A rousing tale about a strong female athlete; I didn't expect upon first meeting Carrie Soto in Malibu Rising that she'd be such a compelling protagonist. I like how Reid structures the book by first detailing Carrie's road to tennis dominance and downfall to help pave the way for her thrilling comeback. Carrie's relationships with the various secondary characters are all interestingly explored, and I particularly liked how much her attitude toward Nicki transformed as she got to know her better. There is a strong emotional pull present from the very beginning enhanced by a plot development in the final third that makes the climactic match very rewarding to follow, and the ending of the book is immensely satisfying.

Wow!!! I never knew I needed more of Carrie Soto until I read this book! You do not need to be a tennis fan in order to love this story. You didn't have to read Malibu Rising either, but I would highly recommend it.
Carrie Soto is a world class tennis player. In this book, we follow her through her childhood, watching her father play. As she got older, her father began coaching her until she became a world class player.
Carrie retires after a career full of trophies and wins, but she feels the need to return; to defend her title. She is training for the biggest comeback in all of tennis.
The relationship between Carrie and her father make this story one that anyone can read, enjoy and even cry with.
Does she come back? Does she keep her title? That's what kept me turning the page with this book. It was hard to put down!
One question for TJR- there was quite a bit of Spanish spoken between father and daughter. I needed to use google translate to understand their conversations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this advanced digital copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Tennis lovers will especially enjoy Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A gifted author, Reid turned tennis into a five star read despite the fact I care nothing about the subject. Reid could write a phone book and make it interesting, as the old saying is.

Synopsis:
Legendary tennis player, Carrie Soto was raised by her father who was also her coach. Her record of 20 Grand Slams has not been surpassed even after her retirement. At thirty-seven years old, she is not about to let it happen now. In order to protect her winning record, Carrie prepares to make a comeback. Can she still hold her own against the younger competition?

Carrie Soto is Back is an amazing story not to be missed by sports fans. It is an intriguing look at the stress and emotional side of being famous. Reid takes readers on a fascinating journey through a world most of us don't fully comprehend.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is available on August 30th.
(5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Ballantine Books), for allowing me to review this thrilling book by the brilliant Taylor Jenkins Reid.

#CarrieSotoIsBack, #TaylorJenkinsReid

My unexpected visit to stay with my parents in tennis haven Hilton Head Island aligned with week one of Wimbledon, constantly shown on the TV and discussed over dinner each evening. It made for the perfect setting to dive into my ARC of Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
When I first heard about this release, I reread Malibu Rising via audiobook to remind myself exactly who Carrie Soto was, in order to get even more excited for this book. It wasn’t necessary to do, but if you’re looking for something to tide you over until this one publishes at the end of August, I recommend it since Julia Whelan does a fantastic job with the narration (as usual).
I am a big sports fan in general, but other than many years of summer camp tennis instruction and watching major tournaments, I have limited experience with tennis. If you are a tennis fan, you will likely love this book. If you aren’t, you need to be aware that there is a lot of tennis involved. I’m not saying that to deter you, but I want you to know what you’re getting into when you start it. TJR has a way of making historical fiction seem like fact, and if I didn’t know as much as I do about tennis history, I probably would have Googled to see if these players/matches were real (like I did when reading Daisy Jones!). The storytelling is just that good! I took my time reading, stretching my enjoyment over a week to really savor this book.
Carrie Soto is a tough, no-holds-barred, devoted tennis player. Her relationship with her father, also her first coach, ebbs and flows realistically. The book focuses on Carrie’s decision to return to the sport she loves, in her late 30s, after several years of retirement. Carrie attempts her comeback by training for and competing in all four major tournaments in 1995. She works her butt off to return to peak physical condition to earn the recognition she feels is deserved, and to maintain her record of having won the most major titles. Who can help but cheer for the comeback kid?!
Amazing work, TJR. Many thanks to @randomhouse #ballantinebooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Carrie Soto is Back will hit shelves 8/30/22, and it would be a great Labor Day weekend read - especially if you are near tennis courts!

Carrie Soto, a retired tennis player who holds the record for the most Slams won, sits on the couch and watches another woman, Nikki Chan, take her title. It is at that moment that Carrie decides it is time for a comeback. Carrie begins training with her father, a wonderful tennis player in his own right. Together, they determine her best strategy and what she must work on in order to succeed. As Carrie fights her way through the roster of the women's tennis circuit, she realizes that there are those who she will have to fight hard to beat. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that she beats Nikki Chan thereby keeping her record intact. When Carrie Soto puts her mind to something, she works until she achieves her goal.

I am a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, ever since Daisy Jones & the Six, and this book is a very good reason why. She always tells a wonderful story that draws the reader in and makes you want to get to know the characters better. I found Carrie relatable and definitely wanted to see how she ended up - whether she beat Nikki and if she ended up happy. I truly appreciate the way Reid always finds a way to interweave her other stories into current ones, it's like she is making her own multiverse and I would gladly live there.

I do not know much about tennis, but learned a lot by reading “Carrie Soto is Back,” which is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest yummy novel, author of such greats such as “Malibu Rising” and “The Seven Husbands of Evenlyn Hugo.”

Carrie Soto is a a tennis legend, raised by her father who also coached her. Though she is retired, no one has been able to beat her record of 20 Grand Slams. But at the age of thirty-seven, she is ready to make a comeback so that some tennis newbie will not steal her claim to fame.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a fantastic storyteller and this is a book that you’ll happily stay indoors on a bright summer day to read. The author clearly understands the fragility of fame, especially when there is always someone brighter and better around the corner. Carrie was a bit of hard-edged character, which does not always make her sympathetic. I wasn’t quite in love with this book as I was with “Malibu Rising” (and I did skim some of the parts of the novel that heavily focused on tennis), but a true Taylor Jenkins Reid fan will not be disappointed.

Three and a half stars.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to give this novel an early read.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has such a captivating style of writing, and it especially shines in this novel. It wasn't until about halfway through the book that the pace picked up and Carrie really started growing on me - she went through so much growth and by the end I absolutely adored her. The relationship between Carrie and her father was so beautiful, and I loved how much Gwen and Bowe supported her through her comeback. This book was jam-packed with tennis, and even knowing nothing about the game, you finish this book being so enamored by tennis as a whole and honestly I feel I could go sit in the stands of a tennis match and follow along, something I couldn't have done before reading this book.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is back and living up to her reputation for exceptional novels. Her newest contemporary fiction, Carrie Soto is Back is sure to be a huge hit!

Carrie Soto has retired from her tennis career after winning a record twenty grand slams. Known for her drive and determination, she wasn’t a fan favorite and was dubbed “The Battle Ax” by the sports media. After watching the newest tennis star, Nicki Chan, break her record, Carrie decides to come out of retirement. With her father by her side and back as her coach, Carrie begins a grueling schedule to get back in shape.

Fighting the limits of her age and her body, Carrie’s journey is written with detail and emotion. Taylor Jenkins Reid brings the sport of tennis to life in a way that will appeal to both tennis fans and those that know nothing about the sport. Reid weaves timeless issues of male and female stereotypes in sports and the pressures of fame into the novel. A book that’s hard to put down, easy to finish in one sitting and the perfect pairing for watching Wimbledon or the US Open.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the opportunity to review this book before its release.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me preface this review by saying that I love pretty much everything that Taylor Jenkins Reid has written. And I love most sports.

However, tennis is not something that I follow or know much about. And although TJR's books are an automatic read for me, I honestly didn't have high hopes for this one. Tennis? Eh.

I was wrong. I'm probably still not going to be watching the US Open or Wimbledon, but I was riveted by Carrie Soto and her comeback. Carrie is not very likeable, but somehow, she won me over. And Bowe Huntley? I'm a fan.

This book is very much about tennis, but it is also very much about relationships and finding yourself. Carrie Soto's comeback will keep you on the edge of your seat - even if you are not a tennis fan.

Can our queen TJR write another phenomenal book that lives up to the legends that are Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and Nina Riva? Hell yeah!

This book was impossible to put down and got me right in the feels. The characters jump right off the page and leave their indelible mark on you. I adored Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones but by the time I got round to Malibu Rising, I was tired of reading about yet another extraordinarily beautiful and universally adored sex icon.

Carrie, however, is such a breath of fresh air! She's not the easiest person to like but make no mistake — she's not here to be liked. She's here to win. She's unapologetically herself and doesn't mince words. But you will love her anyway.

The supporting cast was just as fantastic. Everyone was so well-developed and had terrific character arcs. I thought I was prepared to be emotionally wrecked but ended up crying anyway. Even though I couldn't get enough of the book and its larger-than-life characters, I loved the ending because it just felt so fitting and integral to the entire story.

I really enjoyed how the book explores timeless themes such as sexism, the impossible and double standards that women held up to, the pressures of fame and more. Also, the little nods to other TJR books had me squealing like the fangirl that I am. Eeeek!

Don't be put off by complaints about this book being sports-heavy. I have zero knowledge of tennis but relished every moment of this fast-paced and gripping novel. If anything, I found it all super exciting and fascinating! The writing was clear, descriptive and easy to understand without being too technical. I actually felt like I was right there in the stands watching and cheering for Carrie.

But that's what TJR does. She creates legendary and unforgettable icons that stay with you long after you turn the last page. And in Carrie Soto, we have a goddamn warrior. A freaking king. The greatest of Greeks. Watch out, world 🔥

I found myself fully absorbed into the tennis world while reading this book and following Carrie on her comeback. Relationships are tantamount here, tennis, family, business and romantic. A great inside look at the world of championship tennis, and another fantastic book by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again. This is my fourth TJR book and I am hooked!! Her ability to pique my interest of topics I have little knowledge of is stellar. Love the writing style, attention to detail of the subject, and dedication to fleshing out her characters.

In this book the reader sees Carrie Soto’s growth as a person and a champion tennis player coming out of retirement. We get to witness Carrie’s relationship with her father, agent, practice partner/friend, opponents, and the press while also getting to know herself. She is coming to terms with her place in the game in the past, at present, and in the future of the game. I enjoyed learning more about the sport, what it takes to be an elite athlete, and all the details of the matches. I think I would have loved to read even more about her rise in the tennis world even though that wasn’t the focus of this novel.

I really just loved this book. Dare I say that it might be my favorite TJR that I’ve read (idk Daisy Jones was kind of perfection). Definitely would recommend this book especially if you have enjoyed other books by this author.

I love every book that TJR has written and this one did not disappoint. I was easily transported into Carrie’s world, so much so that after I finished reading the book I started googling tennis lessons near me. TJR is such a talented writer and this story and characters felt so real. I connected with Carrie’s imperfect relationship to her father, felt frustrated with her attitude and stubbornness, but also excited for her success. One of my favorite books I’ve read recently and am very grateful for the opportunity to read it early.

I was riveted from the very first page of Carrie Soto is Back! It is a quick read and I would have probably finished it in a day or so if I wasn't that busy. Carrie Soto is a minor character in her last book Malibu Rising, but you do NOT have to read Malibu Rising to fully appreciate Carrie Soto is Back. I am a huge tennis fan and I love playing tennis and watching matches. There is a lot of "tennis talk" in this book, which I liked, but I'm not sure if a non tennis fan would be quite as interested. Tennis is a mental game and that is what I liked best about the way TJR approached this story. She focused on the mental game on the court and off the court, particularly Carrie Soto's relationship with her father, her mother, her significant others, her friends, other tennis players, etc. There is so much emotion on every page. I felt like I was sitting in the stands watching these tennis matches and practice sessions. It's a beautiful, yet vulnerable story and a true page turner, especially during the play by play of her epic matches. There is even a love story, of course, because this is what Taylor Jenkins Reid does best. The characters are so well developed, even the minor characters. The ending is perfectly executed. To nitpick, I found the Spanish phrases and sentences interspersed throughout a little distracting because usually it wasn't translated. 5 stars (or 5 tennis balls, haha). Many thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy. Publication date is August 30, 2022.

This book,, was sooo good!
This follows Carrie Soto (who we meet in malibu rising) and her quest to defend her title as the best tennis player in history. I did not think that I was going to enjoy this as much as I did because I have little to no interest in tennis, and don't know much about it. But I was so wrong. You don't need to know anything about tennis to fall in love with this book. This book dives into the unfair way in which women are treated in sports, and how the standard for women in sports in impossible and unachievable. But this book does so much more than that. It goes into dealing with the loss of a parent, the importance of failing, the importance of being willing to fail. This book broke my heart and made me sob, but also made me happy and proud. The romance aspect of this book is a small part but one of my favorite romances written by this author. Although I loved this author's other books, I think Carrie Soto is now my favorite!

This freaking book ohmygoddd. I would pay money to read Taylor Jenkins Reid's shopping list, but somehow she still blows me away every time she publishes something. Her latest, Carrie Soto Is Back, slated for release this August, is no different and is quite possibly my new favorite of hers (gasp).

As someone who works in publishing, I'm fairly used to hearing about "roller coaster" novels that "made me laugh, made me cry," etc. While these buzz phrases are par for the course in the industry, rarely do I find them to be true. So when I tell you that Carrie Soto made me laugh, cry, ache, gasp, need, and want, I AM NOT LYING. Please read on.

Like many of us, Carrie has a fraught emotional relationship with herself. She's played tennis since she was tiny and has focused herself so wholeheartedly on the game that she's barely had time to learn how to live like a normal human. She cares about tennis, she cares about her dad, and she doesn't care if the world knows she doesn't give two sh*ts about anything else.

Carrie should be easy to hate, but of course TJR writes her in such a way that you feel for her emotional turmoil and want others to see the committed, driven woman she and her dad see. The novel revolves around her decision to make a comeback to the sport she retired from five years prior in order to maintain her GOAT title, and the painful, mean, difficult journey to get herself back to the top.

In regards to antagonists, Carrie's dad, Javier, is a beautiful character all on his own and the up-and-down relationship he shares with his daughter made me cry like eight times. Then there's angry bad boy of tennis Bowe Huntley, arch nemesis Nicki Chan, and the interjections of scorching commentary from news outlets — from front to back, this book is a winner.

In case I haven't adequately communicated how much you need to read this, I will also inform you that I read this in basically one sitting on a plane and my fiancé looked at me with confused concern probably six times when I'd laugh out loud one minute and then be wiping away tears four pages later. I told him to shut up and watch his James Bond.

I’ve come to say, this is my new favorite book by TJR. This book was written for every girl and woman who dared to do something passionately and without forgiveness and was called cold and mean. I love Carrie Soto, her passion and strength was so compelling. The story following alongside a father and daughter striving for greatness was so raw and beautiful. I know this story will carry with me for a long time.

I don’t know how I got so lucky to get an ARC of this book, but thank you so much NetGalley and Ballantine Books!!

I’m in awe. I’m speechless. This beautiful story had my heart racing, had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails. It had me happy, tearful, disappointed, empowered.

I’m not into tennis as a sport, nor is it my favorite to watch, but man I was obsessed. TJR creates such amazing, life-like characters, I kept forgetting this was fiction.

I don’t want to give too much away because this is a story you HAVE to read to understand how magical it is. 5 millions star read all the way!!

FIVE STARS all around. What an incredible book. When I found out this book would be centered around one of the least likable characters of Malibu Rising, I wasn't very excited. But, I was so wrong. Taylor Jenkins Reid breathed so much life into this character and was able to paint a picture of her motivations and struggles. Carrie is one of the most conflicted MCs I've met and I love her so much.
Also, I'm not a huge tennis person but the way TJR was able to pour the scenery into her writing made every match so vivid for the reader. Also, the flow of her words read like dribbling of the tennis ball. This is easily one of her favorite works of mine.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. Reid always hits the ball out of the park and Carrie Soto is no exception. The book has been highly reviewed by every major reviewer and I am following suit.

Carrie is a tennis star who was the very best in her field for years. She retires but comes out of retirement when a new tennis player bests Reid's record. Carrie is 37 years old and her body is not the same one it was before. She trains, incredibly hard, to make a comeback and regain her title.

The book flows smoothly and will take you into Carrie's world and you will be sorry when it ends.

I highly recommend this

Thanks to netgally and Ballantine books for the arc