Carrie Soto is Back Book Review

 Carrie Soto Is Back

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published: 2022

Pages: 400

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Sports

My Rating: 4.5/5

Summary

Carrie Soto Is Back follows the legendary tennis player, Carrie, as she makes her return to the sport of tennis at the age of 37, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming her record. She has sacrificed a lot to become the greatest, climbing to number 1 in the world during her prime. But shortly after her retirement, her record gets broken by British player, Nicki Chan. Carrie decides to come out of retirement and make a return with her father, Javier, as her coach. She spends countless hours training and practicing out on the courts with Bowe Huntley, a tennis professional who also came out of retirement to prove his capabilities. Carrie is faced with a lot of adversity during her comeback, but that doesn’t stop her from working hard and dreaming big. Will she be able to take her record back? And what will happen if she is forced to live with that defeat for the rest of her life?

My Review

For those of you who have read Malibu Rising (my previous book review) by Taylor Jenkins Reid, you might be familiar with Carrie Soto, a minor character from that book. I was a little hesitant at first to read this book because I knew nearly nothing about tennis and its rules, but you really don’t need to know much about tennis to understand what is happening. This book really dives into Carrie Soto’s life as a professional women’s tennis player, and what it’s like to be a professional athlete. I felt like Reid did a great job of setting the scene by providing a lot of background information on how Carrie Soto got into the sport of tennis, and the impact that her father had on her throughout her life. I absolutely adored Carrie’s close relationship with her father. It brought me back to when I was a kid and my dad was my basketball and softball coach. To me, this book felt like real life and captured the realness of what it’s like to be an older female athlete defying the odds. 

Conclusion

Overall this book is very compelling and highlights the importance of never giving up. I would recommend this to anyone who has played sports in the past or is currently playing a sport, or to anyone who wants an uplifting, inspirational read!

This book has won a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction in 2022.

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Malibu Rising Book Review

Malibu Rising

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published: 2021

Pages: 400

Genres: Historical Fiction, Saga, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction

My Rating: 5/5

Summary

Malibu Rising follows the history and family dynamic of the well-known Riva family living in Malibu, California. Nina is a talented surfer and supermodel. Jay, is a championship surfer, and the other brother, Hud, is a renowned photographer. Kit is the youngest of the four Riva children. Their family is a source of fascination, especially because of their father, Mick Riva, who is a world famous singer. The book all leads up to the highly anticipated, annual end-of-summer party at the Riva mansion with the attendance of famous actors, musicians, athletes, surfers, and tennis players. The wild, dramatic party forever changes the relationships between family, friends, and lovers, and leaves everyone astonished.

My Review

I absolutely LOVED this book! Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite, if not the best, historical fiction authors! I felt like each character was very well-crafted. I loved how Reid switched off between the different characters’ points of view throughout the book because I really got to know who each person was on a deep level, and know exactly what was going on inside their mind. I especially loved reading about the character of Nina Riva, the oldest sibling, who had to sacrifice a lot in her life for her younger siblings. Reid does an amazing job of not only getting you to sympathize with the characters, but also empathize with them. I truly loved everything about this book: the characters, setting, storyline, and writing (and even the cover is so cool!) This book will make you cry, laugh, and feel every emotion in between. Easily a 5/5 for me!

Conclusion

Malibu Rising won Best Historical Fiction of 2021 for the Goodreads Choice Awards. I highly recommend it! It’s definitely a great summer read. I would say that it is less of a light, fluffy beach read but a much more complex and elevated book.

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Layla Book Review

 Layla

Author: Colleen Hoover

Published: 2020

Pages: 303

Genres: Romance Novel, Thriller, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal Fiction

My Rating: 4.0/5

Summary

Layla follows the relationship between Leeds and Layla. Leeds always thought that he was going to marry Layla one day, until an unexpected attack threatens her life, both mentally and physically. After the incident, Leeds feels like Layla has never been the same person who he once fell in love with. In order to try and get their relationship back to what it was before, Leeds takes Layla to the bed-and-breakfast in Kansas where they first met. But when they arrive, Layla’s behavior becomes very unusual and there are many strange occurrences that are happening. Leeds finds comfort in Willow, another guest of the bed-and-breakfast, whom he forms a connection with. Leeds has to decide if he wants to help Willow find answers, which would affect Layla’s well-being, or continue to try and revive his relationship with the changed, post-accident Layla. But making the wrong choice could be detrimental to all of them.

My Review

If you have read Verity by Colleen Hoover, this book has very similar vibes with the paranormal happenings and thrilling emotions. Although this book did not live up to Verity, it was still pretty good and kept me hooked. The entire premise of Layla is very interesting. I would describe it as very bizarre and strange, but in a good way. I enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot, but I felt like as it went on it became more unrealistic and harder for me to actually believe that something like this would happen in real life. Also, the ending is very intense and had me holding my breath at times as I was reading it. Overall, Layla is very abnormal yet entertaining at the same time.

Conclusion 

I found this book to be very entertaining, but I don’t think it’s for everyone. If you liked the book Verity, you’ll most likely enjoy this book too. I do wish that Colleen Hoover would come out with more thrillers because the writing and storyline behind each of them amazes me, and makes me wonder how she’s able to come up with these incredible narratives!

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Hello, Sunshine Book Review

 Hello, Sunshine

Author: Laura Dave

Published: 2017

Pages: 256

Genres: Humor, Psychological Fiction, Urban Fiction

My Rating: 4.5/5

Summary

Hello, Sunshine is about Sunshine Mackenzie, a culinary star who seems to have it all – millions of fans, a line of #1 bestselling cookbooks, and a devoted husband who supports her in everything she does. But one day, her secrets are revealed to the whole world and she hits absolute rock bottom. She loses it all – her show, her fans, her apartment, and her husband. She has no choice but to return to her childhood home in hopes of rekindling her relationship with her sister. Will she be able to save her life and her career?

My Review

I really enjoyed this book and the overarching cooking theme. I loved the storyline and how it dives right into it in the first chapter. The role of social media in this book is very realistic, and the events that took place could’ve actually happened in the real world. I felt like the chapters were a little too short which made reading it feel kinda choppy. But overall, I absolutely loved the plot which had many twists that I didn't see coming. I also enjoyed the humor that Laura Dave sprinkled in as well. The reason I gave it a 4.5/5 is because of the ending. I was left wanting more and still had questions. 

Conclusion

I would recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a fun, entertaining read. This book really gives you a sense of reality, and what’s truly important in life.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Book Review

 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published: 2017

Pages: 400

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction

My Rating: 5/5

Summary

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about the glamorous and scandalous life of 1950s Hollywood movie icon, Evelyn Hugo. In the present day at 75 years old, she hires Monique, a journalist, to write her biography where she plans to reveal her truth to the whole world regarding her relationships. Evelyn recounts all the lessons that she learned along the way and shares everything about her claim to fame. But Monique will forever be shocked at the truth that Evelyn reveals.

My Review

This book is so compelling and it is one of my absolute favorites. I felt like Reid did an amazing job at capturing the essence and class of Old Hollywood. Each chapter is so well written and seamless as it follows Evelyn's relationships with each one of her seven husbands in great detail. As I was reading it, Reid made me feel like I fully understood everything about who Evelyn Hugo was, and the depth of all her relationships that she formed over her lifetime. I truly felt all of Evelyn’s emotions at the same time she was experiencing them. This book is filled with so many dramatic plot twists that you won’t see coming and it was nearly impossible for me to put down! Easily a 5/5!

Conclusion

This book has won many awards, including a Goodreads Choice Award. If you have not yet read this book, I’d suggest you read it. It’s definitely worth the read and will not disappoint! Trust me.

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Heart Bones Book Review

Heart Bones

Author: Colleen Hoover

Published: 2020

Pages: 365

Genres: Romance, New Adult Fiction, Domestic Fiction

My Rating: 2.8/5

Summary

Heart Bones follows Beyah, a 19 year old girl, who comes from poverty and neglect. She is left homeless after an unexpected death. For the rest of the summer, she is forced to go live in Texas with her father who she hardly knows. While in Texas, she meets next door neighbor, Samson. Although there is an obvious spark between the two of them, they decide to keep it just a summer fling because of their upcoming futures, which are in opposite directions from each other. Their attraction towards each other is too strong to ignore, but one day things are turned completely upside down when the truth comes out.

My Review

I’m back with another Colleen Hoover book (more to come), and this one did not impress me. This book had a slow start and I felt like I was just waiting for something interesting to happen for like 3/4s of the way through. I enjoyed the cute, summer romance but felt like I was waiting too long for the climax to happen. What I liked the most was that the book portrayed how much life can change from one day to the next; I just wish there were more exciting events to add to the plot.

Conclusion

Although some people really enjoyed this book (based on reviews I’ve read), it wasn’t for me. I would recommend other Colleen Hoover books over this one (Verity or It Ends With Us are my personal faves).

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People We Meet on Vacation Book Review

 People We Meet on Vacation

Author: Emily Henry

Published: 2021

Pages: 400

Genres: Romance, Fiction

My Rating: 3/5

Summary

People We Meet on Vacation follows two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who could not be more opposite of each other. But ever since they carpooled home from college many years ago, they have been the best of friends. They don’t get to see each other as much anymore because Poppy lives in NYC and Alex still resides in their small hometown, but every summer, they go on a week-long vacation together. But 2 years ago, everything was ruined and they haven’t spoken since then. Alex makes Poppy truly happy and she’s able to convince him to go on one last trip together to make amends. Alex, surprisingly, agrees. What could go wrong?

My Review

I would describe this book as a cute, feel-good romance and it reminded me of a rom-com movie. I thought it was just okay, nothing special. I felt like the book was a little too predictable at times and I wasn’t totally hooked on it. What I did like about this book were the characters, and the mystery and desire to find out about what happened between Poppy and Alex. I also enjoyed reading about their past vacation experiences together because it gave me a better understanding of their relationship over the years.

Conclusion

I didn’t hate this book but I also didn’t love it (hence my 3/5 rating). I also felt like it received more hype than it deserved and was a bit overrated in my opinion. This book did win the Goodreads Choice awards in Romance for 2021. If you like Emily Henry as an author you would probably like this book.

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