Pros: I sacrificed sleep to finish this book in one day, which I think is a sign of a great read! I have read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books, and I think Carrie Soto rivals Daisy Jones as my favorite of her books. I was immediately invested in former tennis star Carrie Soto’s comeback story even though I do not know the ins and outs of tennis—she was an easy character to cheer for. Just like how Daisy Jones and the Six felt like a real band who should have albums to listen to, Carrie Soto feels like she should be in the tennis record books. I also enjoyed putting my Spanish minor to work when reading Carrie Soto’s conversations with her father. Their relationship was one of my favorite things about the book.

Cons: The only con is that I don’t have another Taylor Jenkins Reid book to look forward to until her next book is announced. I wonder if her next book will feature a minor character from this book.

4+ stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Balantine Books for the opportunity to read this book.

I did not super love Malibu Rising, but I really connected with Carrie's story. Might be difficult for some readers who don't know anything about tennis, but Carrie is an incredibly strong character that most women will appreciate.

Another great one for Taylor Jenkins Reid! I immensely enjoyed Carrie, her journey, and the cast of characters.

I’m not sure if this is because I went in with dipped expectations, but Carrie Soto is Back blew me away. I would go as far to say that this is Jenkins Reid’s best in the whole cycle and I think it’s an achievement in craft and technique.

Carrie Soto is Back is about the professional comeback of Carrie Soto, an Argentinian American tennis player who smashed records throughout her entire career. Now at the age of 37, she has returned to the sport to defend her title against the up and coming Nicki Chan.

After finishing this book, I realized that this was everything I was hoping Malibu Rising would be. It had the childhood/parent relationship that I had been craving from this entire series, and it was fully explored here. While Carrie Soto’s father, Javier, isn’t famous in the same way that Mick Riva is, their dynamic was center stage the entire novel. Their struggle to balance their father and daughter relationship alongside their coach and competitive side is beautiful, heartbreaking, and satisfying in a multitude of ways.

Full review here: https://discoverypear.substack.com/p/bow-down-queen-carrie-soto-is-here

TAYLOR JENKINS REID IS BACKKK🙌🏻🙌🏻

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for granting my wish for an advanced copy of one of my most anticipated reads of 2022!

Carrie Soto. From the outside she takes what she wants, doesn’t care what people think, doesn’t need friends, and all that matters to her is being the best tennis player the world has seen.
Fast forward 7 years, and Carrie can’t just let her record pass by.
This story follows Soto through the different Open Tournaments and her journey of accepting herself and her emotions.
This book draws you in to each of the characters. Having a coming of (older) age story, a slow-burning love story, a father-daughter strong relationship, and true love of the game of tennis is at the heart of this book.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors and I will read anything she writes. Buy the book in August!!!!

Absolutely amazing. Possibly my favorite thing she has ever written, which is really saying something since her back catalogue is perfection. Reid is already on my “auto purchase” list for the library and I know our patrons will devour this.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a phenomenal writer. She knows people, and she can let you into the heads of so many diverse characters - she has proved that with her previous books and their ensemble casts. Carrie is fascinating; so powerful and determined; and I loved watching her character develop throughout the story. What I didn’t love was that this book was SO. MUCH. TENNIS. I get that Carrie plays tennis, and it’s her life, and it matters to her; but I don’t care about tennis, I don’t really want to learn all the rules, and I really want a book about relationships. So for me the story was kind of happening in between the tennis, and I got frustrated and put the book down few times because I didn’t want to read about tennis techniques anymore. This could totally be a case if wrong time for me, because I’ve read other books that dive deep into random topics, or it could be that I have a block about sports, so please read this book! But be sure to check out any of Reid’s previous novels if you feel the same way I did and haven’t read them, because they are amazing…. and there’s almost no tennis.

Book Review 📚

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I PRAYED for @netgalley to bless me with this ARC and they delivered. 🙌🙌 When I received the email that I was gifted a copy I immediately screamed with excitement, no lie. ♡
I've met with Daisy, Evelyn, Nina and now Carrie. Let me say that I loved Daisy. Everything about her story, her music and the whole vibe. It was definitely up my alley. Carrie, the goat of tennis, (which I no almost nothing about btw) is a bad bitch. I absolutely, loved everything about Carrie. This book was phenomenal. 👏👏 Taylor Jenkins Reid you did it again. Everything is strategically placed. Written beautifully like always. An absolute remarkable writer. @tjenkinsreid
You.need.this.book. 👏👏

Publication Date- August 30th 2022


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Oh I loved this! TJR is my favorite and this did not disappoint! I read it in just a few hours. Carrie Soto was in Malibu Rising but this is a stand alone—although everyone should read Malibu Rising!

I loved reading the about Carrie and see her evolve throughout her life. I absolutely adored the ending and how it softened her a touch. While I’m not a huge fan of tennis, if anyone could make that happen it’s TJR. Well written and plotted characters. Another summer stunner!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my honest review. I will start out by saying I absolutely love Taylor Jenkins Reid. She could write the phone book and I would buy it. That being said, this was not my favorite of hers, but it’s honestly because of the sports element. I fully agree this story needed to be told and it was written in a beautiful and powerful way. I love Carrie and how strong and determined she is. I love the relationship she has with her dad and fellow tennis players. The emotional aspects of this story scream Taylor Jenkins Reid. She can write emotional connections like no other. The only thing that prevented this from being another 5 star read for me was how much of the story was focused on tennis rather than the emotional connections. I would also have also enjoyed a little more of the 80’s/90’s atmosphere. I didn’t feel like I was fully brought back to that time period. If you love tennis or stories about sports then this will easily be a 5 star read. It is written well and I love the second chance element in the story. I highly recommend anyone who loves Taylor Jenkins Reid and anyone who enjoys stories about sports to pick this up. I am so excited to read whatever Taylor Jenkins Reid writes next. I am certain I will love it. Thank you again to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my honest review.

5 STARS for CARRIE SOTO IS BACK, out wherever books are sold August 30th, 2022.

Taylor Jenkins Reid strikes again! When I first saw this was her newest book focused on a tennis star, I was a little nervous. I don't know anything about tennis and wasn't sure how engaged I would be in the story. Wow, was I wrong! This book pulled me out of a reading slump. Reid's writing is engaging and addicting that keeps you turning the page. Not to mention, I love the little universe of Reid's novel characters -- a few make an appearance on this book.

Yet again, I am excited to see what Taylor Jenkins Reid comes up with next.

I look forward to sharing this title with our audience and will keep it as a potential contender for our monthly book club. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

I love TJRs writing style. I can’t get enough and I’ve been loving her complex characters. I am filled with so much emotion throughout the whole book (in a good way) I can’t get enough! I loved this one just as much as her others! Well done

Man, TJR can write a potboiler. This book was exciting from beginning to end. Carrie Soto, the title character is a real piece of work. Like Nina from Malibu Rising, and all of her other heroines, Carrie is flawed, troubled, and definitely not a angel, but she is someone you can root for. I predict this book will be on many beaches this summer. Thanks to Netgalley for the privilege of reading this book early.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again! Whether or not you like tennis or sports in general this was an interesting, fast paced story that sucks you right in.

Carrie Soto grew up knowing one thing: she was meant to be the best tennis player the world had ever seen. When she finally retires she has achieved her goal and holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles. Six years later she makes a huge decision to come out of retirement for an attempt at one more Grand Slam. Despite the odds being against her, Carrie is determined to prove that she still is the best tennis player.

This was a wonderful read and I'm sad it's over so soon. I enjoyed following along as Carrie grew up in the world of tennis. Despite not really knowing a lot about tennis I did not feel like I was missing anything. I could hear the sound of the tennis balls being volleyed back and forth. I could hear the grunts of the players. I felt like I was in the stands cheering. Watching Carrie's character grow and develop over the book was probably the highlight for me. No spoilers here but I feel like the ending was satisfying without being a cliche sports story. Highly recommend!

Crying, sobbing forever.
Carrie Soto is back and TJR is BACK!! She does it again!
Wow does TJR know how to write amazing female characters. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a tennis match in my entire life but I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter of Carrie’s matches. They all had me on the edge of my seat.

I’m in tears thinking about the relationship with her father, what a special story running throughout. Ugh, it just all makes my heart sing with joy and ache in pain knowing the journey they went on together and Carrie went on alone.
To see her growth throughout the book, her frustrations, her triumphs, and everything in between was so amazing. This could very well be my favorite TJR book to date!!!

ps - my favorite part of reading her books are the little Easter egg characters throughout :) it makes reading all of them so much more fun!
I can’t wait to see what TJR does next, just like I couldn’t wait to see what Carrie Soto did next!

Thank you SO much for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it more than lived up to the expectations. (Am I a tennis fan now?!?!)

Carrie Soto is Back [out on 8/30/2022]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Daisy, Evelyn, Nina — time to add Carrie as our next favorite protagonist in the TJR universe. I’m not sure if it’s bc I read this on the beach with my bffs or because I’ve been anticipating this one since it was announced, but everything about reading it was.. SO so good!

If you read “Malibu Rising,” Carrie Soto doesn’t need an introduction, but to recap: she is the best tennis player in the world. She won the most Slam titles of any athlete (20!!) before retiring. 6 years later, newer tennis star Nicki Chan is fast on Carrie’s heels to beat her Slam record… so 37-year old Carrie un-retires to reclaim her title. She is back!!

This book is full of a lot of *you guessed it * tennis matches, tennis strategy, and tennis terminology, but per usual TJR, it’s so much more than that. It’s a deep dive into a complex father/daughter, player/coach relationship. It’s about how women athletes are seen differently than male athletes, especially back in the 70s/80s/90s. Most of all - it’s about a competitive woman who learns what it means to succeed and be happy both on & off the court. It’s magic!!

I am usually a stoic reader, and I don’t know how TJR does it, but I always find myself getting mushy and teary-eyed near the end of her books (Not me tearing up on the plane home as I was finishing this 🥹!) I think Carrie may take my second-favorite spot underneath Evelyn (but may have to reread Daisy soon since it’s been years so it’s a fair fight!).

I’m sure the hype will be wild, but I definitely recommend getting your hands on this one when it comes out in August! 🎾💛 Already anxiously awaiting her next one!

Actual Rating: 4.75/5 (Characters 5/5 ** Plot 4/5 ** Writing 5/5 ** Vibes 5/5 **)

Carrie Soto is unlikeable in a way that few female characters are allowed to be, she is aggressive, competitive and abrasive, so of course I adored her. The novel excels at developing the characters, not only Carrie, but Javi, Bowe, and Nicki as well.

As someone with no knowledge of tennis beyond Wii Sports I often found myself zoning out during the tennis matches, particularly in the first section of the novel, but the overarching plot still kept me engaged and I devoured the novel quickly. Would definitely recommend picking up this book if you are a fan of TJR's past work.

This title was disappointing and lacked the TJR sparkle. It is sports commentary lacking plot and character growth. The character was impossible to like and I didn’t see much of a redemption within the story. Bowe was a nice character addition but they missed an opportunity for an enemies to lovers subplot. That would have been interesting. I also think Carrie should have been given a secret for readers to undercover. TJR usually has her readers uncovering something and this title missed that mark.

Y'alllllllllllll - I didn't want this to end. I could have read 500 more pages about Carrie Soto. I absolutely love anything & everything that @tjenkinsreid touches and this was no exception.

Some highlights (aka my favorite things about this book) -
💕 Huge sucker for a dad/daughter relationship & Javi was such a gem 😭
🎾 Slow burn love story 🥰
💕 Badass female protagonist - I think I loved Carrie almost more than all the other female protagonists TJR has written (minus Evelyn bc duh).
🎾 Tennis setting and y'all I knew nothing about tennis like zero knowledge, but I freaking LOVED this part of the book. It was explained and done so well.
💕 Carrie's personal growth 👏🏼
🎾 The topics/conversations around struggles that women face in a male dominated world, and how TJR shows just how strong and resilient woman can be.

I really could go on and on and on about this one! Of course there were some Malibu Rising & Daisy Jones references which was fun. I am giving this one FIVE glorious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars! And honestly would probably give it more if I could because 😭😭😭

HUGE HUGE thank you to Ballentine, @penguinrandomhouse, and @netgalley for this #gifted copy!

OH! And I have always really liked this cover, but after reading this I think it is absolutely freaking PERFECTION 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼