achay91's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol and Stalking
Minor: Drug use and Suicide attempt
booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing
Minor: Stalking
maddisonjane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic friendship
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“The Idea of You” did me in. I knew from the moment I discovered who the book was inspired by (iykyk), that I would have a total book hangover from it. For this reason, I think I put off reading it for awhile. Allowed myself some time to come to terms with… the idea of it.
The idea being that the FMC, a divorced mother of a tween, gets completely swept up in a globetrotting, all-consuming romance with the 20-year-old lead singer of the hottest boyband in the world. The very same one that her daughter is infatuated with.
Even if this wasn’t about Harry Styles—I mean, Hayes Campbell—I would have devoured it. Lee’s writing is so hypnotic, emotional, sexy, candid, witty, zealous. It felt like reading very well-written gossip, a fever dream, how the pages oozed with fame and lust and heartbreak and fantasy. The characters and their thoughts melting into your skin.
Time ceased to exist while reading this, and yet also caught up with me far too soon as I began to reach the end. Why must stories like these end? It’s really quite rude, but I guess I’ll live to read another day, somehow.
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking, Sexism, Grief, Bullying, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Blood, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
thebookenddiner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Genre: Romance
Trope: Celebrity/Age Gap
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 6.13.2017
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
“And then, one day, they stopped.
Long, long before I had stopped loving him.”
A friend recently told me that I HAD to read The Idea of You because it was so salaciously steamy and gave her all the Harry Styles feels. I wouldn’t consider myself a fan of HS, I may listen to his music, but I’ve never been invested in him or his life. However, after finishing The Idea of You and then watching Don’t Worry Darling - I mayyyyy see what all the fuss is about and have developed a slight crush on him.
The steam factor was exceptional, and to be honest, everyone could use a Hayes Campbell book boyfriend. As I listened to the audio, there was one point when I could feel the heat creeping up my neck because it was just so good. There is one particular scene that I keep replaying in my head because, y’all, Robinne Lee can write a 🌶️ scene.
But, besides the steam, this book was full of adventure, fun, and a look at what it can be like to be a world-renowned celebrity. But, oh my gosh, did this book break my heart. It happened slowly and then all at once. While I fully understand the ‘why,’ I disagree with it. If you’ve read the book and know what I’m talking about, message me your opinion.
🎤 One Direction/Harry Styles vibes
🤩 New book boyfriend obsession
🎧 Audiobook is narrated by the author (and her French is beautiful)
✈️ World travels
🥵 Did I mention the steam?
I recommend reading The Idea of You (and especially the audiobook) if you like age-gap romances and the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Oh, and if you like Harry Styles, this might be just the book for you 😉
______
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Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
laurataylor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Cursing, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Stalking, and Alcohol
soobooksalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content
quasinaut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Solène's and Hayes' lives didn't feel real to me. I couldn't identify with their choices, their interactions, their constant international travel, their lack of conflict beyond the will-they-won't-they of a romance with a wide age and fame gap. I struggled to get invested, so for me, this story didn't work.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Suicide attempt, and Adult/minor relationship
harperhoney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Idea of You tells the story of Solène and Hayes, from meeting at a pop concert and through their romance. Life, fans, and family come in between the two as they fly around the world on their trysts.
I found myself being torn with this story. I'm not against older/younger relationships, but this one was just a bit too 50 shades when it came to the intimate scenes. I also found I started thinking Solène struggled between being the 40yo mum character and acting around Hayes age, which frustrated me.
But just as abruptly as the romance started, the the ending was just that.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Stalking