I basically think this is a perfect book. I didn’t expect to like it so much (other than it being written by Taylor Jenkins Reid), because it’s a book about tennis, but really, it’s a book about heart. It’s written like a memoir but is pure fiction. It has highs and lows, great tension and a fallible but loveably fierce main character. It kept me furiously turning the pages. I enjoyed the economic style of writing. Though at times the nuances of tennis almost became tedious, it was so intense and so purely Carrie, it all read inspirational and interesting to me. The relationship with her dad was realistic and beautiful. I loved the side characters. Nice that there was some lesbian rep too. And, of course, the whole thing was fiercely feminist. A triumph.

Short summary: All her life, all Carrie has wanted and trained for is to be the greatest tennis player in the world. And she is. Until a new player comes on the scene after Carrie’s retired. Despite being too old, Carrie jumps back in the game with her dad at her side, to defend her title. Can she do it?

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐