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

5.0

No one fools me into thinking fictional characters are real the way Taylor Jenkins Reid does. I was *this* close to searching if Carrie Soto was real...

Carrie Soto is Back has to be my second favourite TJR book (after Evelyn Hugo). TJR knows how to write a gripping, immersive plot with well developed characters and strong, hot-headed female protagonists. Carrie Soto is flawed and feels so incredibly human and relatable. Truly a main character worthy of being in the title. I also really liked the side characters in the novel, especially Carrie's father, Nicki, and Bowe. They were all well developed and interesting to read about.

One of the worries I had going into this book was that it I would find it boring as I'm not the slightest bit interested in sports. Quite literally, the only time I run is to get away from partaking in a sporting event... But I needn't have worried, TJR managed to write an entire novel about tennis without making it repetitive or uninteresting. I actively found myself interested in the rules and actions of the game, literally rooting for tennis and Carrie's championship. TJR has a way of making you care so deeply for her protagonists and their lives.

The addition of the side romance was also really sweet, and also I liked how TJR included discussions about misogyny within sport and both Carrie and Nicki's struggles.

Overall, this is an incredibly well-rounded novel with a gripping plot, good pacing and fantastic characters.

Thank you to Penguin Cornerstone for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.