Rating: 2.5 Stars

Hello friends! I just finished Hotter in the Hamptons by Tinx, and while I was hoping for a light breezy, glamorous summer read, this one left me more frustrated than entertained. The premise had all the ingredients for a juicy beach book: canceled influencer, scandal, a Hamptons escape, and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t deliver the satisfaction I was looking for.

We meet Lola, New York’s fashion “it-girl” and influencer, living her best life until a careless, offhand remark on Instagram, calling a pantsuit “Lesbian Chic” while tipsy in a boutique, leaves her instantly canceled and down 20,000 followers. Suddenly, her carefully curated brand is up in flames, her boyfriend Justin is out the door, and her future as a social media darling is on the rocks. In a desperate bid to save face, Lola agrees to an interview with Aly, a sharp-tongued LGBTQ journalist, but manages to make things even worse with another poorly chosen comment. When Aly’s profile turns into a scathing article, Lola flees to the Hamptons, hoping to regroup and repair her image.

But the Hamptons aren’t the safe haven she expects. Instead of poolside cocktails and fashion parties, Lola finds herself on the outside looking in, uninvited to the events that used to define her summer. To make matters more complicated, Aly is now her next-door neighbor, and their encounters are charged with the kind of tension that promises fireworks. As the summer unfolds, Lola is forced to confront not just her public persona but her private desires, especially as she and Aly keep colliding in ways that are equal parts chaotic and captivating.

Now friends, you know I love a messy, flawed heroine, but Lola tested my patience from the beginning. She’s selfish, impulsive, and so wrapped up in her own image that it’s hard to root for her, even as she starts to question her sexuality and what she really wants out of life. While her journey to self-acceptance is believable, and there are moments where her vulnerability shines through, I found her too flighty and self-absorbed to connect with. She ignores her friend who let her accompany him to the Hamptons, the dinners he invites her to, and meeting his boyfriend. By the time she finally starts to get her act together, I was already checked out.

The romance itself is steamy and complicated, with Aly providing a sharp contrast to Lola’s chaos. This enemies-to-lovers story never quite lands with the emotional payoff I wanted. The supporting cast like Lola’s ex, her gay best friend, the Hamptons party crowd mostly fade into the background, and the glitzy setting feels underused, more backdrop than character in its own right.

I wanted to like this book, but ultimately, Hotter in the Hamptons was more surface than substance for me. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, character-driven, drama-filled summer read with a modern edge, you might find something to enjoy here. For me, though, Lola’s redemption came too late, and I never quite warmed up to her or her story. Ultimately, I’d skip this one if I were you, my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Until next time, happy reading! Here’s hoping your summer romance is a bit more satisfying!