What I Want

by Frances M. Thompson

A previous cover edition for this ASIN can be found here

A 1970s Sapphic Rockstar Rivals to (Secret) Lovers Romance

Spring, 1979

All eyes are on the two biggest rock bands in the world, Evergreene and Femme Fatale. Or more specifically the world's spotlight is fixed on Cassie Everard and Pia Lindberg, the two bands' leading ladies and the most photographed, talked about and lusted after women in the music industry.

Cassie is folk rock's golden girl and English rose, an innocent songbird whose on-off relationship with her bandmate Stephan Greene sells almost as many albums as her song-writing skills. The problem is those albums aren't turning into the awards she craves.

Pia is punk rock's bad girl, black cat and rebel with a cause. Rumoured to be involved with all four of her male bandmates, it seems nobody can pin her down, not least her management who she constantly clashes with, even though she sells them plenty of records. Just, apparently, not enough tour tickets..

The media love talking about Cassie and Pia's rivalry so when they're forced to record a song together, fans go wild. Pia and Cassie, on the other hand, are less than enthusiastic... until they end up locked in a hotel room together, each determined to make the label's song something they actually want to sing.

Twenty-four hours later and Cassie and Pia are not just rockstar rivals; they're lovers. And equally as terrified about the world finding out as they are being forced to hide what is fast-becoming their favourite love song...

What I Want is a spicy sapphic rockstar rivals to lovers with opposites attract, grumpy x sunshine, and dyslexia and hearing loss rep. Full tropes, tags and rep can be found at @francesmthompson. This book is intended for readers aged 18+.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Lesbian, Fiction, Contemporary, Queer, Historical

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Frances M. Thompson writes stories about bisexual disaster heroes usually getting the HEAs they deserve in her spicy contemporary romance... but sometimes getting into a lot of trouble in her suspense thrillers.

Frances loves chatting with her readers and the best places to do so is in her Facebook Readers' Group or on Instagram.

Originally from London, UK, but now based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Frances is the author of the contemporary (and steamy!) romances, Five Sunsets, The Moon Also Rises, and Let Love Rule, sapphic romances Hummingbird and Butterflies, three short story collections (Shy Feet Short Stories Inspired by Travel, London Eyes Short Stories, and Nine Women: Short Stories), a collection of poetry called Lover Mother Other, and the London Killing series of fast-paced urban thrillers, including The Wait and The Weaker Sex.

To find out about Frances' upcoming books first, sign up to her newsletter.

You can find copies of her books (and more!) in her shop.

Frances also works as a freelance writer and blogger. You can read her (oft-neglected) blog, As the Bird flies. She is also the creator of WriteNOW Cards, positive affirmations cards designed to help writers build and enjoy a writing practice they love.

Follow Frances on href="https://www.instagram.com/FrancesMTho... or on TikTok @francesmthompson.

Reviews

[Aunt Missa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this author. Her sapphic romances are just top notch and this book is just amazing. Pia and Cassie rivals, even though they’ve never really spoken. Pia is punk rock and Cassie is folk rock. They both are the lead singers and the heart of their respective bands. A brawl between the bands leads to their mangers to decide that it would be good publicity for Cassie and Pia to sing a duet together. Pia doesn’t do anything the easy way and Cassie is the perfect foil for her antics. Cassie sees something in Pia that Pia doesn’t see herself. They rewrite the song in a way that describes how they both wish they could live if they could decenter men.

Sparks fly and it is so incredibly sweet and hot at the same time. The MCs are just made for each other, but it’s the late 1970s and the only way for m to be out and together is to tank their careers. There is a nice amount of angst, some serious pining, and a few decent supporting characters for Pia and Cassie to lean on.

I am so drawn to this author’s writing. I love her style and the flow of her stories. Her romances are just so touching and have many layers. This one is no exception. Take a minute to read her acknowledgements and her process for developing this story. It’s worth it.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It was amazing and will go in my never to be deleted pile.

[Jordan Fischer | julietfoxreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends, if you are looking for sweet and (very) spicy sapphic romance….. you NEED to read What I Want. It’s rivals to lovers rockstars set in 1979 and the vibes were SO FREAKING PERFECT. Pia is the bad girl front woman for a punk band, struggling with her past and her failing hearing. Sweet Cassie is the leader of a folk group that is falling apart. Total opposites, but when they get together to record a duet together….. the chemistry is instant and INTENSE. A perfect example of fast burn spice, slow burn love.

Both women are bi, though only Pia has been with women at the start of the story….. and OH the YEARNING. Y’all, if you want women who yearn….. this is the book right here. And the retro details!! I LOVE twentieth century recent historical, and seriously, you can just picture both of these women in the late 70s/early 80s rock scene PERFECTLY.

This is my second book from @francesmthompson and I’m yet again impressed. Incredible writer who puts a ton of thought (and queer joy) into her stories. HIGHLY recommend!!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️4🌶
This is the retro 70's music themed rivals to lovers I didn't know I needed. You have the main FMCs Pia and Cassie, two leaders of their bands with different musical styles who are competing to be #1. Whether it's at the awards shows, or on the charts these groups generally dislike each other.
Pia is the European punk queen is unapologetic in her bold and brash lifestyle. She's a lover of all genders, much like some of her band mates.
Cassie, is a folksy English muse known for her love songs and on and off again relationship with her guitarist.

The fmcs end up recording a duet as their bands battle their inner demons. The friction and chaos helps that song and their personal trajectory overlap into a endearing love story.

In my head, I pictured a Chrissy Hynde/Joan Jett against her rival aka a Stevie Nicks. I was entertained by this book, it's a bit of instant lust despite the rivalry but it somehow works.

Tropes and triggers: first time, rivals to lovers, found family, mental health and substance usage, touch her and d!e, coming out and acceptance.

I received an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Frances Thompson]

Oof, yet another sapphic romance that took a huge chunk of my heart during the writing process. But I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'm not going to leave a review because I wrote the darn thing (other than I will never bore of baby sapphics discovering scissoring for the first time!) but what I will do is include this from the acknowledgements/author's note because it sums up so many of the thoughts I'm having as I release Pia and Cassie into the world.

Sort of contains spoilers-ish, but also doesn't because, duh, there absolutely is a HEA!!!!

It is a bit peculiar that I had absolutely no problem writing the 93000-word first draft for this book, but here I am procrastinating about writing the acknowledgements. Maybe it has something to do with the lack of sex scenes because I always find that helps get the words (and blood!) to flow. Or perhaps, it’s because I know when I write these words – all the many heartfelt thank yous that so many wonderful people are owed – I know that this book is really done. Finished. Over.

And honestly, I’m having a hard time letting Pia and Cassie go. Allow me a moment to explain why.

When I first started writing What I Want, it was after just finishing Nightingale, my other ‘historical’ romance (or ‘retroromance’, if you will) in early 2025, and it was actually intended to be a short story for a charity anthology I am part of. However, it quickly transpired that Pia and Cassie needed much more than 25,000 words, and so did I.

What was supposed to be a fun frolic in the late 70s actually turned into so much more. It was a retelling of history, and as the author, it was like time travel for me.

Born in 1982, I couldn’t help but imagine a world where I’d grown up with photos of Pia Lundberg and Cassie Everard kissing on stage at the Grammys. What if I’d grown up knowing that two of the world’s most famous female musicians were in love? What if there was old, grainy TV footage of these pop stars kissing at a public event? What if one of the most famous love songs of my childhood was a love song about women loving women?

Do you know how powerful that would have been? Do you know how life-changing that would have been for me and so, so, so many others? Do you know how life-saving that could have been?

Sometimes, my rage at how this is not our shared history is a visceral thing. It’s like fire in my veins. It twists my stomach, and it tenses every fibre in my body. It shortens my breath and has me wanting to scream so loudly it burns my throat.

How dare we be socialised to think that women loving women is wrong? How dare queerphobia be normalised? How dare generation after generation of people grow up with so much hatred forced on them, all because of who they are attracted to, who they want to love!? Or who they know themselves to be!?

This rage is not unfamiliar to me, of course. I felt it writing Nightingale (set in 1990 against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis), and I feel it almost every day as a loudly and visibly queer author writing queer stories. I can almost feel more of it heading our way as right-wing movements and governments threaten our queer community from every possible angle.

I have also felt rage since childhood because I’m a woman. All women – or those socialised as women – will know that rage of being misunderstood, underestimated, overlooked, abused, assaulted, r*ped, and otherwise hurt or discriminated against. And not just once. Never just once. Over and over and over and over again.

Apparently, writing a book that very closely intertwined both these types of rage was a recipe for, well, rage soup.

But that is okay. Please, believe me when I say, it’s okay to feel angry. It’s okay to acknowledge just how much is wrong with the world. Indeed, that is an important first step in fixing it. My only hope is that with Pia and Cassie, and their story, I have given you something alongside the rage. I have given you comfort; that you are not alone in the rage, in the desire, in the wanting. And I have hopefully given you a reason to listen to what you want. It matters. You matter.

One last confession before I thank the very important people who made this book what it is. With every book I write, I have very real, very undeniable and slightly unsettling moments where I wish my characters were real. But none more so than the characters in this book – the Greene brothers aside, and perhaps also Geert, unless he does some therapy. But truly, I wish Pia and Cassie were real. I wish we sapphic souls had their story growing up. I wish we had had so much more than what most of us did. And of course, those who lived before us had even less. But I’m glad this book now exists for you, for future generations, and selfishly, for myself too.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal story by a fave author! I loved everything about it. The characters and the MCs character development, the tone and pacing, the descriptions of so many hotel rooms (lol) and venues, the music and the romance. I enjoyed the tension and the release ;).

The story begins in the late 1970’s and goes through the early 1980’s. The two most famous rockstars and competitors are Pia and Cassie and their respective bands. Having the dual pov brought so much depth and insight to not only our MCs but also the goings on outside of the individual.

Having these two sensations collaborate on a song was the foundation of so many experiences, feelings and emotions and road to happiness and just maybe love.

Highly recommend!!!

[tinkingaboutbooks]

Set in the 1970's, this rivals-to-lovers romance follows icons Femme Fatale and Evergreene as they are forced to collaborate. The close-proximity tension is high, and the queer-positive messaging is bold and unapologetic for the era.

While I usually adore France  M Thompson's work, I struggled to stay engaged with this e-ARC, though that may just be down to trope burnout on my part. 

Don't let this stop you from reading the book, Frances is a brilliant author! 

[Unpopmary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

What I Want is an angsty, rivals-to-lovers romance set in the 1970s, centered around the leading women of two of the biggest rock bands in the world: Evergreene and Femme Fatale.

Cassie, folk rock’s golden girl, whose one-off relationship with her bandmate Stephan manages to put them in the spotlight; enough to sell as many albums as her songwriting talent allows, yet with no awards to claim. And Pia, punk rock’s bad girl and rebel with a cause, rumored to be involved with all four of her male bandmates and known for causing chaos for her management; though she sells plenty of records to make up for it, just apparently not enough tour tickets...

When they’re forced to collaborate on a song, they’re the only ones not excited about it. But one hotel room later, they decide to turn that song into something real; something that actually means something to them. And somewhere between tension, honesty, and vulnerability, things shift. What starts as friction turns into something much more intimate… leaving them to question whether what they shared was just one night, or something worth risking everything for.

This book turned out to be so much more than it initially seemed, for many reasons. First of all, I absolutely loved Cassie and Pia; both together and individually. Cassie’s journey of breaking out of the “perfect girl” mold and reclaiming her identity felt so quietly powerful. Watching her grow into someone who takes control of her own life—both as an artist and as a woman—was incredibly satisfying. I especially loved how naturally her dyslexia and religious trauma were woven into her story. Even if I would’ve loved a bit more depth there, the glimpses we got were still impactful and rewarding to read.

And Pia? I adored her. She’s bold, messy, unapologetic, and completely unwilling to shrink herself to fit societal expectations of how women should behave at the time. There’s something so powerful about the way she exists in a world that constantly tries to diminish her. But what made her even more compelling was her growth; the way she slowly starts choosing stability and self-awareness over self-destruction. I also really appreciated the hearing loss representation; it felt natural, meaningful, and well-integrated into the story. It’s something I rarely see highlighted in sapphic romance, so it was refreshing to see it explored here.

Now, their relationship… this is where I was really caught off guard. I’m usually not an insta-love person at all, but this didn’t feel like that. It felt like something softer, slower; like the seed of love was planted early from the beginning, but the emotional depth took time to grow. The yearning? The vulnerability? It all built so naturally. And when everything finally came together, it just felt earned. They truly worked as a couple, and I loved how their relationship allowed them to see themselves differently; like loving each other helped them become who they were always meant to be. That realization was just as exhilarating as it was profound. Honestly, I can’t praise the author enough for crafting a romance that felt so real (almost too real… kidding, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!)

I also have to talk about the song they wrote together because… I was genuinely captivated. Usually, fictional songs in books don’t do much for me, but this one? I actually wished it existed so I could listen to it on repeat. In my head, it already does.

The writing style made everything even better. It’s atmospheric, intimate, and so emotionally in tune with the story. You can feel the shifts in the relationship through the prose itself; it softens, stretches, and breathes along with the characters.

But what I loved most were the underlying messages: that queer love is not something to be hidden or shamed, but something to be celebrated and embraced openly. Because at its core, it’s simply love; no matter who it belongs to. That message resonates even more deeply given the era in which the story is set, a time when queerness was viewed far more harshly than it often is today. It makes you reflect on how far we’ve come as a community, while also acknowledging how much further there is still to go.

Endless thanks to the author for sending this my way! I’m genuinely grateful for the chance to review it.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book actually ALTEREDDDDD my brain chemistry like i’m not even joking 😭😭😭 i went into this expecting “hehe sapphic rockstars rivals to lovers” 🤭🤭🤭 and came OUT looking like i survived war. emotionally DESTROYYYYED. 😭😭😭😭

cassie and pia genuinely have some of the best chemistry i’ve ever read!!!! 😭😭😭 because WHY did every interaction feel like they were two seconds away from either murdering each other or making out violently against the nearest wall. sometimes BOOOTH AT ONCE?????

and pia lindberg????? oh that woman is SICK in the head affectionately. 😭😭😭 AND I LOVEEEEE HER every time she opened her mouth i folded immediately. i support women’s rights but more importantly i support women’s "wrongs" because WHAT was that telephone scene 😭😭😭 (rent free living in my mind 🥰)
ALSOOOO OPPOSITES WERE SOOOOO ATTRACTING LIKE DAAANG- js meanwhile cassie out here acting all polished and sweet and innocent while internally she is DOWN HORRENDOUS. 😭😭😭 girl was fighting for her LIFE every time pia smirked at her. (same ofc)
also the YEARNING????? the tension of having to hide while the entire world is obsessed with their “rivalry”????? inject it into my bloodstream. THIS WAS EXECUTED FAR TOOOOOOO WELL- 😭😭😭😭😭

the whole book felt loud in the best way. like electric guitars and cigarette smoke and glitter under stage lights and absolute emotional chaos. the atmosphere was INSANEEEE. 😭😭😭😭
ALSO i know approximately three things about the 1970s. one: people smoked everywhere. two: everyone looked vaguely haunted. kinda very alcoholic. three: apparently lesbians were out here suffering while simultaneously serving the cuntiest rockstar looks imaginable.???? so genuinely this book was also a fun little learning activity for me 😭 i was sitting there like “wow history… but make it gay and emotionally devastating.” YUMMYYYY 🤭🤭🤭

BUTTT GUYS ALSOOOO THE REPRESENTATION OH MY GODDDD 😭😭😭 i loved how pia’s hearing loss and cassie’s dyslexia were handled- 😭 HANDLED AND NOT FORGOTTEN OR DOWN WASHED. I JS LOVEEEEED THIS so much because it never felt like those things existed just for angst or drama. they genuinely learned each other. pia learning sign language WITH cassie instead of shutting her out and cassie having somebody who actually helped her instead of judging her??? AAAAAAAAAH. 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 the way pia helped her with writing down their lyrics made me genuinely emotional because these women really said “your struggles are not something i have to tolerate, they are something i want to understand.” 😭😭😭😭😭 LIKE QPEKWONRIWKFE THEY ARE SOOOO MADE FOR EACH OTHER I’M SICK.
and don’t even get me started on the romance because underneath all the rockstar chaos these two genuinely SAW each other. like truly understood each other beyond EVEEEERYTHING. 😭😭😭😭

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But do you know what being scared every single day of my life has taught me?”
“What?” I whisper, my next breath dependent on her answer.
“That you have to live with the fear. You have to look it in the face and take it along for the ride, but not the other way around. You can never let fear be the driver.”

I am part of Generation X and was born in the 70s. I needed this book to be real! Life would have been so much easier if I had representation like these characters when I was growing up. I knew going in that this would be a romance with a HEA, but I couldn’t help feeling nervous for the characters because I know what it was like for the gay and lesbian community back then. I kept thinking “there’s no way this can end well.” I’m glad I was wrong.

Our main characters are both lead singers and female front liners of very successful rival bands. Cassie Everard fronts the English folk pop band Evergreene, while Pia Lindberg fronts the punk rock band Femme Fatale. The story starts with the bands getting into a physical altercation at a Grammy’s afterparty. Cassie left within seconds of the fight breaking out “cementing her reputation as the least rock’n’roll rockstar.” Pia “punk rock’s unofficial queen” is in the middle of the melee. A month later the bands’ managers propose the two leading ladies sing a duet together. They both reluctantly agree and end up with a hit song.

When the two meet to record their duet they end up working on rewriting the song together so the lyrics are more in tune with what they want to say. Pia drags Cassie back to her hotel room to work on the song and begins casually flirting with her. Cassie has never been with a woman before but Pia has experience in that area. Pia asks Cassie if she’s ever kissed a woman before or if she has ever wanted to. Cassie hasn’t kissed a woman before but she has felt that urge. They get really close writing together and one thing leads to another. But it end up being about more than just sex as they continue to see each other and become even closer.

I really enjoyed this book as it had many things I love like music, connection, character growth, disability rep, and a punk rock girl. The love story felt realistic and the spice was frequent and open door. It was also nice to see how difficult it was to keep in touch while on tour since this was set in the late 70s and not the digital age. This was the first book I’ve read by Frances M. Thompson but it won’t be the last. Thank you for the ARC!

[triviareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75/5
Heat Level: 3.75/5
Pub Date: April 21st

My review:

This is a steamy sapphic romance featuring two rival rockstars forced to work together after their respective bands beat the shit out of each other at a '79 Grammys after-party. Cassie is a classic good girl, Pia is a rebel at heart who disdains everything Cassie represents... except Pia quickly realizes Cassie actually not a total square? And attractive??

I kind of love how swiftly Pia hastened Cassie's queer awakening— literally ONE NIGHT together in a hotel room as they write lyrics to a song that is basically Dolly Parton's "Jolene" except a little more implicitly queer and the sexual and emotional intimacy is already THERE. To be clear, it's far from insta-love, and the natural separation during touring creates a lot of *longing* and *pining*. They have clandestine meetings only made a little easier without social media, and write letters and arranging long-distance phone calls while they're apart. And it doesn't help that they're forced to keep their relationship a secret for most of the book, because the world wasn't ready for openly-queer celebrities, queer women in particular. Hell, people are still weird about queer female celebrities, if recent events are anything to go by.

The sex:

I'm trash for an early sex scene and I love that not only did it happen, but Pia was SO SMOOTH in the way she roundly seduced Cassie. Pia likes to give it as rough as Cassie wants it.... and gives it right back. The dirty talk is also great.

Standout scene was probably a Very Good phone sex scene, which is fitting because of their rigorous touring schedules and separations... and plot twist, the phone itself is actually USED. Wild.

Overall:

This was surprisingly cozy for a rockstar romance— the romance between Pia and Cassie is tender and full of caretaking moments while the people around them are very sex & drugs & rock & roll, and the ending feels like a triumph in more ways than one. If that's your jam (ha), you'll enjoy this book.

Thank you to Frances M. Thompson for the advanced copy.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine: the smoke-filled, drug-hazed 1970s music scene with all the groovy vibes pairing a punk princess and a folk music star...

Yes, the vibes were immaculate for that! While both the bands in the story are entirely fictional, the crazy antics, drugs, sex, and alcohol seem completely on-brand and realistic for the time period, and it was so cool to witness. The spice was like WHOA. Both Pia and Cassie, our MCs, had lovely growth arcs on their own, with deeply established personalities that rooted them firmly in the story. I love seeing representation, and we saw that here with dyslexia and hearing loss rep that was handled so elegantly.

The writing was very good and I snorted a few times at the unexpected jokes! I was definitely kept interested and hooked to the end.

There were a few things that were not for me about this story that would have been good to know beforehand that are my personal preference rather than a fault of the writer's, which would be the instalove trope and how spice-heavy this book was. I love my spice, and it was definitely delivered, but I was really looking for more expansion on Pia and Cassie's love story during that point in the plot: more domestic moments together, more falling in love rather than falling into bed, more sweetness, which for me could have replaced one or two of the heated scenes. Still, this is just me, and I'm sure not everyone would feel that way.

I will definitely be reading more from this author and would recommend this book!

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read Frances M. Thompson's lesbian romance novel, I need a glass of ice-cold water afterward if I'm around people, or a cold shower... if not 😉
But this time it was particularly intense, or perhaps particularly fantastic!
And also so exciting because both characters underwent incredible development during a very sensitive and difficult time for sexual freedom—a freedom that didn't really exist back then. It did exist, but more in secret!
Pia Lindberg is the embodiment of rebellion and a fighter against anything and anyone who wants to stop her and discriminates against women.
Pia is a Femme Fatale and the leading singer of the band of the same name.
And then there's Cassie Everard, Pia's arch-enemy and the successful singer of the rock band Evergreen.
They're supposed to hate each other, or at least that's the expectation. But is that really the case?
A duet between these two women and rivals is supposed to mean more sales, more gossip, and more success for both bands.
It does, and it brings so much more to light for both of them.
So much good that must remain secret.
It is full of emotions and great feelings, and the struggle to allow them.

I really enjoyed this beautiful story and I loved spending time with these two amazing ladies!
Thanks so much for the arc to France M. Thompson!!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: Alcoholism, drug addiction, graphic sexual content, physical abuse (not between MCs), mention of miscarriage (not MCs), discussions of racism, homophobia, and lesbophobia.

❤️Rockstar Romance
❤️Sapphic Romance
❤️Enemies to lovers

🌈Bi FMCs
🌈FMC with hearing loss
🌈Thai-Swedish FMC

As always, a home run from Frances.

This was a gorgeous enemies to lovers story set against the backdrop of the 1980s rock scene (I point blank REFUSE to label this historical).

I lap up an enemies to lovers story anyway, but the addition of the rival bands just added a little dash of something new to the trope. Full of angst and infighting, the story follows our FMCs through a journey of both falling in love with each other, and finding their place in the world. Both coming to a reckoning about their respective sexualities, their lifestyles, and their careers.

I was invested from page one, and fell in love with both heroines. Our prickly Pia just buzzed on page, her energy completely different from Cassie. Sometimes with a romance with same-sex coupling, the characters can sort of meld into one another, but these characters were written so well and with such individuality that, even without a note as to whose chapter we were on (dual POV), you would just KNOW.

Stunning, 10/10, loved it.

[Chasary Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review

This is a new to me Author and this book did not disappoint.
2 rivals both lead female singers Pia and Cassie.

Pia is a tru punk girl in 1979 Where you are expected to act a certain way Pia is like Hell No. I am who I am. She’s tough, smart and loves to write music. Pia is the the lead singer to Femme Fatale. I hen the band started acting up Pia is put together with Cassie to record a song together.

Cassie is the sweetest and polite m proper English . She’s holding her own band together evergreen. Her band mates are all messed up so she’s also put in the spot to record her the Pia.

Pia and Cassie have great chemistry both as singers and as partners. Their rivalry turned into the most loving and touching thing you can see develop in this story. It’s about being able go you want, loving yourself, and screw what society thinks. Love is love either with your rival it’s worth fighting for. What I love want is a sapphic book about 2 rivals grumpy/sunshine set in 1979. Who want the world to see that writing a love song can mean more than just one thing.

What I want, is to know my love is true What I want, is to stop feeling so blue.
What I want, is a love that's only mine.
What I want, is that for the rest of time.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the rivals-to-lovers, opposites-attract vibes between Pia and Cassie. Their chemistry was off the charts and their sex scenes were plentiful and plenty spicy. And I loved the intensity of their connection and love for each other.

I also enjoyed that this was set in the ‘80s, back when the music industry was much different. Oh, to return to the time when musicians actually played and sang live, instead of relying on tracks, and their fans were actually willing to pay for music! I don’t think the story would have worked well in present day.

The only thing that gave me pause—since it’s usually an automatic DNF for me—was the sexual activity that started when one of the participants was asleep. Enthusiastic consent is very important to me, and that can’t obtained from a sleeping person, so that’s just not my cup of tea. However, because I loved the characters so much, and am a big fan of Frances M Thompson’s books, I did keep reading. For anyone else who takes issue with that, a heads up that it happens twice in the book.

With the exception of those couple of moments, I loved everything else about this book.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[S.S. Genesee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was PHENOMENAL!! If you all know me, you know that 1970s rockstars are MY SHIT. It's what I live and breathe. Basically 70s music is in my head 24/7. So when I first caught wind that there was a sapphic 1970s rockstar romance coming out YOU BETTER BELIEVE I WAS GONNA READ IT!! 🗣️🗣️ And it was just as good as I hoped, in fact it was brilliant!! 🤩

Cassie and Pia are very much opposites in terms of music and style, but I love how they come together. The rough bad girl and the sweet rose, and oh how they make beautiful music together. I love me a rivals-to-lovers and this book was no exception. When Cassie and Pia meet, they realize they have a lot more in common than they'd ever thought, drawn to each other in ways they can't explain. Nonstop thoughts, yearning, and also angst... so good!!

The 1970s setting was also done very well, not just in vibes but also in the way the world around is presented with common views and how it is to be queer and in the spotlight. The author handled this spectacularly, and it was such a wonderful ending it gave me tears of joy 🥹💕 I love these ladies and I wholly recommend this book!! 💕💕

[Michela Santoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book set in 1979 about two female lead singers who literally fuck the hate away??? Sex drugs and rock n roll??? Fuck the patriarchy??? Sign me tf up.

This was such an enjoyable read.
Cassie and Pia are very different from each other, yet somehow complement one another perfectly.
Pia was definitely my favorite character. She is a badass and she owns it; she challenges patriarchal beliefs and couldn't give less of a fuck even if she wanted to.
Cassie, on the other hand, is warm, caring and reflective. They both have to face themselves, their personal demons and external judgement. The character development for both of them was top tier. Loved the dyslexia and hearing loss rep as well.

This book defies societal norms about women and queerness, especially in a time like the 1970s. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read an enemies-to-lovers romance with a side of female rage (oh, and it was SPICY).

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Many thanks to Frances M. Thompson for the ARC.

[Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances M Thompson, in my opinion is such a brilliant writer. She’s absolutely incredible at placing the reader inside the location where the story is developing.

Pia truly was a femme fatale, she has Cassie on her knees from just one night together. I enjoyed that as the book progressed, they learned from each other and made each other better. Pia abandoned her vices, acknowledged her true friendships and grew as an artist and Cassie developed the bravery to come out of her perfect princess box and rebel a little. I’m glad that, when presented with the choice to be explain their visits away by faking a relationship with men, they stood their ground and respected their relationship.

I loved the hint at Jolene as inspiration for hidden sapphic message song.

I’m so beyond happy that they presented themselves as they were at the biggest stage in music. Can’t rave enough about this book, I just couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to Frances M Thompson for providing me with an eARC.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do I want to become a global rockstar icon now!?! Absolutely!🙌🏽🎸

✨Spoiler free ARC review ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set in the 1970s, we follow the two biggest rock bands in the world, Femme Fetal, led by Pia Lindberg, and Evergreene, fronted by Cassie Everard.

Do these bands hate each other??👀 OH YEAH😩

Is there a rivalry called the battle of the bangs?? HELL YEAH🔥

When both bands find themselves facing their own problems, the only solution is to bring these two women together to create a hit song.

But one night in a hotel room changes everything👀🙊

Their chemistry is undeniable, but the world isn’t exactly a safe place for whatever is happening between them…🥺

And it leaves you wondering, what matters more, love or fame?🫣

I loved the soft, quiet moments just as much as the heart racing and gut wrenching ones. Pia and Cassie are truly something else and I’m so proud of them 🙊❤️🥹

Out now on Kindle and trust me if you love sapphic chaos, yearning, and chemistry that hurts this needs to be on your list IMMEDIATELY 😩🎸🔥

[Bookskee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pia (black cat) and Cassie (good girl) are the leading ladies of rock bands in the 70's and there is an obvious rivalry between them.

So when they are asked to write and sing together Pia is most definitely not amused!

But as they write together, something happens.. they learn some things about each other as they play with words and rhythms....words and letters are not always understood, ears can not always hear and guitars are not the only things fingers can strum.

I enjoyed this romance especially with the commentary on the bands and the lives of the members. Because it's set in the 70's they are forced to hide their growing relationship. And I enjoyed how they stayed connected and creative in a time of no moblie phones.

The 🌶'y times are✨️ and plentiful so..umm.. do with that what you will 😅

Many thanks to @francesmthompson for the opportunity to read in advance 🩷

[Ramona Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked these characters and enjoyed their love story. It was gritty and difficult and sexy-all things I want from my romance novels. Unfortunately this felt like a contemporary, not historical. There wasn't anything that made me aware this was 1979 except for that it was mentioned by the characters a few times.

There were a few modern lines that should have been caught by an editor:
- referring to a Woodstock tshirt as "vintage"-it was only 10 years prior than the story
-telling a photographer to "delete that photo" - that wasn't happening in 1979
-used the phrase "giving zero fucks" - that's definitely contemporary

The other women in my book club liked this a lot more than I did, so if the blurb intrigues you, give it a try. I liked another book by this author so would try another.

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed France M. Thompson’s work and “What I Want” is no different! I absolutely loved this story and getting to know Cassie and Pia! Huge thanks to Frankie for allowing me to read this book before its release, today, April 21!!!

“What I Want” is a story set in 1979 and follows two rock stars who are the leading ladies of their respective bands. Cassie Everard and Pia Lindberg are long time rivals, that is, until they are forced to write a song together. What happens when folk rock’s golden girl and English rose and punk rock’s black cat and rebel with a cause are put in a hotel room together to write a love song?! Well, let’s just say they’re not just finding their rhythm on paper, if you catch my drift.

I really enjoy Frankie’s writing. It’s relaxing and easy to get lost in. I found myself not wanting to put “What I Want” down and was genuinely invested in the story from page one. I also love the layers she gives to her characters. There’s enough depth to get a good feel for them and make an emotional connection. You really want to root for Cassie and Pia to get their happily ever afters! I also may be a bit BI-as 😏, but I love the bisexual representation in most of Frankie’s books! I related to Cassie a lot in her sexuality self-discovery, and it always feels good to be represented!

All-in-all, if you’re a reader who enjoys a good rivals to (secret) lovers, grumpy vs. sunshine, spicy, sapphic romance with dyslexia and hearing loss representation, you’ll want to add “What I Want” to your TBR today!

[AshleyReadsSmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Want ARC Review

Heated Rivalry…but make it sapphic rockstars. (I’m not exaggerating either 😂)
While it was a little slow to start, but once it got going it flew and it was great. There were a few loose ends that I would have like seen tied up (like everything with Stephan, etc) — but Cassie and Pia’s story itself was great!

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 🌶️
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: Standalone
𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: n/a
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞: n/a

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚: FF
𝗛𝗘𝗔/𝗛𝗙𝗡: 💖
𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗣: 🏳️‍🌈
𝗪𝗛𝗬-𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗘: 🚫
𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Cassie + Pia

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
♥︎ sapphic romance
♥︎ 1970s music scene
♥︎ rival rockstars
♥︎ grumpy x sunshine
♥︎ opposites attract
♥︎ bisexual FMCs
♥︎ dyslexia + hearing loss rep

𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦: n/a

𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚁𝙲! 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗.

[cloud_9_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh don’t mind me, I’m just gonna be over here singing power ballads from the late 70s/early 80s for the foreseeable future after finishing this one. I love a good rockstar romance, but this one just hit different. Set in 1979, it focuses on Pia and Cassie - 2 powerhouse female lead singers of rival rock bands.

The chemistry and spice kicked in early & made for some addictive reading. But what really stood out was the uphill battle they faced - industry pressure, public perception, and the limitations of the time, which added so many emotions. I got completely attached to these two and my only complaint is that I can’t actually hear them perform their song together!

[Layne KOs · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is so full !
It's always a road full of rocky emotions with Frances M Thompson. 

I completely adore Cassie and Pia, both individually and together. Both are female singers in very opposite rock bands, one folk, one punk.
After a collaboration that makes them realize they can be real, each woman begins a journey of self discovery and understanding what she wants for herself. 

An empowering and inspiring story that gives you hope. I would have loved to have sapphic rockstars as idols while growing up !
This is set in 1979 and the vibes are brilliant.

*Thank you Frances M Thompson for the ARC.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book blew me away! I absolutely loved it. I knew after the first chapter that I was going to love this one, and that rarely happens.
It stayed so good that I've had trouble reading anything else in the week since I finished it.

It was VERY hot and steamy (explicitly so) a hefty amount of times throughout this addictive blast-from-the-past style romance. The sensitive topics of their personal struggles were well done, I thought, as well.

I'm honestly struggling for words to convince you to read this. But if you love hot sapphic stories, and the idea of Blondie and Joan Jett/Cher and Stevie Nicks falling head over bangs for each other in 1979, then you're gonna have a hell of a time.

Genuinely, I think my only actual complaint is that the cover doesn't feel like it matches this novel. I signed up for the ARC when it had a different temporary cover shown next to very different character art, both of which drew me in with the description. This cover feels adolescent and fluffy, and this was definitely not that tone or vibe. ❤️‍🔥

These are 100% my own thoughts and feelings about this book. I'm Incredibly grateful to have received this eARC, it is definitely going on the physical shelf ASAP.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third book by Frances, and I continue to be really impressed. This rival rockstar sapphic romance between total opposites really worked for me, and seeing them gradually realize what they do have in common was lovely. There is plenty of rock star content, including problematic band members, drugs and alcohol, and a public tracking their every moves.

This is hot, with enough emotional angst to ground the sweet moments, and real character growth from both characters. Throw in Pia's hearing loss and Cassie's dyslexia and I am here for it.

[Nicole Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll set in 1979!

This started a bit rough and I had a hard time telling everyone apart for a few chapters but we got there eventually and the ending had me verklempt.

Sapphic rock rivals who fuuu$k! Pia even comes hands free at one point when giving Cassie head and I know that will have a few of you running to read!

Thank you to the author for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Winnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. This story was next level i loved it. It followsPia and Cassie, supposed enemies but the truth is they never did the media made it up. When it dawns on them lines become blurred and phone calls and kiss happen. They had their ups and downs but in the end it was all owrth it becuase they got to fall in love and be friends andtogether they made magic with their music. I highly recommend this book

[Sabine A McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars for this amazing sapphic rock star romance! It hit all the vibes that I love. Hit me with nostalgia and so much more. I felt like I was there in 1979, what women who fell in love with each would have to face. The narrative the music industry would have shown to boost album sales. The two FMC were each other's yin to their yang.

Amazing read and my first from this author. I plan to read more in the future!