thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
I would like to personally thank Robinne Lee for ruining my life by writing a story so intensely close to my fangirl daydreams that I fear I will never, ever recover.
“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.
“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.
Content Warnings
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
emotional
fast-paced
- 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
The Idea of You 🎤
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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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 😉
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow my blog: https://thebookenddiner.com/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
wellreadmegs's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book from the beginning. Some books you start reading and you know it's going to wreck you and this was that one for me. It was everything I'd hoped it would be: steamy, sexy, and a page-turner.
Following Solene around the world on her rendezvous with her 20-year-old boyfriend is the perfect summer read. Knowing this book is based on Harry Styles leaves me the perfect person to picture while reading this book.
I loved Solene. I loved Hayes. I loved the glamour and the secrecy. It was smart and sexy. I cannot imagine this ever happening to an everyday person but it was sure as hell fun to read about.
This book wrecked me in all the best ways. If you do one thing this year - read this book.
Following Solene around the world on her rendezvous with her 20-year-old boyfriend is the perfect summer read. Knowing this book is based on Harry Styles leaves me the perfect person to picture while reading this book.
I loved Solene. I loved Hayes. I loved the glamour and the secrecy. It was smart and sexy. I cannot imagine this ever happening to an everyday person but it was sure as hell fun to read about.
This book wrecked me in all the best ways. If you do one thing this year - read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
quasinaut's review
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
My reaction to this book is so mixed. I kept expecting more to happen. We follow the characters from city to city, but the activities at each location felt repetitive to me -- usually a fancy restaurant or store, an incident involving Hayes' fame, and sexy times.
Pet peeve: I felt like the author too often relied on dropping luxe brand names, artists, or designers instead of actually describing an object or setting. For example, saying "the Finn Juhl coffee table and Herman Miller Tuxedo sofa in the living room, the Arne Vodder table and Hans Wegner credenza in the dining area" means nothing to me because I don't care about midcentury designs by name. Instead of allowing me to picture the scene, I'm more likely to be taken out of the story and distracted by the characters' (unacknowledged) privilege.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Suicide attempt, and Adult/minor relationship
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