Rules Worth Breaking: A Found Family Rock Romance

by Elle Whittaker

16 cities. 30 days. One increasingly hard to follow rule.

Simon is a rule-follower by nature. He always drives the speed limit, he never litters, and he honors the “Oregon Rule”—no getting involved with anyone you’re on tour with. It’s worth it to protect the found family of his band, The Boy Scouts of Atlantis.

And it’s never been a problem for him until they start touring with the all-girl band Queen Anne. Because their guitarist, Marlowe, is beautiful and funny and dangerously talented.

Every day, Marlowe’s band is getting closer to going full-time. But it’s difficult for Marlowe to focus on that goal with Simon singing into the mic that way, making her laugh, and moving his fingers over the frets of his guitar in ways that send her imagination into overdrive.

Neither of them want to keep secrets from the rest of their bandmates, but it’s getting harder to ignore the chemistry between them. As Simon and Marlowe and their bands make their way through California and Oregon, they’re forced to decide what rules are worth breaking, and who they’re worth breaking them for.

Tropes/What to

Medium spiceHappily Ever AfterFriends to loversJust one bedForced proximityFound familyPNW roadtripRock shows

Genres: Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love music and reading so when I saw this I knew I had to read it. When I say I couldn’t stop reading, I am not exaggerating. As a mom of 2 young kids, it’s sometimes tough for me to find the time to read but I finished this book in about 26 hours.

I loved the background of both bands, the conversations everyone had, and the unique way they all intertwined together. The FMC was just bad ass enough to make me love her, while the MMC reminded me of a golden retriever in the best way possible.

[Nicole Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book way more than I thought I would! The romance was so sweet, and it had me kicking my feet at times! The bond these two bands have together and their friendships were amazing, and it makes me want to start my own band (too bad I'm not musically inclined..haha). I will absolutely read the rest of the series and the rest of Elle Whittaker's writing!

Spoilers:


Marlowe and Simon are the CUTEST!! I was dying when they realized that they loved each other! And he wrote a song about her!! Are you kidding me??? I'm obsessed!

Rose and Felix: I wanted them to say they were in a secret relationship, too! I can't wait to read about them in the next book!!


This is a 5 star read for me!! Thank you Elle Whittaker and Booksprout for the advanced copy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm fairly new to the romance genre, but this book sucked me right in! The developing chemistry between the two main characters was perfectly paced and felt so real. The personalities of all the band members were so fun, and the way they all connected with one another warmed my heart. The romance, the music, the description of the beautiful PNW, the spice was all so well done! I laughed, I cried, I'm sure I'll read it again.

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It was like we created these temporary little families, or villages, or something, at every show. And it could never be recreated. Every audience was different, every venue was different. You could play the exact same set two nights in a row, and it would be a completely different show—there were so many variables that made every show unique.”

Rules Worth Breaking is a dual POV, found family, forced proximity roadtrip romance between Marlowe and Simon, who are members of two bands going on a month-long tour of the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon Rule is in place to not be involved with anyone on the tour.

However, Simon and Marlowe have chemistry from the start and try to find a way to navigate the rules and their feelings.

The story and character growth between Simon and Marlowe was great. The novel was well-paced. I enjoyed reading about not only Simon and Marlowe’s relationship, but also reading about the found family within each of their bands and their journey at each tour stop and how each show was a unique experience for them and the audience. While I see the perspective of the bandmates on how their relationship could change the dynamic of the band, I think some of the pressure from band mates made both Marlowe and Simon feel more guilty about their feelings and wanting to be in a relationship than they should have.

Thought the playlist at the start of the book was really good as well! I would recommend this book.

This book does contain open door scenes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited about the prospect of this book but once I started reading it I found myself a little disappointed. I found the writing in this book to read like a teenager on wattpad wrote it. I wanted to like it so much, but it felt like I was reading a stream of consciousness and not a book with world building. I did appreciate the romance subplot but I felt like there was too much will they won’t they going on between Simon and Marlowe. I really did want to love this book, but I just fell like it fell flat and I was struggling to get motivation to finish the book.

[Jenny Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This found family romance was a fun peek into two bands who are on tour together. They all become fast friends but two individuals find themselves in a forbidden situation that cannot be denied. With some rock, some laughs, and lots of spice, this fun novel had me plowing through it in one sitting! I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

[Emrys Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't so sure at first. The first chapter felt a little on the nose but as I kept reading, the story settled into place and I found myself captured by the characters' dynamics. I found myself reading late into the night simply enjoying the flirtation and spice. The group dynamic really hits it amd the tour premise made it a lot of fun.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules Worth Breaking is a good, and enjoyable found family road trip rock romance read. The story has a great entertaining world building story line. The characters are great, and they have great chemistry. This story is a very entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marryssa Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start? I was hooked from the start!! The chemistry between Simon and Marlowe was perfection, whether it was a conversation, weird walk, or full on make out session. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect combo of romantic, adorable and HOT. I basically read it in one sitting because I couldn't get enough of the adorable characters, the fun vibes and the steamy pining turned just plain steam. Can't wait to read the next one.

[KG Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story!! It brought back great memories of when I used to go to my boyfriend’s shows. The fun dumb songs they’d randomly make up! Ah! So fun!!
I really enjoyed this book, thank you so much for an ARC

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start of a new series - Found Family Rock Romance. It was my second read from the Author and I enjoyed it very much - wonderful characters, amazing vibe - you just can't put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Simon had to figure out if love with Marlowe was worth changing his internal rules. The story line with the bands and travelling was quite interesting. I enjoyed this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tesla Mcelhaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book! Will definitely recommend it to others! Can’t wait to read more!! 😍😍😍.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read. It kept my attention throughout the whole story.

[Emily Cahoon Horvath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet easy read.

[Jazmine’s 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars- Thanks for allowing me to read the ARC!


——- Spoilers —————

This was a cute, fun and mildly spicy story. I’ve never read about rock bands and having them on the road meeting and interacting with the other bands and meeting new people was cool. I liked seeing the characters navigate through touring with another group, making new friends amongst each other and the relationship that formed between the main characters. I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters and the dual POV because I love knowing what both parties are thinking and not letting things feel one sided. I do feel that the book was a little short and I would prefer if there was a little more buildup or slow burn to just really have me yearning for these characters a bit more. Also, I understood the premise and the reasoning behind the “Oregon Rule” but if I’m being honest, I felt that the bands were overreacting a bit! I get that they wanted to know but I don’t agree with them making the main characters feel like shit and treating them like it. (However, I did understand Felix’s perspective once he explained in more detail, but I think everyone else’s overreactions is more what caused the distance between the members of each band, and not really the relationship)