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readbyjaimes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
I'm a new member of the Carrie Soto fan club
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
smolivreads's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Sexism and Death of parent
_nem_'s review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
suzyvee's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
4.5
This was another great story by TJR. In the same-TJR-universe 4 book series, I would rank this 3rd.
Carrie Soto is a retired tennis great, having won a record-breaking 20 grand slam titles. After 6 years into her retirement, she decides to make a come back because a young, rising tennis star matched her record on her way to passing it.
The story follows Carrie’s career and shows her determination, grit, and her close and sometimes complicated relationship with her father/coach. I loved how well TJR incorporated real tennis greats into the book and used retired tennis stars’ accomplishments and personalities in her creation of her characters. Loved it.
Carrie Soto is a retired tennis great, having won a record-breaking 20 grand slam titles. After 6 years into her retirement, she decides to make a come back because a young, rising tennis star matched her record on her way to passing it.
The story follows Carrie’s career and shows her determination, grit, and her close and sometimes complicated relationship with her father/coach. I loved how well TJR incorporated real tennis greats into the book and used retired tennis stars’ accomplishments and personalities in her creation of her characters. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
joensign's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer and Racism
smeyer0024's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
lucyatoz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"The fight for a place in history is about to begin..."
For the record, I am a big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid's storytelling. However, Carrie Soto is Back is my least favourite of her novels that I have read so far. Do not get me wrong, it is a really well written book and I am a big tennis fan, however, I think it was overly focussed on the game & set and really did not make it to a match with me.
I did appreciate how her relationship with her dad, Javier, developed although he is her tennis coach first and a father second and it ebbed and flowed following the death of her Mother, Alicia, and her rise through the tennis rankings. However, I ultimately did not warm to Carrie nor feel invested in her story.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on BorrowBox. I read this for prompt 33, an abrupt ending, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
For the record, I am a big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid's storytelling. However, Carrie Soto is Back is my least favourite of her novels that I have read so far. Do not get me wrong, it is a really well written book and I am a big tennis fan, however, I think it was overly focussed on the game & set and really did not make it to a match with me.
I did appreciate how her relationship with her dad, Javier, developed although he is her tennis coach first and a father second and it ebbed and flowed following the death of her Mother, Alicia, and her rise through the tennis rankings. However, I ultimately did not warm to Carrie nor feel invested in her story.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on BorrowBox. I read this for prompt 33, an abrupt ending, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
virgcole398's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Sexism, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
spellbindingtomes's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵.
Retired tennis champion and 37 year old, Carrie Soto, returns to the court to defend her record for most Grand Slam singles titles against the rising 'Beast', Nikki Chan.
My first TJR book and my new favorite read of 2024!
Carrie's passion for the sport is unmatched. And while she lives and breathes tennis, she is far from likeable. She's ruthless, arrogant, callous, and will do anything to be the best, even if that means leaving behind those that care for her. But her tenacity and her drive against all odds is what draws me to root for her as she embarks on what may be her final Grand Slam season.
TJR's writing was exceptional. How she captured the beauty in every match, built in complex relationships, and how she brought us inside the mind of Carrie Soto was both engaging and exciting. Carrie's own growth throughout the book was also brilliantly laid out.
My favorite aspect of this book was reading the bond between Carrie and her dad. Her dad's unwavering belief and support was simply endearing. So many of their conversations had me sobbing.
I listened to the audiobook and it was such an incredible experience. I loved how it executed the many different media pieces and Stacy Gonzales' performance was phenomenal 👏🏼 I'm not lying when I say I was hooked from the first 20 words.
Carrie's journey was every bit as beautiful as it was heartrending. TJR writes a captivating and inspirational redemption story that will stun you from start to finish even if you're not familiar with the sport.
Read if you like:
🎾TENNIS
🎾strong father & daughter bond
🎾retiree comeback
🎾bad ass FMC
Retired tennis champion and 37 year old, Carrie Soto, returns to the court to defend her record for most Grand Slam singles titles against the rising 'Beast', Nikki Chan.
My first TJR book and my new favorite read of 2024!
Carrie's passion for the sport is unmatched. And while she lives and breathes tennis, she is far from likeable. She's ruthless, arrogant, callous, and will do anything to be the best, even if that means leaving behind those that care for her. But her tenacity and her drive against all odds is what draws me to root for her as she embarks on what may be her final Grand Slam season.
TJR's writing was exceptional. How she captured the beauty in every match, built in complex relationships, and how she brought us inside the mind of Carrie Soto was both engaging and exciting. Carrie's own growth throughout the book was also brilliantly laid out.
My favorite aspect of this book was reading the bond between Carrie and her dad. Her dad's unwavering belief and support was simply endearing. So many of their conversations had me sobbing.
I listened to the audiobook and it was such an incredible experience. I loved how it executed the many different media pieces and Stacy Gonzales' performance was phenomenal 👏🏼 I'm not lying when I say I was hooked from the first 20 words.
Carrie's journey was every bit as beautiful as it was heartrending. TJR writes a captivating and inspirational redemption story that will stun you from start to finish even if you're not familiar with the sport.
Read if you like:
🎾TENNIS
🎾strong father & daughter bond
🎾retiree comeback
🎾bad ass FMC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Death of parent
hmatt's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have been having a time with 3.75 ratings, recently.
This is not my favourite nor my least-favouring TJK! It's a solid read and reliably intersects with the rest of the literary universe. I always appreciate this author's deep-dives into specific subcultures/topics, and this is no exception when it comes to the tennis industry of yore, especially with how it may have intersected with sexism and racism. The father-daughter relationship is particularly well-written and interesting and, as per usual, I could really take-or-leave the romantic relationship that's tacked on. I loved that the Spanish isn't translated, I don't think it needs to be.
This is not my favourite nor my least-favouring TJK! It's a solid read and reliably intersects with the rest of the literary universe. I always appreciate this author's deep-dives into specific subcultures/topics, and this is no exception when it comes to the tennis industry of yore, especially with how it may have intersected with sexism and racism. The father-daughter relationship is particularly well-written and interesting and, as per usual, I could really take-or-leave the romantic relationship that's tacked on. I loved that the Spanish isn't translated, I don't think it needs to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Medical content