As a massive tennis fan, I knew before I started this book that I would love it. And I was right; it’s absolutely perfect. It’s incredibly well written and nuanced with enough tennis back ground to keep non fans informed, but still pleasing fans.

I specifically waited to read this book during my favorite two weeks of the year. I felt like I was with Carrie while she was playing. I loved her mindset and going through her training practice in her younger years. But I really fell in love with Carrie when she decides to come out of retirement to defend her record of the most Grand Slams wins ever.

I appreciate how she and her father studied each player and really got into a strategy for new match. I liked that she was unapologetically herself and didn’t really care for other opinions of her, including other players, critics, and even in the news. She earns an unflattering nickname and she tries to not let it bother her.

I truly loved this novel. Not only is about my favorite sport, but it’s so much more than that. Carrie’s relationship with her father was the highlight of the book for me. They understood each other almost too well and sometimes that works against Carrie. I loved that sometimes she needed a coach and sometimes she just needed her dad. I also love how she grew with Bowe. They were both young when they hooked up the first time and it was amazing to see their relationship grow as they challenged each other in training. He was perfect for her right when she needed it the most.

It was fascinating to see Carrie learn the sport as a 37 year old during her comeback. She was no longer able to rely on her speed and needed to work on pacing herself so she didn’t tire out. She had to really adjust her own game for her older self.

I recommend this book to anyone, but especially tennis players and then cheering on Coco Gauff at this years @usopen.

1000 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a must-read author. Every book of hers that I have had the honor of reading has created a rollercoaster of emotions. Reid has a way of writing characters, relationships, and situations where I have connected so deeply to the characters emotions and to the plot itself, that when I have completed the book, it stays with me for months, and even years after. Carrie Soto has immediately been added to that list. I feel most appreciative to have received an early copy of Carrie Soto is Back through Netgalley, and because the writing and storyline was so incredible, I bought two physical copies on its publishing day. I really don’t have enough words to explain how deep this story cuts you. The insider feelings of being a woman in sports, and the moments shared between a father and daughter. I was rooting for Soto this entire time, and I still will as I reflect on the piece for a while after I’ve finished. If you loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Malibu Rising, this one is a must read.

A fun read with a strong female lead. I especially enjoyed the intensity I felt during the tennis matches. It felt like I was there watching, holding my breath and waiting to see who would win each match.

I'll ready anything by TJR, I'm absolutely devoted to her, but I think this is her weakest book. The character was insufferable and listen, I know she's a pro tennis player, but I was so sick of tennis by the end.

The hype with Taylor Jenkins Reed is real with SOME of her books. Carrie Soto is Back definitely one of those that I would love to see made into a movie.
A broken athlete wanting to return one more time to the fray to prove to herself that she is still worthy and not ready to be dismissed, is something everyone can cheer for. Is Carrie the most likeable person? No, but that doesn't stop readers from wanting her to succeed, find love and be happy reveling at the same time in her imperfections..

I loved the sports aspect with the occasional sports announcer chapters. I thought Carrie's character was interesting and her character development was strong.

This is a classing Jenkins Reid novel. As a tennis fan I loved this book, if you aren't familiar with the game you may find the technicalities difficult to follow. Regardless, it follows being a women, a competitive women who isn't here to please, in sports. Which I found very interesting,

Carrie Soto is Back unfortunately just wasn’t the book for me. I felt like this book could have been edited down into a short story since the middle portion was basically just chapter after chapter of her training. I liked the beginning and the end but I did find it way too long.

I'm still thinking about this book after reading it several months ago... TJR has done it again. Carrie Soto comes out of retirement to compete again on the WTA, specifically the Grand Slams. She trains hard to get her body back in shape to compete with athletes who are nearly 20 years her junior. Complete with love, heartbreak, and struggle, Carrie Soto has all the feels and especially hits for my tennis girlies out there. 10/10 once again from TJR

Being that Seven Husbands is hands down one of my absolute favorites, Carrie Soto had a lot to live up to! It was a good book, pretty well paced and definitely, as other readers have pointed out, more about perseverance and relationships than tennis. Even if you know nothing about tennis, or you don't necessarily like tennis, you'll still enjoy the book! I was on the fence at first about how I felt about Carrie, but I did end up liking her and pulling for her, as most readers probably do. She definitely does not have that "likability" quality that a lot of characters have that grab you, but the way TJR writes her makes you want her to pull through, to show everyone what she's made of in the end.
I went through every emotion reading this book and enjoyed every one of them. While it did not live up to Seven Husbands for me, it certainly was worth the read! 4 stars!
Thanks to Taylor Jenkins Reid, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Just amazing... I knew TJR was going to tear out my heart... I knew it.
Loved carrie, loved her strength. Loved her relationship with her dad. Loved how the author developed Carrie, Chan and Bowe. Loved the shout out to Daisy Jones and the Six. Just an overall, great book!
I can easily say that TJR is an authomatic to-read for me!

My love of Daisy Jones and the Six is strong and deep, as is my love of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Both books cemented Taylor Jenkins Reid as a must buy. I had mixed feelings about Malibu Rising (though I enjoyed it more than I didn’t, if that makes sense) and was so unsure when the next book in this universe TJR created was going to be around Carrie.

Carrie was introduced to us in the not best light in Malibu Rising. Set in the 90s, Carrie is in her 30s and is a now retired professional tennis player. She grew up playing tennis and made her name known during her time playing. Carrie decides to come out of retirement when her record is about to be passed.

This book is about relationships, which TJR excels at. The main relationship being with Carrie and her love of tennis. The father/daughter relationship hit me hard. The romantic relationship with another tennis player seemed so forced to me at times. I liked Bowe as a character and felt their dynamic playing tennis was really interesting.

As a non-sportsperson, I was curious if I would like the tennis angle. And I actually did. There is A LOT of tennis, though. I couldn’t relate to Carrie’s ambition but seeing her love of the sport through her eyes was actually well done.

But let’s be real: why was this story made? I have been keeping up with the discourse about this but I just don’t understand why TJR felt she needed to tell a story from a Latina’s perspective (again) — with a lot of untranslated Spanish dialogue throughout (something a Latinx author most likely would not get away with) — when the only times it was obvious the characters were Latinx were during the Spanish dialogue/random mentioning. There was a small part where racism and homophobia within tennis was touched upon but it wasn’t even a fleshed out thought. To have used her platform to really discuss this would have been fantastic.

TJR writes accessible literary fiction that just draws you in. With this book, there some choices that were made that should have been reassessed. And I really wish she would have a real conversation about this with someone, instead of just using buzz words/phrases to try and take some heat off of her.

I absolutely loved this one! I was completely immersed in this story. Carrie Soto retired from tennis at the top of her game and years later, comes out of retirement to take back her title. The unconventional writing style, the flaws/vulnerability of her characters, and the subtle connection that you build with each of them, this is why I love Taylor Jenkins Reid. One last thought, I loved Bowe and Javier…that is all. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for this e-ARC for my honest review.

Taylor Jenkins Reid's "Carrie Soto Strikes Back" is a triumphant and enthralling sports novel that will leave readers cheering. With its fiercely determined protagonist, gripping plot, and poignant exploration of sacrifice and redemption, this book shines as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Reid masterfully captures the complexity of Carrie's character. As a fierce and relentless competitor, Carrie is unapologetically ambitious, determined to win at any cost. Yet, beneath her tough exterior lies a vulnerability and a deep longing for validation. The author skillfully navigates Carrie's journey, delving into her past, her sacrifices, and her tumultuous relationship with her father, who served as her coach. Through Carrie, Reid explores the price of greatness, the sacrifices made in pursuit of one's dreams, and the toll it takes on personal relationships.

Reid's writing style is captivating, with vivid descriptions that bring the world of professional tennis to life. The matches are depicted with such intensity and detail that readers can almost feel the adrenaline pumping through their veins. Moreover, Reid seamlessly weaves in themes of identity, forgiveness, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment, elevating the story beyond a simple sports narrative.

"Carrie Soto Strikes Back" is a deeply resonant tale of redemption, reminding us that success is not always measured by trophies and records. It explores the complexities of human ambition, the sacrifices required to achieve greatness, and the profound impact of second chances. Reid's masterful storytelling and empathetic portrayal of Carrie's journey make this book an absolute winner.

Taylor Jenkins Reid once again proves her prowess as a storyteller, delivering a five-star novel that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. This book serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of greatness is not without its costs, but it's the resilience and determination of the human spirit that truly defines a champion.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Carrie Soto is BACK. I love everything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes.

If you are interested in a female-driven comeback story- and you loved Reid’s other novels- this is for you!

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

Gah!!! TJR is becoming a fast favorite and I didn't think I could love anything more than Daisy Jones & The Six, but this was just as good! Such a good character, such a bada**!! Can't wait to read more from her!

I have read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books and unfortunately, this is my least favorite. Don't get me wrong, in typical TJR fashion, the writing is phenomenal. I just could not keep up with the tennis talk. It kept me from really grasping the storyline until towards the end. Overall, I loved Carrie's bada** attitude and the relationship she had with her father.

My favorite TJR yet. Pulls together all the energy of the past 3 heroines and ends the series with rapid honesty, excitement, and talent.

Wow this book is a lot of detailed descriptions of tennis and it is not for me. DNF at page 63. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the free ebook to review. I tried starting this around when it came out and it didn’t work and I thought maybe just bad timing. I tried again now and am calling that it just isn’t for me.

Possible spoilers ahead. I also just really really don’t like Carrie. I can sometimes stay on the ride with unlikable characters but that plus allllllll the tennis talk is too much for me. Right from the very start when Carrie had to decide to go back to tennis because someone was beating her records from years ago I thought - but why? Do you need to keep the record of most wins forever??? Someone had it before you and someone will have it after you. Let go. And know what? This is probably why I’m not the GOAT of anything. Because that doesn’t matter to me. And was a good sign this book wasn’t for me. I still love TJR though and am excited for whatever she writes next.

I don't know why I couldn't get into this. I've loved her other novels. Somehow the plot just didn't do it for me.