Falling like Jupiter

by Shira De Rooij

Jupiter Van Dijk, a chronic people pleaser returns to Amsterdam after a fruitless journey across Europe in search of self-discovery. Burdened by a family that reveres astrology and parents that named her after a planet she resents, Jupiter struggles to carve out her own identity outside of the world of stars. At her overly extravagant birthday party, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Ethan De Jong, her brother's best friend, who becomes her roommate shortly after.

While Ethan is captivated by the stars, dedicating his nights to studying them, he never anticipated living with someone who despises their celestial being. Determined to change her perspective, Ethan introduces Jupiter to the wonders of the universe beyond astrology. Their time at the apartment and talks about the stars sparking unexpected feelings and a magnetic attraction towards one another.

Will the stars pull them together or pull them apart?

ebook

Published February 19, 2025

About the author

Shira De Rooij is a romance author.
Since she was a little girl she loved creating stories in her head and write poems and stories in her journal.
She's always loved the idea of writing about all the sides and shapes of love, and capturing moments like the first kiss or a sweet love confession.
She likes painting, and learning new languages and completely obsessed with Taylor swift, Kdramas and Harry Potter.

You can catch her active on instagram
(@shirader), where she posts and updates about her books and writing journey.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

This book!!

*I was given the honor to receive an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*

As a people pleaser myself, Jupiter's struggles felt so relatable. And excuse me, but the way these two meet!?!?! ADORABLE!!
There is no words that can describe how much I love the way they met 🥹

I love astrology and seeing her astrology obsessed parents offered me a different perspective. We all see the archetype of the parents who want to control their children's life, but Jupiter's parents had good intentions, they just had extremely strong beliefs on what she should do with her life. It was a very cool twist to see.

Seeing her try to find her true self amist all the influence of the stars and astrology was beautiful to see! Would you like to guess who her love interest happens to be?

Ethan... Her brother's BEST FRIEND an ASTRONOMY student!!!! 🤭 The stars are his safe place whereas they are a nightmare for her, to the point that she can barely look at them. When he learns about her struggle with astrology and her identity, he tries to show her a new side to the stars.

Just like the planet, Jupiter's filed hooks him in and feelings come to the surface.

Ethan's compassion and kindness and gentleness all made me ache. To be loved by this man 🥰❤️‍🩹
I want someone like him in my life so badddd!!!
He loved Jupiter through her mess, through her struggles, through her inner battles. He supported her through everything, loved her through it and never stopped believing in her. He put HER FIRST which is sooo healing to see as a people pleaser. He helped her see that she deserved to be heard and taken care of and seen and UGHHHH 💕

The way their relationship progressed was achingly beautiful. The friendship, the trust, the vulnerability...
This book proved to me yet again just how much I love (strangers to) friends to lovers. This one felt so natural and perfect.Their care for each other was so deep as they became friends that it didn't take much for the romantic love to bloom.

AND I NEED TO MENTION THIS!! The references to the previous couple killed me. I need to read the previous book like I need air I was loosing my mind every time they were mentioned. The writing was smooth and beautiful.
I loved this book so muchhhh.

[Brooke Haubold · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to thank Shira for asking me to be an ARC reader. This is my first time writing a ARC review!
*I was given the honor to receive an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*

Tropes: Friends-to-lover, Slow-burn, Best friends brother, Roommates

I really enjoyed reading about Jupiter and Ethan’s story!! This unique storyline was so lovely. The beginning of the story was a little slow for my liking, but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. The romance was written so naturally which I loved!! Their relationship slowly progressed from friends to lovers so smoothly. I think it helped that they were super close and cared deeply for each other.

Ethan is a 10/10 MMC! Loved how gentle and patient he was with Jupiter and how he made her more confident in her true self. Some of the things he was telling Jupiter made my heart melt. He truly just wanted the best for her and was happy to be at her side for anything.

Jupiter's is a unique FMC. I could relate to her on some level with the people-pleasing and loving books because they feel like an escape from reality. Her growth through this book was slow, but I think that made it more realistic. They are perfect together honesty. I also her relationship with her brother ( I hope we get a book about him I would love to see if he finds his twin flame🤞🏼)


I can't wait to read her previous books and her new ones!!

[Willie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧸ྀི˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆
📖 Falling Like Jupiter @shirader
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you @shirader for sending me an e-ARC of the book to read and review 🫶

💌 My thoughts ~
Falling Like Jupiter is an introspective novel about identity, family expectations, and self-discovery. At its heart is Jupiter, a young woman raised in a world where astrology dictates her path, yet she struggles to find her own way beyond the stars. With poetic prose and emotionally resonant storytelling, Shira captures the quiet turmoil of someone torn between fulfilling expectations and embracing personal truth.

The novel beautifully juxtaposes celestial imagery with human struggles, creating a dreamy yet deeply grounded atmosphere. Jupiter’s journey is equal parts heartbreaking and empowering as she navigates familial pressure, self-doubt, and the lingering desire to belong. Her dynamic with Ethan, her brother's best friend, who understands her unspoken battles, adds a layer of warmth and quiet romance that feels both organic and deeply moving.

The writing is lyrical, weaving together cosmic metaphors with real-world emotions. Fans of coming-of-age stories with elements of fate, longing, and slow-burning connection will find Falling Like Jupiter a compelling read. With a playlist featuring introspective and nostalgic songs, the book immerses readers in its wistful, celestial aesthetic.

A must-read for anyone who’s ever felt lost in expectations, searching for a universe of their own making.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫💜🪐
First of all, I have to say that I thank to the author very much for the honor I had in receiving an arc of her book! I am immensely grateful to have been able to read this amazing book🥹💜

𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This book is about growing, understanding who we want to be or do, it’s about falling in love, this book is a simply brilliant and incredible book that makes us reflect, that warms our hearts and that makes us feel understood.
The author did an incredible job with this book and I don’t even have enough words to say how much I liked this book and how much it ended up surprising me🤭
The characters are so easy to like and identify with them and their fears and insecurities, I simply loved reading about Jupiter and Ethan, understanding them better, seeing them overcome their fears and insecurities, seeing them creating a connection literally FROM ANOTHER WORLD, seeing them becoming each other’s safety net and of course seeing them fall in love was undoubtedly a great experience and I loved every minute!!!🥹🙌🏼

I really liked this book a lot and that’s why I come to tell you that I highly recommend this wonderful book and that it came out today so if you want to read it you can get it now!!!!🤭💜This book really takes us on an incredible journey, without a doubt, after this book I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author💜

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
Brother’s best friend
Roommates
Friends to lovers
Astrology vibes
Bookworm girl x astronomy lover boy

[bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ - 4 stars

This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Jupiter is a people pleaser who just got back from her trip to Europe to escape her astrology obsessed parents. She struggles to find her true identity when she’s always influenced by the stars.

Until she meets Ethan, an astronomy student and her brother’s best friend. He loves to talk about the stars and spend time observing them. He decides to try to change her perspective on the stars and show her the world beyond astrology.

Unexpected feelings surface and they keep coming back to each other, just like a magnetic field.

I loved the characters. I understood Jupiter so much, as a people pleaser sometimes it’s really hard to express ourselves and say our opinion, it’s a battle with ourselves. I loved to see her journey through her feelings and finding herself and her dreams.

Ethan is compassionate and so kind. I loved him so much, I want someone like him in my life 🥹 It’s beautiful to see how much he loves Jupes and how he’s so supportive and never stops believing in her and taking care of her, always putting her needs first.

It’s beautiful how their relationship slowly progress, the friends to lovers transition was so smooth because they cared so much for each other even before they started to love each other romantically.

I really liked the writing too. It’s simple but beautiful, I loved how the author mixed astronomy facts and their relationship. Everything related to the stars was so beautifully written.

[Tess Marais · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This was such a cute and beautiful romance book!💖
I really enjoyed the unique storyline and loved the brother’s best friend trope and how it was written in this book.🤭

Jupiter is a very unique FMC who resents the stars and everything they represent. It’s understandable given that was raised in a house where the stars and her birth sign determined everything about her life and what path she needed to follow. But Jupiter made her own path and grew so much throughout this book.🥹
Her view on the stars changes once she meets Ethan, a man who loves astrology but believes that you can choose your own path in life, not the stars or your star sign.💖

Ethan is a wonderful MMC who shows Jupiter how beautiful the stars can be, and he never pushes her to love the stars like he does. I adore Ethan and how he took care of, protected, understood, and loved Jupiter.💖
These two are so perfect for each other and I’m so happy they got their HEA in the end.🥹

Thank you so much for gifting me an arc copy of Falling Like Jupiter, Shira! It was such a beautiful book and I really enjoyed reading Ethan and Jupiter’s story.💫

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve never been that into astrology—just on a very basic level—which made this book a bit tough to get through. The way the protagonist was raised in a family that revolves so intensely around astrology gave off major cult-like vibes. And when I say everyone in this book loves astrology, I mean everyone. It was just a little too much for my taste.

The plot centers around Jupiter, who doesn’t want her zodiac sign to dictate her life anymore—whether it’s how she dresses, what colors she paints her walls, or even who she’s allowed to fall in love with. But at the same time, the main storyline follows her asking Ethan to help her learn to love the stars the way her family does? And while he constantly reassures her that he accepts her as she is, he’s still determined to make her fall in love with astrology, constellations, and planetary movements. It all felt a bit contradictory to me🤨

On top of that, the romance didn’t feel natural. I honestly have no idea how the leads even fell in love—just because they were roommates? That alone didn’t make their relationship feel real to me🫣

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me🤷‍♀️

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Shira De Rooij, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3.5⭐/5
Spice Level: 2🌶️/5

Read if you like:
- Friends-to-lovers
- Astrology and stars
- Slow-burn romance

Falling Like Jupiter is such a cozy, feel-good romance. The story is centered around astrology, and the writing is absolutely beautiful, it feels like you’re floating through the stars right alongside the characters! The chemistry between the main couple was so adorable, and their relationship had all the dreamy, romantic vibes you’d want in a slow-burn. Plus, it’s not just a love story, it also touches on Jupiter’s journey of self-discovery, which added a nice layer to the plot!

I especially loved the dialogue. They were sweet, heartfelt, and full of emotion. Jupiter’s feelings really came through in the writing, and her moments with Ethan were so magical they felt almost unreal. Oh, and I have to mention her bond with her brother, Luuk! It was such a wholesome and lovely part of the story🩷✨

That said, the plot itself felt a little flat. Not much really happened, which made it drag a bit in places. Jupiter’s character also tested my patience at times—her self-growth was slow, and she could be frustrating. But Ethan made up for it! He was the perfect love interest: patient, kind, and so thoughtful. Honestly, some of his lines had me melting, even if he was a little too perfect at times🤭

Overall, I enjoyed Falling Like Jupiter! It’s the kind of book you’d read when you’re in the mood for something sweet and comforting. If you’re into astrology and love a cute, slow-burn romance, definitely give this one a shot!⭐

[Sophia Udoye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed Jupiter and Ethan’s story! Watching Jupiter navigate her identity outside of her family’s fixation on astrology was relatable and refreshing. Her frustration with her name and the stars contrasted beautifully with Ethan’s awe for the universe. Their dynamic was both humorous and heartfelt, and I loved how Ethan slowly opened her eyes to the wonder beyond astrology.

The chemistry between them was undeniable, and the cosy roommate setting gave the story a warm, intimate vibe. The slow burn of their relationship felt natural, and their talks about the universe were some of my favourite moments—thought-provoking yet sweet.

The writing had a lovely flow, and the balance between humour, emotional depth, and romance made it such an enjoyable read. I’m excited to see what this author writes next!

[Allison Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling Like Jupiter by Shira De Rooij ✨️arc review✨️

Bookish babes....let me tell you about this book 😄

Three words: Pure 👏 Romantic 👏 Bliss 👏
I LOVED this book so much 🫶 it is genuinely such a wholesome and easy-going book with loveable characters and UGH just ✨️SWOON✨️ on every page.

Jupiter and Ethan are both genuinely relatable characters. The friendship and romantic relationship was so "pulls at hearts strings proceeds to scream into pillow" and honestly the MAIN thing I adored about their dynamic was the fact that they cared about each other before physical attraction even remotely came into the picture.

It was just so heartwarming, so see them tackle each other's personal fears as a team. It was just UGH I LOVE THEM 😩😩 I also could not get over the dynamic with their whole friendship group, because their friend group is so intertwined with each other and they all just genuinely loved, cared, supported each other just ✨️PERFECTION✨️

Honestly, this author wrote a story about personal growth, overcoming fear, and that it is absolutely okay to not know what "your thing" is. It's such an amazing book I recommend with my entire being 🩷

Keep an eye out on Feb.19th for this books release 👀 and seriously give it a read because it is such a fabulous read 🥰

🌟🌟🌟🌟