My thanks to Random House U.K. Cornerstone Hutchinson Heinemann for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Carrie Soto is Back’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

This is the fourth in her ‘Famous Women’s Quartet’ that share a common universe and some recurring characters and themes. However, they do work fine on their own. This novel focuses on the career of a tennis champion during the final decades of the 20th Century.

Carrie Soto had been a minor character in ‘Malibu Rising’. While I wasn’t that keen on ‘Malibu’, I figured that as I had enjoyed playing tennis when younger as well as watching tennis matches, that this novel would probably better suit my tastes. Yet, I still had mixed feelings on finishing.

First some plot details: Carrie Soto is a driven woman. From a tender age she was determined that she was going to be the best tennis player that the world has ever seen. With the assistance of her father as coach, she attains this goal shattering records and claiming 20 Grand Slam singles titles. Then in 1989, aware that wear and tear to her knees was beginning to effect her game, she retires.

Five years later and Carrie and her father are watching a match at the US Open. Nicki Chan, who had been an up and coming player when Carrie retired, is now close to matching Carrie’s record. As a result Carrie decides to make a return, despite being thirty-seven.

The first part of the novel broadly covers Carrie’s early career and the rest closely details her comeback, including training, the various matches, and her interactions with other players. She is ambitious and all business, which hasn’t made her particularly popular with other players.

So, my response. Carrie was not at all a likeable character and had been given the nickname of ‘The Battle Axe’ (and worse during a hot mic moment.) I found her need to be the best of the best, rather off putting. I expect though that this was Taylor Jenkins Reid’s intent to highlight the price of such ruthless ambition.

In addition, I found the pacing a little patchy. While the author clearly did a great deal of research into the game of tennis, including its history during the late 20th Century, her depiction of match after match became a bit repetitive and it was difficult for me to get a sense of the dynamics of the players’ games in print.

I expect that it likely would have been more effective in a film or mini series than described through words. However, I did have the unabridged audiobook edition, narrated by a full cast, which did heighten the sense of immersion. I feel that it is the kind of novel well suited to the audiobook format.

Overall, I found ‘Carrie Soto is Back’ a good read and I enjoyed it more than ‘Malibu Rising’. Certainly a novel bound to appeal to readers interested in tennis.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a powerhouse! There is something so addictive and compelling about her writing - even someone with absolutely no interest in tennis will love Carrie Soto Is Back!

I will read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid! She is one of my favourite authors, an auto-buy as soon as her next book is announced. And Carrie Soto Is Back was no exception, despite the fact that I am so indifferent to sport that if this book had been written by anyone else, I wouldn't even have read to the end of the blurb, because it's all tennis, and only tennis. But because this book is written by TJR, it's gripping, engaging, flawless, romantic, and amazing all at once. You don't have to love tennis to love this book, you just have to love great books.

Another fantastic book by my absolute favourite author! I love the worlds Taylor JR creates and find myself fully immersed. A must read, 10/10, will be recommending this to everyone!

Taylor Jenkins Reid specialises in novels about the ordinary lives of remarkable people. Previous books have covered Hollywood stars, rock and roll bands and the children of the rich and famous. This time her story focuses on an all-time great tennis player who comes out of retirement in an effort to defend her record breaking number of grand slam titles that has come under threat. Though, in reality, the story isn’t about tennis at all and is really about the personal sacrifices that people have to make to achieve greatness and whether they are worth it in the end.

As with all of Jenkins Reid’s other novels, this is a masterfully told story, which is perfectly paced and with characters that resonate and feel completely realistic. In the wrong hands this story could descend into long, dull descriptions of tennis matches but the action is more often focussed on events off the court and the drama between the characters instead. Despite most of the key people in the story having huge flaws, you end up caring for them anyway and wanting things to work out for them. I’ll not spoil the story by saying too much about whether they do or not but by the end I was more interested in the relationships than the tennis matches.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. I don’t think you need to have an interest in tennis or sports to get something out of the book. It’s another superb novel from Taylor Jenkins Reid, who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Whilst I didnt love this I still REALLY liked it - just like I like everything else Taylor Jenkins Reid has written!

I would consider myself a fairweather tennis fan eg: I watch Wimbledon and get really into it but then dont watch anymore tennis until Wimbledon comes around again!! I found the sheer amount of tennis content in this book a little much - like it gets really detailed and whilst it is part of the story, sometimes I just thought enough already!!

I really liked Carrie and I love the way TJR weaves past characters into her books so we already knew who Carrie was from Malibu Rising but you dont have to have read that book to be able to pick this one up.

Basically I am a big TJR fan and I just knocked off a star for the sheer amount of Tennis detail which could put some off.

Six years ago Carrie Soto was the greatest tennis player the world had ever seen but then she retired after injury compromised her. Now, at the age of 37, Carrie sees record of Grand Slam titles overtaken by talented younger rival. Carrie determines that she will regain her record and play the four majors again but the game has moved on, faster and stronger, and Carrie is older - is she wiser though?
This is a great story in terms of actual plot but also in terms of the subtexts. Is it enough to be a success? Does that come at a price? The emotional journey of Carrie Soto through 1995 is tracked brilliantly. I also loved the references to Reid's earlier books, Carrie was a minor character in Malibu Rising but there is also a comment about Daisy Jones and the Six. In this novel the reader can see how the author is growing as a writer and I loved them from the start!

I’ve certainly not been quiet about my excitement to have a new Taylor Jenkins Reid book out in the world. Over the past couple of years, I’ve read every single book that she has released and I’ve loved them all. So, I had high expectations for Carrie Soto is Back and it lived up to every single one of them!

Within just a few pages I was pulled right inside the mind of Carrie Soto and I couldn’t put it down. I am someone that occasionally watches tennis but isn’t big on it. This book made me want to watch tennis all the time. I was captivated by the descriptions of tennis, the demanding training, the fierce competition and how Carrie needs to be the best at the game.

I adored the characters in this book. Carrie is not a likeable sports personality and she isn’t meant to be. That, of course, meant that I liked her even more as a main character. She is a sore loser, doesn’t play to her fans and she says what she thinks. Carrie captivated me throughout this book, she is an exceptional main character. Carrie is raised by her single father Javier, who I also loved. It was so nice to see a father-daughter relationship between Javier and Carrie. He only wants what is best for Carrie and you can see that immediately. Also, I have to mention Bowe and his role in this book. I was a bit sceptical of him at first but be sure to keep an open mind about this wonderful character.

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style is amazing. I love the way in which she mixes different formats of telling a story in her books. In Carrie Soto is Back, we have the transcripts as a slightly different writing format. These come in the form of articles, interviews and a few other things. I enjoy how much these add to the story in just a few pages and I’d love more books to do this. Also, if you have read other Taylor Jenkins Reid books you will notice a few little easter eggs in this one, so keep an eye out for them.

This is more than just a story of ambition. It is a story about women in sport. The double standards they face, the sexism, the need to be liked and the comparison between the male tennis players. It is beautiful. Also, it is a lovely story of the relationship between a father and daughter who is her coach and number one fan.

There is one thing that Taylor Jenkins Reid always manages to do and that is give her readers a message in her books. The message in this one is simple and beautiful. Everything is temporary and all good things must come to an end. You can try to make it last as long as possible or you can appreciate every single second of it whilst it happens before letting it go.

Overall, Carrie Soto is Back is a triumphant book that I cannot recommend enough. You don’t need to be a tennis fan to pick this book up because the stunning writing and descriptions will grip you right away. Taylor Jenkins Reid deserves all the hype that she gets and you need to give this book a read!

Loved this book of Carrie Soto fight to be the best in the world at tennis, for the second time in her career. With each match you were rooting for her to reach that goal and finding out the story behind her first wins. TJR fans will be happy to have another great read awaiting them when this is published

Okay, so this is a tricky one for me to review. I like TJR, I would consider myself a fan after reading & loving quite a few of her books at this point.
Overall did I like Carrie Soto- yes. Did I have issues with it- also yes.. which leaves me quite confused on how to rate it.

The first issue is that Carrie Soto is a POC written by a white author and I know quite a few Latinx people have an issue with this. I completely understand their point of view and value their opinion on this. From a ‘white’ reader POV, I don’t know why TJR thought it was necessary, it didn’t bring anything additional to the story or plot other than lots of Spanish dropped in (which I’ve heard wasn’t always correct but I don’t know). There was nothing really mentioned about it other than a brief paragraph about her father going to America for the first time. I completely agree with diversity in books but a community had already said they weren’t happy with TJR the first time she did it (Evelyn Hugo), so I feel like she should have listened to them.

Now my other issue- Carrie Soto herself. She really wasn’t a nice character at all, in fact she was a horrible person for the majority of the book, completely unlikeable! I could see that TJR was trying to get the reader to see her as strong willed, unbeatable, unapologetic in her greatness etc but no she just wasn’t nice!

That aside, surprisingly by the end I realised I had actually really enjoyed the book, particularly the second half. I say surprisingly because I am not a tennis fan at all and this of course was very tennis heavy, so that coupled with my strong dislike of Carrie surprised me!

Taylor Jenkins Reid has the unique ability to make you feel like you’re reading about the life of a real ‘celebrity’. She did it with Daisy Jones, with Evelyn Hugo and now with Carrie Soto. I don’t think I’ve ever come across an author who can do this as well as she can. I really enjoy her writing style and find it easy to get lost in whatever world she has created. My only minor gripe with this one was the ending, the conclusion felt a little rushed to me. I would have liked just another chapter or two.

So yes, I’m torn on my rating.
I think this should be a 4 star rating but I don’t know with the issues I mentioned. I will put it as 4 stars for now while I think on it more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Following on from Malibu Rising, the reader gets to encounter American tennis player, Carrie Soto, now 37yo, again. Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest offering gives the limelight to this character in a gripping portrayal of life and drama at the top levels of tennis. The book's focus is on things such as what it takes to rise right to the top, the sacrifices, rivalries and competitiveness and the prices paid to get there. Carrie is not the most genial character ever as she is ruthless, driven and does not care what others think of her, but she is someone you will still want to root for. The author effectively thrusts the reader into the elite level tennis world with her realistic and dynamic descriptions. Impressive and deeply entertaining with complex characters, I think this novel will appeal to many. Very worthwhile.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Random House via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

I absolutely love this author and couldn't wait for this book and I wasn't disappointed.
Carrie Soto was the greatest tennis player ever.
Bur she has upset so many others that she might be the best but she was the most unpopular.
Her father Javier had trained her since the age of 2, he wanted her to succeed, carry on his legacy.
When Carries record is broken, it doesn't go down well at all and she decides that at age 37 she will make a comeback to regain her record. with her father training her one more time.
But sports media never liked her
so that was a struggle to get them on her side

Once again the author has got everything right, great pace, making Carrie so unlikeable bit you still rooted for her.
I found that I couldnt put it down, i kept saying one more page then it was 4.30 in the morning.
You don't need to be a tennis fan to read this.
It's a cracker of a book
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED .

Description 🔖

At the time of retirement, Carrie Soto is the best tennis player the world has seen; by any measure. She worked hard for her accomplishments and sacrificed a lot to get there.

Fast forward to 1994 and Carrie is sat watching the US Open witnessing her twenty slam record being taken away from her, by a younger British player. This triggers Carrie to make the biggest decision of her career and come out of retirement for one final year, with her father as her coach and an old love interest as a training partner.

Despite her age, despite what the press say about her and despite her body’s inability to match the speed of the younger players, Carrie Soto is back in a big way.

General Thoughts 🤔

Of course my expectations were high for this book. TJR has set the bar so high for herself, I think all of her fans expect to be blown away by any work that she puts out there. Carrie Soto Is Back was a fantastic book and I did very much enjoy it. BUT. I have to say, it wasn’t my favourite TJR book.

I struggled to get into this story for about the first quarter of the book. I felt like I was waiting for something to happen but didn’t know quite what it was going to be. Once I let go of that and let myself become invested in Carrie’s fight for the top, I was hooked. I’m not ashamed to admit that there were times that I let out an audible “whoop” for Carrie.

Characters 👫👭👬

By the time I was swept away in the story, I was cheering and yelling for Carrie (in my head) like I was there in Melbourne and Paris and Wimbledon. I didn’t just want this character to do well, I needed her to do well. I knew that winning a slam wasn’t necessarily the be all and end all for Carrie and her not knowing that was what made me so invested in her. She was fantastically flawed and I’m learning that flawed characters is my love language.

Carrie’s relationship with her father was beautiful. I loved that she didn’t always like what he told her to do, but she did it anyway. It showed how much she loved and trusted him. It was heartbreaking that he thought he had failed Carrie by making her entire life about tennis and closing her heart off from anything else.

Writing Style ✍️

Honestly, there isn’t much that TJR can do wrong in my opinion. I appreciate that sometimes people can fall in love with a book or two from the same author and become biased towards anything else they do, but I have genuinely enjoyed everything that I have read of hers.

There is something about her writing that makes me feel like I’m watching a documentary or a movie. Everything feels real and she has the ability to create characters that we as readers all fall in love with and fan girl over just as much as we fan girl over Taylor herself.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

Ok, so I started this book knowing little to nothing about tennis. I spent a small amount of time thinking that nothing much was going to happen. I then very quickly felt like I was sat in the players box, cheering on these fictional tennis players, invested in their careers and their lives. TJR has done it again. Another book and more characters that I’m sure readers will adore just as much as I did.

Carrie Soto is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid
🎾
When I tell you I gasped when I got this ARC… I really mean it. I always say that TJR was the author that got me back into reading for pleasure (Daisy Jones & The Six forever has my heart) after my undergrad degree, so it was truly an honour to receive this ARC.
By the time Carrie Soto retires from tennis, she is the best player in the world. She has shattered every record and claimed 20 Slam titles. And if you ask her, she is entitled to every one. But 6 years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a British player named Nicki Chan.
At 37 years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked the 'Battle-Axe' anyway. Even if her body doesn't move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever. In spite of it all, Carrie Soto is back.
Now I was afraid of this one initially because I am not a big sports fan. I actually haven’t a clue about tennis. But holy crap was this good. Very quickly you become immersed in the world of Carrie Soto, rooting for her - both on the tennis court and in her life generally. I loved how this delved into the complexities of being a woman in sports. How wanting to be a winner brandishes you with the label of being a bitch. How showing emotion makes you weak. How no matter what you do, you’re subject to scrutiny from the media. It’s so well done and really gives you food for thought.
The drama in this novel is also immense, which is classic TJR. A will they, won’t they? trope between Carrie and Bowe, a father-daughter relationship filled with a clash of opinions but full of love, and the tension of a come-back as an older athlete. Honestly, I was hooked. Not to mention how this book fits into the TJR universe. SO clever.
There is a reason everyone loves TJR’s books. She is an utterly phenomenal storyteller who knows how to grab her audience. Definitely worth the hype it has been getting. If you’re worried about the sports element, please don’t let it put you off. It’s just brilliant.
Beyond thankful to Hutchinson Heinemann & NetGalley for this ARC ❤️

Oh, TJR.
Another book that I’ll carry around professing is my favourite, you’re beginning to hurt my arms. Carrie Soto is back had all the heart and emotion, the flaws and the cracks that I loved in Evelyn Hugo.
I cried, I cheered, and I felt so low for Carrie at so many moments in the book. The care each character gets so they fully form even off the page is outstanding, and while I’ve not ever particularly loved tennis, I loved this game. I loved each layer we delved into Carrie’s head, and most of all loved her father.
Her childhood was explored in a way that builds the foundation to the rest, giving you the reasoning to why she feels the way she does.
The commentary inside the book was a nice touch, enjoying seeing how different people (as true as it is with any sport) often change their minds or say wild things.
TJR has done it again, I adore her writing, I’d read anything she wrote, and remains still at the top as one of my favourite authors.

If you’re familiar with Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing, you will realise that often there aren’t chapters. So if you’re like me and think “I’ll read one more chapter” you’ll be reading until the end.

I wasn’t a fan of Carrie Soto at the beginning of this book, she seemed rude, unlikeable and rather irritating but in actual fact, she is just very determined and passionate about tennis.

If you really struggle at the beginning of this book, please carry on. It’s worth it.

EXCERPT: Walking through the tunnel, I can just see the edges of the court. The crowd is already loud.

The lights are on, barely brighter than the evening air. When I get to the opening, I pull my shoulders down. I roll my neck. I wipe my shoes.

I inhale sharply. I let the air leave my body like a deflating balloon. I am loose. I am ready.

ABOUT 'CARRIE SOTO IS BACK': Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, Javier, as her coach. A former champion himself, Javier has trained her since the age of two.

But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan.

At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked “the Battle-Axe” anyway. Even if her body doesn’t move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.

In spite of it all, Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season.

MY THOUGHTS: TJR has aced this!

By the time I had finished reading, I swear I had played every shot along with Carrie Soto. Do I play tennis? Not unless you count hitting the ball against the garage wall. Do I watch tennis? Only with one eye when it's on the news.

So what's the fascination? It's the writing. TJR writes with rhythm and style. With her heart and soul. Her characters are bigger than life. They dominate. Enchant. Enthrall.

I didn't like Carrie Soto at the beginning of this book; by the end I was her biggest fan.

But this book is not just about tennis. It's also about Carrie's relationships - with her father; with the other players; with herself. We are privy to her fears and insecurities; her triumphs, and her loneliness.

I cried a lot during the latter part of Carrie Soto is Back. Not great, noisy, ugly crying; just tears sliding silently down my cheeks, usually over a particularly poignant piece of writing.

Carrie Soto is Back is a read that engendered almost every emotion. When I closed the covers for the final time I felt like I had won a Grand Slam. I was buzzing. Bouncing. Energised. Elated.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#CarrieSotoIsBack #NetGalley

I: @tjenkinsreid @randomhouse

T: @tjenkinsreid @randomhouse

#historicalfiction #romance

THE AUTHOR: Taylor Jenkins Reid is the author of Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, One True Loves, and three other novels. She lives in Los Angeles.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Another cracker from this author! She had me from the first page and I could barely put this down. Its like she has crafted the best techniques from her other books and instilled them into this one. Yes, Ive read them all and this is up there with my favourites!

Carrie is one of the Greats in tennis but her record for most Grand Slams is being threatened. At 37, she will make a comeback to keep her title. She is not the most popular of stars - her abrasive personality hides the softest of insecure centers - but one cannot deny the beauty of her game and skill. We take the roller coaster journey with her of what this comeback will cost and how she is forced to evolve.

Its a story of ambition, sacrifice and personal triumph. Its exciting, fast paced and captures the thrill of tennis. But it also has charm and grit and so many life lessons. Taylor has a real talent for making the characters come to life. Her dialogue is brilliant and captures each personality so perfectly. It flows so naturally that is hard to believe it hasnt been recorded from real people.

Carries has a full character arc but it happens so gently and organically that nothing feels forced or premeditated. We ride the full journey with the characters. And there are so many wonderful characters - her father, mentor and coach, her agent, her competitors and her sparring partner. Each person is so perfectly crafted .

A real ode to tennis but with so much depth, complexity and charm. Will be recommending this one!

I would read anything that Taylor Jenkins Reid writes. Carrie Soto is Back might be my favourite of hers so far, but I love them all so it's really hard to say.

I have really enjoyed the last few books by this author, so was looking forward to this one!

Tennis legend Carrie Soto decides to come out of retirement when one of the newest stars gets too close to smashing her record. With her dad/trainer at her side, we are given flashbacks to her beginnings in tennis through to her retirement, then back to present day following her attempt at a comeback.

Nicknamed 'The Battle Axe', Carrie is not the most likeable, but she isn't out there to be liked, she is out there to win, but has she still got it? And more importantly, can she keep up with these younger players?

I really loved the relationships portrayed in this book. Carrie and her Father especially had some great interactions and seeing how their relationships under the pressure of top-level competitive tennis was interesting! I also really liked the portrayal of Carrie's opponents, particularly Nicki. I am not sure how realistic that kind of relationship would be, but it made for entertaining reading nonetheless!