Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, Taylor Jenkins Reid has created another literary masterpiece that is so emotionally evocative that you’ll genuinely forget you’re consuming a work of fiction. Carrie Soto is Back follows the novel’s eponym who makes a comeback to the world of women’s tennis to defend her groundbreaking records against rising tennis star Nicki Chan. Right from the first chapter, you’re immediately drawn towards the palpable grit of Carrie Soto. Her assertive, take-no-prisoners approach to her tennis career, both before and during her comeback, is driven by a powerful undercurrent of determination unseen in Reid’s other celebrity protagonists. That is not to say Carrie doesn’t have her flaws; it’s in my opinion that the most beautiful thing about Reid’s protagonists is that they are successful despite and because of their deep personal flaws. It is this element of Reid’s characterizations that make these iconic characters feel real to us as readers. The writing style and format of the book set the intensity for the novel perfectly; the sports commentators/articles, the short and precise sentence structure, the repetitive nature of Carrie’s training, and the heavily detailed tennis play-by-plays were beautifully executed. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll try to be as vague as possible here, but I feel personally that the book’s conclusion worked perfectly in regards to Carrie’s growth as a person both on and off the court. The shift in Carrie’s approach to tennis during her comeback season led to a shift in her mindset on life, which was realistic and beautiful for someone at that point in their life, famous tennis player or not. I appreciated how there were discussions about the impact colorism and racism has on women tennis players who do not fit the beauty standard, and how intersectionality plays a part in the treatment of women tennis players. My only critique is that the book is occasionally anachronistic; characters would reference news organizations and tennis tournaments that did not exist until later in the future or only existed in the past. Although it’s a miniscule detail, it did prevent full immersion into the story for me at some points. However, this novel absolutely blew my mind with its all-consuming nature and intensity. The fact that Reid unironically made me, a non-sports person, care about the outcomes of fictitious tennis tournaments goes to show how amazing this book is on all levels.

CARRIE SOTO IS BACK and so is Taylor Jenkins Reid!

After Carrie Soto made an appearance in TJR's Malibu Rising, I was skeptical as to whether or not her character would win me over. Within a few pages of her book, however, I think I would have given my life for Carrie Soto.

The book begins in Carrie's childhood, and we get to know her as her father helps to shape her into a legendary tennis player. After winning 20 grand slams and setting a record as well as sitting as the number one player for a significant amount of time, Carrie retires in 1989 at 32 years old.

Cut to 1994. Five years have passed and Carrie's record has been tied. Making a risky decision, Carrie decides to come out of retirement for one last season, in an effort to regain her record. We follow Carrie as she gets her body back into playing condition with her father as her coach. This season is not the same as the others- Carrie is now 37 years old and will have to play the best tennis of her life. Can the Battle Axe take back her title?

I can't say enough good things about this book. A central theme in this novel is Carrie's relationship with her father and coach, Javier. After the catastrophe that was Mick Riva's parenting, the father-daughter relationship in this book was like peanut butter smoothing the cracks of my broken heart. I thought it was beautiful, I can't gush about this aspect enough.

The Carrie I was introduced to in Malibu Rising gave me a look at Carrie's reputation as "the bitch" from the outside, but in this book the layers are stripped away and I really got to know Carrie. I really really loved her, and I completely understand what Taylor Jenkins Reid meant when she said Carrie was her favorite character- she's mine now too. What an amazing book about growth, humility, opening your heart to love, and self acceptance.

Thanks so much to Random House Ballantine as well as NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I can't wait for everyone else to come to love Carrie the way I have.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors and I’ll gladly read anything she writes, but unfortunately Carrie Soto is Back was not a favorite of mine. If you love tennis, this is the book for you, but as someone who knows absolutely nothing about the sport, I found myself bored at times. Carrie is also an unlikeable character. She is selfish and hurts people who are only trying to help her, which makes it hard to root for her.

I did like the different formats used throughout the book to break the chapters up, the transcripts and op-ed pieces about Carrie returning to the sport after retiring. TJR hit the nail on the head with how women are treated in sports and in general when they try to do something others deem impossible.

I just finished reading (and loved) Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Carrie is a total baddie in this book and I want to be her, lol. I resonated fairly deeply with the plot, as an aging woman, perhaps passed what most consider “young” and as a former college athlete. No one ever talks about the letdown of retiring or finishing from competitive sports. It’s almost the death of a dream, and of a love/hate relationship with the sport. The book itself was just a tad predictable, but the everything else was superb. Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I’m so glad I read Carrie Soto is Back!

I admit that I didn't love the tennis angle, it just isn't my thing, but I do enjoy a good TJR book and think that her fans would enjoy this. I don't think it is as good as Daisy Jones and The Six or Malibu Rising, but I am positive it was because I didn't like the tennis angle.

I'm not sure this will be the universal favorite of Reid's books but, like Carrie Soto, for who connect with it, it will resonate deeply. The writing is immediate and personal and moves at a clip not unlike a Grand Slam final.

Taylor Jenkins Reid proves once again why she is the master of characterization with her newest release, Carrie Soto is Back.

Female tennis legend Carrie Soto is 37 years old and has been retired for nearly five years. When her record is threatened by an up and coming player, Carrie decides to come out of retirement to defend her title as world’s best.

On the surface, Carrie Soto is Back sounds like a sports novel, which it is, but it’s also an exploration of what it’s like to be a female athlete on the world’s largest stage…and what it takes to win. Carrie has worked her entire life to be the best, she’s trained for years and has sacrificed friendships, romantic relationships, and even her public image in order to make it to the top (and stay on top). Carrie is ruthless at times, often outspoken about her opponents’ abilities or lack thereof, and has been dubbed “The Battle Axe” in the media.

As Carrie gets back into the swing of training, matches, and competition, it’s the relationships she has with her father/coach and herself that really shines in this novel. I was thoroughly entertained by Carrie’s determination, the descriptions of the tennis matches, and whether Carrie would achieve her goal of remaining number one.

I highly recommend this heartfelt novel and big thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted on Instagram @book_grams

Pub date: August 30

A rousing tale about a strong female athlete; I didn't expect upon first meeting Carrie Soto in Malibu Rising that she'd be such a compelling protagonist. I like how Reid structures the book by first detailing Carrie's road to tennis dominance and downfall to help pave the way for her thrilling comeback. Carrie's relationships with the various secondary characters are all interestingly explored, and I particularly liked how much her attitude toward Nicki transformed as she got to know her better. There is a strong emotional pull present from the very beginning enhanced by a plot development in the final third that makes the climactic match very rewarding to follow, and the ending of the book is immensely satisfying.

Wow!!! I never knew I needed more of Carrie Soto until I read this book! You do not need to be a tennis fan in order to love this story. You didn't have to read Malibu Rising either, but I would highly recommend it.
Carrie Soto is a world class tennis player. In this book, we follow her through her childhood, watching her father play. As she got older, her father began coaching her until she became a world class player.
Carrie retires after a career full of trophies and wins, but she feels the need to return; to defend her title. She is training for the biggest comeback in all of tennis.
The relationship between Carrie and her father make this story one that anyone can read, enjoy and even cry with.
Does she come back? Does she keep her title? That's what kept me turning the page with this book. It was hard to put down!
One question for TJR- there was quite a bit of Spanish spoken between father and daughter. I needed to use google translate to understand their conversations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this advanced digital copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Tennis lovers will especially enjoy Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A gifted author, Reid turned tennis into a five star read despite the fact I care nothing about the subject. Reid could write a phone book and make it interesting, as the old saying is.

Synopsis:
Legendary tennis player, Carrie Soto was raised by her father who was also her coach. Her record of 20 Grand Slams has not been surpassed even after her retirement. At thirty-seven years old, she is not about to let it happen now. In order to protect her winning record, Carrie prepares to make a comeback. Can she still hold her own against the younger competition?

Carrie Soto is Back is an amazing story not to be missed by sports fans. It is an intriguing look at the stress and emotional side of being famous. Reid takes readers on a fascinating journey through a world most of us don't fully comprehend.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is available on August 30th.
(5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Ballantine Books), for allowing me to review this thrilling book by the brilliant Taylor Jenkins Reid.

#CarrieSotoIsBack, #TaylorJenkinsReid

My unexpected visit to stay with my parents in tennis haven Hilton Head Island aligned with week one of Wimbledon, constantly shown on the TV and discussed over dinner each evening. It made for the perfect setting to dive into my ARC of Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
When I first heard about this release, I reread Malibu Rising via audiobook to remind myself exactly who Carrie Soto was, in order to get even more excited for this book. It wasn’t necessary to do, but if you’re looking for something to tide you over until this one publishes at the end of August, I recommend it since Julia Whelan does a fantastic job with the narration (as usual).
I am a big sports fan in general, but other than many years of summer camp tennis instruction and watching major tournaments, I have limited experience with tennis. If you are a tennis fan, you will likely love this book. If you aren’t, you need to be aware that there is a lot of tennis involved. I’m not saying that to deter you, but I want you to know what you’re getting into when you start it. TJR has a way of making historical fiction seem like fact, and if I didn’t know as much as I do about tennis history, I probably would have Googled to see if these players/matches were real (like I did when reading Daisy Jones!). The storytelling is just that good! I took my time reading, stretching my enjoyment over a week to really savor this book.
Carrie Soto is a tough, no-holds-barred, devoted tennis player. Her relationship with her father, also her first coach, ebbs and flows realistically. The book focuses on Carrie’s decision to return to the sport she loves, in her late 30s, after several years of retirement. Carrie attempts her comeback by training for and competing in all four major tournaments in 1995. She works her butt off to return to peak physical condition to earn the recognition she feels is deserved, and to maintain her record of having won the most major titles. Who can help but cheer for the comeback kid?!
Amazing work, TJR. Many thanks to @randomhouse #ballantinebooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Carrie Soto is Back will hit shelves 8/30/22, and it would be a great Labor Day weekend read - especially if you are near tennis courts!

Carrie Soto, a retired tennis player who holds the record for the most Slams won, sits on the couch and watches another woman, Nikki Chan, take her title. It is at that moment that Carrie decides it is time for a comeback. Carrie begins training with her father, a wonderful tennis player in his own right. Together, they determine her best strategy and what she must work on in order to succeed. As Carrie fights her way through the roster of the women's tennis circuit, she realizes that there are those who she will have to fight hard to beat. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that she beats Nikki Chan thereby keeping her record intact. When Carrie Soto puts her mind to something, she works until she achieves her goal.

I am a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, ever since Daisy Jones & the Six, and this book is a very good reason why. She always tells a wonderful story that draws the reader in and makes you want to get to know the characters better. I found Carrie relatable and definitely wanted to see how she ended up - whether she beat Nikki and if she ended up happy. I truly appreciate the way Reid always finds a way to interweave her other stories into current ones, it's like she is making her own multiverse and I would gladly live there.

I do not know much about tennis, but learned a lot by reading “Carrie Soto is Back,” which is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest yummy novel, author of such greats such as “Malibu Rising” and “The Seven Husbands of Evenlyn Hugo.”

Carrie Soto is a a tennis legend, raised by her father who also coached her. Though she is retired, no one has been able to beat her record of 20 Grand Slams. But at the age of thirty-seven, she is ready to make a comeback so that some tennis newbie will not steal her claim to fame.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a fantastic storyteller and this is a book that you’ll happily stay indoors on a bright summer day to read. The author clearly understands the fragility of fame, especially when there is always someone brighter and better around the corner. Carrie was a bit of hard-edged character, which does not always make her sympathetic. I wasn’t quite in love with this book as I was with “Malibu Rising” (and I did skim some of the parts of the novel that heavily focused on tennis), but a true Taylor Jenkins Reid fan will not be disappointed.

Three and a half stars.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to give this novel an early read.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has such a captivating style of writing, and it especially shines in this novel. It wasn't until about halfway through the book that the pace picked up and Carrie really started growing on me - she went through so much growth and by the end I absolutely adored her. The relationship between Carrie and her father was so beautiful, and I loved how much Gwen and Bowe supported her through her comeback. This book was jam-packed with tennis, and even knowing nothing about the game, you finish this book being so enamored by tennis as a whole and honestly I feel I could go sit in the stands of a tennis match and follow along, something I couldn't have done before reading this book.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is back and living up to her reputation for exceptional novels. Her newest contemporary fiction, Carrie Soto is Back is sure to be a huge hit!

Carrie Soto has retired from her tennis career after winning a record twenty grand slams. Known for her drive and determination, she wasn’t a fan favorite and was dubbed “The Battle Ax” by the sports media. After watching the newest tennis star, Nicki Chan, break her record, Carrie decides to come out of retirement. With her father by her side and back as her coach, Carrie begins a grueling schedule to get back in shape.

Fighting the limits of her age and her body, Carrie’s journey is written with detail and emotion. Taylor Jenkins Reid brings the sport of tennis to life in a way that will appeal to both tennis fans and those that know nothing about the sport. Reid weaves timeless issues of male and female stereotypes in sports and the pressures of fame into the novel. A book that’s hard to put down, easy to finish in one sitting and the perfect pairing for watching Wimbledon or the US Open.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the opportunity to review this book before its release.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me preface this review by saying that I love pretty much everything that Taylor Jenkins Reid has written. And I love most sports.

However, tennis is not something that I follow or know much about. And although TJR's books are an automatic read for me, I honestly didn't have high hopes for this one. Tennis? Eh.

I was wrong. I'm probably still not going to be watching the US Open or Wimbledon, but I was riveted by Carrie Soto and her comeback. Carrie is not very likeable, but somehow, she won me over. And Bowe Huntley? I'm a fan.

This book is very much about tennis, but it is also very much about relationships and finding yourself. Carrie Soto's comeback will keep you on the edge of your seat - even if you are not a tennis fan.

Can our queen TJR write another phenomenal book that lives up to the legends that are Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and Nina Riva? Hell yeah!

This book was impossible to put down and got me right in the feels. The characters jump right off the page and leave their indelible mark on you. I adored Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones but by the time I got round to Malibu Rising, I was tired of reading about yet another extraordinarily beautiful and universally adored sex icon.

Carrie, however, is such a breath of fresh air! She's not the easiest person to like but make no mistake — she's not here to be liked. She's here to win. She's unapologetically herself and doesn't mince words. But you will love her anyway.

The supporting cast was just as fantastic. Everyone was so well-developed and had terrific character arcs. I thought I was prepared to be emotionally wrecked but ended up crying anyway. Even though I couldn't get enough of the book and its larger-than-life characters, I loved the ending because it just felt so fitting and integral to the entire story.

I really enjoyed how the book explores timeless themes such as sexism, the impossible and double standards that women held up to, the pressures of fame and more. Also, the little nods to other TJR books had me squealing like the fangirl that I am. Eeeek!

Don't be put off by complaints about this book being sports-heavy. I have zero knowledge of tennis but relished every moment of this fast-paced and gripping novel. If anything, I found it all super exciting and fascinating! The writing was clear, descriptive and easy to understand without being too technical. I actually felt like I was right there in the stands watching and cheering for Carrie.

But that's what TJR does. She creates legendary and unforgettable icons that stay with you long after you turn the last page. And in Carrie Soto, we have a goddamn warrior. A freaking king. The greatest of Greeks. Watch out, world 🔥

I found myself fully absorbed into the tennis world while reading this book and following Carrie on her comeback. Relationships are tantamount here, tennis, family, business and romantic. A great inside look at the world of championship tennis, and another fantastic book by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again. This is my fourth TJR book and I am hooked!! Her ability to pique my interest of topics I have little knowledge of is stellar. Love the writing style, attention to detail of the subject, and dedication to fleshing out her characters.

In this book the reader sees Carrie Soto’s growth as a person and a champion tennis player coming out of retirement. We get to witness Carrie’s relationship with her father, agent, practice partner/friend, opponents, and the press while also getting to know herself. She is coming to terms with her place in the game in the past, at present, and in the future of the game. I enjoyed learning more about the sport, what it takes to be an elite athlete, and all the details of the matches. I think I would have loved to read even more about her rise in the tennis world even though that wasn’t the focus of this novel.

I really just loved this book. Dare I say that it might be my favorite TJR that I’ve read (idk Daisy Jones was kind of perfection). Definitely would recommend this book especially if you have enjoyed other books by this author.

I love every book that TJR has written and this one did not disappoint. I was easily transported into Carrie’s world, so much so that after I finished reading the book I started googling tennis lessons near me. TJR is such a talented writer and this story and characters felt so real. I connected with Carrie’s imperfect relationship to her father, felt frustrated with her attitude and stubbornness, but also excited for her success. One of my favorite books I’ve read recently and am very grateful for the opportunity to read it early.