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katelynnelawson'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
TJR’s books always start slow for me then really start hitting me emotionally. Carrie is my favorite character I’ve read from her yet. Satisfying ending. I love Carrie’s relationship with her rival Nicki, with her father, and with Bowe. This book felt fully about her whereas I often find this writer pulls in ensembles casts. The side characters felt like players in Carrie’s story. She was impossible not to root for and love no matter unlovable she felt or was even determined to be at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Alcoholism, Blood, and Medical content
hayleyw's review against another edition
challenging
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
caitlinjadams's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Would I have liked this book as much if I didn’t love the movie “Wimbledon”? Unclear. But it was an enjoyable read—as easy to put down as it was to pick up again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Misogyny, Cancer, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Infidelity
emmy_likes_2_read's review
challenging
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, and Medical content
ellelockley's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
What a surprise, another TJR 5 star book. I am in awe with how well she writes. She knows how to make loveable characters that are human beings and have flaws. I don't bawl my eyes out at books for no reason, and this is not am exception. I may not understand tennis but I could relate to Carrie in so many ways which made me love her even more. Don't get me started on Javier, I'll start crying. The book is so well written, so well structured. I loved Bowe and I loved Nicki. This book is phenomenal. I could not recommend it more. The only thing I have sort of negatively to say is that it dragged a bit at the start, but i demolished the last 75% in 3 hours. I recommend this book to everyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer and Addiction
wisteria22's review
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
5.0
“Carrie Soto is Back” is the best book I’ve read in ages and had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. Carrie Soto might be my all-time favorite female character and TJR managed to let her shine in all of her complicated facets. The novel is an inspiring portrayal of female ambition and even though I’ve never watched a single tennis match in my life, I fell in love with the sport through TJR’s words. Simply stunning. A phenomenal read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Body shaming, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Addiction, and Car accident
val_theburrowofstories'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Body shaming, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism and Racism
isabezza's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I was rather disappointed by TJR despite my love of her writing style (TJR writes about fame, rivalry, and family so well!) However, the references to her other novels were less subtle and exciting than instances from other novels. Similarly the romance themes were cliché. Whilst I particularly enjoyed the character development for Javier, Nicki, and Brandon, I could not empathise with Carrie, finding her mind style disagreeable. Sometimes I was inspired by her ruthless attitude and other times I was weary of it. Perhaps when I read Malibu Rising in the future I will learn more about Carrie Soto's characterisation and like her more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Eating disorder
kfquarium's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexism, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Medical content, and Misogyny
booksalacarte's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5⭐️ 2🌶️
Tennis
Professional Athlete
Loving the dream
Comeback
Older MC’s (mid-late 30’s)
Underdog
Unapologetic female elite athlete
Misogyny
Second chance Romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Biggest fan parent
Single father
Self discovery/rediscovery
Did I know anything about tennis before reading this book? Absolutely not.
Do I know anything after reading?….. maybe? I could probably watch it and not be bored now.
Did I love this book? Yes. Yesyesyes.
The structure was so interesting! TJR never fails to set books up to be structurally interesting in a way that enhances the story. Having the FMC’s POV broken up by sportscasters commentary about her game and competition was an awesome way to build tension and get the feel of the nature and stakes of the story.
I always love TJR’s Easter eggs for her other books. That they all live in this alternative universe together.
Carrie was an unapologetic, hard as nails, powerhouse of a character and I loved every second of balancing on the edge of her sarcasm and intensity while her inner monologue showed us exactly how insecure she is. It made her superhuman abilities more human.
The romance in the book was so interesting in how it was presented as iron sharpening iron. Both were so flawed and watching things develop was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Carrie’s relationship with her father was so beautiful and my favorite thing about the book. It was dynamic, full of ups and downs, heartbreaking. I was fully invested. The grief represented in the book was so well done. I found myself adoring her father which made the arc of the story so amazing.
This is a favorite. But TJR’s books always are for me.
Tennis
Professional Athlete
Loving the dream
Comeback
Older MC’s (mid-late 30’s)
Underdog
Unapologetic female elite athlete
Misogyny
Second chance Romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Biggest fan parent
Single father
Self discovery/rediscovery
Did I know anything about tennis before reading this book? Absolutely not.
Do I know anything after reading?….. maybe? I could probably watch it and not be bored now.
Did I love this book? Yes. Yesyesyes.
The structure was so interesting! TJR never fails to set books up to be structurally interesting in a way that enhances the story. Having the FMC’s POV broken up by sportscasters commentary about her game and competition was an awesome way to build tension and get the feel of the nature and stakes of the story.
I always love TJR’s Easter eggs for her other books. That they all live in this alternative universe together.
Carrie was an unapologetic, hard as nails, powerhouse of a character and I loved every second of balancing on the edge of her sarcasm and intensity while her inner monologue showed us exactly how insecure she is. It made her superhuman abilities more human.
The romance in the book was so interesting in how it was presented as iron sharpening iron. Both were so flawed and watching things develop was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Carrie’s relationship with her father was so beautiful and my favorite thing about the book. It was dynamic, full of ups and downs, heartbreaking. I was fully invested. The grief represented in the book was so well done. I found myself adoring her father which made the arc of the story so amazing.
This is a favorite. But TJR’s books always are for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Cursing, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting