Review: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published by Ballantine Books on August 30, 2022
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Genres: Contemporary, Historical Fiction


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In this powerful novel about the cost of greatness, a legendary athlete attempts a comeback when the world considers her past her prime—from the New York Times bestselling author of Malibu Rising.

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.

Carrie freaking Soto. That’s it. That’s the review. I’ve long been drawn to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s strong female protagonists, but Carrie Soto is simply remarkable. Living inside her mind was an exhilarating experience.

Carrie Soto has a reputation for being brilliant but cold and mean, and honestly there is some truth to that. She is ruthless in her pursuit of tennis greatness, and she lacks social niceties, but I admired her ambition and dedication, and I understood her flaws. It’s amazing how confident she is on the court, but vulnerable and insecure in her personal life.

Her steady rise from child prodigy to tennis phenom is entertaining, but it’s her comeback that kept my eyes glued to the page. Her father is there for every step along the way, and I loved their tight bond. His meticulous coaching and Carrie’s indefatigable work ethic are staggering. I thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of her character.

Carrie Soto is Back immerses the reader in the professional world of tennis. I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed all the technical aspects of training and playing. I found myself getting excited every time Carrie stepped onto the court. Her running commentary during each match had me on the edge of my seat. I was so anxious for Carrie that I wanted to skip ahead each game to find out who won.

The story spans the time period from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s. As a child of the 80s myself, I appreciated all the cultural references—from the Sony Discman and VHS tapes to Princess Diana. 

Whether or not you’re a tennis fan, I recommend this enthralling saga.

Recommended for fans of:
Historical fiction
Tennis
The 80s and 90s
Rivalries

** I received an early copy to voluntarily read. This does not affect the content of my review. **

 

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