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Thunderstruck: A Novel – A Smart, Sexy Debut Romantasy Love Triangle in Norse Mythology with Thor and Loki
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Win a free print copy of this book!
15 days and 05:27:20
100 copies available
U.S. only
In this smart, sexy debut romantasy, an American exchange student arrives in Norway only to find herself in a love triangle with an intense activist and an aloof environmental law professor who turn out to be the Norse gods Thor and Loki.
Althea Leos, Type A as they come, doesn’t arrive in Oslo expecting to get dumped—academically speaking—by her thesis advisor, the stoic Professor Dahl. Reeling from being abandoned, Thea falls head over heels in lust with Torben, a Norwegian environmental activist and front-runner for Sexy Lumberjack of the Year. Thea is so love-drunk on Torben’s sweet, sexy smile, and also drunk-drunk, that she angrily follows the elusive Professor Dahl home and…
Thea stumbles accidentally across the bridge to Asgard, entering the immortal realm of Norse gods.
Odin, the Allfather, challenges Thea to pass a series of tests to prove she can keep her lips sealed about Asgard. Thea expects wolves the size of elephants and menacing ravens, but she doesn’t expect to find herself in slow-burn situationships with two “brothers” who happen to be Norse gods. Calm, cool, collected Althea Leos must navigate her desires for Thor and Loki while trying to overcome Odin’s trials.
Tropes
? Love triangle
? Academic romance
? Slow-burn romance
? Norse mythology
Althea Leos, Type A as they come, doesn’t arrive in Oslo expecting to get dumped—academically speaking—by her thesis advisor, the stoic Professor Dahl. Reeling from being abandoned, Thea falls head over heels in lust with Torben, a Norwegian environmental activist and front-runner for Sexy Lumberjack of the Year. Thea is so love-drunk on Torben’s sweet, sexy smile, and also drunk-drunk, that she angrily follows the elusive Professor Dahl home and…
Thea stumbles accidentally across the bridge to Asgard, entering the immortal realm of Norse gods.
Odin, the Allfather, challenges Thea to pass a series of tests to prove she can keep her lips sealed about Asgard. Thea expects wolves the size of elephants and menacing ravens, but she doesn’t expect to find herself in slow-burn situationships with two “brothers” who happen to be Norse gods. Calm, cool, collected Althea Leos must navigate her desires for Thor and Loki while trying to overcome Odin’s trials.
Tropes
? Love triangle
? Academic romance
? Slow-burn romance
? Norse mythology
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Lissa Layland
4 books17 followersLissa Layland lives in Melbourne, Australia—on Bunurong/Boon Wurrung land—with her husband and rescue greyhound. As a nine-year-old, she wrote and performed “theatre productions” that were essentially pantheon fanfiction for her endlessly patient classmates. It’s no surprise she now writes fantasy and romance for adults. Somewhere in between, she worked in climate justice, including on campaigns for legal complaints brought before the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m always a little wary when I pick up fantasy after a break because it’s a genre that demands your full attention, especially when you’re learning a new world and magic system. At first, I’ll admit I found some of the Norse mythology terminology and world-building a little confusing. There were moments where I felt like I was trying to keep up with unfamiliar words and lore, but the further I got into the story, the more everything clicked into place. By the end, I was completely invested. I actually think this was the perfect fantasy to ease myself back into the genre because it balances mythology with an academic setting, a contemporary world, and a portal fantasy element that never feels overwhelming. The combination of university life, environmental research, mythology, and another realm made for a really addictive reading experience.
The romance was absolutely the highlight for me. Going into this, I was nervous because love triangles are very hit-or-miss for me, and I was worried it would turn into a why-choose situation. Thankfully, it didn’t. Instead, it gave me major The Vampire Diaries vibes with the Thor/Loki dynamic, and from very early on I knew exactly who I was rooting for. Loki completely stole this book for me. The professor, the glasses, the tortured immortal energy, the constant insistence that mortals and immortals shouldn’t be together—I was gone from the start. Even when I was questioning where the romance was heading, Loki kept me turning the pages. Despite some surprisingly early romantic moments, this is still a slow burn at heart, and the tension between Althea and Loki was exactly what I wanted. Every interaction felt layered with history, longing, and the sense that neither of them believed they should want what they wanted.
One thing I really appreciated was how accessible the fantasy felt. While there are gods, mythical creatures, portals, and another realm, the stakes are often tied to academic research, environmental concerns, and uncovering the truth rather than constant battles or high-octane action. For me personally, that’s probably why this landed at four stars rather than five. When I read fantasy, I tend to love stories with incredibly high stakes and intense danger, whereas this felt more character-driven and relationship-focused. That said, I genuinely enjoyed the blend of fantasy and academia, and I loved seeing mythology woven into a modern setting. The water creatures, the mythology, the different realms, and the mythology-inspired history all reminded me why I love fantasy so much in the first place.
And then there’s the ending. That epilogue absolutely made this book for me. After spending the entire novel invested in these characters, seeing everything come together left me with the biggest smile on my face. It was sweet, satisfying, and exactly the ending I was hoping for. For a debut novel, I was incredibly impressed. The world-building became easier and easier to follow, the romance had me fully invested, and Loki may genuinely become one of my favourite fantasy love interests.
♡ “If you asked me to imagine Mr December from the Hot Lumberjack’s annual calendar, he’s exactly what I’d picture. Then I’d buy a copy of the calendar.”
♡ “Of course I’ve thought about it. But wanting something isn’t the same as it being good for you.”
♡ “I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes among the Æsir, and each one leaves its marks. I won’t let them scar you.”
♡ “But when his darkened gaze falls upon me, I light up with longing.”
♡ “You’re all the things I’ve ever wanted, and was convinced I would never be able to have.”
♡ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the eARC ♡
The romance was absolutely the highlight for me. Going into this, I was nervous because love triangles are very hit-or-miss for me, and I was worried it would turn into a why-choose situation. Thankfully, it didn’t. Instead, it gave me major The Vampire Diaries vibes with the Thor/Loki dynamic, and from very early on I knew exactly who I was rooting for. Loki completely stole this book for me. The professor, the glasses, the tortured immortal energy, the constant insistence that mortals and immortals shouldn’t be together—I was gone from the start. Even when I was questioning where the romance was heading, Loki kept me turning the pages. Despite some surprisingly early romantic moments, this is still a slow burn at heart, and the tension between Althea and Loki was exactly what I wanted. Every interaction felt layered with history, longing, and the sense that neither of them believed they should want what they wanted.
One thing I really appreciated was how accessible the fantasy felt. While there are gods, mythical creatures, portals, and another realm, the stakes are often tied to academic research, environmental concerns, and uncovering the truth rather than constant battles or high-octane action. For me personally, that’s probably why this landed at four stars rather than five. When I read fantasy, I tend to love stories with incredibly high stakes and intense danger, whereas this felt more character-driven and relationship-focused. That said, I genuinely enjoyed the blend of fantasy and academia, and I loved seeing mythology woven into a modern setting. The water creatures, the mythology, the different realms, and the mythology-inspired history all reminded me why I love fantasy so much in the first place.
And then there’s the ending. That epilogue absolutely made this book for me. After spending the entire novel invested in these characters, seeing everything come together left me with the biggest smile on my face. It was sweet, satisfying, and exactly the ending I was hoping for. For a debut novel, I was incredibly impressed. The world-building became easier and easier to follow, the romance had me fully invested, and Loki may genuinely become one of my favourite fantasy love interests.
♡ “If you asked me to imagine Mr December from the Hot Lumberjack’s annual calendar, he’s exactly what I’d picture. Then I’d buy a copy of the calendar.”
♡ “Of course I’ve thought about it. But wanting something isn’t the same as it being good for you.”
♡ “I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes among the Æsir, and each one leaves its marks. I won’t let them scar you.”
♡ “But when his darkened gaze falls upon me, I light up with longing.”
♡ “You’re all the things I’ve ever wanted, and was convinced I would never be able to have.”
♡ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the eARC ♡
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺!
As an environmental professional with a climate background who loves a mythology moment, it's safe to say this book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. And boy, she did NOT disappoint.
Layland expertly wove climate justice, romance, and mythology together, balancing these three pillars to deliver an incredible story. Her environmental messaging wasn't only inspiring for rising advocates, but reassuring for established ones like myself, reminding us about the value in our work.
Then there's the romance. I'll admit that there's one brother in particular I loved most, and let's just say, without spoiling the love triangle, that I WON. There were screams, bitten nails, pounded fists, tears... If that doesn't prove how evocative of a read this is, I don't know what would!
Thunderstruck has become one my all-time favorite books, and I need the next books like I need air. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go look into environmental master's programs at the University of Oslo for no reason in particular!
As an environmental professional with a climate background who loves a mythology moment, it's safe to say this book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. And boy, she did NOT disappoint.
Layland expertly wove climate justice, romance, and mythology together, balancing these three pillars to deliver an incredible story. Her environmental messaging wasn't only inspiring for rising advocates, but reassuring for established ones like myself, reminding us about the value in our work.
Then there's the romance. I'll admit that there's one brother in particular I loved most, and let's just say, without spoiling the love triangle, that I WON. There were screams, bitten nails, pounded fists, tears... If that doesn't prove how evocative of a read this is, I don't know what would!
Thunderstruck has become one my all-time favorite books, and I need the next books like I need air. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go look into environmental master's programs at the University of Oslo for no reason in particular!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 3.75 ⭐️
This year hasn't been the best for me when reading fantasy/ romantasy so I didn't know what to think about this one, but I had so much fun!
The Gods, the mythical creatures, the realm, the stakes, the environmental concerns made this book so good. I couldn't stop reading it. The romance!!! Loki is absolutely everything and I have to say one of the reasons I finished this book is because of him. The slowburn, the longing, the tension, the spice... everything was perfect!
Honestly really hope Lissa will write more about these characters!!!
Actual rating 3.75 ⭐️
This year hasn't been the best for me when reading fantasy/ romantasy so I didn't know what to think about this one, but I had so much fun!
The Gods, the mythical creatures, the realm, the stakes, the environmental concerns made this book so good. I couldn't stop reading it. The romance!!! Loki is absolutely everything and I have to say one of the reasons I finished this book is because of him. The slowburn, the longing, the tension, the spice... everything was perfect!
Honestly really hope Lissa will write more about these characters!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews