‘The Sharing Economy’ follows Gabrielle, as she embarks on the online dating scene in Amsterdam. In an open marriage, her husband Anton prefers to meet people by chance, in bars or at a bookstore. Gabrielle, however, relies on an app to find her dates.

Although I tend to stay away from novels that centre themselves in the digital sphere, ‘The Sharing Economy’ was a pleasant surprise. I also appreciate that I could still connect to Gabrielle despite being far apart in age, as I didn’t feel alienated as a reader. I am not a mother or a wife, nor have I ever been to Amsterdam, but ‘The Sharing Economy’ transported me there and painted a vivid portrait of the life Gabrielle was living.

For lovers of somewhat unlikeable characters, Sophie Berrebi’s novel might just be the ticket. I feel ‘The Sharing Economy’ nestles itself neatly somewhere between Coco Mellors’ ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’, Sally Rooney’s ‘Conversations with Friends’ and Julia May Jonas’ ‘Vladimir’.

I don’t think this is explicitly a criticism of the book, but beware that as is the nature of online dating, it can be a little repetitive at times. I was always anticipating a big climactic moment, but ‘The Sharing Economy’ is more on the ‘no plot just vibes’ part of the spectrum.

Overall, ‘The Sharing Economy’ was a thoroughly enjoyable read with great commentary on online dating and open marriages. I will be sure to pick up whatever Sophie Berrebi releases next.

This is a fun and sexy novel about Gabrielle, who is one half of an open marriage in Amsterdam and has just discovered online dating. But while I know The Sharing Economy is set all the way back in 2014, I still felt that the focus on the politics of Tinder/casual online dating is a bit passé and overdone.

The Sharing Economy by Sophie Berrebi is a novel about art, sex, philosophy, dating, love and relationships.