Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel

disappointed cause the cover was torn from the corner

Always writing compelling stories. I love how she creates strong characters. Would recommend this to everyone looking for a fast-paced read

I think TJR is the only person who can pick up any subject and makes it interesting to read. This is yet another masterpiece from TJR and honestly I couldn’t put it down. I don’t know even a single thing about Tennis yet I enjoyed it so much. Carrie Soto was first introduced in Malibu rising as Nina’s Husbands Mistress, her character was not at all likeable.This book has done full justice to the story of Carrie and it is brilliant. I loved the relationship between Carrie and her father Javier. Also, loved the character of Bowe and how he supported Carrie always, even after her father’s demise. This one is definitely a memorable read for me.

(Voluntarily reviewed an ARC of the book on For The Love of Fictional Worlds)“We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men.”•I get it now. I get the craze. I get the fandom. I get the love this author has. Because Carrie Soto was absolutely phenomenal.•Carrie Soto is Back is a not just a simple comeback for a tennis legend, what it is absolutely gorgeous love letter to all those who identify as women and who have had to struggle, fight, and destroy to get everything that is considered normal for a man; in a man’s world.•I didn’t have to like Carrie Soto; but damn if I didn’t identify with her - her ambition, her quest to be the greatest and the constant source of irritation that she is held by higher standards of “charm” because she is a woman.•I was wary of picking up TJR’s books - but gosh darn it, I justdidn’t realise I would fall head over heels for the characters she writes and the story she tells!•Carrie Soto became the bad*** b**** I didn’t know I needed at this point in my life. Now all I am gonna do is channel my inner Carrie Soto whenever someone pisses me off.•Now I am off to binge read TJR’s backlist, if you please.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows the riveting and emotional comeback journey of a tennis legend, Carrie Soto. When Carrie Soto retired due to her health troubles, she was at the very top of her sport, a true GOAT. That was years ago and now she can be replaced by a new and coming player as the winner of the most Grand Slam titles. So Carrie decides to come out of her retirement and protect her legacy. Will she be successful? Is she even ready?Taylor Jenkins Reid is a genius, there I said it. Carrie Soto rises, falls, grows and becomes anew in this book. Carrie Soto and Javier Soto (her father) are two such brilliant characters. With their complex emotional journeys, entertaining dialogues and their passion for the sport, they have my heart. Their father-daughter bond was my favourite part of the book, apart from the quintessential Carrie Soto dialogues, they are entertaining in their own way.The author has created a phenomenal piece of work, that can be read in days, or even a day if you are as enthusiastic. Hilarious, dramatic and oh-so-addicting is how I'll describe the young Carrie Soto. She's an icon who is honest, driven and so very flawed, and that's the beauty of TJR's characters. Never did I think reading about a sportsperson (fictitious as it may be) would be this entertaining and fulfilling.

Breathtaking!!!I wasn’t ready for this! Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again and it seems like the author is back with much more than anyone could be ready for!I don’t know how she does it but the story she comes up with gets so realistic that it’s just impossible not to get too attached to the characters. Mind you it’s not just the main characters but everyone else who’s close to them. The power of an amazing author!This story is about a gritty do or die tennis player, Carrie Soto, who’s being trained by her father ever since her toddler days. I sound crazy but that’s nothing compared to what I felt reading the entire book. So yes, expect a lot of craziness and reality bites while reading the book.There are times when you would feel exhilarated, like you can grasp the entire universe in your own hands. There would be moments when you feel totally hopeless and heartbroken. But there will be a lot of times when you feel frustrated over and over again when it comes to Carrie and her choices. But that’s what’s similar to what life offers so you won’t make a big deal out of it (like I did bawling my eyes out, rolling my eyes, going speechless and what not!).I got more attached to the side characters than Carrie and you will know why!Characters to check out for:✔️Javier Soto✔️Bowe✔️Nicky Chan (damn! You!)✔️GwenThere will be times in the second half of the book you will totally feel emotional (if not break your heart and cry your eyes out like I did!).I love how the book ends with a heartwarming moment. It’s so beautiful.I was up the entire night devouring the book like I was watching the last live Wimbledon match ever! Like I said: breathtaking!

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing, forte is creating page- turners about the rich, and famous, she convinces you that her characters are real life celebrities and not just fictional ones. In this case it’s tennis star Carrie Soto the best player the world has ever seen. TJR draws us in immediately with an engaging premise: recently retired Carrie Soto watches newcomer Nicki Chan take her twenty Grand Slams record away. Soto refuses to allow her legacy to be snatched away from her grasp, and embarks on a journey to win back her title.I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this book as I hate tennis with a passion! Even if you’re not a tennis fan, TJR captures all the sweat, rivalry and glamour of tennis. The descriptions of championship matches on some of the most famous tennis courts in the world will keep you furiously turning those pages. I exactly ended up loving this book, I may even be tempted to watch Wimbledon this year!Carrie is a strong character, she’s arrogant and not very likeable, but you know what? Carrie's love for tennis shines on every page, and she gradually won me over with her persistence and dedication it also helped that under that tough exterior, a more vulnerable side to her personality emerges. I actually ended up liking her so much I desperately wanted her to succeed against the odds. Her close, but sometimes volatile, relationship with her father, Javier Soto, is such a central part of the book.Taylor Jenkins Reid paints a harsh picture of the realities of being on the professional tennis circuit. The endless grind of training and fitness, strategising and planning, and the solitary existence that comes with such harsh training sounds far from glamorous. This book is so much more than a book about tennis, it’s about the importance of family, love and accepting yourself and who you are. Carrie Soto Is Back made for an extremely quick and enjoyable read, which had me hooked from start to finish. After all who doesn’t love a story about a strong woman? Carrie is most definitely a force to be reckoned with!

TJR has served up yet another smash hit with Carrie Soto, and is fast becoming one of my favourite female writers. Her writing is flawless with not so much as a foot fault anywhere 😉! I love the way she links several of her books with subtle references to various characters too.From the gripping build-up in the prologue to the fitting, full-circle ending, this is a totally immersive experience. TJR paints a vivid and believable picture of the tennis world - the loneliness, the gruelling training and the never-ending intrusiveness of the media.I felt like I was on tour with Carrie - on the practice courts, in the locker room and out on the show courts of the grand slams. I admired her character - her sass, her spirit and her determination - and felt her nickname of ‘The Beast’ as dubbed by the media slightly unfair. She gave as good as she got and played her opponents at their own game. Needless to say, I found myself rooting for her from the outset and was delighted when she found a certain acceptance by the end…’For the first time in my life…I can be something else.’For me though, the best part of the novel was the brilliant portrayal of a supportive, yet at times, volatile father/daughter relationship. This and a side helping of romance with a struggling tennis pro made for an emotional and impactful read.I won’t say too much more. Suffice to say, I loved it! Game, set, match and championship🏆 to Ms Jenkins-Reid. She absolutely aced it!

This book touches upon so many important things. If you have an athlete in your life, or if you’ve been an athlete yourself, it’s so easy to connect with Carrie’s determination and spirit to be the best!! I didn’t expect enjoy the sports story as much as I did, as well as the family and relational stories that connected everything together so seamlessly!!I loved the Audible version as well, as I switched between the kindle version and the Audible version. The voices of her father and the sports commentary made it really come alive!! Fabulous narration!!The pacing and dialogue makes this book fly by. Best book I’ve read in a very long time!!This is my fourth book read by Taylor Jenkins Reid and it certainly won’t be my last!!

Even if you have never loved or even followed tennis, this book will grab you. And honestly, Carrie Soto is not the stand out star, which she eventually realizes. This is a love story between a father and daughter. It is their shared lives created as this single father raised his daughter all while coaching tennis players. Her father’s gift enable Carrie to shine until she feels she no longer needs him to coach her.However, super stars often have super egos and needs. And unfortunately, although Carrie’s nearing 40, has been out of the game for longer than anyone would ever have expected her to launch a comeback, Carrie announces she is returning to defend her tennis record and/or set some new records.And although she has had some injuries, specifically her knees, she feels compelled to try, especially when her father has agreed to be her coach once again. And that sharing, coaching, and loving is perhaps what is and remains Carrie’s greatest victory.

Lovely story which I romped through very quickly