Robinne Lee, whose debut The Idea of You sold nearly 1 million copies, will release her second novel Crash Into Me on July 7, 2026, News Of Losangeles exclusively reports.
At a Glance
- The Idea of You author returns with sophomore novel out July 7
- New story follows photographer Cecilia Chen after a car accident
- Book explores power, privilege, betrayal and desire in L.A.’s elite circles
- Why it matters: Lee’s first book became a Prime Video hit; anticipation is high for her follow-up
The upcoming summer release centers on Cecilia Chen, a photographer married to a famed French director. After relocating to Los Angeles, she navigates what the book’s description calls a “toxic playground of privilege and power.” A fender-bender reunites her with Anouk Ferrand, a model she first met in Mexico two decades earlier. The crash forces Cecilia to confront her past, her marriage and her own identity.
Lee, also an actor and producer, tells News Of Losangeles she has worked on Cecilia’s story for more than ten years, pausing for long stretches before returning to the manuscript in 2019. “I began to work on this current iteration – a seductive narrative about power, privilege, betrayal and desire, viewed from a perspective we don’t often see,” she says.
The author says the new novel continues her focus on multifaceted women. “The opportunity to write women characters who contain multitudes will always appeal to me,” Lee adds. “I’m excited for readers to get to know Cecilia and Anouk as intimately as I do.”
From Page to Screen Success
Lee’s 2017 novel The Idea of You followed Solène, a single mother who falls for a younger rock star. The book’s popularity surged after Prime Video released the film adaptation in 2024 starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, introducing the story to a wider audience.
With Crash Into Me available for preorder now, fans of Lee’s emotionally charged storytelling can expect another deep dive into complex relationships and personal reinvention when the novel arrives this summer.
