Carrie Soto is back is an incredibly heartwarming and touching story about a pro tennis player that comes out of retirement. Something that I noticed was the way that TJR weaved in another title of her book along with some other characters. I was incredibly pleased that Brandon was mentioned from Malibu Rising but that her involvement with him wasn’t a main part of the story. The strength, dedication, focus, and determination that it requires to play tennis is depicted beautifully in this book. I also think that the sports transcripts will appeal to men as well because it gave a very really sports broadcasting feeling to the book and covering the matches. I can’t wait for everyone to have the opportunity to read this book. It’s simply beautiful and breathtaking.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was definitely a page-turner and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. In fact, I finished in one day.

It is about a tennis star whose father is her coach. It journals her ups and downs and goes through many of her matches play by play.

I have read several other books by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and thoroughly enjoyed this one more than the others. Great suspense and (some) romance.

I liked Daisy, I loved Nina, but Carrie is something else entirely. Several years into retirement and arguably well past her prime, can the once best player in women’s tennis pull off a miracle and defend her slam record?

I don’t care about tennis, at all, but I couldn’t put this story down until I knew what happened to Carrie, both in her personal and professional life.

Those Easter egg references to the author’s past books that readers love (or love to hate in the case of Mick Riva) are generously sprinkled throughout the novel as are tidbits from current events that will take you right back to the 90s.

Carrie Soto is back and so is tjr



Review will be posted on Goodreads, instagram @silverbeanbooks, Amazon, and provided to Completely Booked in Murrysville, PA where I periodically review arcs.

I received an ARC e-galley from NetGalley! I absolutely loved this page-turner from Taylor Jenkins Reid, even though I absolutely loathe tennis. Her characters and their development are what always keep me intrigued, and this novel is no exception. The development of Carrie throughout the book from a character you absolutely hate to one that you end up rooting for was remarkable. Like every novel that I have read from Taylor Jenkins Reid, this novel does not disappoint! It is wonderful!! #CarrieSotoIsBack

I give Carrie Soto Is Back 5 (THOUSAND) stars...I loved it!

I am a new Taylor Jenkins Reid convert. I fell in love with Evelyn Hugo about 4 months ago and have since read (and loved) nearly all of the TJR bibliography. I was THRILLED when I learned I was receiving the Carrie Soto ARC (like squealed in a restaurant and embarrassed my kid, thrilled). Not only was I not disappointed, this book exceeded my expectations!

Carrie Soto and the other characters in this book draw you in from page 1. The touching relationship between Carrie and her dad brought me to tears. In addition to the compelling characters and relationships in this book, there is also some really great tennis! I am an avid tennis fan, and the journey I took with Carrie, from junior tournaments all the way to her comeback at age 37, was something special!

This book definitely goes in the "couldn't put it down" category for me. Even non tennis fans, who appreciate reading a strong character driven novel, need to add Carrie Soto Is Back to their TBR. Look for this book at the end of August (just in time for the US Open!!).

Much appreciation to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

TJR’s best boom yet! And my favorite character. A book about tennis, strong AF women and fathers and daughters. A book I couldn’t put down. I’m grateful to publisher for ARC. Put this on your August TBR!

Five big stars for TJRs newest release! I actually think this may be my favorite by her and I've read them all!

What I loved:

-This story is really tennis heavy. Think King Richard (about the Williams sisters) but in a book. TJR does a spectacular job detailing an athletes rigorous training schedule and the drama and tension that stems from such a high-stakes game. I enjoyed that snippets where Carrie and her father discussed her strategy for each game. You will learn about all the different strokes and types of tennis courts and how versatile you have to be as a player to win tournaments. You definitely do not have to love tennis to love this book, but I do think it was definitely a perk.

-The way this book is outlined is perfect. In the beginning there are chapters that highlight Carrie Sotto's early career and provide the reader with a better understanding of who she is on and off the court, and then at 23% the story jumps five years ahead and dives into her comeback years. The chapter titles include details such as the date of the match, who Carrie is playing and what tournament she is in, making it really easy to follow along with and reading like her life memoir.

-Carrie's character development was some of the best I've seen. She started off as not one of the most likable characters- she is ruthless, driven and will do whatever it takes to win leaving her with more enemies than friends. However, as the story progresses, we get to watch her heart open up bit by bit and surround herself with people who love her.

-Carrie's relationship with her father was so tender and special. Javier turned out to be the coach any athlete would dream of and there was just so much unspoken love between the two of them.

-Carrie’s romantic relationship fit the story well. It did not take over the main story itself but had a nice charm that I was 100% routing for. Bowe was supportive, dedicated to helping Carrie train and improve her game, and was okay with being second best. He knew exactly what to do to support her emotionally.

-I love how this book emphasized the importance of resilience and showing what it takes to rise to the top. I do not want to give away any spoilers, but the lessons Carrie learned at the end of her career show us how much she's grown.

-I loved the suspense I felt as I was reading each chapter. I wanted Carrie to win SO badly and the way TJR wrote about each match, really felt as though there was an announcer in my head and I was sitting at the US Open. I felt the emotional hangover after finishing and am not ready to Les the characters go!!

There is probably so many more positive things I can say about this book once I let it sit for a little. But overall, this was hands-down a winner for me!!

This one comes out August 30th, just in time to read during the US Open! Many thanks toe Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Carrie Soto was a tennis phenom coached by her dad Javier. When she became a star, she left her dad for a professional coach. She set the record for most slams won and retired at age 31. Now, six years later, Nicki Chao is threatening to break Carrie’s record. Carrie decides to resurrect her career with Javier as her coach. Her goal is to win one of the major tournaments. I play tennis four to five times a week. Though I’m not playing at a high level, I feel Taylor Jenkins Reid has captured the stresses, both physical and emotional, of players in tough matches. Her descriptions of practices and skills-building are excellent. The major characters are all well-developed and believable. I loved this book and highly recommend it. I couldn’t put it down. It combined a sports story with a family story with a romance. It will be among my top books of 2022. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again! With Carrie Soto Is Back she once again has managed to immerse readers into the complex life of a woman thrust into a life fame. This time following tennis star Carrie Soto as she comes out of retirement to stage a comeback that no one thinks is possible. Going into this book I knew nothing about the game of tennis and by the end of it I found myself on the edge of my seat as each game unfolded. Taylor Jenkins Reid goes a great job of explaining the game and painting a picture so that even someone not familiar with the sport can follow along. Having briefly met Carrie Soto in Taylor Jenkins Reid's previous book, Malibu Rising, it was so refreshing to get to go deeper into this character and discover how and why she behaves the way she does. Carrie is one of those characters that on the surface you should hate because she is cold and uncaring and downright mean sometimes, but in reading from her perspective you find yourself rooting for her and loving those qualities about her. Very quickly I realized that she may be one of my favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid characters to date. Carrie Soto Is Back also features a wonderful cast of supporting characters each with their own motivations and strong personalities - especially Carrie's dad/coach Javier Soto and Carrie's biggest competition Nicki Chan who both stole my heart instantly. The relationship between Carrie and her dad is one of my favorite parts of the whole book because it highlights the complexities of being a parent verses being a coach and the love and drama that comes along with that. At its heart, Carrie Soto Is Back is a story of perseverance and growing up and being unafraid to be bold even when everyone else tell you you are crazy. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to reread this book again once it is released in August!

Wow, TJR has done it again. I won’t lie, when I first heard this book was about tennis, I was disappointed. Tennis is just not my vibe. I pushed past that because, hello, Taylor Jenkins Reid. I am so glad I did. I didn’t put this book down once. Read it from cover to cover. It is about so much more than tennis. This is without a doubt the best book I have read in 2022 and I’m already eagerly awaiting whatever TJR graces us with next.

You are perfect even in your imperfection …

Carrie Soto has been groomed since birth to be the best Tennis player of all time. Her father beside her every step of the way, through every obstacle he was there. Once in the lime light of the tennis world Carrie takes her career into her own hands. After retiring from the sport Carrie decides it is time for one more tour on the tennis circuit. However, Carrie quickly sees the competition and the competitors are not the same as they once were.

Let me say I absolutely adore Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her books leave you with such wonderment. Unfortunately, Carrie Soto did not provide that for me. This was definitely all about tennis, which may work if you are a tennis fan. I needed more glitz, glam, love, passion instead i just got tennis and more tennis.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review the advanced copy. All opinions are my own

THE BITCH IS BACK!!!

Carrie Soto is Back follows (you guessed it) Carrie Soto, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, as she attempts to resurrect her career when another player breaks her longstanding record. Coming out of retirement five years after leaving the court for good means having to rebuild not just her career but her relationship with those surrounding it, including her father, once her coach, and Bowe Huntley, another tennis player with whom she once shared a fling.

At surface level, this book is about Carrie’s career and her relationship with tennis. But at its heart, Carrie Soto is the story of a woman who has fought tooth and nail to get to where she is, only to be asked to smile wider so people will like her; who cannot rage at referees or reporters for fear of being called “emotional” or “nonsensical”, while her male counterparts can do the same and be viewed as dedicated to their craft; whose life has been wholly and completely devoted to the sport that she loves. The media’s views play a large part in portraying this. The book is filled with excerpts and transcripts of reporters and Op-Eds, each with their own opinion on Carrie’s hopeful comeback, and they are part of what makes her journey so compelling. Seeing the blatant sexism and cruelty of the media towards a woman who has only ever been talented stings the reader as much as it does Carrie. It serves to illustrate the gender disparity of the sports world—players and commentators alike—and draw a connection to the present day, where these same problems continue to persist. Fictional male reporters constantly invalidate and talk over their single female counterpart, calling Carrie a bitch on national television and implying she can’t play her game; until much later, Carrie herself lacks sponsors because they think she isn’t “kind” or “agreeable” enough. Even when Carrie isn’t around, we see female voices routinely silenced or told to be sweeter. It’s a constant reminder of how uneven the playing field is regardless of whether or not the game is actually being played. The idea that a woman has to not only be good at playing the game but also at suppressing her true personality for reporters’ sake is both realistic and gut-wrenching, and Jenkins Reid writes it unflinchingly, never once shying from the ugly truth.

Even further, I felt Jenkins Reid did a great job of recognizing how being a woman of color even further affects that dynamic. Nicki Chan, the player that broke Carrie’s world record and incentivized her to return to the sport, deals with constant racism because of her Asian heritage, while her white counterparts don’t. The world doesn’t give her as much attention as Carrie, even when she is just as good a player, largely because of her ethnicity. Even as she beats Carrie’s record, no one considers her on the same level. She has to fight twice as hard to earn a fraction of the attention Carrie gets upon her return—even if that attention isn’t necessarily good. I felt that this was incredibly important to the story, as Carrie spends a good portion of the book seeing herself as less-talked-about than Nicki, solely because Nicki beat her; however, this isn’t the truth. Nicki has been beating record after record for years, yet little focus was given to it, her accomplishments invalidated in the face of Carrie’s retirement. People argued that she didn’t actually earn those wins because Carrie was gone; that Nicki was only winning because of the absence of another player. The scene of her telling this to Carrie could have been written poorly. There were ample ways it could become insensitive if treated without the care the topic deserves. In the end, however much Carrie changed as a result of the conversation, I felt that Nicki’s experiences weren’t used as a plot device; rather, they shone a spotlight on a character that readers had viewed as somewhat of a villain until that point. Nicki and Carrie’s relationship was so entertaining, and I loved how they liked each other but still prioritized winning. Even with the ending, I was so happy with who won, because I felt it could have been either of them and I would have been vindicated. By the end of the book, you realize there’s no villain, just two women fighting to stand at the top of the pyramid.

Jenkins Reid is known for going for unconventional writing methods with her books, partricularly in the Mick Riva Universe, and Carrie Soto is no different. I was underwhelmed by Malibu Rising because it lacked that unique writing style for me. Carrie Soto, on the other hand, delivers in this arena. The snippets of interviews and articles as well as the new addition of sports commentators helping to tell the story made this book so fun to read, and I even found myself rooting for the fictional side characters involved in them. Gloria Jones, one of the commentators, rarely gets a full sentence in without her male colleagues shutting her down; however, by the end of the book, she’s begun to take charge, in part inspired by Carrie’s own return to the sport and a world that considers her fickle and unlikable. I loved these little details because they added so much to the story, even if just for a moment. It’s one thing for the reader to hear Carrie thinking about what everyone is saying about her; it’s another to be able to see it. Aspects of the main character like her prickly personality and cutthroat winning strategies are further emphasised by the discourse going on in the sports world published in articles and Op-Eds. I missed Jenkins Reid’s writing so much, and this book had it in abundance.

Carrie’s relationship with the two second biggest characters—her father, Javier Soto, and her ex-fling, Bowe Huntley—also added to this book’s charm. The dysfunctionality of her childhood and how that has affected Carrie in the present hits really hard, especially when those effects begin to set in later. The issues between Carrie and Javi are so real and raw, and the development of their relationship throughout the book is part of what makes it so emotionally strong. Their father-daughter bond is at the book’s emotional center, and it’s impossible for the reader not to root for them along the way. I also loved her relationship with Bowe; the chemistry between them is so palpable and the way Bowe loves her so much is just so… AAAACK I love them. I’m a sucker for the guy just being a simp for his hot gf and this book really gave that to the max. BoweCarrie (?) just ended all other couples. Slayed. 10/10. The ending felt so right and I loved the way everything wrapped up, even if certain parts of it destroyed me inside and left me crying on the floor. Taylor Jenkins Reid has mastered the art of hitting her readers right where it hurts and this book might have done it the most. Just,,, beyond.

I have so much more to say but my thoughts are losing coherency and anyways, it’s mostly just rambling about how much I love this book. Everything—the writing, the characters, the message, the rivalries… It was all done so well and I can’t wait to read it again. I’m already planning it in my head LMFAO. Readers will fall in love with this book and if you’re like me, the sport it covers (even though I’ve never really been interested in tennis???). Carrie Soto will steal your heart and all of your self-esteem and you’ll thank her for it. This book took all my expectations and ground them to dust. Taylor Jenkins Reid continues to outdo herself, and the only downside to Carrie Soto is Back is that it eventually ends. All that's left for me to do now is cry over Carrie and Bowe because you guys don't understand they are THE couple I love them SO MUCH. THE ONLY COUPLE TO EVER. Goddamn superior <3333

I loved Taylor Jenkins Reed’s previous books. I enjoyed this one but do not feel it rose to the level of the others. She did a great job exploring the relationships between the characters. I would have liked more of that and less repetitive details about tennis. Being said, I’m glad I read it and am still a fan.

I was ecstatic to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest work, Carrie Soto is Back. It met all my expectations.

Carrie Soto, who made a brief appearance in Malibu Rising, is featured in this latest book. Carrie is a retired professional tennis player who sees one of her records broken in person. With the help of her father, who is also her coach, and mens player who is nearing the end of his career, she attempts a comeback in the Grand Slam tournaments.

The dialogue between the characters and the descriptions of the tennis matches keep the story moving along at a quick pace. This is one of those books to set aside an afternoon to binge read! It's hard to put down. There is a lot of tennis in this book, but you do not have to be a tennis player or fan to appreciate the story.

TJR is clearly one of those authors that I can pick up anything she writes and I know I will love it.

Highly recommend!

I just loved this so much. Completely different than any book she’s written before. I really love witnessing the evolution of TJR’s writing. I’m a huge fan of her backlist but the characters she’s created with Daisy Jones, Evelyn Hugo, and Carrie Soto really show what a masterful storyteller she is. While Malibu Rising was arguably not my favorite,it really laid the groundwork for this book to be so great. Nothing surprised me with this one but the themes of perseverance, growth, the strength in opening your heart to others, and acceptance of one’s self was beautiful to read about. The ending was perfect and Carrie’s entire character development was both well done and incredibly satisfying. The relationships between literally every single character filled my heart with such joy and I would DIE for Bowe. My fave TJR man so far. But don’t get it twisted, this book is much, much more than a romance.

I played competitive sports for 12 years and also speak Spanish, so I’m curious how the masses will feel about this one. It is really heavy on Tennis (which should be obvious but maybe not for some) and there is a lot of Spanish dialogue between Carrie and her dad that doesn’t really provide context for people who don’t speak the language.

Cant wait for everyone to get to know and love Carrie Soto because she 👏 is 👏 back 👏.

WOW! I loved this, Carrie Soto is hands down my favorite TJR female. I can’t explain why this book felt so special compared to her others but it was.

In true TJR fashion she sucks you into the story where the people you are reading about feel real. You can feel their triumphs and defeats like they are your own.

Carrie Soto is a dynamic character, she is tremendously written.

TJR is a true master of her craft and I can’t sing enough praises about CARRIE SOTO IS BACK!

TJR is a master at crafting flawed characters that you root for and love through all their struggles.

Carrie Soto is no exception. I will say at the 20 percent mark of this book, I thought this was going to be my first TJR book I wasn’t going to love. It was A LOT of tennis. And the whole book is extremely heavy on tennis. But the first part especially was heavy on the terminology and ensuring the readers understand the game. It was necessary. BUT once I got through that I couldn’t put the book down.

Carrie Soto knows one thing in life. And that’s tennis. She’s broken all sorts of records. But six years into retirement someone else starts breaking her records. So at 37-years-old she comes back to reclaim what is her - as the oldest women in tennis.

Carrie is utterly herself. She doesn’t care what others think. She doesn’t fall in love. She does what she wants. And I love her for it.

Put this on your fall reading list. You won’t regret it.

I think I actually squealed when I read the email approving me to read an advanced copy of this book!! TJR has become an absolute favorite and must-read author for me. Her novels are so beautifully written, portraying each woman's story with words that cut through my heart and melt my insides like butter. And she does it again with her latest work, Carrie Soto Is Back. This book was truly sensational and I could have read it in one sitting if I had the time! As a woman and a former athlete, this book resonated with me on a level that evoked a plethora of emotions...some I haven't felt in a very long time. Evelyn Hugo was always my favorite, but I think that Carrie Soto now shares the crown.

Carrie Soto was born and raised into the world of tennis, as her father was a professional player from Argentina who reigned during his time. Carrie fell in love with the game at a very young age and was coached by her dad to become the greatest player of all time. And that's exactly what she becomes, until she injures her knee to the severity of needing surgery and has to end her career. Five years later, Nicki Chan has just tied Carrie's record and Carrie does not like this. So, she decides to come out of retirement to defend her title.

This book is definitely about tennis, but don't let that discourage you from reading! It is so much more than that!! This is the story of a complex woman who had no friends because she devoted all of her time to being the best player in the world. She didn't know how to interact with other people, so she came across as being cutthroat. She was fierce and competitive, hated for her accomplishments. Yet, she feared rejection and didn't know how to deal with failure. She was at the top of the world, but all alone. She was her own worst enemy. I've seen in other reviews that Carrie is an unlikeable character, but I absolutely loved her and all of her flaws. I loved all of the mental turmoil, pressures and growth that Carrie faces and overcomes during her journey. She truly personifies the definition of a warrior.

I highly recommend this book and hope that you all love it as much as I did!! Carrie Soto is an unforgettable story that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to TJR, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this eARC in exchange for my hones opinion.

Carrie Soto IS BACK!!! I’ve read a few TJR books and I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but WOW…I am blown away! I read it all in one sitting. I loved the heart, and determination, and character development throughout the book. I’m not what you would call a tennis fan but I found myself rooting for Carrie, Bowe, and even Chan more than I care to admit. I truly was lost in this wonderful world of pro tennis and competition, the highs and lows of winning and losing. This book make me feel so many emotions and I didn’t want it to end. Beautifully done! This book is SO much more than the description.

“Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. And
if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, Javier, as her coach. A former champion himself, Javier has trained her
since the age of two. But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named
Nicki Chan. At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record.”

***Thank you to netgalley and RHPG Ballantine for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.***

Carrie Soto Is Back, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars

I love Taylor Jenkins Reid's books and was ecstatic to receive an ARC from the publisher. I devoured this book in about 30 hours (so excited that I had a plane ride which meant built-in time to dive in). I liked Carrie Soto is Back about as much as I enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six but not nearly as much as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugu or Malibu Rising (which were both 5 stars).

Carrie Soto is not likable. . . she is emotionally stunted and unable to give or receive care or friendship. She just wants to win at tennis. And it took me the first half of the book for me to even care about her or if she won or lost. She is mean and spoiled - quitting when she didn't think she could win anymore and coming back because she couldn't stand that someone beat the record she was most proud of.

There is a line between being strong and being mean and often strong women are portrayed as "not nice." But in this case, Carrie repeatedly is needlessly rude and heartless and it hurts people who cared about her and kept those who could have respected her from doing so. All of Carrie's self-worth comes from winning.

By about halfway through the book though, I did start caring about her - I wanted her to be better - not at tennis but as a human being. Not only for her sake, but for the sake of her father and others who poured so much of themselves out with so little response from Carrie. And I was not disappointed. TJR masterfully develops Carrie through the relationships with those around her who see something more in her.

There is a lot of tennis in this book which I didn't care for. Though it did give me an appreciation for the sport, the stamina required, the focus, and the commitment needed. And certainly, you get an insight into a sport that doesn't encourage teamwork and by its nature encourages alienation from your opponents.

I can understand and respect the athletes we've seen recently who step back in order to practice physical and mental self-care. And I appreciate that the author touches on the beauty standards, racial inequity, and gender double standards that come with the sport and in general society.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an incredible storyteller and writer and with Carrie Soto, she accomplishes a grand slam!
Thank you Random House/Ballantine for the ARC
#CarrieSotoIsBack #NetGalley