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princessblueyes's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
amandahoff's review against another edition
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
slflorence99's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 It turns out I'm just as invested in fictional sporting action as I am in the real thing. Really great character development. My favorite TJR book, but quite possibly because this topic of realistic fiction touched my sports loving heart.
blairfrank's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't particularly like books by TJR, and I knew nothing about tennis before reading this; however, I like the writing style and content in this one.
cheitman45's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
alisonroot's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
tiara_67's review against another edition
challenging
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
5.0
This was my favorite of Jenkins Reid book so far (the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo abd Malibu Rising). I am not a follower of tennis at all but it didn't matter. The book was great start to finish and I love the way the story was told. I actually cried while reading it which I haven't had a book do in a while. Carrie is a great lead and I was fully invested in all of the characters stories. This one really left me wanting more.
jessshire_cat's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I cried! I laughed! It was wonderful!
livyalusk's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure whether to give this three or four stars, but the conclusion sealed it for me. It's very strong and managed to bring out the charm TJR didn't quite capture in this book like she did in her others.
Something I love about her writing style is that she covers someone's entire life (or at least a lengthy career) without losing sight of the themes. She will pack action and drama in but rarely waste a word. I've always felt like I could understand her characters no matter what world they live in, but this book felt slightly messier and weaker than the others and I felt a little less connected
Something else about her writing style that I adore is the creative range of formats. She'll have radio scripts and magazine clippings, engaging the reader while also creating a strong sense of perspective. This allows us to understand the characters and the world that they are reacting to.
Often writing about women in the public eye, TJR takes advantage of every scenario that could come of that, differentiating between her protagonists and also just emphasising how many ways women struggle in the world in all eras and industries.
Something explored in this book that wasn't as much in her others was the effect her father's parenting had on her. We knew why Evelyn and Daisy were the ways they were, but we rarely saw her parents. I enjoyed the nuance surrounding Javier Soto and debating with myself about how Carrie turned out the way she did.
There was one scene that made me cringe so badly I wanted to scream but it really was just left at that so thank you Taylor thank you very much. There were 1 or two flop lines but nothing like that.
Something I love about her writing style is that she covers someone's entire life (or at least a lengthy career) without losing sight of the themes. She will pack action and drama in but rarely waste a word. I've always felt like I could understand her characters no matter what world they live in, but this book felt slightly messier and weaker than the others and I felt a little less connected
Something else about her writing style that I adore is the creative range of formats. She'll have radio scripts and magazine clippings, engaging the reader while also creating a strong sense of perspective. This allows us to understand the characters and the world that they are reacting to.
Often writing about women in the public eye, TJR takes advantage of every scenario that could come of that, differentiating between her protagonists and also just emphasising how many ways women struggle in the world in all eras and industries.
Something explored in this book that wasn't as much in her others was the effect her father's parenting had on her. We knew why Evelyn and Daisy were the ways they were, but we rarely saw her parents. I enjoyed the nuance surrounding Javier Soto and debating with myself about how Carrie turned out the way she did.
There was one scene that made me cringe so badly I wanted to scream but it really was just left at that so thank you Taylor thank you very much. There were 1 or two flop lines but nothing like that.
michellechien930's review against another edition
5.0
Before reading "Carrie Soto Is Back", I knew this was going to be one of my favorite books of 2022, because Taylor Jenkins Reid! And after reading I'm really happy to say that it definitely was one of my favorite books of all time. My preconception of this book was that it would lean on the crutches of "Malibu Rising", where the character Carrie Soto was briefly mentioned. I was kinda uninterested in a sports/tennis themed book, which did seem a bit less glamourous than the 70s rock scene or old Hollywood settings that Reid favored before. But I was gladly wronged, as Carrie Soto is very much a force of her own, and tennis is amazing. Carrie is such an interesting character, she's not the most likable person and is at times volatile and rash, but very respectable, driven, honorable and loving. It's difficult for the reader to sometimes empathize with a character that is literally very cut-throat, but the more you read, the more you understand Carrie and the way that she speaks and the way that she feels. I felt like the book was never much of a romance, but a love story about a father and daughter. My favorite parts of "Carrie Soto Is Back" were those moments with Carrie and Javier, the unstoppable duo, but behind the scenes, just a father and daughter that loved each other very much.
When I walk off the court, my father is standing there in the tunnel, waiting for me. “¡Excelente!” he says. “Absolute perfection. You warrior, you king.” “The first of many,” I say to him. My father smiles but says nothing. His smile grows bigger as he turns and guides me toward the locker room, and soon he’s laughing. “What?” I ask him. “What are you thinking right now?” “Nothing,” he says. “It’s just that…this is the part I missed the most. Me and you, in the tunnel.”
I loved Carrie's redemption, her last shot at reclaiming the glory, then true discovery of herself and happiness. I loved all the side characters, especially Nicki Chan. I shed tears of sadness and joy when I read this book. I'm forever grateful that Taylor Jenkins Reid continues writing such wonderful books!
When I walk off the court, my father is standing there in the tunnel, waiting for me. “¡Excelente!” he says. “Absolute perfection. You warrior, you king.” “The first of many,” I say to him. My father smiles but says nothing. His smile grows bigger as he turns and guides me toward the locker room, and soon he’s laughing. “What?” I ask him. “What are you thinking right now?” “Nothing,” he says. “It’s just that…this is the part I missed the most. Me and you, in the tunnel.”
I loved Carrie's redemption, her last shot at reclaiming the glory, then true discovery of herself and happiness. I loved all the side characters, especially Nicki Chan. I shed tears of sadness and joy when I read this book. I'm forever grateful that Taylor Jenkins Reid continues writing such wonderful books!