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sennaje's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail
biancabuysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Carrie Soto is back on the tennis courts, coming out of retirement at age 37. Her Grand Slam record is in jeopardy, and she's determined to play one more year of all four major tournaments. Her nickname, "the Battle-Axe," isn't for nothing. She's an incredibly fierce, determined, and savage competitor.
Honestly, I would have LOVED to see Carrie Soto play in real life! I feel like she's the kind of player I would have loyally cheered for. I love this other universe TJR has created with her characters and we see a few cameos from past books, which is always fun! Her writing was addictive, keeping me up way too late some nights, and the audiobook is performed by a cast of characters!
While the tennis elements were heavy, one of my favorite pieces was the father/daughter relationship. It was refreshing that the romance plot took a backseat, although I enjoyed that part too! Carrie's Dad, Javier, coaches her on this comeback attempt and their bond through tennis is unbreakable. It made me think of my own family and tennis. My Grandparents taught me how to keep score, my Mom and I track all of our favorite players, and my Dad bought me my first racket in middle school, which I still use today. So thank you to TJR and Carrie Soto for bringing back all the fond memories!
Also, I have TJR and Carrie Soto to thank for getting me back out on the tennis court! I obviously had to find a court for the booksta picture and then went back to play the next day!
Honestly, I would have LOVED to see Carrie Soto play in real life! I feel like she's the kind of player I would have loyally cheered for. I love this other universe TJR has created with her characters and we see a few cameos from past books, which is always fun! Her writing was addictive, keeping me up way too late some nights, and the audiobook is performed by a cast of characters!
While the tennis elements were heavy, one of my favorite pieces was the father/daughter relationship. It was refreshing that the romance plot took a backseat, although I enjoyed that part too! Carrie's Dad, Javier, coaches her on this comeback attempt and their bond through tennis is unbreakable. It made me think of my own family and tennis. My Grandparents taught me how to keep score, my Mom and I track all of our favorite players, and my Dad bought me my first racket in middle school, which I still use today. So thank you to TJR and Carrie Soto for bringing back all the fond memories!
Also, I have TJR and Carrie Soto to thank for getting me back out on the tennis court! I obviously had to find a court for the booksta picture and then went back to play the next day!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Alcoholism, and Cancer
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I will preface this review with two things: I have very limited knowledge of tennis (most of it comes from media talking about Serena Williams) and I have read Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo.
There was more tennis technical jargon and stuff than I thought there was going to be. It took me a hot minute to learn it but even then I think I only understand enough for the context of this book. Other than that this book was pretty much what I expected including a Mick Riva mention
I know this book is inspired by the Williams sisters and their father but how inspired?? Again I have l’initier tennis world knowledge but I felt like pieces were taken from media sound bites of the them.
I did enjoy the formatting of the book, similar to Evelyn Hugo with the journal pieces interspersed with the chapters that are broken down chronologically in relation to major events. It’s what you expect from a TJR book with a strong independent female character that doesn’t give a shit about what others think.
I have more thoughts on the characters and plot of this book that are mildly spoilers so I will keep them from this review.
There was more tennis technical jargon and stuff than I thought there was going to be. It took me a hot minute to learn it but even then I think I only understand enough for the context of this book. Other than that this book was pretty much what I expected including a Mick Riva mention
I know this book is inspired by the Williams sisters and their father but how inspired?? Again I have l’initier tennis world knowledge but I felt like pieces were taken from media sound bites of the them.
I did enjoy the formatting of the book, similar to Evelyn Hugo with the journal pieces interspersed with the chapters that are broken down chronologically in relation to major events. It’s what you expect from a TJR book with a strong independent female character that doesn’t give a shit about what others think.
I have more thoughts on the characters and plot of this book that are mildly spoilers so I will keep them from this review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Sexism
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow I really enjoyed Carrie Soto is Back! I was a little wary after reading Malibu Rising last year, I didn’t love it and felt the book was too long for such little plot. TJR really impressed me with this one though, like Carrie Soto, she has a come back. I love sports and a come back story, I love when someone is underestimated (even once their greatness has been proven) and they journey to come out on top again. I think this book was compelling. I especially loved Carrie for being who she was regardless of what everyone else thought. Special shout out to Bowe who turned out to be a real babe. I highly recommend this read!
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism and Cancer
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
Wow. Just wow. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to love this as much as the rest of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, but holy shit was I proven wrong. I think this hits the top of my reading list for the year so far. I love the way Carrie is written and how her thought process changes throughout her life. Yes, she's still super direct when she's speaking to others and still has a bite when dialogue is happening, but her internal monologue ESPECIALLY once the Paris Open happens changes the course of the rest of the book. I love that TJR sets up not just Carrie's come back in tennis as the GOAT, but also Bowe's last chance as a parallel to one another. Like the realization that both characters have throughout their training with all of the ups and downs truly allows the reader to see Carrie as less cold hearted than the media inside the story would have us think. I also really enjoy the fact that Carrie's main competition is also set up to have something to prove in holding her titles in the second 2/3rds of the story. It raises the stakes tremendously by pitting them against one another.
Wow. Just wow. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to love this as much as the rest of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, but holy shit was I proven wrong. I think this hits the top of my reading list for the year so far. I love the way Carrie is written and how her thought process changes throughout her life. Yes, she's still super direct when she's speaking to others and still has a bite when dialogue is happening, but her internal monologue ESPECIALLY once the Paris Open happens changes the course of the rest of the book. I love that TJR sets up not just Carrie's come back in tennis as the GOAT, but also Bowe's last chance as a parallel to one another. Like the realization that both characters have throughout their training with all of the ups and downs truly allows the reader to see Carrie as less cold hearted than the media inside the story would have us think. I also really enjoy the fact that Carrie's main competition is also set up to have something to prove in holding her titles in the second 2/3rds of the story. It raises the stakes tremendously by pitting them against one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
Minor: Cancer and Alcoholism
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