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Red Flags and Rogue Brothers #2
Red Flags Only
Jove Rogue is a certified maniac. And… also my pen pal?
Which is, uh, cool. Totally cool. Really. No panic attacks here!
It’s not like I thought my pen pal and closest confidant was a girl or anything. Obviously I knew it was our small town’s walking red flag - and not the cute kind that comes on mailboxes.
No, no.
Jove is not cute.
For one, no one that huge would ever be considered cute. For two, his jawline could cut through granite - or my poorly concealed aversion to being anywhere in his vicinity.
But when my surprising friend needs help researching for his upcoming novel, I can’t just leave him hanging.
And when he asks for a fake girlfriend? Well, I agree.
He may be a walking red flag, but he’s my red flag. And that’s something I can’t ignore.
Red Flags Only is a closed-door romantic comedy with plenty of swoon and sizzle, but none of the spice. Welcome to another novel in the ever-growing EverStorm universe, featuring friends to lovers, he falls first, and fake dating fun!
Which is, uh, cool. Totally cool. Really. No panic attacks here!
It’s not like I thought my pen pal and closest confidant was a girl or anything. Obviously I knew it was our small town’s walking red flag - and not the cute kind that comes on mailboxes.
No, no.
Jove is not cute.
For one, no one that huge would ever be considered cute. For two, his jawline could cut through granite - or my poorly concealed aversion to being anywhere in his vicinity.
But when my surprising friend needs help researching for his upcoming novel, I can’t just leave him hanging.
And when he asks for a fake girlfriend? Well, I agree.
He may be a walking red flag, but he’s my red flag. And that’s something I can’t ignore.
Red Flags Only is a closed-door romantic comedy with plenty of swoon and sizzle, but none of the spice. Welcome to another novel in the ever-growing EverStorm universe, featuring friends to lovers, he falls first, and fake dating fun!
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2025
28 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Storm Sterling
7 books63 followersStorm 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.
Please buy Storm’s books so she can afford more gaming hours and more Camilla Evergreen books. Seriously. Please. She’s desperate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 17, 2025
A perfect cover. A perfect author. A perfect book. ♥
Letters are a love language and this book is proof of that. The letters between them are so sweet and the things Jove says are so enchanting.
The main characters’ story was so cute and their journey was magical to read.
Let's not forget the brotherly love and the life lesson learned: ‘Carrot cake + milk + letter = perfect combo’.
The moral of the story is, this is Storm's best book yet, and you don't want to miss it.
So if you like the following tropes, don’t miss out on this beautiful story.
Book Tropes:
💌Pen pals
💌He falls first
💌Only one bed
💌Acquainted in real life
💌Friends to lovers
💌Fake dating
💌Small town
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Letters are a love language and this book is proof of that. The letters between them are so sweet and the things Jove says are so enchanting.
The main characters’ story was so cute and their journey was magical to read.
Let's not forget the brotherly love and the life lesson learned: ‘Carrot cake + milk + letter = perfect combo’.
The moral of the story is, this is Storm's best book yet, and you don't want to miss it.
So if you like the following tropes, don’t miss out on this beautiful story.
Book Tropes:
💌Pen pals
💌He falls first
💌Only one bed
💌Acquainted in real life
💌Friends to lovers
💌Fake dating
💌Small town
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 2, 2025
Perfection! Jupie and Lyra are my new favorite couple! They’re just so adorable, especially with the way Jupiter can’t see the forrest for the trees. I clearly cannot give this book the words to express how absolutely stunning it is, so it’s probably better if you read it for yourself. 🩷
June 17, 2025
Red flags. And red flags. Oh yeah, some more red flags. Why, oh tell me why, I love walking red flags in books.
My boy Jove, Jupie, Jupiter is a red flag. But really? He’s kind of pinkish. I love him and I love his letters. I love LyLy, Lyra. She’s a cutie with a cutie garden! And gardeny business.
I caught myself thinking about this book and their lives after I finished. It was so fun and cute. I absolutely adored the pen-pal relationship they built over time!
There’s just something about those Rogue/Rouge Brothers. Beautiful specimens of red-flaggiesness. 🚩🚩
My boy Jove, Jupie, Jupiter is a red flag. But really? He’s kind of pinkish. I love him and I love his letters. I love LyLy, Lyra. She’s a cutie with a cutie garden! And gardeny business.
I caught myself thinking about this book and their lives after I finished. It was so fun and cute. I absolutely adored the pen-pal relationship they built over time!
There’s just something about those Rogue/Rouge Brothers. Beautiful specimens of red-flaggiesness. 🚩🚩
June 12, 2025
Favorite Quote:
“The fastest way to get inspired by my adorably romantic bestie while protecting her from every bad thing this world has to offer? I date her, of course.”
Jove might be full of red flags, but man is he swoony!!
This book was so fun! This book definitely shows you why Flag Day is the most romantic holiday. 😜
The testing of tropes! 😆 Especially the only one bed trope!! 😍😍
I thoroughly enjoyed this newest release from Storm! You should definitely check it out!
Thank you to the author for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
“The fastest way to get inspired by my adorably romantic bestie while protecting her from every bad thing this world has to offer? I date her, of course.”
Jove might be full of red flags, but man is he swoony!!
This book was so fun! This book definitely shows you why Flag Day is the most romantic holiday. 😜
The testing of tropes! 😆 Especially the only one bed trope!! 😍😍
I thoroughly enjoyed this newest release from Storm! You should definitely check it out!
Thank you to the author for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
June 14, 2025
A uniquely original and incredibly sweet lovestory with delightful characters and lots of humour. I loved Lyra and Jove, the tropes, the letters, and Flag Day. Very enjoyable.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
June 13, 2025
I’ve been dying for another Storm Sterling book and she did not disappoint! The characters were so lovable and I wish I could forget it all so I can read it for the first time again! I can’t wait for more Storm Sterling books!
May 31, 2025
Amazing. Loved it so much. Another book by Storm Sterling that would get more than a 5 star rating from me, if I could. The characters are so interesting and likeable yet still firmly set in that fictional space with their cute quirkiness…but with a believable story. I mean, the MCs as pen pals since they were kids? That is the most adorable idea ever. The writing is funny and fresh and easy to get immersed in. And she turns the tropes just enough on their heads that it doesn’t feel old or redone, while poking fun at all the most popular ones 😜. As an example: this one is both a he falls first and she falls first 😍
I wish Storm had a big backlist that I could read through…but I’ll just have to be content with reading everything the day I get my hands on it.
ARC provided to me, all opinions are honest and my own.
I wish Storm had a big backlist that I could read through…but I’ll just have to be content with reading everything the day I get my hands on it.
ARC provided to me, all opinions are honest and my own.
May 29, 2025
Oh my fluttering flags and butterfly wings. Such beauty. Such grace. So. many. elegantly divine. letters.
Lyra is precious and stunning a little fairy, cottage core, crafting goddess. I want to be her when I grow up.
Jove is a beautifully expressive writer and also such a sap.
Storm’s writings somehow, impossibly, become deeper and more stunning than the last. I’m so thrilled to read each and everyone of her books.
Lyra is precious and stunning a little fairy, cottage core, crafting goddess. I want to be her when I grow up.
Jove is a beautifully expressive writer and also such a sap.
Storm’s writings somehow, impossibly, become deeper and more stunning than the last. I’m so thrilled to read each and everyone of her books.
May 31, 2025
I enjoyed reading this ARC today! I appreciate authors like Storm that create tension without adding spice.
Storm does a great job of creating dimensional characters that navigate healing from their trauma through the love others show them while also being present in the storyline.
I also loved that Lyra and Jove grew to understand that their feelings of friendship had grown into more even if it took someone a minute 👀
Storm does a great job of creating dimensional characters that navigate healing from their trauma through the love others show them while also being present in the storyline.
I also loved that Lyra and Jove grew to understand that their feelings of friendship had grown into more even if it took someone a minute 👀
June 17, 2025
Penpals to lovers (but closed-door, of course)
This is another incredibly hilarious book from Storm Sterling. Jove (Jupiter) has been penpals with Lyra since they were nine years old. He and his brother Mars are secretly dark romance writers - Jove comes up with the main material while Mars edits it and adds in the romantic bits. Jove has feelings for Lyra, but doesn’t know how to express them other than through the letters that they exchange. He also wants to help out his brother by becoming a better writer of the romantic parts of the books.
Lyra doesn’t know that Jove is her penpal; she thinks her penpal is a female. So when she runs into him at the hardware store, she panics and acts afraid of him (OK, he did have an ax!). Jove then has an idea to solve both of his problems: “The fastest way to get inspired by my adorably romantic bestie while protecting her from every bad thing this world has to offer? I date her, of course.”
You’ll have to get the book to read all of the craziness that ensues after Jove has his great idea. You will love the way the story unfolds and of course, there is always an HEA. You will also love the descriptions of the elaborate correspondence between the two. Pick up this book today and settle down for a few blissful hours with this laugh-out-loud, adorable romantic comedy.
This is another incredibly hilarious book from Storm Sterling. Jove (Jupiter) has been penpals with Lyra since they were nine years old. He and his brother Mars are secretly dark romance writers - Jove comes up with the main material while Mars edits it and adds in the romantic bits. Jove has feelings for Lyra, but doesn’t know how to express them other than through the letters that they exchange. He also wants to help out his brother by becoming a better writer of the romantic parts of the books.
Lyra doesn’t know that Jove is her penpal; she thinks her penpal is a female. So when she runs into him at the hardware store, she panics and acts afraid of him (OK, he did have an ax!). Jove then has an idea to solve both of his problems: “The fastest way to get inspired by my adorably romantic bestie while protecting her from every bad thing this world has to offer? I date her, of course.”
You’ll have to get the book to read all of the craziness that ensues after Jove has his great idea. You will love the way the story unfolds and of course, there is always an HEA. You will also love the descriptions of the elaborate correspondence between the two. Pick up this book today and settle down for a few blissful hours with this laugh-out-loud, adorable romantic comedy.
June 21, 2025
Another wild and crazy ride into the mind of Storm Sterling, a mix of total insanity and sweet, gentle romance. We meet penpals Jupiter and Lyra, who have been corresponding since third grade and are each other’s very best friend (not hard as they don’t really have any others, outside of family). They tell each other everything, all their intimate secrets. So when Jupiter, also known as Jove, one half of award award-winning author duo the Rogue Brothers, needs romance help for his latest novel, he naturally turns to Lyra. The problem is Lyra thinks Jupiter is a girl, and only knows Jove as the town bad boy who vandalises others' property when they are mean to his brother.
I loved the sheer hilarity of these two as they fake date their way into a real relationship. Jove has no clue that he actually loves Lyra; he believes he has no concept of love or how it works, hence needing her help in fake dating. Lyra has trouble understanding that her lifelong friend Jupiter is also the hot, slightly unhinged bad boy she’s now on a date with.
One thing to know about Storm Sterling’s books is that there are absolutely no curse words. I loved her creative use of the word flag or flagging in this book in place of a curse word, it was brilliant and so funny.
I loved the sheer hilarity of these two as they fake date their way into a real relationship. Jove has no clue that he actually loves Lyra; he believes he has no concept of love or how it works, hence needing her help in fake dating. Lyra has trouble understanding that her lifelong friend Jupiter is also the hot, slightly unhinged bad boy she’s now on a date with.
One thing to know about Storm Sterling’s books is that there are absolutely no curse words. I loved her creative use of the word flag or flagging in this book in place of a curse word, it was brilliant and so funny.
June 20, 2025
Storm Sterling books are the perfect compliment to Camilla Evergreen books. I have loved both duets they have done. After reading Red Flag, Green Light I was excited to read Jove’s story. And it did not disappoint. The letters that he writes to Lyra are absolutely beautiful! Everyone thinks he’s this big, bad, grumpy criminal, but really he’s just an ooey-gooey cinnamon roll wrapped in a tough, tattooed skin. And sweet, sweet Lyra. It was heartbreaking the first few chapters seeing how she allowed others to treat her and in turn treated herself. I loved watching her transformation and how she helped Jove too. Happy heart ❤️
June 17, 2025
Absolutely loved this one and I teared up at the (hidden) sweetness that is Jove Rogue. I loved these two friends/idiots-to-lovers. The love, care and adoration for Lyra that Jove has is the best. Perfect for those who want ‘he’d burn the world for her’ with no spice!
June 14, 2025
Lyra and Jove’s book was so fun and I loved it so much! So many sweet moments, and funny too! Flag day and pen pals! Go read it now!
June 12, 2025
I love a good story especially when there are letters exchanged throughout the story! I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Lyra and Jupiter!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
June 12, 2025
Pen Pals ✅
Best Friends ✅
Rich Besties ✅
Only has eyes for her ✅
Jove and Lyra 2gether 4eva!!
I love Jove, and no, I don't think his Justice-o-meter is broken. I think he's the swooniest to ever walk this earth.
Guys, read this book.
I've read it twice and it hits different every time.
Best Friends ✅
Rich Besties ✅
Only has eyes for her ✅
Jove and Lyra 2gether 4eva!!
I love Jove, and no, I don't think his Justice-o-meter is broken. I think he's the swooniest to ever walk this earth.
Guys, read this book.
I've read it twice and it hits different every time.
May 29, 2025
I loved this book so much! The penpals theme and letters throughout the book are so fun. I loved how Jupiter cares for Lyra consistently and from a place of love without knowing it. I loved how Lyra wrestles with her world as she knew it being turned on its head. I adored Jupiter's relationship with his brother Mars (looking forward to his book so much!) and how the author love in characters from her previous duology. I read an early version. Run, don't walk, to get yourself a copy of this one!
June 3, 2025
Jupiter (AKA Jove) and Lyra have been penpals since they were nine years old. Lyra, however, has no idea that Jupiter is *GASP* a man. The two of them may not have spoken much (if ever) in “real” life, but Jove is also clueless about Lyra thinking that he’s a girl.
Let me just stop here and say how much I adore this book. Because I ADORE THIS BOOK.
Ahem.
Obviously, Lyra is going to figure it out, and it takes some time for her to adjust, mostly because she’s been taught by her mother and other awful people in her life (I’m looking at you Chrissy, and you can just jog on, honey) that she’s worthless. I know what that feels like, as both my mother and grandmother wielded guilt as their weapon of choice. Every time I didn’t measure up, Grandma would say, “Why do you want to hurt me like that?” *shudder* That’s no way to raise a child who’s already feeling different from everyone else and trying to figure out who she is meant to be.
Jove, on the other hand, has the sort of same warped point of view of himself, but he accepts that most people think he’s nuts, and sometimes even uses it to his advantage. I don’t think he’s nuts for avenging the people he loves most, especially when their crimes against those he loves are truly heinous. (Still looking at you, Chrissy, and your jerk of a grandfather.) No one innocent has been on the receiving end of his wrath, and the creative ways he…well, punishes the guilty, it makes me laugh and cheer at the same time. I do love when instant karma comes for awful people. (Please do not commit crimes. Storm does not want that. So don’t do it.)
Did I mention that Jove and his brother Mars are romance writers? No? Well, they are, and are very successful at it. Jove, though, thinks he’s not pulling his weight, and draws Lyra into a fake-dating plan (complete with contract) in order to learn how to write romance better. Adorable!
Okay, I have to start editing myself here, because if I put out everything I’m thinking about this book, it will turn into a novella of its own, or, at the very least, a short story. (This is the magic that this author inspires.) Basically, I love that this story is in the EverStorm universe. I love that Elodie (from the “Unwillfully” duology) is Lyra’s cousin. I love that Brianna Single is as dedicated to the mail as Brian is. I love that Lyra and Jove show their love in decades of unique and beautifully designed love letters to each other, sent through actual mail, though neither of them have realized their love has evolved into something romantic. I love that Frank, real life book cover designer for EverStorm, is in the books. And, I love that I got to volunteer my first name for the best tattoo artist in town, whose work adorns a great deal of Jove’s arms, and part of his chest. Thank you, Storm.
Just get the book. Read the Reader Expectations and the Author’s note. Then sit back and enjoy the love, and the karma.
Let me just stop here and say how much I adore this book. Because I ADORE THIS BOOK.
Ahem.
Obviously, Lyra is going to figure it out, and it takes some time for her to adjust, mostly because she’s been taught by her mother and other awful people in her life (I’m looking at you Chrissy, and you can just jog on, honey) that she’s worthless. I know what that feels like, as both my mother and grandmother wielded guilt as their weapon of choice. Every time I didn’t measure up, Grandma would say, “Why do you want to hurt me like that?” *shudder* That’s no way to raise a child who’s already feeling different from everyone else and trying to figure out who she is meant to be.
Jove, on the other hand, has the sort of same warped point of view of himself, but he accepts that most people think he’s nuts, and sometimes even uses it to his advantage. I don’t think he’s nuts for avenging the people he loves most, especially when their crimes against those he loves are truly heinous. (Still looking at you, Chrissy, and your jerk of a grandfather.) No one innocent has been on the receiving end of his wrath, and the creative ways he…well, punishes the guilty, it makes me laugh and cheer at the same time. I do love when instant karma comes for awful people. (Please do not commit crimes. Storm does not want that. So don’t do it.)
Did I mention that Jove and his brother Mars are romance writers? No? Well, they are, and are very successful at it. Jove, though, thinks he’s not pulling his weight, and draws Lyra into a fake-dating plan (complete with contract) in order to learn how to write romance better. Adorable!
Okay, I have to start editing myself here, because if I put out everything I’m thinking about this book, it will turn into a novella of its own, or, at the very least, a short story. (This is the magic that this author inspires.) Basically, I love that this story is in the EverStorm universe. I love that Elodie (from the “Unwillfully” duology) is Lyra’s cousin. I love that Brianna Single is as dedicated to the mail as Brian is. I love that Lyra and Jove show their love in decades of unique and beautifully designed love letters to each other, sent through actual mail, though neither of them have realized their love has evolved into something romantic. I love that Frank, real life book cover designer for EverStorm, is in the books. And, I love that I got to volunteer my first name for the best tattoo artist in town, whose work adorns a great deal of Jove’s arms, and part of his chest. Thank you, Storm.
Just get the book. Read the Reader Expectations and the Author’s note. Then sit back and enjoy the love, and the karma.
June 18, 2025
Meh. Interesting premise that seemed to go nowhere really. The joke about ladies loving flag day (as in red flags) fell flat to me as Jove keeps repeating how much we ladies love it, without anyone explaining the joke. He just comes off as a clueless idiot with it. Maybe I expected more from the pun?
Jove/Jupiter is rather lackluster as a leading man. He’s tall and broad and apparently meltingly good looking but has no clue. His life can be summed up by his adoration for his longtime pen pal, Lyra. His love for his brother, Mars. And his odd idea of retribution/justice for sleights to either is epic and strange. The fact he doesn’t share his reasons why have given him a reputation around town even if he’s never caught in the act.
Lyra is quiet. She’s had a life of being told she is wrong and no good and so that is who she is now. A girl who is sweet and kind who attracts all sort of abusive and toxic people to keep her down. Somehow she manages to become her own boss by turning her property into a plant nursery and greenhouse with butterfly gardens and mosaic stepping stones. Which allows her to be who she wants to be- wearing whimsical and brightly colored fluttery dresses and trying to turn her life into a bit of fantasy.
We are missing a lot of information though- Jove insists he can’t live because of the death of his mother, but we only get one sentence about his father (who apparently lives close by). From Lyra’s we know mom is (unfortunately) living but nothing on dad.
We are also missing how these elementary kids lived across the country when they became penpals but then wound up in the same middle and high school? That is one huge coincidence given they live in a smallish town in the middle of nowhere.
The premise of using tropes as research so Jove can take on more of the writing responsibility between he and his brother’s career of dark romances is cute, but by the time our couple start their “fake dating” we are well into the book. It’s later brought up by Lyra how it’s been weeks and weeks of their dating (I think we witness three dates total) to explain that no, it’s not as whirlwind as it seems, but the story just feels rushed and like I am sprinting to keep up with its fast pace.
Too many townspeople are included- I get we want to flesh out the town, but Jove spends almost more time arguing with the mail lady than he does wooing Lyra.
And Ted- whatever you did IRL, I hope you’re sorry for it.
Jove/Jupiter is rather lackluster as a leading man. He’s tall and broad and apparently meltingly good looking but has no clue. His life can be summed up by his adoration for his longtime pen pal, Lyra. His love for his brother, Mars. And his odd idea of retribution/justice for sleights to either is epic and strange. The fact he doesn’t share his reasons why have given him a reputation around town even if he’s never caught in the act.
Lyra is quiet. She’s had a life of being told she is wrong and no good and so that is who she is now. A girl who is sweet and kind who attracts all sort of abusive and toxic people to keep her down. Somehow she manages to become her own boss by turning her property into a plant nursery and greenhouse with butterfly gardens and mosaic stepping stones. Which allows her to be who she wants to be- wearing whimsical and brightly colored fluttery dresses and trying to turn her life into a bit of fantasy.
We are missing a lot of information though- Jove insists he can’t live because of the death of his mother, but we only get one sentence about his father (who apparently lives close by). From Lyra’s we know mom is (unfortunately) living but nothing on dad.
We are also missing how these elementary kids lived across the country when they became penpals but then wound up in the same middle and high school? That is one huge coincidence given they live in a smallish town in the middle of nowhere.
The premise of using tropes as research so Jove can take on more of the writing responsibility between he and his brother’s career of dark romances is cute, but by the time our couple start their “fake dating” we are well into the book. It’s later brought up by Lyra how it’s been weeks and weeks of their dating (I think we witness three dates total) to explain that no, it’s not as whirlwind as it seems, but the story just feels rushed and like I am sprinting to keep up with its fast pace.
Too many townspeople are included- I get we want to flesh out the town, but Jove spends almost more time arguing with the mail lady than he does wooing Lyra.
And Ted- whatever you did IRL, I hope you’re sorry for it.
September 12, 2025
Jove is a menace. Lyra is his penpal. Only - she doesn't know it. Which I had a hard time believing but ignored because the book had enough going for it besides for that. (Yes, I get that an unreliable narrator is a thing. But I just had a hard time wrapping my head around how she didn't know anything about Jove but he knew exactly who she was. And then she got over it so quickly.)
Anyhow, after years of being penpals, they meet and quickly fall in love. Only, neither of them quite realize it, so they spend time fake dating, while secretly being obsessed with each other.
The book is full of amusing interactions and humor. It was great how the author put a section with reader's expectations in the beginning. Also, the note at the beginning warning not to do crimes. In case, you know, someone wasn't sure.
This note did have me wondering, though, why men in romance books are so often bad boys who are horrible people to everyone but their lovers. And why conventional fiction seems to assume that these marriages will last. Or that these lovers are kind and loving when that's so obviously who they are as a person. Or that this is love, as opposed to a weird obsession which will likely pass soon.
Accordingly to Lyra, Jove's book (did I not mention? He's an author, too) is great because...the writing is superb, the characters are hilarious, and the romance is swoon. Red flags everywhere, just like we want in our fictional men. Emphasis on fictional men. I could pretty much say the same for this book. And, while I wasn't as crazy about the red flags as Lyra, at least these characters acknowledged that they were acting in unhealthy ways. Which doesn't solve the problem, but it's a start.
It was also interesting to see how this book fit in darker themes of abuse and rejection into Lyra's life, showing her very believable thoughts after a life of being unwanted by her mother, unhealthy friendships, and abandonment. And watching her come out of her shell and believing in herself as she grew to care for Jove was sweet.
Read for an amusing friends to lovers with funny interactions, a possessive (fake) boyfriend, and fake dating turned real.
Content:
Kisses only. One scene with heated kissing in bed, nothing more happens.
Jove has tattoos inked into all his arms from Lyra's letters
Unhealthy relationships and abuse. Jove and his brother routinely ruin others' property as revenge
Anyhow, after years of being penpals, they meet and quickly fall in love. Only, neither of them quite realize it, so they spend time fake dating, while secretly being obsessed with each other.
The book is full of amusing interactions and humor. It was great how the author put a section with reader's expectations in the beginning. Also, the note at the beginning warning not to do crimes. In case, you know, someone wasn't sure.
This note did have me wondering, though, why men in romance books are so often bad boys who are horrible people to everyone but their lovers. And why conventional fiction seems to assume that these marriages will last. Or that these lovers are kind and loving when that's so obviously who they are as a person. Or that this is love, as opposed to a weird obsession which will likely pass soon.
Accordingly to Lyra, Jove's book (did I not mention? He's an author, too) is great because...the writing is superb, the characters are hilarious, and the romance is swoon. Red flags everywhere, just like we want in our fictional men. Emphasis on fictional men. I could pretty much say the same for this book. And, while I wasn't as crazy about the red flags as Lyra, at least these characters acknowledged that they were acting in unhealthy ways. Which doesn't solve the problem, but it's a start.
It was also interesting to see how this book fit in darker themes of abuse and rejection into Lyra's life, showing her very believable thoughts after a life of being unwanted by her mother, unhealthy friendships, and abandonment. And watching her come out of her shell and believing in herself as she grew to care for Jove was sweet.
Read for an amusing friends to lovers with funny interactions, a possessive (fake) boyfriend, and fake dating turned real.
Content:
Kisses only. One scene with heated kissing in bed, nothing more happens.
Jove has tattoos inked into all his arms from Lyra's letters
Unhealthy relationships and abuse. Jove and his brother routinely ruin others' property as revenge
June 17, 2025
Lyra is...she just needs a hug. And a champion. And a backbone. She has three friends, and after one of them blows up and cuts her off...she has two. There is her absolute delight of a cousin, who lives out of town, and her amazing penpal, Jupiter. She tells Jupiter *everything* - every crush, every embarrassment, every fear. She delights in hearing what Jupiter is working on in their successful writing career. What she doesn't end up mentioning, over the decades of their penpal-ship, is the terrifying Jove that lives in her town. He is confident, unapologetic, and delivers a swift form of justice for any perceived threat to those he loves (namely, his brother Mars). He's the town walking red flag, and Lyra steers clear of him like it's her full time job. (Which, it's not. She has a thriving greenhouse and flower business for that.)
Jove has a destructive streak, a successful writing career under a penname with his brother, a really cool looking bleached stripe in his hair, an overactive sense of justice, and two friends: his brother Mars...and his penpal Lyra. He adores Lyra with everything in him, but respects her desire to not acknowledge him in public. Honestly, he wouldn't want to be seen in public with him either. He's kind of a menace.
When Lyra realizes that Jove is a common shortening of the name Jupiter...and her beloved penpal is the town's walking red flag...first, her brain implodes, and then...well, that's what you need to read to find out. What would you do if you found out that your best friend in the *whole* world...would burn down that world for you?
This was an adorable RomCom that made me laugh and squee. It brought back memories of the hours I spent as a kid writing letters to out of town friends. The doodles, the stickers, the anxious waiting for a reply. This story is an ode to pen pals, flags (all the girlies love flags, apparently!), and the kind of love that can transform two lives.
Jove has a destructive streak, a successful writing career under a penname with his brother, a really cool looking bleached stripe in his hair, an overactive sense of justice, and two friends: his brother Mars...and his penpal Lyra. He adores Lyra with everything in him, but respects her desire to not acknowledge him in public. Honestly, he wouldn't want to be seen in public with him either. He's kind of a menace.
When Lyra realizes that Jove is a common shortening of the name Jupiter...and her beloved penpal is the town's walking red flag...first, her brain implodes, and then...well, that's what you need to read to find out. What would you do if you found out that your best friend in the *whole* world...would burn down that world for you?
This was an adorable RomCom that made me laugh and squee. It brought back memories of the hours I spent as a kid writing letters to out of town friends. The doodles, the stickers, the anxious waiting for a reply. This story is an ode to pen pals, flags (all the girlies love flags, apparently!), and the kind of love that can transform two lives.
June 21, 2025
Whacky plots driven by slightly (or mostly) off-center characters is one of my absolute favourite story telling devices, so between the title and the synopsis I said sign me up for this new-to-me author.
For me the story simply never left its premise and that's the long and short of why I gave this 3 stars.
Some other thoughts.
We meet Jove and Lyra when they've already been pen pals for like 15 years (I can't remember the exact timespan). Jove is aware that Lyra is his pen pal, whereas Lyra remains in the dark that one of the town's big bad trouble making delinquent, is hers. The story "kicks into gear" when after Lyra's truly terrible IRL friend dumps her and her resulting emotional collapse causes Jove to seek her out in real life, and bring their friendship out of their letters.
I think the ingredients were there for a really fun romp of a book, but after Jove and Lyra meet in real life and he presses the issue of her not abandoning their friendship from shock, the story really doesn't go anyway (at least to me it didn't). There is a plot thread of Jove being an author and asking Lyra to fake date him so he gets inspiration on how to write romance, but this wasn't enough to anchor the stories or the characters. It just felt like passing time with these two characters, but not in a cozy way, instead in a waiting for the story to really start kind of way.
There were some moments that made me smile, but ultimately this book felt like meta-commentary rather than an actual story, so ultimately it just didn't land the way I thought it would.
For me the story simply never left its premise and that's the long and short of why I gave this 3 stars.
Some other thoughts.
We meet Jove and Lyra when they've already been pen pals for like 15 years (I can't remember the exact timespan). Jove is aware that Lyra is his pen pal, whereas Lyra remains in the dark that one of the town's big bad trouble making delinquent, is hers. The story "kicks into gear" when after Lyra's truly terrible IRL friend dumps her and her resulting emotional collapse causes Jove to seek her out in real life, and bring their friendship out of their letters.
I think the ingredients were there for a really fun romp of a book, but after Jove and Lyra meet in real life and he presses the issue of her not abandoning their friendship from shock, the story really doesn't go anyway (at least to me it didn't). There is a plot thread of Jove being an author and asking Lyra to fake date him so he gets inspiration on how to write romance, but this wasn't enough to anchor the stories or the characters. It just felt like passing time with these two characters, but not in a cozy way, instead in a waiting for the story to really start kind of way.
There were some moments that made me smile, but ultimately this book felt like meta-commentary rather than an actual story, so ultimately it just didn't land the way I thought it would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
Red flag waving
Did I put down another book to instantly download this beauty and not put it down correct. Am I upset by this no not at all lol.
This is a closed door absolutely brilliant book like everything else she writes.
Old fashioned letter writing with beautiful stationary speaks to my heart. Am I looking at arts and crafts potentially hehe.
Lyra has a bit of a misunderstanding and instead of her lovely girl friend who she confides everything in. Instead she gets a handsome slightly deranged and obsessed man Jove.
Who writes romance books and needs help so naturally he asks his friend to fake date.
Red flags throughout and he was right the book girlies do like a good red flag hehe
Did I put down another book to instantly download this beauty and not put it down correct. Am I upset by this no not at all lol.
This is a closed door absolutely brilliant book like everything else she writes.
Old fashioned letter writing with beautiful stationary speaks to my heart. Am I looking at arts and crafts potentially hehe.
Lyra has a bit of a misunderstanding and instead of her lovely girl friend who she confides everything in. Instead she gets a handsome slightly deranged and obsessed man Jove.
Who writes romance books and needs help so naturally he asks his friend to fake date.
Red flags throughout and he was right the book girlies do like a good red flag hehe
June 17, 2025
Every Storm Sterling book is better than the last I swear. I laugh, I cry, I get cavities from the unrelenting sweetness.
Jove is the typical chaos gremlin and I adore it. Love a man who will unleash revenge in dubious ways for the ones he cares about. Lyra is relatable and adorable. I love that she was the first to realize she was in love and helped him realize his love.
I’m a giggly happy mess from reading and I can’t wait for more! Seriously I desperately want Elodie and her grumpy/sunshine story now! Thankfully book one in this series is out next week (book two supremacy? Idk but yay two books!)
Jove is the typical chaos gremlin and I adore it. Love a man who will unleash revenge in dubious ways for the ones he cares about. Lyra is relatable and adorable. I love that she was the first to realize she was in love and helped him realize his love.
I’m a giggly happy mess from reading and I can’t wait for more! Seriously I desperately want Elodie and her grumpy/sunshine story now! Thankfully book one in this series is out next week (book two supremacy? Idk but yay two books!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2025
Fun story about a pen pal who is actually a huge, somewhat scary man instead of the girl bestie Lyra had thought she’d been writing to most of her life. Lyra and Jove complement each other so well. She calms him when needed and he gives her the confidence to stand up for herself. And then they sometimes slash people’s tires for retribution. But only when it’s deserved. Storm Sterling has a very particular writing style and voice, so if you like the extra, go for it, but if you’re looking for something more serious, calm and/or spicy, best to pick up something else. Big Camilla Evergreen vibes - makes sense because sisters and inspiration and all. Overall, a fun, quick read!
July 3, 2025
Red Flags Only is absolute romcom magic! Storm Sterling nails the perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoony sweetness in this unforgettable friends-to-lovers, fake dating delight. Jove Rogue is the dreamiest red flag ever—gruff, massive, and secretly soft—and his chemistry with the hilariously relatable heroine is off the charts. Their pen pal connection is so charming, and watching their banter turn into genuine love had me giggling, swooning, and speed-reading with glee. It’s closed-door, but bursting with emotional intimacy and flirty tension. I adored every second in the EverStorm universe. This book is comfort, chaos, and charm all in one!
September 6, 2025
Lyra, ever the sweetheart, only has one true friend. This one true friend is deeply in love with her.
Woo, what a ride. It's such an enjoyable book. I don’t see red flags in this book, only green ones! So sweet, so kind, and such a caring MMC, who will do absolutely anything to see her smile, happy, and to feel all the love in the world. Even if he does some questionable things for his brother.
Lyra needs a big hug, better friends, and more emotional Diet Coke support. Jove needed someone to teach him love, and well, he found her. Even if he didn’t believe he could love someone, he does, more than anything in his world.
Woo, what a ride. It's such an enjoyable book. I don’t see red flags in this book, only green ones! So sweet, so kind, and such a caring MMC, who will do absolutely anything to see her smile, happy, and to feel all the love in the world. Even if he does some questionable things for his brother.
Lyra needs a big hug, better friends, and more emotional Diet Coke support. Jove needed someone to teach him love, and well, he found her. Even if he didn’t believe he could love someone, he does, more than anything in his world.
June 18, 2025
This book is full of red flags... the emotional waving kind that leave you cheering for the characters as they journey through character arcs (also known as personal growth). Their battle with maniacs disguising as maniacs if frankly, downright maniacal. And I am here for it. If you stan yourself a delusional MMC who falls first but last, and a FMC who falls last but might be first... this book is for you!
June 20, 2025
Was unsure going in, but exceeded expectations!
Quite pleased with this start to a new Storm&Camilla duet, and looking forward to the upcoming Mars book.
Jove grew on me more than I expected him to, the destructive little (aka giant) himbo! I loved the “forced” communication, especially because it worked well in the relationship they already had, even if it stressed out Lyra. I also enjoyed the 4th wall break humor interspersed.
A fun and quick read that I’m glad I picked up, but now I have to wait for the second one. Boo.
Quite pleased with this start to a new Storm&Camilla duet, and looking forward to the upcoming Mars book.
Jove grew on me more than I expected him to, the destructive little (aka giant) himbo! I loved the “forced” communication, especially because it worked well in the relationship they already had, even if it stressed out Lyra. I also enjoyed the 4th wall break humor interspersed.
A fun and quick read that I’m glad I picked up, but now I have to wait for the second one. Boo.
July 12, 2025
These two are magic. I love Jove’s dedication to Lyra and how he won’t allow her to retreat like she normally does. He is a mystery to others but such an amazing person to those he loves. Lyra is stronger than she will ever realize. She just needed the push to see that. I’m so proud of just how much she grows as a person in this story.
This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone novel.
This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone novel.
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