Synopsis: Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular.
By the time Carrie retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Slam titles. And if you ask her, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father as her coach.
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, British 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 a story about the cost of greatness and a legendary athlete attempting a comeback.
My Review:
I’m keeping this review short and sweet because I believe this book is pretty much perfect. As a longtime Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, my expectations weren’t just met—they were exceeded.
I love that Carrie isn’t always likeable; in fact, she’s often quite the opposite. She’s competitive to a fault, brash, and occasionally rude. But Reid masterfully explores how Carrie’s environment and experiences have shaped her into this complex, driven persona.
Her competitiveness, though sometimes abrasive, is also what makes her a champion. While a male athlete might be celebrated for such grit, the media relentlessly vilifies Carrie for it. Through her experiences in the spotlight, Reid deftly portrays the challenges faced by women in sports.
The plot is tightly paced and wildly entertaining. The tennis matches are written so brilliantly that I—someone with no prior interest in the sport—ended up watching Wimbledon this year. I felt completely immersed in the world of women’s tennis. Reid’s writing had me glued to the page, eager to see whether Carrie would reclaim her title. The story becomes more addictive and suspenseful with every serve.
It’s also worth noting that behind Carrie’s tough exterior is someone loving, vulnerable, and incredibly hard-working. I loved watching her grow as she leaves retirement behind and commits to retraining. Along the way, there’s even a wonderfully unexpected second-chance romance. And the relationship between Carrie and her father (who also serves as her coach and biggest supporter) is one of the most moving parts of the book. It’s central to both the narrative and Carrie’s identity.
Overall, Carrie Soto Is Back made me laugh, cry, and bite my nails. The ending is impeccable, delivering an inspired reflection on cyclicality and comradeship. Reid has crafted an unforgettable story about women in sport, ambition, and family.
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