Fortunately, even with only 15% of workable eyesight, I can see right through his irritating charms. He may have fooled our coworkers, family, and friends with his nonsense, but he can’t fool me.
Unfortunately, when our CEO condones the organization of a 30-day mandatory Valentine event, I’m stuck with William Ivan Delimar Hart—a man who bedazzles walkie talkies and calls our boss twinsie.
Somehow this is the man that’s going to help me keep my job.
As much as I don’t like it, the math is either I rely on Will, or I face professional death.
Let Operation Countdown to Valentine’s Day begin.
Unwillfully Tied to My Valentine is a closed-door romantic comedy with plenty of swoon and sizzle, but none of the spice. Welcome to the second novel in the EverStorm universe, featuring disability rep, office romance, and forced proximity.
Storm Sterling loves writing unhinged, closed-door romance that’s HOT without spice. She lives in midwest America with a large, broad-shouldered man and three tiny clones. It is her life goal to write books well enough that she can afford all of her favorite author's books. This goal is secondary only to playing Stardew Valley all day every day.
Please buy Storm’s books so she can afford more gaming hours and more Camilla Evergreen books. Seriously. Please. She’s desperate.
Anywayyyy umm Ruby is adorably grumpy and Will is annoyingly cheery and obviously with him being best friends with her brother from ages ago in school…they are just meant to be. And clearly, for one is quite obsessed with the other and the other is completely oblivious to it. Cue a book full of laughs and cute aggression plus obsession with some hotness thrown in there. It’s a masterpiece. Like Frank and her work on this cover.
GAAAAAH! This duology - so sweet! I loved this author's debut books, and they just keep getting better! The banter between Ruby and Will is fantastic, the way he cares for her, so good! This is a dual POV standalone book, but it is tied to Camilla Evergreen's Unwillfully Wed to My Valentine. I do believe either book can be read first and well enjoyed. I absolutely devoured this book - each chapter made me want more all the way through. Will is so thoughtful, respectful, and supportive of Ruby, and her confusion over their past shines through in her relationship with her brother's best friend. Now if only I could convince the author she needs to write Roman's book! I read an early version of this book; these are my honest opinions.
3⭐️ ARC Review: First, the author has a very fun, bubbly, and outgoing writing style that hooks you and is intriguing. But then it gets a little old by 50%. And then by the end you’ve had enough.
I was not into the characters or the plot. They don’t do all of those Valentine’s work festivities until about 50% through, and even then it isn’t really the plot? Was there one?
There was absolutely zero character growth. I mean, Ruby finally gives in to Will’s harassment, but should we call that character growth? No. Ruby and Will were both so strange. Will was extremely feminine and overwhelmingly exhausting with his infatuation with Ruby. He was endearing at times though. Kind of. And he was way too comfortable and flirted with men. Not the content I prefer. Ruby was rude literally the entire time to Will, when all he was doing was helping her. How dense do you have to be to not understand how madly in love he was with her? How could she think it was an act for 10 years!!
Unfortunately, I don’t think Storm’s books are for me.
*Thank you to the author, Storm Sterling, for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read if you enjoy: - Workplace romance - Childhood friends to lovers - Dual POV - Visually impaired rep - Forced proximity - Closed-door
This book is delightfully funny, fluffy, and definitely going to be added to my comfort read list. The characters were relatable, especially Ruby as I'm an absolute sucker for a well written grump. The banter, situations, and side characters were hysterical and endearing. Will is Ruby's brother's best friend; she had a seemingly unrequited love for him in middle school and thinks his adoration and proclamations of love are a very long running joke.
Will and Ruby took turns making me want to throttle them as I'm not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope, but it worked well here and I enjoyed watching it all unfold, it was low intensity in tension. The story was layered well; there was opposites attract for both Will and Ruby, Ruby and Elodie (her bestie), and Elodie and Roman (Ruby's brother). Not gonna lie, I REALLY want Roman and Elodie to get their own book! Sol and Brian were also fun side characters. I loved all the snark, with care being the overwhelming theme. My favorite part of the book, apart of literally laughing out loud a lot, is how the author describes things; she nails 'show don't tell'. The Vann family sounds like the best and I fully understand Will's adoration. I also appreciated the insights into how people navigate the world being blind. Another book I've read described a blind character as being touch adverse and I chalked it up to being just a quirk of that particular character, but now it makes so much sense as a blind person can't pick up on nonverbal cues and unexpected touch would be extremely off-putting and unwelcome. Also, ableism is always gross.
There's no spice but lots of care and awareness. I got to be an ARC reader for this book and my review is my own opinion. I read it in a day and then reread it leisurely over the next two. I highly recommend this book, as well as Sterling's and Camilla's other books!
❤️🩹Unwillfully Tied to my Valentine💘 by Storm Sterling is a book that’ll change your perspective.
** I would like to express my thanks to ☆ Storm Sterling ☆ for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review **
I was super excited to reading this book because of the main female character, Ruby. I was not disappointed. There was a lot of things I learned through this book, like Will speaking in more descriptive language to Ruby. Of course, if someone with only 15% of eyesight left wouldn’t be able to absorb things from the environment from those with sight. Ruby also used a variety of different sensory, textured, and bright things in her life, and also the fact that Ruby used a variety of speech apps to work, and answer messages. I think Storm does a wonderful job in bringing awareness to working in a company with limited eye sight. I saw the prejudice, and I saw the attitude that Ruby had to take in order for people not to look at her as someone who couldn’t do anything.
Maybe I was a bit frustrated while reading this book in the beginning, but as layer and layer were uncovered about Ruby, I understood. This book took a different take on trauma and the walls one puts up in order to protect themselves from being hurt again. Will does a wonderful job in making sure Ruby felt included, heard, and seen. Overall, this book was super sweet and heartwarming. Loved the bromance, the friendships, and antics of the workplace.
I highly recommend this book for the upcoming Valentine season. Loved the beauty, banter, and communication between the characters.
This is a companion novel to Camilla Evergreen’s Unwillfullly Wed to my Valentine. I do recommend reading that novel first because the characters in this novel are introduced in that one. Storm Sterling is an excellent companion author, and her writing is so funny!
You will chuckle from the first line of Chapter One, “I’m going to whack William Ivan Delimar Hart with my cane, and I’m going to enjoy it.” Ruby, the FMC, is 85% blind, so the cane is not just a prop. She has had a crush on the MMC, Will, since middle school but due to some bad advice, thinks that he doesn’t like her that way. Will fell for her about the same time, and hard, and has remained loyal to her for years even though she is oblivious to his devotion. The banter between the two as they navigate the tension between them both at work and outside of work is sidesplitting. This is a book better read in private, so that strangers in public don’t judge you rolling on the floor while laughing hysterically.
On a more serious note, the book brings forward the difficulties faced by someone with limited vision in the workplace. Technology has made some tasks easier, but facing the insensitivity and prejudice of other people is still a work in progress. The author handles this aspect of the novel with great finesse. She incorporates the disability representation genuinely and seamlessly with the riotous fun of a romcom.
Why are you still reading this review and not reading the book? Trust me, it’s terrific!
Unwillfully Tied to My Valentine is the second book in the Fire at Will duology. Both books have overlapping timelines, so I think they could be enjoyed any either order, or even as standalones. (Though I think readers will get the most out of them when they read both.)
This is the first Storm Sterling book that I have had the chance to read, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! Again, this is part of a duology, with both stories overlapping some. Having already read the previous book by Camilla Evergreen, it was really fun to get to know these characters I'd seen in the background even better and to see some familiar events from a different perspective. These stories complemented each other well... I could see some similarities in Camilla and Storm's styles (both had their quirky characters and humor), but both still had completely unique voices that just went well together... this collab just made sense! Beyond that though, Will and Ruby were really fun to read. Will was so enthusiastic and even a little over the top at times and Ruby was... well, not. That made for some great banter, and they balanced each other well. I loved how absolutely gone for her he was and how he wasn't afraid to show it, even if she was a bit oblivious to his affections. It was cute and unique read, and perfect for Valentine's Day!
Unwillfully Tied to My Valentine is a closed-door romance with kisses only.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Fire at Will. Or whack him with a disability cane, either one works for the FMC of Storm Sterling’s latest fun-filled, brother’s best friend, workplace dram filled romcom.
This book has all the fun and banter you would expect from one of Storm’s novels. This one pairs nicely with Camilla Evergreen’s Unwillingly Wed To My Valentine, they are set in the same timeline but both are standalone stories.
Ruby is 85% visually impaired but fiercely independent. She hates being treated as incapable or vulnerable, hates relying on anyone for help. Not even her brother or her best friend, and especially not William Hart, her brother’s best friend, her co-worker and most infuriating man on the planet. The problem is Will has been in love with Ruby for years, everybody else can see it, except for Ruby and that has nothing to do with her disability. She simply refuses to believe that Will is being sincere, he’s just joking.
Will is a sweetheart, he’s just the right amount of nice, he’s sensitive to Ruby’s needs and knows when to push and when not to. He just needs her to see how much she means to him, that he is in love with her and always has been. He just needs her to realise she feels the same way.
The banter (and cane-whacking) is totally superb in this book. And I hope I get to see more of Roman and Elodie, they look like they could be a lot of fun.
Took a Side Character’s Advice and Never Looked Back
I really wanted to like this—first book was solid (different author, should’ve been my warning). Instead, I got stuck with immature characters and a plot that never quite matured either. I held out hope… until 74%, when a side character says, “If this were a book and you were the main character, I’d DNF.”
At that point, I just sat there thinking: You know what? This is a book. She is the main character. And I’m officially done.
DNF, courtesy of a fictional character with better judgment than me.
First of all, I would like to say I knew I was gonna love this book already. That did give me high expectations and it met them.
I STAN STORM ✨⚡️
I love Will and Ruby. I thought that they were so cute together and I loved how Will was so annoying. He was always so thoughtful and he did not care that he was over-the-top and enthusiastic and very flamboyant. That made me love him so much. I wasn’t sure what it would be like to read a FMC like Ruby that was blind, but I really enjoyed her perspective and also how her being blind was portrayed as just a fact and not as if it was such a hindrance to her life, but more like accepting that that is something that she lives with.
The premise of the Valentine challenge is just too cute. I happen to love every single holiday and celebrating and decorating and dressing up so including that in the story just makes it so much more fun.
I also love the dynamics with the characters from Camilla evergreen’s book as well. Liam, their boss and the way that he interacts with them was just perfect and Brian the mail guy good job Brian. I love the supporting character Elodie. She’s so chaotic and fun and full of energy and she just brings a vibrancy to the story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I have read all of Storm ⚡️ Sterling’s books and I have loved them all very much and what I have to say about this is that I have seen her riding progressively grow and I love how the flow of the story is so smooth.
What I am most excited about is what is next. Not necessarily in this series, but what is next for the author and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
3.5 ⭐️s This is one of my favourite ways that I’ve seen a brother’s best friend written! Will is GONE for Ruby and has been in love with her for years. And makes no secret of it! Her brother and parents are all supportive and just waiting for Ruby to believe him that he’s not joking.
I loved the rare moments of vulnerability from Ruby and the way Will always looked out for her. Man, he had perseverance; this was a really slow burn!
This is the sister novel to “Unwillfully Wed to my Valentine” by Camilla Evergreen and I love how we get to see the same workplace Valentines shenanigans from a different perspective!
I did find that Ruby started to bug me towards the end because like her brother and best friend kept telling her, she was the one being the idiot not believing him. Also I would have loved to see a simple conversation at the end where she told him why she hadn’t believed him. It was referenced at the beginning of the book but not mentioned again.
This was my first book by this author and, like Camilla’s books, it had quirky characters who tell it like it is! They are fun, unique RomComs!
This book!!! This author!!! This series!!! There are no words in the English language to express how much I love this book and series. Perhaps there are words in French, but alas! Best book by Storm yet. Check out the author’s social media for tropes. No language No substances (alcohol, etc.) No spice (but hot) Blind rep
Honestly, Ruby is so relatable, and we all wish we had Will in our lives. Maybe Brian too… Don’t worry, this is not a love triangle. Go read Camilla’s and then this masterpiece! 🩵🩷🩵
’¿Yo? ¿Qué he hecho? Ya sabes, además de declarar mi amor eterno en voz alta, en todas partes, durante más de una década.’
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers. •Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
Unwillfully Tied to My Valentin de Storm Sterling Serie Fire at will libro 2
Argumento:
El mejor amigo de mi hermano está enamorado de mí.
O eso dice él.
Afortunadamente, incluso con solo un 15% de mi vista funcional, puedo ver a través de sus irritantes encantos. Puede que haya engañado a nuestros compañeros de trabajo, familiares y amigos con sus tonterías, pero no puede engañarme a mí.
Desafortunadamente , cuando nuestro director ejecutivo aprueba la organización de un evento obligatorio de San Valentín de 30 días, me encuentro con William Ivan Delimar Hart, un hombre que deslumbra con walkie talkies y llama a nuestro jefe "gemelo" .
De alguna manera este es el hombre que me ayudará a conservar mi trabajo.
Por mucho que no me guste, la matemática es simple: o confío en Will o me enfrento a una muerte profesional.
¡Que comience la Operación Cuenta Regresiva para el Día de San Valentín!
Mi humilde opinión:
Romance de enemigos a amantes, mejor amigo del hermano, gruñón-sol, compañeros de trabajo, proximidad forzada, tema con el día de los enamorados, crush de la infancia, heroína con discapacidad, es 85 % ciega, héroe cae fuerte por ella pero ella no se da cuenta.
Me encanta un buen romance de enemigos a amantes pero me di cuenta pronto que este iba solo de un lado, el de Ruby. Ella nunca para en todo el libro de mostrar que encuentra odioso a Will, me daba pena el pobre tipo cuando era mala con él! La razón viene desde la escuela primaria, el día de San Valentín ella le hizo una tarjeta diciéndole que tenia un crush por él pero una compañera le dice que él nunca le va a corresponder y eso le rompe el corazón dejándola avergonzada. Desde entonces no toma a Will enserio, cree que cada vez que él le dice que la ama esta tomándole el pelo. Esto era bastante ridícula como para ella lo odie a muerte por años. En fin… la cosa es que Ruby era bastante molesta y parecía que se quedó en la escuela primaria por como se comportaba. Solo cuando Will finalmente se cansa de tener que convencerla se da cuenta de lo que todos sus amigos le decían, que Will de verdad la quería. Tiene un ataque de llanto porque él se alejó de ella y ni siquiera entendía porque lloraba. Un momento de lo más tonto, para ser una mujer adulta e inteligente, se comportaba como una niña, huyendo o cruzando los brazos haciendo puchero. Cada vez que su hermano o sus amigos intentaban hacerla entrar en razón ella con toda la terquedad del mundo no los escuchaba. Por cierto, me encanta la amistad que tenían Roman y Will, adore a Eloise su mejor amiga y su hermano Sol, fueron un gran GRAN apoyo para Ruby. Pero lamentablemente no pude con esta heroína!
Y ahora tengo que hablar del rollo de canela de Will! Dulce, divertido, intenso, carismático, romántico, sensible (llora cuando su mejor amigo le dice que es su hermano), perseverante y medio acosador. Las fotos en la oficina de Ruby? Nunca me reí tanto con esa escena en la que se da de pronto cuenta que se estaba pasando. Este hombre adoraba con todo su ser a Ruby pero cuando hablaba sobre lo que sentía por ella sonaba medio bromista y exagerado así que entiendo que Ruby pensara que le estaba tomando el pelo, él debería haberle dicho seriamente que sus sentimientos eran reales, cosa que hizo pero muy adelante en el libro y de una forma que me derritió. En todas sus discusiones con Ruby, él era incansable, siempre le estaba diciendo con palabras o gestos lo que sentía por ella. Cómo nunca ella se puso a pensar que si él estuvo quince años diciendo que la amaba y hasta declarándose su marido, siempre a su lado cuidándola, que hablaba muy muy serio? Pobre Will, cuando decide que lo mejor es darle espacio, ella lo quiere cerca, odio la mala comunicación!
Este fue un romance limpio, solo algunos besos calientes en el ascensor al final del libro una vez que Ruby deja de ser cabeza dura, le costó un mar de negación pero acepta que también ama a Will. Con todo, me quedó la sensación de que Will era el que daba mas mientras que ella se quedaba de brazos cruzados.
En general me gustó el libro, no tanto Ruby que me molestó pero no quitó que la historia me hiciera reír muchas veces con las locuras de los protagonistas y los personajes secundarios, también es un buen libro con temática de San Valentín.
I wanted to pick this up for the disability rep with the heroine. Ruby the red head is nearly a 100% blind, she can see some shadows and light and works as the director of the finance department (is this even realistic because I was guessing she is in her twenties) with her brother’s best friend slash her irritating friend, Will. He likes to annoy her, bother her and basically do nice things for her. I do not think she sees the last bit. Will has been unofficially adopted into their family as his parents were neglectful and absent in childhood.
She is embarrassed because she wrote a Valentine note to him in high school and was told off by another female classmate that he does not like her and from then on she thinks he is teasing her whenever he brings it up.
I am surprised she does not see how much he cares for her. The line between irritating someone and liking someone is blurry where teasing her means he likes her. Since the reader gets the hero’s pov too, it is obvious he cares for her and goes out of his way to make her experience at the office accommodating to her limitations. He frequently narrates for her what she can't hear, guides her to the right place by touching her, uses walkie talkies to communicate, drives her to and from work, well he is always at her side helping. The disability representation of how Ruby goes about her day and life was interesting for someone with sight. This was one clueless heroine. Ruby is called “Rubble” by Will and seems always prickly, annoyed and moody.
This was giving rom com vibes because of the hero’s persistence in thinking his efforts (caring, irritating and bothering her) will eventually change the heroine’s mind about him. They all have to participate in Valentines themed events leading up to the day itself or be fired. Ruby reluctantly participates with Will always hovering around her somehow.
This is a clean and sweet romance with no closed door which is refreshing as most romance now are heavy on the sexual tension, angst, foreplay and steamy scenes. The most these two do is kiss and hold each other (he likes to put his hand around her shoulder or waist). The colleagues at the office are rooting for them to get together. There definitely was a unrealistic feel to the workplace and what these two could get away with. Even her brother Roman and best friend Elodie have this combative relationship that feels like it would turn into a hate to love situation. The side characters are interesting like her parents seem to be nerds as they have themed family dinners such as modelled after a game. Her best friend loves the Barbie animated movies which was a sweet Easter egg.
This had some entertaining moments but the heroine took way too long to realise that the hero was serious about her even though her brother, her best friend and even he works up the courage to tell her. She only changes her mind after 80% in the book. There are some abelist comments and actions in her workplace and the boss is fast to fire someone or correct it which sounds awesome if not unrealistic.
Tropes: Brother's best friend, dislike to like to love, workplace romance, forced proximity, grump-sunshine, found family
Representation: - Heroine is almost 100% blind - Hero is bisexual (not too sure but he talks about marrying her best friend's brother Sol and sometimes his own best friend, Roman)
This charming story is the first I’ve yet read from the author and is a tie-in to Camilla Evergreen’s Unwillfully Wed to my Valentine. As such we get snippets of Camilla’s love interests, Liam and Amber scattered throughout the Countdown to Valentines antics around the office of Whirlwind Branding, but focus on the characters Ruby and Will instead.
I believe this may be the first time I’ve read a duology showing shared characters from different POVs before and I am all for more!
Ruby is just as much a grouch (with some good reasons for it) as we first met her, and Will is a beam of sunshine following in her wake. The fact that she slipped him a note on Valentines Day when they were in middle school 15 years prior, professing her undying love has the result of Will insisting ever since that he is off the marked. As far as he is concerned they are together and it’s just a matter of time before he wears her down and marches her to the altar.
Unbeknownst to Will, however, is that another girl had pulled Ruby aside and informed her that Will would never like her “that way” broke Ruby’s preteen heart and it’s what caused Ruby’s abrupt change of heart. Nevermind that the girl lied to Ruby about the happiest day of his life, he’s happily informing everyone within earshot all these years how they are getting married, while Ruby just finds it making her the butt of an incredibly long and painful joke at her expense.
Sadly, I wanted misunderstanding revealed by the end and perhaps sending said twitch a wedding invite in retribution, but that, sadly, did not make it into the book.
What does make it, however, is well worth the read. I’d love it if one day we’d get another book covering Ruby’s brother, Roman, and her best friend, Elodie, because that could be quite the enemies-to-lovers tale and someone tell me who finally capture’s Sol’s eye as well.
But alas, it seems it is not meant to be, but a girl can always dream, right?
This darling follow-up story deserves to be read and all but demands being added to your bookshelf, so don’t just grab Camilla’s book- be sure to grab her fellow author’s contribution as these are perfectly matched and make for sweet reading that you will love letting into your heart.
So why only 4 stars? I can’t really fault this, but I really did want that follow-up for Roman, Elodie (and, if she could find the time, one for that sweet Greek god turned mortal man, Sol). How can I be so ruthless to strip a star over this? Well…. fine, I will admit it is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ worthy, but (having just left this literary universe, I’m going to throw a bit of a tantrum and keep that fifth star all to myself, just for having led me on and then leaving me hanging high and dry.
These two rom coms are the perfect Valentine's series, you can't go wrong with either of them. In fact there's no need to pick, simply drop everything and read them both in one sitting (they're both available on KU, run don't walk). I also own both the paperbacks and I have it on good authority that they look beautiful together on a shelf (two words. HEART SPINES), also the colours are just beautiful I mean they are so pretty. I highlighted half this book, in fact some of my highlights are just entire chapters because their interactions have my entire heart, and also Will can really go on about his pretty Rubble.
Whack! Whack! Whack! Ho w dare this book make me cry! One second everything was going so well and suddenly I was sobbing! All is forgiven though because I absolutely adored these two, they were everything I was expecting and more. The adoration from Will was everything, I mean he is so sweet and silly and he deserves all the apple tarts in the world. Ruby is a strong independent woman in complete denial of his adoration but alas all is well in the end and everyone is wonderfully happy. I loved all the little things that Will did for Ruby and her slowly realizing how comfortable she’s grown with him and his existence being beside her, constantly, very close. The way that Will did so many things to try and make Ruby’s life easier and just to help her feel more connected was very cute. Every single friendship in this book was sweet as sugar and there was so much love. This is such a well written rom com because I was romanced and I laughed, and I sobbed (a requirement in rom coms really). Will and Ruby’s banter was top tier and all the marriage & elevator references was just excellent foreshadowing really. I loved the cameos from Liam and his “gothic pixie princess” as well as all the side characters in this book and I mean all of them.
Ruby is the grump of all grumps - red hair, 85% blind, obsessed with professionalism in the office, and very, very good at her high ranking job in the financial department of the largest marketing firm in the country. She wishes everyone would just focus on their work and let her focus on hers.
Will is her brother’s best friend, and a de facto member of the family. Her grumpy brother adopted him one day when he realized Will was hungry, so he brought him home from school and fed him. They’ve been inseparable ever since. Will also works for the largest marketing firm in the country, in the finance department, at the same level as Ruby. He’s goofy and optimistic and endlessly devoted to service to his lovely Ruby, who he’s loved for at least 15 years.
Life is perfect for Will - great job, wonderful “brother”, and working next door to the love of his life. The only problem? She can’t *stand* him. No worries, though - he’ll wear her down eventually. Probably.
This was a glorious grumpy/sunshine, black cat/golden retriever, zany rom-com. Utterly clean, save a few swoony kisses. Not even any swearing.
Storm Sterling is a fairly new addition to my repertoire, and this is her first book teaming up with Camilla Evergreen. Together, they are the EverStorm! (Catchy, no?)
This was absolutely a blast to read - thank you, Storm, for the ARC! All opinions are 100% my own, tho. I just *genuinely* love Storm’s stories, and this one is probably my favorite so far.
Five stars - I highly recommend this book, and will absolutely be reading it again.
Growing up Ruby had a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Will Hart. But when her middle school advance toward him was misconstrued as a joke, she turned inward. Since Will was virtually apart of the family, there was no escaping his presence. Will their forced time together help heal old wounds, or will it push them further apart?
Unwillfully Tied to my Valentine by Storm Sterling is told through alternating points of view and features the popular tropes; brother’s best friend, forced proximity, office romance, and grumpy/ sunshine. But above all, its representation of a FMC being 85 percent blind is what stands out most.
This is the first romcom I have read where one of the main characters is blind. I appreciated the way Sterling chose to write about this disability. While Ruby does need assistance navigating everyday life, she is not helpless. In fact, she is a strong and resilient woman!
Sterling uses the same sensitivity when writing the character, Will Hart. His childhood was filled with trauma that could have caused him to become hardened. Thankfully his friendship with Roman and the rest of the family allowed him to remain soft and sweet. This makes him the perfect match for Ruby! Not only does Will understand her on a level she doesn’t even know herself, he is patient and devoted.
Special thanks to Storm Sterling for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
*Authors Storm Sterling and Camilla Evergreen team up to bring readers a one of a kind Valentine’s Day duology. The pair are calling this the EverStorm Universe as the books are interconnected and feature character crossovers.
**I hope to see a book featuring Roman and Elodie in the near future.
Storm!! I’m not giving you five stars for an effort to write in someone else’s style. Do I adore Camilla?? Of course! Who doesn’t? But you need to stick to your own voice.
This book was written in an obvious effort to sound like another author. In fact, Storm says so in her author bio at the end. The problem is that the MMC comes across…. Lacking. His spouting his love for random characters not only makes it hard for the MFC to trust… it also makes him seem lacking in depth.
Also, I could see this scenario taking 5 years to play out - 10 tops if including middle school. But FIFTEEN YEARS? Nope. Will needs to exhibit serious depth to hang on for 15 years. I also struggled to believe that a teenage girl would hang on to embarrassment caused by a third party for longer than a few months, much less half a lifetime.
So, I feel like all of the above comes back to the effort to write in someone else’s voice. Did I enjoy the book? Yes. Would I have enjoyed it much more if I had been able to see more of Storm’s voice within the collaboration with Camilla? Absolutely.
I’m demanding another collaboration. Is it just because I loved everything about this duology? Absolutely not. At all. I’m sure. I’m challenging to you lovely ladies to have another go but this time-Storm-*do you hear me?* Take your outline and run with it in the way only your characters can. Is this so there will be more fabulousness in the world? I’m sure that has nothing to do with my totally serious earnest pleas *ahem* I mean challenge.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh goodness, Will and Ruby are such a delight. It was fun getting to know them in Liam and Amber’s book, Unwillifully wed to my Valentine by Camille Evergreen, but getting to see inside their heads and just how far head over heels Will is for Ruby in Storm Sterling’s Unwillfully Tied to my Valentine was everything I hoped it would be and more. Miscommunications are so derailing, and sometimes can be frustrating. It was a little interesting how Ruby trusted the words of an acquaintance over the words of her brother, her best friend, and Will himself for 15 years, but in reality, who doesn’t get flustered in their angsty puberty years? But Will stayed patient, and loved Ruby where she was through it all. If you love a brother’s best friend, she falls first, he falls harder sweet romance filled with witty banter, snag your copy today! Also, a nod to Will for embracing his slight stalkerish tendencies. “If I am going to embrace the stalk, I might as well embrace the stalk.” Kudos, Will, kudos.
(As an fyi, he’s not REALLY a stalker…)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ruby has known Will for most of her life. Though she is mostly blind, she believe she can ‘see’ through his non-stop proclamations of undying love. She is certain it’s just a long-running joke he started after she professed her crush on him in seventh grade. What else could it be?
For Will, it is no joking matter, no matter how playfully he teases her about his love. Even their family and friends try to convince her he is serious. She remains steadfast in her belief until a revelation of the depth of his concern for her well-being brings her to reevaluate her meanness toward him.
The story runs parallel with Unwillfully Wed to My Valentine. The characters are quirky and lovable as much as they are maddeningly insufferable.
The story is well paced with delightful dialogue. My only wish would be that the story better explained why Ruby, for so long, refused to believe Liam was seriously in love with her. Still, nothing diminishes the HEA of these destined-to-be lovers.
Read both books in the series as soon as possible. You’re welcome in advance.
📚 Unwillfully Tied to My Valentine ✍🏻 Storm Sterling 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’ve never read a Storm Sterling book I didn’t love. In fact, I wish I could go back to before I had read them and reread them all for the first time. So go read all of them, but especially this one if you love…
🦯 Grouchy, black cat FMC who fell first. She’s blind and a girlboss who works hard and gets things done 🦯 Golden retriever MMC who fell harder. Like… way harder. He wants to help her but also gives her space to be the strong woman she is 🦯 Workplace romance where everyone thinks they’re dating way before they actually are 🦯 Valentines shenanigans 🦯 Super sweet, opposites attract best friend 🦯 Terrifying boss whose book I want to read immediately right now 🦯 Punny title 🦯 Hilarious moments and very raw, emotional moments 🦯 Closed door as always!
🫑🫑 🤬 Mentions of people cussing but no actual words used ⚠️ Ableism, and joking references to drugs (nobody actually has or does any, but food is regularly compared to specific types)
“Love is confusing. And icky. And gross.” Black cat Ruby just couldn’t accept Will’s devotion as real. “‘Darling dearest, I do believe we might be in a toxic relationship.’” Will, the goldenest of golden retrievers, was Ruby’s brother’s best friend and her coworker. His pursuit of Ruby got an assist from a month-long Valentines event. This was a super fun read. A great match for the Camilla Evergreen book it is paired with. Very similar in style and tone. I love the vibe from both authors. I really liked the characters and interactions. The romance took the idea of unrequited love and made it feel a bit more fresh because the MMC was very obvious and sincere, and the FMC was very oblivious/in denial/afraid to believe it. As a standalone read this book is great but it’s even better as part of the duo it’s in. I’ll call this story a closed door romance to keep it simple, but, as the author says: “They kiss like… once? Idk maybe twice. They certainly don’t go behind any doors.” There is a little mild innuendo and no harsh language.
Will is patience personified!! 15 years trying to woo Ruby and make her fall in love with him and he just received attitudes. I loved that he was hers from 15 years ago, “married” to her and never looked at anyone else. Obsessed with her. I wish that she talked with him about why she kept her distance. About what that girl told Ruby. The only thing this book has that I really don’t like is his comments about Sol. Asking him to marry him, and then said it to Roman too. And it sounded like not a joke. But isn’t he obsessed with Ruby? Why those comments? I loved how careful, and attentive he is with her. How she felt comfortable and safe with him. And her breakthrough when he gave her distance!!! Broke my heart but she finally noticed what she would be missing. I definitely liked this book better than the previous one by Camilla. Thanks Storm!!
Favorite Quote: “I think that Ruby is trying to be nice to me. At first, I was concerned. Alarmed, even. She’s never tried to be kind to me before. Not that she’s unkind, exactly, but my little love is less like Venus and more like… a venus flytrap. Get too close, and she’ll bite. And man, do I love her for it. She balances my hot sunshine quite wonderfully with her cute grump. Meant to be together? Why, yes. Yes, we were.”
The authors note and the prologue already had me dying!!😂😂😂
There’s nothing I didn’t love about this book! The banter, the flirting, the commentary from side characters! 😍
Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to buy every piece of published art by Storm. Because it’s safe to say, I’m OBSESSED!!!! 😍
Thank you to the author for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
I LOVE Will. He reminded me so much of some of my favorite, charismatic flirty manga characters and I was totally here for it haha. Ruby’s grumpy snark was a great complement to his silliness, and they were adorable together—at least, when Ruby allowed them to be! I have to admit I’d liked to have seen a little more of her internal thoughts and reactions as the story progressed, to understand why she didn’t believe Will’s feelings for so long and why she (acted like?) she disliked him so much. Other than her stubborn grumpiness though, this book was so sweet and hilarious. Highlights besides Will for me were: Stardew Valley references, side bakery vibes, Valentines box nostalgia, and all of the sweet and supporting side characters. I’d recommend to anyone who feels like laughing and appreciates over-the-top love interests.
🍬 Book Review 🍬 || Unwillfully Tied to My Valentine || || Author: Storm Sterling || Read from: February 17-19, 2025 2025 RG: 23/100
MCs: Ruby and Will
🩵 Workplace 🩵 Forced Proximity 🩵 Brother’s Best Friend 🩵 Valentines 🩵 Blind FMC 🩵 Middle School Crush
Back in middle school, Ruby had a crush on her brother’s best friend. She wrote him a note and since she couldn’t see, she had to rely on what other people said his reaction to be. So obviously, he’s been making fun of her for the past fifteen years by saying that he’s in love with her. Will would follow Ruby anywhere. He’s doing his best really, but why won’t she believe him when he tells her that he’s hers and that he’s in love with her forever?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
“You’re being annoying again.” “Whatever keeps me on your mind.”
I wish I could go back and read this book again for the first time. I'm not sure how the Fire at Will series ended up on my radar, but I'm so grateful it did, because it's amazing. This book was absolutely a delight to read. MMC totally in love with FMC since 7th grade...done right (so often childhood crushes/undying love tropes seriously bug me)! FMC totally grumpy...done right (again, often grumps are overdone and annoying). The banter, the relationships, the work setting, ugh everything was just SO. GOOD. Also I am obsessed in the best way with the brotherly love between Roman and Will, and Will's soft heart, outgoing ways, and unabashedly being who he is. Ruby's blindness added a wonderful complexity to the story. I can't imagine anyone regretting reading this book. I 1000% recommend this book, 10/5 stars!