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The Idea of You
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Debut Goodreads Author (2017)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.
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.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2017
About the author
Robinne Lee
2 books3,369 followersROBINNE LEE is an actor, writer and producer. A graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School, Robinne was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. Robinne has numerous acting credits in both television and film, most notably opposite Will Smith in both Hitch and Seven Pounds. She recently completed shooting Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, playing Ros Bailey. Robinne currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. The Idea of You is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 18,076 reviews
May 3, 2024
★1 star
I wish I had DNF’d but I finished for Annie and Nick, who will be carrying this movie’s plot on their backs.
The Idea of You summed up:
Solène: “I’m too old for this, I could be your mother.” (x50)
Me: “No shit.”
Hayes aka Harry Styles: “Hiiiiiii.” (x75)
I could rant for YEARS about this book. I have zero problems with age gap romances, but when it becomes the whole story’s personality? Wtf did you think would happen Solène????? You’re 40, he’s a 20-year old BOY in the most popular boy band in the world. He has the emotional maturity range of teaspoon, you shouldn’t be shocked! I’m all for living your best life and doing whatever you want to do in life to be happy, but when your actions deeply affect those around you? Their lives, livelihoods, and mental health????? You cannot be that selfish, irresponsible, and stupidly naïve 😤
I also felt negative amounts of chemistry between them. Lust? Yes, bc we get it, he’s a 20-year old baby with the stamina of a jackrabbit. I’ll give the book this: its title was extremely clever, bc the idea of it was so much better than its execution.
This book was very clearly a no, and I’m glad it’s over. But I’ll still be watching the movie 😅🍿
╰┈▸ I hate I have to say this, but as I don’t want anyone coming for me, this is MY opinion on MY review. End rant.
Movie Update 5/2/24
Movie>>>>>>>>Book by a landslide.
Fixed the ending and it felt much more believable than the book.
But, I may be biased. Annie and Nick hold a special place in my heart 💖
* ゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜*
Pre-review:
Saw the trailer for this today (tbh I’ve been excited for this movie to come out as soon as they announced Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine), and it’s giving Harry Styles fanfic 🤌🏼 Let’s hope it’s the good kind and not After 2.0 🙏🏼
I wish I had DNF’d but I finished for Annie and Nick, who will be carrying this movie’s plot on their backs.
The Idea of You summed up:
Solène: “I’m too old for this, I could be your mother.” (x50)
Me: “No shit.”
Hayes aka Harry Styles: “Hiiiiiii.” (x75)
I could rant for YEARS about this book. I have zero problems with age gap romances, but when it becomes the whole story’s personality? Wtf did you think would happen Solène????? You’re 40, he’s a 20-year old BOY in the most popular boy band in the world. He has the emotional maturity range of teaspoon, you shouldn’t be shocked! I’m all for living your best life and doing whatever you want to do in life to be happy, but when your actions deeply affect those around you? Their lives, livelihoods, and mental health????? You cannot be that selfish, irresponsible, and stupidly naïve 😤
I also felt negative amounts of chemistry between them. Lust? Yes, bc we get it, he’s a 20-year old baby with the stamina of a jackrabbit. I’ll give the book this: its title was extremely clever, bc the idea of it was so much better than its execution.
This book was very clearly a no, and I’m glad it’s over. But I’ll still be watching the movie 😅🍿
╰┈▸ I hate I have to say this, but as I don’t want anyone coming for me, this is MY opinion on MY review. End rant.
Movie Update 5/2/24
Movie>>>>>>>>Book by a landslide.
Fixed the ending and it felt much more believable than the book.
But, I may be biased. Annie and Nick hold a special place in my heart 💖
* ゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜*
Pre-review:
Saw the trailer for this today (tbh I’ve been excited for this movie to come out as soon as they announced Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine), and it’s giving Harry Styles fanfic 🤌🏼 Let’s hope it’s the good kind and not After 2.0 🙏🏼
May 28, 2017
So, it appears this is indeed really happening. Just pinching myself. And perhaps freaking out a little. Yikes!!
Read
March 10, 2023well i'm glad i finally read this! but if the movie ends the same as the book i will RIOT
September 1, 2022
****4.25 STARS****
This book is not for everyone. It's an either you love it or you hate it type of book.
Unfiltered review... https://wp.me/p7ZSCH-4cd
5 Minute Book Review Podcast... https://wp.me/p7ZSCH-4cj
Solène is beautiful, smart, and sexy. She is also 39 years old and someone most 20 year old pop stars are quick to look past. Except for Hayes, a sexy British boy band member who finds himself gravitating to Solène.
They say opposites attract and if we are going by age differences here Solène and Hayes are complete opposites. Plus, Solène has a 12 year old daughter who happens to believe she is in love with Hayes herself, as many other young girls around the world.
So, what’s a woman to do when she finds herself in that situation? Of course. . . sleep with him – too bad that decision was going to change to course of their lives that no one could have predicted. The real question here was, how much would that decision affect those they loved as well?
I can’t remember the last book I read that made me want to find a way for two people to be together when the odds were stacked against them so much. The author does such an amazing job of creating the world of Solène and Hayes. I honestly felt like I was there with them as they traveled throughout the world getting lost in themselves together – or at the idea of each other.
But sometimes age isn’t just a number, sometimes it’s just a life fact. That same life fact caused a lot of hurt and turmoil for the ones around Solène and Hayes. . . and each other. At times, The Idea Of You was so painful to read. I shed real tears.
At some point, this story stopped being cliche or taboo and became a pure love story. The author takes us on the same path as Solène and Hayes as though we were living it right along with them. Their love, their passion, their pain, their heartbreak becomes the readers same love, passion, pain, and heartbreak. This story goes far beyond the stigma of age, it’s a true and pure love story. It just happens to be a love story of an older woman and younger man. When an older man becomes involved with a younger woman, it’s accepted. When an older woman becomes involved with a younger man, it’s frowned upon.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do. Just know that this book isn't for everyone. You have to go into it with an open mind.
Will I read another book by this author? Yes. If she decides to make this one into a duet, I will scream will joy.
Follow all things messy. . .
Subscribe to Pretty Mess Reading Podcast: Where Romance Gets Messy
This book is not for everyone. It's an either you love it or you hate it type of book.
Unfiltered review... https://wp.me/p7ZSCH-4cd
5 Minute Book Review Podcast... https://wp.me/p7ZSCH-4cj
Solène is beautiful, smart, and sexy. She is also 39 years old and someone most 20 year old pop stars are quick to look past. Except for Hayes, a sexy British boy band member who finds himself gravitating to Solène.
They say opposites attract and if we are going by age differences here Solène and Hayes are complete opposites. Plus, Solène has a 12 year old daughter who happens to believe she is in love with Hayes herself, as many other young girls around the world.
So, what’s a woman to do when she finds herself in that situation? Of course. . . sleep with him – too bad that decision was going to change to course of their lives that no one could have predicted. The real question here was, how much would that decision affect those they loved as well?
“You afraid?” He asked.
I nodded.
“So am I. But I’m all right with that. If I get hurt, I get hurt. It happens, right? Someone always gets hurt. But I don’t want to miss out on us because I was afraid.” – Hayes
I can’t remember the last book I read that made me want to find a way for two people to be together when the odds were stacked against them so much. The author does such an amazing job of creating the world of Solène and Hayes. I honestly felt like I was there with them as they traveled throughout the world getting lost in themselves together – or at the idea of each other.
But sometimes age isn’t just a number, sometimes it’s just a life fact. That same life fact caused a lot of hurt and turmoil for the ones around Solène and Hayes. . . and each other. At times, The Idea Of You was so painful to read. I shed real tears.
“How did we get here? This was only supposed to be lunch, remember? This was only ever supposed to be lunch.”
“You,” he said, his voice frayed, foreign.
“Me?”
“You. You let me unfold you.” – Solène/Hayes"
At some point, this story stopped being cliche or taboo and became a pure love story. The author takes us on the same path as Solène and Hayes as though we were living it right along with them. Their love, their passion, their pain, their heartbreak becomes the readers same love, passion, pain, and heartbreak. This story goes far beyond the stigma of age, it’s a true and pure love story. It just happens to be a love story of an older woman and younger man. When an older man becomes involved with a younger woman, it’s accepted. When an older woman becomes involved with a younger man, it’s frowned upon.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do. Just know that this book isn't for everyone. You have to go into it with an open mind.
Will I read another book by this author? Yes. If she decides to make this one into a duet, I will scream will joy.
Follow all things messy. . .
Subscribe to Pretty Mess Reading Podcast: Where Romance Gets Messy
May 2, 2024
idk who lied to this woman but f*cking some kid 20 years younger than you is not the feminist slay you think it is
watch my detailed breakdown and rant review of this book here: https://youtu.be/SBMr9ecEs-k
watch my detailed breakdown and rant review of this book here: https://youtu.be/SBMr9ecEs-k
May 23, 2024
4 stars
The Idea of You is a fabulous forbidden love story. I listened to this book over a week ago and I still find myself thinking about it. There is something to be said about a story that stays with you like that. Also, the audio book was fantastic (the author narrated it herself) and I would highly recommend listening if you like audio books.
Solène is a divorcee with a teenage daughter. She is independent and runs her own art gallery. Solène has drive. She always has. I love that about her. One night, she finds her self in Vegas with her teenage daughter, Isabelle, and Isabelle's friends to see the biggest boy band out there. This boy band is a full of charming, twenty something British boys. The very last thing Solène expects to happen is to forge a connection with one of them.
Hayes Campbell is enamored with Solène from the moment he lays eyes on her. Being together seems impossible for this pair, but they can't stay away from one another. They're drawn together. Navigating this relationship has so many obstacles and more consequences than either one of them can imagine.
I loved Hayes and Solène together. When they were with each other, you could almost forget that Solène was twice Hayes age, or that there were so many things in their way. I just wanted them to be able to work it out. Overall, I felt that Hayes was much more mature than the average 20 year old male, and I think that helped. This story captivated me from the start. It made me feel, gave me anxiety, and broke my heart. Still, I'm happy I read it. It was a beautiful and emotional experience that I won't be forgetting any time soon!
The Idea of You is a fabulous forbidden love story. I listened to this book over a week ago and I still find myself thinking about it. There is something to be said about a story that stays with you like that. Also, the audio book was fantastic (the author narrated it herself) and I would highly recommend listening if you like audio books.
Solène is a divorcee with a teenage daughter. She is independent and runs her own art gallery. Solène has drive. She always has. I love that about her. One night, she finds her self in Vegas with her teenage daughter, Isabelle, and Isabelle's friends to see the biggest boy band out there. This boy band is a full of charming, twenty something British boys. The very last thing Solène expects to happen is to forge a connection with one of them.
Hayes Campbell is enamored with Solène from the moment he lays eyes on her. Being together seems impossible for this pair, but they can't stay away from one another. They're drawn together. Navigating this relationship has so many obstacles and more consequences than either one of them can imagine.
“You afraid?” he asked. I nodded. “So am I. But I’m all right with that. If I get hurt, I get hurt. It happens, right? Someone always gets hurt. But I don’t want to miss out on us because I was afraid.”
I loved Hayes and Solène together. When they were with each other, you could almost forget that Solène was twice Hayes age, or that there were so many things in their way. I just wanted them to be able to work it out. Overall, I felt that Hayes was much more mature than the average 20 year old male, and I think that helped. This story captivated me from the start. It made me feel, gave me anxiety, and broke my heart. Still, I'm happy I read it. It was a beautiful and emotional experience that I won't be forgetting any time soon!
July 8, 2021
I've lost count of the number of times I picked up and set aside this book, ultimately deciding that a DNF was the right course of action.
Seeing as how the older woman-younger man trope is one of my all time favorites, frankly, I was surprised at how much I disliked the plot, including its main protagonist, Solene.
She being a 39 year-old mother who happened to be French-American, who also owned a successful art gallery who fell helplessly in love with a 20 year old pop star. You know what? It was all just too much.
And pretentious.
Additionally, it's a premise that has been done before (and done better, IMHO) by Dee Ernst with A Different Kind of Forever.
So, yeah, DNF @ 50%.
September 16, 2018
I had so maaany expectations from this book and in the end I did not really like the story.
If you follow my reviews, you will probably have noticed that I don't mind big age differences between the two main characters of a romance story. I actually prefer older women-younger men stories and 15-20 years are definitely a good age difference for me ;)
So, why did I not like the story???
One word: PRETENTIOUS
***some spoilers***
There is this 40 years old woman so French, so sophisticated, so educated, so beautiful, so perfect, so world travelled, so indifferent (especially to her teenager daughter that she has just started realising that she is a woman).
And there is this 20 years old man so British, so famous, so rich, so mature for his age, so pretty, so perfect, so world travelled, so unconcerned about how his decisions can influence so many people (the fans that they never expect that their idol can behave like a human being, and also his older girlfriend who is full of fears about what people think).
Thus in the whole book you have these two people who meet other people who are friends with other people and who live the high life who travel all around the world who make love like they don't care and there is no tomorrow.
Until they have a few moments of tension.
And then they are back meeting other people who are friends with other people and living the high life keep travelling all around the world and making love like they don't care and there is no tomorrow.
And there are the discussions about art, the chic dinners, the flutes of champagne, the french, the swimming pools.
Apparently none of these two lovers will be crumpled and brought to his/her knees (except maybe in the end Haynes and this happens with so much coolness and detachment that I wanted to scream).
And then there is the actual ending, which made me want to throw my ebook reader to the opposite wall. This is not a way to end a romance novel!
So, I was actually wondering why there is all this drama in the first place? It was just a trivial fling after all.
If you follow my reviews, you will probably have noticed that I don't mind big age differences between the two main characters of a romance story. I actually prefer older women-younger men stories and 15-20 years are definitely a good age difference for me ;)
So, why did I not like the story???
One word: PRETENTIOUS
***some spoilers***
There is this 40 years old woman so French, so sophisticated, so educated, so beautiful, so perfect, so world travelled, so indifferent (especially to her teenager daughter that she has just started realising that she is a woman).
And there is this 20 years old man so British, so famous, so rich, so mature for his age, so pretty, so perfect, so world travelled, so unconcerned about how his decisions can influence so many people (the fans that they never expect that their idol can behave like a human being, and also his older girlfriend who is full of fears about what people think).
Thus in the whole book you have these two people who meet other people who are friends with other people and who live the high life who travel all around the world who make love like they don't care and there is no tomorrow.
Until they have a few moments of tension.
And then they are back meeting other people who are friends with other people and living the high life keep travelling all around the world and making love like they don't care and there is no tomorrow.
And there are the discussions about art, the chic dinners, the flutes of champagne, the french, the swimming pools.
Apparently none of these two lovers will be crumpled and brought to his/her knees (except maybe in the end Haynes and this happens with so much coolness and detachment that I wanted to scream).
And then there is the actual ending, which made me want to throw my ebook reader to the opposite wall. This is not a way to end a romance novel!
So, I was actually wondering why there is all this drama in the first place? It was just a trivial fling after all.
June 2, 2022
Gave myself a star just for finishing this Harry Styles fan fiction hot garbage of a book.
September 17, 2023
anne hathaway and nicholas galitzine will have to beg for my forgiveness after making me read this horrible, horrible book
July 26, 2017
Once in a while a book comes along that renders you speechless. Because it tells a story so compelling, so thought provoking, so emotional and so exquisitely written that you are left reeling. For DAYS after you've finished. 'The Idea of You' by Robinne Lee is one of those books.
To say I was blown away by EVERYTHING about this story would be an understatement. It checked off every single box I need for a book to be an exceptional read. Angst. Humor. Amazing dialogue. Unique subject matter. Pop culture. Love story. Depth. Amazing leads and phenomenal supporting cast. But most of all, it brought on the feels. So many feels. I don't think I've even been this anxious reading a book ... ever. And I say this in the most flattering way possible. The story kept me on the edge of my seat till the very last page. A roller-coaster of emotions only added to an already amazing reading experience.
This is one of those stories that offers so much food for thought that one can't simply review it and move on. Or maybe it's just me. I finished this days ago and I am still thinking about. Thinking about how, in this day and age, the doubles standards are alive and well. Thinking about how people will always have an opinion and how everyone is always so quick to judge you without having walked a mile in your shoes. Thinking about how much we, mothers, sacrifice for our kids.
I think it's safe to say I won't be getting over this read any time soon. It's just one of those stories that makes it's way into your heart and stays there. Permanently. Whether you like it or not. I urge everyone, especially everyone in their late 30s and on, to read this book with an open mind. If nothing else, you'll enjoy the scenery.
And in conclusion I want to say that, even though it's only July, 'The Idea of You' is my pick for BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017. That's all.
Till next time ...
To say I was blown away by EVERYTHING about this story would be an understatement. It checked off every single box I need for a book to be an exceptional read. Angst. Humor. Amazing dialogue. Unique subject matter. Pop culture. Love story. Depth. Amazing leads and phenomenal supporting cast. But most of all, it brought on the feels. So many feels. I don't think I've even been this anxious reading a book ... ever. And I say this in the most flattering way possible. The story kept me on the edge of my seat till the very last page. A roller-coaster of emotions only added to an already amazing reading experience.
This is one of those stories that offers so much food for thought that one can't simply review it and move on. Or maybe it's just me. I finished this days ago and I am still thinking about. Thinking about how, in this day and age, the doubles standards are alive and well. Thinking about how people will always have an opinion and how everyone is always so quick to judge you without having walked a mile in your shoes. Thinking about how much we, mothers, sacrifice for our kids.
I think it's safe to say I won't be getting over this read any time soon. It's just one of those stories that makes it's way into your heart and stays there. Permanently. Whether you like it or not. I urge everyone, especially everyone in their late 30s and on, to read this book with an open mind. If nothing else, you'll enjoy the scenery.
And in conclusion I want to say that, even though it's only July, 'The Idea of You' is my pick for BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017. That's all.
Till next time ...
May 7, 2024
I have no idea how to rate this book. Do I hate it, or do I love it. What I know for sure is that it didn't leave me indifferent. I am hesitating between giving it 1 star or 4 stars, it is so confusing...
This is a very slow story, specially the first half. I was a little bored and almost quit it, but I continued, and towards the last 20% percent or so it started to get more intense and emotional, which I always love to feel. Basically, almost the entire book is a build up. Nothing really happened and yet the whole thing was overly dramatic. I could say I only actually enjoyed a small part of the book, although it was an intense part. It ended leaving me full of feelings, that is for sure. That end...I don't know. I feel anger and understanding. I think I hate it, but I also believe the book would have been weaker and more mediocre without that end, so, although it angers me, I think it needs it.
Audiobook: The way the audiobook is narrated gives you an underlying sense of tragedy. It is kind of preparing you (from the very moment you start listening) for the end. I wound't know if this is a good thing or a bad one.
P.S.: I truly dislike the cover. I would have never picked this book up if it wasn't because of several recommendations. The cover puts me off completely.
This is a very slow story, specially the first half. I was a little bored and almost quit it, but I continued, and towards the last 20% percent or so it started to get more intense and emotional, which I always love to feel. Basically, almost the entire book is a build up. Nothing really happened and yet the whole thing was overly dramatic. I could say I only actually enjoyed a small part of the book, although it was an intense part. It ended leaving me full of feelings, that is for sure. That end...I don't know. I feel anger and understanding. I think I hate it, but I also believe the book would have been weaker and more mediocre without that end, so, although it angers me, I think it needs it.
Audiobook: The way the audiobook is narrated gives you an underlying sense of tragedy. It is kind of preparing you (from the very moment you start listening) for the end. I wound't know if this is a good thing or a bad one.
P.S.: I truly dislike the cover. I would have never picked this book up if it wasn't because of several recommendations. The cover puts me off completely.
October 22, 2022
Solène is 39. Mom to 12-year-old Isabelle. Divorced. Art Gallery owner. And right now she's backstage at a Las Vegas concert hall seeing him for the first time: Hayes. Twenty-year-old pop superstar; singer in the boy band AUGUST MOON!
This boy has put his mega-flirt-hat on and Solène can't help but flirt back! She could be his mother!!!
But can an almost 40 year old lady and a world famous superstar half her age have anything real and lasting? Solène's daughter and the rest of the world think NOT - once they find out....
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH SOLÈNE & HAYES?
WILL THE WORLD GIVE THEM A CHANCE AT A HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺
═══════════════
I loved this book!
I knew from the sound of the blurb that I was probably going to like it - because there's nothing I love more than Rock Star Romances! BUT - this was sooo much better than I could've ever hoped for. I was a tiny little bit skeptic about Solène being so much older than Hayes, but pfffff, once I met both of them, I didn't care about the age difference at all.
I'm 39 myself and I just jumped right into this book and became Solène for a few hours! I was right in there living this amazing adventure. All those amazingly adorable & sexy & emotional & just beautiful moments in hotel rooms in New York City, at a pool in the South of France. All the ups and downs of such a complicated new love. All those new feelings and fears.
I just loved reading this story. Poor Solène is feeling all those things you would think she is feeling... that she's way too old, that it's going to hurt her daughter, her family, her business, that she'd be ridiculed by friends and the media. But Hayes is so much more mature than that number 20 in his passport might let you think at first. He's so sweet and kind and sincere and British - let's not forget the sexiest things about him: his posh, sexy, British accent! And his young, mega-hot body!! No wonder she couldn't resist, but the longer it goes on, the harder it gets ... this wasn't supposed to last. This was supposed to only be ... lunch. ☺
We hope all through the book that there will be a happily ever after, but of course we're also not really sure if Solène and Hayes ending up together would be that HEA for everyone involved. But we sure hope so. But we know what happened with Demi & Ashton! ☺☺☺
The story has all the amazingness of a rock star romance, but we also have so much more in there. Life as a divorced mom. A business owner. A woman in the Los Angeles business world. The whole fantasy part of it: that this would never in a million years happen to us. But we can still hope that it could ... Thank you for that Robinne! (Not that I plan on seducing a boy half my age any time soon! For my tastes he could've been a bit older ;) or just make me a bit younger!)
There's sooo much in here; if this was a movie you wouldn't know where to look first! I also realllly want this to become a movie one day!!!
It's definitely a book that stays with you for a while. I was up until 3am to finish it - and now - a day later, I still get these images in my head. Scenes from the book. Hayes smiling by the pool in France. Solène and Hayes walking through whatever city they were in at the moment. The phone calls - the texts - the sexy times. ☺ *sighs* I never wanted this story to end!
Robinne managed to create an amazingly beautiful story! So perfectly written too! And it's her first!!! Jeez - I'm almost afraid to see what will come out of Ms. Lee's typewriter next!!!☺☺☺
THE IDEA OF YOU was such a beautiful & sunshiney lovestory. About finding yourself again - starting the next chapter of your life - hard decisions - beautiful places and people. Amazing book. Run to your nearest amazon for your own Hayes, because this one is MINE!!!
P.S. I will put a few thoughts into a Spoiler thingy - my thoughts about the end - Happy or not? And about a few other little things! Please don't read it if you don't want to be spoiled!
P.P.S. Yes, I have to admit that I imagined Harry Styles while reading. Only without those weird tattoos. I was never a fan of him and his boyband years, but he's definitely making up for it now with his new amazing song, so it felt totally okay for me to see Harry in Hayes! It's also totally okay for a 39-year-old blogger to fantasize!☺☺
P.P.P.S. Did you know that fictional Hayes and Solène have their own real-life twitters??? Check it out - they're posting real Hayes and Solène-y things! I LOVE IT!
HAYES' TWITTER
SOLÈNE'S TWITTER
P.P.P.P.S. I also LOVE the cover. The colors, the lipstick, the Hayes-in-the-glasses-detail. LOVE IT!
August 5, 2017
*****FIVE+++++++++ STARS*****
{Book Gifted to me by my Bestie Boo}
He leaned into me then, his mouth near my ear, his breath hot on my neck. The thought occurred that I would miss this when he moved on. When he was with someone ten years my junior, and I was somewhere invisible. I was going to miss his hands. This.
I had seen this book starting to generate a buzz on Goodreads and I have to say that my interest was piqued as I’m always in search of a good romance between an older woman and younger man. I want to say a huge THANK YOU to my Bestie Boo for gifting this book and urging me to drop everything and read it. She was right! This book was captivating! The romance was breathtaking and oh so very heartbreaking. I know this story is going to haunt me for quite some time. It felt so real! For just a little while it was wonderful to live in the world of these two beautiful characters whose love for each other was beyond magical.
Soléne Marchand is a single mother of a beautiful thirteen-year-old girl. At nearly forty, her life is pretty fulfilling and rewarding. She owns a successful art gallery with her best friend. It brings her great joy but it is one of the reasons why her marriage ended a few years back. Her husband was not supportive of her need to have a career. Her love life has been non-existent since her divorce but that's all about to change drastically when she ends up chaperoning her daughter and a few of her friends to an “August Moon” concert in Las Vegas. The girls all had backstage passes and during a meet and greet Soléne comes face to face with the extremely beautiful lead singer, Hayes Campbell. Sparks fly right from the start between them. Soléne is just a little thrown off kilter when she learns he’s twenty—nearly half her age!
The two manage to find time here and there when Hayes is able to be in Los Angeles during breaks in their world tour. Hayes and Soléne have an undeniably intense chemistry but neither of them could have anticipated that what was building between them was like nothing else they had ever experienced before. Their passion for each other was bordering on obsession and out of that came a love that was so overwhelming and ultimately they were consumed by it.
They travel to some of the most beautiful and romantic destinations across the world during August Moon’s tour and while they’re able to spend some stolen moments enjoying each other’s bodies and getting lost in their passionate affair, things are far from perfect. Soléne is constantly reminded of their age difference and having to deal with many obsessed fans, and also the horrible backlash via social media. She’s also been keeping her relationship with Haye’s a secret from her daughter because her little girl has quite the teenaged crush on Hayes.
While Soléne has been keeping in the back of her mind the knowledge that their time together will ultimately come to an end, Hayes has been falling just as hopelessly in love with her as she has been with him. He sees Soléne as his FOREVER. At times I felt that he was so much wiser than his years and then on other occasions, he was very much a young boy with a romanticized view of life.
This story was incredible and I enjoyed the hours I spent getting swept away by this captivating romance. I wished for rainbows and unicorns. I was left in tears. The author did an outstanding job with this book. I love it when a book can make me feel so intensely and I know in my heart that this is one I will read time and time again.
EXQUISITE! I will always love Hayes but I will also always admire Soléne for her extraordinary strength of character and selflessness.
I HIGHLY recommend this one!
{Book Gifted to me by my Bestie Boo}
He leaned into me then, his mouth near my ear, his breath hot on my neck. The thought occurred that I would miss this when he moved on. When he was with someone ten years my junior, and I was somewhere invisible. I was going to miss his hands. This.
I had seen this book starting to generate a buzz on Goodreads and I have to say that my interest was piqued as I’m always in search of a good romance between an older woman and younger man. I want to say a huge THANK YOU to my Bestie Boo for gifting this book and urging me to drop everything and read it. She was right! This book was captivating! The romance was breathtaking and oh so very heartbreaking. I know this story is going to haunt me for quite some time. It felt so real! For just a little while it was wonderful to live in the world of these two beautiful characters whose love for each other was beyond magical.
Soléne Marchand is a single mother of a beautiful thirteen-year-old girl. At nearly forty, her life is pretty fulfilling and rewarding. She owns a successful art gallery with her best friend. It brings her great joy but it is one of the reasons why her marriage ended a few years back. Her husband was not supportive of her need to have a career. Her love life has been non-existent since her divorce but that's all about to change drastically when she ends up chaperoning her daughter and a few of her friends to an “August Moon” concert in Las Vegas. The girls all had backstage passes and during a meet and greet Soléne comes face to face with the extremely beautiful lead singer, Hayes Campbell. Sparks fly right from the start between them. Soléne is just a little thrown off kilter when she learns he’s twenty—nearly half her age!
The two manage to find time here and there when Hayes is able to be in Los Angeles during breaks in their world tour. Hayes and Soléne have an undeniably intense chemistry but neither of them could have anticipated that what was building between them was like nothing else they had ever experienced before. Their passion for each other was bordering on obsession and out of that came a love that was so overwhelming and ultimately they were consumed by it.
They travel to some of the most beautiful and romantic destinations across the world during August Moon’s tour and while they’re able to spend some stolen moments enjoying each other’s bodies and getting lost in their passionate affair, things are far from perfect. Soléne is constantly reminded of their age difference and having to deal with many obsessed fans, and also the horrible backlash via social media. She’s also been keeping her relationship with Haye’s a secret from her daughter because her little girl has quite the teenaged crush on Hayes.
While Soléne has been keeping in the back of her mind the knowledge that their time together will ultimately come to an end, Hayes has been falling just as hopelessly in love with her as she has been with him. He sees Soléne as his FOREVER. At times I felt that he was so much wiser than his years and then on other occasions, he was very much a young boy with a romanticized view of life.
This story was incredible and I enjoyed the hours I spent getting swept away by this captivating romance. I wished for rainbows and unicorns. I was left in tears. The author did an outstanding job with this book. I love it when a book can make me feel so intensely and I know in my heart that this is one I will read time and time again.
EXQUISITE! I will always love Hayes but I will also always admire Soléne for her extraordinary strength of character and selflessness.
I HIGHLY recommend this one!
August 14, 2020
4.5 STARS
39-year-old Solène Marchand is divorced and a mother of a 13-year-old girl. She takes her daughter and her friends to Vegas to watch their favorite boy band show, "August Moon" and at a behind-the-scenes fan meeting, she meets Hayes Campbell, the 20-year-old band member. 🔥
Hayes is mature and sensitive with lots of charisma - and I loved it - it's been a while since I've read about a hero that does not fall into the "pop star" clichés. 👏
Despite the huge age gap (19 years!!!) there is no denying the chemistry between the two, but what begins as a harmless flirtation, soon becomes a secret relationship in which Solène finds herself wanted again... 😍
📚 “𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.”
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭.”
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞.”
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭.” 📚
There are lots of reasons why they should not be together - Hayes has millions of fans and his life is a public matter - what will everyone think? They come from different worlds and the age difference between them is significant, so how can they overcome the obstacles...? 😱
This is a complex and emotional love story. The fun, pain and the dramas were brilliantly presented, because when I started reading, I did not think I would be convinced that a successful 20-year-old man could fall in love with an older woman... but I totally felt it. 💝
📚 “𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞, 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥.”
“𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫. 𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.”
“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫.”
“𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥… 𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧.” 📚
And even though there were some editing problems, the writing was great and the characters were well-developed (and this is the author's first book!!! 👏). However, there were times when I felt like the writing was too formally and there were parts where the descriptions were a bit exhausting - but compared to similar books, I did not want to stop... I just had to know how the story would end. 💝
My main problem was that I couldn't imagine Hayes, because it was clear from the start who he was written about: a guy in the world's most famous British pop band, has curly hair and dimples, loves older women, share's artistic photos on his Instagram and has a problematic relationship with the rest of his band members. Hmm... sounds familiar?! (not yet? just look at my edit. lol) 😂😂😂
📚 "𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝?"
"𝐘𝐞𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐜."
𝐇𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡. "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧?"
"𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐩, 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬." 📚
Hayes may be young, but he's not a kid. He traveled the world and experienced a lot - but I liked that he was sometimes presented as just a 20-year-old guy, so we won't forget their gaps.
I liked that there are no chapters - but places that Solène visited: Las Vegas, New York, the Hampton's, Japan and more...
I liked the conflict: why in our society is it normal for a man to love a younger woman, but the opposite is not acceptable?? 😬
And... even though not everyone will agree - I really liked the ending. 💥
The book addresses important issues: our obsession with celebs, the disadvantages of fame (and not as a positive thing), double standards and different expectations from men and women... and of course, unconditional love. 💝
I'm so thirsty to talk about this book, the message behind it and its crazy ending - that I still have in my mind even MONTHS after I finished reading it!!! 😱
I'm sure a lot will raise an eyebrow, but if there's one thing we're all looking for in a book, is originality. I'm tired of reading about the same patterns and clichés - and in this book, there are none.
So while it was not perfect, I have no doubt that it's a book I will never forget. ❤😍
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August 10, 2021
In my time on the book internets, I have been recommended this book more than any other. It's an age-gap, Harry Styles inspired romance; what more could I possible ask for?????? A lot, apparently. This book was a pretty big let down. I *get* why this book is so loved by so many, but for me this ended up being pretty much the antithesis to what I had hoped it would be. Everything about this just took itself too seriously for my liking, and the relationship between Solene and Hayes honestly just felt more predatory than empowering to me and I am so bummed that I didn't love this!!!
With that being said, if anyone has any recs for other older woman/young man romances that were done better, I am very open to suggestions! I think this is a trope I could love, but this particular one just didn't do it for me
With that being said, if anyone has any recs for other older woman/young man romances that were done better, I am very open to suggestions! I think this is a trope I could love, but this particular one just didn't do it for me
March 12, 2024
2.5 stars, was generally a 2 star read for me but I give the author props for the ending.
Let me start by saying that this is not my typical book. I don't generally like romance bordering on erotica, and I'm not a fan of rock star romance, it's just not my thing. I read this because it was a choice for my book club, and I can see how it can spur a lot of discussion! It's well-written, but the plot (what there was of a plot, there's not much there) is lacking.
One of the reasons I found this book to be "just ok" was that I never bought into the relationship. I never felt like the two had any connection beyond the physical. They might have given lip service to being in love, I just never saw where they had discussions about anything important. Solene would be upset about something, they'd talk about it for maybe a minute, then back to bed. That doesn't make for a love relationship, it makes for a physical, lust relationship.
Another problem I had with it is due to my age and the age of my kids. My son is 20. I have to say that it would nauseate me beyond belief if he started dating a 40 year old. I would really wonder what was going on in the 40 year old's life that she thought it was fine to do this, especially if she had a 12/13 year old daughter. And before anyone says anything, I would feel exactly the same way if the genders were reversed.
As I mentioned above, I loved the ending. I loved that the author did what she did with it. I know people are clamoring for a sequel to make up for the ending that they feel betrayed them, but I think it's best left where it is here. It makes for a much stronger story overall. Not every book has to end the way that readers want it to, and I'm SO glad this one doesn't end in an expected, cliched way.
All throughout the book I kept thinking about Harry Styles and his relationship with the woman that was much older than he was. I'm fairly certain that's where the author got her inspiration for this book, so I couldn't help but feel like this was supposed to be about One Direction and kept picturing them as the characters. I mean, how many ways could she make Hayes like Harry? It's pretty clear this is basically fanfic.
I don't get all of the gushing love for this book. For a summer, read by the pool diversion, maybe, but there are so many better books out there.
Let me start by saying that this is not my typical book. I don't generally like romance bordering on erotica, and I'm not a fan of rock star romance, it's just not my thing. I read this because it was a choice for my book club, and I can see how it can spur a lot of discussion! It's well-written, but the plot (what there was of a plot, there's not much there) is lacking.
One of the reasons I found this book to be "just ok" was that I never bought into the relationship. I never felt like the two had any connection beyond the physical. They might have given lip service to being in love, I just never saw where they had discussions about anything important. Solene would be upset about something, they'd talk about it for maybe a minute, then back to bed. That doesn't make for a love relationship, it makes for a physical, lust relationship.
Another problem I had with it is due to my age and the age of my kids. My son is 20. I have to say that it would nauseate me beyond belief if he started dating a 40 year old. I would really wonder what was going on in the 40 year old's life that she thought it was fine to do this, especially if she had a 12/13 year old daughter. And before anyone says anything, I would feel exactly the same way if the genders were reversed.
As I mentioned above, I loved the ending. I loved that the author did what she did with it. I know people are clamoring for a sequel to make up for the ending that they feel betrayed them, but I think it's best left where it is here. It makes for a much stronger story overall. Not every book has to end the way that readers want it to, and I'm SO glad this one doesn't end in an expected, cliched way.
All throughout the book I kept thinking about Harry Styles and his relationship with the woman that was much older than he was. I'm fairly certain that's where the author got her inspiration for this book, so I couldn't help but feel like this was supposed to be about One Direction and kept picturing them as the characters. I mean, how many ways could she make Hayes like Harry? It's pretty clear this is basically fanfic.
I don't get all of the gushing love for this book. For a summer, read by the pool diversion, maybe, but there are so many better books out there.
June 15, 2018
I’m just so disappointed in this book. I loved it the whole way through and then it is ruined by a unhappy ending. If a romance novel doesn’t have a happy ending there should be a warning!!!
Read
March 8, 2024DNF at 45% !!! it started great then halfway I lost interest, unfortunately. but I'm looking forward to the adaptation cuz I'm sure it will make a great movie but as a book, it didn't work for me!
--------------------
betraying my TBR cuz I saw the adaptation's trailer last night and Anne Hathaway plays in it, I'll be watching every movie she plays in cuz it's def gonna be good and I have to read this before the movie comes out so here we go!!
PS:Anne Hathaway ages like a fine wine itsg 🥲
--------------------
betraying my TBR cuz I saw the adaptation's trailer last night and Anne Hathaway plays in it, I'll be watching every movie she plays in cuz it's def gonna be good and I have to read this before the movie comes out so here we go!!
PS:Anne Hathaway ages like a fine wine itsg 🥲
April 25, 2019
4 Swagger!! Stars
As per the blurb, this is an older woman/younger man romance, but oh my, so much more! Lust and passion! Trials and tribulations! Heartbreak and consequences! Yep, it is all in here!! Throw into the mix the H is a worldwide sensation pop star who is so darn charming, and you have quite the interesting storyline, quite an engaging read!
”What are you thinking?” He smiled that disarming smile.
”I want to know what your intentions are, Hayes Campbell.”
”What are your intentions? Did you come here to sell me art?”
”Maybe.”
”Hmm...” he said, without breaking eye contact. “Well ... I came to buy whatever you’re selling.”
In that moment, it didn’t matter how old he was or how many fans he amassed. In that moment, he had me. And I realized that in just knowing that I could have a fling was not going to be enough.
Thank you, Bozica, for recommending this book! I enjoyed and will undoubtedly have a “Hayes” hangover :)
As per the blurb, this is an older woman/younger man romance, but oh my, so much more! Lust and passion! Trials and tribulations! Heartbreak and consequences! Yep, it is all in here!! Throw into the mix the H is a worldwide sensation pop star who is so darn charming, and you have quite the interesting storyline, quite an engaging read!
”What are you thinking?” He smiled that disarming smile.
”I want to know what your intentions are, Hayes Campbell.”
”What are your intentions? Did you come here to sell me art?”
”Maybe.”
”Hmm...” he said, without breaking eye contact. “Well ... I came to buy whatever you’re selling.”
In that moment, it didn’t matter how old he was or how many fans he amassed. In that moment, he had me. And I realized that in just knowing that I could have a fling was not going to be enough.
Thank you, Bozica, for recommending this book! I enjoyed and will undoubtedly have a “Hayes” hangover :)
July 28, 2019
“The fact that we continuously equate beauty and desirability with youth. That we beat ourselves up instead of embracing the inevitable.”I really needed to read this book. The messages portrayed were incredibly validating and empowering. I am approaching middle age much too quickly for my liking while simultaneously residing in an area highly populated with university students. I do not recommend the combination. There are times when I feel completely invisible. No, I don't need to turn heads for self-worth, but I think we can all agree that as human beings it's nice to be registered. To be seen. It's been an eye-opening experience about how our world works, about double standards, about undervaluing women, and these are the messages threaded throughout Robinne Lee's debut novel.
In The Idea of You, our divorced, almost forty-year-old heroine is romantically pursued by a famous young man many years her junior. Everything's legal, don't worry, but the age difference is on everyone's mind and that is the focal point of this book. It creates internal/external situations that promote self-reflection, and when we acknowledge our own judgments we can start to change them. It teaches that women remain desirable, strong, and sexually viable as they age: there is no end date. It calls out gender-based double standards. It empowers women to block out all the patriarchal noise and build the life they want. When we change our thoughts, we change our world. This. This is what I needed.
With gorgeous settings, soul-soothing art, and a perspective I didn't expect, The Idea of You was a surprisingly sophisticated romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm almost sorry I didn't read it sooner but timing is everything, right? Check it out.
My favorite quote:
“I turned forty. And the world did not end. The firmament did not move. Gravity did not suddenly forsake me. My breasts, my ass, my eyelids were all pretty much where I’d left them the night before. As was my lover.”
July 10, 2019
5+++ STARS!!
[My FAVORITE book of the last few YEARS!!]
Honestly, the premise didn't thrill me but I wasn't opposed to it . . . Solene takes her 12 year old daughter and her friends to a meet-and-greet for their favorite boy band. The last thing she expects is to attract the attention of one of the members of the band. Hayes Campbell may be beautiful, but at 20, he’s nineteen years her junior.
OH HOLY WOW, The Idea of You was not what I was expecting. IMO, this was contemporary romance at its absolute best. Its pages were filled with an intelligence, sensuality, and intimacy that I could not get enough of.
Like every great book, the writing is the core of its beauty. The dialogue between Solene and Hayes was superb; the playfulness, the intensity, the tension . . . their differences and their love all played out within the subtlety of their words.
The juxtaposition of their ages can be seen throughout the story. It had its wonderful moments...
Under no circumstances should you enter this spoiler if you don't want to know.
"If I get hurt, I get hurt. It happens, right? Someone always gets hurt. But I don't want to miss out on us because I was afraid."Before I begin this heartfelt LOVEFEST, let me say that I get that this book is not for everyone . . . but holy cow, was it ever for me! This book made my heart sing. This book made my soul cry. This book pulled me into its depths and didn’t let me go – not even when it was over. I loved EVERY.SINGLE.WORD.
Honestly, the premise didn't thrill me but I wasn't opposed to it . . . Solene takes her 12 year old daughter and her friends to a meet-and-greet for their favorite boy band. The last thing she expects is to attract the attention of one of the members of the band. Hayes Campbell may be beautiful, but at 20, he’s nineteen years her junior.
OH HOLY WOW, The Idea of You was not what I was expecting. IMO, this was contemporary romance at its absolute best. Its pages were filled with an intelligence, sensuality, and intimacy that I could not get enough of.
Like every great book, the writing is the core of its beauty. The dialogue between Solene and Hayes was superb; the playfulness, the intensity, the tension . . . their differences and their love all played out within the subtlety of their words.
"It’s only been two weeks," I said.I also loved how the mood of the writing changed to reflect every stage of Solene and Hayes's relationship - from the sweetness of the beginning…
"For you it’s been two weeks. For me it’s been ten cities.” He reached for my hand then. Suggestive.
"Well, if that’s how you’re measuring time –"
"Ten cities . . . What, thirteen shows? Three hundred fifty thousand screaming girls . . . who were not you."
"No. I’ve never been a screaming girl."
"Well, we’ll have to change that, won’t we?"
Oh, to have captured the expression on Hayes’s face when he glanced up to find me. Joy, surprise, promise, and disbelief all rolled into a singular moment.…to the high of newfound emotion…
For a moment, he held my gaze and I felt that distinct rush. The realization that this attraction had ceased to be just physical. That somewhere I’d crossed over. That I liked him.…to the melancholy when things became more complicated…
I drew him, naked, lying on his stomach, a peaceful expression on his boyish face. His beauty was so exquisite it was unnerving. And I knew, even then, that I was capturing something unspoiled and consummate.And I SO loved that this author had so much to say about being a woman in a society that judges everything from appearances to sexuality, aging, and parenting. Like I said in the beginning, this book had some real depth to it, and I could go on and on about how much I loved that, but I won't bore you with my political views, lol. Because, truly, at its heart, this was a love story between two people who were at very different places in their lives.
The juxtaposition of their ages can be seen throughout the story. It had its wonderful moments...
That was part of the beauty of Hayes being twenty. That occasionally we saw the world completely differently, and at times it was refreshing....and its frustrating moments...
I wanted to hit him. For being so fucking stupid. For exposing us like that. But what good would it have done? It's not as if he were solely to blame.But in the end, love is still love no matter what age you are . . . which brings us to that ending:
Under no circumstances should you enter this spoiler if you don't want to know.
June 17, 2024
I am definitely licking my wounds today with this book. So heartbreakingly good!! Definitely a 5⭐️read. What I loved about this is :
Reverse age gap. This is my first older woman/younger man story.
Harry Styles (whom I love) is the muse in this boy band, and the object of Solène’s affection..although he pursued her, and at 20 years old!
This book gave me butterflies and full on feels. It was real life, and just so painfully tragic, but so beautiful. Hayes Campbell stole my heart, and made me squirm. He was the personification of sexy, and so masculine beyond his years. The way he always said “hiiii” made me melt. I didn’t want this to end, but alas—all good things must at some point.
Reverse age gap. This is my first older woman/younger man story.
Harry Styles (whom I love) is the muse in this boy band, and the object of Solène’s affection..although he pursued her, and at 20 years old!
This book gave me butterflies and full on feels. It was real life, and just so painfully tragic, but so beautiful. Hayes Campbell stole my heart, and made me squirm. He was the personification of sexy, and so masculine beyond his years. The way he always said “hiiii” made me melt. I didn’t want this to end, but alas—all good things must at some point.
December 29, 2020
this is literally a bad wattpad Harry styles fan-fiction
July 3, 2018
I'm going to have to sleep on this...
UPDATE: I slept on it. Some.
This book is pure perfection and I read it every spare second I had, and some I didn't. It's that good. Get over the age thing and go for the ride. The h's insecurities bring her down (age-wise) and the H's life experience elevates him. They meet in the middle and it works, yet there's that underlying "gap" that's always there. But the brilliance of this book is that, at its core, age isn't the issue. Celebrity is. And the question becomes, should two people who are TRULY in love, let something like that get in their way? Yes. When there's an innocent child involved.
And now for my highly spoilery rant. Rant over. Thanks for listening.
UPDATE: I slept on it. Some.
This book is pure perfection and I read it every spare second I had, and some I didn't. It's that good. Get over the age thing and go for the ride. The h's insecurities bring her down (age-wise) and the H's life experience elevates him. They meet in the middle and it works, yet there's that underlying "gap" that's always there. But the brilliance of this book is that, at its core, age isn't the issue. Celebrity is. And the question becomes, should two people who are TRULY in love, let something like that get in their way? Yes. When there's an innocent child involved.
And now for my highly spoilery rant. Rant over. Thanks for listening.
December 22, 2020
This Book! After her ex-husband changes his plans last minute, Solene Marchand agrees to take her daughter Isabelle to a concert and meet-and-greet with boy band, August Moon. What she doesn’t expect is to hit it off with lead singer, Hayes Campbell, who is 20 years old. She’s 39.
The Idea of You follows Hayes and Solene’s tumultuous relationship (or as the book blurb aptly describes it “clandestine trysts”) sneaking around across the globe while August Moon tours and Hayes fulfills endorsement obligations. Solene must balance being a mom and co-owner of an art gallery while spending time with Hayes. Once their relationship is revealed publicly, Solene has to face the impact it has on others, including Isabelle.
I got sucked into this immediately! At parts, my interest waned slightly as I felt it became repetitive — Yes, Solene is older. Yes, they can’t keep their hands off each other. Yes, other people are judging them. At the same time, I couldn’t get enough of this story.
I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending though I appreciate that The Idea of You went well-beyond a traditional romcom or stereotypical story most of us have already seen played out.
The Idea of You follows Hayes and Solene’s tumultuous relationship (or as the book blurb aptly describes it “clandestine trysts”) sneaking around across the globe while August Moon tours and Hayes fulfills endorsement obligations. Solene must balance being a mom and co-owner of an art gallery while spending time with Hayes. Once their relationship is revealed publicly, Solene has to face the impact it has on others, including Isabelle.
I got sucked into this immediately! At parts, my interest waned slightly as I felt it became repetitive — Yes, Solene is older. Yes, they can’t keep their hands off each other. Yes, other people are judging them. At the same time, I couldn’t get enough of this story.
I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending though I appreciate that The Idea of You went well-beyond a traditional romcom or stereotypical story most of us have already seen played out.
March 13, 2024
This book! I could not put it down but also never wanted it to end. I've read both the physical book & the audiobook and the audio takes it to the next level. Not only is the audio *perfection* but it's narrated but the author herself! The accents, pacing & emotion are unmatched.
One of my favorite reads of the year. 5 stars.
& we are getting a movie!!!
One of my favorite reads of the year. 5 stars.
& we are getting a movie!!!
June 26, 2024
I have thought about this book nonstop from the moment I picked it up. I read A LOT of books but it is rare that I find a book to be this compelling or provocative. I’m going to write this review as if these are real people because I have been thinking about my reactions and how I could respond with empathy if they were.
It would be easy to judge her decisions, and in some ways I do. She went in with the idea that there could be no happy ending. She expected someone to get hurt and I think that’s the part I can’t forgive. In her defense, I doubt she ever thought she would have the ability to hurt HIM. She likely thought it would be her that would be hurt if anyone. I also doubt that she thought things would ever go so far that her daughter or the people close to her would find out or need to be informed. No matter her age, women still want the same things. They want to be pursued, they want to feel wanted, they want to feel beautiful, and she found all of those things unexpectedly in him.
No matter how ill advised it may have been for them to enter into that relationship, it was clear that they found love and an authentic connection. I was struck by how genuinely lovely he was. He listened, he remembered every detail, he wanted to learn about her passions and know what brought her joy. Those are rare qualities at any age and it would be difficult for anyone to give that up. They had a lot of sex, but it felt more intimate than “just sex” from the start. They may have intended for it to be casual, but they both developed feelings relatively quickly and that came through in all of their interactions.
I happened to read The Last Song in tandem with this so of course I rewatched the movie which features a chiseled 19 year old Liam Hemsworth. I felt like the universe presented me with the perfect stand in for our Hayes whose description sounded very similar. Please go watch that first kiss scene and tell me honestly that you would be able to say no to that boy pursuing you. I’m gonna be honest and say I doubt I would be so strong. BUT, I also don’t have a thirteen year old daughter to think about so it’s hard to really put myself in her shoes. After a failed marriage and so close to forty, I imagine she would be even more affected by his attention. It’s not as if he were innocent. She was not even the first girl he dated with a significant age gap.
I found the ending to be extremely unsatisfying. *spoilers ahead* Maybe she was right and there could never be a happy ending, but the way things ended, it really felt like they could have been happy together if she had allowed it. I feel like the damage was already done when it came to her daughter. Since it’s too late to walk it back, why not just be happy?
I also don’t think it would be so awful for him to have quit the band. He was clearly unhappy and the one with the talent. What would be so wrong with him going solo and being more planted somewhere like L.A.? Maybe when it came down to it, she just couldn’t really see herself with him. If that was the case, it was very cruel to put him and her family through so much. Why give him the ultimatum to choose her if she didn’t truly want to be chosen.
As I said, I have thought about this book incessantly. Sorry if I sound unhinged. 😅 I know they aren’t real people, but they elicited a very real response. Yes, they talked about their age gap A LOT. Yes, Hayes’s character said “hiiiii” way too many times. No, the writing was not perfect, but their story was profound. This was far from the frivolous read I expected it to be and I 100% recommend reading this!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre Read: Most of my Goodreads besties have NOT enjoyed this 😬 Going in with low expectations and hoping for the best.
It would be easy to judge her decisions, and in some ways I do. She went in with the idea that there could be no happy ending. She expected someone to get hurt and I think that’s the part I can’t forgive. In her defense, I doubt she ever thought she would have the ability to hurt HIM. She likely thought it would be her that would be hurt if anyone. I also doubt that she thought things would ever go so far that her daughter or the people close to her would find out or need to be informed. No matter her age, women still want the same things. They want to be pursued, they want to feel wanted, they want to feel beautiful, and she found all of those things unexpectedly in him.
No matter how ill advised it may have been for them to enter into that relationship, it was clear that they found love and an authentic connection. I was struck by how genuinely lovely he was. He listened, he remembered every detail, he wanted to learn about her passions and know what brought her joy. Those are rare qualities at any age and it would be difficult for anyone to give that up. They had a lot of sex, but it felt more intimate than “just sex” from the start. They may have intended for it to be casual, but they both developed feelings relatively quickly and that came through in all of their interactions.
I happened to read The Last Song in tandem with this so of course I rewatched the movie which features a chiseled 19 year old Liam Hemsworth. I felt like the universe presented me with the perfect stand in for our Hayes whose description sounded very similar. Please go watch that first kiss scene and tell me honestly that you would be able to say no to that boy pursuing you. I’m gonna be honest and say I doubt I would be so strong. BUT, I also don’t have a thirteen year old daughter to think about so it’s hard to really put myself in her shoes. After a failed marriage and so close to forty, I imagine she would be even more affected by his attention. It’s not as if he were innocent. She was not even the first girl he dated with a significant age gap.
I found the ending to be extremely unsatisfying. *spoilers ahead* Maybe she was right and there could never be a happy ending, but the way things ended, it really felt like they could have been happy together if she had allowed it. I feel like the damage was already done when it came to her daughter. Since it’s too late to walk it back, why not just be happy?
I also don’t think it would be so awful for him to have quit the band. He was clearly unhappy and the one with the talent. What would be so wrong with him going solo and being more planted somewhere like L.A.? Maybe when it came down to it, she just couldn’t really see herself with him. If that was the case, it was very cruel to put him and her family through so much. Why give him the ultimatum to choose her if she didn’t truly want to be chosen.
As I said, I have thought about this book incessantly. Sorry if I sound unhinged. 😅 I know they aren’t real people, but they elicited a very real response. Yes, they talked about their age gap A LOT. Yes, Hayes’s character said “hiiiii” way too many times. No, the writing was not perfect, but their story was profound. This was far from the frivolous read I expected it to be and I 100% recommend reading this!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre Read: Most of my Goodreads besties have NOT enjoyed this 😬 Going in with low expectations and hoping for the best.
July 7, 2019
2.5 stars. A difficult book to rate. All the way through, I felt uncomfortable with the basic premise. I've enjoyed books with older woman/ younger man before, although it's not my fav trope. e.g. I really liked Nia Forrester's The Fall, but in that one the age difference wasn't so great, and the H, though younger, was a still mature man who knew himself. And there you have it - that's what my problem boils down to - the HUGE age difference. The h in this book is LITERALLY well and truly old enough to be the H's mother. She's about to turn forty (but luckily still extraordinarily beautiful....). And the H is 20! Yep - not even old enough to legally drink. Hmmmmm.
I think I would have liked this book a whole lot more if the age difference wasn't so vast. I kept bumping into it all the way through, and I kept thinking, no, that's just wrong. Ewww. No!!! I know it's part of what creates the basic tension of this book, but for me it was too much.
Hayes is gorgeous. He's in a hugely successful British boy band, and is hot, sexy, clever and arty. And he is attracted to older women. Mommy issues maybe? This is kinda hinted at but never really explored.
Solene is divorced and has a 13-year-old daughter who happens to have a crush on Hayes. Oh yeah, it's gonna get messy. Thinking about it, Solene was one of my problems with this book too. Because she did not have much personal strength, a quality that I admire. Having just reread Mariana Zapata's Kulti which has one of the best h's in Sal Cassilis, who is full of inner strength and integrity, Solene in contrast seemed weak and self-indulgent. She was the mature one in this relationship, but she didn't step back when she should have. It was going to blow up in everyone's faces. She knew that all along, but did nothing to stop the train wreck that was coming. And the feeble excuses she kept making as to why it wasn't the right time to tell her daughter about the relationship. Weak.
The writer did a decent job of moving the story along, although I did get a bit sick of the sex scenes (Weird, IKR?). Yeah, Hayes is 20 and has a high sex drive, but some of the semi-public scenes etc. Really guys? You couldn't wait, even though you'd been together for months? Hmmmmm. And he's 'ready for action' again after 3 minutes? *cue eyeroll* And he gave Solene eight orgasms one night? *cue eyeroll* And promised her nine the next night? Riiigghhhtttt. As a reader, I don't need that kind of crap. I was convinced he was sexy. No need to go OTT.
By about 2/3 of the way through it was starting to drag a little, and yes, I did do a bit of skimming. But the ending was a reasonable one for the story, although it did feel a bit rushed.
But I'm afraid I just couldn't get over that age difference. It didn't work for me. Inconsistent of me maybe, as I would possibly find an older man/ younger woman easier to accept? But with this age difference? It would have to be a pretty great writer to make it not seem creepy.
I just kept wishing Solene wasn't quite that much older than Hayes. Yeah, she was supposed to be so beautiful, but Hayes needed someone a good ten (or more) years younger. I understand his character's frustration with the young models and groupies he had previously hooked up with. He was too mature for their obsessions with Instagram etc. But Solene could have been his mom...... just no.
So, if you can deal with the age difference (which plainly I couldn't), it's not a bad book. Not brilliant, but reasonable. And yeah, Hayes is a super hottie, so there is that. And there have been lots of rave reviews. But it just wasn't for me.
I think I would have liked this book a whole lot more if the age difference wasn't so vast. I kept bumping into it all the way through, and I kept thinking, no, that's just wrong. Ewww. No!!! I know it's part of what creates the basic tension of this book, but for me it was too much.
Hayes is gorgeous. He's in a hugely successful British boy band, and is hot, sexy, clever and arty. And he is attracted to older women. Mommy issues maybe? This is kinda hinted at but never really explored.
Solene is divorced and has a 13-year-old daughter who happens to have a crush on Hayes. Oh yeah, it's gonna get messy. Thinking about it, Solene was one of my problems with this book too. Because she did not have much personal strength, a quality that I admire. Having just reread Mariana Zapata's Kulti which has one of the best h's in Sal Cassilis, who is full of inner strength and integrity, Solene in contrast seemed weak and self-indulgent. She was the mature one in this relationship, but she didn't step back when she should have. It was going to blow up in everyone's faces. She knew that all along, but did nothing to stop the train wreck that was coming. And the feeble excuses she kept making as to why it wasn't the right time to tell her daughter about the relationship. Weak.
The writer did a decent job of moving the story along, although I did get a bit sick of the sex scenes (Weird, IKR?). Yeah, Hayes is 20 and has a high sex drive, but some of the semi-public scenes etc. Really guys? You couldn't wait, even though you'd been together for months? Hmmmmm. And he's 'ready for action' again after 3 minutes? *cue eyeroll* And he gave Solene eight orgasms one night? *cue eyeroll* And promised her nine the next night? Riiigghhhtttt. As a reader, I don't need that kind of crap. I was convinced he was sexy. No need to go OTT.
By about 2/3 of the way through it was starting to drag a little, and yes, I did do a bit of skimming. But the ending was a reasonable one for the story, although it did feel a bit rushed.
But I'm afraid I just couldn't get over that age difference. It didn't work for me. Inconsistent of me maybe, as I would possibly find an older man/ younger woman easier to accept? But with this age difference? It would have to be a pretty great writer to make it not seem creepy.
I just kept wishing Solene wasn't quite that much older than Hayes. Yeah, she was supposed to be so beautiful, but Hayes needed someone a good ten (or more) years younger. I understand his character's frustration with the young models and groupies he had previously hooked up with. He was too mature for their obsessions with Instagram etc. But Solene could have been his mom...... just no.
So, if you can deal with the age difference (which plainly I couldn't), it's not a bad book. Not brilliant, but reasonable. And yeah, Hayes is a super hottie, so there is that. And there have been lots of rave reviews. But it just wasn't for me.
June 13, 2017
NOW LIVE! *Paperback currently cheaper than Kindle*
Amazon Kindle * Amazon Paperback
I honestly don't know what it was about this blurb that had me so interested, but I'm really happy that I read this book. I'm usually never eager to pick up a book with an older heroine but something about this called to me and I couldn't stay away.
I loved the emotions that this book brought out in me. A woman nearing her 40's and a Rockstar half her age? You can only imagine the skeptics that were there and ready to criticize them. But I loved how they handled it and the strength that they showed with their relationship.
I really liked reading about both of these characters, no matter their ages, and I'm glad I didn't let the age-gap stop me from picking this one up. My 3 Star rating comes from the ending and I just wasn't satisfied with it so it made my rating go down some. I wish I could have rated it higher since I liked these characters so much, but the overall happy feeling of the book lessened at the end.
Bottom line, this is an emotional and intriguing story that I would not hesitate to recommend.
Amazon Kindle * Amazon Paperback
I honestly don't know what it was about this blurb that had me so interested, but I'm really happy that I read this book. I'm usually never eager to pick up a book with an older heroine but something about this called to me and I couldn't stay away.
I loved the emotions that this book brought out in me. A woman nearing her 40's and a Rockstar half her age? You can only imagine the skeptics that were there and ready to criticize them. But I loved how they handled it and the strength that they showed with their relationship.
I really liked reading about both of these characters, no matter their ages, and I'm glad I didn't let the age-gap stop me from picking this one up. My 3 Star rating comes from the ending and I just wasn't satisfied with it so it made my rating go down some. I wish I could have rated it higher since I liked these characters so much, but the overall happy feeling of the book lessened at the end.
Bottom line, this is an emotional and intriguing story that I would not hesitate to recommend.
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