Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review.

Carrie Soto is back! Perhaps one of the most disliked characters in her previous books, Taylor Jenkins Reid is back with a fresh look on this character. Carrie, a retired tennis star, has her records threatened by another tennis player, so decides to come out of retirement to regain her place in history, this book feels like a redemption book in a lot of ways. We see a growth in this character that was needed. Reid takes a character that nobody liked and showed us the “why” behind her, ahem, nickname. Then she took the character and made us like her.

I’ve had many patrons say they didn’t like “Malibu” and are hesitant to read “Carrie”, but pleas, go ahead. This one feels more real, more intimate, and frankly a cleaner, read. I do love how she weaves older books into her story and it’s fun to find the Easter eggs. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Maybe not a ton of book club fodder, but nonetheless I would recommend it to my patrons.
4 solid stars.

Carrie Soto is bound and determined not to let her tennis record be beaten, so she decides to come out of retirement. Despite holding the world record in tennis, Carrie is not well liked in the tennis world. She is determined to get what she wants, no matter who she has to step on to get it. This is why she is nicknamed the Battle Axe or some people simply refer to her as the B word. No one denies that she played a beautiful game of tennis in her day, but no one believes that after 5 years in retirement she can win any of the Grand Slam events.

Another great book from Taylor Jenkins Reid, with a few quick nods to past characters. I don't even like tennis, but this book kept me on the edge of my seat.

Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again. Definitely didn’t want to put this book down or have the story end. Great read!

Carrie Soto is the undisputed queen of women’s tennis. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will remember Carrie from “Malibu Rising” as Brandon Randall’s girlfriend. Brandon is little more than a footnote now, because this story is all about Carrie. We get to know Carrie long before she met Brandon and before she became a tennis sensation. Better yet, we get know Carrie after Brandon, when he’s so far in the past, he isn’t even a speck in the rearview mirror. We see her win a record 20 Slam titles before she retires, only to burst back onto the scene when that title is threatened. Carrie Soto is BACK.

Now, you may be thinking “a book about tennis?” Yeah, I was skeptical too, but that TJR magic grabbed me in the very first chapter and I was hooked. This book is about so much more than tennis. It’s about ambition, determination, and redemption. It’s about love, relationships, and what really matters. Carrie and her relentless drive are incredibly compelling even though Carrie is incredibly unlikeable throughout much of the book. Her character development and arc are so outstanding that I couldn’t help but root for her even when I struggled to like her. The male characters are fully fleshed out, no flat or stereotypical men here, with Carrie’s dad and coach Javier hands-down my favorite character. The love and complexity of the father-daughter relationship is so beautifully drawn – so. many. feels! I laughed, I cried, I loved this book!

TJR is at the top of her game, and “Carrie Soto is Back” just may be her best yet! Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

I know nothing about tennis, and normally would really have zero interest in a book about the sport, but Taylor Jenkins Reid can get me to read just about anything (and enjoy it too).
I LOVED Carrie Soto is Back. While it clearly had a romantic element to it, it was much more than that. It was about her relationship to the game, and the game's relationship to Carrie's life outside of it. The realism in her learning how to find joy (and herself) in more than just a win was fantastic.

TJR is back with a hit 👏🏻. This just might be my new favorite by her, and absolutely will be one of my top reads for the year!

Carrie Soto had grit, tension, heart, determination, tenacity, and is easily to me her strongest female protagonist to date.

I don’t care about sports, but the way TJR had me on the edge of my seat caring about tennis was truly unmatched.

This book is so much more than just tennis though, it is about a girl who would do anything to be the best no matter what and the sacrifices made to do so.

This one swept me away and took me by surprise and made me feel all the things (even maybe had me almost shedding some tears 🥹).

Run to go get this book next month!

I would like to thank Net Galley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid in exchange for my honest review.

Carrie Soto is a unwelcome and tough character introduced to us in TJR Malibu Rising. She returns in Is Back to give us her story. And it’s quite a story.

Carrie Soto is the best women’s (or overall) tennis player of all time. She retired with the most Championships in women’s tennis, but now her record for most wins is about to be broken and Carrie, who learned tennis from her father, aren’t ready to lose that record. Together they work to get Carrie back into shape to compete again against players who are younger, faster, stronger, and just as determined as Carrie.

The story follows Carrie from her youth all through her career. Known as the Battle Axe or Bitch, for her coldness towards other players and the media, Carrie struggles to come to terms with the fact that maybe she is not the best player anymore, but does that take away from what she did for the sport, for female athletes?

The romance is sweet, despite Carrie’s obtuseness. Bowe is a great character and I’m so happy we got to see the softness he brought out of Carrie and the fire she lite for him.

A few notes that some will see as great and other may see as, hmmm. Carrie’s father, who plays a large role not only in Carrie’s life but this book speaks Spanish to her often and no translation was provided so for anyone who doesn’t read Spanish be prepared with an app. Also, Javier (her father) is another great character. The other thing is, there’s a lot of tennis in the book and as someone who knows little about tennis, at times I was confused. That said, I still highly enjoyed Carrie’s story and I learned about tennis and a little Spanish along the way.

Carrie will not be loved or understood by everyone, and that’s okay. For me, at times I struggled with liking her and just shaking my head, but I enjoyed the story tremendously. Carrie’s growth. The way her relationships change throughout the story, is what made it for me.

Carrie Soto is Back follows Carrie Soto, a 37-year old tennis player who decides to come out of retirement to reclaim her record. When young tennis star Nicki Chan equals her grand slam record, Carrie sets her sights on becoming the comeback queen. While her body isn’t what it used to be, her passion and determination is just as strong — if not stronger. At the time of her retirement, Carrie was unequivocally the best tennis player the world has seen. Carrie Soto is many things; she’s driven, she’s determined, she’s been called “The Bitch” and “The Battle-Axe” by many, and she’s not necessarily well-liked. All of this comes at a cost, however — for all of her medals and records comes a huge sacrifice. Coached by her father, Javier, since she was two years old, Carrie teams up with him, as well as the oldest tennis player on the circuit, Bowe Huntley.

In classic Taylor Jenkins Reid style, Carrie Soto, her father, Javier, and Bowe Huntley, feel so real. All of them are deeply flawed, but magnificently complex characters. Carrie, who, at thirty seven, really only has two relationships in her life: tennis, and the relationship with her coach (and father), Javier. Every aspect of her life revolves around tennis, and every time a commentator, or a reporter, would doubt her abilities, Carrie would bounce right back to prove them wrong. Carrie Soto is Back is for anyone who has ever been told no, and said “watch me”. As much as Carrie Soto is Back is a story about Carrie’s strength, and her reclaiming her title, it’s also about her learning to let people in, and that life isn’t just about one thing: winning. Over the years, Carrie’s relationship with tennis has been less about the actual sport, and more about the accolades. Reading about her reclaiming not just her titles, but her love for the sport, and her collaboration with her father, was really what cemented this book for me.

I absolutely adored Javier, and his character arc. For Carrie’s entire childhood, he saw her potential; calling her Achilles and training her to be the very best. It isn’t until much later, that he realizes the impact of his words, and how his unwavering belief in his daughter could’ve been misconstrued. Carrie’s comeback is about her winning, but it’s also about him having another chance to work with his daughter, to support her and show her how much he loves her. Carrie Soto is a story about Carrie’s love for tennis, but it’s also a story about a father’s love for his daughter.

Another character that had my entire heart was Bowe, who is one of the oldest players in the tennis circuit. He’s just clinging on, waiting for retirement, and also trying to have one last hoorah. His story with Carrie was just so sweet, and I loved the slow burn.

Reading Carrie Soto Is Back, I felt like I was transported into the 80s and 90s, and that I was right there at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the US Open, cheering Carrie on. In a way, I felt like Carrie’s father — watching from the sidelines, anxiously hoping that things would work out in her favor. I was utterly desperate for Carrie to win, to get back on her feet each time and to truly be happy.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. I'll admit, I didn't love Malibu Rising as much as her previous books, but with Carrie Soto is Back so is TJR. The first half of the novel set in the '60s-'80s details Carrie's rise to being the best tennis player in the world and the second half, set in the mid-'90s details Carrie's attempt to make a comeback before a younger player can claim that title. You do not have to be a tennis player or fan to appreciate the story - the dynamics between father/daughter, the rivalry between older and younger stars, the need for someone to confront their future when they need to leave behind their life's work whether they want to or not. Highly recommend this one.

NOTE: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

loved loved loved this strong narrative on carrie soto. full of typical incredible taylor jenkins reid storytelling and strong characters.

This was a fun quick read and I read it during Wimbledon - very apropos! I enjoyed getting to know Carrie and I absolutely loved Javier and their relationship!! There’s a LOT of tennis in this book! I am not a huge tennis fan but I did enjoy learning some behind-the-scenes parts. It keeps you turning pages to find out what’s next! Great summer read! ❤️📚🎾👟

"Every match you play, you are one match closer to becoming the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen. You were not born that person. You were born to become that person."

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

“For decades, my talent and drive were utterly devastating to those who stood in my wake. If each person is blessed with an individual gift, determination is mine.”

“I am afraid of losing. I am afraid of how it will look to the world. I’m afraid of this match being the last match my father ever sees me play. I am afraid of ending this all on a loss. I am afraid of so much.”

Carrie Soto Is Back hit me right in the feels, and these are just a few of my favorite quotes. While I've loved all of TJR's leading ladies - Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones, and Nina Riva - I have to say that I think Carrie now holds second place in my heart, and I never would have expected that!

If you've read Malibu Rising, you may remember Carrie from her brief appearance there, but if not, know this: 1.) She is the best tennis player in the world. 2.) She won 20 Grand Slam titles during her career (a record) before retiring. 3.) Now, six years post-retirement, her record is tied and being threatened by up-and-coming tennis star, Nicki Chan.

True to Carrie's nature, there is no way she's going to take this lying down, but can the now-37-year-old get back into fighting shape in time to compete with a new crew of tennis stars, and defend her record? Well, hold onto your seats because the fierce, driven, unrelenting, unfiltered, incomparable CARRIE SOTO IS BACK!

Chock full of tennis matches, fundamentals, and strategy, I didn't anticipate loving a book about a sport I've never really been interested in, but in her masterful way, TJR made this book about so much more than sports. From family drama, coach-athlete relationships, father-daughter relationships, and complicated romantic relationships, to how the media and sports world look at and depict aging and the vastly different standards female athletes are held to versus male athletes, this novel had me flying through the pages and riding an emotional rollercoaster. From laughing one paragraph to crying in another; from thoroughly disliking Carrie at points to rooting for her and wanting to give her a hug as she evolved and grew, Taylor pulled at my heartstrings (as she always, always does), had me reading WAY past my bedtime, and left me utterly blown away.

Stop what you're doing right now and give this one a pre-order, a hold request at the library, or simply mark in your calendar that Carrie Soto Is Back is hitting shelves Aug. 30. Trust me, you do not want to miss this one!! Thank you so, so much to @tjenkinsreid @ballantinebooks and @netgalley for my complimentary galley of this incredible book! Taylor, I cannot wait to see what you throw our way next!

P.S. - I didn't know that this is the second week of Wimbledon, but that makes this review even more timely! Happy Wimbledon, and best of luck to all the amazing competitors!

This book was just incredible. I felt every moment as if it were real and was deeply invested in Carrie with all her imperfections. This is, of course, a story about tennis, and I experienced each game as if I were watching it live. but it is also a beautiful father-daughter story and a romance that managed to steal my heart from the sidelines. This story was as much about Carrie as it was about the people who loved her and stuck with her. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat. I will be reading this book again and, if it ever becomes a movie (and it should), I will be first in line to watch it. The cherry on top for me: Taylor Jenkins Reid brought to life a hispanic character that actually speaks Spanish and does it so well that I was able to read seamlessly from English to Spanish without it ever feeling awkward. The nicknames, the specifically Argentinean dialogue made Carrie and her dad, Javier, more real, with no cheap or condescending stereotypes. The extra cherry on top: the way Bowe won over Carrie's heart. No spoilers, but it was perfect for this Latina reader.

Carrie has loved tennis her whole life, so much so that it literally became her life. After she “retires” and a younger competitor top’s Carrie’s record, Carrie realizes she’s not ready to be done with her favorite sport just yet. As someone who knows very little about tennis, I was counting on TJR to find a way to hold my attention---and she did! The book is a fast read and definitely hard to put down. I figured it would probably be good, I just didn’t realize HOW GOOD. 😊

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has written another fantastic novel about a strong, but flawed woman. I don't know anything about tennis and am not interested in it at all but I still loved this book. It is so well written and compelling - you feel like you are at the tennis matches. I love the mentions of characters in other books like Malibu Rising and Daisy Jones & the Six and I'm wondering which minor character in this book will get their story told next. I highly recommend this book. Thanksto NetGalley for the digital ARC.

One of my favorite things about TJR is that her books are wholly original and often contain callbacks to previous books. I know very little about the sport of tennis but this book held my interest. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance ecopy

I was not really sure what to expect with this book and this really is a hard one to rate. I really enjoyed the relationship between the father and daughter, however really would have liked to know more about their backstory and Carrie's childhood. I think it would have been helpful to really know more about how she became what she was. I felt that there was a lot of dialogue in spanish that really needed some type of clarification if you do not speak spanish. I could follow this, however it will really irritate quite a few people. I wish the pacing would have been a little different. There was a lot of gameplay that began to feel repetitive. I understood that Carrie was detached, however this became repetitive as well. I have to say I really enjoyed the ending on this one. I definitely would like to read more from this author. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Carrie Soto is a driver, competitive, passionate player whose only dream is to be the best. Everything else in her life takes a back seat to her pursuit of greatness. I found this novel so entertaining and as a tennis fan, really enjoyed the matches and technical aspects incorporated. Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author I’ll always read, and this book was creative and loads of fun. While not as heart-wrenching as Evelyn Hugo, it still incorporates the importance of family and support systems and really packs a punch. I’ll be curious to see what non-tennis fans think, but I thoroughly enjoyed the training, competition, and character development throughout.

This might be Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best yet. Carrie Soto Is Back is utterly captivating. I am not a fan of tennis, yet found myself on the edge of my seat during every match description. I was completely transported and enthralled.

TJR got me with this one! I've been keeping up with her other books and enjoying them, but something always kept me from really loving them—this one comes the closest! There was so much heart in this book, and I loved Carrie's relationship with her dad so much. Reid has such a knack for creating realistic characters, and I always enjoy the subtle callbacks to her previous books. I also appreciated that Carrie is flawed and a little hard to like at times, yet it's still possible to feel for her and root for her on her journey. All of the tennis in the book was also highly entertaining and engaging.