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How the Other Half Hamptons
One house. Forty strangers. Add vodka and stir . . .
Every summer, scores of Manhattan twentysomethings take part in an annual ritual with a camp-like culture distinctly its the Hamptons sharehouse. When Rachel and her two best friends buy their shares for twenty times each of their bank balances, they're imagining days filled with lazy suntanning and classy clambakes and nights spent rubbing shoulders with the Olsen twins and other celebrities. But once they arrive at 1088 Montauk Highway on Memorial Day weekend, they find that the reality falls a bit short. What looks like any other million-dollar mansion--on the outside--plays host to drunken escapades, explicit nudity, hot tub hookups, hideous hangovers, and juvenile mischief on the inside. As housemates jockey for limited bathroom time and beer pong mania takes over the house, Rachel finds herself wondering if it's possible to find true love--or even just survive the summer--in The Hamptons.
Every summer, scores of Manhattan twentysomethings take part in an annual ritual with a camp-like culture distinctly its the Hamptons sharehouse. When Rachel and her two best friends buy their shares for twenty times each of their bank balances, they're imagining days filled with lazy suntanning and classy clambakes and nights spent rubbing shoulders with the Olsen twins and other celebrities. But once they arrive at 1088 Montauk Highway on Memorial Day weekend, they find that the reality falls a bit short. What looks like any other million-dollar mansion--on the outside--plays host to drunken escapades, explicit nudity, hot tub hookups, hideous hangovers, and juvenile mischief on the inside. As housemates jockey for limited bathroom time and beer pong mania takes over the house, Rachel finds herself wondering if it's possible to find true love--or even just survive the summer--in The Hamptons.
302 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2008
13 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 12, 2009
For most of this book, I felt sure that it would only get one star, but it sort of redeemed itself enough to earn 2 stars. But just barely. Three friends (I never figured out why these girls were friends anyway) take out a share in the Hamptons for the summer. Personally I think sharing a house with 40 strangers and being forced to go to clubs I didn't want to go to sounds like hell, but apparently people do it.
This book reminded me of when I'm sitting in class, totally bored, and one girl that I don't know or really even like starts talking about the "wild and crazy" weekend she had with her friends, whom I neither know nor care to know. This book basically read like one of those stories. It was a pointless and rather boring book. I give it a D.
This book reminded me of when I'm sitting in class, totally bored, and one girl that I don't know or really even like starts talking about the "wild and crazy" weekend she had with her friends, whom I neither know nor care to know. This book basically read like one of those stories. It was a pointless and rather boring book. I give it a D.
December 30, 2008
This book was put in our "non-work-related" library at work and I took it home with me over the holidays for what I thought would be a fun, quick read, a la The Devil Wears Prada or Everyone Worth Knowing. Alas, it was not. I hated ALL of the characters and couldn't bring myself to care about the outcome of anyone. I finished it because I felt I had to, but I wish I would have spent that time reading some other good chick-lit book instead.
December 3, 2008
If you've ever considered a share house in the Hamptons for the summer, this mildly entertaining novel will easily dissuade you. Silly 20somethings shack-up, hook-up, break-up, and make-up in a world where "What are you going to wear?" seems to be the major decision of the day.
September 27, 2022
I picked up this book based off the cover and the description made it sound like a fun beach read.
This book was far from fun. There were too many characters with basic names who were described but had no distinguishable traits so they all blended together. I truly can't tell any of the male characters apart and I felt like all I got was descriptions for everything but no actual THINGS happened.
Truly a disappointing book that had so much potential to be fun.
Also, books that make very specific on trend pop culture references are always fun to read because years later when you pick it up those people are not relevant anymore.
This book was far from fun. There were too many characters with basic names who were described but had no distinguishable traits so they all blended together. I truly can't tell any of the male characters apart and I felt like all I got was descriptions for everything but no actual THINGS happened.
Truly a disappointing book that had so much potential to be fun.
Also, books that make very specific on trend pop culture references are always fun to read because years later when you pick it up those people are not relevant anymore.
April 14, 2025
I'm not sure how I felt about this book. on one hand, it was alright, but on the other, I was bothered by the writing style. I don't know why.
For others, this book will be a quick beachy read or a rainy day read, and they will enjoy it.
The premise of the book is a summer in a share house in the South Hamptons, based on 3 young women and their experiences. There are the usual summer antics of going to the club and different experiences happening as a result. The girls learn about themselves over the summer and make decisions for their futures that may or may not include the people they got to know at the house.
For others, this book will be a quick beachy read or a rainy day read, and they will enjoy it.
The premise of the book is a summer in a share house in the South Hamptons, based on 3 young women and their experiences. There are the usual summer antics of going to the club and different experiences happening as a result. The girls learn about themselves over the summer and make decisions for their futures that may or may not include the people they got to know at the house.
August 5, 2019
Having lived in Murray Hill after college and once been part of a share house (although it was in Fire Island, not the Hampton’s) I appreciated the humor in this book. In some ways, it was a walk down memory lane that made me happy to be in my late 30’s rather than my early 20’s!
April 2, 2020
Such a pleasant surprise to read this comical tale of young friends experiencing the Hamptons through their share house. Parts of the book made me laugh out loud. Hysterical! It's a coming of age story told in such a clever way that you'll breeze through out and wish you can relive your youth.
August 22, 2021
It was better than I hoped, based on the bad reviews.
Hamptons house share? What else were people expecting?
It was a fun, albeit drunken romp in the Hamptons. A good, light, slightly trashy beach read.
Hamptons house share? What else were people expecting?
It was a fun, albeit drunken romp in the Hamptons. A good, light, slightly trashy beach read.
March 7, 2025
Great grab and go mindless read. The plot depicts a group of young women in their 20’s joining a share house in the Hamptons for the summer only to realize things aren’t always as glamorous as they seem!
September 19, 2024
Easy read not great content but has a nice tied with a bow type ending. Vibe of if gossip girl was in a lower tax bracket
February 16, 2009
In her novel How the Other Half Hamptons author Jasmin Rosemberg follows three young New Yorkers to the fabled Hamptons, playground of the rich and sparkly. The last time I was in the Hamptons I was eight years old. Even then I knew that the place had a mystique about it, and an importance placed upon it that was perhaps grander than its actual incarnation. The book's main characters – husband-hunting Rachel, one-night-stand-machine Jamie, and newly single Allison – run straight into the less glamorous, frat house-style Hamptons as they take part in an illegal houseshare with almost forty other party seekers.
After two and a half pages of breathy “Acknowledgments” right off the top, followed by a brief, earnest prologue about how wicked and awesome and wicked awesome (paraphrasing here for those who summer at the Vineyard) the Hamptons are, I was not expecting much beyond another bland chick-lit entry. As I got to know the characters, though, I found the book pleasant, and I was eventually won over by the girls and their evolution.
Some scenes, such as a step-by-step analysis of getting ready to go clubbing, were tiring in their detail and naval gazing, but other set pieces gave the characters depth and growth. A particular favorite was an interlude where “the cool wild child” Jamie is first emerged in a group excursion to the Pink Elephant nightclub in an embarrassing van and has to (shudder) actually pay a cover charge. We watch her lower her guard over the course of the night and actually start to have fun. And fun is the point of this book.
Jasmin Rosemberg has written extensively about the Hamptons, and she clearly knows her stuff. If Sex and the City makes you weep for humanity, you may be put off by the too-shallow-for-wading concerns of brand names and Grey Goose-fueled hilarity, but it would be a shame to miss out on the goofy festivities. Just don't expect politically self-aware analysis. Summer is coming to an end. Give this book a try. Have some fun. And remember: cosmos are so out.
Review by Dominae Petrosini
After two and a half pages of breathy “Acknowledgments” right off the top, followed by a brief, earnest prologue about how wicked and awesome and wicked awesome (paraphrasing here for those who summer at the Vineyard) the Hamptons are, I was not expecting much beyond another bland chick-lit entry. As I got to know the characters, though, I found the book pleasant, and I was eventually won over by the girls and their evolution.
Some scenes, such as a step-by-step analysis of getting ready to go clubbing, were tiring in their detail and naval gazing, but other set pieces gave the characters depth and growth. A particular favorite was an interlude where “the cool wild child” Jamie is first emerged in a group excursion to the Pink Elephant nightclub in an embarrassing van and has to (shudder) actually pay a cover charge. We watch her lower her guard over the course of the night and actually start to have fun. And fun is the point of this book.
Jasmin Rosemberg has written extensively about the Hamptons, and she clearly knows her stuff. If Sex and the City makes you weep for humanity, you may be put off by the too-shallow-for-wading concerns of brand names and Grey Goose-fueled hilarity, but it would be a shame to miss out on the goofy festivities. Just don't expect politically self-aware analysis. Summer is coming to an end. Give this book a try. Have some fun. And remember: cosmos are so out.
Review by Dominae Petrosini
September 22, 2009
"One House. Forty strangers. Add vodka and stir."
And there you have it.
If you are looking for a book that will not require any mental exercise on your part, this is for you. This is literally a group of strangers that sign up to live in a share house in the Hamptons for the summer. Picture a group of 40 twenty-somethings, all single, add alcohol, and you can imagine what happens. It would be similar to what would happen if you took a frat house and a sorority house and told them they had to live together every weekend.
While the book mainly centers around three friends and their particular experiences in the sharehouse -- Allison, Rachel and Jamie -- I felt like there were just too darn many characters popping up in the book to keep track of who they are. Everytime a guy's name was mentioned -- Josh, Brian, Mark, Aaron, etc -- I had to stop and think, "Who is this guy again?"
And of the three main characters, only one of the them really has an ending to her story when the book is finished. I didn't find any connection with the characters, because quite honestly, I can't say that I liked any of them. I am (obviously) no longer a twenty-five year old single female, with obviously loads of disposable income to spend on designer clothing and trendy clubs with pricey drinks. Apparently, I wasn't the genre this book was meant for.
Maybe it was just me, but I had a hard time following it. The book was OK, but I didn't find it entertaining. I kept reading simply because I wanted to say that I finished it, so I could move on to another book.
And there you have it.
If you are looking for a book that will not require any mental exercise on your part, this is for you. This is literally a group of strangers that sign up to live in a share house in the Hamptons for the summer. Picture a group of 40 twenty-somethings, all single, add alcohol, and you can imagine what happens. It would be similar to what would happen if you took a frat house and a sorority house and told them they had to live together every weekend.
While the book mainly centers around three friends and their particular experiences in the sharehouse -- Allison, Rachel and Jamie -- I felt like there were just too darn many characters popping up in the book to keep track of who they are. Everytime a guy's name was mentioned -- Josh, Brian, Mark, Aaron, etc -- I had to stop and think, "Who is this guy again?"
And of the three main characters, only one of the them really has an ending to her story when the book is finished. I didn't find any connection with the characters, because quite honestly, I can't say that I liked any of them. I am (obviously) no longer a twenty-five year old single female, with obviously loads of disposable income to spend on designer clothing and trendy clubs with pricey drinks. Apparently, I wasn't the genre this book was meant for.
Maybe it was just me, but I had a hard time following it. The book was OK, but I didn't find it entertaining. I kept reading simply because I wanted to say that I finished it, so I could move on to another book.
November 13, 2015
How much did I love love LOVE How The Other Half Hamptons by Jasmin Rosemberg? So much that I finished the 300 page novel in two days AND emailed the author to thank her for writing it.
I've had my share of Hampton summer fun. Two summer writing conferences that should have been called Drinking Conference For People Who Write plus some Shecky's swag. This book takes a glance at the inside of living in a share house. In fact, it reminded me of this past July 4th combined with my Hamptons experiences. What made the novel even better for me is that it took place in Southampton, where all my action took place.
The characters are all me. Well, not all of them, but the three main girls--Rachel, Jamie, and Allison--are all facets of my personality pulled apart and exaggerated. The whole time I read it, I was nodding, saying to myself, Yup I know what that's like, and, Oh God Yes! Right On!
I actually let out a little yip of glee when I started reading the epilogue. Sure, I guessed the semi-obvious ending, but also, it made me so happy. Really, truly happy.
It's not too heavy on the brand names and name dropping of celebrity gawker status. Instead, Jasmin Rosemberg uses all that along with the "how the other half" stuff to create a parallel reality. While it's fiction, it sure could happen to you, to me, and anyone we know willing to live it up on the East End of Long Island for a summer.
I heart Jasmin Rosemberg not in that romantic sexual way but in that non-sexual girl crush way. In the way that says I'm not a stalker but man I wish I'd written that book and maybe she could be friends with me, too.
I've had my share of Hampton summer fun. Two summer writing conferences that should have been called Drinking Conference For People Who Write plus some Shecky's swag. This book takes a glance at the inside of living in a share house. In fact, it reminded me of this past July 4th combined with my Hamptons experiences. What made the novel even better for me is that it took place in Southampton, where all my action took place.
The characters are all me. Well, not all of them, but the three main girls--Rachel, Jamie, and Allison--are all facets of my personality pulled apart and exaggerated. The whole time I read it, I was nodding, saying to myself, Yup I know what that's like, and, Oh God Yes! Right On!
I actually let out a little yip of glee when I started reading the epilogue. Sure, I guessed the semi-obvious ending, but also, it made me so happy. Really, truly happy.
It's not too heavy on the brand names and name dropping of celebrity gawker status. Instead, Jasmin Rosemberg uses all that along with the "how the other half" stuff to create a parallel reality. While it's fiction, it sure could happen to you, to me, and anyone we know willing to live it up on the East End of Long Island for a summer.
I heart Jasmin Rosemberg not in that romantic sexual way but in that non-sexual girl crush way. In the way that says I'm not a stalker but man I wish I'd written that book and maybe she could be friends with me, too.
September 19, 2008
When I picked this book up off the "Beach Reads" section of Barnes and Noble I was stoked to stretch out and read some good steamy sex scenes and drug and alcohol fueled drama. What I got was a pre-teen, G-rated version of "how the other half hamptons". This book is a waste of trees. In one scene, the main character is surprised to walk into one of the bedrooms in her share house and find people doing lines of coke...ooohh shocker!! At least it brought me back to when I used to enjoy "The Baby-Sitters Club" series with a nice warm Hi-C juice box....
November 21, 2008
Entertaining enough... I had some trouble keeping the characters straight, but once I had it all figured out, I was really enjoying it. And then it just seemed to come to an abrupt end. I felt like only one character had a fitting ending to her story line. The other two were just left hanging - I wanted to know more. NEvertheless, a cute, quick, chick lit read - perfect for the beach.
Read
August 5, 2010I thought this book was hysterical! Think the girls from "Sex and the City" in their 20s going to stay at the "Big Brother" house. This is a perfect beach read!
My one gripe is that I wish the epilogue had done a better job with finishing up the storylines of some of the characters. Some weren't mentioned at all and I found that to be frustrating!
My one gripe is that I wish the epilogue had done a better job with finishing up the storylines of some of the characters. Some weren't mentioned at all and I found that to be frustrating!
July 16, 2008
This was very entertaining. I have never been out to the Hamptons or even had any friends that did the Hampton thing. This almost reminds me of a more grown up Spring Break. I read this sitting on the beach and it was recommended is USA TODAY "beach reads" section.
August 7, 2008
Great summer beach read. This book was just what I wanted. A light story about a bunch of people in a share house all looking to hook up one way or another. No one dies, no one deals with their deep emotional issues.
August 31, 2008
Phenomenal!!! I absolutely adored this book!! A great book for 20-somethings to read, a light, humorous book about friends having the summer of their lives. You will find it hard to put this book down.
September 19, 2008
Perfect thoughtless reading book for the beach or vacation! Silly and ridiculous adventures of a summer share house in the Hamptons -- another way of life. I didn't even know what a summer share was until I read this -- apparently they exist!
December 27, 2008
Good story - would be a great summer beach read. Very light and easy to pick up and put down. Made me kind of glad I never experienced the summer share and kind of longing for the stories that kind of experience would provide... :)
August 6, 2016
MEH. Light reading, quite well-written. Awful vapid self obsessed characters - didn't like any of them. Pretty pointless plot - not sure there WAS one. The whole premise of the book sounds like hell.
July 20, 2008
If you've ever wondered what happens in those Hampton house shares, this is the book for you. But let me warn you: it's not for the faint of heart.
June 25, 2008
It's a good twenty-something novel that really relates to girls who love to go out and have a good time and have summer flings!
August 5, 2008
Not the best read this summer. I have lent it to some friends for beach reading, but this was nothing special.
July 29, 2008
I wanted to like this book but it didn't really ever "do" anything. It did make me want to go stay in the Hamptons, but not how these kids did it. lol.
August 19, 2008
Ohh my sweet shore house memories. This brought me back to all the fun I used to have every summer!
Read
November 1, 2008Eh.
February 14, 2009
Reading this book made me feel like an old, church going prude. Other than that- the story and the writing were both good.
June 4, 2009
Cute book. No real substance to it but fun. Definitely a chick book. I probably enjoyed it more because I am familiar with the Hamptons as i go there every year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews