Status
Available
Call number
Publication
, 384 pages
Description
"In this powerful novel about the cost of ambition and success, a legendary athlete attempts a comeback at an age when the world considers her past her prime-from the New York Times bestselling author of Malibu Rising. Carolina Soto is undeniably fierce. She is determined to be the best professional tennis player the world has ever seen. And by the time she retires from the game in 1989 at the age of thirty-one, she is just that: the best. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one of those victories. After all, her dad-a former champion tennis player himself-has trained her for this since the age of two, always emphasizing, "We don't stop for one second until you are the best." Which is why it is infuriating when Nicki Chan arrives on the scene six years later and ties Carrie with twenty Slams. Just like that, Carrie's championship record is slipping through her hands. And she can't let that happen. So at thirty-seven years old, Carrie Soto is coming out of retirement to defend her title. Even if the sports media says she's too old to be playing professionally. Even if her injured athlete's body doesn't move as fast as it once did. Even if it means trusting her father to coach her again after he betrayed her all those years ago. And even if the fans don't want the cold, heartless "Battle Axe" Carrie back. In spite of it all: Carrie. Is. Back. She will return for one final season to prove to the world that she is the all-time champion. Because if you know your destiny is to be the best, isn't it your right to keep fighting for it?"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member KallieGrace
I don't know why I've kept up with TJR except out of FOMO, but I'm glad I did because this was a good story. I don't enjoy sports at all, and tennis is completely foreign to me, and honestly still will be after this - all scoring information goes in one ear and out the other. This is very heavy on
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tennis, but still manages to make the characters compelling and fierce. Show Less
LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Carrie Soto is a retired tennis player, who is recognized as the greatest of all time until Nicki Chan comes along and threatens to take her records away. Rather than let that happen, Carrie comes out of retirement and plays one final year of Grand Slam singles events to try and keep her record.
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Carrie is quite unlikable, and frankly I was rooting for her to lose her records and go down to ignominious defeat during her comeback year. She's coached by her father and starts a romance with Bowe Huntley, a tennis player from her past who has already broken her heart once. How will this all turn out? I'm happy to say that it was not quite as I expected it would be, which makes for a more interesting story, and one where I actually started to like Carrie Soto by the end. Another winner from author Taylor Jenkins Reid! Show Less
LibraryThing member GeauxGetLit
The B*tch is Back and yes finally TJR writes one heck of a flawed dislikable character, and Carrie Soto won my heart because she was a force to be reckoned with.
If you have EVER been in any type of athletic competition, then this is a book you will understand and love to read until the bitter end.
Javier is Carrie’s father and coach as he from the moment she was born told her she would become the greatest tennis player to ever walk this earth. Their bond wasn’t always easy, but it was real and raw and fantastically written.
Carrie Soto, is not perfect, and if you go into this book and expect that, then you don’t need to waste your time.
The last 20% of the book, I was sobbing as TJR finally gave me a true realistic character whom took my breath away.
Thank you @libro.fm and @prhaudio for my complimentary ALC.
If you have EVER been in any type of athletic competition, then this is a book you will understand and love to read until the bitter end.
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Javier is Carrie’s father and coach as he from the moment she was born told her she would become the greatest tennis player to ever walk this earth. Their bond wasn’t always easy, but it was real and raw and fantastically written.
Carrie Soto, is not perfect, and if you go into this book and expect that, then you don’t need to waste your time.
The last 20% of the book, I was sobbing as TJR finally gave me a true realistic character whom took my breath away.
Thank you @libro.fm and @prhaudio for my complimentary ALC.
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LibraryThing member gpangel
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a 2022 Ballantine Books publication.
Carrie Soto was once the best tennis player in the world, until she retired due to injury and age. But when a new tennis star threatens to break her records, Carrie can’t stand the idea of losing her status as the
We first met Carrie Soto in ‘Malibu Rising’. Under those circumstances she was a bit of a villian. I wondered how Reid would make me sympathize with her and what happened between her and Bowe.
Reid did not disappoint. She did not change Carrie’s personality to make her more likable. She showed me her drive and determination, her competitive spirit and ambition. But she also showed me her flaws and insecurities, her fear of being irrelevant and forgotten. She made me understand what tennis meant to her, but also how it limited her life outside the court.
Reid also made me feel the excitement and tension of Carrie’s tennis matches, while exploring her character and relationships. Despite her abrasive attitude and stubbornness, I found myself rooting for her - not only to win at tennis, but to find happiness and fulfillment in other aspects of her life.
Reid also portrayed the sexism and bias female athletes face from the media and the public. But she also showed how Carrie earned back the respect and admiration of her fans and peers - as well as mine.
This is another brilliant novel by Reid. It’s a complex and compelling character study, but also a fun and inspiring sports story.
Carrie Soto was once the best tennis player in the world, until she retired due to injury and age. But when a new tennis star threatens to break her records, Carrie can’t stand the idea of losing her status as the
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most decorated female tennis player. So, at the age of thirty-seven, she hires her father as a coach and makes a comeback…We first met Carrie Soto in ‘Malibu Rising’. Under those circumstances she was a bit of a villian. I wondered how Reid would make me sympathize with her and what happened between her and Bowe.
Reid did not disappoint. She did not change Carrie’s personality to make her more likable. She showed me her drive and determination, her competitive spirit and ambition. But she also showed me her flaws and insecurities, her fear of being irrelevant and forgotten. She made me understand what tennis meant to her, but also how it limited her life outside the court.
Reid also made me feel the excitement and tension of Carrie’s tennis matches, while exploring her character and relationships. Despite her abrasive attitude and stubbornness, I found myself rooting for her - not only to win at tennis, but to find happiness and fulfillment in other aspects of her life.
Reid also portrayed the sexism and bias female athletes face from the media and the public. But she also showed how Carrie earned back the respect and admiration of her fans and peers - as well as mine.
This is another brilliant novel by Reid. It’s a complex and compelling character study, but also a fun and inspiring sports story.
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LibraryThing member mojomomma
Carrie Soto comes out of retirement to defend her professional tennis record of winning 20 Grand Slam tournaments. As in her youth, her father is her coach. This is an interesting read, not so much about the tennis, but about how society regards women who are ambitious and don't apologize for being
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the best. We hold women to different standards of behavior. Show Less
LibraryThing member purpledog
Not my favorite Reid novel, but it is still a book you don't want to miss. Since I am not a fan of tennis, I was glad to find that the tennis scenes did not overshadow the actual story. The story was really all about the character and not all action. At first I didn't care for the character of
I listened to the audio book and loved the narration. I especially appreciate that it had a full cast. A great way to enjoy this book.
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Carrie; yet, she grew on me. Reid is very good at making characters that you love and love to hate. I listened to the audio book and loved the narration. I especially appreciate that it had a full cast. A great way to enjoy this book.
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LibraryThing member TobinElliott
You know what really confuses me about Taylor Jenkins Reid? Well, no, of course you don't.
But if you take a look at the stuff that I read, you'll likely quickly realize that Reid is not an author that should be on that list.
In fact, the only reason I did start reading her stuff was because of the
And I found I actually really enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six. More than I should have. So, I moved on to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and then Malibu Rising, both of which I also enjoyed the hell out of.
Still, with all that, I saw this new one at thought, tennis? Are you kidding me? Tennis is so freaking boring.
So, I resisted and resisted, and finally thought, much like did with that first book, what the heck?
And I should really dislike this novel. Why?
Because Carrie Soto is infinitely unlikeable.
Because so much of the book is shorthand let's-get-this-over-with-quickly-so-we-can-get-to-the-big-stuff.
Because it's predictable as hell...the ending, the character arcs, the rivalries, some spoilery stuff that, if you think about it for more than half a second, really isn't spoilery.
And, because...it's tennis, which is so freaking boring.
And yet, I enjoyed damn near every single second of this novel. Why? Because Reid knows it's not all about how good the ending is, but the journey she takes you on even when the ending is obvious.
And she can make tennis—a sport I abhor—interesting.
No, Taylor Jenkins Reid is not an author I should like. And, really, I don't. I love her writing.
But if you take a look at the stuff that I read, you'll likely quickly realize that Reid is not an author that should be on that list.
In fact, the only reason I did start reading her stuff was because of the
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COVID lockdowns. I blew through my entire TBR pile, and was casting about for something else to read. Well, hey, there's this book that was selling like crazy that sounded like a fictionalized version of the Rumours era Fleetwood Mac. Probably crap, but what the heck?And I found I actually really enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six. More than I should have. So, I moved on to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and then Malibu Rising, both of which I also enjoyed the hell out of.
Still, with all that, I saw this new one at thought, tennis? Are you kidding me? Tennis is so freaking boring.
So, I resisted and resisted, and finally thought, much like did with that first book, what the heck?
And I should really dislike this novel. Why?
Because Carrie Soto is infinitely unlikeable.
Because so much of the book is shorthand let's-get-this-over-with-quickly-so-we-can-get-to-the-big-stuff.
Because it's predictable as hell...the ending, the character arcs, the rivalries, some spoilery stuff that, if you think about it for more than half a second, really isn't spoilery.
And, because...it's tennis, which is so freaking boring.
And yet, I enjoyed damn near every single second of this novel. Why? Because Reid knows it's not all about how good the ending is, but the journey she takes you on even when the ending is obvious.
And she can make tennis—a sport I abhor—interesting.
No, Taylor Jenkins Reid is not an author I should like. And, really, I don't. I love her writing.
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LibraryThing member japaul22
I thought this was fun. Carrie Soto was the world's best tennis player in the 80s. While in retirement, a new tennis star is threatening her record of 20 grand slam tires. So 37 year old Carrie Soto comes out of retirement to try to win a Grand Slam title.
Soto is a difficult person. Her mother
I liked the subtle digs at how the media treats women and expectations for women in sports. (Carrie is openly called "the Bitch" by sportscasters) Overall, I thought this book was entertaining and it got me in the mood for Wimbledon.
Soto is a difficult person. Her mother
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died when she was young and her dad is her coach. Her emotional life is definitely stunted. While she is staging her comeback, she is also exploring new relationships. I liked the subtle digs at how the media treats women and expectations for women in sports. (Carrie is openly called "the Bitch" by sportscasters) Overall, I thought this book was entertaining and it got me in the mood for Wimbledon.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
This book was a revelation for me. I have never been a follower of professional women's tennis, and I didn't understand the scoring system, and the hierarchy for the seed positions. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of the sport and a new appreciation for the hours of training
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that is required before these athletes hit the big sporting events. I don't think I understood the level of competitiveness either, and I think this competitiveness runs through all professional athletes. First let me say that I didn't understand Carrie Soto, and because of that i rally didn't like her. She was too abrasive and self-involved for me. Mrs. Jenkins Reid does a great job of showing her readers the full scope of the challenges, concerns, and self-absorption of high performing athletes. And, as usual, there are no false notes anywhere in the book. The plot moves forward steadily, and the characters adapt and change as they need to. It also clearly shows the lengths that a 30-something professional female athlete has to go to be taken seriously in this highly competitive world. This is a quick read, and it moves along at a rapid pace as all Ms. Jenkins Reid's books do. This is another winner as far as I''m concerned, and highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member Micareads
Carrie Soto, a retired tennis player who holds the record for the most Slams won, sits on the couch and watches another woman, Nikki Chan, take her title. It is at that moment that Carrie decides it is time for a comeback. Carrie begins training with her father, a wonderful tennis player in his own
I am a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, ever since Daisy Jones & the Six, and this book is a very good reason why. She always tells a wonderful story that draws the reader in and makes you want to get to know the characters better. I found Carrie relatable and definitely wanted to see how she ended up - whether she beat Nikki and if she ended up happy. I truly appreciate the way Reid always finds a way to interweave her other stories into current ones, it's like she is making her own multiverse and I would gladly live there.
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right. Together, they determine her best strategy and what she must work on in order to succeed. As Carrie fights her way through the roster of the women's tennis circuit, she realizes that there are those who she will have to fight hard to beat. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that she beats Nikki Chan thereby keeping her record intact. When Carrie Soto puts her mind to something, she works until she achieves her goal.I am a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, ever since Daisy Jones & the Six, and this book is a very good reason why. She always tells a wonderful story that draws the reader in and makes you want to get to know the characters better. I found Carrie relatable and definitely wanted to see how she ended up - whether she beat Nikki and if she ended up happy. I truly appreciate the way Reid always finds a way to interweave her other stories into current ones, it's like she is making her own multiverse and I would gladly live there.
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LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
Taylor Jenkins Reid is able to put you square into the time period of each of her books, and this book is no exception! I have zero interest in tennis yet I absolutely loved this book about a phenomenal tennis player, Carrie Soto who comes out of retirement to reclaim her title as the most grand
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slams won. I stayed up way too late listening to this book and never regretted it!!! Highly recommended! Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I ended up liking this book but I have to admit that it took me a bit to really get into the story. I knew that this book was going to be about someone who plays tennis but I was a little surprised by just how much tennis is in the book. I have never really watched tennis so it took me a minute to
Carrie has always played tennis and she is determined to be the best and refused to accept anything less. I loved seeing just how much she put into the game during her eventual rise to the top. Carrie grew a lot over the course of the story and I loved the woman that she became as the story drew to a close. Carrie’s relationship with her father is a huge part of the story. He not only is her father but also her coach and they do go through some ups and downs. I found their relationship to be very realistic and I thought it added a lot to the story.
I thought that the narration of this book was very well done. Stacy Gonzales narrated the bulk of the book but there was a full cast of characters that added all of the sports media segments which was a really nice addition to the audiobook. I thought that the narrators did a wonderful job in bringing the book to life and I loved the various character voices that were used. I do believe that the narration of this book added to my overall enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that it was a well-told story of one woman’s determination to become the best at all costs. I think that I will remember Carrie Soto for a very long time.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.
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adjust to this sport that I don’t know a lot about taking center stage in the story. Once Carrie grew up a little bit, she grew on me and I did come to appreciate the story.Carrie has always played tennis and she is determined to be the best and refused to accept anything less. I loved seeing just how much she put into the game during her eventual rise to the top. Carrie grew a lot over the course of the story and I loved the woman that she became as the story drew to a close. Carrie’s relationship with her father is a huge part of the story. He not only is her father but also her coach and they do go through some ups and downs. I found their relationship to be very realistic and I thought it added a lot to the story.
I thought that the narration of this book was very well done. Stacy Gonzales narrated the bulk of the book but there was a full cast of characters that added all of the sports media segments which was a really nice addition to the audiobook. I thought that the narrators did a wonderful job in bringing the book to life and I loved the various character voices that were used. I do believe that the narration of this book added to my overall enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that it was a well-told story of one woman’s determination to become the best at all costs. I think that I will remember Carrie Soto for a very long time.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.
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LibraryThing member tamidale
The surest sign of a good book is when you finish it and keep thinking about it for the next several days. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s newest release was that book for me. Even though tennis was not my sport, I enjoyed the book due the focus on competition and how an athlete has to be both physically
Carrie Soto was raised by her father after her mother’s death when she was very young. Her father was also the one who taught her the game of tennis and later became her coach when she played professionally. Having been a tennis player himself, Javier was an expert at how tennis should be played beautifully.
Naturally, Carrie and her father shared a very close relationship and I felt this just made the story that much better. When Bowe, another tennis player, entered the picture to help Carrie train, he became a part of their family unit and tennis team in such a natural and sweet way.
Readers don’t have to have a knowledge of tennis to enjoy this, although it would make the thrill of the games more impactful. I think any reader that loves sports or competition will enjoy the book. The relationships that evolve in the story definitely add another dimension to the sport and I will certainly be recommending this to my friends.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
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and mentally prepared in order to win.Carrie Soto was raised by her father after her mother’s death when she was very young. Her father was also the one who taught her the game of tennis and later became her coach when she played professionally. Having been a tennis player himself, Javier was an expert at how tennis should be played beautifully.
Naturally, Carrie and her father shared a very close relationship and I felt this just made the story that much better. When Bowe, another tennis player, entered the picture to help Carrie train, he became a part of their family unit and tennis team in such a natural and sweet way.
Readers don’t have to have a knowledge of tennis to enjoy this, although it would make the thrill of the games more impactful. I think any reader that loves sports or competition will enjoy the book. The relationships that evolve in the story definitely add another dimension to the sport and I will certainly be recommending this to my friends.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
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LibraryThing member FlowerchildReads
Taylor Jenkins Reid is a literary goddess. She never writes the same book twice, and yet I love them all. Her last three are very loosely related by a thread, a whisper of a character. It’s a fun Easter-egg, a shout out if you’ve read previous books, but they are all stand alone stories. When I
While centered around tennis, this is a book about how we categorize women who are ambitious. They are unlikable if they don’t smile, if they don’t follow the societal rules of making everyone comfortable with how they achieve, if they’re not sufficiently humble, gracious, and deferential to…everyone. This is about the audacity of a woman who has achieved greatnesses in her field, is considered too old, past her prime, and wants to push herself to maintain that level, to hold her title a bit longer. How dare she! It’s about a primary parental relationship when they are also your coach, stepping back to gain independence, circling back. It’s about seeing yourself, and others, in a light you never thought possible, a light that offers a way forward on your own terms.
My first Taylor Jenkins Reid book was Daisy Jones And The Six. I binge read it by the pool after my youngest son was married. The immersive story using such a unique format had me hooked. I loved the book, but moreso I fell in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid as an author. I immediately read her entire backlist and preordered Malibu Rising as soon as it was available. For my audiobook friends Julia Whelan narrates many of TJR books, so I can highly recommend that format!
I give my highest recommendation to Carrie Soto Is Back, as well as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s backlist. She simply can do no wrong, serving up characters that intrigue and fascinate me every time. Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books for the digital advanced reader copy via Netgalley.
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heard her newest book would feature a character from Malibu Rising I had to search my brain. Who was Carrie Soto? Why did I want to read an entire book about this minor character I didn’t remember, a book about…tennis? Because it’s Taylor freaking Jenkins Reid (previously mentioned writing goddess) and Carrie Soto is the unapologetic kick butt women I needed, that’s why!While centered around tennis, this is a book about how we categorize women who are ambitious. They are unlikable if they don’t smile, if they don’t follow the societal rules of making everyone comfortable with how they achieve, if they’re not sufficiently humble, gracious, and deferential to…everyone. This is about the audacity of a woman who has achieved greatnesses in her field, is considered too old, past her prime, and wants to push herself to maintain that level, to hold her title a bit longer. How dare she! It’s about a primary parental relationship when they are also your coach, stepping back to gain independence, circling back. It’s about seeing yourself, and others, in a light you never thought possible, a light that offers a way forward on your own terms.
My first Taylor Jenkins Reid book was Daisy Jones And The Six. I binge read it by the pool after my youngest son was married. The immersive story using such a unique format had me hooked. I loved the book, but moreso I fell in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid as an author. I immediately read her entire backlist and preordered Malibu Rising as soon as it was available. For my audiobook friends Julia Whelan narrates many of TJR books, so I can highly recommend that format!
I give my highest recommendation to Carrie Soto Is Back, as well as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s backlist. She simply can do no wrong, serving up characters that intrigue and fascinate me every time. Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books for the digital advanced reader copy via Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member AmyM3317
Carrie Soto was considered the Greatest of All Time in the game of women's tennis until an injury forced her into retirement. Now, five years later, Carrie's legacy is on the line. Only one slam win away from losing her title to Nicki Chan, Carrie decides to put herself back in the game despite the
I did not read Malibu Rising in which Carrie Soto first appears to readers. But when I read the synopsis for this book, something drew me in. I think it's the whole underdog story. Because even though Carrie is great and an absolute legend in the game, she's coming back with the odds heavily stacked against her in this situation. Pretty much everyone counts her out except her father Javier who also happens to be her coach. It's the fact that so many people are against her that makes me want to see her reclaim her glory. I'm always a fan when people can shut down the naysayers.
The thing is, Taylor Jenkins Reid has really written a polarizing figure in Carrie Soto. She's unapologetically sure of herself and her capabilities which goes against a societal notion that people, mainly women, need to be humble, gracious, and demure. They definitely shouldn't brag about their accomplishments, know their own worth, or tell it like it is. But Carrie knows her worth and is not afraid to talk about how good she is at the game. It also makes the stakes that much higher because of the weight that loss would put on her shoulders if she fails.
Despite Carrie's brashness and her penchant for being unabashedly upfront - often to the point of alienating herself from others - I wanted her to succeed. Because ultimately within this confidence that she carries is also this significant vulnerability in not knowing who she is without tennis. The story is propelled forward not only with the intensity of the outcome of each match but also in Carrie's journey. Who will she be at the end of this? What happens if she wins is equally as important as what happens if she loses because either way she needs to move towards another path in her life.
The story is all the more poignant as we watch in real time another legend begin her road to retirement. I know that as I'm watching the news Carrie's story has stayed in my mind.
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odds against her. It will either be the biggest comeback or the biggest failure. I did not read Malibu Rising in which Carrie Soto first appears to readers. But when I read the synopsis for this book, something drew me in. I think it's the whole underdog story. Because even though Carrie is great and an absolute legend in the game, she's coming back with the odds heavily stacked against her in this situation. Pretty much everyone counts her out except her father Javier who also happens to be her coach. It's the fact that so many people are against her that makes me want to see her reclaim her glory. I'm always a fan when people can shut down the naysayers.
The thing is, Taylor Jenkins Reid has really written a polarizing figure in Carrie Soto. She's unapologetically sure of herself and her capabilities which goes against a societal notion that people, mainly women, need to be humble, gracious, and demure. They definitely shouldn't brag about their accomplishments, know their own worth, or tell it like it is. But Carrie knows her worth and is not afraid to talk about how good she is at the game. It also makes the stakes that much higher because of the weight that loss would put on her shoulders if she fails.
Despite Carrie's brashness and her penchant for being unabashedly upfront - often to the point of alienating herself from others - I wanted her to succeed. Because ultimately within this confidence that she carries is also this significant vulnerability in not knowing who she is without tennis. The story is propelled forward not only with the intensity of the outcome of each match but also in Carrie's journey. Who will she be at the end of this? What happens if she wins is equally as important as what happens if she loses because either way she needs to move towards another path in her life.
The story is all the more poignant as we watch in real time another legend begin her road to retirement. I know that as I'm watching the news Carrie's story has stayed in my mind.
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LibraryThing member LoriKBoyd
Carrie Soto has had one vision … to be THE BEST! When she retires, she holds the most Gram Slam titles. Fast forward and her title is set to be broken, and she decides on a comeback. This follows her past and present till the satisfying ending.
Carrie loses her mother at an early age. Her father,
Thanks to Ms. Reid, Ballentine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!
Carrie loses her mother at an early age. Her father,
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her first coach are extremely close. This relationship takes a few turns but love is always there. Loved watching this unfold, and watching Carrie grow from a focused young girl on a mission, to a icon on the tennis circuit to a women who knows what she wants. As I am not a tennis fan, I found some of the details and strategies overwhelming and, at times, very slow. But, I so appreciated the dedication to the Sport. The book picked up 3/4 of the way thru, where I truly appreciated Carrie and her transformation. The character development is top notch. I can’t wait to see what TJR does next. Thanks to Ms. Reid, Ballentine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!
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LibraryThing member LiteraryLeftovers
I have never understood using the term “tour de force” to describe a book…until I read this novel. Taylor Jenkins Reid sets a blistering pace, taking you on a high-stakes journey through elite tennis and the inner turmoil of an athlete struggling to find her place in the world outside of what
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she’s always known and prized: winning. What happens when you’ve spent your entire life striving to seize the title of “The Greatest Tennis Player of All Time”, only to find that one day everything you’ve ever worked for and desired is about to be taken away? Carrie Soto is attempting a comeback at the age of 37, ready to rewrite expectations and determined to prove she is still the best athlete on the courts. Never one to hold her tongue or sugarcoat reality, Carrie is an ideal antihero protagonist. This gritty, visceral novel explores themes of aspiration, abandonment, and the ache of attempting to accept that perfection doesn’t exist. Show Less
LibraryThing member susan.h.schofield
Taylor Jenkins Reid has written another fantastic novel about a strong, but flawed woman. I don't know anything about tennis and am not interested in it at all but I still loved this book. It is so well written and compelling - you feel like you are at the tennis matches. I love the mentions of
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characters in other books like Malibu Rising and Daisy Jones & the Six and I'm wondering which minor character in this book will get their story told next. I highly recommend this book. Thanksto NetGalley for the digital ARC. Show Less
LibraryThing member lbswiener
Carrie Soto is Back is a tennis lover's book. The book is all tennis all of the time. The author even gives a plug for one of her other books. Because there is so much discussion, coaching, playing of tennis that this book is not recommended to a reader who is not knowledgeable about tennis. The
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characters are all believable. The scenes are believable. The ending is believable. Four stars were awarded in this review. Show Less
LibraryThing member mookie86
First TJR book and impressed by the way she weaves a sport like tennis into an interesting plot and makes the technicalities of tennis approachable for all readers. The story of Carrie Soto is nostalgic for any 80s fans but Jenkins-Reid brings it front and center to today's world with an
Special thanks to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.
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insurmountable comeback from a storied athlete. The weight and focus of family, friends, and fame all while trying to conquer a sport was intriguing. Looking forward to reading more from this author. Special thanks to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
I’ve heard a lot of complaints that Carrie is not likable enough. I can’t help feel but that misses the point. She’s a broken person who’s been trained to think she only matters if she’s winning. Her goal is not to become likable and I think if she was a man people would have a lot less
“Sometimes I think being the very best is antithetical to being happy.”
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problem with her character. I liked her character growth, loved her relationship with her dad, and got burnt out on the tennis.“Sometimes I think being the very best is antithetical to being happy.”
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LibraryThing member banjo123
I think of Jenkins Reid's books as beach-reads. I haven't been at the beach, but I did enjoy this.
I heard the author speak at the Portland book-fest, and she mentioned that she had originally wanted to call the book "The Bitch Is Back". She talked about how the fear of being called a bitch or
Carrie Soto is an retired tennis player, known for her hard-edged personality, who decides to return to the sport when a younger player is threatening to overtake her record of number of grand slams won. She is coached by her father, so part of this book is a sweet father/daughter story.
The first chunk of the book is about Soto's childhood and early tennis career; I thought that could have been way condensed. But once the book got to her comeback attempt, it was just a good, rollicking read.
I heard the author speak at the Portland book-fest, and she mentioned that she had originally wanted to call the book "The Bitch Is Back". She talked about how the fear of being called a bitch or
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bitchy has often shaped her behavior, and wondered what she would have done differently if she didn't worry about that.Carrie Soto is an retired tennis player, known for her hard-edged personality, who decides to return to the sport when a younger player is threatening to overtake her record of number of grand slams won. She is coached by her father, so part of this book is a sweet father/daughter story.
The first chunk of the book is about Soto's childhood and early tennis career; I thought that could have been way condensed. But once the book got to her comeback attempt, it was just a good, rollicking read.
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LibraryThing member janismack
I couldn’t finish this book, too much tennis not enough story
LibraryThing member bumblybee
Carrie Soto Is Back focuses on the return of tennis great Carrie Soto to the sport. With her father acting as her coach and a hitter whose reputation precedes him, she is determined to reclaim her tennis records no matter the cost.
I'll be honest: this was not the book for me. I came into this read
Carrie commits all the deadly sins in my book. The first quarter of the novel focuses on a summarized version of Carrie's career up to her initial retirement - a huge chunk of the book, all things considered. The direction of the plot is clear from the set-up, and it does not waver from the path beaten to death by so many other books dealing with the same topic. The love interest is clear from the beginning and seems to see something in Carrie that I can't for the life of me fathom. And Carrie herself is an obnoxious protagonist, but not in the way one can actually root for; her "bitchiness" is not just a figment of the imagination of the men in this book, as much as the novel tries to hammer that home to the reader.
And therein is the narrative: a headstrong woman being called a bitch by the men in her industry when really she's just determined and ambitious. It's clear that is the story Jenkins Reid wants to tell, but it's so incredibly formulaic and without nuance given that, yes, Carrie is in fact a jerk and pretty darn unlikable! Those close to her either encourage this or tell her it's cold-hearted, though it's clear the reader is meant to always side with Carrie even in her dark moments, and frankly? I just couldn't deal with her. I wanted to put the book down so often because I was just so done with the combination of the well-trod plot and Carrie's dramatics.
The one beacon of light in this novel is Nicki Chan, Carrie's biggest competition on her return to tennis. Nicki, though a side character for much of the story, is fantastic, and she is proof that Jenkins Reid is capable of crafting complex, unique characters - which makes Carrie herself all the more disappointing in her shadow.
I can see why others might want to pick this up, if you're looking for a read that doesn't demand too much of the reader and can be inspiring for other headstrong, determined women. Sadly, that alone just doesn't cut it for me, and neither does Carrie Soto.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
I'll be honest: this was not the book for me. I came into this read
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starry-eyed from Evelyn Hugo, not having read Jenkins Reid's other novels, and was expecting something just as marvelous from Carrie Soto. Unfortunately, as refreshing as I found the former, the latter ended up being just the opposite. Carrie commits all the deadly sins in my book. The first quarter of the novel focuses on a summarized version of Carrie's career up to her initial retirement - a huge chunk of the book, all things considered. The direction of the plot is clear from the set-up, and it does not waver from the path beaten to death by so many other books dealing with the same topic. The love interest is clear from the beginning and seems to see something in Carrie that I can't for the life of me fathom. And Carrie herself is an obnoxious protagonist, but not in the way one can actually root for; her "bitchiness" is not just a figment of the imagination of the men in this book, as much as the novel tries to hammer that home to the reader.
And therein is the narrative: a headstrong woman being called a bitch by the men in her industry when really she's just determined and ambitious. It's clear that is the story Jenkins Reid wants to tell, but it's so incredibly formulaic and without nuance given that, yes, Carrie is in fact a jerk and pretty darn unlikable! Those close to her either encourage this or tell her it's cold-hearted, though it's clear the reader is meant to always side with Carrie even in her dark moments, and frankly? I just couldn't deal with her. I wanted to put the book down so often because I was just so done with the combination of the well-trod plot and Carrie's dramatics.
The one beacon of light in this novel is Nicki Chan, Carrie's biggest competition on her return to tennis. Nicki, though a side character for much of the story, is fantastic, and she is proof that Jenkins Reid is capable of crafting complex, unique characters - which makes Carrie herself all the more disappointing in her shadow.
I can see why others might want to pick this up, if you're looking for a read that doesn't demand too much of the reader and can be inspiring for other headstrong, determined women. Sadly, that alone just doesn't cut it for me, and neither does Carrie Soto.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
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LibraryThing member Amzzz
Loved loved loved this! Have never been so invested in tennis in real life.
Awards
RUSA CODES Reading List (Shortlist — 2023)
BookTube Prize (Quarterfinalist — Fiction — 2023)
NPR: Books We Love (2022)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (2022)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2022)
LibraryReads (Annual Voter Favorite — Hall of Fame — August 2022)
Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List (Selection — 2023)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
384 p.; 9.21 inches
ISBN
1529152135 / 9781529152135
Other editions
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Paperback)