I absolutely love Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, and i didn't even bother reading the blurb to see what this book was about - I just knew I wanted to read it.
It was easy to read, just like all her other books, but sadly this is where the positivity ends for me.
It wasn't thrilling or exciting, and i feel it felt more like an autobiography from an actual tennis player, and sadly tennis doesn't interest me at all.
Was a bit of a drag for me in all honesty - definitely not for me.
That said, I will without a doubt still read her future books as I know what an amazing author her previous books have been.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has fricken' done it again! Oh my god, words cannot express how much I loved this book! I have no interest in tennis, or any sport, for that matter, but holy moly, this book captivated me and may have made me watch some tennis matches upon finishing. Taylor Jenkins Reid always knows how to right strong-headed, independent, fierce women and Carrie Soto was absolutely no exception.

Carrie Soto Is Back is set from the mid-'50s spanning over the years right up until the late '90s and TJR does a fantastic job of handling the misogyny and sexism within women's sports. There were some really important discussions held that were so poignant and carried out really carefully. If the fact that sports was, and still is, full of sexism and misogyny was ignored; I can honestly say I would have been deeply disappointed.

At times, Carrie was a very unlikeable character, but that made me like her more. That may be a bit confusing so I'll explain. All Carrie has ever known is tennis. She was told from the moment she could hold a racket that she was destined to be the "greatest tennis player ever" and that has stuck with her. It has driven her ambition and when someone gets overly ambitious, they tend to become annoying and unlikable because they have their blinkers on, so to speak. They are oblivious to everyone and everything and ignore all the other potential opportunities for them. That is exactly how I saw Carrie Soto. So why did her being unlikable make me like her more? Well, at some point in our life, we all get lovely ambitious and I resonated with that. She wants to be her best self, she's just going about it in a, in my opinion, unhealthy way. The character development Carrie goes through is slow but steady and so worth it in the end.

With the main focus of this book being around tennis, I knew there would be a lot of "tennis match" scenes and anticipated the book being repetitive and boring but I was proved wrong. There is something unique in each of the matches, it kept me captivated. There were times I found myself literally shouting "come on, Carrie".

The side romance was beautifully written and didn't take the focus off the main plot. I loved that this was the case but now I want more from them. Bowe plays an important role in Carrie's character development and I loved seeing Carrie's tough, stubborn facade slowly fall.

All in all, this may be the best TJR book I have read. I loved the little easter eggs (I know some reviews have shared them but I won't, I'll let them be a surprise) that were included and I can't wait to see what TJR has in store for us next!

WOW - Taylor Jenkins Reid has gone and done it again with her latest release, Carrie Soto Is Back.

TJR is the queen of writing realistic, immersive historical fiction with such well-developed characters that you will be checking whether or not they're real (TJR is THAT good!).

I adored Carrie Soto, the flawed yet relatable protagonist. I know some people found her unlikeable at times - especially after her appearance in Malibu Rising - but I fell in love with her from the get-go for her no-nonsense attitude and ruthless ambition (yet with a kind, loyal heart underneath that she slowly shows to a select few). I also really liked all of the well-rounded side characters, especially Carrie's father, Javier, and her tennis partner Bowe. The relationship between Carrie and her father was one of the true highlights of the book and even had me welling up at times for how moving it was.

I'm a huge fan of tennis but I still believe even if you don't like the sport, you would enjoy this. TJR makes the plot extremely readable and exciting; I was on the edge of my seat reading all of the matches, rooting for Carrie to win. I will say though that at times I did skim passages when they were overly technical as about 80% of this book is about tennis matches with incredible detail (so well-researched!)

It was also refreshing to read discussions about sexism within sport - in this case tennis - and the different portrayals of men and women in the media. Some of the conversations between Carrie and Nicki about this subject were fantastic.

Ultimately, I loved this new release from TJR and it's quickly become one of my favourite books of hers and of the year. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next in the TJR universe (I keep going back over passages for easter eggs)! 4.5 stars

Brilliant! I absolutely loved this book! I’m not much of a tennis fan so wasn’t sure on this one. But because it is a book by TJR of course I had to read it! And I was completely captivated!

Carrie Soto was the best the world has ever seen! She had shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. However, 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 player named Nicki Chan. Carrie makes the decision to come back to reclaim her title with her father taking on the role of her coach once more.

During the course of the book we are learning about Carrie in a duel timeline format going between her early years and her current come back. The writing is immersive especially the present day. I felt like I was watching the tennis matches with my heart in my mouth and on the edge of my seat! I really liked learning about Carrie’s younger self and about her amazing talent and determination. Her father is a lovable character and throughout the book he would talk to her in bits of Spanish. (If you don’t know Spanish it doesn’t take anything from the storyline) I found this endearing and we got a real sense of his character. The whole journey of Carrie’s comeback was quite an emotional rollercoaster and - not giving anything away - the ending really got me. It was brilliant and made heart sing!

This was an exciting and emotional read. I would highly recommend this book.

This book blew me away! Firmly holding a spot in my top ten so far this year and likely to stay there. I first discovered Taylor Jenkin’s Reid when I wanted to read Malibu Rising (I know - where have I been) and decided to read Evelyn Hugo first. Evelyn Hugo also made an impact but since then Malibu Rising and Daisy Jones didn’t quite hold up to it. Carrie Soto might be back but for me Taylor’s back at that Evelyn Hugo level!

The story follows Carrie, an ex professional tennis player who decides to make a comeback to defend her record breaking title wins. The media are quick to suggest she’ll flow but she has the unfailing support of her father behind her.

This is such a fast paced booked that I got swept up in it very easily and read it in one sitting. I was completely absorbed by Carrie’s character and although I can’t personally relate to a professional tennis player (I can barely walk without falling) it was so easy to imagine myself in Carrie’s shoes.

We’ve recently posted about working through authors back lists and Taylor’s is one I’d like to get through - what should I read next?

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I give this book 5 stars

At age 37 Carrie Soto makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked the 'Battle-Axe' anyway. Even if her body doesn't move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to.

This book is going to be a summer “smash” hit….game set and match to TJR!
The story has a dual timeline covering Carrie’s early life career and then her comeback and the narrative is totally compulsive. l really enjoyed the multi media format, the Spanish dialogue and the mentions of Malibu Rising.
The hilight for me was the relationship between Carrie and her father Javier which is so beautifully and emotionally written. But l have to also mention the authors detailed and immersive descriptions of the matches, l was on the edge of my seat and felt like l was right there it was so vivid,tense and breathtaking.This author has such a unique skill of writing main protagonists that you gradually fall in love with and they feel so realistic you want to go google them.Carrie is no exception.she’s flawed,hugely competitive,appears strong but has vulnerability.
Despite not liking tennis…..l ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE!
With thanks to Netgalley,Taylor Jenkins Reid and Random House UK, Cornerstone, Hutchinson Heinemann for my chance to read and review this book

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again!

Carrie Soto is the worlds best tennis player.. she holds all the records, titles and most slams ever by a female tennis player. Carrie has been in retirement for 6 years when an upcoming tennis player is threatening to break her records and she does not want this to happen. The book follows her as she re-enters the world of Tennis and navigates the multiple issues that come along with this!

As someone who does not play tennis or watch the games, I went into this a bit hesitant that I would not understand what is happening but I was totally wrong and very happy about this. The technical side of it is explained clearly and not in a way it seems as though it is offloading. I may actually tune into Wimbledon now after reading this!

I loved seeing the character development through out this, the relationships Carrie develops and the dynamics between Carrie and her father who also happens to be her coach. There was also a strong narrative on both being a women in sports and also ageism, some really important issues that even now still comes up in the sports world!

I would recommend this to anyone looking for an inspirational and compelling read, 4.5/5 stars from me!

4.5 stars for Carrie Soto! 

I was not a fan of Malibu Rising, but I love tennis and I loved Carrie Soto is Back.
Carrie used to be a professional tennis player who retired 6 years ago. She holds the record of most Grand Slam wins but Nicki Chan has just won the US Open and tied her record. Carrie can't let Nicki take her record, clearly she is the best tennis player of all times. Carrie makes the decision to come out of her retirement and win one more slam. 

I thoroughly enjoyed following Carrie's hard core training to get back in the form. I have no idea whether TJR plays tennis but even if she does, she must have done tons of research to put this book together. I think even if you don't follow tennis you might find this book enjoyable but tennis fans will love this even more.

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

As a tennis fan, this was the perfect kind of book for me. A good balance of reflecting the game and the type of person it takes the play it. The impacts it has on your life. I loved reading about Carrie Soto, a woman who is not liked in the field because she's steely and fiery and unwilling to compromise. Known as the Battle Axe, she has her eye on the prize and will do anything to get there. I found her character refreshing, wanting to root for her while seeing how she consistently gets in her own way. It also shows much of the relationships with the small number of people Carrie allows in her life, especially between her and her father/coach which really tugged at my heartstrings. Throughouly enjoyed this.

Wow I am beyond words!
A story about Tennis? Never would I have thought that someone could make this so good!
Maybe this even takes the top spot of my favourite Taylor Jenkins Reid books

I was intrigued by this book and wanted to enjoy it but I found it hard going to be honest. It just wasn't for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

📚 r e v i e w 📚

Carrie Sotto is Back - Taylor Jenkins Reid.

You know its good when a book about tennis keeps me entertained - if you know me, that is all I need to say. For those that don’t - I physically could not care any less about tennis if I tried. Or any sport really. Tennis could cease to exist and it wouldn’t impact my life a jot. Similarly, tennis could become the answer to climate change and sorry folks, I still wouldnt care. So when I say this kept me entertained - you know that this is a damn good book.
It’s Taylor Jenkins Reid, so you already knoe you’re going to fall in love with these characters and you’re going to feel all their hurts, achievements and joys right in the solar plexus and this wasn’t any different.
For me, the first 150 pages or so were a little too tennisy but the second half had me in its grip and I didnt want it to let me go.
Loved the little references to Daisy Jones, the Rivas and Evelyn Hugo, loved Carrie, Javier and Bowe. Bravo TJR - you’ve done it again.
(I’m sure there is a tennis reference I could make here but alas I am too ignorant.)
Thank you to @netgalley for the early copy, now excuse me while I mentally prepare myself for Taylor Jenkins Reid’s event at Toppings in October. I may cry.

Another brilliant book by this author. A tennis pro, Carrie decides to make a return to Tennis grand slams after a career break. Likeable characters, plenty of dramas and a page turner. I also really liked the relationship between Carrie and her father and coach. Highly recommended.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has quickly become that author. You know the one. The one you can trust to tell a damn good story. Carrie Soto is Back is no exception. It is a damn good story. It focuses on Carrie Soto an one time tennis great who comes out of retirement to claim back her record which has been taken by young upstart Nikki Chen. Okay, so that is the surface story but it is about so much more than that. It is about survival, about family and about the ability to grow and change and I was hooked from page one. I cared far more about tennis than I ever have before.

I think that whilst Taylor Jenkins Reid can write a fabulous story I always felt that she peaked with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I liked Daisy Jones and the Six and I liked Malibu Rising but they never gave me the same gut-wrenching love that Evelyn Hugo did. However Taylor Jenkins Reid tugged me back in with Carrie Soto is Back and I think I know why. For me, Taylor Jenkins Reid shines so much more when she does the single perspective novel. I rooted for Carrie Soto because I traversed this journey with her. I wanted the win for her. I felt like I was on the court with her. I don't think there is a bigger complement for an author than to know that their book transported you into the novel.

I can say this for sure, with Carrie Soto is back, Taylor Jenkins Reid retained her title of being a fantastic novelist.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is available now.

For more information regarding Taylor Jenkins Reid please visit her Instagram account.

For more information regarding Random House UK (@randomhouse) please visit www.randomhousebooks.com.

This book is insanely good. I think it might be my favourite TJR. The characters are just sublime and the plot is so interesting and keeps you wanting more. You question whether the characters are actually real that’s how good it is. 5 stars from me!

Si pudiera darle más estrellas se las daría. TJR tiene el poder de crear a los personajes más fuertes que he leído nunca. Leyendas. Te gusten o no los deportes este libro te mantiene en vilo 300 páginas. La perseverancia,la fuerza,la ambición de Carrie es inigualable.
La escritura de TJR es magnífica. Tiene frases e insights muy importantes.
Este libro es la historia de una leyenda. Su creación su vuelo y su legado.
Cuando salga a la venta lo leeré de nuevo.

Un puntito negativo y que hay que revisar son las frases en español. Tienen algún que otro error.

Impresionante.

I have read four Taylor Jenkins Reid books before this one, and every single one blew me away. I have been highly anticipating Carrie Soto Is Back for that exact reason ever since I first heard about it, and the blurb sounded fantastic. I fully expected to find a new 5 star read and I admit my expectations might have been set a bit too high, because somehow I didn't love this story as much as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad read and I'm still a huge fan of her writing, but there is also no denying that this is my least favorite TJR story I've read to this date. I'll try to explain why below.

First of all, I have to say that I still love the premise of the story. The retired tennis player coming back to defend her record, the inner workings of top level tennis playing and training... There is something ruthless about it all, and I think the author does a great job portraying the different emotions. I liked the structure of the plot; showing us more about how Carrie Soto became a tennis superstar before returning to the 'present' where she decides to return to defend her record. Taylor Jenkins Reid has always excelled at story crafting and it shows in the strength of the plot and structure.

As for the characters... I can't say that I liked Carrie Soto, but there is no doubt that she is fierce and simply fascinating. Bowe likewise makes for an intriguing character, and I liked how Carrie's father Javier fit into the story. Taylor Jenkins Reid is so good at creating flawed and realistic characters, and I definitely felt that magical touch with this cast. Not as strong as with some of her other titles maybe, but it was still very much there. The character growth was very well done as well, and I liked the dynamics between Carrie and Bowe and the respite it offered from all the tennis talk.

Now on to what didn't work for me. First up is a major personal pet peeve and something that might not bother most: the use of Spanish in the text. I have a degree in Spanish Philology and I have called Argentina my home for over a decade, so I was stoked when I discovered Carrie Soto has Argentinian blood and that the story was going to include Spanish. It usually only makes me love a story even more, but it backfired for me in Carrie Soto Is Back. I understand that I read the ARC and mistakes will (hopefully) be fixed in the final version, but the Spanish was BAD. And I'm not talking about simple spelling/grammar mistakes or using the wrong words, but also using expressions that an Argentinian would never use. It soon made me cringe ever time I had to suffer through another incorrect use of Spanish, and if I have to see the 'Bueno' expression one more time (something that is NOT used in Argentina, by the way), I think I'm going to scream. Also, I have to note that the use of Spanish might backfire for non-Spanish speakers as well; there is often no translation offered and the use goes a lot further than a simply word/phrase every now and then.

Another thing that bothered me considerably is the fact that tennis basically overpowers everything in the plot. There is so much talk about tennis ALL THE TIME, with technical terms, match play-by-plays and detailed descriptions of just about everything relating to tennis, and it kind of overshadowed the rest of the story for me. Sure, all these details show that Taylor Jenkins Reid did her research and that she knows what she's talking about. I'm sure tennis fans will love the story even more because of it, but if you are not a fan of the sport (like me) it can quickly turn into an overdose. I wish there would have been more focus on Carrie's personal life and maybe even on her connection with Bowe; as it is the dynamics felt off for me.

That said, Carrie Soto Is Back is by no means a bad read and her writing is just as strong as usual (except for the Spanish), but there was just something about this book that made it a bad match for me. This doesn't mean I don't still consider her one of my favorite authors though, and I will be ready for a rematch with one of her backlist titles some time soon. Just as I will still be looking forward to whatever she will write next...

When retired tennis champion Carrie Soto finds her grand slam record in danger of being broken - at the age of 37 - she embarks on the greatest of comebacks to defend her record. And what a journey she takes us on...

The world building is, as always with TJR, brilliantly well thought-out - with cross-overs into Daisy Jones and Malibu Rising making an appearance - and the characters are written perfectly.
Carrie's flaws and her journey to overcoming them is so endearing, especially as we watch her slowly learn how to lose, love and let go.
For me, though, it was the relationship she has with her father that cemented this as one of my favourite TJR novels. As her coach, mentor and biggest fan, he provides her with constant love, advice and support - even when she lives up to her nickname of 'The Bitch/Battle Axe' - in the hopes she not only achieves her career goals but also opens up her heart to potential happiness (Bowe, I'm looking your way👀). And it is so heart-warming to watch their relationship grow ever stronger as the story unfolds.

Add to that the fact that the tennis matches in this are genuinely one of the most engaging things I've read, and you've got quite the winner.
Absolutely loved it.

Excited doesn’t even begin to cover my reaction to being approved to read the iconic Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest title, Carrie Soto Is Back.

When Carrie Soto retired from tennis, she was the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record, and claimed twenty Great Slam titles with her father as her coach. Six years later, she is in the audience about to watch British star Nikki Chan exceed her record. At 37 years old, Carrie decides to make a come back, and try and gain one more Grand Slam to reclaim her title.

An incredible story with another unashamedly strong female character, Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again.

Carrie is hard-working, confident, ambitious, strong and overflowing with self-belief. In other words, she is everything women ‘shouldn’t’ be. How many times are women expected to be humble, self-depreciating and quiet?

Because of her strong sense of character and dogged determination, Carrie is given unflattering nicknames by the media and finds it hard to form any meaningful relationships.

She does have a close bond with her coach father, and their relationship shapes her behaviour throughout her life.

Despite having what many would consider unlikable qualities, I became a Carrie supporter almost instantly. She is fighting the odds, fighting the media and fighting against an aging body to try and remind everyone that she is still the best in the world.

Despite being 37 years old, I often get the sense that we are watching Carrie grow up. She is finally starting to see what lies ahead beyond being a tennis player. She realises she needs to nuture her relationships to those closest to her, as you never know how long you have them for.

Drama, love, humour and tears abound in this exhilarating novel about female ambition and the cost of success. Iconic characters with an easy-to-read narrative, Taylor Jenkins Reid has cemented herself as one of the stars of contemporary fiction, and the top of my auto-buy list!

I don’t know how Taylor Jenkins Reid does it but every book I read by her is instantly a favorite - she just writes the most interesting and three dimensional characters & even if I don’t care about a topic before? Doesn’t matter, reading about Carries love for Tennis was really interesting and I kinda want to watch tennis now. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Before reading the book I was a bit nervous whether I would like Carrie or not because we already saw a few glimpses of her in Malibu Rising and she wasn’t the most charming character there. When you’re not in her head she seems a bit (okay, a lot) bitchy and mean but when you’re reading from her POV she’s actually just very driven and scared to get hurt and that she’s not more than an amazing tennis player. I really really liked Carrie and her character development and the relationship she had with the few persons in her life, especially with her father. I think because he’s also her coach I expected them to have more of a strained relationship but the father-daughter-dynamic was actually one of my favorite things to read about in the book. But I also really liked the bit of romance we got, especially because this so clearly wasn’t a romance book and the romance was just a subplot. The book is really about Carrie succeeding (or not?) and it had me on the edge of my seat during some matches and I was rooting for Carrie so much.
Really, I can’t recommend the book enough and can’t wait to get a copy for my shelf when it’s released in nearly a month now!