'Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel' by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows the story of Carrie Soto, a retired tennis star in her late thirties who decides to make a comeback to defend her record as the world's best tennis player. The book delves into Carrie's ambitious and driven personality, exploring her complex character as she navigates the competitive world of tennis. Through a mix of flashbacks and present-day events, the reader learns about Carrie's background, her relationships, and her unwavering dedication to the sport. Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing style expertly weaves together themes of ambition, dedication, love, success, and failure, creating a compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged.
The novel skillfully uses tennis as a backdrop to explore deeper themes about the human condition, with Carrie Soto symbolizing resilience, drive, and self-discovery. Taylor Jenkins Reid's storytelling captivates the reader by immersing them in the intense world of tennis competition while also offering insights into the personal struggles and triumphs of its protagonist. The book gradually reveals layers of Carrie's character, showcasing her flaws, strengths, and inner conflicts as she grapples with her past and strives for redemption on the tennis court.
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Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present in the story, serving as a subplot.
From The Publisher:
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"An epic adventure about a female athlete perhaps past her prime, brought back to the tennis court for one last grand slam" ( Elle ), from the author of Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
"A heart-filled novel about an iconic and persevering father and daughter."- Time
"Gorgeous. The kind of sharp, smart, potent book you have to set aside every few pages just to catch your breath. I'll take a piece of Carrie Soto forward with me in life and be a little better for it."-Emily Henry, author of Book Lovers and Beach Read
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Time, NPR, PopSugar, Glamour, Reader's Digest
Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, Javier, as her coach. A former champion himself, Javier has trained her since the age of two.
But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan.
At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked "the Battle-Axe" anyway. Even if her body doesn't move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.
In spite of it all, Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells her most vulnerable, emotional story yet.
Ratings (49)
Incredible (9) | |
Loved It (24) | |
Liked It (13) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (82):
Read It (50) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (26) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (2) |
6 comment(s)
5/5⭐️
Like probably everyone when they go to read this book, I thought I wasn’t going to like it because of all the tennis talk. But after reading, you can see there were so many deeper lessons to be had by Carrie. Even at the age of 37.
This was interesting because I didn’t really feel like l was reading a STORY, like some of her other books and obviously other books I’ve read. However, I enjoyed this all the same.
I liked the romance subplot of this, and it was so refreshing to see a character just say it how it was and not hide behind her feelings (regardless of what they were)
But her dad?
Another great read. A book about tennis but not about tennis lol think I would enjoy anything the author wrote to be honest.
Fun!
I've had the pleasure of reading lots of books I've enjoyed over the past year, but it's been a while since I've read one that blew me away. TJR has done it again.
There are so many things I could say, but the two things I loved most were the feeling of this book -- TJR is such a talented writer that instead of just setting the scene, she gives you the whole feeling of the moment. Every drop of sweat, every shoulder squeeze, every shouting match, you know exactly what that moment feels like.
Because of that, this book read like a movie. When Carrie put on her headphones and set off on a run to Elton John's "The Bitch is Back," I saw her pumping her arms and felt her joy running in the middle of the road. When she waited in the tunnel alongside her father for a match to begin, I felt the quiet calm and heady buzz of anticipation. I was totally engrossed in each moment.
And the second thing I loved was the romance, which I was not expecting! I heard they're making a movie of this one, and I can't wait to see it.
TJR is great at bringing her characters to life. She’s great at making you live them. However, she couldn’t make me love the petulant insufferable Carrie Soto… her dad was the only redeeming character
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