A review by smolivreads
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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. 
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