Overview
Robinne Lee’s debut novel, The Idea of You (2017), follows the passionate connection of the female heroine, Solène Marchand, and a younger guy, Hays Campbell. Lee’s novel, dubbed a “sleeper success,” soared in sales and popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to rise in sales year after year after its publication, thanks to a strong online presence. The Idea of You, rumored to be inspired by Harry Styles, has a strong fan base. A film adaption featuring Anne Hathaway as protagonist Solène Marchand began development in 2022.
The film is scheduled for release in 2023. The Idea of You explores contemporary themes such as female identity, celebrity and privacy, sexual power, changing attitudes after the #MeToo movement, and age-gap partnerships. The work is structured into chapters set in various—mostly glamorous—locations around the world, exploring the aspirational aspects of modern stardom while also revealing its darker side. Themes include Reality Versus Fantasy, Society’s Disregard for Aging Women, and Celebrity Complexities.The novel “The Idea of You” is within the romance fiction category. This genre uses comedy and melancholy to convey an emotive human story.Solène speaks in the first person in “The Idea of You.”Robinne Lee’s debut novel, The Idea of You (2017), follows the passionate connection of the female heroine, Solène Marchand, with a younger guy, Hayes Campbell.
Lee’s novel, dubbed a “sleeper success,” soared in sales and popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to rise in sales year after year after its publication, thanks to a strong online presence. The Idea of You, rumored to be inspired by former boy band member and current solo singer Harry Styles, has a dedicated fan base. A film adaption featuring Anne Hathaway as protagonist Solène Marchand began development in 2022. The film is scheduled for release in 2023. The Idea of You explores contemporary problems such as female roles and identity, celebrity and privacy, sexual power and shifting attitudes following the #MeToo movement, and age-gap partnerships.
The work is structured into chapters set in various—mostly glamorous—locations around the world, exploring the aspirational aspects of modern stardom while also revealing its darker side. These elements combine to form the themes of Reality Versus Fantasy, Society’s Disregard for Aging Women, and The Complexities of Celebrity. The Idea of You falls under the category of romance fiction. This genre is distinguished by the combination of comedy and melancholy in telling an emotive human story. The idea of You is told in the first person by Solène.
Summary of Chapters 1-5
Robinne Lee’s portrayal of Solène’s relationship with Hayes delves into the intersections of women and motherhood, introducing the central issue of The Complexities of Celebrity. The tale begins with Solène’s visit to Las Vegas for the August Moon performance. On the trip to Las Vegas, Solène regretfully observes her daughter Isabelle and her companions, noticing their potential but lack of responsibility. These insights are likely in contrast to Solène’s current situation, as a middle-aged divorced mother with few new adventures on the horizon. Solène’s relationship with Isabelle will go through ups and downs as the two navigate Isabelle’s journey to maturity and Solène’s persistent determination to maintain her independence.
Lee foreshadows Solène’s internal battle between her autonomous personality and her motherhood toward the end of the piece, when Isabelle first menstruates, symbolizing her first steps into womanhood, while Solène is preoccupied with Hayes. Solène reluctantly accepts new experiences with Hayes, but she misses out on an important period in her daughter’s development. Solène’s separation between her self-identity and her mother-identity is exacerbated when she admits to feeling different from other caregivers she meets. During the meet-and-greet, she felt overdressed in Alaïa sandals and out of place. She felt pulled together and polished, but yet stood out. Solène attributed her inability to blend in with the other mothers to her French heritage. Hayes notices this difference and begins their passionate romance.
When the performance begins, Solène is captivated to the music and reflects on the influence of “the rush, the hormones, the heat from the stage,” which leads her to consider letting go and indulging “in the madness”. Solène, on the other hand, stops herself when she realizes “how indelicate that would seem, how unbecoming”. Lee utilizes music to represent Solène’s powerful emotions and her thoughts about appropriateness: Hayes’ music is a symbol of Hayes himself. She restrains herself from the intense emotions produced by the event and her newfound relationship with Hayes. As Hayes and Solène make plans to see each other, Solène tries to keep her feelings under control and convinces herself that their relationship is merely sexual—and thus functional and manageable. Despite her efforts to restrain herself and conform, Solène exhibits a strong desire to live an independent life free of societal expectations of motherhood and women.
Lee tackles society’s disregard for aging women by investigating Solène’s claim to be a full individual rather than simply achieving her social obligations. On their first journey to New York, Solène tells Hayes, “I don’t want to be put in a box.” I want to accomplish activities that will feed me. I aspire to surround myself with art, interesting people, engaging experiences, and beauty. I want to surprise myself . She refers to the box as representing society’s constraints on women. While society expects middle-aged women to conform to a notion of womanhood that excludes desire and freedom, Solène yearns for an unpredictable and fascinating life. In pursuit of this life, Solène eventually permits herself to consider a connection with Hayes. Their first sexual encounter in New York teaches Solène about the power of sex in helping her embrace her latent impulses and the part of herself that she hides in order to be validated. As she approaches orgasm, she thinks on the fact “that I had denied myself that for so long”. Hayes describes Solène as an unfolding flower, a representation of her vulnerability. As the narrative develops, Solène gradually discloses more of her true nature as she becomes closer to Hayes.
Despite her concerns about their significant age difference, Solène pursues a connection with Hayes and gains a better understanding of herself. Lee argues that women—not only young women—have the right to pleasure, and that it is a path to female happiness, self-expression, and self-knowledge. Lee also reclaims sexual pleasure for both older and younger women, for their own benefit rather than female objectification. While Solène tries to tell herself that her relationship with Hayes is only physical, she struggles with her growing feelings for him.
Aside from their natural physical chemistry, Solène and Hayes share their upbringings, deepest fears, and goals. While Hayes remains steadfast in their new connection, Solène tries to reconcile her growing affections for Hayes with the realities of their age difference and Hayes’ enormous star profile. Hayes’s intense commitment to their romance and willingness to partner are critical to the reader’s comprehension of the people and relationship, particularly the possible power dynamics of the age gap. Solène experiences internal conflict throughout the narrative as she struggles to reconcile her feelings for Hayes with the impact her relationship has on her life as a mother and businesswoman.
By the end of this segment, Solène is still struggling with their relationship’s unclear status and her worries about Hayes’ sexual history. At this juncture, Lee is expressing Solène’s sense of struggle between reality and fantasy, in which the demands of her everyday existence appear incongruous with her relationship with Hayes. Solène watches Hayes and the other August Moon band members’ great influence on their listeners during the event. She also witnesses firsthand the invasive aspect of Hayes’ fanaticism, which deprives him of the capacity to lead a private life. On their first night together, Hayes makes repeated references to the risks of stardom. When Solène has a “postorgasmic freak-out,” it’s as if Hayes’ uneasiness is transferred to her. This foreshadows the latter plot, in which Solène’s privacy will be compromised as a result of her relationship with Hayes. Solène discusses Hayes and the other band members’ celebrity concern at “not knowing whom to trust, and worried that at any time something could be used against them”. To start a relationship with Hayes, Solène quickly realizes that “so long as he was in August Moon, Hayes was someone I would share with the world”. Lee explores the complexities of celebrity through the connection between Solène and Hayes. She reveals the hazards that celebrities face as a result of their recognition, as well as the impact that fame may have on their relationships.
Summary of Chapters 6-10
In this segment, Solène and Hayes’ connection develops. Solène is hesitant to tell Isabelle about their connection for fear of hurting her feelings, as Isabelle has always exhibited a fascination with Hayes and August Moon. Solène is also dealing with increased insecurity over Hayes’ previous relationships and probable present sexual partners. In this portion, she meets two of Hayes’ former lovers, which causes her anxiety to spike, prompting her to seek to quit their relationship. Solène discovers Hayes’ attraction to older women as their relationship progresses. The fact that Solène and others think this is an investigation of how Society’s Disregard for Aging Women can become internalized and mirrored in women’s views toward themselves and one another.
When Isabelle learns about the relationship, she expresses her dissatisfaction with Hayes’ preference for Solène over herself, reflecting the conflict that often exists between mothers and daughters as daughters strive to develop their own identities separate from their mothers’ shadows. Lee is also delving into the concept of “sisterhood”—the idea that loyalty requires women to choose one another over their relationships with males. This is another societal strain that Solène must deal with. Isabelle, who is not yet a woman, reaches the age of 13 during the novel and begins a period of transition. Solène, unable to freely discuss her feelings about womanhood with Isabelle, struggles to negotiate Isabelle’s volatile emotions while honoring her close bond with Hayes.
Isabelle’s reactions show that she is maturing into a sexual being, personifying both the female teenage fan love and the perils that underage females face as they manage their affections in the adult world: Isabelle is closer in age to Hayes than Solène, yet any relationship between them would be completely improper. The implied dangers in this connection are compounded with Solène’s concerns about Hayes’ sexual past and likely lack of monogamy. Solène continues to suppress her increasing feelings for Hayes in order to protect herself from being wounded.
In this method, Lee creates conflict and plot momentum between Hayes and Solène by having Hayes openly profess his love for Solène and take steps to define their relationship in accordance with the romance novel genre pattern. Despite her reservations, Solène pursues a connection with Hayes and confronts her tendency to suppress her genuine sentiments. This section expands on the concept of Reality versus Fantasy. When Hayes touches her stomach during her house tour, Solène reacts furiously to Hayes’ remarks about her pregnancy. Despite her misgivings about her abilities to satisfy Hayes’ wish for a family, Solène accepts Hayes’ love. As Solène and Hayes’ connection develops stronger, outside factors threaten to derail their progress, a typical theme in the romance genre: reality intrudes on the lovers’ secret world. Secrets, and the humiliation that comes with them, become particularly significant to the story. Oliver, Hayes’ bandmate and childhood best friend, begins to behave suspiciously with Solène, attempting physical contact and making inappropriate sexual comments about her, which she conceals. This secret matches Hayes’ past relationship with Oliver’s sister. Secrets heighten the tension and suspense in a setting centered on the major secret of Solène and Hayes’ relationship, which, even when known by friends and family, must be kept hidden from the public.
This section emphasizes art as a means of expressing love. Hayes gives her a portrait from her gallery as a symbol of his support for her artistic passion and, by extension, her profession. The photograph displays a sensuous image of a naked woman labeled “Unclose Me,” a reference by Lee to Hayes’ description of Solène as a slowly opening flower. Lee casts Hayes as a contrast to Solène’s ex-husband Daniel, whose lack of support for Solène’s career and enthusiasm for painting resulted in their divorce. Solène enables Hayes to have sex without a condom for the first time after receiving the photos, demonstrating complete trust.
This step reflects Solène and Hayes’ growing trust, as well as the significance of his support for her. Hayes’ support for Solène’s artistic pursuits continues as their relationship develops. He buys art for himself and learns about it on his own before engaging in conversation with her and her friends. Despite Solène’s repeated attempts to push him away, he remains patient and openly confesses his commitment to her. Hayes’ unwavering devotion to her fosters Solène’s self-awareness. After a fight about one of Hayes’ old girlfriends, Solène admits she tried to push Hayes away due to her anxieties, saying, “I knew I was wrong. My method of coping. To keep myself from succumbing to the inevitable. In some ways, I had done the same for Daniel” (237). Solène’s character journey begins with her relationship with Hayes, and she begins to see the patterns in her relationships that allow her to insulate herself from vulnerability but eventually ruin her ties. Lee explores the complexity of women not just through her portrayal of Solène and Isabelle’s relationship, but also through her discussion of art.
She casts Solène as the protagonist, portraying her as an art specialist with a strong desire to increase chances for women, particularly women of color. She contrasts Solène with Hayes, who struggles to define himself as an artist due to the highly commercialized character of August Moon’s pop music. Lee investigates the meaning of art and comments on society’s expectations of women through her description of it and Solène’s connection with it. In this section, Solène meets Anya, an artist whose exhibition looks at “how women of a certain age cease to be seen.” “How society sweeps them under the rug, ignores them, and discards them once they’ve passed their prime” (222). Solène resonates with Anya’s message and reflects on her increasing age and loss of social status. Solène’s fears about her future as an unvalued elderly lady drive her to cherish every minute with Hayes and their passionate love affair while also considering the boundaries of their relationship.
Summary of Chapters 11-17
In this segment, Solène finally admits her feelings for Hayes. Solène no longer holds back, allowing herself to feel and express her tremendous love for Hayes. Solène is buoyed by Hayes’ support for her artistic drive and their natural connection, so she overlooks her reservations about Hayes’ obsessive devotees and society censure. This scene in Aspen represents a watershed event in the story. Solène commits to their connection and considers a serious future with Hayes. However, when they come home from Aspen, they are instantly harassed by admirers at the airport, reminding the reader that their future is uncertain.
This section in the story exemplifies Lee’s subversion of standard love fiction conventions: narrative twists that play on the reader’s expectations and hopes are common in modern romantic novels. The scene in Aspen where Solène proclaims her love is reminiscent of a traditional, happy-ending romance. Instead, Lee constructs her work in such a way that it leads to the opposite conclusion. In this way, she examines the theme of Reality Versus Fantasy not only via her subject matter, but also through the framework of her narrative. The aim and structure of literary realism are investigated, and the act of reading as a form of fantasy is revealed.
As Solène and Hayes’ relationship progresses, Lee continues to reveal The Complexities of Celebrity. Solène repeatedly observes the brutality of fan mobs, which endangers her and Hayes’ physical safety. After their connection became public, the violence escalated as Solène began to receive suspicious gifts at her home containing sex toys and insulting, threatening remarks. Solène feels violated by this breach of her privacy, describing hearing “panting as I rushed to put on the alarm and every light, and it took me a moment to realize the panting was mine” (317). These packages cause Solène psychological distress, and she begins to fear everything around her. Eventually, an intimate moment between Hayes and Solène on vacation is disclosed, threatening Solène’s work and Isabelle’s academic life.
Lee emphasizes the loss of humanity suffered by celebrities and those they love as fans get preoccupied with the desire to claim ownership of their favorite celebrity. Solène observes a double standard for herself and Hayes, as Hayes “had the luxury of living in his cocoon because the fandom would always protect him” while she “feared what that meant for [her], and [her] family” (321). The hostility from fans has a physical impact on Solène, who begins to lose weight and fails to focus on work, while her daughter Isabelle is teased by her friends. Despite their strong bond, Solène is on the verge of breaking her relationship with Hayes. Lee expands on the issue of society’s disregard for aging women. As Solène considers how to end her engagement with Hayes, she continues to talk with her friends about society’s attitudes on women and aging. At the documentary’s after party, Amara, Solène’s friend, expresses her concerns about her age. She addresses how society’s evolving perception of her as unattractive because of her age “inadvertently changes how [she] see[s] [her]self” (253). Lee portrays this sensation as ubiquitous among women. Solène predicts the same transition for herself in the future, and she is concerned that Hayes’ age would prevent him from pursuing a life full of promise and opportunities.
Lee expands on this issue through the hate messages Solène receives, many of which make reference to her age and appearance, as well as the criticism and scorn of the press and public when Hayes is shown to be sleeping with someone Solène’s age. The tale concludes with Hayes’ final attempts to continue his connection with Solène. Solène eventually sticks to her decision, despite her feelings for Hayes. After having passionate sex with him for the last time, Solène remains resolute in her decision to liberate Hayes and keep Isabelle safe. Solène, citing Hayes’ anxiety that she would not come to realize his true personality, claims to have merely fell in love with “the idea of you” (371). Referring to the novel’s title gives Solène’s decision an air of finality, as if the entire novel has been leading up to this point. In this fashion, Lee explores the concept of literature as a construct, as well as the author’s influence over the reader’s wishes. While lying in this moment, Solène realizes that “there was only one way to truly let him go” (371). This scene closes the novel’s theme of Reality Versus Fantasy, in which reality is revealed to be a world of imperfect compromise.
Solène follows her own route to progress as a person, claiming that she is “freeing” Hayes. However, Solène’s decision is ultimately motivated by Isabelle’s ongoing troubles with mocking at school, and she is willing to sacrifice her relationship for the sake of her daughter. Finally, the novel’s main tension is between Solène’s personal life and her position as a mother. While Solène makes her own decision and her reasons are good, the finale mixes her self-determinism with self-sacrifice, demonstrating that these two seemingly contradictory elements may coexist in the decisions that people must make. True to its genre, the work provides the reader with emotional comfort. Solène’s decision to quit her relationship is devastating, but it also provides an opportunity for her and Isabelle to rebuild their friendship and grow closer.
The novel’s frequent depiction of the challenges and dangers that female youths face—Penelope, the distressed girl in the corridor, and the dangerous fandom—highlights the moral implications of Solène’s decision. Solène reflects on Isabelle’s development: “[S]he sounded so mature, so altered” (289), her pride contrasted with her absence during Isabelle’s key period of growth in the first section. As Solène discovers the transformative power of love to find strength in vulnerability and self-discovery, Isabelle matures and gains empathy for her mother. In the aftermath of her breakup, Isabelle becomes Solène’s primary source of comfort, and she learns to care for her mother in the same way that Solène cared for her. While Isabelle comforts her mother, Solène teaches Isabelle the lesson she learnt from her relationship with Hayes: she encourages Isabelle to allow herself to be open to love.
Characters Analysis
Solène Marchand
The protagonist of The Idea of You is Solène Marchand, and the most of the story is recounted from her perspective. Solène Marchand, an established art gallery owner, deals with her divorce from ex-husband Daniel, her troubled relationship with her almost teenage daughter Isabelle, and her irresistible attraction to the famous and young Hayes Campbell. Solène is dedicated to her work and thrives on her desire to create possibilities for modern female artists and artists of color. Solène’s devotion drives her to devote her full attention to her job while also caring for her family. Her immediate attraction to and connection with Hayes, a singer in the cult boyband August Moon, disrupts her life’s balance. This interruption, and its effects, form the novel’s narrative arc. Solène’s character explores society’s many, often conflicting demands on women. Through her, the story tackles women’s personal rights to individuality and sexual pleasure, as well as the obstacles these desires provide in their positions as moms, (ex-)wives, friends, and businesses.
Robinne Lee’s creation of Solène and her predicament in a relationship with a younger man examines how society views women, particularly as they approach middle age, and what is considered proper for them. Lee is able to give an illustration of how media-portrayed ideals of femininity affect women by putting Solène’s story within the framework of worldwide fame and exposure. In this way, while Solène’s circumstances are unique, she represents women in the Western world and the challenges they face. This makes her an empathetic character and contributes significantly to the novel’s human interest.
When Solène meets Hayes, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and while their relationship will eventually collapse, the process shapes her character arc. The story follows Solène’s transformation from a person who is defensive and locked off from life to one who is eager to create deeper connections with the world. At first, Solène often feels alienated from her peers. Solène, who was born to French parents and art historians, feels pressured to live up to her parents’ standards of conduct and renown, which is another type of familial duty. Solène’s French upbringing frequently makes her feel disconnected from her Los Angeles neighbors and cautious to express her emotions openly. She is divorced and has difficulty trusting men; she has been celibate for three years when the tale begins. Solène’s connection with her daughter Isabelle is caring but not profound, and she feels it is natural to hide secrets from those close to her. Solène learns the power of vulnerability via her connection with Hayes, and she discovers an adventurous side of herself that values passion. Although Solène’s connection with Hayes is put up to be diametrically opposed to her relationship with Isabelle—and the two are ultimately incompatible—it is via her path of self-growth with Hayes that Solène is able to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship.
Hayes Campbell
descended from an affluent and respected British family, pursues a musical career in defiance of his parents’ lofty expectations. He’s beautiful and successful. Hayes gets worldwide success through August Moon, earning him millions of admirers and allowing him to continue writing music. Hayes meets Solène Marchand, the stunning mother of one of his fans, as a result of his popularity with August Moon. He starts a relationship with Solène, which alters him forever. Hayes, who is only 20 years old, navigates a life devoid of privacy while reaping the benefits of his celebrity and longing for respect as a musician. Hayes, who is known for his preference for older women, seeks a connection with Solène and admires her persistent dedication to her career as a gallery owner. Hayes, a supportive partner, communicates his love for Solène honestly and unabashedly while also letting Solène to express her love on her own time. Hayes stands in stark contrast with Solène’s unsupportive ex-husband, Daniel. Solène learns to love again and realizes the power of her own sexuality thanks to Hayes’ support. Despite Hayes and Solène’s difficulties with long distance and their hectic schedules, Hayes remains loyal to his relationship with Solène and strives to maintain it no matter what. When confronted with Solène’s decision to end their relationship, Hayes maintains his firm stance before eventually recognizing Solène’s wishes.
Isabelle Ford,
The 13-year-old daughter of Solène and Daniel, struggles with the changes that occur as a result of her parents’ divorce, her mother’s sudden connection with her favorite popstar, and her journey from childhood to adulthood. Her character creates tension: Solène must balance her responsibilities as a mother with her commitment to her daughter, who develops a crush on Hayes. Isabelle, a longstanding August Moon fan, is in many ways a sympathetic representation of the admirers that pursue August Moon and, by extension, Solène. The discovery of her mother’s love engagement with the much younger Hayes shatters Isabelle’s childhood goal of starting a relationship with Hayes and strains her relationship with her mother. Forced to confront the loss of her childhood crush, Isabelle adjusts to more significant changes in her life, such as her father’s new marriage and kid. Isabelle matures throughout the narrative, attempting to support her mother’s quest of self-discovery while ignoring her own wants. When Solène and Hayes’ relationship becomes increasingly publicized, Isabelle confides in her mother about the difficulties she has been experiencing at school as a result of taunting, repairing her shattered relationship with Solène. The relationship between Isabelle and Solène is the most rewarding feature of the novel’s conclusion, and Isabelle, with the help of her mother, represents the possibility of a better future for women in society.
Daniel Ford
A wealthy entertainment lawyer, tries to maintain a civil relationship with his ex-wife Solène Marchand while they juggle co-parenting duties for their daughter Isabelle. Daniel, upon discovering Solène’s relationship with 20-year-old Hayes Campbell, serves as a continual reminder of society’s perception of Solène and Hayes’ relationship. Daniel’s connection with a younger woman exemplifies society’s contradictory standards. Daniel, a foil to Hayes, does not support Solène’s artistic and professional interests and continues to exert control over her actions under the appearance of concern. Despite their disagreements as former husband and wife, Daniel and Solène discover common ground when Daniel helps Solène in a time of need due to the tremendous abuse she endures from Hayes’ admirers. Lulit Raphel. Solène’s boyfriend,
Lulit Raphel,
owns half of the Marchand Raphel Gallery and acts as a sounding board for her throughout the story. Lulit, a representative of Solène’s work, reminds Solène of her dedication to her job throughout the novel, as she struggles to reconcile her love of art with her growing relationship with Hayes. Lulit, a source of support for Solène, remains a steadfast presence in her newly chaotic existence. Solène accepts Lulit’s urging and pursues a sexual relationship with Hayes. Lulit is also the one who notifies Solène to her observations about Hayes’s deeper affections for Solène. Solène’s encounter with Lulit allows the narrative to offer a new perspective while also showing Solène developing her own. Lulit’s character is an example of positive female companionship and support.
Oliver Hoyt-Knight
Hayes’ bandmate and boyhood closest friend, plays the adversary throughout the narrative. Oliver, described as “the most elegant of the group,” is besieged by suspicions about his sexuality throughout the novel (12). These stories add to Oliver’s mystery: he makes unwanted sexual advances on Solène, which irritate her and threaten to disrupt his relationship with Hayes. Oliver pursues Solène with a series of aggressive remarks and propositions in vengeance for Hayes’ sexual misdeeds with Oliver’s sister Penelope. Unlike Hayes, he utilizes Solène as a feminine pawn to navigate his masculine connection with Hayes. Lee’s portrayal of Oliver and Hayes reveals the complicated connections among band members as well as the harmful repercussions of stardom on a weak character. Oliver punches Hayes, fractures his nose, and their conflict is resolved.
Key Takeaways
1. Love Has No Age Limit: Solène and Hayes’ relationship transcends conventional preconceptions, demonstrating that profound relationships may flourish regardless of age gap.
2. Breaking Free from Boxes: Solène defies the constraints imposed on women, particularly older women, by living a life of passion and self-discovery.
3. Motherhood and Womanhood Can Coexist: The novel delves into the complications of combining motherhood and personal desires, emphasizing the value of self-care for mothers.
4. The Dark Side of Fame: Hayes’ existence as a celebrity highlights the pressures of fame, the loss of privacy, and the difficulties of making meaningful connections.
5. Rediscovering Sexuality: Solène’s relationship with Hayes reawakens a dormant part of herself, restoring her right to pleasure and desire.
6. The Power of Vulnerability: Solène and Hayes learn to take off their masks and disclose their vulnerabilities, which leads to deeper connections.
7. Facing interior Conflicts: The novel dives into the characters’ interior issues, including themes of self-doubt, societal expectations, and personal vulnerabilities.
8. The Importance of New Experiences: Solène values new experiences and adventures, emphasizing the significance of venturing beyond of one’s comfort zone.
9. Finding Solace in Connection:Solène and Hayes discover comfort and understanding in their unique partnership, demonstrating the strength of human connection.
10. Reality vs. Fantasy:The novel contrasts the fantasy of celebrity with the reality of the hardships it brings.