I really have little interest in tennis by TJR made me so committed to Carrie. I was reading on the edge of my seat just waiting for see how to all turned out. I love the cameo of mick and the unsalted almonds references. Excellent story about grief and meeting goals.

Carrie Soto is destined to be the greatest tennis player of all time. That’s what she’s been told as a little girl by her father, Javier “The Jaguar” Soto, a former professional tennis player and also her coach. Crowned “the Battle Axe,” Carrie is cold and abrasive, but her determination gets her what she’s been working for her whole life - she retires as the greatest of all time.

Fast forward a few years, and Carrie has now been superseded by Nikki Chan, who passes Soto’s record. Having something to prove, Carrie comes out of retirement at and is back on the tennis court at 37 — working not only to be the oldest player to win a Slam, but to regain her title as the greatest player of all time.

There is so much I loved about this book. From the 90’s pop culture references and other TJR characters interwoven to the little nuggets of motivation we get from “The Jaguar.” Carrie’s inner dialogue is so vulnerable and beautifully written, you feel like you’re inside her head. I didn’t find her character likable in Malibu Rising, but you can’t help but root for her in this book because she's unapologetically herself. Carrie’s hard to relate to with her undying commitment and obsession with the sport, but that’s what makes this book so captivating. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel reading about tennis matches, but TJR gives the reader so much action and anticipation that you feel like you're there. A couple other things I loved was the relationship between Carrie and her father (it was so heartwarming that Javier becomes a crowd favorite), and the rivalry between Carrie and Nikki… you can’t help but to love them both.

I did find the Spanish dialogue a bit difficult. Loved that it displayed her culture, but there wasn’t much translation so I was relying on my high school Spanish to try to figure some of it out. There's also an event that happens with Carrie’s dad toward the end. Don’t want to spoil it but felt like it happened so fast and came out of nowhere that I found myself flipping a few pages back to see if I missed something.

Favorite quote (there were too many but this was my last): “I did not pick up a racket to grow tense and weary and afraid of failing. I picked it up to feel the joy of smashing a ball as hard as I can. I picked it up to spend time with my dad.”

Overall TJR’s newest read does not disappoint - a five star in my book.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. She has written a beautifully moving story of family, love, and determination. Carrie Soto is a rough around the edges kind of character that you can’t help but love for her sheer grit. I will always highly recommend her books to everyone and this book is no exception. On the favorites list it goes!

I love a Taylor Jenkins Reid book! I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the book, because I don't watch or have an interest in tennis. But TJR immediatly sucked me in and I grew to love Carrie. Oh and I loved her precious Dad.

Wow I was blown away with this book! Well written and filled with so many messages. This is a story that will stay with me. I always look forward to the connections to past characters and Taylor Jenkins Reid never disappoints. Carrie Soto is Back is a 5 star read that with emotion- this story tugs at the heart strings as Carrie is hoping for a tennis comeback. I really don’t know much about tennis but this book drew me and also opened my mind to tennis too.. i even watched Wimbledon. after I finished this amazing book!!

I loved Carrie Soto so much. She is theirs badass pro tennis player who decides to step out of retirement when her greatest accomplishment, the most Grand Slam wins, is being challenged by a new up and comer. Her dad is her coach and they have such a heartwarming relationship that made me smile several times while reading. Her mental game is so tough but you can’t help rooting for her. This will be a another winner for Reid.

I loved this book so much and perfect time to share this with #wimbeldon.
@tjenkinsreid has a way that just completely engulfs me in a story. Once I open one of her books I just cannot stop. I don’t know another fiction writer out there that writes characters that you believe are real and she does it again with Carrie Soto. I love Carrie. She is raw. She is flawed. She is unfiltered and unapologetic and above all she is real, and I simply adored her father.
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I also love the way Reid writes these worlds and weaves her previous books together with little Easter eggs. I absolutely loved this one.
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Get this book on your list now for August 30th!
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Huge thank you to #ballantinebooks and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I alway enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid and her newest is no disappointment. A powerful female athlete not afraid to go for it, yes please! This is a book about strength, grit, determination and about change and strength of family. Keeping your eye on the prize has its cost and being number one is lonely. Even if you know nothing about tennis the fast pace of this book will keep you engaged.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is back, y'all and she is FIERCE!
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It seems to be my theme when I get a new TJR book that I head to the beach and I don't leave until the book is read. I read Carrie Soto is Back essentially in one sitting today.
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I was enthralled with the character of Carrie, pro-tennis player whose determination to win at all costs has cost her popularity and relationships in her years.
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The story starts with Carrie's father, tennis pro Javier "the jaguar" Soto. As her coach, this dynamic duo is unstoppable and Carrie quickly rises to the top, smashes records and all competition.
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When a new up-and-coming- tennis star threatens to take Carrie's world record title away, it's time for Carrie to come out of retirement and defend the title. Can this ruthless player take it all? Is the b*tch back, as they say?
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I love Carrie's relationship with her father and both he and some of the supporting characters had me just as invested as I was in Carrie's story. This one will be an instant hit for readers-that's for sure. Thank you to NetGalley and to PRH for both the digital and physical ARC.

I loved the last book this author did and this one didn’t disappoint. Definitely had all the elements I was looking for in a book. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone
She is the best

My first book from Taylor Jenkins Reid and won't be my last. This was a good read and really enjoyed this from start to finish. I will read more of her books.

4/5

Renowned athlete Carrie Soto quickly surpassed the masses to become one of the world's most legendary tennis players. Aided by her cutthroat attitude, her passionate coach of a father, and her willingness to win no matter the cost, she broke nearly every record and managed to collect twenty Grand Slam titles in her time. Six years after her retirement from tennis, an upfront spot in the stands at the 1994 U.S open to her record's demise compels Carrie to come out of retirement and reclaim what was taken. This tremendous decision will have Carrie relying on her father to coach her again and pair her up with the very person to whom she almost gave her heart. One final season to win or lose, and make her mark on the world for a final time.

Author Taylor Jenkins Reid returns with Carrie Soto is Back, a relentless and immersive portrayal of a female athlete's legendary tennis career. First introduced to Carrie Soto back in Malibu Rising, I could not imagine Reid’s next book would center around her, yet I was all the more excited having learned so. Carrie Soto is the high-stakes entertaining read I needed for the summer, full of all the twists and intricate relationships I've come to expect from its author. Not only is this novel comprised of all things tennis, but a touching father-daughter relationship over the years, and an assessment of the media’s treatment of women in sports. Carrie herself is an easy character to fall in love with, wonderfully vicious, and determined to claim every victory. Her journey took hold of me right at the beginning, with the decisive introductory chapter of a retired Carrie witnessing the downfall of her legacy and deciding to take action. From that moment on, I was here for every upswing and countermove on her path to reclaiming her title. In standard fashion, Reid has created a heroine that is uncompromising, but in different ways from those of her previous novels. I really appreciated reading about Carrie’s dedication to succeed and the sacrifices required in order to make it to the top as a world champion. Reid does an incredible job with the setup and payoff here, especially regarding the initial and final chapters of the story. The mirroring of those two moments was equally gratifying as it was vindicating on my part of having called it from the very start. Tennis may not be my forte, but this novel certainly makes you feel a part of the game. Taylor Jenkins Reid has become a staple author for many, and Carrie Soto is Back is her next unapologetically fierce read to devour.

An absolutely fabulous read, one of my favorites of the year so far. Reid has an uncanny ability to write with effortless, breezy charm that makes reading her books so easy and delightful, even when the subject matter is not something you think you care about. I don’t know anything about tennis, but since I finished this book all I wanna do is watch or play tennis. She makes you believe in the characters and the stories all while giving you prose that is effortless, ethereal, and genuinely emotional. I can’t wait to read my next book by this author, I just know it will be as good as this one.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a gift for making characters so real that I wish I could look them up in Wikipedia and watch footage of them on YouTube. Carrie Soto is another great character. I’ve read reviews that said that this book is all tennis—it is, so keep that in mind. Despite having absolutely no interest in sports, I was captivated with every tennis match. That’s where all the drama is…is she going to win this one? You just never know.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.

This is one of my favorite reads this year. TJR envelopes you in Carrie Sotos world. I honestly felt like I was at the games with her.

Absolutely, truly stunning. TJR is a must-read author who tugs at your heartstrings at every turn. This book had me laughing out loud on one page and then sobbing the next. The way she writes familial connections is so incredibly heartwarming and true. Thank you so much NetGalley for this early preview, I cannot wait for the world to meet Carrie Soto!

2.5 stars, with the admission that maybe sports books are just not my jam? I think even if you enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books (I really liked Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo - was not huge fan of Malibu Rising) this one is a departure in structure. There is a lot of tennis. Like, a lot. Like... just too much. And tennis being a solo sport, there is a lot of solo time with Carrie. Sure, there is some time with the supporting characters, but SO MUCH OF THIS BOOK is Carrie playing tennis, thinking about playing tennis, watching others play tennis, just in her head thinking about being the best at tennis. The plot is fairly predictable and just... not that interesting? I kept reading because TJR's writing is certainly readable, but I was relieved when it was over and I didn't have to read about yet another tennis match.

This will be my top book of the year, HANDS DOWN. TJR has done it again. She has sucked me in with a dynamic female lead. Carrie Soto is one bad-ass-bitch and I LOVED HER SO MUCH. I loved her character arc . I found myself holding my breath through each tennis match (and I honestly know nothing about tennis). I loved her nods to previous characters and books. This book had my sobbing crocodile tears and also smiling ear to ear. For me, it is in the sweet spot of interesting plot with dynamite characters.

I loved this book! Taylor Jenkins Reid kills it again, and did such an amazing job on this story. I was so emotionally invested in Carrie Soto, and had actual tears streaming down my face as she was dealing with her grief and her successes. Javier Soto has my whole heart.

Taylor does it again! I'm always so obsessed with the characters she writes. The characters aren't always someone you want to like or root for but I always have to keep reading to know what happens to them. Carrie Soto is Back is an absolute must read. Even if you don't know the game of tennis, Taylor does a great job of explaning all the terms. I always feel like I'm apart of Taylor's books, always so invested in the characters and storyline.
I absolutely loved reading about Carrie's father and their whole back story leading up to Carrie's Tennis career.
A must read!