Originally published: 8 July 2021

Author: Robinne Lee

Published by: Michael Joseph

Genre: Romance

Length: 448 pages

Listening Dates: 23-28 June 2021

EVERYONE IN THE WORLD KNOWS HIS NAME.

BUT IT’S YOU HE WANTS.

At thirty-nine, Solène Marchand is a devoted mother, a dedicated colleague and a considerate ex-wife.

But it’s a long time since she’s felt like herself.

So when someone comes along who seems to see her – to want her – for who she really is, the attraction is instant. And so begins a jet-setting, earth-shattering secret love affair.

But what if that someone is world-famous sex symbol Hayes Campbell? Captivating frontman of boy band of the moment August Moon – whose face is everywhere. Including Solène’s teenage daughter’s bedroom wall.

Can Solène allow herself to fall for the boy the whole world wants?

OR WILL SHE HAVE TO MAKE A DEVASTATING CHOICE..?

In The Idea of You we meet Solène Marchand, divorced mother of 12 year old Isabelle, who successfully runs her own art gallery. One night she chaperones her daughter and a couple of friends to Vegas, to see widely popular good looking British pop group, August Moon in concert. Included in the trip is a meet and greet with the band and the lead singer Hayes chats to Solène and invites her and the girls back to a private party after the show.

The attraction is instant – 20 year old Hayes immediately makes a play for Solène and although Solène is immensly flattered, she assumes it is just a bit of fun for him – after all she is a 39 year old mother and he is a 20 year old British pop star. But he invites her to dinner and she accepts and from there an intense love affair begins.

I loved this book! Featuring luxury backdrops from all over the world including The Caribbean, Tokyo and Miami as Hayes and Solène snatch out whatever time they can together in their hectic schedules, it is glamorous and intensely romantic. Hayes is the ultimate man – sexy and charming and I might of fancied him a bit! But what I especially loved is Solène, a woman approaching her 40s being noticed. It was brilliant to see an older woman enjoying sex and being adored by a younger man.

Of course, a romance between an international pop star and any woman isn’t easy so to begin with it is a secret between them but eventually the press start getting pictures of them together and before long Solène’s world changes beyond recognition. Her daughter is mortified that her mum is dating her teenage crush, her ex husband thinks she is making a fool of herself and her friends and parents are worried for her. The amount of online abuse targeted at her is horrifying.

An exciting, sexy and deeply romantic book, I think I fell a little in love with Hayes myself. And that ending! I was utterly addicted to The Idea of You and hope it will be huge!

Thank you to Jen for sending me a proof copy of the book along with some amazing goodies!

About the author:

Robinne Lee is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and producer. A graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School, Robinne was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. As the daughter of Jamaican parents of African, Chinese, and British descent, Robinne has long had an affinity for travel and the arts. Her past endeavours include working as an Editorial Assistant for ELLE Magazine, both in New York and Paris, writing celebrity profiles for the now defunct youth culture magazine, TELL, and running a music management company.
Robinne has numerous acting credits in both television and film, most notably opposite Will Smith in both Hitch and Seven Pounds, Don Cheadle in Hotel for Dogs, and Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30. Robinne played Christian Grey’s trusted COO, Ros Bailey, in the Fifty Shades franchise. She currently can be seen in the award-winning psychological thriller, Rattlesnakes, now streaming on Hulu.
Robinne’s debut novel, The Idea of You, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2017, and has garnered somewhat of a cult following. The book was optioned by Welle Entertainment’s Cathy Schulman (Crash) and is currently in development. Robinne, along with her husband, Eric Hayes, and Gabrielle Union are attached as producers. Robinne also served as narrator for the audiobook.
An inactive member of the New York Bar, Robinne has served as a producer on various independent films and regularly speaks on panels regarding the roles of women and actors of colour in the industry. She is an avid runner, a mediocre ballet dancer, and a huge fan of cheese.
Robinne currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinnelee
Website: https://www.robinnelee.com/