The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

 

Summary (from the publisher): Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of an art gallery in Los Angeles, is reluctant to take her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band. But since her divorce, she’s more eager than ever to be close to Isabelle. The last thing Solène 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 and genuine relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways in Paris and Miami. For Solène, it is a reclaiming of self, as well as a rediscovery of happiness and love. When Solène and Hayes’ 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 romantic life has impacted the lives of those she cares about most.

Review: Solene Marchand is a 39-year-old owner of an art gallery in Los Angeles. She is annoyed that her ex-husband has foisted the responsibility of taking her daughter and her friends to hear her favorite boy band, August Moon. The last thing she imagines is that she might make a connection with one of the members of the band. Hayes Campbell is handsome and clever - and all of 20 years old. But the attraction is undeniable and when Hayes beings pursuing her, Solene cannot resist. What begins as a passionate fling slowly develops into something more. But Hayes' international fame creates complications for not only Solene but everyone in her life that threaten the couple and their happiness. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's rare to find a romance that is as compelling, well written, and has such a realistic (if disappointing) ending. The dialogue between Solene and Hayes was well done and the chemistry between them felt very real and palpable. I also thought Lee did a great job of portraying the difficulties that his fame brought to their relationship and the dark side to being famous. Hayes and Solene are stalked and harassed and have no privacy.
If anything, the most difficult element of this book to believe was that Hayes could be so wonderful. He is handsome, talented, thoughtful, accomplished, and always considerate in all ways towards Solene. It's hard to believe that a young twenty-year-old, dazed by the glare of international fame and fortune, would be so charming and perfect but he was so wonderful that I sincerely wanted to believe. 

One of the better romance novels I have read. Between the fame and the age gap, they were an unlikely couple, but I was rooting for them the whole time anyway. I can't stop thinking about this one. 

Stars: 4