I love everything by TJR. Her books are so atmospheric and hard to put down. This book got me out of a reading slump and I had a great time with this book.

Carrie Soto is Back was both relatable and shocking. TJR always makes sure to pack he stories full of punch and make her characters relatable and that's no different in this book. My favorite part of this book was Carrie's relationship with sports. She sees herself as needing to be the best and that's something I feel that I and a lot of other readers can relate to. Nicki is also a great rival for the book and I feel like she was fleshed out enough to feel like a real character.

For some small notes, I really enjoyed the casual queer rep in the book. It was treated as something normal which is something I really enjoy.

Overall, While it may be more of a hit with sport lovers, I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it. 4/5.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has my heart. I love her books, especially her earlier ones. Oddly enough, my least favorite ones have been the ones that other people absolutely fawn over (Malibu Rising, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo).

Unfortunately, I had to put this in the same category. It's just that...nothing happens in this book. If you like tennis, sure, go for it, devour this book. I just found it dull and repetitive and not for me. But the cover was gorgeous and eye-catching, so I'm sure tons of people will pick this one up.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

CARRIE SOTO LIVES WITH HER DAD. HER MOTHER DIED WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG. SHE HAS BEEN PLAYING TENNIS ALL HER LIFE. HER FATHER WAS A RENOUND TENNIS PLAYER IN BUENES AIRES. SHE IS GOING TO MAKE A COMEBACK TO DEFEND HER TITLE. THEIR ARE NEW AND YOUNGER TENNIS PLAYERS. SHE CANNOT ACCEPT DEFEAT. SHE TRAINS HARD AND PLAYS HARD. I LOVE THAT READING THE BOOK BRINGS BACK NOSTALGIA. IT REFERS BACK TO THE 80'S ACTORS. EVEN PRINCESS DIANA MAKES AN APPREARANCE. CARRIE HAS ALWAYS TURNED AWAY FROM LOVE. SHE TRIED IT WITH A MARRIED MAN AND THE FANS WERE NOT HAPPY. I ALSO LOVE HOW REID BRINGS IN REFERENCES TO HER OTHER BOOKS INCLUDING DAISY JONES AND THE SIX AND MALIBU RISING. I FOUND CARRIE A LITTLE ANNOYING. ALWAYS TRYING TO BE SO PERFECT AND THE BEST. SHE WAS A SORE LOSER BUT AT THE SAME TIME WORKED HER BUTT OFF. IN THE END SHE ACCEPTS DEFEAT AND IT WAS OK. SHE WAS OK. SHE FINDS LOVE AND ACCEPTS IT. CARRIE ALSO MAKES A FRIEND IN HER #1 RIVAL.

My least favorite TJR by far..

Carrie isn’t the most likable character, I get that that’s the point but I couldn’t get myself to root for her or even care. I feel like her story could have been inspirational but it wasn’t. She was too obsessed with being the best which can be seen as a good trait but in my opinion, I hate overly competitive people. She’s also very entitled and that drove me insane as well.

I also was bored of the tennis talk. I used to play tennis through school too so it’s not even that I didn't understand. I did, I just was bored. I don’t care to read about sports. I also thought this would have benefited from reading about other characters like Malibu Rising had, in my opinion. This one just really disappointed me unfortunately!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Every story is so captivating and a Carrie Soto was no different. I will start with I know nothing about tennis. This initially was a hold up for reading this, but I’m so glad I put that aside. Carrie was a complete Bada$$. She fought so hard for what she wanted and man was I rooting for her. That being said she was kind of hateful. I felt for her opponents. When the story got to her and Bo I cheered for him and wanted him to do well on the court and with Carrie. I loved Javier. He was a great dad, coach, and person. The only thing I didn’t like….the end. I mean what was that?! Leaving us hanging! As usual, I closed the book with just as much love for Jenkins Reid and sitting her anticipating her next book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book; I’m way behind on my ARCs and this book has already been published, whoooops.

It took me quite a while to get through this book, which is more an indication of my reading slump than the actually quality of this book. I think one of the major hurtles to getting into it was the fact that I really don’t care about tennis, at all. It’s a testament to this book that I ended up caring very much about the characters and story of this book because let me tell you, tennis is not a side plot in this story, it’s the main character. This is my first TJR and I thought it was really well done overall. The characters were interesting, the story swept me up (once it got going) and I liked the writing style. Cons for me were the portions of dialogue in Spanish with no translations (this may be different in the final version but my ARC had quite a few conversations I couldn’t understand) this didn’t detract much from the story, I just wish I knew what was being said without typing it out into google translate. There is a lot of technical talk about tennis, I definitely could have done with less of that. And I didn’t love the ending. The ending of the story was great, but the actual last lines of the story, without spoiling anything, I found annoying. Overall, 4 to 4 1/2 stars, I liked it a lot!

I love TJR and will read anything she publishes, but this wasn't my favorite. I didn't mind reading it, but the storyline was not memorable for me. It was reading chapter after chapter after chapter of someone playing tennis. I needed something more. Enjoyed the ending, but this was just okay for me.

I love this author and this book worth the read! It is a little too heavy on the tennis side of things, but a great story overall.

🎾 CARRIE SOTO IS BACK by Taylor Jenkins Reid 🎾

★★★★★

🍸 Drink Pairing: “Honey Deuce” - A.K.A. the US Open’s signature cocktail! Since Ms. Soto is the Queen of the U.S Open I figured this would be perfect drink to go with this story!

Recipe:
- Fill up a highball glass with ice
- 1.5 oz Grey Goose vodka
- 3 oz freshly squeezed lemonade
- 0.5-1 oz Chambord
- Mix it all up and garnish with honeydew balls! I just used a teaspoon measuring spoon to carve the little balls and stuck them on a toothpick!

For a step by step video - check out my Reels! And for a Mocktail version - sub the vodka with Lyre’s Sugarcane Non-Alcoholic Spirit and the Chambord with blackberry syrup!

Thank you to Ballantine, Random House, and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this story!

✨Review: Wow. This book PUT ME THROUGH IT. 🥲I cried, laughed, and was on the edge of my seat for the entire book. I would also like to note that I have officially completed Taylor Jenkins Reid entire backlist - and every book she writes is amazing!

Let me say - I was not a tennis fan and literally knew nothing about the sport and now I think I literally have to be invested in tennis??? That is how powerful TJR’s writing is. I flew through this book - and I loved the intermediary chapters of sportscasters conversations and articles, it was such a nice touch.

This story is an ode to powerful women everywhere - the women who get labeled “bitchy”, who are hungry for success, and who don’t let obstacles get in their way and put them down. The message of this book is so powerful , and the relationship between Carrie and her dad, Javier, is so heartwarming and special. Not to mention the relationship between Carrie and Bowe - like come on 😭🤍 I would also just like to add that Nicki Chan is also a QUEEN.

Please do yourself a favor and go read this book. I promise you - you will be a different person once you finish it. 🥺

Another emotional attack from TJR! This was unique in its plot and I loved that aspect. I know some reviewers found it to be too much tennis, but I actually loved it. It really got me into tennis- wanting to watch it and play it! I loved the characters. The main character has a fiery spirit that I was invested in. This is a beautiful story with a lot of heart!

I went into Carrie Soto with low expectations (especially after my lukewarm feelings toward Malibi Rising) so I was surprised by how much I loved this! I don’t watch sports but tennis is one of the few I can appreciate and Taylor Jenkins Reid does an incredible job of immersing us in this competitive space. Carrie plays an interesting role of being a total rockstar (hello twenty grand slams and girlfriend still wants more!) but an underdog at the same time and I was simply fascinated by all layers that made up her complex personality. Such as, her relationship with her dad which a played a major role in the story and in my enjoyment of the book. But then all the intensity of Carrie’s drive is balanced by the slow-burn romance and steadiness of Bowe Huntley, who proves not only to be a capable tennis partner but more than just a love interest too, and provided a much-needed look into another side of her. This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2022.

In the past, TJR has fully convinced me that EVELYN HUGO was a real actress & DAISY JONES & THE SIX was a real band. and now, CARRIE SOTO will forever be a real tennis star. She’s fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. After her short introduction in MALIBU RISING, I was unsure if I could love a book starring her character — but spoiler: I loved every second of it!

If you’re a tennis fan you NEED to pick up this book. I’ve always played tennis casually with my dad, and my entire family goes to the US OPEN every summer — this year I was even lucky enough to see Serena’s last match in person! I got to read this book in late August while tennis was playing on the tv which really just aided to my reading experience.

I could go on and on about how great of an author TJR is, but we all know this and it’s the reason why her books are so popular. I was glued to this book and didn’t want it to end — Carrie is selfish and stubborn, but it makes her so likable as a character. Besides Carrie, this book also features an amazing cast of supporting characters that you really find yourself rooting for (Bowe, Nicki, Javier). I opted to do this one as a ebook, but am really considering it rereading on audio because I’ve heard such great things about the narration!

The only thing I’m not sure how to feel about is that at times, it felt like I was reading Serena Williams’s own story. Small details were sprinkled throughout the book that had me questioning if this was Serena’s own biography just tweaked. Maybe I’m reaching here, but overall I’m sticking with my 5⭐️ rating because I really loved it!

Taylor Jenkins Reid fans will love this companion novel to Malibu Rising. Focusing all on Carrie Soto, this book provides a look into a fan-favorite character from Malibu Rising. With Malibu Rising already in development, this book will provide even more fodder for fans. Set in the 1990s, this book is perfectly on trend with nostalgia. Carrie Soto is Back also reckons with another topical theme- celebrity and being in the public eye. Jenkins Reid explores the complicated relationship we can have with celebrity figures in an interesting way.

Taylor Jenkins Reid writes such fun books that are perfect for beach getaways. Readers of The Singles Game will love this one!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Carrie Soto is such a strong protagonist and although you want to dislike her you just can't. I learned a lot about the professional tennis circuit and what it takes to stay on top. Taylor Jenkins Reid once again tells an incredible saga that is filled with heartbreak and pain as well as love and good things.

I was so psyched when I got this book sent to me from @prh and was also lucky enough to have an ALC! Taylor Jenkins Reid is an autobuy author for me. One thing I love is her ability to write about such different topics and it’s done so well.

You don’t have to like tennis to enjoy this book!

Synopsis:

All her life Carrie Sotto has done one thing, and it was tennis. She is a fierce player with brut determination and that has not made her popular. Carrie and her father, Javier, who is also her coach have sacrificed everything for the game. Her father was there by her side every step of the way, except for a brief period when she rejected his help. After retiring at 30 she decides at 37 she wants to come back and beat the new hot tennis player, Nicki Chan,who has just beaten her record.

Along the way, she falls for male tennis player Bowe Huntley. He also has something to prove before he’s done with tennis. Their banter is everything and you can’t help but root for them.

Carrie is really close to her father and they have a unique dynamic since it’s been just the two of them for most of her life.

My thoughts
At first I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to connect with this book because I’m not a tennis player. I have always wished I’d taken tennis camp more seriously so I would know more about the sport!
It was a lot of tennis, but it was so well done, in true Taylor Jenkin Reid’s style! I loved that the book focuses on female athletes that are not white! It shines a light on the different treatment between the races and sexes in sports. It's also kind of a sports romance with the woman as the focus! There are a lot of tender moments of father/daughter and friendship that Carrie experiences.

Read this if you enjoy:
Sports themed books (some romance)
Strong female character
Loved Daisy Jones and the Six
Are a tennis fan

YES! I love Taylor Jenkins Reid. She is so good at weaving a story. Even when the main character doesn't seem likable, you somehow end up being invested in the story and rooting for them anyways.

I am not a huge tennis fan, so I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book or not. But, honestly while the story does center around tennis, it is way more than that. Themes of success, death, love and family are woven throughout. So, even if you don't like tennis I'd highly recommend the read.

I kept putting off reading this book. I heard over and over again about how much tennis there was in it, and I do not understand or enjoy tennis. I picked it up a few days ago, and wow. What an absolutely beautiful book this was. The story of the relationship between a father and daughter and being true to yourself and happy was amazing. I had goosebumps and tears, and Carrie Soto quickly became one of my favorite characters. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I requested this one on Netgalley simply because TJR is an auto-buy for me. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t do it for me. Carrie is solely focused on being the best of the best and obsessed with winning. I found her to be difficult to connect with and overall disliked her. There is a lot of Spanish in this book. Yes, some I could figure out based on what was going on in the story, but found myself skimming most of it because it was too much for me to stop and try to figure out what it meant.

I will point out how much I loved her Dad. No matter how awful she could be over desire to win, he was always there to support and train her.

TJR serves up another epic heroine. (See what I did there?)

It’s not lost on me that Carrie Soto is Back hit shelves just ahead of Serena Williams’s last US Open. #truegreatness #thegoat

Honestly, I’ve never really followed tennis. I do find exceptional athletes fascinating though. That drive. That commitment. That hustle.

And while Carrie Soto is, in fact, fictional, I’m not sure she could’ve felt any more real.

Best said by Elton John… the B!tch is back.

Carrie Soto wasn’t liked. She was elusive and self-absorbed and full of pride. Oh but she didn’t care about that. She only cared about being the best. And she was. But 7 years into retirement, there’s a new player who threatens to take that title away. Carrie can’t let that happen.

But the training for this comeback isn’t all physical. This time Carrie must come to terms with her inner self… Why is she so determined? What hold does “win at all costs” have on her?

This evolution of self is what catapults Carrie back into the limelight, and ultimately, cements her love of the sport anew. Excellence built on flaws.

And it was that adept character development and masterfully executed arc that was the true grand slam in this book.

Carrie Soto is a dynamic and powerful character that once again proves that Reid writes bold, brazen women like few others can.

As I often do, I partnered my e-arc with the audio. The majority of the audiobook is expertly narrated by Stacy Gonzalez. But where the audiobook really shines is in the sports commentary. Those sections, read by a cast, were *chef’s kiss* perfection. They made Carrie’s story feel even more real.

Many thanks to my partners @penguinrandomhouse @prhaudio @librofm for the #gifted copies of these.