The Idea of You: A Novel

I loved everything about this book. It's sexy, adventurous, comical, swoon worthy and even heartbreaking. I'm not sure if the ending was perfect or if I want more of Solene and Hayes... But that's the beauty of being a great storyteller.... Keeping the reader engaged even when it's over.

This book is intoxicating! Beautifully written, I could not put it down! I have to admit that I stayed up all night and read it the first night & then went out and bought a hard copy so I could snuggle with it and re-read it. This is a story to get lost in, but more importantly her WRITING - a lost art these days.

Wow!! What a story. Thank you Totally Booked who raved about this book in a post & then gave a fabulous review. & rightly so. Talk about "feels" in a book. I loved everything, the art, the culture, the beautiful main characters, their banter, their humour & their love. This would be one of my favourite books this year & I'll be recommending it.
Loved this book 5 huge stars

I love books like this. Well written and very emotional. Plus the story was great. I just need more. The ending there has to be more.
For me I will not read a ebook that is more than 4.99 and that is very unusual too. So for 9.99 this was a first. I think it was all the recommendations I had seen on other groups I follow. May be too when someone mentioned Arsen by Mia Asher was the final straw too I had to read it. So I recommend too.

Not only is "The Idea of You" a beautifully written novel, but the characters are achingly complex and real. I grew to care about them in a way that I haven't cared about characters in other novels in a long, long time. I didn't want to leave them when I finished reading. In fact, I wanted to read this book again and I will. Over and over. A gorgeous novel by a highly talented writer. I highly recommend "The Idea of You."

I read this book on my recent vacation in Mazatlán and it was the perfect beach read. It moved right along and I loved the characters. Robinne did a very good job for her first novel and I hope she writes more. I liked the love story and how she took us inside the world of Hayes’ band and Solene’s “real”life. Very sexy but not vulgar. Enjoy

Loved this amazing book. I could not put it down. The writing is fantastic. The author really brought these characters to life. The relationship between Solene and Hayes is genuine and passionate. The banter and chemistry between them is what really brings this book to life. So many emotions I experienced while reading their story. I need more of Solene and Hayes!!! Please let there be another book.

Smart, funny, emotional, honest, and sexy story. No guilt in reading this romance story. It sheds light on the downs of celebrity life and the hypocrisy of dating with an age gap for an older woman. This is a must read this summer. I would not be surprised if this gets picked up for a movie. Ms. Lee you need to start working on a sequel... just saying!

Robinne Lee's debut novel is not only an entertaining summer read, but it's rich with substantive themes and unforgettable characters. The book is easy to devour because you can't put it down (don't be surprised if you glance up and your clock reads 3AM). On the flip side of that same coin, you also never want it to end as you get pulled into the experience of Solène and Hayes. After finishing the book days ago, I'm left thinking about the characters, the outcome, and the possibilities. I look forward to whatever Lee delivers next.

An amazing debut!!! I could not put this book down for a second. Such a beautiful story. Ms. Lee, your prose is exquisite. PLEASE write a sequel so that I can not only enjoy your words, but also bask in more of Solene and Hayes!!!

Loved this book!! It hooks you in from the beginning and takes you on a ride!! I only wish the author did an epilogue. I want to know if these characters ended up friends? Were happy in relationships?

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was well written with good character development, especially given the descriptive sexual content. I loved delving into the lives of the two main characters, Solene and Hayes Campbell, as they felt real, relatable. There's a wonderful plot full of love and passion that is also thought-provoking - - addressing women aging, age disparity, cultural acceptance of men versus women, and more. I appreciated the ending! I liked how it left you wanting more, using your own imagination to what the future holds for these two.

This came to me a s recommended read. After reading the blurb I knew I was in. The book was so heartbreakingly beautiful and real. There really isn’t much I can say without giving anything away other than I loved everything about it. Definite recommend

The gorgeously written novel's ending is only a reinforcement of the concept that a middle aged mother and professional can only be happy or adored for a short period of time. God forbid she be allowed to be cared for or worshipped until that time when she has to sacrifice or be unselfish in order to be a "good person." The real risk would have been for Solene to truly believe she deserved her happy ending.

I was really surmised how this novel gripped me. I honestly could not put it down. I found myself wanting to skip to the end to find out how the story ended. Hayes is my new book babe. I hope Robin continues writing. This book was beyond excellent!

Seductive, absorbing, compelling and satisfying on multiple levels, THE IDEA OF YOU is compulsively readable and emotionally engaging. Come for the beach read fun... Just know you'll stay for the magnetic humanity of the characters and a love story that stays with you long after you finish the last page.

Never ever would I have thought that a forty year old could fall in love with a twenty year old, BUT this 40 year old did that... fell in love with both Hayes and Solene! The Idea of You: A Novel has me yearning for more of these two characters!

This book is amazing story is beautiful, funny, sexy and moving. It's not what expected you will enjoy to your hearts content. I was sad to see it end. Thought it was cool writer is in Fifty Shades of Grey (Darker). Enjoyment for those who read.

Love this book! It read like a real life drama. I never wanted it to end. I do feel like I want more, I appreciate the ending but of course I wanted more. This author's writing just drags you in. I need more ! Please do a follow up

I loved every single moment of reading this book. I can't stop thinking about it and I want more... The writing was beautiful and heartbreaking. I am so happy I read it and so sad at how it all unfolded. But, it was totally worth the heartbreak.

I picked up this book on the recommendation of my cousin. I was expecting a fun, frivolous romp, a quick beach read. Although it was fun, it was hardly frivolous. There were so many nuances to the book. The one I related to most was the ageism, and Ms Lee's description of the invisibility of women of a certain age hit home. I devoured the book and re-read many passages. Long after I finished the book, I found myself wondering "what if?" I can totally imagine this book as a steamy movie with a gorgeous sound track!

Absolutely loved this book. I found it romantic, thoughtful and just enough raunchiness. It had me hooked from the first page, I couldn’t put it down but I also did not want it to end! Keeping my fingers crossed there is a sequel, I need more Solene and Hayes!

Please, please tell me there is more. There has to be more. My heart can’t feel this much for it to just disappear like that. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much while reading a book. Every emotion felt as if I was the one feeling it, not the characters. The ending...... please don’t be the ending.

I agree with other reviewers — what happened at the end of this book? Did the author get bored and give up? Am I missing pages? I’m baffled! Terrific story and I really liked the book. But the ending was so disappointing.

'The Idea of You' is a beautifully written, intoxicating read that I found hard to put down. The story is sensual and sexy without being cheesy. You connect and fall in love with the characters while appreciating the dilemmas they face. I was sad that the book had to end. I'd buy a sequel!

Robinne Lee is one of my new favorite authors! This book kept me interested and motivated to keep reading from the first word. It is not your usual run of the mill romance book. It is so much more! Do yourself a favor and buy it and read it today. You will thank me! :)

Many late nights reading...unable to put this one down. Who hasn't ever dreamed about a rock star/boy band singer falling in love with you? This book is that dream come true nicely packaged with a bow on top. I fell in love with Hayes from the start. Excellent debut book and I can't wait to read more by Robinne Lee.

I adore myself some older woman/younger man romances. Devour them, recommend them, and write them.

The one aspect that comes to mind when I think of The Idea Of You is French cinema.  The author takes her time just like a film of the genre – a slow and gradual build from the moment Solène and Hayes meet backstage at the latter’s Vegas concert.  From there, Lee takes the couple on a whirlwind romance that spans the globe.  You feel the pressure as love overcomes them both during the August Moon (Hayes’ group) tour. It’s almost too delicious: a young, virile man experiencing fame and falling in love with a sophisticated woman who knows better.

Lee never lets the readers forget that, no matter how whimsical and sensual the affair becomes, Solène knows better. She, at 39, understands what this is.  She knows that loving a man as inexperienced and aloof as the charming Hayes will be challenging. One of the parts of the novel that made me give Solène a side eye was when she had the pleasure of meeting three different women who had once known her pop star boyfriend biblically – all in a span of 24 hours!

But ’tis the life of a world-famous boybander, Solène comes to find out – and find out, she does. Lee does a superb job of exposing the reader to the underbelly of fandom: the online threats, Solène’s teenage daughter’s humiliation, disturbing fan mail sent to her home (!). The narrative steps into a dark place and it makes you fear not only for the future of the couple’s relationship, but the safety of our heroine.

With an ending that gives you a bittersweet warmth of love, passion, and pain, The Idea Of You is more than a sexy tale of celebrity romance.  It’s a sexual revolution’s retrospective, a look at how women of a certain age are treated and how their sensuality is viewed.  I left this novel thinking about my own characters and their May/December romance. It made me think about how difficult it is to live in what’s perceived as the easy, breezy life of a twentysomething pop star.

What’s more, it made me long for another passionate read. Robinne Lee delivers something so decadent in this novel. It calls out ageist stereotypes and breaks down taboo. It’s sensual, hilarious, and painful – just like (not-so) young love.

What a fantastic summer read! I read it on vacation and my family couldn't get me to look up from my book. The characters are believable and smart. The story is sexy and fun. Congrats on a successful debut Robinne Lee. Looking forward to your next one.

Great book, couldn't put it down. Read through this book quicker than anything else I've read before. Disappointed with the ending but I guess I was just hoping for something happier to go along with the vibe of the rest of the book.

Awesome book! Without any spoiler alerts - Intelligent mind candy that is begging for a Book II. Protagonist has a lot of depth and fights an internal/external emotional battle that reader can feel. Author is a true genius! MUST READ!!!