The Idea of You Paperback – April 30, 2024

THIS IS NOT A GENRE ROMANCE. I'm not going to spoiler tag this, but if you read romance, you go in with certain expectations, and I want you to understand, this does not fit the bill.However, it is an outstanding, exceptional women's fiction with a love story. Guilty-pleasure level indulgent to read, but with impeccably planned, layered writing.At first, I thought this book was just a very, very good version of the Cinderella trope--an extraordinary guy falls for an ordinary girl. The author deeply understands the emotional draw of that story type, and chooses unique, very effective moments to play that tale out. More than once I exclaimed to friends, "This is an author who UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT."But the deeper I got in, the more I realized it was more than QUAKINGLY steamy sexual tension and that flip-flopped stomach feeling of being The One He Chose when the "he" in question is larger than life on a billboard, so beloved that tens of thousands of people will SCREAM just upon sight of him.The first step the author took to elevate a great trope-driven premise was to make the heroine older than him, but instead of being dumpy or insecure, she's a gorgeous, French art gallery owner (seriously, if you think it's easy to be a female art gallery owner in your 30s you've clearly never tried). She doesn't fawn all over the hero and instead verbally spars instead of flirts, which makes for some very fun, very cutting flirting. She's unexpected, and she's not an easy sell. I'd love to see more heroines in genre romance with her kind of centered self-confidence.From there, the author uses the age gap to truly explore what it means to be a middle aged woman in American culture. She shines a light on how differently we all take it when it's a younger MAN instead of a younger woman. She uses Hayes to talk about what it's like to be incredibly rich and incredibly beloved for your art, but to get no respect for it because you're "just a boy band." Juxtaposed with the art Solene sells, which is much less successful and well known, but much more respected, it's a very interesting commentary on the way we as a society value, monetize, and consume different types of art.Having Solene trying to be a good mother to a daughter who idolizes the hero was also an interesting dynamic, and gave us a peek at how sometimes what you are enjoying for yourself isn't what you'd want for your daughter, and in that scenario, which idea is truly RIGHT.This was a thought-provoking read, with KILLER romantic and sexual tension. I appreciate that the author didn't have to state the conflict or manufacture anything. The situation itself seethed with tension. But most of all, more than anything, this was an INDULGENT, ESCAPIST, SEXY, ROMANTIC read. I kept sneaking back to get another page, and then another. It's one of those books you never want to be over because the experience of reading it is so lovely. I wish I had a hundred more just like it, to leap into when I just need a break from all the mundane "have to's" of adult life.Unfortunately, the end was memorable, but deeply dissatisfying, and it took it from a "I will re-read this a thousand times" to a "I really enjoyed this but I will not read it again."

I Love the sex and swear words. Big fan of spice. This is low key for my usual interests. But still, some may be surprised. Thought I would mention that as there are a lot of pearl clutching reviewers upset by this. It isn't overly detailed (read some K.F. Breene for that!), but it may be a lot if you otherwise read about virginsex scenes and the like.I love the premise. I hate that it is ok for some guy to wed and/or bed a woman 10, 20+ years younger but it is absolutely scandalous if a women does. So it was refreshing to see this attraction unfold. And it wasnt that big of a deal. The big deal was a super famous hot guy being involved, period. The struggle was more about her insecurities and cant get over the fact that she is older (for shame).I normally dont rehash a book in my reviews. I dont want to take away from the mystery of discovery, so I just provide a general impression, or point out anything ultra glaring or ultra wonderful. I think the writer did a good job with descriptions. There are a lot of name and brand drops, but it didn't stand out as an agenda. We have a famous guy in a famous band and a woman that works in tightly in the art world. Seemed par for the course. It's an overall lovely story. (semi spoiler ahead. Stop reading now)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------But WTF regarding the ending.. I know it was hinted at from the beginning, but did it HAVE to go that way? It was slightly unraveling, but it was rather quick. And sad. And it made me cry a little and feel like crap. They both hurt forever more because of this. There just wasn't enough of an impetus for it to end in my esteem. I want to see it as a sacrifice or ultimate love, but I am old enough to know that you have to grab onto something if you want it, not let others dictate your ultimate decision. Life is short, love is finicky, and having the ability to love someone and someone love you? WTF let that just... go. She decided for them. I know there is or will be a movie, but I dont know if I want to watch it now. :(