I went to see Challengers two weeks ago and it’s all I can think about
I was lucky enough to attend the Challengers premiere in April and I’ve never cared more about tennis in my life.
I’m not a very sporty person but the Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Feist film has turned me into a tennis super fan… only when fictional, obviously.
When I was watching Challengers, I couldn’t help but think about one novel I read by my favourite author Taylor Jenkins Reid.
The American writer penned my all-time favourite book Daisy Jones and The Six and I’ve been glued to her work ever since.
If you loved Challengers then Carrie Soto Is Back is the book for you.
I was hesitant about reading it at first because I am not a sporty gal, but you will be glued to this story from the very first page.
This is undoubtedly Taylor Jenkins Reid’s most vulnerable novel to date, but also her most breathtaking.
The story follows tennis champion Carrie Soto who is the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen.
She has achieved milestones people could only dream of, but her record is set to be broken.
Nicki Chan is set to take her groundbreaking title away, but Carrie decides to come out of retirement aged 37.
She’s back for one final epic season in an attempt to reclaim her record.
The novel is full of intensity like Challengers with complex characters you won’t be able to stop thinking about.
The standout of Carrie Soto Is Back is the gripping plot that will leave you glued to this novel.
You’ll be completely engrossed in Carrie Soto’s world from page one.
Trust me when I say you’ll be gutted to say goodbye to this novel when you reach the last page.
The full synopsis reads:
‘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.
‘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 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.’
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