The Idea of Love: A Novel

The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry is set in Watersend, South Carolina. A small little town on the coast. Blake Hunter is traveling through the south looking for ideas for screenplays. His last two screenplays were a dud and he needs inspiration. He is in Watersend at a café and he sees Ella Flynn. Ella is going through a rough time. When Hunter (who gives a fake name and back story) asks to talk to her, Ella decides to lie. She invents a different life. Hunter loves her story and can see it being made into a movie. Ella keeps telling herself that she will tell Blake the truth, but she just keeps digging herself in deeper. Ella and Blake get to know each other better (well, as well as you can when both people are telling lies and half-truths). They may even be falling in love. Ella is currently separated from her husband, Sims. Sims feel in love with Ella’s best friend’s sister (convoluted). When Ella found out she destroyed his baseball collection (which is worth a lot of money). Ella is not living in a tiny, nasty apartment without her belonging and working at Swept Away. Swept Away is owned by Margot Sands. Swept Away deals with all things bridal (shoes, gowns, head pieces, etc.). Ella is currently working in the shoe department. When Ella was out with Blake, she made a sketch of a dress. Margot saw the sketch and asked to look at it (you know where this is going to go). Ella’s sketch with Margot’s name gets entered into a contest and Margot ends up a finalist. Will Ella have the guts to out Margot? Sims is not sure what he wants. He has seen Ella with Blake and he is jealous. What is going to happen between Sims and Ella? Blake does go home to his life with his assistant/girlfriend. Ella had given him a great idea which turns into a great screen play. But Blake misses Ella. What is going to happen with Blake and Ella (I am sure you can guess). The Idea of Love was not an enjoyable novel. I knew what the outcome would be from the very beginning. I give The Idea of Love 2 out of 5 stars. Unfortunately, I was not swept away by this book (I was bored). I received a complimentary copy of The Idea of Love from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.