The Not So Super Hero

by Twoony

Born without powers, Bailey Schaefer has accepted that he’ll never be like the superheroes he sees on TV. Though that won’t stop him from learning about them by attending Ringgold college, one of the best Mutant Studies institutes in the world. Bailey expects college parties, regrettable hangovers, and panicked midterms, but what he gets is a rude and very kissable custodian with an entire dumpster full of secrets.

As a simple custodian, Zane Levitt strives for a mediocre life; he lives in a boring apartment, eats takeout a little too often, and watches too much streaming. So when a klutzy college boy—far too cute than he has any right to be—continuously trips into Zane’s path, he’s hellbent on avoiding the bad luck charm.

But both their lives are about to make an abrupt adjustment when Rebirth, a villainous organization meant to have fallen years ago, returns with a vengeance.

Bailey and Zane find their mix-matched romance thrown into a chaotic whirlwind of superheroes and villains, hidden pasts, and painful family secrets. Maybe together they can finally take down Rebirth once and for all, and put history to rest.

Violence, on page sex scenes, and hints towards torture and child abuse.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Queer, LGBT, Gay, Superheroes, Fantasy

337 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2023

About the author

Twoony is an agender and asexual geek with a love for story telling in all forms; movies, comics, books, games, and more. They write YA and adult stories ranging from the always enjoyable teen rom-com to high fantasy romance. At the age of twelve, they posted their first story online and have been addicted to sharing ever since. Now, they are a self-published author with six works available on Amazon and nine available on tapas along with three comics.

Although Twoony graduated from California University of PA with a Bachelors in Graphics & Multimedia, their true passion has always been writing. After writing original novels and comics on sites like Tapas and Wattpad, amounting over 144k subscribers and 7m+ reads, they have managed to live the dream. Twoony creates fulltime, lives with three needy cats, and not enough bookshelves.

Reviews

[Coda Persons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so flipping cute and good 👍 like it hits every vibe on sunshine character / grumpy character gets together plot. ❤️ the story plot flows nicely 👌 ✨️, there are some points in the plot where it could have been explained better or went further with so it could be cohesive. Overall, 10/10 would read again. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a pick me up.

[Val]

Bailey is a normal university student in a world where mutants, heros and villains rule the world. Zane is a custodian trying to live a normal life, escaping from his past. Life brings them together and their lives change in short amount of time, not just their relationship.
I think this book was the exact definition of grumpy x sunshine trope. Zane is a literal grumpy till the end of the book but it's not a secret why he is the way he is as we go through the book.
I think the plot was really good, the world author built did charm me. I think even if this is the second book I've read from this author I kinda got charmed by their style. I do have some problems with this book too. I think the change of POVs during the events was kind of confusing, it might've been better if there was just one POV per chapter. Other than that I liked the characters and I think this was a fun read.
If you like:
- grumpy x sunshine
- superheros
- found family
then I would recommend you to read this book! :)
Thank you Booksprout for a free copy of this book!

[Emelie Andersson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was amazing with interesting flawed characters with detailed background. The Main love interest is bit of lazy dick while the main character is a unlucky but positive student who is a bit obsessed about superpowers. They meet, villains go after the lazy asshole and the unlucky guy. And we have a superhero adventure filled with action, comedy and high stakes.

As you might have realized, I really like this story. The only reason why I didn't give it five stars is because of a section in the book that drags on, and on. They decide to have several (Around eleven if I remember correctly) chapters with backstory that is not really needed. When I read them, I felt like it was unnecessary and it turn the story to an halt. This might just be me and maybe everyone else just craved that backstory but the book has already given me hints of the backstory that made me piece it together so I did not feel like I needed a lengthy description of it.

That said, this was an enjoyable read and I will most certainly read it again. I highly recommend it!

[Orangejuice · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is the first superhero themed book I've ever read- haven't even watched any movies. So now I'm thinking I might be missing out.
This story has a wonderful world building and an even better romance between to people that couldn't be more different. To me they have a enemies to lovers vibe, although they are not really enemies, more like a cold-hearted and grumpy guy falling for a golden-retriever boy. I quite liked how being a superhero works in this book, maybe it's not that different from well-known movies, but as I said, I wouldn't know, so.
All in all I really liked this book, especially the romance part. There's something about characters that are grumpy and bitchy all the time but than they have their moments and get all soft for their romantic interest.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brook R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book may have had a few grammar mistakes, or a consistent change of P.O.V. between the main characters, I gave it a five-star review mostly for reason that it has exceeded my expectations for a story that started out on Wattpad. The plot remained consistent especially with its interwoven world building and all those good tropes we crave like found family. It may have seemed slow more towards the end with all the action and waiting to find the main antagonist, but I definitely enjoyed the delve into each character and how realistic it still remained that it wouldn’t be that easy; loose ends like with other characters were tied neatly. Props to The Not So Super Hero!

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a story when the two characters have exaggerated personalities. Bailey is crazy unlucky and a bit clumsy which does luckily land him in the arms of a not in the mood for any of it custodian Zane. We get both of their POV's and well they are both not particularly fond of each other at the start. It was fun to see them join together and actually become quite attached to each other! A bit of protective vibes here. This is a longer book, so I became quite invested in these two and their oddly perfect relationship.

[Maoghany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the world building in this story. It's very difficult to find a book that has both queer romance (in this case two men) and doesn't lack world building and plot. And I think this book wonderfully managed combine the genres.
Superheroes and "secret" special abilities in our "real" world are my weak spot!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well wow what a brilliant surprise! I received an ARC copy and was a bit dubious just from title and cover but within a few pages I was hooked! An incredible story about an incredible couple. I was on tender hooks waiting for what would happen next and was taken on an awesome journey along with the loveable characters. Will definitely be looking at more of this authors books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was one incredible book, I mean, really incredible. I was totally transfixed throughout this book and being that it's close to five hundred pages, that's saying something! I have loved every single book I have read by Twoony and this one is no exception. Read it, it's totally worth your time.

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found my way here from the cover artist's website. For me, the story was better than the writing style. Like another reviewer mentioned, the POV shifts being woven into the story is kind of confusing. Overall, it was fun read with an entertaining slow(ish) burn romance! I'm definitely interested in how the author could expand on the worldbuilding they started in this book, too.

[Daniel Riley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled through this book a lot. From the grammatical errors, to the flat characters, to the seemingly rip off of MHA and the the total drop off of the whole villan group towards the end. I can usually fly through novels this short, but I needed to process every paragraph. I am not usually this harsh with books, but this was rough.

[Kerry A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Engaging story. But needs lots and lots and lots of editing. Many instances of missing words, wrong words (words that sound similar), incorrect punctuation, calling Halloween a month rather than a holiday, silly things like that

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was both exhilarating and cute! It's a wonderfully crafted action novel with plenty of drama (but not like... overwhelmingly so... like some novels I've read). I think the character progression of Zane in particular is very compelling. Highly recommend giving this a read!

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven•]

Bro, the cover is so cute! I thought it was a comic at first glance.

[Nicole B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun premise that carried through. Bad Luck Bailey is adorable and has a heart of gold, and Zane needed someone able to break through his iron walls. I'm glad he gets his family back.

[Megan Burhop · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was fun and enjoyable but the writing was much more juvenile than some of the authors others works.