I'm the outlier who feels as though she read a different book than everyone else. This starts heavy on the tennis as it traces the rise of Carrie Soto to the top of the tennis world. Lots of time on the court, virtually no time at all in her head or home. I had no sense of her as a human-her competition things of her as an ice queen but really, it would have been nice to have some emotion in her private space. Then, she's forced to retire because of her knee (but when did she hurt it?) but wait-she's coming back, hitting balls with Bowe, a man who is also hoping for a comeback. And once again, heavy on the tennis except when she spends time with her father. I would have liked this more if she'd been at least a little more well rounded. There are offhand mentions of affairs (but no details), the fact that she likes raw almonds for breakfast (but what does she eat the rest of the time?) , and so on. This does trace her up and her down and her up again but really, all I got from that was that she was more committed to besting particular women than anything else. I have very much enjoyed previous books by the author but I found myself impatient with this one, turning the pages in the hope that I would find something to connect me to Carrie. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Reading this book as a person with no interest in or real knowledge of tennis, I found myself suddenly deeply interested in the merits of clay vs grass courts. Carrie Soto, a minor character in Malibu Rising, has centered her life around one thing: being the greatest tennis player ever. Five years after her retirement, at the ancient age of 37, Carrie has decided to reenter the world of professional tennis and defend her title. Part coming of age story, part finding yourself, part underdog athlete...there are a lot of tennis play by plays but it's gripping.

Okay, who knew I’d love tennis so much!?!? I don’t know how TJR does it. She has true magic when it comes to writing. The plot didn’t sound like something I’d like, but cmon! It’s TJR!!! I am blown away by this book. It might even be my new favorite of hers! And I have read them all! Multiple times!

The feelings this book made me feel.. who knew it would be so relatable. This. Book. Is. Going. To. Be. Huge.

Thank you for my gifted copy! I am going to scream about it from every roof top! This book is AMAZING.

I was thrilled to get an ARC of this book. I have been a huge TJR fan since reading One True Loves way back when. I knew then that this was an author with great talent and a lot of stories to tell. I have loved all of her books- Evelyn Hugo had been my favorite until I read this book. First off, this book brought back so many happy memories of my childhood watching Wimbledon, The French Open and The US Open with my family. I cherish those memories. I know a lot of people will be turned off by the play by play tennis but it just resurrected times of pure joy and excitement. I am NOT a sports person at all but watching the Grand Slams with my parents and extended family was like a religion for us. Carrie was so unlikeable at first and then she stole my heart. This book just kind of wrecked me with the story of Carrie and her wonderful father Javier. I have recently lost my own dear father and reading about their bond and mutual passion for tennis just brought back so many bittersweet memories. There is no one in the world who loves you as much a your father. There is also no one else in the world who keeps it as real as your father. The discussions and strategizing between father and daughter were so beautiful. I was not expecting this at all. Javier and Carrie's relationship on and off the court was the true heart of this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest opinion.

never read a TJR book I didn’t like 😍 However One True Loves and Evelyn Hugo still reign supreme in my book. This was on par with Malibu Rising for me. I enjoyed it, I’m glad I read it, but I’ve read books I liked more this year. I think the level of detail in the tennis matches just wasn’t my jam 🙈 I felt like I was reading sport commentary and while I love sports, apparently I don’t love reading about it. Who knew! I did absolutely love the father daughter dynamic and Carrie’s character. TJR always flawlessly creates characters that feel so incredibly real and all of their actions are in line with the personality she has created which I don’t think is an easy accomplishment. All in all it is definitely a good book!! Don’t get me wrong. I think the bar is just so incredibly high for me when it comes to TJR I might’ve had unrealistic expectations.

I will never be the same after reading another of TJR's masterpieces. This is an emotional read about Carrie Soto and her tennis career, both before and after. I was a little hesitant going into it as I was unsure what a book about a side character from Malibu Rising could really do, and let me tell you: I WAS WRONG. So wrong. I went from really disliking this character to rooting for her and understanding her. I was halfway through the book and didn't want it to end. You'll feel the typical TJR range of emotions and come out on the other side with a book hangover, and it is all so worth it. And then that end?! AGH! I am telling everyone I know to read this if they aren't already.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Carrie Soto is back is unfortunately one of my biggest new release disappointments of the year. I’m a huge fan of author TJR (who isn’t?!) and this story lacked the character depth and plot that all her previous novels have. I felt as though I was reading just tennis play by plays and it was just all a huge snoozefest that never went anywhere.

Wow! I have loved TJR's books, next to Evelyn Hugo this one is my favorite. I used to love tennis when I was younger and with Serena just retiring this book just felt like a different world life could've taken if I stayed on that path. Carrie was such a force to be reckoned with. This book just highlighted what women go through, historically, ethnically. just generally - but in a sports world. I also really love how she incorporates people from her previous books, it's such fun. It was an effortless read - I don't think any fans of TJR are going to be disappointed.

If you are thinking to yourself, I'm not sure I want to read about a comeback tennis star, remind yourself we are talking about another Taylor Jenkins Reid book here!! Like Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo, Carrie Soto feels like a real person. I can actually picture her on People magazine! We don't always like Carrie and I think that is in part why she is so believable. An athlete as driven as she is seems likely to have many haters

I just couldn't put this book down. And what better time to pick it up but the moment you get your kids back on the bus after summer! Make yourself a coffee or a mimosa and crawl back into bed and dig in.

I’m obsessed with everything that TJR writes. I was beyond the moon to receive this early e reader addition of Carrie Soto.

And like everything else she writes, I loved this story. Carrie Soto is a badass. I love how she’s so unapologetically herself. People say she’s ‘cold’ or a ‘b****’ but let’s be real… what successful woman isn’t called those things.

The journey she goes on in this book was beautiful. Her relationship with her dad was heartwarming. And the ending? *chefs kiss*. I just love a full circle moment.

Bravo TJR ❤️

TJR YOU HAVE DONE IT YET AGAIN!!!! WOW! This was absolutely PHENOMENAL!!!! I have so many thoughts and words and need to gather them all! An Absolute CHEFS KISS OF A BOOK! I don’t ever really read sporty books but this wow, what a amazing book!! It deserves all the stars and more!!!

“And it stuns me silent, for a moment: just how vast the gap is between who I am and how people see me.”

Taylor Jenkins Reid needs no introduction, but I will give her one anyway. Bestselling author of DAISY JONES & THE SIX, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, and MALIBU RISING, Reid is back and at the top of her game with her fourth larger-than-life heroine in the upcoming release CARRIE SOTO IS BACK.

Carrie Soto is the best tennis player the world has ever seen. And she has the titles to prove it. Coached from the age of two by her father, Javier, a champion in his own right, Carrie retires with twenty Grand Slams to her name. Despite (or, perhaps, because of) her successes, the media is not a fan, dubbing her “the Battle Axe” for what they deem to be her cut-throat rise to the top.

But six years after her retirement, Carrie watches as her record is taken by an electric new player named Nicki Chan. And so, at thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the decision to come out of retirement and attempt to reclaim her record. CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is, on the surface, a book about sports. But I am here to tell you it is so much more than that. It’s about father-daughter relationships and how much of ourselves we owe to our parents. It’s about the disconnect between public and private personas. It’s about forgiveness, and drive, and sacrifice, and how to balance them. It’s about opening our hearts to growth of all kinds. And yes, it’s also about tennis.

When I pitch Reid’s books to library patrons, I tell them that she writes complicated, multifaceted women extremely well. CARRIE SOTO is the epitome of this — weaving Soto’s desire for success with her self-doubt, reflecting her brashness against society’s expectations of what a woman’s ambition is supposed to look like. This was a fantastic reading experience, even for someone who understands nothing about tennis (I had a glossary of tennis terms open in my browser the entire time I was reading). I can’t imagine how much you tennis-loving TJR fans will enjoy it. I’m honestly jealous.

CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is hitting shelves 8/30/22. Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley for the eARC.

cw: grief

Carrie Soto is Back is the latest from Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of the popular summer books Daisy Jones and the Six and Malibu Rising. Reid is known for well-timed, fast-paced, plot-driven books that also prioritize character development, and this book is no exception. Carrie Soto is a tennis legend of the late 1970s and 1980s. Trained by her father, Javier, Carrie doesn’t just strive to be good, she strives to be the best, which she achieves when she breaks the record for most Slam titles of any man or woman. But a knee injury in her early-thirties prompts an early retirement, and in her six years out of the sport a different player, Nikki Chan, comes onto the scene and challenges Carrie’s record. Her whole life, Carrie has told herself that if she is not the very best, then she is the worst, so when Chan ties her world record in 1994 Soto decides to come out of retirement at age 37 and play the four Slam tournaments in order to defend her crown. This is a book about tennis, but it is also a book about perseverance, family, and vulnerability. While I was drawn to the tension and drama surrounding the tennis world and the outcomes of Carrie’s matches, I thought that the book could have been trimmed a bit on the descriptions of Carrie’s training program and the play by play of matches that weren’t the pinnacle of a tournament. If you love tennis, this is absolutely the book for you. If you’re like me and only know the basics of the sport, Reid will draw you in with her impeccable writing about the intrigue and politics of professional sports, even if she loses you a bit on the minutiae of how each point is scored.

As usual, Taylor Jenkins Reid writes a novel that somehow manages to hit so many emotions! Carrie Soto is an aging tennis champion trying to make a comeback to ensure her records aren't broken. She is mending her relationship with her father and again alienating opponents in the locker room and in the media.

In this novel, I was so impressed with Reid's knowledge of tennis. That information somehow really added to the story and created more depth. Carrie's troubled relationships with everyone in her life also seemed very realistic for someone in the spotlight like she was. And the little bits of insight from the sports commentators in the book were a great touch and really dove into women, aging, attitude, and how it intersects with sports. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and cannot wait to see what Taylor Jenkins Reid comes out with next!

First reading through it, I enjoyed the book. After further reflection once I finished the book, however, I realized that no matter how much I enjoyed the material, I don’t believe it’s right for TJR to profit off writing main character POCs.

I usually love Taylor Jenkins Reid's characters and the story she weaves around them. Unfortunately, this is not the case with Carrie Sote Is Back. Carrie is a retired , former Grand Slam tennis star whose record is threatened by an up and coming young player. At 37, Carrie wants to get back into the game, and works hard with her former coach who happens to be her beloved father. The premise is promising, but I could not garner any interest in the characters. They were bland and the story was a bit predictable. The plot lacked the depth of Reid's previous works.

"People act like you can never forget your own name, but if you're not paying attention, you can veer so incredibly far away from everything you know about yourself to the point where you stop recognizing what they call you."

Six years after retirement, Carrie Soto Is Back. After dominating the tennis world and earning the title of best in the game, Soto retired with 20 slam titles. After she watches her record be broken by Nikki Chan in the US Open, she knows it's time to come back and reclaim her status.
Now at thirty-seven, Soto is training and playing in a body that is nothing like it was before. Her and her trainer/dad, Javier, are determined to go through all 4 events to win more slams...and everyone is watching.

This book is stunning. Reid has a beautiful way of writing about human experience that has you questioning if these people are truly fictional. We were given a character that is not traditionally likeable, but I loved her flaws and all. From the beginning, we know that Carrie's true passion is winning in tennis, and she owns her wins with nothing but pride, and unashamed superiority. Her ego and lethality on the court earned her the title of "battle axe" and even so far as to be called a bitch several times throughout the book.
Some men's childhoods are permitted to last forever, but women are so often reminded that there is work to be done."

What I love most about Soto is that her unlikable status doesn't phase her. We know who she is right from the start, as does everyone. But she's a powerhouse and thrilling to see her accomplishments (even though this is fictional, you still get extremely invested). The harder the game gets for her, we have to see her coming to terms with losing, and deciding what this is all for.

There is a touch of romance in this book, and while I love Bowe, the best relationship in this book is not doubt that between Carrie and Javier. Reid understands what happens when a child pushes themselves to be the prodigy their parent projects them to be. Carrie's identity and happiness was contingent on her wins, and it strained all relationships in her life. Javi's pure love and pride in his daughter kept him right by her side, ready to help her accomplish exactly what she wanted, but also to undo the walls she built around herself. These two made me weep. So much beauty and heartbreak, and I loved every single word.

This is a very character driven book. Carrie, Javier, Bowe, Gwen, and even Nikki, will capture your heart. Soto is a strong, almost always abrasive, and determined woman; but you have no choice but to love and cheer for her through it all. Bowe is exactly the kind of supporting man you'd pick for a character like Soto. He is support, and kindness, and patience.

I will 100% admit that this is intensely tennis focused, but even if you know nothing about the sport (like myself) or don't even care about sports, this is worth a read. There is so much heart in every training, every game, every win, and every loss. It goes beyond tennis.

This story is for people who have been told they are "too much" or "too loud" or "too proud". TJR fans will no doubt love this, and of course we get our character easter eggs. Helloooo Nina Riva, and good bye Mick Riva!!! I cannot wait for this book to be out in the world, you will no doubt cheer, smile, and sob your way through this.

Thank you so much Netgalley, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

↠ 5 stars

Breath-taking! I didn’t think Taylor Jenkins Reid could do any better and then she takes you by surprise — much like Carrie…

The main character is everything I love and more in an MC! Carrie Soto has drive, determination, and pure will power to be the best tennis player the game has every seen. In short, she kicks ass (and yes she takes names too). But this book is about soooooo much more than a badass tennis player setting world records… it deals with family, mental toughness, grief, acceptance, and the importance of relationships.

This story fueled my inner child who had massive dreams of being an Olympic athlete one day (but was actually terrible at all sports). I was living through Carrie’s experiences. I was cheering her on every step of the way and cussing out all the reporters talking shit about her attitude just because she wasn’t a people-pleaser…

Honestly I don’t know what else to say except this is a MUST read for literally EVERYONE!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC!

I am a huge TJR fan and let me tell you this book did not disappoint. Honestly, when I first heard about this book I was like.. tennis? But I was instantly hooked. I don’t know much about tennis and this made me wanna go pick up a racket. It was so refreshing to have a main character that not everyone loves. Sticks up for her self and is SO dedicated to something she loves. The heartwarming relationship between Carrie and her father was so incredible to read. Also Carries relationship with fellow tennis players and the health competition between her and Chan. I loved how they hated but also enjoyed how much they disliked/ loved playing each other. Not all stories have the picture perfect endings and this book is exactly that. But the ending is great in a different sense? I would definitely recommend this book and just about anything else that Taylor Jenkin Reid writes.

TJR does it again! I completely ate up Carrie Soto. While I don't know a lot about tennis, I felt as though I was immersed in a whole new world, full of action, drama, and the like. Carrie is definitely that bitch and reading her comeback story was just amazing. I loved her relationship with her father, her determination to really push through and prove herself even though she was out of the sport for a while, and I though TJR did a great job on the sports scenes. Even though the tennis jargon was heavy, I never felt like I was falling behind because I didn't know the terminology. But read this gosh darn book. It was amazing.