CARRIE SOTO IS BACK

By TAYLOR JENKINS REID

Cornerstone Carrie Soto dominated women’s tennis for years before her retirement but now a new player, British star Nikki Chan, is about to break her record for the most Grand Slam titles won – and Carrie wants it back.

The American player, who was first introduced in a small role in Reid’s previous novel, Malibu Rising (it’s not necessary to have read it though), decides to come out of retirement, at the age of 37 after six years away, for one last season and a chance to win another Grand Slam. The book covers Carrie’s whole career, with focus on her relationship with her father and coach, Javier.

It also looks at the perceptions of her fierce need to win at all costs that leads to her nickname, the Battle Axe, and the impact her pursuit of greatness has on her and those close to her.

It’s wonderful to have a woman main character in a sports-related novel but in the end it felt like there’s a touch too much blow-byblow tennis coverage. It eventually distracts from rather than adds to the story. That said, it’s still an enjoyable read with interesting characters who may not all be likeable, but you’re still rooting for them.