This was enjoyable to read and I got through it fairly quickly, but the whole time I was left wondering...why? Why is this a book??

Carrie is a fairly compelling character, but I think that not getting any of her backstory actually on-page made me lose a little bit of connection with her. The plot of this book was really small, which is fine - but just felt a bit weird.

I sure did learn a lot about tennis.

I had so much fun reading this. I've never been a big tennis fan, but holy smokes I was on the edge of my seat reading about Carrie's tennis matches and her fight to win. Beyond the high-stakes tennis scenes, Carrie's emotional journey was a joy to read. From feeling like she can't open up to others, that she needed to be the best always, win everything, and dominate, she slowly realizes that there is room for love, happiness, and even loss in her life. She doesn't always have to be the winner. Because of this journey, the ending was so perfect to me. Obviously, I won't say how it ends, but it just feels right.

Her relationship with her father was really touching and I also loved reading about her growing rivalry and friendship with Nikki. The romance in this wasn't a big part of the story, but the relationship between her and Bowe offered the chance to read some really great character growth from both of them. In fact, all the character dynamics were so interesting and impactful to read.

I haven't read Malibu Rising, but I hear Carrie makes an appearance in that book, so I'll have to pick it up soon! I loved this book and it might be my favourite from Taylor Jenkins Reid so far out of what I have read.

I really love TJR, I think she is a wonderful writer. I devoured Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo, but Malibu let me down, so I started this book very apprehensive. This book was a solid 3/5 stars for me. I really struggled with the first 25% of the book, mainly because I am definitely not a sports person, and even less so tennis. I found the constant tennis talk to be beyond me and I found myself getting distracted when trying to read. I was also struggling with the Spanish. Where I only have a toddler's understanding on Spanish, the full conversations between Carrie and her father made me feel super alienated. It also really took away from the book since I was always using my phone to translate (and get distracted by my phone).

That being said, the book really picked up about halfway through. The focus was less on the tennis itself but more on Carrie as a player and the psychology behind her games. Towards the end I was quite literally at the edge of my seat the atmosphere was spot on - it really felt like I was watching a game and was entirely invested in the outcomes of the matches. Overall, I think this was a good book. It just isn't a favourite.

Take away: If you loved Malibu Rising, this book will be right up your alley! If you (like me) were more into Daisy Jones and the Six and/or the 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this book may not be a top 10 favourite.

Carrie Soto is obnoxious, blunt, ambitious and driven- definitely NOT a gentle, cookie-baking and puppies-rescuing small town heroine. I end up loving her dearly and admire her. She was briefly mentioned in Malibu Rising but the main heroine here. I like how complex all the characters are in this book. No cookie-cutter character here. I like her determination and was rooting for her throughout the book. An excellent book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

So good! So good! Her best book since Daisy Jones and the Six!

Carrie Soto is an unstoppable, complex, highly unlikable main character that you just can't help but root for! You feel for her and her struggles with racism, agism, and sexism throughout the course of her career. She was just so amazing and empowering and I loved that this novel was as much a commentary on women's sports as it was on father-daughter relationships.

Truly a book you need to put on your TBR. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for providing me with this ARC copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an early copy of Carrie Soto Is Back.

Okay, I loved this book, but that's no surprise given that it's written by Taylor Jenkins Reid! I am a big fan and will read anything she writes.

Carrie Soto is such a complex character and I'm so glad this book ended up being about her. I really felt for Carrie and her circumstances, and really enjoyed that she was able to be cocky, obnoxious, and occasionally unlikable, but also honest, driven, and ~real~. This book had me feel all the feels, which is all I really want while reading.

Overall, I'd give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.

I literally just finished Carrie Soto is Back and had to come on here immediately to write a review. This book was absolutely breathtaking. The character growth and the relationships built over the span of 384 pages was phenomenal and had me in tears more than I'd like to admit. I can not wait to see what TJR will come up with next.

This is a 5 star 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 grand slam of a book! This novel follows Carrie Sotto, tennis star, as she chases greatness over the course of her tennis career and then into her post- retirement return to the court. This brilliant author gives us a character we don’t particularly like and makes us root for her before we even realize we’ve become so invested.

Her various references to sexism/misogyny/ageism in sport during the 80s and 90s in the culture at large, and in women’s tennis specifically, did not go unnoticed. The micro aggressions towards non-white women in sport also bears mentioning. Seeing super star women who were not white, slim, tall and blonde was not the norm in this game in that era, and those women were often left out of endorsements by a culture and a sport that appeared to relish in whiteness.

This is more than a book about tennis. It is a book about endurance, a journey towards personal growth, joy and unconditional father- daughter love.
You do not have to be a tennis fan to love this book. Everything I know about tennis, I learned in this book. It was captivating and nail biting and made me feel like I was watching it on tv. I could literally hear the fans screaming despite knowing Carrie would be blocking them out. This is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her finest- Making us fall in love with a seemingly obnoxious, narcissistic character and then wishing her the greatest success in her career, her love life and into her future. Carrie’s initial inability to form meaningful relationships, which ultimately blossoms into a few close friendships, is the other gift the author offers us. Her relationship with Nikki starts indifferently and competitively and transforms into mutual respect and admiration. I found myself cheering out loud and it didn’t stop with that phenomenal ending! I’m still cheering!

Look for references to Daisy Jones and the Six, which could only be insulted by someone like Carrie. I want to hurl my book at her when she dismissed this book. The other mention of Malibu Rising characters makes a nice tie in for TJR’s fans.

This book offers many life lessons if we choose to find them. Fearing failure and securing legacy is something we all struggle with. Carrie highlights an alternate path to take as her lessons, and the wisdom of her father, coalesce and we, readers, are lucky to be taken on her journey.

When I read that Taylor Jenkins Reid had a new book coming out this year, I preordered without needing to know more- and then I read that it was about Carrie Soto, a side character in Malibu Rising, my least favourite TJR book, and I grew hesitant. The Mick Riva Extended Universe has had diminishing returns for me, and I was not excited to return to that world.
However, Carrie Soto is Back appeared for request on NetGalley and I thought, well lets give it a go. Carrie's story reminds me of Evelyn Hugo - loosely - because both are driven women with difficult personalities. This lead to a great character arc and overall tennis family story.

Can't recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc for review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Taylor Jenkins Reid for the ARC copy of Carrie Soto Is Back.

I absolutely love TJR books so was super excited to receive this ARC. This book is a bit different than her previous books I found. It has the same great character development like her others, but I just thought something was missing. Maybe it’s because it felt shorter than usual? I did really enjoy it though. Carrie, the main character, is very flawed, but TJR writes her characters in such a great way that you can’t help but root for her. I also loved the characters of Javier, Bowe and Nicki.

This book won’t be for everyone. There was a lot of technical tennis talk, that I don’t think everyone will be able to get behind, but I did actually really enjoy those sections as they helped build Carrie’s character. If you love TJR, definitely pick this one up, and even if you don’t, just try it for a well written read!

Thank you again for the advanced copy! Carrie Soto Is Back releases on August 30, 2022 so make sure you grab a copy then!

A TJR book is always a treat, a great afternoon of reading, oddly absorbing and predictable. Plus a few little calls back to her other books - Carrie Soto appeared in Malibu Rising, as a side character, but this is her story. Fierce and blunt, cold and unlikeable, Carrie is the greatest tennis player in the world. At 37, she’s been retired for 5 years, but when Nicki Chan is poised to overtake her record of 20 Grand Slams, Carrie decides to come back and defend her record. Her father, her long-time coach, agrees to coach her. Against all better judgment, her agent, Gwen, supports her. And former one night stand, Bowe Huntley, agrees to work with her so she can get back into form. Her plan is to play all four Grand Slams in a year. And it turns out to be a strange and remarkable one.

Carrie is kind of shitty, though she grew on me. But TJR also makes a lot of really good points about sexism and misogyny in sports. This was a hard ascent to enjoyment - the first half I didn’t like at all, and not just because I actually don’t like tennis. But the later parts were worth it. Carrie is prickly but yeah, it makes sense. A solid effort here, not as fun as Malibu Rising, but still an enjoyable book.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an early copy of this novel.
I may have screamed when I saw that my request had been accepted.

Carrie Soto is Back follow Carrie Soto-a famous retired tennis player coming back to play an defend her titles but it also about so much more. Carrie felt her whole purpose in life was to be the best tennis player there ever was but her dad is hoping to show her there is more to life

I absolutely loved this book. Carrie Soto is a very unlikeable character in Malibu Rising but this novel you get to know her a lot more-while she is still unlikeable, the readers starts to understand her more and maybe even root for her. This novel gave me The Queen's Gambit vibes by by Walter Tevis as both novels follow main character who are basically protégées in their chosen sports but it takes another character to help improve their game as they are more competent with strategy.

I finished this book in one night. I did not want to put it down. I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it in August.

What an absolutely awesome book! Taylor Jenkins Reid hits it out of the park again!!! I highly recommend this book

I just finished reading Carrie Soto is back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Carrie Soto was the number one tennis player in her prime. In a surprise decision she decides to come out of retirement to protect her title and legacy.
Can Carrie prove everyone wrong and make the kind of comeback no tennis player has ever accomplished before? Or will she end up devastating her reputation?

Are you ready to delve into the exciting world of women's tennis?

This book lived up to all the hype. Finding out all about Carrie Soto and her legacy was divine. The book fills you in on her whole life and how she ended up being the woman she was.
I am not a huge fan of books that center around sports but this one didn't feel like a sports book. It was more about Carrie's connection to the game and her relationship with her father/coach.
I even enjoyed the sports commentary parts too. It was nice to be able to get other points of view on Carrie and her competitors without needing other characters' points of view in the book. Clever really.
The character development was carefully executed and the author hit an ace on this one.

If you like the kind of book with one heck of a slice serve, drawing you right in with the speed of a tennis ball, this is the one for you.

If you have a passion for literary fiction that leaves you breathless, then add this to your list!

4.5 stars

Thank you to netgalley and Penguin random house canada for my review arc copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book deserves all the stars! 🤩 I came into this book not knowing a single thing about tennis. Did that affect my experience as a reader? Not at all. The rivalry in this book and the anticipation of it all had me tearing through the pages! Dare I say, it was even better than Daisy Jones and the Six! 🤭 I finished this book grinning from ear to ear. 😁
GREAT SUMMER READ!!!

Carrie Soto is a legendary tennis pro and world champion who has shattered every record. Her ferocious and unapologetic competitive nature makes her unpopular amongst fellow players and critics. Carrie who has been out of the game for 5 years, decides she is going to attempt a comeback at an age that is considered to be well past her prime. Will Carrie have what it takes to claw her way back to victory?

Carrie Soto Is Back comes out August 30th.

Well done @tjenkinsreid and @penguinrandomca ! 👏🏻
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

#carriesotoisback #taylorjenkinsreid #penguinrandomhousecanada #doubledaybooks #bookadoration #bookstagram #canadianbookstagram #tjr #tennis

Loved this one! Might be my favourite Taylor Jenkins Reid book so far. I’m not a tennis fan, but this was so much more than just a tennis book It was a story of love, friendship, redemption, perseverance, and strength.. Highly recommend!

I had mixed feelings about this book going into it. I was intrigued because the glimpse into Carrie Soto's life we got during Malibu Rising was dramatic and I knew it wouldn't be bad because it's TJR and the writing always hooks me. But I don't sports, so a book about a tennis player didn't thrill me, especially having just read another one earlier in the month. Let me tell you: I was wrong. It was so well done and I should have known from previous experiences that I tend to enjoy sports movies where I get insights into the characters minds, lives, etc. vs just watching a game. This story gave me just that and I really enjoyed it.

Carrie Soto was the best tennis player in the 80s. She won 20 Grand Slams in her career and then retired in 89 due to a bad knee. Now it is 1994 and Nicki Chan is about to tie her record. Carrie can't have that, so she trains under her dad as coach and aims to come back to defend her title, even though she'll be the oldest female player to do so.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! The book is expected to be realised on Sept 6/22 and my review will live in a story highlight called ARCReviews on my Instagram

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I received Carrie Soto is Back, I immediately dropped all other books I might've started and dove into one. When I closed my tablet last night, I breathed out in satisfaction. Taylor Jenkins Reid, you have once again, maintained your standard of excellence.

I wonder how an author can write so many vastly different, but equally captivating books. The last three books I've read: Daisy Jones & and Six, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and this one, all remain high on my recommendation list.

The magic of Carrie Soto is Back, is because it seemed so real, so much like a sports documentary, I couldn't even decide for the final US Open, who I wanted to win the game, who I was rooting more, Carrie or Nikki? That's because both characters seem so real, even though we knew so little about Nikki, the glimpse of her, her monologues gave her life, and elevated her to the same playing field as Carrie, the voice of the book.

I cannot wait to see what else you can come up with, in that brilliant mind of yours, Taylor Jenkins Reid!

4.5 stars. I loved Taylor Jenkins Reid’s newest so much that I read it in a day! I didn’t expect to love it quite this much, mainly because I’m not much of a sports person and I don’t know anything about tennis. But I couldn’t put it down!
This book has so much heart, especially with Carrie’s relationship with her father. It made me smile, it made me cry, it made me feel all the feelings. I can’t wait to recommend this to my friends and customers!

Very very excited and thankful to Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC of probably one of my most anticipated reads for this summer!! I'm a huge TJR fan and I've loved almost all of her books that I have read so far, but I think 'Carrie Soto Is Back' might be one of my top favourites. This book stars a 37 year old tennis player who is getting out of retirement to fight for the title she is close to losing. The only things I really know about tennis is that I LOVE Serena Williams and that's basically it. However, I do also love a strong independent woman who does not take any shit, and it is easy to see why I loved Carrie Soto so much. Getting to connect with a character who is very complex and at times has you finding yourself asking 'Do I even like this character?' can be challenging. At time I'm like why does she do the things she does/say the things she says, why is it so hard for her to open up. And I think that's what TJR does best, she creates these characters that have us questioning their morals and behaviours to a point where we're so engrossed in the story and their lives that we understand these protagonist's are not the squeaky clean characters we are used to reading about. Something I really loved about this book was Carrie's relationship with her father, it was so heart warming to see how TJR wrote this relationship and although Carrie is a complex character I'm glad she has her father in her corner. Also would like to point out although she is complex I freaking love Carrie Soto, she's one of a kind and tbh I get why she is the way she is and people just need to deal with it cause she is so bad ass.

This book was great and I cannot wait to see the reaction it gets when it hits the shelves!!