carrie soto is back

10/01/2022

Overview:

Carrie Soto is back, and so is Taylor Jenkins Reid, with the release of her eleventh book. She is notorious for her recent releases: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Malibu Rising, all examples of her rapid escalation to one of the most well-known authors of recent times. Her unique style is engaging to read while avoiding overly simplistic writing, making her books the perfect casual read. Taylor’s focus on developing characters ensures you always have a reason to continue flipping the page. All can agree that Reid’s characters keep you coming back for more, whether you like them or not.

In her newest novel, we follow Carrie Soto (Malibu Rising readers may recognize her as Nina Rivera's ex-husband's new girlfriend). A professional tennis player in the late 20th century is back from her retirement to defend her title of most grand slam wins. Throughout the novel, we explore Carrie's return to the sport and when she first entered the world of tennis. As readers, we examine her relationships with family, friends, and specifically other women, unpacking the impact of competitive sport on female relationships. The book also explores some of the pressures and expectations women in the public eye face as Carrie battles between seeming cold and heartless vs being a pushover drama queen.

My Thoughts:

I am not interested in tennis. I don’t play, I don’t watch, and I can barely follow the terminology. However, I could not put this book down. In my case - at least - you genuinely do not need to be a tennis enthusiast to enjoy this book. With every match that Carrie plays, you are on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next. And although it is not a mystery, the story will surprise you. If you can get invested in characters and their journeys, this novel will keep you engaged.

Taylor Jenkins Reid's use of time further allows the reader to understand Soto as a character. Through unpacking her life and relationship with tennis from childhood, readers can relate to what would typically be a completely unrelatable character. Rich, uber- successful, and mainly cold to an outsider's point of view, Carrie is not a character you expect to find yourself caring for, especially if you are coming from reading Malibu Rising, where she makes an appearance. Nevertheless, by the end of the novel, I can almost guarantee that you'll be cheering Carrie on.

Coming from reading Reid’s other successful novels, all of which take place in the same universe and setting of 20th century California, Carrie Soto is Back is a perfect addition to the world Reid has created. The same sense of celebrity culture is ingrained into this novel as the others, definitely helping to develop cohesion among all of Reid’s works. As someone interested in celebrity culture during this time, this book offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of sport, where star athletes face a unique set of challenges, stressors, and drama.

Conclusion:

If you have read anything else by Taylor Jenkins Reid and were a fan, read this book. If you are interested in celebrity/sport culture, read this book. If you are looking for a fun casual read, read this book. Overall, my recommendation is, if you feel like this book may be in any way interesting to you, give it a go. Reid’s writing style is excellent for engaging readers, and I have yet to hear anything negative about her work. However, if I have yet to convince you, check out the book on Goodreads to see what others have to say about it (link here).

Here’s a quote from a review to get you excited:

“Thanks, [Taylor Jenkins Reid]. This made me cry ugly tears on a public bus.

And about tennis! I shouldn't be crying about tennis. I hate sports!”

Well hopefully you check out Carrie Soto is Back, but even if you don’t, happy reading York!

Written by Micah Fekete

Report abuse