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nnennaya_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
THAT ENDING DONE PISSED ME OFF SO BAD OOOOOOOOOOOOO. TJR I HATE THAT I LOVE YOUUUUU!!!!
sometimes i feel so pissed at myself that i’m so meticulous about what makes a 5 star for me, and then i read a book that does this…and i know why. God, I love storytelling.
sometimes i feel so pissed at myself that i’m so meticulous about what makes a 5 star for me, and then i read a book that does this…and i know why. God, I love storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Infidelity
julierambaeck's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the third time I have read a Reid novel, and this one is my least favorite. Carrie Soto is an unlikeable character but you come to root for her anyway. I listened to this as an audiobook, and I think that was a great choice. Having the book read out for you, it feels like you are sitting on the sidelines and watching her play tennis. I was quite invested in her goals, and I did tear up by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
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
zeynus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
grxcequinn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness, Cursing, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
wisteria22's review against another edition
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
5.0
“Carrie Soto is Back” is the best book I’ve read in ages and had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. Carrie Soto might be my all-time favorite female character and TJR managed to let her shine in all of her complicated facets. The novel is an inspiring portrayal of female ambition and even though I’ve never watched a single tennis match in my life, I fell in love with the sport through TJR’s words. Simply stunning. A phenomenal read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction, Car accident, and Death of parent
booksalacarte's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5⭐️ 2🌶️
Tennis
Professional Athlete
Loving the dream
Comeback
Older MC’s (mid-late 30’s)
Underdog
Unapologetic female elite athlete
Misogyny
Second chance Romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Biggest fan parent
Single father
Self discovery/rediscovery
Did I know anything about tennis before reading this book? Absolutely not.
Do I know anything after reading?….. maybe? I could probably watch it and not be bored now.
Did I love this book? Yes. Yesyesyes.
The structure was so interesting! TJR never fails to set books up to be structurally interesting in a way that enhances the story. Having the FMC’s POV broken up by sportscasters commentary about her game and competition was an awesome way to build tension and get the feel of the nature and stakes of the story.
I always love TJR’s Easter eggs for her other books. That they all live in this alternative universe together.
Carrie was an unapologetic, hard as nails, powerhouse of a character and I loved every second of balancing on the edge of her sarcasm and intensity while her inner monologue showed us exactly how insecure she is. It made her superhuman abilities more human.
The romance in the book was so interesting in how it was presented as iron sharpening iron. Both were so flawed and watching things develop was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Carrie’s relationship with her father was so beautiful and my favorite thing about the book. It was dynamic, full of ups and downs, heartbreaking. I was fully invested. The grief represented in the book was so well done. I found myself adoring her father which made the arc of the story so amazing.
This is a favorite. But TJR’s books always are for me.
Tennis
Professional Athlete
Loving the dream
Comeback
Older MC’s (mid-late 30’s)
Underdog
Unapologetic female elite athlete
Misogyny
Second chance Romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Biggest fan parent
Single father
Self discovery/rediscovery
Did I know anything about tennis before reading this book? Absolutely not.
Do I know anything after reading?….. maybe? I could probably watch it and not be bored now.
Did I love this book? Yes. Yesyesyes.
The structure was so interesting! TJR never fails to set books up to be structurally interesting in a way that enhances the story. Having the FMC’s POV broken up by sportscasters commentary about her game and competition was an awesome way to build tension and get the feel of the nature and stakes of the story.
I always love TJR’s Easter eggs for her other books. That they all live in this alternative universe together.
Carrie was an unapologetic, hard as nails, powerhouse of a character and I loved every second of balancing on the edge of her sarcasm and intensity while her inner monologue showed us exactly how insecure she is. It made her superhuman abilities more human.
The romance in the book was so interesting in how it was presented as iron sharpening iron. Both were so flawed and watching things develop was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Carrie’s relationship with her father was so beautiful and my favorite thing about the book. It was dynamic, full of ups and downs, heartbreaking. I was fully invested. The grief represented in the book was so well done. I found myself adoring her father which made the arc of the story so amazing.
This is a favorite. But TJR’s books always are for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
clarke's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
It's no Evelyn Hugo.
Idk, I just didn't get the point of this book? Other than training and playing tennis, not much happened? I expected more.
Idk, I just didn't get the point of this book? Other than training and playing tennis, not much happened? I expected more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness
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