THE IDEA OF YOU
by ROBINNE LEEWhen Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of a prestigious art gallery in Los Angeles, takes her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band, she does so reluctantly and at her ex-husband’s request. The last thing she 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 relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s disparate worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways. And for Solène, it is as much a reclaiming of self, as it is a rediscovery of happiness and love. When their 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 new status has impacted not only her life, but the lives of those closest to her.
"The way he touched me: unhurried, focused, exact. He knew precisely what he was doing."
I finished The Idea of You and I’m not sure I ever walked away from such an amazing book.....with a painfully broken heart. How do you rate a book that left you heartbroken? How do you rate a book that put you in a tailspin, but you wouldn't change anything about the story, no matter how heartbreaking it was? Truthfully, it was five brilliantly told stars.
"But I don't want to miss out on us because I was afraid."
I loved that Lee provided this bubble that we got to hide in while Solène and Hayes were together. They were in their own little world, and the love was unguarded and alive. You could feel it and sense it and I loved that I felt that power of their attraction. But, the reality of the situation was always there, providing some painful and emotional turmoil within their real worlds. The harsh reality behind the perplexity of not only their love, but their relationship as well, was an eye opening look into fame and how it can and does affect others.
It’s no secret how it ends, and I’ll admit having that ruined for me by some folks really sucked - no lie. So, I went in for the journey of an undeniable love and a story that I was sure to feel. I am so glad I took that journey with Hayes and Solène. The retrospect. The memories. The whirlwind. The love. It was beautiful and painful. Unknown, but pure. If I disregard every love story that doesn’t have that perfectly buttoned up ending, I would probably miss out on some amazing journeys through love. I don’t know how it would have hit me not knowing the ending, but I know how it hit me knowing - and it was intense. My eyes were misty and my heart was truly broken.
This book will not be for everyone. I've definitely heard the pros and cons and the anger and the love from both sides - and once again, it's a very lively conversation that I willingly have over and over. I don’t fault anyone for needing a HEA and I never would. We all read differently, but knowing how it affected me, even knowing somewhat how it ended, it didn’t take away from the story for me. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I honestly wish I could reread it for the first time and NOT know how it ended. To experience the full affect and hit....
This review is entirely subjective, based on the content and the outcome and what it did for me. Having said that, my personal feelings on it can and will differ from many others. The true definition of a romance book is clear; that a HEA/HFN is required. This was a love story. This was a journey and I loved the entire thing. The whole darn thing.
Seeing the video trailer that was originally posted on YouTube punctuates the pain. It reinforced the strength in Lee's words and how she brought the book to life. I've posted it below so you can see it. I almost had tears watching it and remembering the despair and the agony I so legitimately felt. But I also smiled seeing how well she told this story and how well it translated onto the screen. I am very excited to see this book made into a movie!
And in all actuality, I think the ending was the perfect statement and quite fitting. It punctuated the heartbreak I very much still feel. I still feel that pain, the longing and the desire for a happier ending. I still feel the sadness of their story and the anguish I felt after I closed the book. But, I loved the book and cannot recommend it enough. This was a love story....not necessarily a romance.
"I'd been so intoxicated. By his smell and his taste and his touch."
~BEE
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~MEET ROBINNE LEE~
ROBINNE 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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I want to read this! <3
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