A review by naturally
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

challenging hopeful inspiring tense 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

4.5

taylor jenkins reid does the whole historical-fiction-with-a-biographical-angle thing pretty well. i must admit, i preferred the focus on entertainers (the rivas, evelyn hugo etc), however it could be argued that athletes also fit under this umbrella...and carrie soto is back presents a strong case. 

whilst i thought the use of tennis terminology felt a tad too textbook-ish, my admiration of the sport and the GOAT serena williams kept me invested in the story. 

there were times when both carrie and the commentary on feminism were flat and checkbox-ey...TJR tries her best, but i ultimately thinks this comes from a lack of deep understanding and familiarity of the identities she is writing. 

where TJR shines is her portrayal of both familial and romantic relationships. the fate of carrie's
father. i knew he was going to die, and i STILL wasn't ready...
was extremely predictable, however their relationship was easily the highlight of this book. i also enjoyed carrie and bowe's dynamic!

overall, this was a quick - and by no means perfect-- read that kept me entertained this summer!
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