Superficial ,never-ending name dropping and just overall catty.

Hotter in the Hamptons follows influencer (content creator)Lola Fine. She was on top of the world with her career and her perfect boyfriend then everything falls apart when she gets called out for something she says. Now she's in a downhill spiral as her sponsors and management team drop her and her followers turn on her. What she didn't expect was her boyfriend to walk out when she needed him the most. The only one left is her best friend Ryan who invites her to get away from it all by going to the Hamptons for the summer. Only instead of laying low, regrouping she jumps straight into fire.
While this book was fast paced, easy to read I found most of the characters unlikable, catty, superficial, shallow and self-absorbed. I honestly didn't like any of the characters then throw in all the constant name dropping over and over it go tiresome and frankly boring.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and I'm voluntarily leaving my review.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

I was not expecting much from this book after seeing some early reviews, but I actually enjoyed the story and felt like the book was solid. A lot of self-discovery in the book. It felt like it was dealing with some serious topics but in a fun, enjoyable way. I would definitely recommend it. I also enjoyed the spice which I'd give a 3 pepper rating.

Note: Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This one just wasn’t for me. I picked it up hoping for a fun, juicy summer read—something light and gossipy to breeze through on the beach—but it fell flat. The characters lacked depth and personality, and the FMC was selfish yet lacked self-awareness. I found it hard to root for her or get invested in her story.The spicy scenes felt forced and cringey rather than adding anything meaningful to the plot. Even though everything tied up neatly in the end, it was far too predictable to feel satisfying.

I’ve followed Tinx since her Rich Mom content and enjoy her podcast, so I had high hopes. She pitched this as a drama-filled page-turner, but there just wasn’t any real juice here.

While I relatively liked the story, I just didn't love it. This just didn't feel like Tinx's place to right a story on queer joy, and the struggles of one's developing and acknowledging of their queer identity. I feel like it should have been more clear and talked about prior to the release that there was a ghostwriter- queer collaborator. I also feel like it played into the stereotypical lesbian tropes in a negative way. The writing was good, but the plot was bland.

This one was a no for me. The characters were unlikeable. It was too spicy and the spicy was just cringey. Characters lack personality. I expected a fun summer read but this one didnt do it for me

This isn't a genre I typically gravitate toward, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it!

While the pacing felt a bit uneven and I didn’t find the FMC particularly likable, the story’s message really resonated with me. I loved the theme of self-discovery and breaking free from the boxes we (or others) place ourselves in.

The brand callouts and behind-the-scenes look at life as a full-time influencer were also a fun and insightful touch.

I’m still a bit on the fence about the book as a whole, but I definitely think it’s worth a read!

I will say this isn't a genre I typically read.... but I loved it! The build up was slow in the beginning but trust me it was worth it! Lola down falling was rough to witness but I think it was essential for her rediscovery! Without this happening I feel as though she would have continued her perfect life, with the perfect boyfriend but truly wasn't going to be happy.

After reading epic fantasy for several weeks this was the perfect cozy book to jump into especially with the queer themes involved which I loved!!!!
The summer romance Lola got to experience was cute but also seemed rush especially after the situation she just endured with the BF... maybe Im just reading into it too much lol.

For those rating it a 3 or lower I think those are the serious romance girlies so take my review with a grain of salt. I truly loved this and have recommended it to several friends as a get away book from other genres lol.

I think people will be shocked witht he range in which Tinx writies. It's poignant, witty, and fun at the same time. The storyline held my attention and I think this is going to be a top summer read for the beach. It's perfect for a frothy beverage, a deck chair, and by the pool.

Getting into "Hotter in the Hamptoms" was hard because the story was so out of reach to a reader. A mega-influencer going through "cancellation", and a break-up who runs away to the Hamptons (because she doesn't have any daily responsibilities and has an endless savings accounts to keep her afloat) to find out she might be a little queer, but she won't say it! And that she hasn't been authentic to her "brand", so she goes back to basics... with her bottomless savings made from influencing.

Truthfully, wanted to like this book but I couldn't finish reading it. I really did not enjoy this book.

This book was not exactly what I was expecting but in the end I felt like it all worked out. At certain times it did feel a little too hot and heavy I liked the final message of a woman just trying to figure out what it is she wants out life - we are constantly evolving humans and don’t need to be forced into a box or identity!

This wasnt my usual genre of book. However I actually really enjoyed it. Thanks for the preview Net Galley

I honestly liked this book way more than I thought I would. I got this through netgalley as an arc but before reading, I decided to look at the reviews and a huge majority of them were pretty negative. I came in with super low expectations but I don’t know, I didn’t think it was too bad. I actually enjoyed Lola and while a lot of the characters were immature, I still found them pretty fun and enjoyable. I liked the setting and the overall vibe of the book but I will say, if you’re someone who doesn’t like modern day references in their books, this won’t be the book for you. I also enjoyed Lola’s self-discovery journey, her discovering her sexuality, and just the overall theme of rediscovering yourself in your adulthood. I would recommend this book for sure!

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the arc. Minor spoilers ahead

I'm not really sure how to rate this.

I've been reading this one for a while. As I mentioned in my last review, I've been in a reading slump lately. I sped through the first part of the book, kind of lost interest, then forced myself to come back and finish it so I could review.

I actually was really interested in the concept and enjoyed the first part of the book. I enjoyed watching Lola's "fall from grace", so to say, as she goes from mega-influencer to the most-hated-influencer-of-the-month online. I think it's a topic worth writing about because it happens every week, seemingly.

When we first meet Lola, she's vapid and self-absorbed, focused only on having fun and making more money. I just wish she had developed at all from that. Even after everything, at the end of the book, it feels like Lola learned nothing. She sounds the same the entire way through the book and doesn't show any personal growth at all. She starts designing clothes again, but that's really it.

I think you're supposed to feel sympathetic for Lola? And I actually did, at first, but as the book progressed, I truly just could no longer feel sorry for her. She was a terrible friend and girlfriend.

Let's talk about that now...

Aly Ray Carter. The reporter who ruined Lola's life. I like that set up for an enemies-to-lovers, but again, Aly wasn't really that great either. She's kind of one-note the entire way through.

I also really did not like the discussion of sexuality. Lola claims to be straight all the way up until the very end of the book, and I'm not saying someone has to identify as anything, but it just came off in a way that was very icky. She hates being called bisexual or gay and barely admits to actually being attracted to women, even though she sleeps with Aly all summer. Again, not trying to say you have to label yourself, but as a queer reader, I felt uncomfortable with the narrative, especially with the comments they make about Aly only going for straight girls. It was almost like it was meant to give off predator lesbian, and I just am not a fan of that.

I actually (somewhat) liked their relationship, other than that, until the very end, where any communication skills either of them had flew right out the window, and they acted like toddlers.

Every character fits into a neat stereotypical box: there's Ryan, her "best friend" who's gay and flamboyant and only seems to exist to have a good time, or for Lola to ignore? Next is Justin, her doctor boyfriend who's rich, handsome, and perfect in every way. Colette is Aly's ex and hates Lola for no good reason (according to her). There are the rest of Aly's lesbian friends who are the same person copied and pasted. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

I really liked the summer beach setting, but I don't think we get enough of it. It feels like most of the actual plot happens in the city, and I wanted more beach vibes! Most of the time there is just spent describing Lola and Aly having sex.

I don't mind an ending where the main character ends up with no one, but it just didn't feel properly executed. Genuinely like 3 days after her and Aly break up, she officially breaks up with Justin, and they sleep together. Earlier Aly describes being nervous about Lola because the last girl she dated broke up with her for a man, and it's essentially that all over again. Aly treats Lola so poorly (though maybe it's deserved) at the end that I didn't even mind that they didn't get back together.

Of course all of Lola's problems are solved by one Instagram livestream apology. Wouldn't be an influencer story if it didn't! I liked that they gave Colette a little more at the end though and enjoyed seeing her and Lola become friends.

I also liked that Lola starts to get back into fashion at the end, but again, it doesn't feel like she's changed or reflected at all. I don't think this is a bad book by any means, but I think it touches on such important topics that I wish it had been better executed. There really is a lot to say about social media culture, influencers, and discovering your sexuality, but this book unfortunately just misses the mark.

2.5 stars

Hotter in the Hamptons follows Lola as she navigates major life changes. It starts off very promising as Lola decides to have a fresh start and spend the summer in the Hamptons, however, she has no real development until the last chapter of the book. It was very difficult to follow due to the main characters all being stuck in their roles and their cliches.

Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC, and I am leaving this review willingly.

Hotter in the Hamptons had potential, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to it for me. I was intrigued by the premise and initially interested, even if it leaned cheesy, but things quickly went downhill after the two FMCs got together around the 40% mark. From there, I just couldn’t stay invested.

The characters lacked depth and development. I found it hard to connect with any of them, and there was little to no chemistry between the leads. The plot felt predictable and flat, and while the book did have some spice, even that didn’t do much to elevate the story.

By the end, I was mostly just ready for it to be over. And the self-promo plug for Tinx’s own podcast at the end? That pulled me out of the story and honestly just felt cringe.

I didn’t hate it, but I definitely didn’t enjoy it.

I really really really wanted to like this book because it sounds like it was written for me specifically--I love influencer, pop culture books! But unfortunately, it was a miss.

First of all, was the entire book spon-con? I like some brand references to add color, but oh my god there were way too many. I felt like I was being pitched to every other line.

Lola is 30, lives in NYC, talks about how all she watches is lesbian porn, had a crush on her volleyball coach, and then fully hooks up with a woman for a week straight and the thought doesn't even cross her mind that she could be bi??? With all due respect ma'am, bffr. There's no sheltered upbringing or religious trauma that could explain why she acts the way she does, except for the fact she truly just only thinks of herself.

The ending felt very shallow. I think they were going for she's a girl boss! she can be on her own! But it felt empty, and I was sad for her because she in no way grew and did not treat anyone else like a valuable human being. Even at the end, everyone was just a player in the Lola show. I think both her ex and ARC are better off without her, so good for them, I guess.

Rising social media star, Lola Fine, has it all until a comment on Instagram Live brings it all down. Trying to save face and her brand, Lola decided to do an interview with one of NYC’s top cultural critics, Aly Ray Carter, which only seems to make the situation worse. Instead of this helping (and saving) her brand, her followers turn on her. Brand deals get dropped, her handsome boyfriend tells her he needs a break, and Lola is over it. Lola escapes to the Hamptons, only to find out the woman who ruined her career is staying next door. Will loathing turn into lust?

When I saw the cover and read the description, I knew this was going to be one of those reads I couldn’t put down once I picked it up. The struggle was picking it up (I seemed to have bit off more than I could chew when it came to arc reading). When I did get around to reading it, I found the build-up to be slow, and then the plot came out of nowhere. I was so locked in, I was reading this at work (some of it was nsfw).

The enemy-to-lovers plot was so good, considering Lola wanted to hate Aly, but I really hate how the book ended. You’re telling me we get this whirlwind summer romance, just for Aly not to hear Lola out and end it? Biggest gag of it all. Like, I think lesbians are so chic, but not Aly.

The blurb of this book attracted me like a moth to a flame because being a book Blogger ( I refuse to call myself an Influencer), I loved the whole idea of immersing into an influencer's life who is struggling with identity, self worth, getting cancelled and staying relevant. Lola Fines isn't fine and escaping to Hamptons with her best friend is for a fresh start. But what happens when the neighbor is the very journalist who wrote the life destroying article and Lola is immensely attracted to her...

⛱️ LGBTQ
⛱️ summer romance
⛱️ enemies to lovers to...
⛱️ more like women's fiction with romance a part of the plot

I loved the first half of the book. I feel all of us reviewers will identify with parts of Lola's life. We went from being bloggers to influencers or content creator. People started focusing on PR and aesthetic and branding etc. In this curated and many times, fake world..Lola is being cancelled. I thought she will find her passion back in Hamptons. Her bicurious/biawakening part with Aly was interesting and exciting too. I enjoyed the summer vibes and the beautiful places and the beautiful dates. But that's it. Lola didn't actually grow as a person. She lost herself into another relationship after being abandoned by a lot of people but she didn't commit to it. She refused to look deep into her attraction and feelings for Aly. The story started as her journey to not be bland and stereotypical and curated. But didn't she just shed one mask for another? I didn't know who the author is but after finishing the book, I did and a lot made sense..a lot didn't. I am not from queer community but even I can see a lot of conflict and stereotype going on here. And the controversy about if you can call it a romance if there is no HEA..I will leave it to you.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily