Carrie Soto is back and so is Taylor Jenkins Reid with another compelling story! This truly was a page turner and to say I couldn’t put this down is an understatement. If you’ve read Malibu Rising, you’ll already know of Carrie Soto, but this new book from TJR gives readers an insight into Carrie’s past and what’s to come regarding her tennis career, and above all else, many reasons hold this character close to your heart.
Carrie Soto’s character was first introduced in Malibu Rising, whilst this book didn’t frame Carrie in the best light, (if you know, you know), Carrie Soto Is Back really gives us some background on Carrie and everything she has been through to get to the top.
This book is everything from perseverance to uncertainty, from failure to success. There is also aspects of acceptance and loss woven into the plot of this story, whilst heartbreaking at times it was overall utterly beautiful. I devoured every moment of this book. The story was so real and so raw it felt like I was watching a real life tennis match, I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath awaiting what would happen next. How does Taylor Jenkins Reid write such real characters? I felt the need to Google Carrie Soto because she felt so real to me that I expected all of her achievements and game footage to be right at the top of the search engine when I looked up her name. It’s actually pretty heartbreaking that this isn’t the case.
Carrie Soto Is Back expertly explores the triumphs and defeats of competitive sport for women. And I was waiting with baited breath for every single result. I know I’ve already said this once but I just can’t believe that what I’ve just read isn’t actually real. I am in awe of the talents this author has. There are an abundance of lessons to be learned from this book and many I will hold onto for a very long time. Now, onto the reread!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this, all other TJR books I've read I have absolutely loved them, but I was disappointed, I just felt this wasn't going anywhere and the story didn't grip me, maybe because I'm not into tennis? I don't know. But unfortunately this didn't do it for me.

I wasn’t a tennis fan, but this has me converted. TJR does it again with a beautiful story about love, grief and finding your sense of purpose.

Following Carrie’s story you can’t help but root for her. She’s the most likeable unlikeable character I’ve ever read.

The writing in this novel is unparalleled, flowing so beautifully across decades of time, keeping you engrossed and on the edge of your toes. A true ACE of a novel.

Beyond grateful to NetGalley and Cornerstone for the ARC.

Carrie Soto is Back is another hit from Taylor Jenkins Reid. Let's just say I love her writing, love her characters, love this universe she has created.

This latest book has a very different vibe from the others. If you like tennis, it's probably a dream - I love tennis! I just felt the detail distracted from what TJR does best in that gripping slow character development and realness. But it's still a great book! Just probably the weakest one from my perspective.

Carrie is a phenomenal character with so much determination. I loved her relationship with her Dad and how she formed relationships with other characters. Her journey was such a dream - but we all know tennis tournaments can throw some weird wildcards so it's not exactly unrealistic.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this (in one sitting) and perhaps just have super high standards for TJR now!!

I really could not care less about tennis, so I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy Carrie Soto is Back, but I should have had more trust in Taylor Jenkins Reid. Carrie is a brilliant character, wonderfully bristly, and the book is a joy to read. One thing to note - surely at some point it was called The Bitch is Back, but someone decided that would be less marketable? Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

**4.5 Stars**
I was so so so excited when the approval email came through from NetGalley for me to read this book. I cannot tell you how much I have fallen in love with Taylor Jenkin Reid’s incredible writing style and I adore the way she creates characters. She is definitely one of my favourite authors of all time although that definitely comes with some apprehension and nervousness when picking up anything by her but this one certainly didn’t disappoint.
I knew this one was about tennis but besides that I was pretty much blind to the story. I have some interest in tennis but I wouldn’t call myself a tennis fan- more that I enjoy watching Wimbledon or the US open but it doesn’t go any deeper than that but rest assured if you are not a tennis fan, this really will not impact your love for this book.
This story follows the return of Carrie Soto to tennis following her previous ‘retirement’. Carrie had been the best tennis player in the world and held the record for the most grand slam titles until now when this title was being threatened motivating her return to tennis despite being much older than your average tennis star making the odds (and the people) not in her favour.

What I really liked
🔅 The characters of course were my favourite part of this book. As I mentioned above TJR just writes characters in a way that speaks to me and this book just didn’t disappoint. I loved that this book centred around powerful women and the way in which they were all successful on their own merit. I loved the way it explored competition between females as I think this is a topic that never seems to be explored and tends to be seen as a male characteristic within the fictional world but I loved the dive into this in both its petty and its humility.
🔅 Another thing that I think TJR does so well is create likeable characters that you almost want to hate? (Evelyn Hugo I am looking at you). Carrie was on paper not a ‘likeable’ character and was at times completely standoffish and outright rude but because I had the context and the back story and felt like I knew her I loved those parts of her too.
🔅The imagery created in this one was really powerful, I thought the way in which the tennis matches were narrated had the perfect balance of not being overly longwinded but giving enough that you could imagine the game playing out before your very eyes.
🔅 Of course it wouldn’t be a TJR book without a splash of romance- I enjoyed that this didn’t become overpowering, that at no point did Carrie change herself or her dreams and wasn’t expected to.
🔅 I enjoyed the family relationships in this book too. I liked that the book wasn’t just about tennis with a splash of romance but instead explored much deeper topics outside of that too.
🔅Of course I also loved the little nods to the other novels by TJR- who doesn’t love that? She really has created a whole other world for her characters to live in.
🔅 I don’t want to give any spoilers on this one but the ending was just *chef’s kiss*

In short, you HAVE to pick up this book!!

Perfect this book!!!
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good book!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension - impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

TJR does it again - just like Carrie Soto, she never misses!

I only discovered TJR earlier this year thanks to Bookstagram, but she has fast become one of my auto-buy authors.

I have no interest in tennis - have never watched it, never played it. And yet, I found myself following the action in the book like a fast paced game on the TV. I couldn't keep my eyes of it and could imagine every shot, the roar of the crowd, the heat of the sun, the tension in the stadium.

But the real power of TJR's writing is in her female characters. I love how they all have a talent. They are successful in their own right, often far more successful than the men in their field, and financially stable. They are powerful, but often flawed - this is usually the driver to their success. As a result, any relationship that they have is chosen by them, not forced on them by circumstance or need. Carrie doesn't try and make friends on the tennis scene - that is not what she is there for - but when female friendships form they are solid and based on a true understanding of each other's personality and form some of my favourite scenes in the book (I love the flowers that are sent to her room and the meaning behind them - sweet and savage in one move).

Following in the iconic footsteps of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones, Carrie Soto is 100% unashamedly herself. She doesn't play for likes or adulation, she plays to win, an attitude that makes her the most successful tennis player of her time but not a fan favourite as she doesn't fit the mould of how the public believe a female player should behave. The commentary on the innate sexism in sport was understated but clear to see, with Carrie often wiping the floor with the male players but still having to wait for the male finals before she can celebrate her own success. The names used to describe the female players are insulting, whereas the male players who play with passion and emotion are celebrated and praised, and the transcripts of the interviews with sports commentators really drove this home (and made me genuinely angry on her behalf).

I loved the relationship between her and her father - her driving force but not domineering - the love between them was powerful and clear to see. And the romantic storyline was tender and respectful and I loved to see the character development where two big egos discovered that the sport, and life in general, is more fun with someone to share it with.

Evelyn and Daisy will always have my heart but I loved Carrie all the same and can see the book joining the rest of TJR's back catalogue on reader's shelves all over the world.

I own a couple of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s previous books, but for some ridiculous reason, I’ve never got round to reading them. So, I thought it was about time I entered her world, and where better place to start than with Carrie Soto.

Every so often an author comes along who the whole world seems to love, and more often than not, I don’t agree, finding them too overexposed. And whilst this may be my first of her books that I’ve actually read, I think she may be the exception there. She’s utterly fabulous.

I am obsessed with tennis, so I loved that the game was a critical element to the story. You don’t often get fictional books on the topic of tennis – normally it’s football – so it was very enjoyable from my perspective for that. The detail of the games is very impressive, either Taylor is a tennis fan, plays tennis or has just don’t an immense amount of research. Yes, most of the games are described in detail, some on a point-by-point basis, which could have been quite repetitive and tedious, but it wasn’t. reading the games was as thrilling as watching them.

It's a fascinating character exploration into female competitors. If a male athlete – fictional or otherwise – acted in the same way Carrie does, it would be all positivity and praise, but instead she’s called a ‘Battle Axe’ and ‘more machine than woman’.

Whether it was intentional or not, I can definitely see some real-life tennis players reflected in the book’s characters.

I can’t say for the plot of her other books, whether they’re focussed on one topic, but this one is 100% tennis based. The plot, the characters, the emotions, the twists and turns – they all revolve around playing tennis, so if you don’t happen to be as much of a tennis nut as I am,. You may not enjoy it quite as much, but you should still appreciate it for the phenomenal writing and storytelling it is.

It is a powerful book, so joyful and surprisingly emotional. You will shed tears of sadness, of happiness, anger and pride.

I’ve read a lot of reviews that say they didn’t like Carrie, but I did right from the off. Yes she’s rude and brash and egotistical, but she’s strong and powerful, inspirational and passionate. I really loved her. I also loved her dad; their partnership was gorgeous. The only character I really had negative feelings towards was Nicki; she was a horrific piece of work, and I was willing throughout the book for her to lose. The other characters, whilst key, were more background to me. In my opinion, this is a two-man show.

It is so visual it is an assault on the senses. You can hear the crowds cheering, taste the victory, touch the ball and racket, see the court, smell the blood, sweat and tears she puts in. it is one of the most clearly visual stories I’ve read, and I think would make a very interesting TV series.

It’s hard to imagine that this book started off as a rough draft like any other book. It just leaps off the page right from the off that it feels like it must have come out perfectly on the first write. I just can’t imagine this being any less than the perfect read it is now.

It felt so real, that even after I’d finished, I was thinking about it, like she was a real tennis player, a peer. I kept thinking ‘I must see what she’s playing in next’, forgetting she was fictional, and I’d never get the chance to see her play.

Thank you to NetGalley, Taylor Jenkins Reid and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As always, Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint! I love how every protagonist in her books is flawed but lovable. I was rooting for her from the beginning, and I felt the tension of every tennis match as if I was watching it on TV because of how vividly she portrayed the scene, other players and Carrie’s emotions.
The characters were all loveable, and I especially loved how it ended. I could not recommend this enough and can’t wait for it to come out so I can discuss it with other people.

This is my favourite Taylor Jenkins Reid book so far.

I also say that on EVERY single one I read. No, but really, this time, it's true.

As a huge, huge sports fan, this was so up my street. Mixing tennis with beautiful writing that only Taylor can produce created absolute perfection. The worlds she manages to create are so real and so consuming that I fall in love every time.

The way she digs deep into topics such as females in sport and the differences between men and women is so perfectly explained that even a non-sports fan will fall in love with this book.

An easy five stars.

3.5/5

I really enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid novels and was excited to get my hands on her latest. It is a fun read for the most part, but you'll definitely get more out of it if you like tennis!

Brief synopsis: Carrie Soto is a retired tennis champion who holds the record for most Grand Slam wins in tennis history, until tennis superstar, Nicki Chan, comes along and beats it. Carrie stages a comeback in order to beat Chan and take back her record, but the training sessions and discussions with her father and fellow retiree, Bowe Huntley, that follow, lead to her having realisations about her own identity and selfhood, as well as her game.

The narrative follows Carrie's tennis career from when she is a child to becoming a champion, which includes the relationship she has with her father, Javier, who coaches her. Their relationship was my favourite aspect of the novel; Carrie isn't the most likeable or relatable person, she is driven and ambitious and exploits peoples weaknesses for her own gain, but Javier is a patient man who encourages her to forge a life for herself outside of the sport and not to put too much stock in always being the best.

I enjoyed the change in styles as radio and television interviews, and newspaper and magazine articles are interspersed throughout, reporting on the many matches and tournaments and giving a different perspective on events. Unfortunately for me though, there is far too much focus on the intricacies of Carrie's tennis game and the story sometimes gets lost in the tennis terminology and descriptions. I still enjoyed reading it as I like Reid's writing style and I will always pick up her books!

Carrie Soto is Back was super fun to read! I don’t like tennis usually but I found myself completely engrossed in this book. I really enjoyed the whole thing, characters, story, all of it! I read it really quickly too, I didn’t want to put it down! Highly recommended!

Carrie Soto is Back
By Taylor Jenkins Reid

There is something so delectable about reentering the world created by TJR. Remembering that mind blowing feeling I got from reading Daisy Jones and the Six, I relish every chance to go back there. I love how her characters from her various novels intertwine and indeed there are some name checks here again.

Carrie Soto has been reared on the promise that she will be the best the world has ever seen. It is her total identity and she just doesn't know how to be anyone else. Despite a ton of accolades, grand slams and records, she can't stand by and watch her world record fall.

Through the first person narrative of the retired tennis champion and through magazine and newspaper articles, transcripts and commentaries we follow her campaign to make a comeback...she is 37 years old, but she only needs one slam to retain her record.

I always tell myself I don't care about tennis. From July to May I can't tell you a thing about the sport, names, rules, scoring, nothing. But come June, one or two matches will catch my eye in spite of myself and I will become so emotionally invested for 3 or 4 hours you'd think I invented the game.

I worried a little that the tennis would be too much for me to enjoy this story, but was prepared to skim through those details. Nobody was more surprised than me when I found myself engrossed in the action. Every match was like watching Harmony Tan v Serena Williams. Reid writes tennis like an expert but in such an accessible way.

Naturally this is more than just tennis. It is a beautiful father/ daughter relationship, it is about ambition and how we perceive failure, it is about how different the world of female sport is to male sport with so much emphasis on your look, your likeability, how you ought to keep smiling and not show too much aggression or passion. Carrie has to come face to face with her own ghosts and her journey is astonishing. My favourite TJR to date, sorry Daisy but Carrie has captured my heart.

Game, set and match to Taylor Jenkins Reid

Thanks to #netgalley and #RandomHouseUK for the opportunity to review this title

I was super excited to be approved to read this new release from the queen Taylor Jenkins Reid via netgalley. I had high hopes for this as TJR is one of my favourite authors. Meet Carrie Soto, former tennis champion who comes out of retirement after her record for winning the most Grand Slams is beaten. Carrie tells the press she will win another Grand Slam and regain her record, then sets out to do so. To begin with, I struggled to get into this. Carrie is quite an unlikeable character until you get used to her brash ‘I am the best and I will win that extra Slam’ attitude. Somewhere along the way though I got into this novel and Carrie begin to charm me. I loved her relationship with her father and coach Javier and love interest (fellow tennis pro Bowe). These relationships humanised Carrie. As we follow Carrie’s trials and tribulations of the 1995 tennis year, I became really invested in finding out whether Carrie was going to regain that record. All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. Is it my favourite TJR novel? No, that honour is still held by Evelyn Hugo. But, like Evelyn, Carrie is a strong, well written character - just as you’d expect from TJR. Fans will not be disappointed with this new novel when it releases in August. I know I wasn’t.

This was my fourth TJR book. So far I’ve given them all 5 stars, and this one was no exception.

A wonderful story. I read it in a day - just couldn’t put it down. It’s hard to review without giving away any spoilers, but I will say I loved seeing the main characters learn and grow throughout the book.

There is no doubting that there is a lot of tennis in this book. I thought that would be a problem, but it wasn’t. I felt like I was right there on the sidelines feeling every shot,.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for graciously allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one definitely wasn’t for me! As soon as I was approved I jumped straight into this book but I struggle to read it! We follow a retired tennis player who is making a comeback and her father is her coach. Unfortunately I hate tennis. I don’t understand the rules or really want to . The tennis part, language, setting etc was 90% of the book. However I did love the father daughter relationship. Only really recommend if you are a tennis fan.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a master of her class. She is untouchable when it comes to writing strong female heroines.
Carrie Soto isn't even that likeable and yet you find yourself rooting for her the entire time.
The story crafted around this was excellent. I love how immersive the writing always is into the world of the character. However in this case, it was just a little bit too much tennis for me (I mean it's a book about tennis but just my own personal disconnect stopped me slightly from becoming fully immersed.
Still a great enjoyable read and everyone will love this.

The latest instalment in the MRU (Mick Riva Universe) is here!

In the 80’s Carrie Soto was at the top of her game, the best tennis player in the world by far, but after an injury forced her to retire she’s been off the court for 5 years.

When an up and coming new British player, Nicki Chan, threatens to take Carrie’s title and replace her as record holder she decides to come out of retirement and reclaim what’s rightfully hers.

This book is 95% tennis, and i’m not a tennis fan nor do I care about it in the slightest but as always TJR magically makes any topic interesting and had me completely hooked by the end of the first chapter.

It’s super fast-paced and the chapters and short meaning I devoured it in one go. It explores the concept of what it’s like to be a woman in sport - a woman in a ‘mans world’ essentially, and how misogyny has become so engrained in the industry. Taylor Swift said it best when she said “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can - wondering if i’d get there quicker if I was a man”…

There’s also fun callbacks to TJR’s earlier books with Seven Husbands and Daisy Jones easter eggs - that will make you smile when you spot them! There’s also a big connection to Malibu Rising, which I would recommend reading before this one.

Carrie Soto is Back, and what a whirlwind of emotions it is.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a master at her craft! She has taken a character I didn't like from Malibu Rising, and a subject I havent much knowledge or interest in, and she has not only made me feel at home amongst these pages, but also made me cry and scream alongside Carrie every step of the way.

The depth to the writing is incredible! I now understand tennis for the first time in my life. Sidenote, who can update me on Wimbledon, because I'm suddenly invested!

The subtle mentions to Evenlyn Hugo (Vivant magazine ring any bells?) and Daisy Jones (that unauthorised biography exists in 1995) warmed my heart.

The growth in Carrie Soto's character throughout this book is mesmerising! The tears in my eyes and the smile on my face as I finished reading this book says it all; I have grown to like Carrie and forgive her the mistakes she has made and learnt from.

Carrie Soto is indeed back, and firmly implanted herself into this world of TJR and unexpectedly, my heart.