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The Idea of Love
As we like to say in the south: "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story."
Ella's life has been completely upended. She's young, beautiful, and deeply in love—until her husband dies in a tragic sailing accident while trying to save her. Or so she'll have everyone believe. Screenwriter Hunter needs a hit, but crippling writers' block and a serious lack of motivation are getting him nowhere. He's on the look-out for a love story. It doesn't matter who it belongs to.
When Hunter and Ella meet in Watersend, South Carolina, it feels like the perfect match, something close to fate. In Ella, Hunter finds the perfect love story, full of longing and sacrifice. It's the stuff of epic films. In Hunter, Ella finds possibility. It's an opportunity to live out a fantasy – the life she wishes she had because hers is too painful. And more real. Besides. what's a little white lie between strangers?
But one lie leads to another, and soon Hunter and Ella find themselves caught in a web of deceit. As they try to untangle their lies and reclaim their own lives, they feel something stronger is keeping them together. And so they wonder: can two people come together for all the wrong reasons and still make it right?
Ella's life has been completely upended. She's young, beautiful, and deeply in love—until her husband dies in a tragic sailing accident while trying to save her. Or so she'll have everyone believe. Screenwriter Hunter needs a hit, but crippling writers' block and a serious lack of motivation are getting him nowhere. He's on the look-out for a love story. It doesn't matter who it belongs to.
When Hunter and Ella meet in Watersend, South Carolina, it feels like the perfect match, something close to fate. In Ella, Hunter finds the perfect love story, full of longing and sacrifice. It's the stuff of epic films. In Hunter, Ella finds possibility. It's an opportunity to live out a fantasy – the life she wishes she had because hers is too painful. And more real. Besides. what's a little white lie between strangers?
But one lie leads to another, and soon Hunter and Ella find themselves caught in a web of deceit. As they try to untangle their lies and reclaim their own lives, they feel something stronger is keeping them together. And so they wonder: can two people come together for all the wrong reasons and still make it right?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2015
172 people are currently reading
5572 people want to read
About the author
Patti Callahan Henry
38 books6,585 followersPatti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels, including her newest, The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She’s also a podcast host of original content for her novels, Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.
She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
August 29, 2016
The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry is a St. Martin's Press publication.
I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy, and this book pays homage, in a charming way, to that genre. Although 'Harry Met Sally' is the main example this book points to a time or two, one of my favorite Romcoms is ‘While you Were Sleeping’, and this story put me in mind of it because an unintentional relationship occurs based on a falsehood. While this story doesn’t offer up belly laughs exactly, the dialogue is sweet and charming, but with bittersweet poignancy, too.
Ultimately, the conclusion is delightful, as Ella pulls herself together, waking up from her daze, taking control of her life and her own happiness.
This is a magical, touching story, filled with enchanting southern charm!
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews
To read the review in full, click on this link:https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy, and this book pays homage, in a charming way, to that genre. Although 'Harry Met Sally' is the main example this book points to a time or two, one of my favorite Romcoms is ‘While you Were Sleeping’, and this story put me in mind of it because an unintentional relationship occurs based on a falsehood. While this story doesn’t offer up belly laughs exactly, the dialogue is sweet and charming, but with bittersweet poignancy, too.
Ultimately, the conclusion is delightful, as Ella pulls herself together, waking up from her daze, taking control of her life and her own happiness.
This is a magical, touching story, filled with enchanting southern charm!
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews
To read the review in full, click on this link:https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
December 18, 2015
There comes a time in everyone’s life, a tipping point, when an earth shattering event or information shifts who you are and how you feel about yourself. Sometimes we can’t predict or even see these changes happening around us. When we do, however, see those changes, feel them, and embrace them, it dictates the way we think, speak, and ultimately hold our own hearts.
The Idea of Love is a self discovery for the broken hearted Ella. She has been the thoughtful and ever steadfast wife. They have had a great relationship and a fantastic sex life. So when her husband comes home professing his love for her best friends little sister, everything just crumbles from beneath her. Ella’s normal is no more.
Hunter, a screenwriter from Hollywood has decided to spend some time looking for a muse of sorts. He needs that next big movie hit. One he hopes to find while talking to people along his travels. Looking for stories of love from those he meets and trying to compose a story, when he sees the lovely yet seemingly broken Ella, he finds his winning story. He didn’t expect to find this woman’s story so captivating. Funny enough, what she shares with Hunter isn’t her real story.
Too bad these two have lied to each other about who the really are. I know, I know, you’re thinking:“ What does this have to do with self-discovery? It sounds like a quirky movie script!” Whelp, it really has more to do with Ella and how she decides to handle her husband’s deceit and her own towards this new friendship. Life is hard and it’s messy. Ella has to discover her inner strength and what she expects in return from those around her. She can sit back and let life happen to her or she can make life happen on her own terms., all the while being her best possible self. Whether she incudes a cheating husband or a new found friend remains to be seen.
In the simplest of terms, I ADORED this read. I found it to be fun, full of heart, and inspiring.
5 STAR READ!
This would be my movie poster :-)
Adored the book! ADORED!
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The Idea of Love is a self discovery for the broken hearted Ella. She has been the thoughtful and ever steadfast wife. They have had a great relationship and a fantastic sex life. So when her husband comes home professing his love for her best friends little sister, everything just crumbles from beneath her. Ella’s normal is no more.
Hunter, a screenwriter from Hollywood has decided to spend some time looking for a muse of sorts. He needs that next big movie hit. One he hopes to find while talking to people along his travels. Looking for stories of love from those he meets and trying to compose a story, when he sees the lovely yet seemingly broken Ella, he finds his winning story. He didn’t expect to find this woman’s story so captivating. Funny enough, what she shares with Hunter isn’t her real story.
Too bad these two have lied to each other about who the really are. I know, I know, you’re thinking:“ What does this have to do with self-discovery? It sounds like a quirky movie script!” Whelp, it really has more to do with Ella and how she decides to handle her husband’s deceit and her own towards this new friendship. Life is hard and it’s messy. Ella has to discover her inner strength and what she expects in return from those around her. She can sit back and let life happen to her or she can make life happen on her own terms., all the while being her best possible self. Whether she incudes a cheating husband or a new found friend remains to be seen.
In the simplest of terms, I ADORED this read. I found it to be fun, full of heart, and inspiring.
5 STAR READ!
This would be my movie poster :-)
Adored the book! ADORED!
Follow us on
KT Book Reviews
July 23, 2015
Novelists set themselves a particular challenge when they begin a story with two unsympathetic protagonists. On the plus side, this gives the characters plenty of scope for growth. The downside, however, is that it makes it hard for readers to want to stick with characters who are rather unlikable. Harder still for readers to care what happens to them.
Unfortunately, I found this to be the case here. Both characters begin their interaction by feeding the other a lie. I was initially okay with this as the basis for the story, but now I realize that my “permission” was predicated on being able to otherwise like them. But I found Blake so unappealing in the first chapters that I didn’t want to hang around him–not even in the pages of a book. He consistently drank too much, exhibited selfish motives at every turn, and was an inattentive dad as well as a cheating husband (and lover). Ella was somewhat more sympathetic as the jilted wife, but even she engaged in behaviors that lost my sympathy. Her actions on the night of the Debacle, for instance.
This lack was eventually helped, a little, by the introduction of Mimi, a fairly appealing secondary character. But for me, it fell short. While I thought the story’s premise was promising (which was what made me want to read it in the first place), it wasn’t enough to win me over. In the end, I couldn’t believe that these two characters could create anything permanent based on the foundation they were building on. Even when the truth comes out–as it almost always must–what remained felt as unsubstantial as a house of cards.
I have enjoyed a Patti Callahan Henry novel or two–most notably, The Stories We Tell–and will hope for better the next time around.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
Unfortunately, I found this to be the case here. Both characters begin their interaction by feeding the other a lie. I was initially okay with this as the basis for the story, but now I realize that my “permission” was predicated on being able to otherwise like them. But I found Blake so unappealing in the first chapters that I didn’t want to hang around him–not even in the pages of a book. He consistently drank too much, exhibited selfish motives at every turn, and was an inattentive dad as well as a cheating husband (and lover). Ella was somewhat more sympathetic as the jilted wife, but even she engaged in behaviors that lost my sympathy. Her actions on the night of the Debacle, for instance.
This lack was eventually helped, a little, by the introduction of Mimi, a fairly appealing secondary character. But for me, it fell short. While I thought the story’s premise was promising (which was what made me want to read it in the first place), it wasn’t enough to win me over. In the end, I couldn’t believe that these two characters could create anything permanent based on the foundation they were building on. Even when the truth comes out–as it almost always must–what remained felt as unsubstantial as a house of cards.
I have enjoyed a Patti Callahan Henry novel or two–most notably, The Stories We Tell–and will hope for better the next time around.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
June 23, 2015
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
THE IDEA OF LOVE by master storyteller, Patti Callahan Henry, a contemporary magical story of unexpected love and life (with a beautiful front cover drawing you in) -- of two people searching for something, and the lengths they go to find it. A journey of reinvention, and finding what really matters in life, mixed with wit and southern humor.
One man is searching for a love story to save his career. A woman is searching for a love she had and lost, both pretending to be someone and something else, hiding behind a fasçade -- When the real "flawed" person may be just what the other needs. What if love is more of an idea than a real thing? If it was just an idea we carry around, why the weight of sadness?
Set in Watersend, SC in the coastal Low Country, Ella thought she had it all-- a beautiful home, a loving husband, her friends, her life, and her things. However, one day, her husband chose someone else and her life was over, or so she thought. How could she have missed the signs of a mistress, especially her best friend’s sister? To complicate matters, it is her husband’s house, so she had to be the one to move, into a dump furnished apartment with little money. Now no friends, no life, no husband, no home, no possessions. She dreams constantly of getting her home, her things, her husband back. Is it an idea of love she wants, or the cheating man himself?
Screenwriter Hunter (Blake) from LA needs a hit, and his last several movies are not cutting it. He has writer’s block and desperately needing a good love story for his next film. He needs inspiration. His personal love life has not been so smooth either. He decides to go about it pretending he is a travel writer of history books, a coffee table book, when he meets Ella at the coffee shop to draw out a story—fate steps in. However, the story he is writing is not really her real story but only a made up version.
Ella does not want anyone to know of her sad “loser” life, so she makes up this huge story that her loving husband died in a boating accident going after her hat, sacrificing himself for her, and now she is a grieving widow. She makes him think she is a successful wedding designer, and lives at the home where she lived previously with white picket fence, perfect. No way she would allow him to see where she really lives. She actually works at a bridal shop running errands for her boss. She has a portfolio, but her boss does not think she has talent, or does she?
They both are being untruthful with one another, with lies upon lies, but at the time, they do not count on seeing each other in the future – like a few white lies, who will know? However, the more Ella sees Hunter, the more she actually enjoys herself and at the same time, Hunter is getting a possible good story and likes this person, or the person he thinks she is.
Ella is living in a rundown furnished apartment with a neighbor who has a barking loud dog. When she goes over to the neighbor’s house, she meets Mimi. Mimi is an older woman who lives alone with her dog. She previously owned a successful bookstore in town and had it all. Now she resides in this broken down old apartment, but somehow she loves her life and has a great attitude – full of optimistic hope.
Mimi has learned to live with the now, not the future, or the past. She has experienced great loss in her time with her personal and professional life. Ella likes her outlook on life, and is drawn to the woman and becomes her friend, letting her in on her secret of lies. Mimi lost everything, yet she is getting along OK--She escaped to a world of books, so her books and friends filled her life, and they still do.
Mimi accepts the unacceptable. How can this woman be so wise? Does accepting mean you recognize, you can’t do anything about it. You cannot fix it. You cannot change someone’s heart. You cannot make someone love you. Only YOU have what you’re looking for. Mimi’s wise words, “There is always something you can do, say, create, read, breathe, eat, make, laugh, and then—who knows what—something always happens next.”
All Ella really wants to do is design wedding dresses at Swept Away, the premier wedding boutique in the Low Country. She had been there for six months and hired by Margo the owner to learn all the departments from the ground up. Margo is a designer and Ella had taken her designs more than once to Margo with her saying that’s sweet and nothing more. She was sick of brides every day, and she was sick of living in a crap apartment and she cannot imagine a happy ending. It was a curse.
However, she soon may find the old life and the perfect home may not necessarily add up to real love. There are other unresolved issues with her mother’s death and the way she treated her father Ella has to make right. When something happens at work and her personal life, she steps up to the plate to attain what she wants with confidence and passion. Could there be a future for this odd couple with their fake identities? Fun, fun . . Reinvention time, and possibly some life left for these two.
I loved Mimi's character, with her mean pound cake, and her bourbon which offers a cure for everything wrong in the world, and her visits with Ella.
A long time fan of Patti Callahan Henry, one of the top writer’s in the Southeast, of women’s fiction, have read all her books and she never disappoints; each time she delivers more than a chicklit, or women's fiction, there is always a heartfelt message and takeaway, which remains with you long after the books ends.
Fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Alice Monroe, Wendy Wax, Mary Kay Andrews, Beth Hoffman, Sarah Pekkanen, and Susan Rebecca White, will enjoy this warmhearted contemporary southern tale of unexpected love and important life lessons. Do not rely so much on others to make your happiness – create your own.
On a personal note: I had to laugh about John Smoltz (being an Atlanta gal most of my life prior to Florida) and served on the board of directors for years with YES! Atlanta, Youth Experiencing Success with at-risk teens, and sponsorship chairman for our annual Outback Steakhouse Braves Golf Tournament--have so many photos with the baseball star, and yes, unfortunately guys in the south do love their sports, and obsessed with baseball cards!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
THE IDEA OF LOVE by master storyteller, Patti Callahan Henry, a contemporary magical story of unexpected love and life (with a beautiful front cover drawing you in) -- of two people searching for something, and the lengths they go to find it. A journey of reinvention, and finding what really matters in life, mixed with wit and southern humor.
One man is searching for a love story to save his career. A woman is searching for a love she had and lost, both pretending to be someone and something else, hiding behind a fasçade -- When the real "flawed" person may be just what the other needs. What if love is more of an idea than a real thing? If it was just an idea we carry around, why the weight of sadness?
Set in Watersend, SC in the coastal Low Country, Ella thought she had it all-- a beautiful home, a loving husband, her friends, her life, and her things. However, one day, her husband chose someone else and her life was over, or so she thought. How could she have missed the signs of a mistress, especially her best friend’s sister? To complicate matters, it is her husband’s house, so she had to be the one to move, into a dump furnished apartment with little money. Now no friends, no life, no husband, no home, no possessions. She dreams constantly of getting her home, her things, her husband back. Is it an idea of love she wants, or the cheating man himself?
Screenwriter Hunter (Blake) from LA needs a hit, and his last several movies are not cutting it. He has writer’s block and desperately needing a good love story for his next film. He needs inspiration. His personal love life has not been so smooth either. He decides to go about it pretending he is a travel writer of history books, a coffee table book, when he meets Ella at the coffee shop to draw out a story—fate steps in. However, the story he is writing is not really her real story but only a made up version.
Ella does not want anyone to know of her sad “loser” life, so she makes up this huge story that her loving husband died in a boating accident going after her hat, sacrificing himself for her, and now she is a grieving widow. She makes him think she is a successful wedding designer, and lives at the home where she lived previously with white picket fence, perfect. No way she would allow him to see where she really lives. She actually works at a bridal shop running errands for her boss. She has a portfolio, but her boss does not think she has talent, or does she?
They both are being untruthful with one another, with lies upon lies, but at the time, they do not count on seeing each other in the future – like a few white lies, who will know? However, the more Ella sees Hunter, the more she actually enjoys herself and at the same time, Hunter is getting a possible good story and likes this person, or the person he thinks she is.
Ella is living in a rundown furnished apartment with a neighbor who has a barking loud dog. When she goes over to the neighbor’s house, she meets Mimi. Mimi is an older woman who lives alone with her dog. She previously owned a successful bookstore in town and had it all. Now she resides in this broken down old apartment, but somehow she loves her life and has a great attitude – full of optimistic hope.
Mimi has learned to live with the now, not the future, or the past. She has experienced great loss in her time with her personal and professional life. Ella likes her outlook on life, and is drawn to the woman and becomes her friend, letting her in on her secret of lies. Mimi lost everything, yet she is getting along OK--She escaped to a world of books, so her books and friends filled her life, and they still do.
Mimi accepts the unacceptable. How can this woman be so wise? Does accepting mean you recognize, you can’t do anything about it. You cannot fix it. You cannot change someone’s heart. You cannot make someone love you. Only YOU have what you’re looking for. Mimi’s wise words, “There is always something you can do, say, create, read, breathe, eat, make, laugh, and then—who knows what—something always happens next.”
All Ella really wants to do is design wedding dresses at Swept Away, the premier wedding boutique in the Low Country. She had been there for six months and hired by Margo the owner to learn all the departments from the ground up. Margo is a designer and Ella had taken her designs more than once to Margo with her saying that’s sweet and nothing more. She was sick of brides every day, and she was sick of living in a crap apartment and she cannot imagine a happy ending. It was a curse.
However, she soon may find the old life and the perfect home may not necessarily add up to real love. There are other unresolved issues with her mother’s death and the way she treated her father Ella has to make right. When something happens at work and her personal life, she steps up to the plate to attain what she wants with confidence and passion. Could there be a future for this odd couple with their fake identities? Fun, fun . . Reinvention time, and possibly some life left for these two.
“A release, a surge of energy, rose from Ella’s chest. The hole that had been there, the one she thought she needed to fill with him, now filled with something else. Strength and resilience. A sense of her own worth. It wasn’t him she wanted back; it was love she wanted. Love.”
I loved Mimi's character, with her mean pound cake, and her bourbon which offers a cure for everything wrong in the world, and her visits with Ella.
A long time fan of Patti Callahan Henry, one of the top writer’s in the Southeast, of women’s fiction, have read all her books and she never disappoints; each time she delivers more than a chicklit, or women's fiction, there is always a heartfelt message and takeaway, which remains with you long after the books ends.
Fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Alice Monroe, Wendy Wax, Mary Kay Andrews, Beth Hoffman, Sarah Pekkanen, and Susan Rebecca White, will enjoy this warmhearted contemporary southern tale of unexpected love and important life lessons. Do not rely so much on others to make your happiness – create your own.
On a personal note: I had to laugh about John Smoltz (being an Atlanta gal most of my life prior to Florida) and served on the board of directors for years with YES! Atlanta, Youth Experiencing Success with at-risk teens, and sponsorship chairman for our annual Outback Steakhouse Braves Golf Tournament--have so many photos with the baseball star, and yes, unfortunately guys in the south do love their sports, and obsessed with baseball cards!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
July 12, 2024
A great women’s fiction story. It had its ups & downs, and wishy-washy moments, and some repetition, but at the heart it was a great plot. I really enjoyed the character of Mimi.
September 14, 2021
"The Idea of Love" was not a bad book, but after reading seven of Patti Callahan Henry's prior books, -all but one, to date, I felt this was her weakest novel. It differed in tone and style from the others, and not in a positive way. The writing was not as lyrical and beautiful. The characters were not as sympathetic and were harder to love. Perhaps, had I not read the other books, I might not be so critical, but I did, and so I am!
Lies and more lies rest between two nearly broken souls who meet in a small town in the deep south and build something, feel something, yearn for something deeper than the lies of which neither is aware. A woman whose husband cheated on her recreates her tale turning herself into a widow who lost her true "once in a lifetime" love. A Hollywood screenwriter down on his luck with a few failures behind him, recreates himself as an unknown novelist who simply wants to interview the locals of the small town to gain fodder for his next novel. Are the emotional connections between liars real? What happens when the truth is revealed, (as it always will be)? An interesting premise, a cast of flawed and not so nice characters, and a few surprises kept me reading, but I can't sing the praises of PCH's most recent novel. One out of eight isn't bad, so I will remain a devoted fan and anxiously await whatever she writes next.
Lies and more lies rest between two nearly broken souls who meet in a small town in the deep south and build something, feel something, yearn for something deeper than the lies of which neither is aware. A woman whose husband cheated on her recreates her tale turning herself into a widow who lost her true "once in a lifetime" love. A Hollywood screenwriter down on his luck with a few failures behind him, recreates himself as an unknown novelist who simply wants to interview the locals of the small town to gain fodder for his next novel. Are the emotional connections between liars real? What happens when the truth is revealed, (as it always will be)? An interesting premise, a cast of flawed and not so nice characters, and a few surprises kept me reading, but I can't sing the praises of PCH's most recent novel. One out of eight isn't bad, so I will remain a devoted fan and anxiously await whatever she writes next.
March 29, 2015
Enjoyable fluff.
It was a page turner.
It was a page turner.
December 4, 2021
The idea of love⭐️
“Theres enough love here to save us”
“ because that’s exactly what love does it changes everything.”
Blake is a writer for movies and hes been stuck until he mets Ella. A beautiful broken woman whoes husband cheated on her then died. He found his muse but will be fall in love along the way.
I think I found my new favorite author! I have read three books by Miss Callahan now and I have enjoyed all of them and this makes me so happy because she has 1 million books!
“Theres enough love here to save us”
“ because that’s exactly what love does it changes everything.”
Blake is a writer for movies and hes been stuck until he mets Ella. A beautiful broken woman whoes husband cheated on her then died. He found his muse but will be fall in love along the way.
I think I found my new favorite author! I have read three books by Miss Callahan now and I have enjoyed all of them and this makes me so happy because she has 1 million books!
March 29, 2024
I read this because I really enjoyed “Becoming Mrs Lewis” by the same author. I was surprised how terrible this book was throughout the first half but I stuck with it for some reason. Sadly, it didn’t get much better. It kept me occupied in someone else’s kind of pathetic drama for a while, while I cleaned, and that is all. And I kind of thought this was a Christian author based on her other stuff but that is probably not the case. Both characters exhibited pretty bad character (lies, drinking, promiscuity, cheating, etc.) and somehow end up “happily ever after,” suddenly without any real lesson learned.
August 20, 2015
It all started with a little white lie...
Hunter is a screenwriter in need of a story. He visits a sleepy little town, hoping to interview its community in search of something to spark his next big hit. Posing as a serious author of historical and travel works, Hunter manages to get the attention of a beautiful young woman with a captivating story...
Ella can't bear to face the truth of her husband's affair, so she invents an amazing story that portrays his death in a heroic light. When an author comes to research her town, she figures there's no harm in sharing the realities that she has spun to comfort herself. So, she tells great tales of a noble man who died rescuing his young wife...
When Hunter and Ella learn that they may, together, be creating the start of a magical love story, each has a horrifying truth to confront. Are they each too infatuated with the idea of love to be able to imagine its reality? Or, will these little white lies be enough to destroy the possibilities of a bright tomorrow?
The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry is a feel-good romance with an extra bit of heart and soul, featuring two fairly unlikeable characters who seem destined to be stuck in their own imaginations. I can't deny that it was hard to feel attached to individuals who seemed so intent on living a lie, but the possibility of character growth and development was enough to keep me reading until the end.
For anyone who loves a story of characters overcoming their personal demons to find a happy ending, The Idea of Love would probably be an excellent choice -- as long as you don't mind a few irritatingly frustrating characters along the way.
I did receive a copy of The Idea of Love for the purposes of providing a complete and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which the book was received.
3.5 stars
Hunter is a screenwriter in need of a story. He visits a sleepy little town, hoping to interview its community in search of something to spark his next big hit. Posing as a serious author of historical and travel works, Hunter manages to get the attention of a beautiful young woman with a captivating story...
Ella can't bear to face the truth of her husband's affair, so she invents an amazing story that portrays his death in a heroic light. When an author comes to research her town, she figures there's no harm in sharing the realities that she has spun to comfort herself. So, she tells great tales of a noble man who died rescuing his young wife...
When Hunter and Ella learn that they may, together, be creating the start of a magical love story, each has a horrifying truth to confront. Are they each too infatuated with the idea of love to be able to imagine its reality? Or, will these little white lies be enough to destroy the possibilities of a bright tomorrow?
The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry is a feel-good romance with an extra bit of heart and soul, featuring two fairly unlikeable characters who seem destined to be stuck in their own imaginations. I can't deny that it was hard to feel attached to individuals who seemed so intent on living a lie, but the possibility of character growth and development was enough to keep me reading until the end.
For anyone who loves a story of characters overcoming their personal demons to find a happy ending, The Idea of Love would probably be an excellent choice -- as long as you don't mind a few irritatingly frustrating characters along the way.
I did receive a copy of The Idea of Love for the purposes of providing a complete and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which the book was received.
3.5 stars
April 26, 2015
When Ella Flynn and Blake Hunter met in Watersend, South Carolina, they each had their own agenda, and they were each telling little white lies.
Ella, who was a resident of the town, had shared with Blake, who was calling himself Hunter Adderman and posing as a writer of history: "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story." She had no idea that "Hunter" had already begun following that particular piece of advice.
Maybe the little white lies were harmless. But before we can answer the question of what would happen to the two story tellers, we are shown how each of them manages to keep the truth out of things...until it was no longer possible.
Why would Blake Hunter, a screen writer from LA, tell such a fabrication? And why would Ella, whose husband left her for her best friend's sister, want to make up her own version of events?
Would the perfect love story Blake believes he has discovered put him back on the top, after two movie flops? Could Ella find love again, or must she settle for just the idea of it?
"The Idea of Love: A Novel" was a charming but somewhat superficial tale about all the things that can go wrong with love, and how trying and persevering can make all the difference. Along the way, we get to watch Ella redefine what she wants in life, including a life in which she is a wedding dress designer. She gets to reassess everything she thought she knew and believed about love...and friendship. The story was a fun and quick read. 4.0 stars.
Ella, who was a resident of the town, had shared with Blake, who was calling himself Hunter Adderman and posing as a writer of history: "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story." She had no idea that "Hunter" had already begun following that particular piece of advice.
Maybe the little white lies were harmless. But before we can answer the question of what would happen to the two story tellers, we are shown how each of them manages to keep the truth out of things...until it was no longer possible.
Why would Blake Hunter, a screen writer from LA, tell such a fabrication? And why would Ella, whose husband left her for her best friend's sister, want to make up her own version of events?
Would the perfect love story Blake believes he has discovered put him back on the top, after two movie flops? Could Ella find love again, or must she settle for just the idea of it?
"The Idea of Love: A Novel" was a charming but somewhat superficial tale about all the things that can go wrong with love, and how trying and persevering can make all the difference. Along the way, we get to watch Ella redefine what she wants in life, including a life in which she is a wedding dress designer. She gets to reassess everything she thought she knew and believed about love...and friendship. The story was a fun and quick read. 4.0 stars.
August 2, 2015
The so called heroine in this book has such a weak personality, you feel like slapping her and saying wake up and do something!!!! Get an attorney, get a life and stop being such a doorstop for people to step all over.
The storyline was dull and the characters, with the exception of the neighbour Mimi, were so unlikable it was a real chore to slog through this book to the end. Don't waste your time on it.
The storyline was dull and the characters, with the exception of the neighbour Mimi, were so unlikable it was a real chore to slog through this book to the end. Don't waste your time on it.
October 12, 2015
http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....
I am not going to lie, I was a little disappointed. I was hoping to be swept away and find myself rooting for the "happy ever after" - but I really wasn't sure which way was the "happy ever after" I wanted.
I am not going to lie, I was a little disappointed. I was hoping to be swept away and find myself rooting for the "happy ever after" - but I really wasn't sure which way was the "happy ever after" I wanted.
February 13, 2017
Did not finish. Not my cup of tea. Why must adults start off with lies to each other??? Sorry but are we not more evolved than this? Honestly-juvenile.
March 27, 2022
I had this book in my library and needed a book whose title stated with a "I". A quick read, this story painted a poignant picture of people and their expectations of what is love. A romance playwriter travels through the south under a false name in order to look for ideas for his next movie. A scorned woman, whose husband has recently left her for her best friend's sister, has an accidental run-in with the writer. He describes himself as a writer about small-town America and asks her information about the town and then later about herself. She doesn't want to admit the sorrow and burden she is carrying so she tells him she is recently widowed. Together they forge a short-term friendship that seems genuine but, in reality, is built on nothing but misconceptions and deceit. Both the writer and the outed wife are looking for the "idea of love" in hopes of comfort and satisfaction to their own lonely lives. Romance novels are not my cup of tea, but I will say I enjoyed my journey through its pages and felt it would probably make a good Hallmark movie.
When all was said and done, it got me thinking of what is the difference between the "idea of love" and "true love". I can only speak the difference as I see it from "my" viewpoint. The idea of love is the anticipation you have of someone being responsive to your emotions and needs and always makes you feel special. True love is years of living with someone at the best and worst and even when they are pushing your buttons, you know you don't want to be with anyone else but them. The idea of love is a vision of "happily ever after" and enjoying travels and exciting moments together. True love is hearing your partner has cancer and your first words are "we will get through this together." The idea of love is thinking that you will always be the one true love of your partner for all time. True love is when your partner is so taken over with dementia that they can't remember your name or who you are. The idea of love is having silly nicknames for one another that have a hidden special meaning to each of you. True love is your husband telling you that he doesn't know who you are, but he thinks you have a special place in his heart.
While the idea of love "sounds" wonderful, true love is being there for someone even if they can't remember who you are. True love is feeling privileged to have someone who gives you the opportunity to show your love through better and worse and sickness and in health, so long as we both shall live.
When all was said and done, it got me thinking of what is the difference between the "idea of love" and "true love". I can only speak the difference as I see it from "my" viewpoint. The idea of love is the anticipation you have of someone being responsive to your emotions and needs and always makes you feel special. True love is years of living with someone at the best and worst and even when they are pushing your buttons, you know you don't want to be with anyone else but them. The idea of love is a vision of "happily ever after" and enjoying travels and exciting moments together. True love is hearing your partner has cancer and your first words are "we will get through this together." The idea of love is thinking that you will always be the one true love of your partner for all time. True love is when your partner is so taken over with dementia that they can't remember your name or who you are. The idea of love is having silly nicknames for one another that have a hidden special meaning to each of you. True love is your husband telling you that he doesn't know who you are, but he thinks you have a special place in his heart.
While the idea of love "sounds" wonderful, true love is being there for someone even if they can't remember who you are. True love is feeling privileged to have someone who gives you the opportunity to show your love through better and worse and sickness and in health, so long as we both shall live.
abandoned
June 9, 2023Did you ever add a book to your TBR list so long ago that you can no longer recall why you added it in the first place? You read the description and this yields no clues, but you assume that something about it must have made you deem it worthy to add it, so you shrug and give it a shot.
I still have no idea what prompted me to mark this to be read and nothing compelled me to continue reading it. The two main characters are lying to each other right out of the gate, and neither of them is all that likable or sympathetic or at least entertaining. I am super picky about romances anyway, but this checked none of my boxes.
TBR is too long to waste precious reading time on a book that makes my skin crawl. Moving on. Maybe harsh? I usually just graciously say a book isn't meant for me, but I cannot find a single thing to say about it that might allow you to tell if it's for you.
I still have no idea what prompted me to mark this to be read and nothing compelled me to continue reading it. The two main characters are lying to each other right out of the gate, and neither of them is all that likable or sympathetic or at least entertaining. I am super picky about romances anyway, but this checked none of my boxes.
TBR is too long to waste precious reading time on a book that makes my skin crawl. Moving on. Maybe harsh? I usually just graciously say a book isn't meant for me, but I cannot find a single thing to say about it that might allow you to tell if it's for you.
March 23, 2020
I really love Patti Callahan Henry's way of characterizing, the way she expresses nuances of relationships and allows for a gradual and satisfying arc. I didn't care for Blake at the beginning of the story and I was unsure how I would end up liking him as a character--but he did grow on me. And I loved Ella's almost reverse Cinderella story--she creates the life she wants for herself and through a series of circumstance, luck, and hard work, she achieves that life. The book also had a lot to say about what makes a loving relationship work, what is idealistic, and the pedestals we create for other people.
November 15, 2025
Audiobook. 4.5stars
November 27, 2025
I am a fan of Patti Callahan Henry’s work and so I am going back and reading her backstory list. This book came out in 2015 and is one of her books set in the small town of Watersend, South Carolina. Ella has just gone through a big breakup, so when she meets a writer in town doing research, she weaves a story of losing her husband in an accident. She doesn’t know that Hunter is a screenwriter on the hunt for a great love story to rejuvenate his floundering career. So each of them tells one lie that leads to another all the while they are falling for each other. Patti has a way with worlds and I enjoyed reading this one!
June 23, 2015
The Idea of Love starts out with Hunter wandering in the Southern East Coast, hoping to find a good love story that may “cure” his writer’s block. When he sees Ella, a sad woman sitting at a café table, he believes he’s found his inspiration. But will he be able to pry into her personal life without making her become suspicious of his selfish agenda?
To be honest, I didn’t know at first if I’d like a story with the protagonists lying to one another. But as I got to know Hunter and Ella, I began to understand why they’re doing what they do. You may say telling lies is just plain wrong, but let’s be real for a moment, can you uprightly say you’ve never told a lie in your entire life? In a world where deceit and dishonesty are not uncommon, I have to say I appreciate how this story is told. We all have conscience and I admire the way the characters evolve when they can no longer live with the lies that they share.
What intrigued me the most is how the characters talk about the idea of love. In the story, Ella believes she’s being ruined by love. But in truth, she hasn’t been brave enough to love because of her idea of love. Hunter sees the idea of love as his ticket to fame and fortune. But ironically, his life is a reflection of his neglect and ignorance of love. Both Ella and Hunter are no fools but until the moment their illusion of love is shattered, they struggle to find their true place at work and in life.
From the book blurb, it may sound like the story is heavily focused on the romance between the protagonists, but after reading the book, I can honestly share that while there is romance, it’s not the mere focus of the story. Ella is pretty talented in my opinion and I love how she expresses her artistic way on paper, in home decoration and at work. As for Hunter, while his relationship with his family may seem like an eyesore, I like that he genuinely wants to change and become a better member of the family. And when he gains clarity about his life direction, I like that he applies the insights that he gathers from Ella and mends his relationship with his family.
I also love the aspect of friendship in the story. Mimi is a new friend of Ella but I think she’s truly the best friend that anyone could hope to have. She’s funny, caring, wise and helpful, and I love that she knows herself well enough that she doesn’t need the approval of another person to lift her up and make her feel she’s worthy. Unlike Ella’s long-time friend Amber who constantly needs to be the center of attention, Mimi, by contrast, is wonderfully kind and thoughtful.
As you can tell, I fell in love with The Idea of Love. ;)
I wholeheartedly recommend the story and I hope you’ll like it as much as I did.
--
Originally posted on LeisureReads.com
A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.
To be honest, I didn’t know at first if I’d like a story with the protagonists lying to one another. But as I got to know Hunter and Ella, I began to understand why they’re doing what they do. You may say telling lies is just plain wrong, but let’s be real for a moment, can you uprightly say you’ve never told a lie in your entire life? In a world where deceit and dishonesty are not uncommon, I have to say I appreciate how this story is told. We all have conscience and I admire the way the characters evolve when they can no longer live with the lies that they share.
What intrigued me the most is how the characters talk about the idea of love. In the story, Ella believes she’s being ruined by love. But in truth, she hasn’t been brave enough to love because of her idea of love. Hunter sees the idea of love as his ticket to fame and fortune. But ironically, his life is a reflection of his neglect and ignorance of love. Both Ella and Hunter are no fools but until the moment their illusion of love is shattered, they struggle to find their true place at work and in life.
From the book blurb, it may sound like the story is heavily focused on the romance between the protagonists, but after reading the book, I can honestly share that while there is romance, it’s not the mere focus of the story. Ella is pretty talented in my opinion and I love how she expresses her artistic way on paper, in home decoration and at work. As for Hunter, while his relationship with his family may seem like an eyesore, I like that he genuinely wants to change and become a better member of the family. And when he gains clarity about his life direction, I like that he applies the insights that he gathers from Ella and mends his relationship with his family.
I also love the aspect of friendship in the story. Mimi is a new friend of Ella but I think she’s truly the best friend that anyone could hope to have. She’s funny, caring, wise and helpful, and I love that she knows herself well enough that she doesn’t need the approval of another person to lift her up and make her feel she’s worthy. Unlike Ella’s long-time friend Amber who constantly needs to be the center of attention, Mimi, by contrast, is wonderfully kind and thoughtful.
As you can tell, I fell in love with The Idea of Love. ;)
I wholeheartedly recommend the story and I hope you’ll like it as much as I did.
--
Originally posted on LeisureReads.com
A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.
May 29, 2015
As we like to say in the south: "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story."
Ella's life has been completely upended. She's young, beautiful, and deeply in love—until her husband dies in a tragic sailing accident while trying save her. Or so she'll have everyone believe. Screenwriter Hunter needs a hit, but crippling writers' block and a serious lack of motivation are getting him nowhere. He's on the look-out for a love story. It doesn't matter who it belongs to.
When Hunter and Ella meet in Watersend, South Carolina it feels like the perfect match, something close to fate. In Ella, Hunter finds the perfect love story, full of longing and sacrifice. It's the stuff of epic films. In Hunter, Ella finds possibility. It's an opportunity to live out a fantasy – the life she wishes she had because hers is too painful. And more real. Besides. what's a little white lie between strangers?
But one lie leads to another, and soon Hunter and Ella find themselves caught in a web of deceit. As they try to untangle their lies and reclaim their own lives, they feel something stronger is keeping them together. And so they wonder: can two people come together for all the wrong reasons and still make it right?
--My thoughts. This turned out to be more than I expected. It was more than a cute love story. It makes you think about what started out as little lies, for both of them, spun into something that ended up big. For Blake, Ella thinks he is just a writer of historic books, but he is a screen writer, looking to have a comeback in the love film department. Ella's husband fell in love with her best friend's sister, and so now she is living in a dump of an apartment, not sure what to do with her life.
When they collide, they both start telling lies and what happens after that you won't believe! Nothing like a good love story. Mimi is my favorite though. Friendships are the best, especially when you really are not searching for one.
Also, Ella and her job. Made me really mad! I think Ella learned a lot about herself, and it makes you think, we need to be not so passive/aggressive but take more of a positive role in our lives.
This book was so amazing, I really am glad I read it!
Ella's life has been completely upended. She's young, beautiful, and deeply in love—until her husband dies in a tragic sailing accident while trying save her. Or so she'll have everyone believe. Screenwriter Hunter needs a hit, but crippling writers' block and a serious lack of motivation are getting him nowhere. He's on the look-out for a love story. It doesn't matter who it belongs to.
When Hunter and Ella meet in Watersend, South Carolina it feels like the perfect match, something close to fate. In Ella, Hunter finds the perfect love story, full of longing and sacrifice. It's the stuff of epic films. In Hunter, Ella finds possibility. It's an opportunity to live out a fantasy – the life she wishes she had because hers is too painful. And more real. Besides. what's a little white lie between strangers?
But one lie leads to another, and soon Hunter and Ella find themselves caught in a web of deceit. As they try to untangle their lies and reclaim their own lives, they feel something stronger is keeping them together. And so they wonder: can two people come together for all the wrong reasons and still make it right?
--My thoughts. This turned out to be more than I expected. It was more than a cute love story. It makes you think about what started out as little lies, for both of them, spun into something that ended up big. For Blake, Ella thinks he is just a writer of historic books, but he is a screen writer, looking to have a comeback in the love film department. Ella's husband fell in love with her best friend's sister, and so now she is living in a dump of an apartment, not sure what to do with her life.
When they collide, they both start telling lies and what happens after that you won't believe! Nothing like a good love story. Mimi is my favorite though. Friendships are the best, especially when you really are not searching for one.
Also, Ella and her job. Made me really mad! I think Ella learned a lot about herself, and it makes you think, we need to be not so passive/aggressive but take more of a positive role in our lives.
This book was so amazing, I really am glad I read it!
July 21, 2015
Patti Callahan Henry writes with perfect Southern charm. She writes the South how I see it and feel it. Ella Flynn has had a rough time lately. Her husband left her, her job sorta sucks and she lives in a less than par apartment. When Hunter Adderman or aka Blake Hunter introduces himself as a freelancer writing about small southern towns, Ella shares a different picture of her life. Believing this was a one time only meeting-what could it hurt? Their story begins with a lie, then another lie and another. Both spinning stories to the other. They begin building a friendship on falsehoods and half truths. All the while, Ella is trying to get her real life on track to what she believes is her ideal life. Hunter/Blake is looking to put his career back on track. Their friendship is a true friendship, a true connection built on untruths. Soon enough the house of cards falls down all around them. The feelings are real, but where can that lead to when you can't trust the other.
I overall enjoyed THE IDEA OF LOVE. It was well written, but it fell short for me with the two main characters. I very much enjoyed all the supporting characters and secondary stories. I just couldn't really connect to Ella. I didn't dislike her, but I didn't find her compelling. She has this great guy, but she is obsessed with an idea. It wasn't until she started getting a backbone that I could root for her. It just seemed like everyone in her 'real' life treated her poorly and without any respect from her former Bff, her boss, and someone else (you have to read the book to find out who). Then you know Hunter/Blake is lying to her too. Sorta using her and yet falling for her or her story? So I couldn't really like him cause he believes her sob story, but he is still willing to use it. This was definitely a different sort of love story. Like I said, I really enjoyed Henry's writing and the stories surrounding the main story. I just didn't love it. I will definitely read more from her and I'm sure others will really enjoy the story--it was more I didn't enjoy the concept of the story.
I overall enjoyed THE IDEA OF LOVE. It was well written, but it fell short for me with the two main characters. I very much enjoyed all the supporting characters and secondary stories. I just couldn't really connect to Ella. I didn't dislike her, but I didn't find her compelling. She has this great guy, but she is obsessed with an idea. It wasn't until she started getting a backbone that I could root for her. It just seemed like everyone in her 'real' life treated her poorly and without any respect from her former Bff, her boss, and someone else (you have to read the book to find out who). Then you know Hunter/Blake is lying to her too. Sorta using her and yet falling for her or her story? So I couldn't really like him cause he believes her sob story, but he is still willing to use it. This was definitely a different sort of love story. Like I said, I really enjoyed Henry's writing and the stories surrounding the main story. I just didn't love it. I will definitely read more from her and I'm sure others will really enjoy the story--it was more I didn't enjoy the concept of the story.
September 6, 2015
When Hunter meets Ella, he's looking for a love story. One that could be his next big break and get him out of his slump. So he lies about who he is and what he's doing in her charming little southern coast city to put her at ease. What he doesn't realize is that the tragic love story he comes to call in love with is not Ella's story. He doesn't realize she's not being honest about herself either. Through all the falsehood, can these two unearth their own hidden truths?
I enjoyed how the author weaved the story, telling parts from both Ella and Hunter's perspective. I love how the story was set in a small town, on the water in the South. The path Hunter and Ella take is a true journey that brought out some great thought-provoking points...
How do you get over an ex? (steps listed)
Do we really fall in love with someONE or do we really fall in the love with the idea of being in love?
Do we ever just love someone in order to fill a void or a hole that's missing?
Can we ever suffocate love?
Favorite Quote:
I loved the character of Mimi - her sayings, her viewpoint on life and love, and how she challenged Ella. Super annoyed by Betsy. Disappointed in Amber. Over it with Sims. And after it all, I loved how Hunter and Ella met.
I enjoyed how the author weaved the story, telling parts from both Ella and Hunter's perspective. I love how the story was set in a small town, on the water in the South. The path Hunter and Ella take is a true journey that brought out some great thought-provoking points...
How do you get over an ex? (steps listed)
Do we really fall in love with someONE or do we really fall in the love with the idea of being in love?
Do we ever just love someone in order to fill a void or a hole that's missing?
Can we ever suffocate love?
Favorite Quote:
"What about love?" he asked. "Don't you want to grab on to that when it comes again?"
"No. If it ever comes again, which I can't imagine, I want it to walk next to me, hold me. I don't want to grab it like a life preserver, like it's the one thing that will keep the ground from giving way. Love can't stop bad things from happening."
I loved the character of Mimi - her sayings, her viewpoint on life and love, and how she challenged Ella. Super annoyed by Betsy. Disappointed in Amber. Over it with Sims. And after it all, I loved how Hunter and Ella met.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2015
Ella and Hunter have not had success in the love department. So what can happen if they embellish the truth when they meet? They won’t see each other again so what’s the harm in telling a few fibs?
Patti Callahan Henry’s novel explores reality vs. the way we think love should be. I felt kind of sorry for Ella. She’s been left by the people she loved. Her mother died in a horrible way and her husband found the love of his life (not Ella, apparently). And then her boss does some shady things. I’d have been surprised if Ella didn’t go a little crazy.
Hunter’s last few films have been critical flops. He needs to write a winning script or he’ll be done in Hollywood. When he ends up in Ella’s town looking for ideas he can’t believe his luck when he meets her. Unable to resist Ella’s story, he takes the facts of her sad tale and writes a script. He’s lied to her about his identity and job so she’ll never find out what he’s done with her story.
My favorite character was the woman who lived below Ella’s (temporary) apartment. Mimi was colorful and imparted wisdom like a fairy godmother. She quietly forced Ella to get out of her own head and start asking herself the important questions.
Confused yet? I wasn’t. I liked the novel even though I thought the end a bit too Hollywood. There would be a few things for book groups to discuss – most importantly the idea of love and how one might be tempted to try to make it reality.
I received a review book in exchange for my honest review.
Patti Callahan Henry’s novel explores reality vs. the way we think love should be. I felt kind of sorry for Ella. She’s been left by the people she loved. Her mother died in a horrible way and her husband found the love of his life (not Ella, apparently). And then her boss does some shady things. I’d have been surprised if Ella didn’t go a little crazy.
Hunter’s last few films have been critical flops. He needs to write a winning script or he’ll be done in Hollywood. When he ends up in Ella’s town looking for ideas he can’t believe his luck when he meets her. Unable to resist Ella’s story, he takes the facts of her sad tale and writes a script. He’s lied to her about his identity and job so she’ll never find out what he’s done with her story.
My favorite character was the woman who lived below Ella’s (temporary) apartment. Mimi was colorful and imparted wisdom like a fairy godmother. She quietly forced Ella to get out of her own head and start asking herself the important questions.
Confused yet? I wasn’t. I liked the novel even though I thought the end a bit too Hollywood. There would be a few things for book groups to discuss – most importantly the idea of love and how one might be tempted to try to make it reality.
I received a review book in exchange for my honest review.
April 17, 2015
A fascinating novel right from the start. The premise here--that two people could fall in love even if they hadn't been honest with one another from the start, was explored in detail in a way that I wouldn't have imagined.
Patti Callahan Henry has a gift for creating characters that are flawed, but in such a way that they feel so human, so familiar, you want to know them better. When I read her stories, I often find myself forgetting that this is a book and that these are not real people. They become your friends, your family, people you feel you could open up to. That's a hard quality to find in a lot of contemporary literature.
From the start we, as the reader get that the characters are not being completely honest, and it makes for an interesting journey. Whilst part of me wanted to scream at them and tell them--"Stop! You are going to ruin a good thing," part of me wanted them to continue and see how things would turn out.
This book also has some of the most honest sounding and genuinely believable dialogue I've seen in a long time. The writing flows so smoothly that you feel as if you are overhearing a private conversation.
The story never slowed down, the plot never lost steam and the characters got more intriguing with each turn of the page. A great book that you won't want to miss out on.
An unusually enchanting novel with captivating characters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Patti Callahan Henry has a gift for creating characters that are flawed, but in such a way that they feel so human, so familiar, you want to know them better. When I read her stories, I often find myself forgetting that this is a book and that these are not real people. They become your friends, your family, people you feel you could open up to. That's a hard quality to find in a lot of contemporary literature.
From the start we, as the reader get that the characters are not being completely honest, and it makes for an interesting journey. Whilst part of me wanted to scream at them and tell them--"Stop! You are going to ruin a good thing," part of me wanted them to continue and see how things would turn out.
This book also has some of the most honest sounding and genuinely believable dialogue I've seen in a long time. The writing flows so smoothly that you feel as if you are overhearing a private conversation.
The story never slowed down, the plot never lost steam and the characters got more intriguing with each turn of the page. A great book that you won't want to miss out on.
An unusually enchanting novel with captivating characters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 14, 2015
Summer brings out the list of my favorite writers and one of them is Patti Callahan Henry. This is my first time to share one of her novels. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for a copy of The Idea of Love. So sit back and be ready to be enticed for a great story!
Synopsis:
Blake Hunter is looking for his next story. He writes screenplays which come to the big screen in Hollywood. There is only one problem he hasn’t had a hit in a long time. So he travels to Watersend South Carolina to see what he can find under and assumed identity of Hunter Adderman. What happens when he comes across a local woman Ella Flynn? Is she telling him the truth? Will he ultimately find his story and maybe a little romance of his own?
My Thoughts:
This is my first time to share one of Patti’s novels. I am honored for the opportunity to share The Idea of Love. I enjoyed the story! I have met Patti a few times over the years. I recently attended a luncheon where she described her writing process. Patti said to just see what would happen next. The novel is plotted well. I really enjoyed the character of Ella and wanted to root for her to succeed throughout the novel. I admittedly had my doubts initially about the chemistry between Hunter and Ella, but I found the conclusion interesting!
I look forward to reading her next novel!
Synopsis:
Blake Hunter is looking for his next story. He writes screenplays which come to the big screen in Hollywood. There is only one problem he hasn’t had a hit in a long time. So he travels to Watersend South Carolina to see what he can find under and assumed identity of Hunter Adderman. What happens when he comes across a local woman Ella Flynn? Is she telling him the truth? Will he ultimately find his story and maybe a little romance of his own?
My Thoughts:
This is my first time to share one of Patti’s novels. I am honored for the opportunity to share The Idea of Love. I enjoyed the story! I have met Patti a few times over the years. I recently attended a luncheon where she described her writing process. Patti said to just see what would happen next. The novel is plotted well. I really enjoyed the character of Ella and wanted to root for her to succeed throughout the novel. I admittedly had my doubts initially about the chemistry between Hunter and Ella, but I found the conclusion interesting!
I look forward to reading her next novel!
October 7, 2015
Ella is having a drink at her favorite cafe when a stranger approaches her asking about the history of the town. She tries to send him to the visitor's bureau but he convinces her that he would like to know the town through the eyes of someone who lives there. As she takes him around the town they reveal parts of themselves to each other. She learns that Hunter is writing about southern towns and is divorced and estranged from his 12 year old daughter. He learns that she has lost her husband while he was trying to rescue her during a boating accident. Hunter gets the information he was looking for and yet finds that he is attracted to Ella and keeps thinking up excuses to be with her again. The problem? They are both lying to each other. Each wants to stop, but somehow they can't find a way out and sink further and further into the lies about their lives. Will it be possible for them to get out of their web of deceit and discover whether they have both written their own love story with each other?
Many nicely written ideas are presented and the older woman character, Mimi offers some sage advice to Ella. It has human characters that you love and you desire Ella and Hunter to end up together.
Many nicely written ideas are presented and the older woman character, Mimi offers some sage advice to Ella. It has human characters that you love and you desire Ella and Hunter to end up together.
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May 1, 2015It's evident that Patti Callahan Henry loves the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Her descriptions of the fictional town of Watersend will make you fall in love with the Lowcountry, too. Against this backdrop, readers meet two broken people who make up stories to conceal their personal failures. The Idea of Love poses the question: is love a real, tangible thing, or just an idea that we create and enact based on what we've seen in the movies? Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me an advanced copy of the book.
March 23, 2016
Small southern town...unhappy marriage...stranger in town...great makings for a great story, The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry.
Ella Flynn has been having a rough go at life: her husband is wanting a divorce and she is working in a dead-end job at a bridal boutique. Blake Hunter is a Hollywood screen writer who ends up in Watersend, SC looking for a story that will put him back in good graces with the Hollywood critics. What more could a reader want for a summer fun read? I look forward to reading more from this author
Go Cards! L1C4!
Ella Flynn has been having a rough go at life: her husband is wanting a divorce and she is working in a dead-end job at a bridal boutique. Blake Hunter is a Hollywood screen writer who ends up in Watersend, SC looking for a story that will put him back in good graces with the Hollywood critics. What more could a reader want for a summer fun read? I look forward to reading more from this author
Go Cards! L1C4!
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September 10, 2015Love Not Just For the Young
The heroine is devastated after her husband leaves for her BFF's sister. She thinks that getting him back again will make her happy. She finds support and comfort from an older woman and a writer who is town. Is the idea of love what most people have or is real love possible?
Patti Callahan Henry has created another emotional novel that readers of all ages can enjoy. She shows that love is not just for the young can happen even after regrets and heartbreak. This author has become a must read for me.
The heroine is devastated after her husband leaves for her BFF's sister. She thinks that getting him back again will make her happy. She finds support and comfort from an older woman and a writer who is town. Is the idea of love what most people have or is real love possible?
Patti Callahan Henry has created another emotional novel that readers of all ages can enjoy. She shows that love is not just for the young can happen even after regrets and heartbreak. This author has become a must read for me.
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