When 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 Idea of You is my first 5 STAR read of 2018 and a definite #TopFave of this year!

I have not stayed up all night to read a book in one day in a long time… and this debut book was just WOW! I have to be honest and say that I didn’t even realize that this was the author’s debut novel as after reading I went straight to Goodreads to look up more of her books and found that The Idea of You was her first—and for a first novel, I was very impressed!

I love taboo books and an older woman/mother dating her daughter’s beloved pop star crush was just right up my alley. You know when it should be wrong… because the age difference in this book was big—but how could it be wrong, when for me, everything about them felt so damn right!

The Idea of You is sexy and sinful yet fun and completely romantic. It was nothing that I expected it to be.

At 20 years old, Hayes is wise for his years…he is relentless in his pursuit but not only that… his maturity, his knowing what he wants, his passion, his swagger, and ultimately his love and his heart stole my heart big time.

“I’m a person. First and foremost. And I have feelings. And I know this career comes with a lot of baggage, but don’t write me off just because I’m in a fucking band. It’s what I do, it’s not who I am. It doesn’t—what is it you say?—it doesn’t define me.”

Solene is a good mother and at 39 years old and divorced, it’s her turn to find love and to not be alone. She is a good person, friend, and businesswoman. She is fiercely strong, and independent and everything she does are for those around her. Who could really blame her for going for it all when Hayes’ attention was all on her and it just felt so real…because it really was real and true… in my eyes, it was EVERYTHING <3

Watching their life together unfold was simply magical. I was addicted to them, their every interaction and every word. I just could not stop reading. This book was just so damn sexy.

Of course there were moments of poor torture—coming upon the age of 40 myself, I understood Solene’s life—the insecurities, the difference in their age, watching how social media wrecked havoc on Solene’s life and how their love was made to be so ugly in the public eye was so painful to watch.

The ending crushed me… I had tears in my eyes from all the pain and agony. I guess I had hoped it would end a different way though Solene did the right thing—always the selfless thing… it still broke my heart nonetheless. As I closed the book, I realized how I wasn’t ready to let go… I fell in complete and utter love with these characters.

Robinne Lee wrote a well written book that romance readers will simply love. Beyond that she wrote a book showcasing how double standards and biases still exist and this book will really make readers think. I am in complete awe that this is a debut novel… I can not say enough good things about this book.

So I borrowed this book from the library because this was a new-to-me author and I wasn’t sure that I would like the book. It ended up being the complete opposite. I already bought my own copy because this is a must read re-read. I want to read it again to see the things that I may have missed and because quite honestly, I want more time with them.

Though this is January and very early on in the year, I feel like this will be a top read of 2018 for me… simply put—this book was just WOW! Unforgettable! SO FREAKIN ADDICTING!!! SO GOOD that I am not sure how I can even move on… TOTAL FREAKIN’ BOOK HANGOVER!!!!

I look forward to reading more from this author <3

I have to tell you that the best part of this book is recommending it to others… who then end up being completely enamored and tortured as I felt… hehehe

Text message with my friend:

Amy: Damn you. This is your fault

Me: hahahaha I’m SO happy #SorryNotSorry I can feel your pain I swear. I’m here holding your hand.

Amy: This book  I haven’t read a book this good in a long time

Me: just you wait

Amy: You’re killing me. I already know I’m gonna cry. I don’t want it to end. I blame you. I hate love hate this book. Christine this is gonna kill me

Me: It is…but in a good way…it will restore your faith in good books, authors who write good stories…faith in love and the good guy  Strong women who work and are independent who can do the whole role reversal thing and be proud of it!

Amy: Yes! I think that’s why I love this book so much. Such a great story.

Both: le sigh….

^^There was much more to this crazy messaging back and forth lol but I am sparing you from all the crying LOL. Once you have read it, let me know and I will add you to the support group! Oh and there is a playlist which you can find HERE!