TJR has done it again!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve already seen so many glowing reviews for this book so I was a little nervous about the hype. To me- this is worth every bit of the glowing attention!

Although very different from some of her previous blockbuster books, this one also contains the characters that TJR so deftly creates. Characters that, whether you like them or not, become ones you are vested in, and anxious to see where their journey takes them.

This story is an intense look at the life of a pro athlete. The rigors of training, the constant pressure to be better, the never ending glare of the public eye and the intense internal battles fought on and off the “field”. Carrie may be disliked by just as many readers as who are in awe of her.

Carrie Soto has been groomed for tennis stardom from a very young age. Her father (the very likeable and charming Javier) was a competitive tennis player and has spent his life coaching his only child. Carrie is a hard and relatively unfriendly person. Losing her mother at an early age, and driven by an endless thirst for success, she is 100% about tennis. Mid pro career, she dismisses her father as her coach and moves on to another.

After achieving the ultimate success and burning out, she retires. In walks Nicki Chan, who threatens to overtake Carrie’s Grand Slam wins record. Not one to let anything be taken away from her, after 5 years, Carrie emerges from retirement.

This engaging story will have you flipping pages, unable to put it down. It follows Carrie’s quest for a comeback,while also digging in to her backstory. Love, regret, tragedy and self realization are all included in this must read.

You will cheer for Carrie, but you may also want to slap her and tell her to chill!🤓 You will also learn how much more strategy and skill then you ever thought goes into playing elite tennis. You will adore Javier and there’s a good chance you’ll swoon over Bowe.

Is there any doubt I recommend?!! Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC to read and review. Out 8.30.22

I listened to and loved Carrie Soto is Back!

I'm not the biggest tennis fan but I do love books about sports and powerful strong women. I loved seeing Carrie's rise to the top and then years later her comeback. While it's a lot of tennis I was here for it. I felt like I was watching the big matches in tv!!

Even if you're not a huge tennis fan I think you'll like it The audiobook was fantastic so I highly recommend listening to it.

Thanks to Ballantine Books @randomhouse for my ebook copy and @librofm for the audiobook! Carrie Soto comes out next Tuesday - 8/30.

4 stars

Thorough her career as a professional tennis player, Carrie Soto shattered every record set by those before her. Deemed the "Battle-Axe" by commentators, Carrie was ruthless and made no friends along the path to greatness. Now, six years after her retirement, Carrie watches new player Nicki Chan become close to taking away all of her accomplishments. So, working with her father and coach, Carrie makes a plan to come out of retirement and reclaim her titles.

First of all, reading a book about tennis is not usually something I would choose to do, sports and me? Not a good mix. But this is Taylor Jenkins Reid, so of course I am going to read it. And the way TJR writes, even though I don't know much about tennis I was able to follow along and enjoy the story easily.

I really loved Carrie as a main character, I've always been a sucker for an "unlikeable" heroine. I felt that was TJR's intention with this character was to show how women who aren't nice or kind yet successful are treated with derision or scorn and it was a focal point in this book. To me there's nothing wrong with a confident woman knowing what she's capable of and not being afraid to use it/show it.

There's a smidge of romance in this book and I really enjoyed those parts and Carrie's love interest, I think they were perfect for each other. The real love story of this book is the love between a father and daughter and how strong that bond could be. My favorite parts of this book were the moments between Carrie and her father, sweet or not. There was a lot of emotion packed into small moments between them and I feel their relationship was the true heart of this book.

3.75/5

This book felt a lot more like Daisy Jones and the Six than Malibu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I was not its biggest fan.

I love tennis, but the amount of detailed tennis play in this book got very boring and hard to want to pay attention to. A lot of the time it felt like I was watching ESPN. I did start to like the book a bit more toward the end, and I did feel connected to the characters. In terms of plot, I just didn’t feel like a whole lot actually happened.

I am overall glad to have read this book, and I am thankful that Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group granted me an advance copy. The Mick Riva Cinematic Universe has been great fun to read.

4.5 stars rounded up!

TJR and I have a rocky relationship. I desperately want to love everything she writes, but I’ve found myself disappointed over and over. You’re probably wondering why I haven’t just given up trying. It’s a valid question. But I do appreciate her storytelling and ever since I read my first TJR novel, One True Loves, I’ve been hoping to capture that excitement for one of her books. It finally happened last year with Malibu Rising, but Carrie Soto Is Back is the TJR book to finally overtake both of them!

While everyone else gushed about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I thought it was just okay. But I find it hard to connect with novels about celebrities sometimes. I was determined to keep trying.

I was late to reading Daisy Jones and The Six because, once again, I was nervous about it not living up to the hype. But I love music. I love Fleetwood Mac, the band that inspired the book, so I thought this would finally be the TJR book to overtake all others. It wasn’t.

I went into Malibu Rising hoping for the best but with low expectations. Maybe it worked, because I finally enjoyed my first TJR book since One True Loves. When I heard her next book was about Carrie Soto, a character that made a brief but memorable appearance in Malibu Rising, I was hopeful again.

With Carrie Soto Is Back, TJR has finally written a book that captured my full attention. I know absolutely nothing about tennis, but I was enamored with the sport by the end of the book. I felt like I could understand what fans find so alluring about it. And she explained the basics so well, I felt like I finally understood more about the logistics of the game. Personally, I think TJR is best when writing from one first person POV, like Carrie Soto. The story is more powerful when it’s singularly focused.

By far my favorite part of the book is the relationship between Carrie and her father, Javier. Javier dedicates his life to his daughter and tennis. It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. They are both imperfect people who love each other completely, even to their own detriment. They both make poor decisions. But human ones. TJR has done a phenomenal job in Carrie Soto creating characters with pasts that define the people they turn out to be. Their pasts mistakes and successes support their actions.

As a little side note, Carrie and Javier would often speak in Spanish to one another and TJR didn’t always translate for the reader. It was so impactful. I didn’t need to understand every word. I just needed to know these two had a close and powerful relationship, even if it wasn’t always a positive one. BUT I was reading on my Kindle, so if I wanted the translation, it was easy to get.

One thing everyone else seemed to like about Daisy Jones that didn’t work for me was the interview style of the book; I think I would have preferred a more narrative style. Carrie Soto did have a few news articles and transcripts of sports television segments, but I didn’t mind them at all. They actually enhanced the story for me this time.

While on the surface this seems like a predictable story, it held some surprises. But even if it would have played out just as expected, I wouldn’t have minded. For me it was about the characters and not necessarily where the plot ended up. It left me misty-eyed a few times and completely satisfied with the ending. Bravo, TJR!

Look, this book might divide opinions. I certainly changed mine a lot throughout my reading.

At first, this book left me puzzled. I was doing a TJR reading marathon and read three other novels from her, and all of them (no exception) got me right in from the very start (first sentence, first paragraph, first chapter, you get the gist). So when that didn't happen with Carrie Soto, well I was worried.

But I didn't have to be. Because it delivered. This book works differently than other TJR books, where you fall from the main character right from the start, this one shows you a version of Carrie and through the course of the novel, you will learn another version of her. Her deepest insecurities, and her longings, and immeasurable ambition. You might be thinking you've seen this before, but trust me you did not. And that comes from someone who just (re)read three other books by the same author this month.

Shout out to the craft of TJR as an author, she really is out there to outdo herself time and time again. Each of her books has something unique, whether is a change in the format like Daisy jones, or being told in a single day with flashbacks like Malibu Rising. She could have repeated the formula of Evelyn Hugo over and over again if she wanted because that worked. But instead, she chose to take the main thing which is essentially famous fictional people that feel read, and she gives new life to it with each book.

Her books are all character-driven novels, and it is a testament to her skill as a writer and how incredible and believable, breathing outside of the pages type of characters she can create. Every single one of them. Carrie Soto is no different. I don't know if readers will mostly hate her or love her (I've seen some conflicting reviews) but I certainly understood her. And loved her too. She is so ambitious and driven (and so so different from the ambition you see in Evelyn Hugo) and she constantly feels the need to prove herself, to be the best, to be at the top. That shows right from the premise of the book, because Carrie was a retired tennis player, the best of players, and she decides to come out of retirement because her record is about to be broken by another, younger, player.

I connected and related to Carrie on so many levels. I feel like she is a complex and layered character. And once again I love how TJR plays with the media in her books. If Evelyn manipulates it, Daisy is broken by it, and Nina shies away from it, Carrie simply ignores it. She doesn't give a damn. And I love that about her. I love how each of these characters have their motivations to do what they do, to be the best in their fields, to conquer the world. And I love the insecurities that each of them holds behind.

From the start, I thought this book was going to be a three-star rating. By the middle, I was moving it up to a four-star. And by the end, there was nothing else I could rate it but a five. The thing is, I became so emotionally invested in this. Not only I learned an incredible amount about tennis (and in fact, I kind of want to start watching it now) but I also became invested in the games (because there are a lot of games happening here, be ready for those descriptions!) so much that I was genuinely on the edge of my seat waiting for the outcome of some of them. It was incredible.

Also, one thing we have in this story that we haven't had in those other TJR books is a good father-daughter relationship. I loved the relationship between Carrie and her father, who also happens to be her coach, they were so unique and fond of each other, and we don't get to see that with either Evelyn, Daisy, or Nina, family figures (and father's specifically) are always absent, and I loved that TJR decided to include a relationship like that in one of her books, it made it all the more special to read about Carrie's life knowing she had this strong relationship with her father.

I hope this review is one that convinces you to give a chance to this book. I think Carrie Soto is a character that deserves at least that, that you give her a chance.

For my part I am so glad I picked this up, so glad to close of my reading marathon with this book, which was a hell of a ride. So worth it.

I have really enjoyed a lot of Taylor Jenkins Rieid’a novels but this one was extra special for me because I love tennis so much! Even if you’re not a tennis lover or have never played tennis you will enjoy the comeback of Carrie and the journey she goes on. I love the way the matches were written and the anticipation felt like I was watching one live.

Another great book by TJR! Out of the TJR books I've read this one has been my favorite. Carrie is the woman you want to hate but can't...she's a woman on a mission and you have to respect that she is willing to go all in. Carrie was the best tennis player of her time but now she is close to 40 and questions if she really is done with the game of tennis or does she still have more to achieve? She embarks on a journey to figure this out. She has to confront the stigma of her past, the changes in her body, and the true desires of her heart. What a great women empowerment story that makes you realize are women held to a different standard than men, how much strength do we have inside ourselves to reach for our dreams, and rediscovering ones self can happen at any point in life.
Loved this book!

I love Taylor Jenkins Reid and devoured this book as soon as I was lucky enough to get it. Carrie Soto is a strong woman - no, that's not right - she's a badass bitch! And she kicks some tennis ass. The book is set in the 90s (my fave decade) and follows Carrie as she weighs the decision to come back to a sport she once dominated.

The story is centered around Carrie's relationship with her father, who has coached her since she was a child. Very Venus and Serena-esque, if I may. It's extremely heavy on tennis content, which I think is good to know going into it. I love tennis and really enjoyed that aspect of the book, but I can see how you might not like it if you don't love the sport.

Carrie Soto is one of the strongest characters TJR has written, but the story wasn't my favorite of hers. If you haven't read her before, I highly recommend The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising as entry points. If you want to read everything she's ever written like I do, then pick this one up!

It's always a joy to read a new book by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Carrie Soto is Back is no exception. Ms. Reid does such a great job writing about women -- people who aren't real but are ones you'll remember long after you finish reading her books. Carrie Soto will join with Daisy Jones and Nina Riva for me (still haven't read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) as memorable leading ladies.
As the book opens, Carrie has been retired from tennis for 6 years and her lifetime record of 20 grand slam singles titles is about to be tied at the 1994 US Open by Nikki Chan. Watching in the stands with her tennis coach father, Javier, she decides she needs to take her record back and play again in the four major tournaments. The book then takes us through the next year of Carrie's and Javier's lives - from the Australian Open to the US Open.
I know very little about tennis, but was fascinated by the details in the book: the practice and training regimen, playing at grand slam tournaments, and especially the psychology of competition at that playing level. You could have thought that Ms. Reid was formerly a professional tennis player!
The characters were well developed and I especially liked the contrast between Carrie and her father. She was really not a likable character for most of the book, while Javier was the opposite of the stereotypical tennis father/coach. The main storyline also kept my attention and I had to restrain myself from looking ahead to learn the results of the matches. Interwoven in Carrie's story was some interesting/annoying (and sometimes offensive) commentary by tennis broadcasters about Carrie and women in tennis. The one gap for me was the lack of information about Carrie's life during her retirement. Otherwise...a Grand Slam by Ms. Jenkins Reid.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read Carrie Soto is back in exchange for an honest review.

There were a number of things I enjoyed about this book. It was well written. The were some nice scenes, particularly between Carrie and her friend/manager and Carrie and her father towards the end of the book.
But there was also a bit that fell flat for me. I never really connected with Carrie. There was a lot of telling about her life, her fantastic tennis career, her plans, her intentions... and I did want her to succeed... but I never felt fully immersed in her story the way I truly enjoy.
It did seem to pick up a bit more towards the end, and we did get a bit more into Carrie herself, rather than just tennis, tennis, tennis (I know her life centered around the sport, but I never felt for her). And maybe that was the point, until Carrie opened up to more, but by the time the book was over it just felt a little too late.

With thanks to NetGalley for the arc in return for an honest review

If you would have told me last week that I would be giving a book about a star tennis player 5 stars, I would have scoffed at the idea. Yet, here I am, the morning after I finished reading the last words in Taylor Jenkins Reid's newest novel, giving it a 5-star review (well, 4.5 stars rounded up because I did NOT think I was going to get sucked in by a book about a tennis player).

Carrie Soto is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Period. She's been retired from the sport for 6 years, but when Nicki Chan beats her record for most Slams won, well, Carrie announces that she's coming back and thus begins her epic story of gritty determination, self-discovery, vulnerability, and love.

So, I have to admit that this is the first Taylor Jenkins Reid novel I've read. Yes, I know, I'm way behind! I've heard so many good things about her other books, that when I was given the opportunity to read this one, I jumped on it! I am so glad that I did. Carrie Soto is a phenomenal character who has so much depth with qualities that you will both love and hate. To be perfectly honest, I started out not caring for Carrie but grew to love her as the story progressed. She had to deal with misogyny and ageism in a sport that caters to the young and beautiful, especially when it comes to women players, and Reid masterfully highlighted what many real-life athletes encounter on a daily basis. I also particularly loved the relationships that Carrie had with her father, Bowe, and Nicki and how they all changed as she learned more about herself.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sports fiction, especially with a strong female MC. Even if you aren't into sports, like me, I would give this a read simply because Carrie is one bad a** individual who kept going after what she wanted until she found it.

I received a digital advance review copy of this book for free from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley, and I am leaving my honest review as a courtesy.

This book is perfection.
I'm speechless
Taking into account that I'm a rookie and new to Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing, this book is phenomenal. It's art. I don't think I ever had and ever will enjoy a book about such a competitive sport, told with the story of amazing Carrie Soto, like this one.
There will never be one like Carrie Soto.

There's a whole lot of tennis in this one. Do you need to be a fan to enjoy it? Maybe. I don't follow tennis but I enjoyed this book. It's also about relationships and the drive to be the best at something, about making your mark. But there's still much more tennis! The writing flowed well and the story was well-paced. It's just WAY MORE tennis than I wanted.

Carrie Soto is Back is a stunner. Reid puts readers out on the court, experiencing the Adrenalin, the whack of the ball, and the roar of the crowds.
I read feverishly to see what would happen. I ,owed all the strategy, the competition, and the repartee between the characters.
Carrie brought back the love of competition, the internal struggle with herself, and in the end, absolution.
Brilliant writing!

“Carrie Soto is Back” the latest by Taylor Jenkins Reid is another must read by this talented author. Ried writes her books so well and convincing that you find yourself googling to see if anyone is real as they must be.

Carrie Soto was no different and may just be my favorite character written to this point. Once again a strong female lead but Carrie is a little more cold then past leading ladies by Reid. Carrie is retired from the game of tennis but as she sees her record taken she decides to reenter the competition with her dad as her coach. Carrie is strong and determined and will stop at nothing even if it means hurting people in her way to win. Carrie gets a bad reputation due to her fierceness and unfriendly personality but all that aside you can’t deny she is great at this game and deserves it all and what a journey it is to see if she can reclaim the record . I loved Carrie and her character and that ambition is unmatched.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is out August 30th , 2022 and I highly recommend picking up another smart read by Taylor Jenkin Reid. 🎾

#julesbookshelf #arc #carriesotoisback #taylorjenkinsreid #ballantinebooks #netgalley #booksofinstagram

Carrie Soto, legendary tennis champion and winner of twenty Grand Slam titles, retires from tennis as the best ever to play the sport. Six years later at the age of 37, and her record on the line, she stages a comeback. With her father and coach Javier by her side, will she be able to battle back and win another title?

Thank you so much to Penguin Randomhouse and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. As one of my (and so many others) most anticipated reads of this year I was so excited to receive a copy, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts!

This book is . . . tennis, tennis and more TENNIS! 🎾🎾🎾🎾

The story starts when Carrie is young, and takes us through her “first act”, which although necessary, I found a bit slow. However, the excitement really picked up for me about a third of the way in when Carrie starts playing tournaments again. From that point on, I was hooked.

And there is so much I loved about this book. . . Carrie’s father and coach Javier, the love story, the sportscasters commentary, Carrie’s fierce opponents, and the many Spanish phrases (most of which I could interpret thanks to years of taking Spanish classes 🙌🏻).

This book is beautifully and captivatingly written, and if tennis is a language that you, like me, understand, it will keep you flipping through the pages. If you don’t understand tennis, you may be lost in a sea of sets, points, matches, and Slams. I’d recommend you pick this one up either way.

As usual with this Taylor Jenkins Reid, I absolutely loved this book. Very good; definitely recommend!

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh how I love the characters of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books!!!! Carrie is the best tennis player in the world! She retires and 6 years later she wants to make a comeback. Carrie starts training and honestly she is a somewhat unlikable character but you are invested in her story. Can she make a comeback after being retired for 6 years? You have to read the book to answer that question! I am not a sports person but I truly loved this book! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

at this point, i’m truly convinced that taylor jenkins reid has never written a bad book. funny enough, she’s also never written a book that hasn’t made me cry.

carrie soto is back follows carrie, a professional tennis player striving to reach the peak in her career. throughout the book, we see carrie deal with not only personal relationships, but the external relationships she has with both her competitors, and the public as a whole. we also see her come back from an injury, as she struggles with both her age and physical capabilities to reach the top of the tennis game once again.

like i said above, TJR has quite a way with crafting words in a manner that makes me sob. i loved this book dearly. i loved the relationship between carrie and her dad. i also loved the relationship between carrie and herself. seeing her grow individually as the book went on was such a joy.

thank you to both netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book. all thoughts and opinions are my own. 5/5 stars!