Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 40,631 ratings

Price: 2.99

Last update: 01-08-2025


About this item

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * "An epic adventure about a female athlete perhaps past her prime, brought back to the tennis court for one last grand slam" (Elle), from the author of Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

"A heart-filled novel about an iconic and persevering father and daughter."—Time

"Gorgeous. The kind of sharp, smart, potent book you have to set aside every few pages just to catch your breath. I'll take a piece of Carrie Soto forward with me in life and be a little better for it."—Emily Henry, author of Book Lovers and Beach Read

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Time, NPR, PopSugar, Glamour, Reader's Digest

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.

From the Publisher

“Sharp, smart, potent,” says Emily Henry

“Heart-filled,” writes Time

“Extraordinary,” says USA Today

“What it means to be a woman,” writes Buzzfeed


Top reviews from the United States

  • James
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Slam!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024
    Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest novel, "Carrie Soto is Back," serves an ace into the world of competitive tennis, challenging the narrative around ambition in women through the formidable Carrie Soto. Reid's narrative isn’t just about the drama of women’s tennis; it's a deep dive into the soul of a woman who dares to want more, and often gets it.

    At the core of this compelling tale is Carrie Soto, who fans of TJR already know is a powerful, confident character from her appearance in “Malibu Rising”. In this novel, Carrie is a legend. She becomes number one in the world, initially guided by her father and coach, Javier Soto, a tennis legend himself. Years later, emerging from retirement at the age of 37, Carrie returns to defend her record breaking number of Grand Slam titles. Her quest is more than a battle on the court; it's an introspective journey that gets into Carrie’s “head game” and into the very heart of success itself. Reid skillfully crafts a tale that prompts us to question the very fabric of achievement and the personal cost of greatness. She also gives us glimpses into male perceptions of ambition in women, perceptions that are often shown to be negative and sometimes outright reprehensible.

    Carrie Soto's character is a REVELATION! Initially, in the first half of the novel, I found Carrie to be unlikable, and my impressions of her were more negative than positive. However, as the story progressed into the novel’s second half, my perceptions shifted dramatically. Reid's crisp prose, delivered in Carrie's own voice, revealed the complexities of the ambition that motivated and defined her. My heart also softened for Carrie as I saw her become more open and vulnerable in her interactions with her father, her lover, and her best friend and agent.

    I was THOROUGHLY CAPTIVATED by Reid’s adept narration of the tennis matches throughout the novel that added an electrifying layer to the story, making the tension and thrill of the sport leap off the page, engaging even myself who had no prior interest in tennis.

    The novel is not without its humor. At one point, Carrie receives a gift from her rival, Nicki Chan. Nicki says it's a "declaration of war. Fun, right?" Loved it!

    Oh, does Mick Riva make an appearance? I'm really not one to say...

    But don't think the novel does not deeply explore serious and complex issues. It does. Big time. Issues such as sexism, grief, success and vulnerability, among many others.

    While the novel is AMAZING, I thought the conclusion was somewhat rushed, with major events and emotional developments quickly resolved to meet the narrative's timeline. I felt this slightly undermined the depth of Carrie's transformation, and it left me wishing for more time to explore and believe in her emotional journey.

    Overall, "Carrie Soto is Back" is an enthralling tale of what it means to be triumphant in sports and in life. Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers a narrative brimming with suspense, emotion, and a powerful message about what happens when women (and also men) dare to strive for what is possible. It is a story about overcoming oneself, but also one about family, relationships and finding joy. This novel is a must-read for anyone captivated by stories of personal triumph and the intricate dynamics of the human spirit.

    Break point. The match goes to Reid!
  • Kendra Pierce
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book even for non tennis fans!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
    This was another PopSugar challenge for me. The prompt was a book about a female athlete. I’d really been dreading that as the only sport I like is NFL and there’s no females there. So this is one of my last few to fill in. However, I do like Taylor Jenkins Reid and I saw quite a few recommendations for this book so I figured I’d give it a shot.

    Yes, there was a lot of Tennis talk. Rules, game talk, etc. that all went right over my head because I’ve never watched a match in my life. However the basis of the story is about one womans perseverance, a beautiful relationship with her father and her quest to open herself up for love.

    I enjoyed her father so much. The fact that all he cared about was her happiness was just beautiful. Bowe and her were able to match each other’s truthfulness and testiness toe to toe. Truly a great match and the how much he cared for her father really got me emotional.

    My favorite highlights:

    Grief is like a deep, dark hole. It calls like a siren: Come to me, lose yourself here. And you fight it and you fight it and you fight it, but when you finally do succumb and jump down into it, you can’t quite believe how deep it is. It feels as if this is how you will live for the rest of your life, falling. Terrified and devastated, until you yourself die.
    But that is the mirage.
    That is grief’s dizzying spell.
    The fall isn’t never-ending. It does have a ground floor.
    Today, I cry for so long that I finally feel the floor under my feet. I find the bottom. And while I know the hole will be there forever, at least for now, I feel as if I can live inside it. I have learned its boundaries and its edges.

    We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men.

    Some men's childhoods are permitted to last forever, but women are so often reminded that there is work to be done.
  • MommaLayne
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fierce Tale of Determination and Redemption in the World of Tennis
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
    "Carrie Soto is Back" by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a powerful exploration of resilience and ambition, following the legendary tennis player Carrie Soto as she battles to reclaim her status as the best in the world. Having shattered records and won twenty Grand Slam titles, Carrie's fierce commitment to her sport has not always won her fans. After retiring, she finds herself in a challenging position when a rising star, Nicki Chan, begins to erode her legacy by breaking her long-held record at the 1994 US Open.

    At thirty-seven, Carrie makes the bold decision to unretire and train with her father, Javier, who has guided her since childhood. This choice is steeped in emotional complexity as Carrie confronts her physical limitations and the perceptions of sports media that labeled her “the Battle-Axe.” Additionally, she must navigate her unresolved feelings for Bowe Huntley, a former competitor with his ambitions.

    Reid masterfully captures the intensity of Carrie's journey, highlighting the grit and vulnerability required to pursue greatness in a world that often favors youth and change. "Carrie Soto is Back" is not just a sports narrative; it's a heartfelt reflection on the importance of legacy, love, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams. This riveting novel showcases Reid's exceptional storytelling and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of sports fiction and stories of personal triumph.
  • jackie
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great character study, riveting!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024
    I don't play tennis, and it drew me in immediately. A page turner, an absolute thriller! You will appreciate the centimeters of precision in all of Taylor Jenkins Reid novels, all distinctly riveting, showcasing and era, and large personalities, plus good subplots. Enjoy!

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