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hmatt's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have been having a time with 3.75 ratings, recently.
This is not my favourite nor my least-favouring TJK! It's a solid read and reliably intersects with the rest of the literary universe. I always appreciate this author's deep-dives into specific subcultures/topics, and this is no exception when it comes to the tennis industry of yore, especially with how it may have intersected with sexism and racism. The father-daughter relationship is particularly well-written and interesting and, as per usual, I could really take-or-leave the romantic relationship that's tacked on. I loved that the Spanish isn't translated, I don't think it needs to be.
This is not my favourite nor my least-favouring TJK! It's a solid read and reliably intersects with the rest of the literary universe. I always appreciate this author's deep-dives into specific subcultures/topics, and this is no exception when it comes to the tennis industry of yore, especially with how it may have intersected with sexism and racism. The father-daughter relationship is particularly well-written and interesting and, as per usual, I could really take-or-leave the romantic relationship that's tacked on. I loved that the Spanish isn't translated, I don't think it needs to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Medical content
rachlincs's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
In my opinion this is one of the weaker books by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The story is dull and predictable. The motivations of the characters are either explored poorly or really are as vapid as they seem. There were so many issues and topics that those book could have explored in some complexity - ageism, sexism, xenophobia, pride, parental loss etc - but instead it felt like it just ticked them off with a shallow acknowledgement that was so unsatisfying.
The book also really fails Bowe - the character gets so little depth, there's a wasted opportunity to explore the parallel paths of Bowe with the lead character. It was impossible to believe the romance, there was no chemistry between them.
Ultimately it's an easy read or listen. You won't be any the worse for reading it, but don't expect any impact on your life. In the future this will be the book on your shelf that you can't quite remember whether it's read or not.
The book also really fails Bowe - the character gets so little depth, there's a wasted opportunity to explore the parallel paths of Bowe with the lead character.
Ultimately it's an easy read or listen. You won't be any the worse for reading it, but don't expect any impact on your life. In the future this will be the book on your shelf that you can't quite remember whether it's read or not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Racism, and Death of parent
itsheyfay's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism
kaitsbooked's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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: Misogyny
niithhya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
this book had me SOBBING throughout the last two chapters !! im simultaneously glad because i knew i would really like this but also surprised because i didn't realise how much i would. taylor jenkins reed has a way of telling stories that just leaves me in awe i think
the ending with her being nicki chan's coach after losing to her in the finals? best thing i could've ever asked for i was speechless i cannot think of a better ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny
hayleyw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
caitlinjadams's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Would I have liked this book as much if I didn’t love the movie “Wimbledon”? Unclear. But it was an enjoyable read—as easy to put down as it was to pick up again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Misogyny, Cancer, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Infidelity
hannahcheung's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i loved the relationships between carrie and everyone else, but sometimes i cannot stand her arrogance. the pride comes before the fall!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
jennysbooked's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a fun, captivating, cinematic read. I bought this book when it first came out but was scared to pick it up feeling it might be overhyped. But no. It was such a great read. Carrie is so lovingly, frustrating. And honestly, the relationship between her and her dad humanizes her. This is a great book if you want to read a strong father/daughter relationship and a badass b*tch playing tennis. Even if you don’t watch tennis, you will enjoy the game in this book. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
ashfrxns's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
acho que a tjr perdeu um pouco do charme nesse livro. gostei da carrie e dos personagens mas não tanto quanto gostei de personagens de outros livros dela.
fiquei extremamente entediada com os jogos pq não entendia nada, não queria pegar no livro de jeito nenhum e peguei raiva da Carrie por estar sendo uma babaca da metade do livro em diante, msm sabendo q era pro desenvolvimento dela (pq aliás não ficou parecendo viu)
fora isso, a autora n sabe ditar o ritmo do livro. demora uma eternidade pra achar uma pessoa pra jogar contra ela, mas em 40% do nada ela consegue sparring e gente pra jogar facilmente, os jogos que ela perde são narrados por páginas e os que ela ganha a gente só descobre pq algm narrador falou q ela ganhou 50 jogos de uma vez.
também achei q o desenvolvimento da relação dela com a nicki ficou mt pro final então não ficou tão boa quanto poderia ser, além de ter deixado o final super corrido e o desenvolvimento da carrie ter passado uma vibe meio livro de auto ajuda, dá quase pra falar q a taylor tava trocando idéia com o autor de a biblioteca da meia noite
apesar disso deu pra se divertir um pouco com a carrie mandando tomar no cu todo homem que aparecia na frente dela
fiquei extremamente entediada com os jogos pq não entendia nada, não queria pegar no livro de jeito nenhum e peguei raiva da Carrie por estar sendo uma babaca da metade do livro em diante, msm sabendo q era pro desenvolvimento dela (pq aliás não ficou parecendo viu)
fora isso, a autora n sabe ditar o ritmo do livro. demora uma eternidade pra achar uma pessoa pra jogar contra ela, mas em 40% do nada ela consegue sparring e gente pra jogar facilmente, os jogos que ela perde são narrados por páginas e os que ela ganha a gente só descobre pq algm narrador falou q ela ganhou 50 jogos de uma vez.
também achei q o desenvolvimento da relação dela com a nicki ficou mt pro final então não ficou tão boa quanto poderia ser, além de ter deixado o final super corrido e o desenvolvimento da carrie ter passado uma vibe meio livro de auto ajuda, dá quase pra falar q a taylor tava trocando idéia com o autor de a biblioteca da meia noite
apesar disso deu pra se divertir um pouco com a carrie mandando tomar no cu todo homem que aparecia na frente dela
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Xenophobia