Review: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
The Idea of You was a book I never thought I’d read. And…I do kind of wish I hadn’t read it (oops). It was just not the book for me but I totally understand why people love it. And that’s the great thing about books—there is a book for every reader and a reader for every book.
I had so many people recommend this book to me so I picked it up when it was buy 1 get 1 50% off at Barnes & Noble. While it has some promising moments in the middle, I just didn’t find it as romantic as others. It fell flat and ultimately, completely unbelievable.
Did I mention this book is Harry Styles fanfiction?
Synopsis: “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 I Liked:
The Characters: I liked Hayes and Solene as characters, but I didn’t like their relationship. I also was entertained by the other boys in the band.
The Travel: Solene joins Hayes in some magical parts of the world from New York City to London to the South of France.
What Didn’t Work:
The Romance—Look, I love to see an older woman with a younger man. I love seeing those gender norms challenged. But I really felt this relationship was more problematic and showcased some unhealthy habits between Hayes and Solene.
The Writing—While I love fanfiction, this started to get a bit exhausting to read. I did continue it and finish it, but the last hundred pages felt very unnecessary and just kinda dragged out.
TW/CW: Divorce, mention of suicide, stalker, threats against a woman
Character Authenticity: 2.5/5 Steam Rating: 3/5 Overall Rating: 3/5