Penguin Michael Joseph to bring Robinne Lee debut to the UK

Penguin Michael Joseph has acquired US actress and producer Robinne Lee's debut The Idea of You, four years after it was published in the US.

Editorial director Clio Cornish acquired UK and Commonwealth rights at auction from Chris Scheina at St Martin’s Press, the novel's US publisher. 

The synopsis reads: "The novel portrays an electrifying love affair between Solène Marchand, the 39-year-old owner of a prestigious art gallery in LA, and 20-year-old Hayes Campbell – the clever, charismatic and disarmingly confident star of a British boy band. The pair meet when Solène takes her daughter to his concert, and one night evolves into an affair that spans the globe – from Miami, to Tokyo, to St Tropez. For Solène, it is as much a reclaiming of self as it is a rediscovery of love. But when the relationship becomes a viral sensation, and both Solène and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must decide where her loyalty lies."

Cornish said: "I downloaded The Idea of You one cold, rainy evening and for four blissful hours I was somewhere else. No pandemic; no lockdown. Just me and a jet-setting modern love story – smart, sexy, addictive, with an ending that left me in bits. The Idea of You offers the escape we all need, and we can’t wait to share it far and wide. What a joy it is to welcome the uber-talented Robinne to Penguin Michael Joseph."

Lee commented: "As a lifelong Anglophile, which finds its ultimate expression in this book, I am utterly thrilled to share The Idea of You with the UK audience. And what an honour and delight to do so with the brilliant and enthusiastic team at Penguin Michael Joseph!"

Penguin Michael Joseph will publish the debut in e-book and audio this spring, with a paperback to follow in July 2021 with an "unmissable" campaign.