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onthesamepage's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: While I'm aware of the discussions surrounding the author and the way she continues to write Latinx characters despite not being Latinx herself, this is not something I can comment on. However, I urge you to seek out Latinx reviewers if you're looking for more details regarding the representation. The only thing I can say about it is that there was a lot of Spanish dialogue in the book.
When I was young, I was never interested in tennis, even though my mother was an avid watcher, but that changed after I happened to see a Federer vs. Nadal match. I still can't explain it, but I loved the way Nadal played, and that's how I kind of got into watching the sport, which would eventually lead me to reading this. I do think a familiarity with the rules helps—while I wouldn't say the author throws you into the deep end, she also doesn't explain everything. The other thing that's important to know is that there is a LOT of tennis in this book. Everything else ends up taking a backseat. I personally didn't mind it, but if you're looking for a character-driven story, I don't think this will scratch that itch.
Carrie is an unlikeable heroine, not because she's extremely ambitious and competitive, but because she's abrasive, rude, and has no filter. It was hard to root for her when she never showed a sense of sportsmanship, and hid behind a shield of "(brutal) honesty is the best policy" regardless of how that made other people feel. Her motivation at the beginning of the story is clear: someone is about to beat her record of Grand Slam titles, and she's determined to prove to everyone that she was, is, and will always remain, the best in tennis. But as you progress through the story, the way she clings to this conviction makes less and less sense, and it's almost like she's only clinging to it so we have a book to read. There are moments of her starting to realize that what she's doing isn't logical or in her best interest, but every time they simply get pushed away in favor of, "I must win!" This means that the growth we see at the very end feels very abrupt, and not in line with how she was acting for the other 95% of the story.
There has always been a double standard when it comes to women who play sports, and the expectation that they should always smile, and be pleasant, and not say an unkind word to anyone, whereas men receive more leeway when they have a bad day and start slamming stuff. I've never understood the latter—personally, I expect all professional players to show professionalism, which means not breaking rackets on the court, and being polite to the people they work/play with. I understand what the author was trying to do with Carrie, but I think there's a way to discuss this topic without making Carrie as unlikeable as she was.
Note: While I'm aware of the discussions surrounding the author and the way she continues to write Latinx characters despite not being Latinx herself, this is not something I can comment on. However, I urge you to seek out Latinx reviewers if you're looking for more details regarding the representation. The only thing I can say about it is that there was a lot of Spanish dialogue in the book.
When I was young, I was never interested in tennis, even though my mother was an avid watcher, but that changed after I happened to see a Federer vs. Nadal match. I still can't explain it, but I loved the way Nadal played, and that's how I kind of got into watching the sport, which would eventually lead me to reading this. I do think a familiarity with the rules helps—while I wouldn't say the author throws you into the deep end, she also doesn't explain everything. The other thing that's important to know is that there is a LOT of tennis in this book. Everything else ends up taking a backseat. I personally didn't mind it, but if you're looking for a character-driven story, I don't think this will scratch that itch.
Carrie is an unlikeable heroine, not because she's extremely ambitious and competitive, but because she's abrasive, rude, and has no filter. It was hard to root for her when she never showed a sense of sportsmanship, and hid behind a shield of "(brutal) honesty is the best policy" regardless of how that made other people feel. Her motivation at the beginning of the story is clear: someone is about to beat her record of Grand Slam titles, and she's determined to prove to everyone that she was, is, and will always remain, the best in tennis. But as you progress through the story, the way she clings to this conviction makes less and less sense, and it's almost like she's only clinging to it so we have a book to read. There are moments of her starting to realize that what she's doing isn't logical or in her best interest, but every time they simply get pushed away in favor of, "I must win!" This means that the growth we see at the very end feels very abrupt, and not in line with how she was acting for the other 95% of the story.
There has always been a double standard when it comes to women who play sports, and the expectation that they should always smile, and be pleasant, and not say an unkind word to anyone, whereas men receive more leeway when they have a bad day and start slamming stuff. I've never understood the latter—personally, I expect all professional players to show professionalism, which means not breaking rackets on the court, and being polite to the people they work/play with. I understand what the author was trying to do with Carrie, but I think there's a way to discuss this topic without making Carrie as unlikeable as she was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
scottyreadsstuff'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
4.75
I’m so surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel!!! I may just hop on the Taylor Jenkins Reid bandwagon! She is amazing at weaving a story and making me care about tennis!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Racism
frantically's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-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
I spent the first two hours of this constantly wanting to dnf it but I'm so glad I stuck through!
Carrie Soto is an absolute bitch and I respect her so much for that. Her inner thoughts about winning & losing changed so beautifully over the course of the book and really spoke to me.
(Idk how tennis works tho) (made the whole thing a bit anti climatic at times)
Carrie Soto is an absolute bitch and I respect her so much for that. Her inner thoughts about winning & losing changed so beautifully over the course of the book and really spoke to me.
(Idk how tennis works tho) (made the whole thing a bit anti climatic at times)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Medical content
Mental Illness is related to what I felt like were disordered eating habits portrayed by the athletesriley2005's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes such compelling, fast-paced books -- I was both shocked and not shocked at all at how quickly I flew through this. Its "readability" is aided in part by what I think is a stronger second half, where the story seems to find its footing and Carrie is less an archetype and more a nuanced character (her relationship with her dad, especially, is beautifully developed). That said, I think the book's biggest pitfall is also one that's hard to avoid given the subject: making each match something new and something "alive."
All said, I will gladly continue to grab whatever Reid writes next, because again: compulsively, addictively readable!
All said, I will gladly continue to grab whatever Reid writes next, because again: compulsively, addictively readable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Infidelity, and Racism
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
“One of the great injustices of this rigged world we live in is that women are considered to be depleting with age and men are somehow deepening.”
➽ Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! I was so hyped for Carrie Soto Is Back and the story didn't disappoint. As the title suggests it's about Carrie Soto, a world-class Tennis player who is coming out of retirement to defend her title! We dive deep into her origins - how she learned Tennis and claimed 20 Slam titles with her father as a coach by her side. I liked the close bond she shared with her father and how he was always at her side during her career. Carrie Soto herself is a fascinating woman, she's driven, ambitious and often comes across as unlikable as she tells it like it is. She is well aware of how the media discuss women who aren't likeable, but she's not letting anyone put her down. The media might call her the Battle-Axe, but no one is preventing her big comeback.
➽ It was interesting seeing her coming out of retirement at 37 and training again to catch up with the younger players. Carrie is a fantastic, talented player, but she is much older than the new generation of Tennis players and needs to adjust accordingly. She's joined in her training by Bowe Huntley, the man who almost broke her heart. He is also looking to come out of retirement and facing similar issues that they might help each other with. I was fully engaged in the story and I loved the audiobooks, I'd highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Racism
risemini's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
mynameisrebecca's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism
kdailyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
sarahmae531's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
I was really nervous I wouldn’t like this book because TJR is my favorite author, but I’m not a sports book person. Also Malibu Rising is one of my all time favorite books, and loving Nina so much, I found it hard to believe that I would be able to love Carrie too.
But oh my god, do I love Carrie Soto. She is so perfectly flawed and badass and defied what women were “supposed” to act like without a care. She is hard and cold in the best ways, and watching her soften and open up in certain aspects of her life was amazing.
I truly loved this book, and found myself getting anxious and stressed at every match, unsure of how the next game was gonna play out.
But oh my god, do I love Carrie Soto. She is so perfectly flawed and badass and defied what women were “supposed” to act like without a care. She is hard and cold in the best ways, and watching her soften and open up in certain aspects of her life was amazing.
I truly loved this book, and found myself getting anxious and stressed at every match, unsure of how the next game was gonna play out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Racism and Sexism