Review: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
*Update as of 9/1/22: Since reading in July 2022, members of the Latinx community have made me aware of the problematic nature of this book, centered on a Latina MC, written by a white author. I have removed my star review. I apologize for my ignorance on the matter and allowing my love for the author's writing cloud my judgement. I will continue to listen to the communities harmed and advocate for proper representation in publishing.*
Thank you Random House for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I have become a TJR fan girl. This isn’t something new or innovative in the book world, but I truly love Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing and creativity in her story telling. I have a number of her backlist titles on my TBR and i’m excited to see how they compare, but I am a huge fan of the Women of the Decades universe. These are The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, Malibu Rising, and now Carrie Soto is Back.
I will say, this book is quite tennis heavy. I grew up playing tennis and attending the US Open every year. I have always loved watching Wimbledon and noshing on strawberries and cream. So, I didn’t mind how tennis heavy it was! I also heard from a few people who aren’t tennis fans that they didn’t mind either. I think the sport lends itself to the story as more than a metaphor.
In short, I really enjoyed this book. I felt very seen with Carrie’s journey and how strong she was, while discovering that it’s okay to be soft. As someone always struggling with perfectionism, I really got Carrie.
And just so you know, the acknowledgements of the book absolutely wrecked me.
Synopsis:
“Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, Javier, as her coach. A former champion himself, Javier has trained her since the age of two.
But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan.
At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked “the Battle-Axe” anyway. Even if her body doesn’t move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.
In spite of it all, Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells her most vulnerable, emotional story yet.” —Amazon
What I Liked:
The Writing—As always, this is TJR’s real strong point and part of why I love her books. I know they will always keep me turning the page.
Carrie as a Character—Like I said, I really got Carrie. She may not be likeable to many but I really think that comes down to being not like women who aren’t afraid to speak their mind in the way that men do. People love when Tom Brady and Roger Federer are blunt and confident.
The Portrayal of Female Competition and Friendship—I loved the development of respect and understanding between Nicki Chan and Carrie. I loved how they were brutally honest with each other and found most of their interactions quite entertaining.
What Didn’t Work:
Expectation of Structure/Story—Sadly, I think TJR is always going to be up against herself since she has found such success. A lot of people will say this book is bad because it doesn’t compare the creativity or structure that Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones has. I agree, but I also hate that authors are always in this position because the story in Carrie Soto is so worthy of reading, especially for those of us who identify with the characters.
Character Authenticity: 5/5
Steam Rating: 0/5
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Content Warnings:
loss of a parent, mentions of alcoholism