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Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 out of 5 stars 42,488 ratings

#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.

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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 30 minutes
Author Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrator Stacy Gonzalez, Mary Carillo, Patrick Mcenroe, Rob Simmelkjaer, Brendan Wayne, Max Meyers, Vidish Athavale, Reynaldo Piniella, Heath Miller, Julia Whelan, Tom Bromhead, Sara Arrington
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 30, 2022
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09SRTWFJT
Best Sellers Rank #189 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Sports Fiction (Books)
#2 in Fiction Sagas
#4 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
42,488 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novel engaging from start to finish, with a believable storyline that immerses readers in the narrative. The writing style receives praise for its crisp prose and nice flow, while the character development creates extremely human characters, with one review specifically highlighting the portrayal of a cocky, arrogant character. The book features a poignant father-daughter relationship and plenty of heart, while maintaining a fast-paced narrative throughout. Customers appreciate the book's motivational content, with one review noting how it gets inside the mind of an elite athlete.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

199 customers mention "Readability"183 positive16 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as amazing and engrossing, with one customer particularly enjoying the sports analysis.

"...While the novel is AMAZING, I thought the conclusion was somewhat rushed, with major events and emotional developments quickly resolved to meet the..." Read more

"...heavy and even though I’m not super familiar with the sport, I loved reading it...." Read more

"...It’s been a really fun ride, and I’m so excited to see what she comes up with next. Read this if you enjoy: 🎾 Sports commentary..." Read more

"...storytelling and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of sports fiction and stories of personal triumph." Read more

118 customers mention "Story quality"109 positive9 negative

Customers find the book's story captivating and believable, describing it as relatable.

"...It includes love and loss and lessons that can be translated from the tennis court to real life. Really really enjoyed this book! 4.5 stars!" Read more

"...While this was a story of an incredible comeback, a dedicated athlete, and a father daughter duo withstanding the pressures of pro athlete and coach..." Read more

"...This riveting novel showcases Reid's exceptional storytelling and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of sports fiction and stories of..." Read more

"Carrie Soto is the best tennis player in the world when she retires. She has fought her entire life to be the best...." Read more

96 customers mention "Character development"76 positive20 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book, noting that Carrie Soto is a smashing character who feels like a real person, with superb writing that makes them extremely human.

"...is Carrie Soto, who fans of TJR already know is a powerful, confident character from her appearance in “Malibu Rising”...." Read more

"...This book has Taylor’s classic immersive writing style, complicated main characters, and really special relationships...." Read more

"...Fierce and fiery, this in an incredibly powerful novel about female ambition, about resilience and determination, about refusing to accept less than..." Read more

"...Reid captured the time period, the rock scene, and the characters with so much heart and authenticity that I was open and ready to read another of..." Read more

90 customers mention "Writing style"68 positive22 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, describing it as well-crafted and a descriptive masterpiece, with one customer noting how the author skillfully portrays complex female characters.

"...I was THOROUGHLY CAPTIVATED by Reid’s adept narration of the tennis matches throughout the novel that added an electrifying layer to the story,..." Read more

"...This book has Taylor’s classic immersive writing style, complicated main characters, and really special relationships...." Read more

"...This is plotting as it’s finest! I was glued to the page, my heart racing each time Carrie picked up her racket...." Read more

"...And Carrie Soto is so vivid, intense, and fully dimensional—known in the tennis world as the Battle Axe-- that she lived in my home and in my heart..." Read more

61 customers mention "Motivational"58 positive3 negative

Customers find the book motivational, with many noting it contains good life lessons and provides a refreshing take on ambition. One customer mentions it touches on important themes, while another appreciates how it gets inside the mind of an elite athlete.

"...Reid delivers a narrative brimming with suspense, emotion, and a powerful message about what happens when women (and also men) dare to strive for..." Read more

"...There is a lot of sports commentary and very, very detailed tennis talk in this novel. If you aren’t a fan, then this might not be for you!..." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...powerful novel about female ambition, about resilience and determination, about refusing to accept less than you deserve...." Read more

43 customers mention "Love story"43 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the love story in the book, particularly appreciating the poignant father-daughter relationship, and one customer mentions it includes elements of love and loss.

"...Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers a narrative brimming with suspense, emotion, and a powerful message about what happens when women (and also men) dare..." Read more

"...It includes love and loss and lessons that can be translated from the tennis court to real life. Really really enjoyed this book! 4.5 stars!" Read more

"...immersive writing style, complicated main characters, and really special relationships...." Read more

"...This riveting novel showcases Reid's exceptional storytelling and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of sports fiction and stories of..." Read more

40 customers mention "Pacing"35 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as fast-paced and well-developed, with one customer noting how it captures the mind of a perfectionist athlete.

"...While this was a story of an incredible comeback, a dedicated athlete, and a father daughter duo withstanding the pressures of pro athlete and coach..." Read more

"Great storytelling with characters who are so well developed and so diverse...." Read more

"...watching a movie or a TV series- slow at some points, but the matches were fast paced. Loved the ending and some good lessons were learned." Read more

"This was a quick and fun read. One doesn't have to be a tennis player to enjoy it!..." Read more

15 customers mention "Strength"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's strength, with one review highlighting its tenacity and another noting how the protagonist remains strong yet vulnerable throughout the story.

""Carrie Soto is Back" by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a powerful exploration of resilience and ambition, following the legendary tennis player Carrie Soto..." Read more

"...this in an incredibly powerful novel about female ambition, about resilience and determination, about refusing to accept less than you deserve...." Read more

"...Relentless, determined, and unyielding, Carrie endures a grueling training regime to recapture her Grand Slam record five years after retiring from..." Read more

"...Ceilings don't exist in the world of Carrie Soto. Preservation, self determination and dedication, loss (emotional, physical, familial, self),..." Read more

TJR has done it again!
5 out of 5 stars
TJR has done it again!
I first came across Taylor’s books when I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and her books have been an auto-buy for me ever since. Tennis does absolutely nothing for me, but I was enthralled with the story of Carrie’s comeback. I did enjoy the first few chapters that dealt with her meteoric rise to success and her eventual fall from grace. At the heart of the novel is Carrie’s relationship with her father, Javier. He got Carrie into the sport and was her first coach. That doesn’t meant there isn’t romance in the story though. I loved her scenes with fellow tennis pro Bowe, and he had a great dynamic with her father as well. After being introduced to such characters as Evelyn and Daisy in previous books, I was a bit let down with Nina in Malibu Rising as her last book’s heroine. Carrie came roaring in though and she is definitely up there for me with those two. A+ read!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • 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!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2025
    This book was very tennis heavy and even though I’m not super familiar with the sport, I loved reading it. She did such a great job of painting a picture and you really felt like you were right there watching all of the matches. I loved this story and watching the evolution of Carrie Soto throughout. She has a beautiful relationship with her father - and coach - and I loved seeing their dynamic together. This book made me smile, laugh and cry, especially near the end. It includes love and loss and lessons that can be translated from the tennis court to real life. Really really enjoyed this book! 4.5 stars!
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2022
    5 ⭐️
    🎶 I Was Here - Beyoncé

    “I did not pick up a racket to grow tense and weary and afraid of failing. I picked it up to feel the joy of smashing a ball as hard as I can. I picked it up to spend time with my dad.”

    TJR and Ballantine win the award for best release date of a 2022 book for the timing coinciding with this year’s US Open. Getting to read this incredible story with Serena Williams and Rafa Nadal playing on the court at the same time has been so fun. The story Taylor wrote about Carrie, Javier, and Bowe felt so real.

    There is a lot of sports commentary and very, very detailed tennis talk in this novel. If you aren’t a fan, then this might not be for you! However I do think she did a good job outlining the basics of the sport, point system, and tournament styles! Each side character and opponent was so well-developed. This book has Taylor’s classic immersive writing style, complicated main characters, and really special relationships. The story of Javier and Carrie was so complex and raw and beautiful. It’ll make you want to hug your dad. Bowe was so patient, and I loved how he treated Carrie. While this was a story of an incredible comeback, a dedicated athlete, and a father daughter duo withstanding the pressures of pro athlete and coach relationships, it was also really just a story of a woman finding herself in our chaotic world. Carrie is unashamed and brass on the outside, but really quite vulnerable on the inside. I loved her. I loved the book. And I already am sad that this is the last of the little fictional world TJR has given us with Evelyn, Daisy, Nina, and Carrie. It’s been a really fun ride, and I’m so excited to see what she comes up with next.

    Read this if you enjoy:
    🎾 Sports commentary
    🏆 Grand Slam tennis
    ❤️ Father/Daughter relationships
    🕰 Historical Fiction
    👭 Female friendships
    💪 Strong female MCs
    🥇 Comeback stories
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Elisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro sia per appassionati di tennis che non
    Reviewed in Italy on June 3, 2024
    Adoro Taylor Jenkins Reid e avendo già letto diversi suoi libri ho deciso di continuare con Carrie Soto, soprattutto dopo aver letto Malibu Rising.
    Il libro è scorrevole, è piacevole da leggere per chi segue il tennis, ma anche per chi non è appassionato.
    A me è piaciuto molto e consiglio per chi ha amato anche gli altri libri dell'autrice.
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  • Wandaka Lyngdoh
    5.0 out of 5 stars TJR never disappoints!
    Reviewed in India on February 18, 2025
    There’s something magical about the way TJR writes her books which is why I knew I’d love and enjoy reading every single page of this one too. I’m not much into sports but something about the way this was written had me anticipating to see what would happen in every match. I love the bond between Carrie and her father and although they were both not perfect in any way, their love for tennis and each other had me bawling my eyes out a few times. I also love how Carrie’s agent, Gwen, could see past the defenses Carrie builds around herself and how she stood by her through thick and thin. Also, love the way the relationship between Carrie and Bowe developed and how all these people were there for her to encourage and support her when she lost the one person who had always been there for her. Lastly, I love how, towards the end, Carrie came to realise the love she has for the sport, the one thing her dad had always wanted for her- to have fun while playing.
  • SG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Father-daughter story, sports and avoidant attachment
    Reviewed in Germany on July 5, 2024
    I just loved this. "Carrie Soto is Back" is a great father-daughter relationship story. Carrie, however, is one of the best fictional case studies of a dismissive-avoidant person. There's so much about this book which I loved.
  • Raymundo Gaxiola Santacruz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2024
  • Peluuches
    5.0 out of 5 stars Can't stop crying
    Reviewed in France on February 12, 2025
    😭😭 i dont know why but i can't stop crying. This novel is not for everyone but loved it so much.