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howilliams's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
etinker's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
emilyburdige's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
4.0
writing this review almost 2 years after reading this book because I realized I never reviewed it! loved this book though
spow's review against another edition
5.0
I will be honest, I wasn’t initially drawn to this book and really only acquired it because it was written by TJR. After reading many of her other books, I thought I should at minimum give it a chance. After finishing this book, it’s now my favorite of hers.
This book may not be for everyone. There is A LOT of tennis in this book. I mean a A LOT. If you hate sports, there is a good chance this book isn’t for you. This is a beautiful story about Carrie and the loves of her life: tennis and her father. It’s about how those two things are so intricately intertwined and how Carrie reacts as time and age change her relationship with each.
I have always been a sucker for a good sports story, about the drive it takes to perform your best and what it can do to you physically, mentally and emotionally when you win or lose. How it affects the relationships with those around you both positively and negatively. I had tears in my eyes through so many points of this book as Carrie comes to terms with who she is, what she can accomplish and how she wants her life to look when all is said and done.
It was beautifully written. I LOVE the fact that it was such a strong FEMALE CENTRIC sports story, not something that’s common in either books or movies.
Carrie is not an easy character to love but I rooted for her because of her drive and because TJR does such a great job of softening her personality with the supporting characters around her. I not only recommend giving it a chance, but can see this as a great sports movie down the line.
This book may not be for everyone. There is A LOT of tennis in this book. I mean a A LOT. If you hate sports, there is a good chance this book isn’t for you. This is a beautiful story about Carrie and the loves of her life: tennis and her father. It’s about how those two things are so intricately intertwined and how Carrie reacts as time and age change her relationship with each.
I have always been a sucker for a good sports story, about the drive it takes to perform your best and what it can do to you physically, mentally and emotionally when you win or lose. How it affects the relationships with those around you both positively and negatively. I had tears in my eyes through so many points of this book as Carrie comes to terms with who she is, what she can accomplish and how she wants her life to look when all is said and done.
It was beautifully written. I LOVE the fact that it was such a strong FEMALE CENTRIC sports story, not something that’s common in either books or movies.
Carrie is not an easy character to love but I rooted for her because of her drive and because TJR does such a great job of softening her personality with the supporting characters around her. I not only recommend giving it a chance, but can see this as a great sports movie down the line.
apriltrepagnier's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one gets a 4 because I adore Taylor Jenkins Reid. But I didn’t like Carrie Soto before I picked up the book. I met her already in _Malibu Rising_ and I just can’t get over how much I dislike her. However, the cast of characters TJR builds around her helps - I love her dad, her agent, her love interest, her competitor. But I only read it for bookclub and I could have done without it. However, I will always read TJR when the occasion permits. Always.
jacks_beloved's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.75
And she does it again. Another release, another masterpiece. It's like with every character she creates, Reid sets out to break a record (yes, numerous puns derived from the book itself)
Carrie Soto is probably the most real potrait of a person Reid has ever created. A person who flew too close to the sun and is now afraid of getting scorched. This book is so many things. It's a feminist commentary of women in sports, it's about father-daughter relationships, it's about mentors, but most importantly, it's about learning how to fail. Carrie is poetry. She is the legend Reid describes her to be in the book. Carrie teaches you that life doesn't belong to the winners, nor does it hate the losers. Life belongs to those who live every moment, and feel every breath. It belongs to those who enjoy. (I'm sorry, she just makes a sap out of you). Carrie is a mentee but she's also a mentor when it comes to teaching women to be fearless and heartless, and unapolegetic about it. The world will always hate confident women, but you need to stand up to the world and give them a big "fuck you".
As long as I've spent praising Carrie, my favourite character of the book was definitely the sunshine Chan. The rival. The opponent. The reason Carrie Soto is back. Her character is the reason this book has the most satisfying and full-circle ending I could think of (though I can understand why it'll probably be extremely frustrating for some people, but it is in keeping with the tone of the rest of the book). Nicki Chan is the personification of the kind of explosions that can be created if women just start supporting women, whether in their rights or wrongs, in whatever way possible. Nicki Chan is kind but tough. She's an inspiration. She is everything I would want to be at the age she is said to be at. (Additionally, her British accent in the audiobook won me over. Fell more in love right that second. Also, bi-rep.)
One would think that all the tennis talk would bore the reader. That the plot is bound to get predictable and boring. Yes, it was predictable. No, it wasn't boring for a goddamn second because the characters were interesting. They kept you on your toes. They were always doing something complex and out of the box. (Although, the book can definitely get repetitive and monotonous with its technical tennis talk for everyone who is not invested in the characters).
I've said it once and I'll say it again, Taylor Jenkins Reid is an icon. She is the best writer out there in the genre of contemporary women's fiction, which is, arguably, one of the realest and most important genres out there. She has the potential to make history with her style of writing (I'm still in the sports commentator mood, obviously).
Needless to say, every work of Reid's need to be read and analysed and talked about till they achieve the label of modern classics.
Carrie Soto is probably the most real potrait of a person Reid has ever created. A person who flew too close to the sun and is now afraid of getting scorched. This book is so many things. It's a feminist commentary of women in sports, it's about father-daughter relationships, it's about mentors, but most importantly, it's about learning how to fail. Carrie is poetry. She is the legend Reid describes her to be in the book. Carrie teaches you that life doesn't belong to the winners, nor does it hate the losers. Life belongs to those who live every moment, and feel every breath. It belongs to those who enjoy. (I'm sorry, she just makes a sap out of you). Carrie is a mentee but she's also a mentor when it comes to teaching women to be fearless and heartless, and unapolegetic about it. The world will always hate confident women, but you need to stand up to the world and give them a big "fuck you".
As long as I've spent praising Carrie, my favourite character of the book was definitely the sunshine Chan. The rival. The opponent. The reason Carrie Soto is back. Her character is the reason this book has the most satisfying and full-circle ending I could think of (though I can understand why it'll probably be extremely frustrating for some people, but it is in keeping with the tone of the rest of the book). Nicki Chan is the personification of the kind of explosions that can be created if women just start supporting women, whether in their rights or wrongs, in whatever way possible. Nicki Chan is kind but tough. She's an inspiration. She is everything I would want to be at the age she is said to be at. (Additionally, her British accent in the audiobook won me over. Fell more in love right that second. Also, bi-rep.)
One would think that all the tennis talk would bore the reader. That the plot is bound to get predictable and boring. Yes, it was predictable. No, it wasn't boring for a goddamn second because the characters were interesting. They kept you on your toes. They were always doing something complex and out of the box. (Although, the book can definitely get repetitive and monotonous with its technical tennis talk for everyone who is not invested in the characters).
I've said it once and I'll say it again, Taylor Jenkins Reid is an icon. She is the best writer out there in the genre of contemporary women's fiction, which is, arguably, one of the realest and most important genres out there. She has the potential to make history with her style of writing (I'm still in the sports commentator mood, obviously).
Needless to say, every work of Reid's need to be read and analysed and talked about till they achieve the label of modern classics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
mayatownsend's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
booknook123's review against another edition
slow-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
3.25
I devoured The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and The Six. This book was not the same for me. I think it could have been a lot shorter for what happened and the characters could have been a little more interesting. If you're looking to get into Reid's writing, try the other two mentioned above first
riahxyz's review against another edition
I just kept feeling like “why should I care.” Don’t get me wrong, TJR is an amazing writer. I just wasn’t into this one.