This was such an interesting read and I feel very under hyped. I’ve not heard anything else about this book really but it deserves to be talked about more!

An interesting novel that I am struggling to fit in a box. Contemporary, an older mc which is refreshing and an open marriage. This is all encounters and little plot but it works for this novel.

In this book, we follow our main protagonist, whose initial ventures into more casual sex quickly becomes a deeper meditation on intimacy and desire, and I appreciated how this book avoided basic and tired tropes about things like open relationships and polyamory, positioning the reader's perspective and gaze as something more even-handed- not blindly accepting or critical of anything.

She floats through life, occasionally making decisions guided by love and lust, and occasionally in a more clear-headed way, but the book itself also doesn't treat these moments of lucidity as these 'lightbulb' breakthroughts per se- instead, we are invited to sit in the discomfort of uncertainty, which I think is this book's real strength.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was such a clever plot where Berrebi explores the notion of dating apps in Amsterdam where the concept of borrowing or sharing goods is recommended rather than spending money on them and Gabrielle’s desire to explore and satisfy her sexual life with other people rather than her own husband.

I am personally not a fan of Gabrielle’s search for sexual partners while being married despite her husband knowing full well what’s going on. It was thrilling at first but after a while, her encounters became a little boring and repetitive. I do love how Berrebi finds the connection between desire and human interaction and how it affects each person.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the arc.

The Sharing Economy avoids the obvious tropes – stories of danger, thwarted passion and jealousy – and takes Gabrielle on a more nuanced journey from casual hook-ups to emotionally entangled relationships.

Alongside Gabrielle’s sexual experiences are her musings on the dating app as a medium and how it changes behaviour. There’s a lovely scene where Gabrielle is travelling on a tram, enclosed by the rain. At each stop she looks up, sees the faces of the people who board, has a momentary impression of who they are and looks away. Meanwhile she is doing the same on the screen – as she swipes right or left on the dating app based on a fleeting glimpse.

These thoughts are counterpointed with her work on an exhibition which interrogates the role of technology and its relationship to the body.

The Sharing Economy is beautifully written, sensual and sensuous, interweaving Gabrielle’s intense sexual experiences with her painterly observations of a body, a room, a view of the canal. I love some of the small details — her cooking, the nuggets of history of the city, the way she and Anton cycle home together from a dinner party. Her lifestyle is very aspirational if you’re into arts and culture

There are no dramatic plot twists in The Sharing Economy but there is a sense that something is gained and learnt. It highlights how it’s not just relationships that are unique, but the self we become when we are with another person. It tells a story of how casual sex can be profound and revealing and complicated, as well as hot.

This is a well written novel with a somewhat interesting plot, but there is little narrative drive & I felt it was ultimately insubstantial.

"The Sharing Economy" by Sophie Berrebi is a thought-provoking and insightful debut novel that explores the concept of open relationships in the digital age. Set in Amsterdam in 2014, the book follows Gabrielle Bloom, a successful exhibition curator who is happily married to Anton but enjoys the freedom of an open marriage. When she discovers a new dating app that connects her to an endless pool of potential partners, she dives headfirst into a world of sexual exploration, leading to complicated emotions and unexpected consequences.

Berrebi's writing is frank and refreshing, with a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the complexities of modern relationships. The novel is suffused with art, culture, and sex, creating a rich and immersive world that explores the nuances of love and human connection. While the book may not be for everyone, it offers a uniquely radical perspective on relationships that is both tender and moving.

Overall, "The Sharing Economy" is a compelling and insightful read that is well worth your time. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Gabrielle Bloom leads an appealing life in Amsterdam. She is affluent and cultured, moving between her job liaising with artists at a foundation, to dinner parties with her international community of friends, to meetings at beautiful cafes and restaurants across the city. She and her husband Anton have a happy marriage, a young son and a comfortable home.

They also have an open relationship and Gabrielle takes the opportunity offered by a new dating app to have a number of sexual encounters.

The Sharing Economy avoids the obvious tropes – stories of danger, thwarted passion and jealousy – and takes Gabrielle on a more nuanced journey from casual hook-ups to emotionally entangled relationships.

Alongside Gabrielle’s sexual experiences are her musings on the dating app as a medium and how it changes behaviour. There’s a lovely scene where Gabrielle is travelling on a tram, enclosed by the rain. At each stop she looks up, sees the faces of the people who board, has a momentary impression of who they are and looks away. Meanwhile she is doing the same on the screen – as she swipes right or left on the dating app based on a fleeting glimpse.

These thoughts are counterpointed with her work on an exhibition which interrogates the role of technology and its relationship to the body. This provides an opportunity for some exposition which I felt was not needed (and the arguments are quite well worn, given the book is set in 2014).

The Sharing Economy is beautifully written, sensual and sensuous, interweaving Gabrielle’s intense sexual experiences with her painterly observations of a body, a room, a view of the canal. I love some of the small details — her cooking, the nuggets of history of the city, the way she and Anton cycle home together from a dinner party. Her lifestyle is very aspirational if you’re into arts and culture (though I’m at the stage of life where all those hook-ups sound more exhausting than erotic).

I was intrigued by the fact that Gabrielle had never bothered to learn Dutch, despite having a Dutch husband and son, so when she goes to her child’s school she struggles to communicate with the staff. At times her fixation on the app leads her to neglect other key commitments, and she articulates her resentment at being judged as a mother rather than a woman after her son’s birth.

I did wonder at times if everyone was a bit too reasonable. Anton adopts an almost godlike position – not only husband but best friend, father and psychotherapist, as he observes her behaviour, available but never interfering. You could argue that this benevolent oversight becomes a form of control.

There are no dramatic plot twists in The Sharing Economy but there is a sense that something is gained and learnt. It highlights how it’s not just relationships that are unique, but the self we become when we are with another person. It tells a story of how casual sex can be profound and revealing and complicated, as well as hot.
*
I received a copy of The Sharing Economy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A story of open relationships, changing technology and the thrill of dating apps in 2014 Amsterdam, this one so appealed to me and yet didn't really deliver. I liked the writing about Amsterdam and it evoked the city quite well, but I found the theorising clunky and not particularly nuanced and the dialogue often unnatural. Also how does the protagonist afford such an expensive chic lifestyle on a part-time art foundation salary?! I felt very envious.

Published last week, The Sharing Economy is Berrebi’s debut novel exploring the dawn of dating apps in Amsterdam. The sharing economy references the concept of individuals borrowing or sharing goods rather than buying them, the title cleverly reflecting the protagonist’s desire to explore and satisfy her sexual appetite outside of her marriage.

Gabrielle is in her early forties, married to Anton, with a son Victor. They both work in Amsterdam’s art world and are, by mutual consent, in an open/polyamorous relationship. This is Gabrielle’s story of her at times voracious sexual appetite and her encounters with men and women she meets mainly through apps.

It’s interspersed with chapters on art and the interplay between art and desire and human connection, and while the writing is nice, well, in truth I began to find Gabrielle’s multitudinous sexual encounters and desires a bit of a bore. There’s so much sex in it, it becomes rather mundane. Gabrielle doesn’t come across as particularly likeable, interesting or sympathetic as a character. If art or polyamory (or both!) are your thing though, you might enjoy it more. 2/5 ⭐️

An insightful , excellently written novel about sex, open relationships, marriage, art , choice and online dating apps.

This was a quick read. I loved the style of writing and there were elements of the book I really loved- the face that the main character was a woman in her forties exploring her sexuality and taking control of her sex life in particular. I also enjoyed reading about the open marriage, the set up, the boundaries, how the husband and wife both were drawn to different methods of meeting people and I loved the descriptions of Amsterdam. One of my favourite cities captured vividly.
I was less a fan of the art and to be honest much of the sex. I don't think this style of writing about sex holds much appeal to me.
Billed as for fans of Three Women and Crudo actually sums up this book for me. Three Women fascinated me, Crudo bored and confused me. So this book falls in the middle. The parts I enjoyed, I loved. Other parts not so much.
Brilliant main character though and gorgeous writing.

3.5- 4 star

A sensual debut novel - I loved reading about a woman in her mid 40s navigating the world of dating apps and experimenting with sex and sexuality.

Gabrielle and her husband Anton are in an open relationship. They both share a love for the art world and indulge in sophisticated conversations with their friends. Each chapter was infused with art, philosophy and sex.

While Gabrielle has an unlimited supply of sexual partners, she learns that the world of relationships and hookups isn’t always exhilarating and exciting. There’s obsession, emotion, feelings that complicate things.

A fascinating read and look into open relationships and polyamory and what it means to love.

The Sharing Economy
by Sophie Berrebi

I have to begin by saying that I am totally envious of anyone who gets to read this for the first time. It is an achingly beautiful story, a bildungsroman, if that term can be applied to a novel concerning a woman in her 40s, but it is definitely a novel of formation.

Gabrielle and her husband Anton live in Amsterdam, and have a very happy and stable, but open marriage. They are both professionals in the art world and enjoy a culturally sophisticated lifestyle. When Gabrielle discovers the delights of dating apps, she speeds her way through dozens of one night stands and discovers things about herself and her sexuality that have been long subdued.

I loved every single thing about this novel; the glimpse into the arty world, the tour of Amsterdam (I have many pitstops added to my upcoming visit of this most beautiful city), Gabrielle's inner narrative as she navigates her way through her middle aged awakening of her desirability and sensuality, and what the novel is ultimately about, the way the move to an online life has changed our lives so profoundly.

The writing is straightforward and chapters are not overly long making this a very easy and engaging read. At only 240 pages it was all over too soon, because despite the absence of a plot, I couldn't put this book down. It is erotic and compulsive and I wouldn't recommend reading it on the bus or at your kid's swimming session!!!

I have a strong feeling that this will be high on the list of favourites of 2023. I badly want to read more by this author, but she has only published non-fiction prior to this, so I have to wait and hope for more.

Publication date: 2nd March 2023
Thanks to #netgalley and #simonandschusteruk for the ARC

Sophie Berrebi's "The Sharing Economy" is a concise and thought-provoking analysis of the economic and social implications of the sharing economy, particularly relevant in the current climate. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the sharing economy, examining its historical and cultural roots, as well as its impact on traditional business models and the broader society.

Berrebi offers a balanced and nuanced perspective on the sharing economy, acknowledging its potential benefits in terms of sustainability, social inclusion, and innovation, while also addressing the challenges and drawbacks associated with this new economic model, such as labor rights, privacy concerns, and economic inequality.

The book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it an excellent resource for both scholars and lay readers interested in understanding the sharing economy and its impact on the wider economy and society. Berrebi's insights and analysis are backed up by thorough research and a wealth of real-world examples, making "The Sharing Economy" an informative and engaging read.

Three Women meets Crudo: a frank and fresh literary debut about the dawn of dating apps in Amsterdam. It is a well written novel, with punchy dialogue that rings true, and the descriptive writing brings the scenes to life.

A beautiful and insightful drama showing how important sexuality is to a human relationship and connection, based on the example of the main character and her year of experiences.

Set in 2014, The Sharing Economy explores Gabrielle’s experience of using a new dating app which gives free rein to her desire for sexual adventure.
Both Anton and Gabrielle work in the art world, their social life taken up with dinner parties and exhibition openings. They’re open about their affairs but when Gabrielle downloads the app she finds herself obsessively swiping left then sometimes right. The honesty with Anton she’s always held dear begins to fray as her distraction intrudes on their time with their nine-year-old son. By the end of the year, Gabrielle will have been brought up short by the extent of her obsession when Victor’s school is unable to contact either her or Anton.
Set in an Amsterdam summoned up beautifully with a pleasing backdrop of art and culture, Sophie Berrebi’s novel asks serious questions about the way digital technology has changed us: are we no longer as present in the world as we were; are we closing ourselves off from simple day-to-day human interaction or has a new world of experience opened up for us? While Anton champions the excitement of the interested glance across a room from an attractive woman, Gabrielle defends the digital path to new partners saying there’s no turning back now. Berrebi gives her readers much to think about in this absorbing novel although I couldn’t help wondering about poor Victor, both of his parents preoccupied with their various partners.

The Sharing Economy follows Gabrielle, who is in an open marriage. While Gabrielle prefers using an app to meet people, ruling out the possibility of barking up the wrong tree, her husband Anton like the excitement of meeting people in real life.

This reminded me deeply of a girl I was seeing who was in a similar situation, and this somewhat distracted from being able to read this unobjectively. That and the somewhat plotless structure meant it felt like a bit of a struggle to get through for me, although I feel like if I had read it at a different point in my life I would have liked it more.

What the story in "The Sharing Economy" accidentally does, is reinforcing the idea of open marriages/open relationships as something that only people with a high social status would be able to endure. This story was so unintentionally classist, that it took away any sympathy one could muster towards the protagonist, Gabrielle, and her polisexual awakening.

Sophie Berrebi's background in art industry/art history made for an interesting paragraphs that centred artworks, however that also makes them inaccessible, if not simply boring, to those who aren't immersed in the world of arts or academia.

The author is a crafty writer, though, and was able to create tasteful and diverse sex scenes, for which I'm happy to give "The Sharing Economy" one extra star.

This book is a spiralling, complex, beautiful delight!

Set in Amsterdam 2014, we follow Gabrielle, a married woman in her 40's with a son as she discovers a new dating app storming the city. While her and her husband Anton have a open marriage, this new dating appAs you fall into this world of the app consuming Gabrielle's life, you feel as adrift as she does throughout. This book sends you on the same emotional rollercoaster of dizzying highs and spiralling lows as Gabrielle experiences in the book, and by the end you feel as though you have been on the same journey. This world is consuming and glorious and shiny and unknown.

Berrebi does a wonderful job of making her central character, Gabrielle, immediately understandable and link her with the audience, even if they share little in common. She makes her relatable in complex small ways that tune into your mind as you create your vision of this book world. She is not the perfect character, but she brings to mind real characters with flaws, that somehow feel more real than perfect people illusions.

A book that flows with story rather than structure, I can't wait to see what the author writes next.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.