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The Art of Going Rogue
The industry made her a star. Now it’s trying to script her love life, too.
Bardot Soleil Jackson is tired of being a product. After a childhood of camera-ready smiles and chart-topping hits, the pop princess is ready to reclaim her voice. She wants real music. Real freedom. Maybe even something real when it comes to love. But with her big brother still managing her career like a business deal and a label desperate to control the narrative, “real” feels like a risk she can’t afford.
Then comes King Ash. Gritty, guarded, and magnetic in all the wrong ways. An underground lyricist with no time for industry games and even less patience for pop stars. Their creative spark turns into something electric, something off-limits... until the whole world takes notice.
When Bardot’s fame-hungry ex, Dev Royale, catches wind of their relationship, he flips the script when he tells gossip blogs it’s all fake. A PR stunt. A lie. What he doesn’t mention? Ash ghostwrote his biggest hits... and she’s still under NDA.
Now Bardot’s reputation is under fire, her brother’s calling the shots, and the woman she’s falling for is caught in the fallout. But this time, Bardot won’t be managed.
It’s her story now—and she’s ready to sing it her way.
Bardot Soleil Jackson is tired of being a product. After a childhood of camera-ready smiles and chart-topping hits, the pop princess is ready to reclaim her voice. She wants real music. Real freedom. Maybe even something real when it comes to love. But with her big brother still managing her career like a business deal and a label desperate to control the narrative, “real” feels like a risk she can’t afford.
Then comes King Ash. Gritty, guarded, and magnetic in all the wrong ways. An underground lyricist with no time for industry games and even less patience for pop stars. Their creative spark turns into something electric, something off-limits... until the whole world takes notice.
When Bardot’s fame-hungry ex, Dev Royale, catches wind of their relationship, he flips the script when he tells gossip blogs it’s all fake. A PR stunt. A lie. What he doesn’t mention? Ash ghostwrote his biggest hits... and she’s still under NDA.
Now Bardot’s reputation is under fire, her brother’s calling the shots, and the woman she’s falling for is caught in the fallout. But this time, Bardot won’t be managed.
It’s her story now—and she’s ready to sing it her way.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
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June 4, 2025
Book Riot's Best New Romance Books Out in June:
Looking to produce a new kind of sound, pop singer Bardot seeks a collab with King Ash, the biggest name in the business. But Ash isn’t interested, and tells her so. When Bardot rants about it online and goes viral, though, Ash really sees her. And when they run into each other, they have a real connection that could lead to something great, if everybody and they mama weren’t saying their relationship was just PR. —Jessica Pryde
Looking to produce a new kind of sound, pop singer Bardot seeks a collab with King Ash, the biggest name in the business. But Ash isn’t interested, and tells her so. When Bardot rants about it online and goes viral, though, Ash really sees her. And when they run into each other, they have a real connection that could lead to something great, if everybody and they mama weren’t saying their relationship was just PR. —Jessica Pryde
June 9, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of The Art of Going Rogue! As always, all opinions are my own and this review is being left voluntarily. ✨
4.5 stars rounded up
✨ Sapphic Adult Romance
✨ First Person, Dual POV
✨ 2/5 Spice Level
✨ Music Industry Romance
✨ Stud x Femme
✨ Standalone
✨ Rep: Black MCs, stud rep, femme rep, lesbian rep
> content warnings after review
I haven’t read a romance book like this before… I was blown away. This felt like a romance book written with a deep love of music. Not just the making of music, but also the production of music and everything that happens “behind the scenes”. Then on top of that there was a heartfelt romance between the main characters, Ash and Bardot. Their chemistry and connection felt so real (just like their passion for music felt so real)!
The writing made every page feel so genuine. Not only did that match the vibe of the book, but it made the story feel so believable. I could not put the book down. I needed to see how Ash and Bardot’s love story unfolded. I was so invested in the both of them that it felt like an exposé.
While this book has been labeled as a slow burn, it didn’t really feel like a slow burn to me. There was resistance at first given the circumstances (understandable), but there was clearly something smoldering under the surface that caught fire without too much effort. (The chemistry is unbelievable…) There is some spice; however, the spice is not extremely descriptive. It’s more poetic and vibe-y. So many feels. (And I was happily drowning it in with them.) A shorter read that is 100% worth the time.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
homophobia, childhood trauma
4.5 stars rounded up
✨ Sapphic Adult Romance
✨ First Person, Dual POV
✨ 2/5 Spice Level
✨ Music Industry Romance
✨ Stud x Femme
✨ Standalone
✨ Rep: Black MCs, stud rep, femme rep, lesbian rep
> content warnings after review
I haven’t read a romance book like this before… I was blown away. This felt like a romance book written with a deep love of music. Not just the making of music, but also the production of music and everything that happens “behind the scenes”. Then on top of that there was a heartfelt romance between the main characters, Ash and Bardot. Their chemistry and connection felt so real (just like their passion for music felt so real)!
The writing made every page feel so genuine. Not only did that match the vibe of the book, but it made the story feel so believable. I could not put the book down. I needed to see how Ash and Bardot’s love story unfolded. I was so invested in the both of them that it felt like an exposé.
While this book has been labeled as a slow burn, it didn’t really feel like a slow burn to me. There was resistance at first given the circumstances (understandable), but there was clearly something smoldering under the surface that caught fire without too much effort. (The chemistry is unbelievable…) There is some spice; however, the spice is not extremely descriptive. It’s more poetic and vibe-y. So many feels. (And I was happily drowning it in with them.) A shorter read that is 100% worth the time.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
homophobia, childhood trauma
June 14, 2025
4 stars. Bardot and Ash are everything! The love of music in this was palpable and the romance was really good. I liked how things developed between Ash and Bardot and how both of them were so incredibly passionate about their careers. They had great chemistry and the sex scenes were so intimate and well done.
I think this one I will love even more upon a reread because while I obviously liked it, I didn’t love it. It was a bit slow going at times as I felt the pacing was a bit off but that was really the only thing. It was still a great read and I would highly recommend it.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I think this one I will love even more upon a reread because while I obviously liked it, I didn’t love it. It was a bit slow going at times as I felt the pacing was a bit off but that was really the only thing. It was still a great read and I would highly recommend it.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 14, 2025
DNF
I stopped reading at about 70% in. It's not often I quit so far into a book. But I couldn't stand the confusion anymore.
I kept feeling like I'd missed things. Often, when I started a new chapter, I'd wonder where in the story I'd suddenly landed. For example, after a steamy moment in the studio that ends with a climax. Then in the next chapter they're in the studio again. But I still have no idea if that's the next morning, a week later, or what? How much time had past? And what happened in between. It often felt like I missed some important information or that I skipped a part and missed what happend in between. Like when I read about passionate encounters -plural- and I could recall just one. I couldn't have missed those could I?
I liked the interactions between Bardot and Ash, but there weren't all that much of those. At about 40% in, there was only just one scene with both of them. The rest was mostly just discontent with their labels and managers and a lot of grumbling about the music industrie. And if they were in the same room the writer kept mentioning the static and electric energie. So much so that it started to annoy me bit.
The pacing was a bit off. Like Ash mentioning this wasn't just physical anymore while in my memory they just had sex once and didn't really spend any more time together one on one. Or something that seemed to happen ages ago suddely going viral. It was all a bit strange.
I stopped reading at about 70% in. It's not often I quit so far into a book. But I couldn't stand the confusion anymore.
I kept feeling like I'd missed things. Often, when I started a new chapter, I'd wonder where in the story I'd suddenly landed. For example, after a steamy moment in the studio that ends with a climax. Then in the next chapter they're in the studio again. But I still have no idea if that's the next morning, a week later, or what? How much time had past? And what happened in between. It often felt like I missed some important information or that I skipped a part and missed what happend in between. Like when I read about passionate encounters -plural- and I could recall just one. I couldn't have missed those could I?
I liked the interactions between Bardot and Ash, but there weren't all that much of those. At about 40% in, there was only just one scene with both of them. The rest was mostly just discontent with their labels and managers and a lot of grumbling about the music industrie. And if they were in the same room the writer kept mentioning the static and electric energie. So much so that it started to annoy me bit.
The pacing was a bit off. Like Ash mentioning this wasn't just physical anymore while in my memory they just had sex once and didn't really spend any more time together one on one. Or something that seemed to happen ages ago suddely going viral. It was all a bit strange.
June 24, 2026
This is the first time I am reading Bennett's work and this one was really good. I saw book 2 on TT and I was intrigued by the little sub-themes but I couldn't read book 2 without trying book 1 even though they are standalones - I am glad I did because it was truly beautiful.
Though, I am one of those people who hates when things that happen behind the scenes are brought up later in the book, like when the author wrote about these small things that brought the MCs closer, e.g SVU episodes... I mean, yes, we can't get all that happens, but I also prefer if I didn't know what I don't know or didn't read about.
Though, I am one of those people who hates when things that happen behind the scenes are brought up later in the book, like when the author wrote about these small things that brought the MCs closer, e.g SVU episodes... I mean, yes, we can't get all that happens, but I also prefer if I didn't know what I don't know or didn't read about.
May 31, 2025
This book? Phenomenal. As a music lover, I was hooked from the first backstage pass. The behind-the-scenes look at the music industry was juicy enough to satisfy my inner groupie, but what really hit was Bardot’s battle to stay true to her voice—literally and figuratively. Watching her rage against being shoved back into a box she clearly outgrew? Chef’s kiss. I was mad right along with her.
And Ash? Calm, collected, and cooler than a vintage vinyl in an air-conditioned studio. Her dynamic with Bardot was electric in that slow-burn, soul-matching kind of way. Add in Jay—walking chaos gremlin, king of dad jokes, and human embodiment of comic relief—and you’ve got a found family setup that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. His kids nearly stole the whole show.
Honestly, this book deserves its own Grammy. It’s officially made my top 10, and I’m not even sorry about the emotional damage. Highly, highly recommend. 👌🎶
And Ash? Calm, collected, and cooler than a vintage vinyl in an air-conditioned studio. Her dynamic with Bardot was electric in that slow-burn, soul-matching kind of way. Add in Jay—walking chaos gremlin, king of dad jokes, and human embodiment of comic relief—and you’ve got a found family setup that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. His kids nearly stole the whole show.
Honestly, this book deserves its own Grammy. It’s officially made my top 10, and I’m not even sorry about the emotional damage. Highly, highly recommend. 👌🎶
November 21, 2025
3.5 stars!This is the first book of L.M. Bennett that I’ve read. I stumbled across it on Kindle Unlimited and I’m glad that I did.
First off, the cover is gorgeous. I loved how the author had the MCs talk about music and other artists. I love when authors include a playlist with the story.
The Art of Going Rogue was a fairly quick read. I was able to read it in less than 24 hours. I do feel like I wanted more. The chemistry between Ash and Bardot was definitely there. However, the author did a lot of telling and not enough showing to my liking. We hear that they have been spending a lot of time together the past two months, but we only see a couple of scenes of this and it’s actually in the beginning of their relationship that we see. We never really get to see more of their interactions until the awards show.
I just wanted more and that’s because I loved both MC’s, as individuals and as a couple. I will definitely be reading more of L.M. ‘s books!
First off, the cover is gorgeous. I loved how the author had the MCs talk about music and other artists. I love when authors include a playlist with the story.
The Art of Going Rogue was a fairly quick read. I was able to read it in less than 24 hours. I do feel like I wanted more. The chemistry between Ash and Bardot was definitely there. However, the author did a lot of telling and not enough showing to my liking. We hear that they have been spending a lot of time together the past two months, but we only see a couple of scenes of this and it’s actually in the beginning of their relationship that we see. We never really get to see more of their interactions until the awards show.
I just wanted more and that’s because I loved both MC’s, as individuals and as a couple. I will definitely be reading more of L.M. ‘s books!
March 23, 2026
Hot read, two characters who were very much attracted to each other but didn't know how to express it. Until one steamy night in the studio. The chemistry between them was fire I kept picturing myself in the scenes wishing I was getting some of that loving. The rise and struggle to shed the childhood stardom, like real stars like Keisha Knight Pullman and Raven Symone when I see them I see still them as Olivia and Rudy. So to try and be an adult is what she was struggling with. Them to work with a producer that your attracted to, and of course rumors start flying. Dev was no help, just messy and petty trying to start stuff b/c he was not wanted by anyone. He was just jealous. But I'm glad Jay dragged him. Kinda like the Kendrick/Drake beef, only Jay had better bars than Dev. Can't come up if you have ghostwriters and you're buying your lyrics that means you have no talent, you're just good at memorizing stuff. Teen bop stuff doesn't count. Be a man, take a few classes. If you can't rhyme, hang it up. Cause once you get outted, your profile goes straight to the trash Dev!!
Overall a great read and a good lead up to the second book Track Four is Not About You.
Overall a great read and a good lead up to the second book Track Four is Not About You.
March 8, 2026
This is a great read and don't miss the bonus epilogue! My first read by LM Bennett but it won't be my last.
A romance and "coming into one's self" story set in the entertainment and music industry. I loved the music jargon and theme that are woven throughout. The social media culture and tabloid frenzy felt accurate.
This is a slowish burn romance. I appreciated the centering of LGBTQ characters. The story gave a peek into individuals having to hide their true selves. It showed a tender, budding romance (with a side of spice) between two women that was real.
Bennett's writing style is crisp and her prose is sometimes lyrical. There were phrases that I highlighted because I loved the language that she used. The author also knows how to paint a picture and set the scene.
I recommend this book and anticipate her next release, book two of this Hot Miv duo.
A romance and "coming into one's self" story set in the entertainment and music industry. I loved the music jargon and theme that are woven throughout. The social media culture and tabloid frenzy felt accurate.
This is a slowish burn romance. I appreciated the centering of LGBTQ characters. The story gave a peek into individuals having to hide their true selves. It showed a tender, budding romance (with a side of spice) between two women that was real.
Bennett's writing style is crisp and her prose is sometimes lyrical. There were phrases that I highlighted because I loved the language that she used. The author also knows how to paint a picture and set the scene.
I recommend this book and anticipate her next release, book two of this Hot Miv duo.
July 1, 2025
Any book that contains a reconciliation that has me bawling in the bathtub is an immediate 5 stars. I don’t make the rules lol. Two sides to Black women in music who are just trying to carve their place that’s true to self. The evolution of their relationship plus the incredible and hilarious addition of Jay the best bestie just lives rent free in my brain lol. The way Ash and Bardot experienced a lower and truer passion with time had me starry eyed. I received a copy of this book from Booksprout (although it was subsequently removed from the site) and this is my honest review. 5 stars, it’s not even close. It also inspired me to reassess a 4.5 star rating I left on a completely different book - that one is also 5 stars because it evoked similar emotion.
January 2, 2026
The Art of Going Rouge is a 10/10 again for me. I swear every time I read an L.M. Bennett book I feel like I am in the scenes because they are written so perfectly detailed. This story follows former child star, Bardot who is making a new name for herself as an adult and Ash who is no stranger to the difficulties of the world of music. The chemistry within this slow burn was off the charts and well worth the wait. It poises the question, is real love possible in such a fake industry?
June 6, 2025
This sapphic novella was incredibly descriptive, and the characters felt real. I liked that it was a window into the music industry. The story was very slow burn with a touch of spice. This has been my favorite book of L.M. Bennett's so far!
June 6, 2026
A good, easy to read story about finding oneself as an artist and finding love at the same time.
September 9, 2026
I purchased this book on a whim and I was not disappointed. I liked both of the main characters but I wish the story was longer. I feel like there was more that could’ve been explored. I will be continuing with this series because I already purchased them lol.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews