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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
This really didn't do it for me. I love a hardheaded, stubborn, complex female lead, but Carrie was just a brat with almost no redeeming qualities. She didn't have a true character arc, she just... got a little softer in her personality as she got older, but it wasn't compelling. I found myself rooting for Nicki more than Carrie, even though this was Carrie's story. I did enjoy the portrayal of the relationship between Carrie and Javier, and how complicated having your dad as a coach can be. Outside of that, this just wasn't one of my favorites from this author.
I honestly didn’t start to like this book til 70% of the way in. I felt like tennis was way too often the main story rather than the context or setting. Carrie Soto was just so unlikeable. Which I respect as an athlete esp given how the book shows women are expected to act in professional sports. But as a main character in a book it was v hard to root for her. Nikki Chan however was perfection. So naturally I was happy with how the book ended!
Spoilers:
Taylor Jenkins Reid just knows how to write a book. I was so hesitant to read about Carrie Soto because, in a way, she is a villain of Malibu Rising, and she's the one that Nina's husband cheats on her with, but I'm so glad that I did. There is nothing more exciting and thrilling than reading about the life of a fictional athlete, but having the story be so good and so involved that you wish you could Google them and see them for yourself. I loved Carrie's flaws and that her story was real, and even though she fired her dad, they had a relationship together, and everything just felt so real. I liked that we got her backstory as well as now, but it wasn't a constant stream of flashbacks; it was just the beginning of the book that showed how she got here, and then it showed where she was going.
The relationship dynamics were just so interesting to read about. From her and her dad and the issues that they had with tennis to her and Beau and how they started kinda as enemies, and little by little she warmed up to the idea of him until they were in love at the end. I also loved following Beau's tennis journey; it was a lot of fun. Then there was her manager, who was so fun and decided to make a change to her life, and lastly, there was Nikki Chan. I kinda could have guessed that Carrie was going to become her coach just off the vibes I was getting at the game that they played against each other last. I do love that that's how it ended up, though.
I can't believe we killed off the dad, though. That was devastating, and it broke my heart and shattered it, but I feel like it also allowed her to grow so much, and it was almost poetic.
When she won a game, I would literally cry, and when she lost, I was devastated. I love the way that TJR brings you so deeply into the story. Listening to the audiobook was also a lot of fun because it was almost like you were listening to real sports commentators and had music and everything.
Overall, everything about the book was pure magic and made me realize that maybe I shouldn't have given up on my after-school tennis lessons so I could have played at Wimbledon or the US Open.
Taylor Jenkins Reid just knows how to write a book. I was so hesitant to read about Carrie Soto because, in a way, she is a villain of Malibu Rising, and she's the one that Nina's husband cheats on her with, but I'm so glad that I did. There is nothing more exciting and thrilling than reading about the life of a fictional athlete, but having the story be so good and so involved that you wish you could Google them and see them for yourself. I loved Carrie's flaws and that her story was real, and even though she fired her dad, they had a relationship together, and everything just felt so real. I liked that we got her backstory as well as now, but it wasn't a constant stream of flashbacks; it was just the beginning of the book that showed how she got here, and then it showed where she was going.
The relationship dynamics were just so interesting to read about. From her and her dad and the issues that they had with tennis to her and Beau and how they started kinda as enemies, and little by little she warmed up to the idea of him until they were in love at the end. I also loved following Beau's tennis journey; it was a lot of fun. Then there was her manager, who was so fun and decided to make a change to her life, and lastly, there was Nikki Chan. I kinda could have guessed that Carrie was going to become her coach just off the vibes I was getting at the game that they played against each other last. I do love that that's how it ended up, though.
I can't believe we killed off the dad, though. That was devastating, and it broke my heart and shattered it, but I feel like it also allowed her to grow so much, and it was almost poetic.
When she won a game, I would literally cry, and when she lost, I was devastated. I love the way that TJR brings you so deeply into the story. Listening to the audiobook was also a lot of fun because it was almost like you were listening to real sports commentators and had music and everything.
Overall, everything about the book was pure magic and made me realize that maybe I shouldn't have given up on my after-school tennis lessons so I could have played at Wimbledon or the US Open.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is back and this time we're in the world of tennis. I'm always in awe of her worlds- the way she describes actual matches, the way she gets into the psyche of an athlete- I know it's palatable for relative laymen, but there's an element of confidence in portraying expertise that I can't help but admire. Carrie Soto herself is the epitome of that woman- too arrogant, too ambitious, doesn't smile enough. Forget being the number one tennis player in the world. Reid does a brilliant job of cycling between Soto's journey as an individual- please let this be enough!- and the unfortunate, immortal discussion of what a woman has to do to be taken half as seriously as a man for twice the accomplishment. A fun read with just enough drama, heartwarming relationships and some food for thought about just how close Icarus flew to the sun.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
A fun read with interesting characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
emotional
inspiring
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