The Idea of You

By Lucy Clarke

Genre

Contemporary Fiction - Adult Romance

Book Summary

A tantalizing exploration of forbidden love and self-discovery. The novel follows Solène Marchand, a 39-year-old art gallery owner, who unexpectedly falls into a whirlwind romance with Hayes Campbell, a 20-year-old member of the world’s biggest boy band. Their relationship, filled with passion and complications, challenges societal norms and forces Solène to confront her own desires and the judgments of others. As they navigate fame, age differences, and personal sacrifices, the story delves deep into the complexities of love that transcends boundaries. This novel sparks discussions on age, love, and the cost of following one’s heart.

Love, she said, was not always perfect, and not exactly how you expected it to be. But when it descended upon you, there was no controlling it.

Book Club Questions

1. How does Solène’s relationship with Hayes challenge societal expectations about age and love? Do you think she made the right choice in pursuing the relationship?

2. In what ways does Solène’s identity as a mother conflict with her desires as a woman? How does she navigate these dual roles?

3. How does fame and public scrutiny impact Solène and Hayes's relationship? Could their love have survived outside of the spotlight?

4. The novel explores the idea of loving the person versus the idea of them. How do you think this theme plays out in Solène’s feelings for Hayes?

5. What does the novel suggest about the sacrifices we make for love? Do you think Solène’s sacrifices were worth the relationship she had with Hayes?

And then one day, they stopped. Long, long before I had stopped loving him.

I think aging is hard for everyone.” Amara swiped a red bliss potato with crème fraîche and caviar off a passing tray. “But it’s definitely harder for women. And I think even more so for beautiful women. Because if so much of your identity and your value is tied up in your looks and how the world responds to your physical appearance, what do you do when that changes? How do you see yourself then? Who do you become?

My Opinion

I absolutely loved The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. The intensity of the love scenes captivated me, and the slow-burn pace of Solène and Hayes’s long-distance flirting was thrilling. Their passion when they finally reunited was electric. Initially, I felt conflicted about their age difference, but as the story progressed, my judgment faded because their love felt so genuine. However, I was frustrated that Solène couldn’t fully embrace their relationship due to her obsession with others' opinions. She seemed to be hiding rather than standing up for herself, which ultimately eroded her confidence. The ending devastated me—Solène giving up on Hayes felt like a loss, especially because I wanted their love to continue, perhaps because I, too, long for such intense romance. The sex scenes, intimate dialogue, and flirting completely pulled me into their world, making the story incredibly empowering and emotionally engaging.

On a different note, I didn’t like the movie adaptation at all. It didn’t capture the depth and intensity of Solène and Hayes’s relationship that the book did so brilliantly. After watching the movie first, I was excited to read the book, and it surpassed my expectations with its rich, sexually appealing narrative that the film just didn’t deliver.

She loved maps. It was the combination of precise organization married to the promise of adventure.

Themes Found in The Idea of You

• Forbidden Love:

  • Solène and Hayes’s relationship defies societal norms due to their significant age difference.

  • The secrecy surrounding their romance adds tension and excitement but also leads to inner turmoil for Solène.

• Age and Identity:

  • Solène struggles with being nearly 20 years older than Hayes and what that means for her identity.

  • Hayes challenges Solène to see beyond age, urging her to embrace their connection despite societal judgment.

• Societal Expectations:

  • Solène feels constant pressure to conform to what others expect of her as a mother and woman.

  • The media’s scrutiny of their relationship exemplifies the harsh judgment of public opinion.

• Power and Vulnerability:

  • Solène’s status as an older, successful woman gives her a sense of power, but her relationship with Hayes exposes her vulnerabilities.

  • Hayes, though younger, holds emotional power over Solène, complicating their dynamic.

• Love vs. Lust:

  • The intense physical attraction between Solène and Hayes blurs the lines between love and lust.

  • Their deep emotional connection grows beyond just physical attraction, complicating Solène’s feelings.

• Motherhood:

  • Solène constantly balances her role as a mother with her desires as a woman, creating internal conflict.

  • Her relationship with Hayes impacts her relationship with her daughter, Isabelle, leading to guilt and self-reflection.

• Self-Discovery:

  • Solène’s relationship with Hayes forces her to confront her true desires and question her life choices.

  • Through Hayes, Solène explores parts of herself she had suppressed, leading to significant personal growth.

• Sacrifice:

  • Solène sacrifices her love for Hayes to protect her daughter and herself from public scrutiny.

  • Hayes also sacrifices by respecting Solène’s decision, despite his deep feelings for her.

These themes invite readers to think deeply about love, identity, and the complexities of balancing societal expectations with personal desires.

'I’m saying it because I love you.' He was quite, weighing the moment. And then he smiled, wide. 'What took you so long?' I laughed. 'I was just making sure it was you, and not the idea of you.'

1. Love vs. Societal Expectations

   • Solène struggles with others' judgments regarding her relationship with Hayes.

   • Solène hides their romance, fearing public scrutiny, ultimately affecting her confidence.

2. Age and Power Dynamics

   • The significant age gap between Solène and Hayes creates tension, initially unsettling Solène.

   • Over time, love transcends age, but the dynamic remains complicated.

3. Fame and Privacy

   • Hayes’s fame intrudes on their relationship, causing Solène to hide.

   • Media scrutiny intensifies the pressure on Solène to conform to societal norms.

4. Self-Discovery

   • Solène rediscovers her desires and needs through her relationship.

   • She struggles to reconcile her identity as a mother with her romantic desires.

5. Fear of Judgment

   • Solène constantly battles the fear of others’ opinions, weakening her resolve.

   • Her desire to hide impacts her relationship with Hayes.

6. Vulnerability

   • Solène opens up emotionally and physically, but fears being too vulnerable.

   • Her vulnerability leads to conflict between love and protecting herself.

7. Sacrifice

   • Solène sacrifices her relationship for the sake of protecting her daughter and image.

   • The relationship crumbles under the weight of her sacrifices.

8. Passion and Desire

   • Their relationship is fueled by intense physical attraction.

   • The passion provides Solène with a new sense of freedom, yet complicates her life.

Each theme offers a deep reflection on love, desire, and personal identity in the context of society's expectations.

I’m really happy when I’m with you. I get the feeling you feel the same way. And if that’s true, I don’t think you should give a fuck about what people may or may not think of our age difference. Furthermore, if our ages were reversed, no one would bat an eyelash. Am I right? So now it’s just some sexist, patriarchal crap, and you don’t strike me as the kind of woman who’s going to let that dictate her happiness. All right? Next issue…