Karen's Reviews > The Idea of You

“Maybe it was the idea of you.”

I wanted to read this book because I had just watched the movie of the same name. Would the movie follow the book? And, which one would I like better?

If you have seen the movie, currently playing on Amazon Prime, then you know how gorgeous and youthful Ann Hathaway looks in her role as Solene, the 40-year-old, owner of an art gallery. Then there is Hayes, the 24-year-old boy band member who is fawned over by teen and tween girl fans. In the movie, he is played by an adorable English actor named, Nicholas Galitzine who is mostly known for lead roles in teen films, “High Strung” and “Handsome Devil.” The chemistry between the two actors was off the charts. Which made the movie so watchable! I have included a movie trailer link below.

The book storyline begins with how Solene ends up meeting Hayes. Readers learn quickly that Solene’s ex-husband, couldn’t follow through on his promise to take their daughter to Las Vegas, along with her two friends, to see the boy band, August Moon. Hayes is a member of August Moon. In the movie, the setting was Coachella. And, how Solene and Hayes met was different in the book than the movie. And for those who watched the movie, which meet-cute scene did you prefer – the movie or the book? Eventually, a relationship ensues, which gets social media attention, which creates its own drama.

Speaking of which, both the movie and book did a relatively good job of showcasing just how hateful social media comments can get. Especially the attack on Solene as an older woman with a younger man.

So, considering the story, readers will come to wonder, how will Solene navigate a relationship with a man half her age? After all, they don’t say anything when a man does it, but a woman – why is it considered different?

And, how was Solene’s daughter Isabelle going to handle her mother being in this relationship with not only a younger man, but her own heartthrob crush when she was in middle school?

As a side note, Isabelle’s father while married to Solene, cheated on her with a younger woman. Which adds to the questions, is it more acceptable amongst society for an older man to be in a relationship with a younger woman? And, if so, why the difference in perceptions?

Both the movie and book were compelling, thought-provoking, spicy, and emotional. Both also involved exploring love, relationships and self. But how the story unfolds and how the watcher or reader relates to how the story is told, can make a difference in how we experience it. Not that this wouldn’t be a good read. But is reading this book the best way to experience “the idea of you,” even if the book came first?

To be honest, if readers haven’t seen the movie yet, read the book first. I know I am not rating it very highly, but I could be an outlier because I quite honestly, liked the movie better. Perhaps the book might be more appealing, if readers don’t have the movie to compare it to when considering how they feel. Specially, when one finds themselves in the midst of reading the book, only to be comparing it to the movie. And, especially when it comes to the ending. Both bring tears, but for different reasons.

3.5 stars rounded down for the book.
5 stars for the movie! Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8i6P...