Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Carrie Soto’s journey centers around her comeback to defend her record. How did her evolution from focusing on winning to finding joy in the game affect your impression of her character?

2. How effective did you find the mixture of narrative with media transcripts and news articles? What did these additions contribute to your understanding of Carrie’s world?

3. Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Carrie Soto is Back both explore famous women fighting for success and autonomy in male-dominated industries. If you’ve read both, how do these novels similarly explore ambition and public perception? If not, what other books with similar themes have resonated with you?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Carrie struggles with the fear of losing, both on and off the court. When in your life have you had to confront the fear of failure, and how did it impact your ability to find joy in what you were doing?