No one who knows me would call me a fan of spectator sports. So, when the premise of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, Carrie Soto is Back, was announced, a retired tennis superstar returns to the sport to maintain her world record, I was a little doubtful. I wasn’t sure how Jenkins Reid would get me invested in the sports-heavy plot or indeed in the character of Carrie, who was…quite a hard pill to swallow in Malibu Rising, to say the least. Still, I’d read Jenkins Reid’s three most recent novels in the space of 24 hours each, so I was keen to give it a go.

First things first: I needn’t have worried about the role that tennis plays in the plot. The rules are explained enough that even a total beginner like me can keep track of what’s going on. Jenkins Reid treats her tennis matches like other writers treat action scenes. Instead of getting bogged down in the specifics of the game, she takes advantage of her first-person narration to explore Carrie’s relationship with tennis and to highlight just how much of a professional Carrie is. As the book continues, Jenkins Reid smartly chooses which matches to focus on. As a writer myself, I have to admire her instinct for when to linger on the details of a match and when to skip ahead. The balance was executed perfectly, keeping me invested and on my toes.

But of course, tennis can only hold a reader’s attention for so long, even when the stakes are as high as they are for Carrie. It is through the tender depiction of the father-daughter relationship between Carrie and her dad/coach, Javier, that Jenkins Reid gives heart to her story. Both Javier and Carrie are flawed, but their love and trust in each other are beautifully handled, and you root for their bond throughout. Javier in particular is a lovely secondary character, and even when I wanted to shake him for not seeing how his coaching was affecting Carrie, I empathised with him and hoped he’d do better. And Carrie’s love and care for her father soften her sharp edges and prove to us that she’s not just worth rooting for because of her talents and dedication, but because of her heart.

In its character work and plot, Carrie Soto is a near-perfect summer read. However, the pacing and structure feel a bit uneven – the speed at which we hurtle through the first thirty years of Carrie’s life doesn’t match the rest of the novel’s focus on her year of coming out of retirement. While a lot of important context and backstory is given in the former section, I’m not convinced that it couldn’t have felt a bit more seamless if given through flashbacks or by having alternating timelines throughout the novel. And in focusing so much on Carrie and Javier, the other characters get a bit side-lined. But none of this is the reason why I’m not as enthusiastic about Carrie Soto as I wish I was.

The core issue with Carrie Soto is that, at the end of the day, it is a second-gen Latina immigrant’s story written by someone who has never known that experience. Javier migrates to California from Buenos Aires in the 1950s, and he and Carrie often speak in Spanish throughout the novel (though in the manuscript I had, the Spanish wasn’t recognisably Argentinian). And sadly, because Jenkins Reid hasn’t experienced being a woman of colour, an immigrant, or a second-language English speaker, the story barely touches on the way that these traits would have affected Carrie and Javier.

Even today, Latin Americans are heavily discriminated against in the United States. Our accents carry a stigma, carrying a Latin American passport means being viewed with suspicion at most airports, and in tennis itself, there are multiple instances of racism against women of colour. In the mid-and late-twentieth century, this discrimination was even more blatant, and yet the novel shies away from portraying it on the page. A particular example of a missed opportunity, for me, is that Carrie is panned by the media for being competitive and harsh, but the narrative chalks it all up to sexism, rather than considering how racial bias and the stereotype of Latinas being aggressive would have likely played a part in this.

Other women of colour in the plot aren’t treated much better. Gwen, Carrie’s agent, doesn’t show up much on the page, and when she does, she never feels as three-dimensional as Carrie and Javier. Though she is African American, this is only reflected on briefly, when Carrie considers that though she might struggle with discrimination, Gwen has it even worse. And if you zoom out and look at Carrie Soto as a whole, the premise is based on pitting its only two major tennis players of colour (Carrie and her rival, Nicki Chan) against each other.

So, while Carrie Soto was a fun reading experience, Jenkins Reid’s treatment of the novel’s characters of colour left a sour taste in my mouth. As I mentioned earlier, the plot is gripping and the characters endearing, so I’m sure it will prove as big a hit as Jenkins Reid’s past efforts. I just hope that fans examine the novel’s blind spots when delivering their verdicts.

Gripping and immersive read, incorporating TJR's trademark glamour, this time around the world of elite sport and in particular the challenges females face in their professional and personal lives.

Carrie retired from her professional tennis career holding many records, including the one for most Grand Slam wins. At the age of 37 she makes the decision to come out of retirement for one year in defence of her record.

We learn about Carrie's dedication growing up, her relationship with the press and other competitors, and her reluctance to conform to "feminine" societal norms.

This was a good book but not my favourite. I liked it being about tennis and the link to Malibu Rising but I just struggled to get into it sometimes. I couldn’t really get on board with Carrie as a character, until maybe towards the end.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of those authors who just blows my mind everytime I pick up one of her books.

Carrie is a character you shouldn't love but Reid makes you understand the character on a different level and I adored Carrie's story.

I'm still blown away by how invested and in love with this story I was!

I'll post a better review when I can formulate words.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by Taylor Jenkins Read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I wondered what it would be like, reading about the ‘tennis world’, as, although I like tennis, I’m not a compulsive follower. However, I was drawn easily into this fiercely competitive world.

Carrie Soto is a strong character, vividly brought to life. She is portrayed so well that whilst I was, at times, cringing at her forthright comments, I couldn’t help but like her and so desperately wanted her to succeed against the odds. Her close, but sometimes volatile, relationship with her father, Javier Soto, is such a central part of the book. I really enjoyed the lapses into Spanish when they spoke, it somehow brought real colour and emotions to their exchanges. I couldn’t help but like Bowe when he appeared on the scene too.

Taylor Jenkins Reid drew me into the story, after a gentle start, understanding Carrie’s background. The harsh realities of being on the professional tennis circuit, the endless grind of training and fitness, diet, travel, media intrusion, strategising and planning, the power of the media and also what a solitary existence it can be. I could even feel myself getting competitive, over
‘fictional’ tennis matches!

There are underlying themes to take from this enveloping read, the importance of family, love and accepting yourself and who you are. The rivalry between Nicki Chan and Carrie Soto is both intriguing and compelling.

I found myself gritting my teeth in anticipation, lump in my throat at certain points and smiles creeping onto my face. The signs of a great, absorbing, compelling read! Taylor Jenkins Read, I will be back!

This book wasn't for me. I am not interested in tennis but I think it would appeal to someone who does like tennis! I am not sure I like the author's style of writing but I know many people do enjoy it.

TJR is one of my favourite authors. While this wasn’t my favourite book of hers, I still really enjoyed it. I only watch tennis when Wimbledon is on, and even then, I’m not that committed, however, TJR had me invested and rooting for Carrie.

I love TJR. TJR has me loving characters I never would in real life and cheering them on the whole way through. I loved every character in this, couldn't stop reading it and I'm just so looking forward to more.

4.5 rounded up!

Thanks to the publisher for an eArc via NetGalley

Carrie is a brilliant character that I loved. I really enjoyed this book and loved Carries determination and spirit. Taylor is an excellent writer and this book is a prime example of that

Carrie does not have the charm of Daisy or the other characters of the TJR-verse. I found this to be a really hard book to read and I didn't enjoy it. I can't help but wonder if my TJR time is finished. I hope not but we'll have to wait and see.

Carrie Sotto is back!!! Carrie was a world champion tennis player and when it looks like her record number of tittles is going to be overtaken she comes out of retirement to play against people considerably younger and fitter than her. There is a lot of tennis but also lots about relationships and what we miss when we are striving for perfection. I really loved it!

Once you get over the incredible nonsense of the main plot (the idea that a retired tennis player could suddenly mount a come back like this) you give in to the joy of this sporting rivalry with all the Dynasty-esque drama it brings.

Taylor Reid is a goddess
No matter what this woman writes I will love it no question asked

Her words are magic and every time I feel lost and so captivated in her books

I was so excited to read this so when I recieved the ARC I was extatic. And I must say that this book did not disappoint. Carrie was such a strong female character that I loved reading about. I enjoyed also the tennis aspect of this book which I wasn't sure at first but it definitely wasn't boring. This book proved to me why Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors.

Absolutely brilliant. Yes Carrie Soto Is Back is about tennis, with enough detail to make it feel like you're really watching, and it's also about feminism and about chasing the impossible perfect and about love - as they say, nothing in tennis and all in life. Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again.

Carrie Soto dropped out of world tennis years ago after an injury destroyed her winning streak. She was brilliant but she was never loved, and now a young tennis player is chasing at her heels for the record of most Grand Slam wins. Maybe it's time for Carrie to come out of retirement.

Get ready for the biggest comeback of the century.

Carrie may not be a traditional heroine, particularly in this 70s-90s setting, and that's what makes this book even better. She's determined and unapologetic and perfectly flawed; it's testament to Jenkins Reid's craftsmanship that each of the characters here are equally believable and fallible. Her character development is beautiful, and it's a nice touch too that the world of her books subtly intertwine. Everything about this book is addictive - I cannot recommend it enough. Just brilliant.

It’s not often an author gets better and better with each book. Even my longtime favourite authors have written some duds. Not this one though! Please read all of her books not just this one! Always 5/5 and I’d give this 6 if I could!

We all love TJR and this is another book which explains why! TJR is incredible at writing gripping books with romance, friends, drama and comedy. Loved it!

I enjoyed the previous books of Taylor Jenkins Reid that I have read but I didn't like this one quite as much. It is a good read, but not as good as the others I'm afraid.

i will anything and everything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes , her celebrity universe is one of my favorite things ever created in books , this story focuses on carrie soto , whom we have last seen in malibu rising , however this is not a related story but a completely different own story of carrie and her journey as a female tennis player .
i would recommend this to anyone who loves tjr's writing, books with celebrities and a feminist novel .

I’ve always loved sport. Even though I don’t have an athletic bone in my body. It’s the competitiveness and resilience of the players but also the excitement around a match day. I’ve also always found individual sports a little harder to watch. It’s something about the responsibility or pressure all being on just one person. Which is why I was really excited to read Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Carrie Soto Is Back.

Carrie is a female athlete perhaps past her prime, brought back to the tennis court on the hunt for one last grand slam.

What I love about Jenkins Reid is her ability to build an entire universe in a novel. I totally bought into Carrie’s story, her need to be the best, her determination to be the best. It felt at times like I was reading a true story.

Perhaps that’s because the narrative by the media around Carrie’s “attitude” on the court felt all too familiar. The audacity of a woman to show anger or to bask in her success. With echos of the criticism and scrutiny we see players like the Williams sisters and Naomi Osaka subjected to, your outrage is so real that you almost forget that Carrie Soto is a fictional character.

I’ve read some reviews that describe the book as having too much tennis but I enjoyed that. I felt the detail included illustrates Carrie’s own obsession with the sport.

The book is also an interesting examination of the inevitable moment when someone new comes along ready to set new records and how to face up to that reality. I see Netflix have a new documentary coming out shortly called Break Point which looks at the Post-Serena, Post-Roger Eras. Sign me up.