming that Javier becomes a crowd favorite), and the rivalry between Carrie and Nikki… you can’t help but to love them both.

I did find the Spanish dialogue a bit difficult. Loved that it displayed her culture, but there wasn’t much translation so I was relying on my high school Spanish to try to figure some of it out. There's also an event that happens with Carrie’s dad toward the end. Don’t want to spoil it but felt like it happened so fast and came out of nowhere that I found myself flipping a few pages back to see if I missed something.

Favorite quote (there were too many but this was my last): “I did not pick up a racket to grow tense and weary and afraid of failing. I picked it up to feel the joy of smashing a ball as hard as I can. I picked it up to spend time with my dad.”

Overall TJR’s newest read does not disappoint - a five star in my book.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. She has written a beautifully moving story of family, love, and determination. Carrie Soto is a rough around the edges kind of character that you can’t help but love for her sheer grit. I will always highly recommend her books to everyone and this book is no exception. On the favorites list it goes!

I love a Taylor Jenkins Reid book! I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the book, because I don't watch or have an interest in tennis. But TJR immediatly sucked me in and I grew to love Carrie. Oh and I loved her precious Dad.

Wow I was blown away with this book! Well written and filled with so many messages. This is a story that will stay with me. I always look forward to the connections to past characters and Taylor Jenkins Reid never disappoints. Carrie Soto is Back is a 5 star read that with emotion- this story tugs at the heart strings as Carrie is hoping for a tennis comeback. I really don’t know much about tennis but this book drew me and also opened my mind to tennis too.. i even watched Wimbledon. after I finished this amazing book!!

I loved Carrie Soto so much. She is theirs badass pro tennis player who decides to step out of retirement when her greatest accomplishment, the most Grand Slam wins, is being challenged by a new up and comer. Her dad is her coach and they have such a heartwarming relationship that made me smile several times while reading. Her mental game is so tough but you can’t help rooting for her. This will be a another winner for Reid.

I loved this book so much and perfect time to share this with #wimbeldon.
@tjenkinsreid has a way that just completely engulfs me in a story. Once I open one of her books I just cannot stop. I don’t know another fiction writer out there that writes characters that you believe are real and she does it again with Carrie Soto. I love Carrie. She is raw. She is flawed. She is unfiltered and unapologetic and above all she is real, and I simply adored her father.
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I also love the way Reid writes these worlds and weaves her previous books together with little Easter eggs. I absolutely loved this one.
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Get this book on your list now for August 30th!
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Huge thank you to #ballantinebooks and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I alway enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid and her newest is no disappointment. A powerful female athlete not afraid to go for it, yes please! This is a book about strength, grit, determination and about change and strength of family. Keeping your eye on the prize has its cost and being number one is lonely. Even if you know nothing about tennis the fast pace of this book will keep you engaged.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is back, y'all and she is FIERCE!
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It seems to be my theme when I get a new TJR book that I head to the beach and I don't leave until the book is read. I read Carrie Soto is Back essentially in one sitting today.
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I was enthralled with the character of Carrie, pro-tennis player whose determination to win at all costs has cost her popularity and relationships in her years.
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The story starts with Carrie's father, tennis pro Javier "the jaguar" Soto. As her coach, this dynamic duo is unstoppable and Carrie quickly rises to the top, smashes records and all competition.
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When a new up-and-coming- tennis star threatens to take Carrie's world record title away, it's time for Carrie to come out of retirement and defend the title. Can this ruthless player take it all? Is the b*tch back, as they say?
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I love Carrie's relationship with her father and both he and some of the supporting characters had me just as invested as I was in Carrie's story. This one will be an instant hit for readers-that's for sure. Thank you to NetGalley and to PRH for both the digital and physical ARC.

I loved the last book this author did and this one didn’t disappoint. Definitely had all the elements I was looking for in a book. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone
She is the best

My first book from Taylor Jenkins Reid and won't be my last. This was a good read and really enjoyed this from start to finish. I will read more of her books.

4/5

Renowned athlete Carrie Soto quickly surpassed the masses to become one of the world's most legendary tennis players. Aided by her cutthroat attitude, her passionate coach of a father, and her willingness to win no matter the cost, she broke nearly every record and managed to collect twenty Grand Slam titles in her time. Six years after her retirement from tennis, an upfront spot in the stands at the 1994 U.S open to her record's demise compels Carrie to come out of retirement and reclaim what was taken. This tremendous decision will have Carrie relying on her father to coach her again and pair her up with the very person to whom she almost gave her heart. One final season to win or lose, and make her mark on the world for a final time.

Author Taylor Jenkins Reid returns with Carrie Soto is Back, a relentless and immersive portrayal of a female athlete's legendary tennis career. First introduced to Carrie Soto back in Malibu Rising, I could not imagine Reid’s next book would center around her, yet I was all the more excited having learned so. Carrie Soto is the high-stakes entertaining read I needed for the summer, full of all the twists and intricate relationships I've come to expect from its author. Not only is this novel comprised of all things tennis, but a touching father-daughter relationship over the years, and an assessment of the media’s treatment of women in sports. Carrie herself is an easy character to fall in love with, wonderfully vicious, and determined to claim every victory. Her journey took hold of me right at the beginning, with the decisive introductory chapter of a retired Carrie witnessing the downfall of her legacy and deciding to take action. From that moment on, I was here for every upswing and countermove on her path to reclaiming her title. In standard fashion, Reid has created a heroine that is uncompromising, but in different ways from those of her previous novels. I really appreciated reading about Carrie’s dedication to succeed and the sacrifices required in order to make it to the top as a world champion. Reid does an incredible job with the setup and payoff here, especially regarding the initial and final chapters of the story. The mirroring of those two moments was equally gratifying as it was vindicating on my part of having called it from the very start. Tennis may not be my forte, but this novel certainly makes you feel a part of the game. Taylor Jenkins Reid has become a staple author for many, and Carrie Soto is Back is her next unapologetically fierce read to devour.