I adore TJR and will read anything she writes. Malibu Rising was one of my favorite books oof 2021 and The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo is in my top 10 of all time. I was excited as soon as I heard about Carrie Soto and couldn't wait to read it and wanted to love it.

Maybe I just don''t care enough about tennis. I learned a few interesting facts about play on grass vs, clay, but so much of this book is page after page of tennis matches, swings and sets, the baseline. I've never really gotten into watching tennis so this was virtually meaningless and not all that interesting.

Carrie isn't terribly likable, but she is a fierce and strong woman. Her character only starts too develop in the final third of the novel, until then I felt we didn't know her, understand her, or even have a reason to root for her. Ironically her opponent, Nikki Chan seems so much more interesting and worthy of her own novel.

I still wanted to devout it, but wasn't left with the satisfaction and thought provoking feeling as I have with other TJR books.

*Release Date - 8/30/2022*. Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy!

Carrie Soto is Back quickly became my favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid book to date! Carrie is a retired tennis player who is watching her records come dangerously close to falling, and she decides to stage a come back. This story takes us along her tennis journey and gives us glimpses into what makes Carrie tick. If you enjoy tennis, this book is for you. If you enjoy a story about digging deep to find out what is truly important, this book is for you. If you enjoy competition, this book is for you. If you enjoy stories bout father/daughter relationships, this book is for you.
If you enjoy stories about going for your dreams even if the whole world thinks it is impossible, this book is for you! In short, this book is for you!

Taylor Jenkins Reid knocked it out of the park with this one!! The suspense level equaled or maybe even surpassed the level of Evelyn Hugo. Carrie is such a dynamic character, and the other characters were really fleshed out well too. The relationship between Carrie and her father was so heartfelt and wonderful. There were so many wonderful deep thoughtful moments in the book about life and realizing what's important to you. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be purchasing it for my library and recommending it to my students and teachers.

I had high expectations for Carrie Soto is Back and it DELIVERED. I am forever in awe of how Taylor Jenkins Reid can make her characters come to life. I am always desperate to look up interviews of our protagonists, forgetting they aren't real.

Carrie Soto starts quick in the present timeline. It sets up what you are getting into beautifully. She is wanting to come out of retirement to stop an up and comer from surpassing her records. From that short opening, you go back in time to her youth all the way forward to the present time. I absolutely devoured that bit. That is where I feel Reid really excels. That takes you to the third of the book and we are continuing from the timeline in the beginning. Can Carrie Soto defend her status?

I learned a lot about the tennis world, having never seen the sport. Now I am desperate to see some matches. Watch me start a whole new hobby!

If you loved Daisy, Evelyn, and Nina, then you will love Carrie. Easy 5 stars. I can't wait for Reid's next novel.

(Full review will be posted to retailers and socials closer to publication date.)

Wow oh wow oh wow! This seemingly simple novel about woman’s tennis got me on so many levels. Fathers & daughters. The double standard in expectations of powerful women. Chasing immortality in a world constantly changing.

The book follows Carrie Soto as she comes out of retirement to try to claim back her title. This story was perfection. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. Reid writes in a mesmerizing way that the story plays across your eyes as you find yourself thinking just one more chapter. Easily Reid’s best book to date.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House for the advanced copy.

My favorite thing about Taylor Jenkins Reid's books is how they completely make the reader feel as if they are present in the setting every step of the way. Carrie Soto is Back does not disappoint in this regard! I felt as if I was courtside during tennis matches, taken back to the hotels after the matches, and then home with Carrie and her father. Another blockbuster novel by TJR!

This book is all about tennis. I don’t really care much about tennis, so why would I read a book all about tennis? I found myself struggling early because Carrie Soto is not only back, she’s a selfish, unlovable bitch. In fact her nickname is The BattleAxe. While I’m starting to like her father who is also her coach, I can’t get into the book because it’s all about tennis. Then I realized that somehow I’m rooting for The BattleAxe and I haven’t gotten out of the chair for four hours. Damn you, Taylor Jenkins Reid for being so talented.

And it isn’t all about tennis. Just like Carrie, there is a lot more going on. Carrie comes out of retirement at 37 to play the majors when her record for most major wins is tied by Nicki Chan. Her father is the best character, by far. He’s called, the Jaguar, for the way he played back in the day. His direction and singular love of Carrie are fantastic. While the snippets of Spanish between them was distracting at first, I began to find them endearing and symbolic of the intimacy between father and daughter. I felt like I was ease-dropping on their relationship.

Then there is aging player Bowe Huntley. He’s struggling to stay on the tour and slowly works his way into Carrie’s life. They’ve known each other forever - even had a fling once long ago. As he comes in the scene, The facade Carrie has hidden behind begins to crack just a little.

As I said, when you hit the halfway point of the book, it is nearly impossible to put down. You follow her from Australia to France, England, and New York as she tries to do the impossible. And you cheer for her despite her arrogance (or maybe because of it) and laugh out loud at her awkward social interactions. This is where she comes alive and learns about how life can blossom after years of setting her personal life aside in pursuit of tennis.

Reid is a master. To me, what sets her apart is her ability to tell stories in unique ways. She also builds such real and diverse characters. At some points in the book, you can actually feel the steam coming off the court and hear the volleys. She’s that good. After a rocky start, this book exceeded my expectations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing / Ballantine for an advanced copy.

4.5/5 stars!

TJR never disappoints! There's just something so special about her writing and the characters she brings to life that keeps my eyes glued to the page and me wanting more. I never thought I would find a book centered around tennis so interesting but alas its TJR so I should've known I would adore this! I loved Soto's character. She is proud, sharp, stubborn, you cant help but root for her. I loved Soto's relationship with her father, the connection she had to the game, her character development and the romance sublot. I felt the tennis matches and her come back training was fun and exciting and was delivered beautifully. Taylor Jenkins Reid is unstoppable. I would read anything she writes, ANYTHING. This was a quick read and I for sure recommend this!

I care very little about tennis but I was hooked on this book (which, btw, taught me a LOT about tennis) from start to finish. TJR does it again with her empathetic characters and complex relationships.

Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this novel.

I loved this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again with her unique style of storytelling. This book is all about Carrie Soto, and it alternates between narrative and news story, TV transcript, or interview. Beautiful story about competition, the pursuit of perfection, and what makes it worthwhile.

I read an interview with TJR where she talked about how you either love or hate Carrie Soto. I loved her. I loved all the main characters in this book, honestly, and the ending was perfect.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House and Taylor Jenkins Reid for this gifted early copy of Carrie Soto is Back!

Okay but what can I say other than this book was phenomenal. Carrie is a character written unlike any character I’ve read before. I was so captivated during every match, and found myself cheering as if I was actually there. I loved the rivalry, the father-daughter bond, the friendships and the love.

All I can really say is TJR did it again. This whole world she has created is so good. I would, and will, read this again.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley/Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.

TJR has very quickly become one of my favorite authors ever, and Malibu Rising was easily one of the, if not THE, best book of 2021 for me, so I was thrilled when I got approved for an ARC of this book. Of the four books written in the TJR world (Evelyn, Daisy, Malibu, and Carrie), this was my least favorite. This is still a fantastically-written, beautiful book, but I didn't finish it in an absolute state of shock like I did with literally all of the other ones.

I think the reason behind my feelings on this is that this is a tennis book at its heart. Going into this, I knew nothing about tennis, and frankly, I find myself caring very little about sports in general. I was surprised to find that I ended up enjoying how much I learned about tennis by the end, but I sometimes glazed over in some of the many, very heavy tennis-based scenes.

The part of the story that I absolutely loved was the character study. For all intents and purposes, Carrie Soto is an unlikeable character, but her character arc was absolutely beautiful and felt very much like a type of coming-of-age story. I loved the complexity of the relationship between her and her father and the budding relationship between her and Bowe.

All-in-all, I loved this book, but the tennis element took away from the plot for me, but tennis fans will likely feel otherwise. Also, is TJR a pro tennis player and we didn't know it? Because dang, that woman knows tennis.

Thanks again to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

TAYLOR JENKINS REID IS BACK!!! I know, I know. She didn't really leave, but I couldn't help myself. ;) Each new release from this author is something to be excited about. I never know what kind of story is coming next, but I love them all the same. This time, Jenkins Reid has plucked a character from Malibu Rising and built an amazing story around her. Carrie Soto is a retired tennis star who is making a comeback to reclaim her title of the most Grand Slams. 

Before I get into the meat of things, I want to talk a little bit about the writing. Jenkins Reid does a fantastic job of switching up how she formats her stories with each book. I was curious as to how this one was going to be set up. It started out in the present, then took me back to see the rise of Carrie Soto's career, and then met back up with the present. There were also some transcripts from sports media sources woven in throughout. I loved how it was all put together and built Carrie's story. 

Carrie Soto was a complex character. It was very fascinating to read how she was raised by her tennis coach father Javier to be the best tennis player in the world. She had the reputation of being the ice queen of tennis and it was easy to understand why opponents and the press wouldn't love her. While her attitude could be off-putting at times, it didn't stop me from loving her character. She was fierce in the best of ways. I loved how she grew as a person from the first to last page. 

One of my favorite things about this book was getting to experience Carrie's relationships with the people around her and with tennis. Carrie and Javier had a special relationship with everything they went through together on and off the court. I loved their bond. I also loved how Bowe Huntley fit into the story. His story mirrored Carrie's in a way, so it was fun to see them commiserating over age and tennis. Bowe being in Carrie's life made me love Carrie's character even more.

So... tennis. There's a lot of tennis. I have never been a fan of tennis, so it's probably odd that I found all of the tennis stuff to be interesting. I learned a lot while diving deep into Carrie's relationship with it. With each match, I found myself on the edge of my seating waiting to see who won. If you're worried you're going to be bored by all the sport in this book, don't be. 

I don't know if I'm saying all I want to be saying about Carrie Soto Is Back. I'm worried I'll give too much away if I say more than I've already said. I loved this book. When I got to the end, I wanted more time with the characters. It was unlike any other book I've read. That seems to be the way I feel about most of TJR's books. I know people are going to ask if it was like any of her other popular titles and I guess I would have to say maybe a mix? Haha. I know, that doesn't help. Just know you're going to be taken on a journey with Carrie that you will love.

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! I was sucked into Carrie’s story immediately. I love how TJR has a connection through each of her books to characters from her other novels. Carrie is the ultimate competitor, pushing her limits every day. I was totally invested from start to sleep deprived, book hangover induced finish.

I have to give TJR major props because when I heard she was coming out with a full-length novel about Carrie Soto I was skeptical, to say the least.

We first met Carrie in Malibu Rising as the fellow tennis player with whom Nina Riva's husband was having an affair. Now, Carrie didn't cheat on Nina - she wasn't married and unfaithful, but she knew Brandon Randall was married and conducted an affair with him anyway, so I was convinced that nothing could make me care about her or root for her as a protagonist.

But damn it, I was wrong.

Let me be clear - I do not like Carrie Soto. She was not a likable character but she was one I found myself rooting for. I wanted her to win, I wanted her to become a better, more vulnerable person and I wanted her to open herself up to the possibilities and joys of the world around her. I am also endlessly impressed by her professional accomplishments within this world. There is no denying that she is the best of the best, and not just in women's tennis but in tennis as a whole.

I should also make a note that I like tennis. I went to a golf and tennis camp for several summers as a kid and have been thinking about trying to learn again just for something to do, so the technical aspects of the novel were really interesting to me. If you do NOT like or even care about tennis it might be difficult to read through all the matches and trainings (of which there are many.)

But while tennis was a major focus of the novel it wasn't as central as the relationships in Carrie's life. The thing about Taylor Jenkins Reid is that she's going to make me cry and 9 times out of 10 it will be because of the father/father figure. Carrie's relationship with her father, 1960s tennis player turned club instructor turned coach Javier "the Jaguar" Soto is beautiful and messy and endearing and frustrating. This relationship is where the novel really shine, as well as the friendship between Carrie and her agent Gwen, and the potential second-chance romance with former flame and fellow tennis pro Bowe Huntley.

Carrie won me over, slowly but surely, and I think if you give her a chance she can do the same for you.

Wow, what a book! I just have to start with that before diving in. Carrie Soto, once the greatest tennis player in the world, watches on as Nicki Chan ties her record. She looks to her dad and that single glance sets into motion the greatest comeback story for women's tennis ever: Carrie Soto is back. Thus begins the 1995 tennis season. No in between matches, no circuit tours, just the four opens: Australia, French, Wimbledon, and US. While Chan may be her true opponent, Carrie has to conquer many obstacles before meeting Chan to take back her crown. Training with her dad, who is also her coach, and picking up another comeback story, former ranked tennis star Bowe Huntley, along the way, they set out to reclaim what is hers. But being 37 means working harder than she ever has before, and learning a whole new set of players isn't the only lessons Soto will learn as life also hands her some surprises along the way to victory.

TJR has crafted such an amazing story with Carrie and her father Javier. Her character development is thorough and runs deep, you feel like you actually know the characters. While this novel is deeply rooted in tennis, I don't believe you have to know tennis or be an athlete to enjoy this story, but I do believe athletes will truly fall in love with the play-by-plays and the competitiveness that Carrie Soto possesses entirely. The historical aspect is rightly represented in several references to 90s culture as well as the gendered double standard that was highly (and still prevalent) in today's sports. This is a fast paced story, with little to no lulls. It was all I could think about in the few days I was reading it, and I am actually sad that it has ended! There is a part at the end that had me in tears, so be warned. But read it. This was a truly remarkable novel.

Carrie Soto - one of my top three most anticipated books of this year! I have been reading Taylor for over a decade now! Carrie, a minor character from Malibu Rising, is back - she is considered the best tennis player of all time and is coming out of her retirement from tennis after a younger player is set to take over her world record. Carrie has an immense need to be the greatest tennis player of all time and also really struggles to feel good enough to herself. She seems very disproportionate - has extreme confidence on the court but lacks much internal self confidence. She is bold and unapologetic.

This book is very heavy on tennis - it was a lot. If you don't love sports or tennis I can see this really now working for everyone. Carrie has an incredible ego and self absorbed. She is ridiculously confident, came off as unlikeable, and is quite flawed. She certainly knows she isn't charming but boy is she tough to root for the first half of the book. She is also incredibly ambitious - she makes her dreams be a goal and that is remarkable to see her drive. I rooted so hard for her during her comeback and each of her slams.

Interspersed are transcripts of commentary from sportscasters. I was shocked at how catty some of the comments given and received were by the players and others in the sports industry. They exhibited such a small sense of sportsmanship and respect!  The lack of class some players had towards their opponents was so disheartening as well!.I loved the 90s references in here - lots of fun moments and Taylor dropped some fun Easter eggs!

Taylor often writes main characters who have very crappy parental figures - Daisy's parents didn't care, Evelyn's parents didn't provide any support, the Rivas sibling's parents were disasters. But Javier Soto was such an inspiration - his love for Carrie and belief in her is so inspiring.

My favorite part of this book were the relationships - with her father, her love interest, her rival, her publicist, and her father and love interest was one of my favorites. Taylor writes relationships so well. The growth Carrie had came from her relationships and I loved seeing how she started to gain more self love and self confidence after her relationships started to improve. I LOVED where the relationships ended and where we left everyone.

All of a sudden I want to devour tennis matches as much as I devoured this novel! Carrie Soto is Back, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, documents retired tennis player, Carrie Soto’s attempt to make a huge comeback after her record is broken, and her identity of best female tennis player in the world is threatened. I’ve not had a lot of experience watching tennis, but I’m a huge fan of Jenkins Reid’s last three novels, so despite my hesitancy on reading a tennis themed novel, with little to no understating of the scoring or rule system, I just HAD to get to know Carrie Soto better, after her brief appearance in Malibu Rising. I’m glad I gave Carrie a chance and I even learned a little more about tennis! This is a brilliant page turner that explores hubris, perseverance, acceptance, and growth.

Filled with Easter eggs and cross over characters, Jenkins Reid’s novels are a delight to read, and I look forward to meeting more characters in her literary universe. If you haven’t read her previous books, don’t worry, this is a stand-alone novel, but you should definitely go back and read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Malibu Rising.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! Carrie Soto is Back is another HIT or should I say lob over the net for Reid. We meet Carrie Soto, a fierce women’s tennis champion who has retired from the game that her dad/coach Javier taught her and helped her become number one in. After her record for most Grand Slam wins is broken by Nikki Chan, even though she is considered “old,” Carrie decides she has to come out of retirement to regain her lost record. We get to watch as she fights to make a comeback that no one expects her to make.

Known as “The Battle Axe” and worse, there aren’t even many people rooting for her at first. She’s not the friendly player seeking the audience’s approval. She only cares about winning and showing her dad that she is worthy of his dubbing her his “Achilles,” great warrior.

It was a little harder for me to start this book as I am not a sports fan like I am a theatre and music fan, but it wasn’t long before I couldn’t put the book down because I was sucked into the excitement and anticipation of each game Carrie played. We learn she isn’t the easiest person to like, yet there is something so likeable about her that we can’t help but want her to win and win big. Working with Bowe Huntley another older player trying to take back his glory, we see parts of Carrie that we learn to love.

If you’re a fan of Reid, she even throws us some unexpected nods to her previous books which make it even more fun to read. If you’ve loved Evelyn, Daisy, and Nina, get ready to love Carrie! You won’t be disappointed! Talk about a Grand Slam!

Taylor Jenkins Reid has written a grand slam of a book. Carrie Soto is a retired tennis legend. During her career she accumulated a record of firsts that has not been matched during her five year retirement. However, new talent is fast approaching surpassing her record and thus the action of the novel begins. Carrie and her father Javier (former Argentinian tennis star cum tennis coach) are introduced to the reader as they watch a tennis match. When the talented new players seem to be on a path to topple Carrie's record the decision is made by Carrie to try for a comeback. But first the story line backtracks to the beginning of Carrie's life and her tennis career. Each section of the book details various eras of her career and finally arrives at the 1990s and her attempted comeback.

Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing engulfs the reader in the world of competitive tennis. The excitement, the tenacity, the horrific toll it takes on Carrie's life are all described vividly. And even though the tennis world is not particularly of interest when you start reading it will be by the end of this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid continues to write fascinating books about fascinating women.

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for my ARC.