hereforthefunofit's review against another edition
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was a bit underwhelmed. This story wasn't as complex as and didn't captivate me as much as the TJR books I read in the past (Malibu Rising and Evelyn Hugo). I wasn't very connected to the story/characters or felt taken a long a strongly developed ride of a plot as I am used to with TJR works. And if it wasn't meant to be that, that's completely fine. It doesn't stop me from enjoying it for what it was.
The only thing I can say as something I wanted more of in this book (other than just liking it more) is that I would've loved at least a chapter or two of her time between the announcement of her retirement and her comeback. I feel like it would've added a lot more context for her frame of mind and added more to the story for her "character development". It felt flat to me in that regard.
The only thing I can say as something I wanted more of in this book (other than just liking it more) is that I would've loved at least a chapter or two of her time between the announcement of her retirement and her comeback. I feel like it would've added a lot more context for her frame of mind and added more to the story for her "character development". It felt flat to me in that regard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
const_elle_ations's review
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
veskumelooni's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Sexism
rellaviir's review against another edition
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
4.0
I really hated Carrie Soto as a character in the first half, so much so that I almost DNF'd the book. The 2nd half started to show a lot of character development though and it really made this read well worth it. I wound up invested in the story and the characters towards the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
firedoor11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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
I really love this author. She creates complicated, raw, genuine, lovely characters. I love how she can express the character's personal conflict with such grace. I also love that her characters are all in the same universe. Characters from other books make appearances here.
This book is really about relationships. Relation ships between characters, and relationships with themselves. Reid walks you through their conflict and mental anguish that is incredibly relatable, while she brings you to a soft, loving landing. Reid is quickly becoming my favorite author.
This book is really about relationships. Relation ships between characters, and relationships with themselves. Reid walks you through their conflict and mental anguish that is incredibly relatable, while she brings you to a soft, loving landing. Reid is quickly becoming my favorite author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
amalbin's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
horizonous's review against another edition
Not only was I bored reading this, I also don't understand the set-up for the story. Maybe later on it gets more clear why Carrie Soto is so obsessed with being the BEST, but up until this point she just seems like a very one-dimensional character. A tennis machine with nothing going for her otherwise. All she does is train, train, train, complain to everyone around her that she HAS to be the best, that she DESERVES to be the best, because she puts in all this work. So much so she has to come out of retirement after seven years because a younger (equally hard-working) player will probably break her Grand Slam record very soon. On top of that Carrie is incredibly rude to EVERYONE.I do get a healthy amount of rivalry in sports is necessary, but this isn't it. I don't understand how people see Carrie Soto as a "strong woman". To me this has nothing to do with empowerment, feminism or being witty anymore, it's just arrogance and rudeness.
And then there's all of the tennis talk. I played tennis myself, I understand the game. I much rather watch it then read about minutely detailed training sessions or match rallys.
And then there's all of the tennis talk. I played tennis myself, I understand the game. I much rather watch it then read about minutely detailed training sessions or match rallys.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, and Infidelity
Minor: Grief, Cancer, and Car accident
poisonivy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Injury/injury detail
bookishaddictions's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Reid has done it again…. I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six- but I LOVED Carrie’s story. We always right off athletes once they cross 30, especially female athletes; I love that Soto’s character challenges the stereotypes and shows the beauty that can come with age. As an athlete, I could have only dreamed of having the career Soto had. I can also fully understand why she would want to protect her record so bad. Soto’s story shows the good and the bad of being a professional athlete, as well as the double standards that are held for women. Soto is complex and drastically contrasts against society’s ideal “lovable” woman. You don’t need to understand tennis either to understand Soto’s story, so I recommend checking this one out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Sexism
laur1099's review
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent