Seriously though, I loved this book and Carrie herself. I found that her growth and personal strength really called to me. And I loved that she was a bitch, absolutely loved it. Because so often women aren't afforded the same luxuries as men, especially in the spotlight and I think TJR represented that reality really well in this novel. I also absolutely ate up Bowe and how he showed up for Carrie; I'm obsessed with him. These characters all felt so real to me and I had such an amazing time getting to know them. SO glad I finally picked this book up off my shelf!

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skilb's review against another edition

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funny inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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reeccees's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Honorary 5 stars for

Javier

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bmceleney's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love watching tennis so this book particularly was something I would love. The character arcs and writing were beautiful as always

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francadazwischen's review against another edition

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challenging funny inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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smolivreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

TJR, you have your finger on the pulse and you’re killing it.

This book was enthralling. I devoured it in one day because I literally couldn’t put it down. There’s fast-paced and then there’s this book- racing through at breakneck speed. I loved it.

Carrie is such a good character. I loved the first person POV- being in her head drove the story. It helped build the atmosphere and added so much tension. She’s my favourite kind of protagonist- messy, selfish, and flawed. But she grows so much and it’s so rewarding to see her stumble but ultimately find her rhythm.

The twist towards the end did absolutely sucker punch me, as it always does, even though I saw it coming. And the writing to deal with the fallout was so beautiful.

This book is well-balanced, with a very tasteful critique of societies treatment of women, particularly women of colour. Similar to TJR’s Evelyn Hugo, this book did such a good job illustrating the difficulties of female athletes. How being strong means she’s “less attractive”, being focused means she’s cold, being ambitious means she’s a bitch. It’s not thrust in your face- it’s just part of the journey. That’s what makes it so great. I don’t need the struggles of being a woman laid out for me- this is the reality we live in. TJR walks that line so well.

I’m thrilled I have plenty more books of hers to read. I also loved the little Daisy Jones easter egg- I like the idea that all these fictional characters exist in the same alternate reality.

Content Warnings

_nem_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The ending feels so harsh. It ends so suddenly but I totally understand why it was written that way. I love the development of Carrie's character especially in the last 10% of the book

where she learns to be happy with not winning and where she learns to let go of tennis

. The themes of loss were weaved throughout but definitely became a huge factor at the end.

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