Customer Reviews

LoveHampton

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book thinking I would take it to the beach with me on Memorial Day weekend, but then I started reading it and couldn't put it down (now I need to find something else to read)! It's as fun and funny as several Sex and the City episodes, with totally lovable and relatable characters (you'll even love the "baddies" for how bad they are). It really captures the essence of summer shares, Hamptons-mania, the trek to the beach, the feelings of inadequacy in the face of great beauty and wealth, the sweetness of a first kiss with a new boyfriend/girlfriend. A great beach read, a real mini-vaction.

I am a picky reader. I am especially picky about my contemporary romance reads. Although some dislike the term "chick lit", to me it is a badge of honor! I have been recently bemoaning the apparent demise of the genre. Well, I am thrilled to report that LOVEHAMPTON is literally making me eat my words!

This debut novel, written by Sherri Rifkin has brought back all that is wonderful about a well written contemporary romance.

Our main character Tori (or it is Miller?) has led the life of a recluse for the last two years, thanks to her former boyfriend. Well, her friends aren't going to take it anymore and practically force her to take part in a house sharing program in the Hamptons and we get to along for the ride.

I absolutely adored the detailed scenes of the socialite parties, the beautiful clothes and the even more wild relationships and hook-ups (although these were all described with surprisingly little sexual content) - which tells me that the author understands that, for most of us, reading these books is really about romance and love (okay and maybe a little bit about the shoes and the clothes!!!).

Although there is alot going on (there are quite a few characters to keep track of), Rifkin somehow manages to make us care about each and every character - although I have to admit it was more of a stretch for me to care about Leigh!

However, throughout the good times, the partying and the in-fighting (you knew there had to be some right?') - the author never forgets about Tori - and the fact that this character is a smart, hurt and vulnerable person.

Although, at times, I have to admit that I wanted to scream at her to 'get tougher' and to 'stop letting other people tell you what to do', it is obvious, by the end of the story, that the author had a very definite arc planned for her. I thouroughly enjoyed watching Tori learn her lessons the hard way and through it all still held on to her empathy, warmth and hope!

I loved, loved, loved this book. I can't wait for the second book by this author.

Tori (aka "Miller" to her Hampton housemates) is waking up after a two-year depression caused by the breakup with her boyfriend. With the help of her best friends, Tori is made over, has started her own business, and thrown into a house share with strangers in the Hamptons. As the summer progresses, Tori comes out of her shell and begins dating, she can't help but wonder if "this new Tori" is the woman she truly wants to be.

LoveHampton is a perfect way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. Readers immediately connect to Tori as she struggles to move forward with her life. Yes, at times, she doesn't make the best decisions, however when she falls, she's able to pick herself back up. Readers will cheer her on as she tries to navigate her way through life and continue to "drive her bus" despite where the road may lead her.

Although, her love choice is obvious, Tori cannot see it until it's almost too late. I didn't understand why she was with George (he didn't appear to be what she wanted in a boyfriend) and at times I was frustrated with how he treated her and that she allowed him to do so.

The secondary characters added depth to the storyline. There's Alice, Tori's married best friend, who only wants the best for her; Jimmy and Jerry, her employees and relationship advisors; Cassie, one of her housemates, who just may not be as perfect as she appears; Leah, the control-freak and the one Tori needs to watch out for; and finally Andrew, Michael and Jackson, the three male roommates.

All in all, I enjoyed reading LoveHampton. My only regret? It has been sitting on my bookshelf for over a year. I wish I had read it sooner.

I can't remember having read anything that was such a waste of time and money. Contrived and forced, the characters are transparent and you know how it ends before you're halfway done. I read it to the end, however, because I spent money for it. Never again from this author. Disappointing, even as a beach read.

Vapid, discouraging, and I give it a thumbs way down. BTW, the struggling entrepreneur act/awkward first-time renter, nervous in the face of some intimidating uppity antagonist? Perish the thought: in order to get within sniffing distance of a summer rental in the Hamptons, you've got to get up off at least your share of an average of (get this!) $400K. That makes our little waif able to spend somewhere around $40-50K for a share from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This just ain't no cabin somewhere on a popular beach they're sharing, folks...it's the Hamptons, for crying out loud! The most exclusive anywhere there is to spend summer. So it gets zero stars for believability. "Put your dishes in the dishwasher and clean up after yourself"? Come on. At those rates, you don't even get a staff?? Save your money toward a summer in the Hamptons. Start now. One star: I liked the cover and the overall design and typeface...Anything else? Please.

Lovehampton is a page turner with a dash of romance thrown in. The situations and moments which seven strangers share during a summer together in a time share in the Hamptons, make for a hilarious and compelling read. With laugh out loud lines like "she looks like the kind of girl Molly Ringwald would be intimidated by in a John Hughes movie", Sherri Rifkin must have been channeling her inner Loreli Gilmore.

Pop culture references aside, Lovehampton's main character, Tori (Miller), loses herself after a bad breakup. Following a makeover that leaves Tori dressed to kill, she loses herself once again as she gets too caught up in the Hamptons' lifestyle. When the summer time share ends at Labor Day, I found myself wanting the book to last thru another summer season

LoveHampton

I have just finished reading Lovehampton and enjoyed every minute of it - surprising since I am a grandmother of eight! Perhaps it is because I also have daughters - or I related to the personalities of the group and Sherri sustained my interest in their development. Read this on whatever level you choose and you will find that it is a GREAT beach read, but also so much more!

This is the perfect summer book. I couldn't put it down! It keeps you wondering how it will play out till the very last page. I can not wait for her next book!

I am a picky reader.....

I have to relate to the author's style of writing and want to be able to be hooked from minute one.I do not want to waste time "getting into" a book...either grab me right from the start or you have lost me.

I have to tell you, this book is fantastic!

The author's style of writing is so relatable and authentic that you feel like you are a bystander listening to an actual dialogue rather than reading about it. She created a picture that is vivid, up to date and completely relevant to today's reader.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but it moves so quickly ( but not too quick) that you find yourself looking forward to the next set of events and what these characters come up with next.I found myself actually laughing out loud so spontaneously several times while laying in my bed that I actually woke my husband.

This is a great beach read, yes, but really anytime you want to laugh!

Soooooo looking forward to anything in the future from the author!

Sherri Rifkin has a way of capturing the voice of her protagonist (Tori Miller) so that the reader really feels as though s/he's in her head. The dialogue is real (I actually read a book right before this one that had such inane dialogue, I couldn't get beyond about 30 pages) and she moves the story along in a unique way (Hamptons Unwritten Rules).

I loved it! It's a lot of fun and a quick read.

This book kept me interested from the beginning! Perfect beach read! I can't wait for the next Sherri Rifkin novel to come out!!