Robinne Lee

"Captures what fame looks like, and how it affects us all...a fun, juicy love story!"--Elizabeth Banks Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of an art gallery in Los Angeles, is reluctant to take her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band. But since her divorce, she’s more eager than ever to be close to Isabelle. The last thing Solène expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things. What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate and genuine relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways in Paris and Miami. For Solène, it is a reclaiming of self, as well as a rediscovery of happiness and love. When Solène and Hayes’ romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her romantic life has impacted the lives of those she cares about most.

A Novel

The Idea of You

Maui Santos

"You don't love him, Izz. You love the idea of him."

She looked at me, her eyes wild with fury. "I. Love. Him."

I didn't love it but I didn't hate it at the same time.

Solid 3 stars.

I didn't love it but I didn't hate it at the same time.

Katerina

I think this is the only book from the love genre that doesn’t get boring at any point, ever. And that’s quite a lot to ask of a romance novel. Kudos!

This book should have been left in 2012 or whenever it was created.

Lauren R

Riya

I could not feel their love for e/o, it read more as lust than anything deep. Also I felt icky while reading some of Sol’s inner thoughts; her feelings towards hayes felt borderline predatory.

angel ❀

debre

Sara Uribe

Okay. Okay. Okay.

If you know ANYTHING about me you know I Love, with a capital L, Love Harry Edward Styles. Since the day I heard their music and saw a photo of One Direction I just simply loved him. 17 year old Sara, how are you doing girl? This book, this book brought out high school Sara. The start of my One Direction obsession (which still hasn't ended). 

This book pulled me right into something I wasn't expecting and at the same time it also drained me and it took me a long time to read this book. Not in a bad way, but in a, I am going to take as long as I can because I don't want to know what's going to happen, kind of way. Have you ever read a book and then not wait to finish it because you are really scared of how it's going to end? Yeah. Well this is that for me. This book made me giddy and anxious waiting to see what would happen. Solène and Hayes really captivated me. I loved their relationship. There is a lot of back and forth, especially at the beginning, but the deeper they got into their relationship that faded away. I thought their relationship was deep and complex. Also, I want to state that I don't understand why people have such a big deal with an age gap relationship, honestly. Especially an older woman with a younger man. Men date and marry younger women all of the time, but the second a woman does that they are shamed for it. Not fair at all. This book was juicy, angsty and FULL of emotion. BUT THAT ENDING KILLED ME!!! 

This was a really great read and I am so happy that I picked it up! Thank you to one of my favorite people Kayla ( @thelayzblonde ) and a fellow bookstagrammer @equalopportunityromancereader for telling me to read this book. I have been in a really strange book funk for the last few weeks and nothing really seemed to hold my attention. This book did. This book brought me back to my One Direction days.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was fun & spicy pop-star-romance-fantasy, even if the end gutted me!

Amelia Hruby

Gisela Ayala 

Oh my gosh... Lit Chicks review to come!!!

Megan Lowe

I loved this book, it was such a beautiful story.
I loved Hayes, he was incredible.
I liked Solene. She was such a multifaceted, empowering character.
I loved their story. I hated how it ended. I understood why it ended the way it did, but I hated it.
I would’ve liked to have seen more at the end, but this is a story that will stay with you for a while.

Alex Flagg

I think I'm the only one who didn't like this book. Apart from the very superficial, there was a lack of connection to these characters that made it unlikable for me. And there were SO many plot lines that the author left unaddressed at the end of the book...I'm confused? 2.5 stars

Kat A

I blame Ashley Spivey for this one. 

PROS: It's well written, sucks you into the story, and you don't want to put it down. 

CONS: The characters are both horrible people. Solene has incredibly low standards. Both she and Hayes think sex can solve every one of their problems. Their dialog is super cringe (pretty accurate for a 20 year old in a relationship). Solene is 40 but somehow buys into everything Hayes says to her. You don't really see any depth to their relationship, it's basically just physical. He also clearly does not respect her but she gives in at every turn. 

So while these are cons, dare I say the characters are somewhat realistic? Which would make it a pro? I'm conflicted. 

A true con: Solene's daughter's character was tough to figure out and not super well developed. She didn't have much consistency IMO. 

OVERALL: I would totally recommend this for a vacay read and it was definitely fun seeing what all the hype was about. I would love if the author had an opposite read written from Hayes's perspective.

Aundreya Rich

He was quiet, weighing the moment. And then he smiled, wide. “What took you so long?” I laughed. “I was just making sure it was you, and not the idea of you.” 

At first when my friend said "hey Aundreya you have to read this book, it will be your new obsession." I thought... "I don't have time for that."
But then she gave me the inside scoop.... oh I could make time.

Starting The Idea of You, I thought... did I write this that week I was so sick and lived on NyQuil? Are these my words and fantasies played out in a Harry Styles fan fiction novel?


The only signs that showed me that statement was NOT true was that my dreams consist of a 4 year age gap instead of a 20, no children that are ALSO obsessed with my 20 year old Harry Styles aaaaand a happy ending where he writes a love song about me but under the alias "Ashley" not because he's hiding his love for me, but because nothing rhymes with Aundreya.


With a talk of TIY on its way to the big screen its a must read!
The setting of being in the spotlight felt real and exciting, and the romance was SIZZLIN.
Romance lovers, Harry Lovers, or someone who needs a change just read it PLEEAAAASE.
It's like 8 hours of all your favorite HS scenes on PAPER.... and its the long hair BAD harry 😂🔥❤️.

Noted: The characters of this story are Hayes Campbell & Sorlene Marchand ... I realize this far in the review I haven't mentioned that.

Solene takes her daughter to the band Autumn Moon concert (cough cough) and meets the band and Hayes where their aged gap affair takes flight.

What I love:
-the pop culture references 
-the chemistry... OFF THE DANG CHARTS. I honestly forgot the age difference
-the Hollywood glam and misfortunes
-the fuel that was dumped on my Harry obsession
-the fact that I have an excuse to put really good Harry gifs in a review

What didn't work for me:
-S.... girl.... you're flying around the world for this boy.... you've dedicated... quit throwing the "but you're 20" out there.
-Sometimes I thought he was 40 and her 20....
-the ending... again... not holding it against her in my review... probably bc its not the ending I would want for ME.


Rating:
story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (but will read it over again)
romance trope- Stella got her groove back with a young British hottie
steam- Here my friends you will learn what the true meaning of Watermelon sugar is...many times.


Song 🎼 Perfect by One Direction

KADY BURNS

I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. On one hand I had a hard time putting it down each night, but on the other hand I got incredibly frustrated with the mc and the absurdity of the plot.

INTRODUCING YOUR NEXT OBSESSION . . . 'The sleeper hit of the pandemic' Vogue 'This slayed me' TAYLOR JENKINS REID 'The ending . . . I'M NOT OVER IT' 5***** READER REVIEW 'If you only read one book this year, make it this' 5***** READER REVIEW _______ EVERYONE IN THE WORLD KNOWS HIS NAME. BUT IT'S YOU HE WANTS. At thirty-nine, Solène Marchand is a devoted mother, a dedicated colleague and a considerate ex-wife. But it's a long time since she's felt like herself. So when someone comes along who seems to see her - to want her - for who she really is, the attraction is instant. And so begins a jet-setting, earth-shattering secret love affair. But what if that someone is world-famous sex symbol Hayes Campbell? Captivating frontman of boy band of the moment August Moon - whose face is everywhere. Including Solène's teenage daughter's bedroom wall. Can Solène allow herself to fall for the boy the whole world wants? OR WILL SHE HAVE TO MAKE A DEVASTATING CHOICE . . . ? _______ Praise for The Idea of You . . . 'Sexy enough for the beach, smart enough for the book club' BOOK CIRCLE 'The Idea of You managed to work the ultimate book magic: It blurred the boundary between this world and that one' OPRAH MAGAZINE 'You finally have something else to obsess about. Will have you staying up all night to finish' THE SKIMM Readers everywhere have fallen for The Idea of You: 'It's been over a week since I finished The Idea of You and I still haven't recovered' ***** 'The ending ... I'M NOT OVER IT' 5***** READER REVIEW 'Solene and Hayes ... I won't be forgetting you anytime soon' ***** 'I can't remember being so moved by a book before. I mean down to my soul. Every word was pure gold' 5***** READER REVIEW 'I purchased copies for my closest girlfriends. One of those books that you never want to end' ***** 'Impossible to put down' 5***** READER REVIEW

A sizzling and utterly addictive love story with an ending you’ll never forget

Dorottya Nagy

This book had me in a chokehold! As a fanfiction reader, this was definitely a story for me. The only reason why it's not getting a full five stars is because of the ending, haha!

Lisa W.

Oh the heart break. Realistically the ending made perfect sense however I dislike it so much. Reality is never what readers want. We want fantasy. Ugh. Let me go wallow in my feelings.

Immersive, Escapist and Utterly Addictive Until the Last, Heart-Stopping Line

Beth G

Sara

This is what I think it would be like if you were dating a Popstar: hard, scary, beautiful. You really get a feeling of how it is to be the „girl“ dating said Popstar and the disadvantages that comes with it. Also the ending is definitely not what i expected!!

b.andherbooks

Holy pants on FIRE! Ever imagine banging a sexy member of a boy band? Being his girl? This is definitely the book for you, especially if you are a wee bit older than said boy band member. *Fans self*

Art-gallerist Solene Marchand reluctantly takes her ex-husbands place as chaperone to the meet and greet he won at an auction for their 13-year old daughter's favorite boy band August Moon. When Solene locks eyes with the twenty year younger Hayes, all she can think about is sitting on his face (author's words, not mine). 

Hayes, known for his penchant for older women, sweetly and ruthlessly pursues Solene and they begin an epic love affair, one for the ages, despite their age difference. They start as sex only, but it soon turns into something more, something they soon cannot hide from Solene's daughter, her business partners, her ex, and most devastatingly, Hayes' millions of fans.

Is this love worth keeping? Is Solene willing to bet it all on a 20 year old boy? Is forever feasible?

I'm hoping to read more from Robinne Lee because wow.

Dawn O'toole

Jo H

I'm blown away by this. This fresh off of it, I'm unsure how to rate yet, because it didn't end as I wanted it to... in fact it made me so fucking angry that in the end, I'm not sure what emotions I was crying about! 

I've so much more to say about this book so it's probably going to be a WIP for some time...

A lot of people will not consider this a romance, in fact the author herself has called it a love story rather than a romance, but I respectfully disagree. It absolutely IS a romance, it is steeped in romance, so much of the MMC's behavior, in particular, is overtly romantic and every single different theme that is discussed is discussed around the whole idea of the romance between the two MC's. 

And whilst the whole story is about the romance between the MC's, this book is littered with a ton of social commentary; the toxicity of contemporary celebrity, the media including social media, OWYM relationships, women aging in certain circles and also about double standards and hypocrisy with relationships and gender. Oh, and the fragility of tween/teen idolism (is this another word I've made up? Probably). And I'm sure there is more that I've not hit on yet.

There is certainly an air of superiority in the characters which leads to some pretentious content, but to me, it seemed so authentic to who these characters are and their place and status within the confines of western society, so tonally it felt right.

Whilst it felt right that Solène was a woman of certain means, rather than a downtrodden woman as is so often the case in stories like these (rich & famous male celeb sweeps woman off her feet), I do wonder at the narrative choice made to make these 'boy-banders' a posh variety of Brits rather than the normal working or lower middle class lads that they mostly tend to be from either side of the pond. Also, despite the fact that Solène was subjected to the horrible things that she was once her relationship with Hayes was 'outed' to the public, I bet things would have been infinitely worse if she did not have the many privileges that her money and social position allowed her. 

Nevertheless, Hayes (which is an odd name choice for a posh English boy), for all of his 2o year old horny self, was such a gentleman for the most part and my idea of a real Alpha Male... he is the innovator, the creative, the LEADER that started and keeps his band together; the manboy who knows what he wants and goes after it but not to the detriment of anyone else. He also knows how to treat people, all types of people, respectfully and with care, even Solène's young daughter when she struggles to come to terms with her mom having this relationship with this high profile male that she, at the tender age of 12, imagined herself in love with. I could have done without (view spoiler)[his first sexual experiences being with his BFF' and fellow bandmate Oliver (a much more fitting name for a posh Englishman!) older sister (she was 19 to his 14) and that leading to moments of conflict... even though there was another motivator that leads to the final 'showdown' between the two friends. (hide spoiler)] That whole 'friend's sister is off limits' trope has been done to death, what gives some guy the right to decide what his (older!) sister can and can't do with her own body and who she can do it with?... but that's another topic for a different time.

And I would be totally remiss if I didn't add this quote here I [Solène] spoke first. “I’m really proud of you…”

“For putting on a suit and showing up?”

“For all of this. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for you, and your idea.”

He squeezed my hand and smiled. “It might have been a wee selfish on my part. Plus, it’s not exactly rocket science*, is it?”

“It’s art. And it makes people happy. And that’s a very good thing. We have this problem in our culture. We take art that appeals to women—film, books, music—and we undervalue it. We assume it can’t be high art. Especially if it’s not dark and tortured and wailing. And it follows that much of that art is created by other women, and so we undervalue them as well. We wrap it up in a pretty pink package and resist calling it art.”

Hayes was quiet, processing.

“That’s part of why I do what I do … to push back on that, to combat it. And that’s why you should be a little more proud of what you do…” 

*This is what Hayes says about his music genre of choice 'pop' (bearing in mind that is just a shortened version of the word popular which is what most forms of contemporary commercial music and media are no matter their individual 'genre'... but again, that's another topic for a different time) and in particular the boy band variety of it, and Solène's reply to him had me nodding my head so hard as it says so much about the double standards and hypocrisy in our world. I think the same applies in general to most popular (think of the lif fic v commercial fic debate) art and media, but it's even worse when it anything that primarily female-driven. And as someone who feels this strongly as I have tastes that fall on both sides of the divide and get fed up with continually having to defend the validity of my more 'female' preferences and pursuits, this really resonated with me.

STBC

First attempt 21.04.20.
Second attempt 22.04.20

The Idea of You A Novel

Reviews

Highlights