The Idea of You: A Novel
Okay WOW. My heart is literally POUNDING right now, and I swear and I pray that this is not the end of this incredible, intense, seemingly impossible (but SO AMAZINGLY POSSIBLE!!!!) love story. OH. EM. GEE. This captured me and the more it went, that harder I was hooked.
I’ll admit, the minute I heard older woman/rock star, I was excited!! The ultimate fantasy come to life. But then I realized “boy band” and not ever having been into the whole boy-band thing, I shied away. I didn’t think I could relate. But boy-band lover or not, DO NOT let that stop you from immersing yourself in this one.
It will take you away, in every way. And not always in the best of ways, but could we expect anything else in such a public, demanding, fantasy-life? With all odds against them? This is THAT journey and OMG what a journey it was. Is? I won’t say much more on that front. Love it or hate it, it will make you FEEL.
Oh, the insistence that I read this and the recommendations were frequent and adamant, and I couldn’t resist any longer.
Marion: Anyone in a book funk please read The Idea of You by Robinne
Lee. It’s guaranteed to re – awaken all your emotions . Feels for days! …I’ll keep shouting it from the rooftops, anyone in a book funk read “The Idea of You”….leave all judgement at the door and just enjoy the ride lol!!!!
Northernstar: Just finished The Idea of You and I have no words….ugh! I want more!! The writing was fantastic and the banter between Sol and Hayes was so funny. This is definitely a 5 star books and in my top of 2017. I know I’ll be thinking about this book for days to come.
Susan: The Idea of You!!! I wish I could experience it for the first time all over again!! I told you!! You won’t be able to put it down. The idea of a boy band book did not appeal to me but I am so glad I did not allow that to deter me from reading it. That ending. Ugh!!! I want more so bad.
Everyone has to write reviews for this book when they read it and get the word out. The author said that she had a sequel in mind but it’s up to her publisher as to whether or not it gets done depending on how well the first book does. I’m still thinking about this book!!! …Forbidden romance. Older woman, younger man/boy. This is the author’s debut novel and she hit it out of the ball park. You have to read it. You will not be disappointed. I want a second book.
Traci: I read the Idea of you a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely loved it! Definitely a 5 star read. I loved Hayes. He’s my new book boyfriend. I want to read it over again. I rarely do that. I hope there are more books about the main characters and the other guys from this author. Enjoy!
steph: I’m STILL thinking about it which is a rarity in my world. I loved EVERYTHING about this book. The story, the characters, the romance, the art, the language, the ending. Everything.
R.: …I swear it’s like book crack. …Really well done and addictive! I couldn’t put it down…unless you count the times I threw it down, and by “down” I mean into my wall where there’s now a slight dent. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So what’s it about?
Solene is a 40-year old divorcee, raising a 13 year old teen (Isabelle). She’s from an affluent upbringing and living a very solid, charmed life despite the divorce, and even on semi-good terms with her ex. Even though he left her for a younger woman, and there is still that hurt and betrayal lingering…
It grated on me. That no one would question him moving on. Him marrying and impregnating someone more than ten years his junior.
Because that’s what divorced men in their forties did. His stock was still rising. His power still intact.
Daniel had become more desirable, and I somehow less so. As if time were paced differently for each of us.
Even though, occasionally, his self-centered needs thrust her into the duty of leaving her own personal/business life aside to accompany her daughter to events he planned.
Which is how she met “Hayes”. Having to accompany her daughter and friends to the biggest boy-band concert of the year (WITH backstage passes for the meet and greet) was more of an annoyance, but she stood resolutely, doing her best to temper her reaction to all of the ear-piercing squeeeees and trills of the excited girls, and rolling her eyes at the “boy band” antics.
That is until one of the most popular members set his sights on her.
She was somewhat disarmed at first, humored but not about to let herself be deluded or taken by his subtle innuendoes,
There was something about him in that moment. His ease. His accent. His cocksure smile. Disarming.
…but when he made contact a few days later with her at work, she realized she was dealing with a whole other level of interest. Hayes was into her.
And Hayes was only 20.
Grabbing a bite. With a twenty-year-old. From a boy band. Under what circumstance might that ever be construed as acceptable?
And now the story begins. Can you imagine?? Yes. You can.
“This is insane. You realize that, right?”
“Only if someone gets hurt.”
“Someone always gets hurt, Hayes.”
And this one takes you there. Through ALL of the various incredible and incredulous moments that can happen when you’re dating one of the most famous members of a HUGELY famous boy-band.
“Can I give you some advice? Ignore it. It’s going to get worse. It’s going to get really bad.”
I turned to him. “What do you mean? How bad is it going to get?”
“It’s going to get bad.”
Pasts. Rumors. Paparazzi. Gossip blogs. Groupies. Rabid vicious fans. Jealousy from ALL angles.
“…don’t let the rock star rubbish get to you,” he said, lying down again. “Because it’s not real, it’s crap. It’s like this idea and it’s not who I am and … I’m always going to be real with you, okay?”
And then of course, throw in the age difference. And the fact that her daughter has NO clue what her own mother is up to (dating the very band member that she loves the most).
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*Okay it’s not really a detailed spoiler, but a reaction that can lead you to some perceptions, and I’d rather you go in as blind as you can… so skip this part if you like the whole shebang to come at you as a surprise!*
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PLEASE. PLEEEEEEEASE!!!!!!!! MORE. MORE!!!! What an acute and profound ending, and how fast and furious it came. Abrupt. Crushed me.
Lindsay: just finished The Idea of You and it is fantastic. I just got the chills after reading that last sentence. Very well done.
YES. Lindsay!!! It is one of THOSE!!!!! Those last lines that just ties the book together and makes it that much more incredible and intense!!!!!!
D.G. The Idea of You…loved it until I hated it! Never had a book put me in a bad mood while on vacation at that! …I am still harboring ill will toward this book. Geez!!!
Jan: DG I’m with you. I struggled with The Idea of You too. I know many have loved it, but it’s not for everyone.
Susan: …Not sure I am happy with the way it ended because I want more!!!
Claudia: Guys you must read The idea of you by Robinne Lee! Just finished it and couldn’t stop, had to read it straight through! Crossing fingers there is a part 2!
Northernstar: I’m still thinking about “The Idea of You” by Robinne Lee. One of her tweets stated that she was “thinking about a sequel”. What’s to think about?! Just do it – LOL
It shut me down, but the way it happened is so fitting. Perhaps the eternal optimist in me is … expectant. 😉
I could not stomach the weight of that just yet. The idea that with us there could be no happy ending.
4.5 stars!!! This is EXACTLY the kind of whirlwind romance I want to indulge and lose myself in. So incredibly overwhelming, and yet I can’t get enough!
So glad you finally read it and liked it Maryse. Solene and Hayes’s story is one that has stayed with me almost one year after reading it. Brilliant writing by Robinne Lee.
YASS
God I loved this book so much. The writing for me was just stellar. Five plus stars for me.
I found the writing and flow excellent, too!!!
I absolutely loved and devoured this book but had such a lump in my throat they way it ended!!! I still feel unsettled. We HAVE to have a sequel. It was such a moving, beautifully written story,
Ok Maryse, I just finished this book. I honestly don’t know what to think. At first I was icked out by the 20 yr. old boy bander thing, because I have a 20 yr. old son. Then as I was reading along, I’m like this could work. This guy really loves her and she loves him. It’s so genuine and real. GAH!
Then real life gets in the way with her daughter. I was actually cursing that kid for getting in the way of her Mom finally finding love. Then, I was like that could be your kid, how would you feel?! I just have to throw my hands up and shake my head.
The ending came so fast and abrupt. I kept tapping my iPad until it was at the end-end and still kept tapping! That couldn’t be it! But it was! WHAH!!
This author better be writing a sequel to this. I’m in bad shape here. This can’t be the end. This relationship cannot be left like this. I think I’m crying as much as Hayes did. Okay….I’m slinking off to bed now…sadly.
I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU Robyn. We need a sequel. This is one that I’d easily devour for relief (or more angst if need be). 😉
*snort*
YAYYYY! I LOVE THIS BOOK!! So glad you read it!!! I hope that there is a book 2!!!
Me too Christine!!!! That last quarter had my heart in my throat, and tears brimming the entire time. LOVED!!!!
Omg!!!! I literally just finished this and I’m soooo angry, I feel like I invested hours and that’s how it ended.., ugh!!
I loved this story I thought it was great. Do we think she made the right decision?!! IDK!!! I would love for a sequel, but I still reeling from this. *gasp*
Lauren… the sequel will heal. I just KNOW it. And I feel it, down deep inside, that the sequel is in the works. The author needs healing too. 😉
Lauren- I feel exactly the same way! It makes me angry to invest so much time and emotion into a book and then get to that ending. What the!
I agree Maryse, that second book will heal our broken, ravaged hearts. We need to petition this author for a second book or I might have to write it myself! And we don’t want that, I’m not a writer that’s for sure.
Absolutely loved this book. Was in such a funk and devoured it. The writing is fantastic… I’m all meh again now…
LOVED IT!!!
I love this book, love Hayes and Solene, is the sequel coming out???
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!! Can anyone suggest another book of this caliber to read next? I need the book high to continue. Let me know…Thanks!
Yes Jen, Arianne Richmond wrote a 5 book series: The pearl Series that is very similar to “The Idea of you”. Happy ending though! Happy reading
I need there to be a part 2. Hayes and Sol CANNOT end like this…It ruined my 14 hour flight! Come on Robinne…give us more………..
I purchased “The Idea of You” when it was first released for publication, but just began reading it during the pandemic. Could not put the book down, it was interesting, intriguing, absorbing and enticing. I developed so many feelings throughout this book, that when it ended I was like a crazed woman….No no no this can’t be the end! I got right on the internet looking for the publication date for the sequel. I found nothing…unbelievable!! I’m starting a campaign for the sequel! Robinne PLEASE?
Melinda, I believe there will be one!! 😀
Maryse, you have made my day! Now the waiting….I hope not waiting and waiting…& WAITING! But, I will WAIT! Robinne Lee is an excellent writer, and the voicing in the Audible version exceeds excellence. Thank, you, than you.
If I’m still waiting for “Freed”, I guess I can wait for “The Idea of You” sequel
Please this story should be a sequel cause I can’t have it ending this way
Omg this book! Somehow I missed this a couple of years ago and just read it last week! I was hooked. Read it all in one sitting. Loved, loved, loved it….until the end. This book should’ve come with a warning on that ending! I need a sequel!