Frustrating, oh yes, because you and the rest of the cast want to bash the two lovestruck loons' heads together, but hilarious. And there's plot! Not heavy (this is, after all, just the beginning of a series), but enough to keep the story flowing forward. It focuses more on introducing you to the characters within the story before it gets going. I love Sam and his friends dearly, and the relationships within the book (from friendship to mentors to family to love) just tug at every single heartstring I own. It truly did 'Hit Me In The Feels'. And that's capitalised, so it's true. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 June 2020 Verified Purchase This book is so freakin' funny! I wasn't sure about The Lightning-Struck Heart for the first couple of pages. I don't think I actually read that many humorous books and I thought this might have a bit… over the top or 'thinks it's so clever' for me. I was soon proven wrong. I actually laughed until I cried at more than one line. That said, the sense of humor here — very dry, sarcastic and incredibly sex-driven — isn't going to be for everyone.
Gustavo Tiberius is not normal. He knows this. Everyone in his small town of Abby, Oregon, knows this. He reads encyclopedias every night before bed. He has a pet ferret called Harry S. Truman. He owns a video rental store that no one goes to. His closest friends are a lady named Lottie with drag queen hair and a trio of elderly Vespa riders known as the We Three Queens. Gus is not normal. And he's fine with that. All he wants is to be left alone. Until Casey, an asexual stoner hipster and the newest employee at Lottie's Lattes, enters his life. For some reason, Casey thinks Gus is the greatest thing ever. And maybe Gus is starting to think the same thing about Casey, even if Casey is obsessive about Instagramming his food. But Gus isn't normal and Casey deserves someone who can be. Suddenly wanting to be that someone, Gus steps out of his comfort zone and plans to become the most normal person ever. After all, what could possibly go wrong?
A How to Be Novel Gustavo Tiberius is not normal. He knows this. Everyone in his small town of Abby, Oregon, knows this. He reads encyclopedias every night before bed. He has a pet ferret called Harry S. Truman. He owns a video rental store that no one goes to. His closest friends are a lady named Lottie with drag queen hair and a trio of elderly Vespa riders known as the We Three Queens. Gus is not normal. And he's fine with that. All he wants is to be left alone. Until Casey, an asexual stoner hipster and the newest employee at Lottie's Lattes, enters his life. For some reason, Casey thinks Gus is the greatest thing ever. And maybe Gus is starting to think the same thing about Casey, even if Casey is obsessive about Instagramming his food. But Gus isn't normal and Casey deserves someone who can be. Suddenly wanting to be that someone, Gus steps out of his comfort zone and plans to become the most normal person ever. After all, what could possibly go wrong?
I haven't written about plot and characters because nothing will do them justice until you read them for yourself.
I bought the rest of the series — the remaining three books — the second I finished The Lightning-Struck Heart and immediately started A Destiny of Dragons. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2018 Verified Purchase This was so much fun! Plot: We follow our main character, Sam, who is a wizard's apprentice, at the beginning of the book he and Gary (best friend and gay unicorn) are captured and then saved by their other best friend, Tiggy the half-giant. Sam is in love with Knight Ryan Foxheart, but he believes it's only one-sided and that he will never have a chance with him as Ryan is due to marry the Prince. LGBTQ+ rep (gay main characters and asexual side character) What I loved (and at times hated) was the fact that nothing phases our main character, this is such a humorous story and I could not stop laughing throughout! However, at times I felt like I needed a bit more seriousness, a bit more emotion. Since I started writing this review all I want to do is go back and read the book again!
Top reviews from United Kingdom There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2018 Verified Purchase This book is quite unlike any other of its sort. If you're looking for high fantasy (Think Discworld, Middle Earth etc etc), a parade of individually charming characters and a romance that has you laughing as much as sighing wistfully, then you'll enjoy this. Now, to be totally honest, I'd avoided this book for a while despite having seen good reviews. The summary had me scratching my head and deciding it probably wasn't for me. Oh how wrong I was. Word of warning: If you're used to super serious romances that get straight to the 'point'-in more ways than one-then this might challenge you. I, however, was delightfully surprised by the breath of fresh air that is TJ Klune's brand of humour in 'The Lightning Struck Heart'. The writing in and of itself is unique, and if you're looking for a winding, adjective-heavy love poem (that doesn't involve cheesy dicks and candlesticks), then this isn't It's not the usual fare, if only because it's so darn hilarious.