4.5 Stars

CWs: Instances of parental neglect, explorations of mourning a break-up, mentions of being closeted and coming out (from a secondary character), descriptions of anxiety and anxiety attacks

"I used to think I always knew what came next. I used to think that my plans were as good as destiny, but that’s never been true. I’ve just always been determined, and lucky, and determined to be lucky. But you can’t design a future and expect it to just happen. Like art, you can only start with intent. Your hands build the rest."

Ryan La Sala has done it again. He has proven himself as someone who can traverse genre and voice and pretty much do whatever he wants, because he can pull it off. Whether he's writing about interdimensional collapse or fashion reality show drama, you are guaranteed a phenomenal and effervescent story.

"Be Dazzled" is pitched as Project Runways meets Comic-Con and that's exactly what it is. It's about Raffy, who’s poised to take the crown at the season’s biggest cosplay competition—until he realizes that he’ll be competing against Luca, his ex-boyfriend and former cosplay partner. Throw in the fact that his elitist mother doesn't see cosplay as "real art" and the fact that winning this competition could open a ton of doors to sponsorship and art school and you have a high-stakes story about Raffy desperately trying to prove himself in the world of crafting.

This book is exuberant, exciting, joyful, and (pun intended) wonderfully crafted. The pages practically turn themselves as you get deeper into this cosplay competition and as the zany design challenges get harder and harder. Not only that, but the emotional stakes get more and more complex the more you learn about Raffy and his relationship with his ex, Luca.

I thought Raffy's perfectionist personality and anxiety was really well-explored and portrayed. When his thoughts are spiraling and he begins to feel like he's losing control, you really feel that alongside him. The narration does such a good job of mimicking how the world funnels itself into a microscopic lens that prevents you from seeing anything but your own short-comings and failings up close. At the same time, while you feel for Raffy, the people around him are definitely challenging him on his self-centeredness and his tendency to assume the worst of himself and others when his anxiety kicks in. Part of it is that he needs to learn how to manage it better, but also that he can't use that as an excuse to hurt people. I really appreciated that self-awareness he slowly grows into by the end.

And that's also a big part of what led to the end of his relationship with Luca—how he was so singularly-focused on his creativity while not affording enough grace to their difference in skill level. To further emphasize that divide, the story is told in alternating dual timelines. One half of the story is hurtling through this intense series of cosplay challenges and the other half is a series of flashbacks showing Raffy and Luca slowly but surely edging closer to their breaking point. So as you see their relationship falling apart, you also get to see it evolving and being rebuilt in the present. There’s such a beautiful symmetry to the story that not only heightens the emotional stakes, but also really drives home Raffy’s character growth in a visceral way.

"Be Dazzled" is a story that's flamboyant, fun, glitzy, and dramatic, but it's also heartfelt. I think it's a story that has a lot to say about how the value of what we create is not defined by *how* we create, and how our dreams and the relationships in our lives are also things that we build for ourselves. This is a story that celebrates creativity, authenticity, and fearlessness, especially when those things are hard-won in a world that often demands our conformity or compliance. It's a story that says the things that matter to us will always have value, and I love it so much for that.

In case it wasn't clear, I highly recommend "Be Dazzled" for fans of queer contemporary stories with second chance romances. (I also highly recommend "Reverie," for the record.) There is so much to love in this book, and I can't wait to see what other stories Ryan has in store for us!

This was such a quick and enjoyable read! I loved reading about Raffy and Luca's relationship and seeing them grow together. Further, I really liked the creativity that was present in the novel, namely, making cosplay costumes. However, I did not end up enjoying this as much as I thought I would. Personally, I'm not into cosplay and therefore I couldn't connect to a big part of the story. Even though I couldn't connect to all parts, I still think this was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are into cosplay!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A book that cheers, that celebrates being your own person, and that also celebrates hard work and ingenuity as well as attractiveness and creativity.

Full review on my blog: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/book-review-ryan-la-sala-be-dazzled-netgalley-ryality-sourcebooks/

4.5*

I loved Be Dazzled, it was such a delight to read! Ryan La Sala transported me into the world of cosplay, one I wasn't really familiar with at all, and with cons of all kinds being canceled this past year it was fun to "attend" one in the fictional world.
Raffy was such a darling character. I love how invested and passionate he was about things, especially his fandoms.
I enjoyed the way this story unfolded, through the alternating past and present chapters. I thought it was a great way to get to know Raffy, and Luca, and to see how it all began, and ended, for them, and to see how they'd be able to work through their differences.

Be Dazzled was a sweet and fun second chance romance, coming of age story. There's so much to like about it, and it left me with the biggest smile on my face.

I read his debut, Reverie, last year and really enjoyed it which as a result made me super excited to read this next book.

And let me tell you, this was such a wholesome read. Raffy was such a great character; he was an ambitious and passionate person and I admired that so much. I also loved watching Raffy grow as a person and artist as the book progressed.

As for the romance, I have very mixed feelings on it. On one hand, I loved Raffy and Luca’s banter and watching them develop and break up .But on the other hand, Luca wasn’t my favourite love interest and I thought Raffy deserved better (which luckily Luca acknowledges). So I can’t say I was rooting for them the entire time and I’m sad to say they weren’t my favourite couple.

The multi-timeline format was super interesting and I thought it worked well for this particular story. I loved reading about how their relationship progressed and how they broke up.

Overall, I'm not sure if I enjoyed this more or less than Reverie, but it was still a great contemporary I would highly recommend.

Raffy loves all things crafty and cosplay; he even has his own streaming channel where he works on his projects and teaches his viewers different craft techniques. One of those viewers is Luca, a closeted bisexual guy who goes to school with Raffy. Luca's parents dislike all things cons, cosplay, --and LGBTQIA+. So Luca must do one-on-one craft tutoring --and kissing-- on the sly. But interspersed with this "Then" story is "Now": Raffy and his friend Mae in awesome AF cosplay competing against Luca and Amina in their own fantastic cosplay. How did Luca go from afraid to even be seen in Craft Club buying supplies to competing in a televised cosplay competition? And why are Raffy and Luca a team?

This nonlinear story is Project Runway goes to Comic Con with lots of queer love and affirmations. The inside look into how intricate and exquisite cosplay creations are is a wonderful affirmation to that world, which many teens are interested in today. In addition, how both Raffy and Luca have to hide important identity aspects of themselves to their family (Raffy his crafting and cosplay from his art snob of a mom and Luca his bisexuality from his straight-laced parents) seems like it would be a straight-forward "let's do this together" journey, but La Sala tips it on its head, making the story fresh and nuanced.

Raffy has anxiety, and while there is some good exposition about anxiety, it is sometimes forgotten or not expounded on enough to make this a "mental health" book.

Give this to teens who enjoyed Britta Lundin's Ship It but not how her character is outed. And for those readers who want more Project Runway-inspired stories, give them Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim next.

The characters in this book are larger than life and both incredibly charming and flawed. While reading, I felt protective over both Raffy and Luca and only wanted them to succeed (preferably, together). The writing is fun and accessible; this will be perfect for young queer folks who have big dreams and love to create.

Absolutely adorable! I was a big fan of Ryan's first book and I'm glad to see that he continues to get better with his sophomore novel. I love that, as different as it is, it's still got the heart Reverie did. That's the best part about the book: the heart and soul of it. The writing has weight behind it. I loved it so much. Great read. Would (and already have) 100% recommend to YA readers.

This book was a fun cosplay design adventure and I really enjoyed a lot of this book! For anyone who has been to a comic con like event so much of this story will be hilariously relatable.

Raffy and Luca's journey through this book is quite the rollercoaster. Raffy is out and Luca is not. But while Raffy's mother accepting of his identity, she is definitely not accepting of his extracurricular crafting. Luca is only kind of out to his mother and his parents are determined to keep him away from anything and everything anime and cosplay. This book also has a strong theme of not losing sight of why you enjoy doing the things you do for fun which is always a nice reminder.

There were a lot of wonderfully relatable nerd moments in this one. Slowly seeing the story of Raffy and Luca getting closer was sweet and heartwrenching at times since you know from the first chapter they've broken up. I think my biggest complaint in this book is that the way the story is told, one chapter from Now and the next from Then alternately. I don't usually mind dual storylines in books. This one just didn't feel like it lined up right to me. The jumps back in time were predictable, and not necessarily confusing, but the way that the time jumps went right up to the end of the book kept taking me out of the character growth that is happening in the Now chapters. It was frustrating and took me out of the story quite a bit. I loved Raffy as a character and Luca was so dang charming, and knew it. They were really wonderful characters to get to know and I still really enjoyed their story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC!
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Representation: gay MC, bi MC, lesbian

Content Warnings: HP reference, underage drinking, language

Quirky and adorable! I loved Raffy's voice and the pop-culture vibe. Although Raffy came across as frustratingly insecure at times, it fit the character. Luca was a nice blend of more confident and outgoing than Raffy while still having his own things he struggled with. The side characters were a little flat but their importance to the story was clear. The problems Raffy and Luca faced were realistic (though Raffy's mom came across as a little over the top) and the solutions were satisfying. I had a really hard getting into the "then" portions of the book, but that's probably because I already suspected what must have happened to lead them to the point where the "now" happens. The whole thing was very well written. A great story if you're a fan of the genre.

As we bid farewell to 2020, we say hello to new books releasing in 2021. Kicking off the new year is Ryan La Sala’s sophomore novel (and contemporary debut), "Be Dazzled." It follows Raphael “Raffy” Odom, who carries a deep passion and talent for crafting, especially creating cosplays. His story is told in two alternating time periods: the present day as he prepares to compete in a major cosplay competition --where his ex-boyfriend Luca is Raffy’s main competition -- and several months before when he meets and begins a relationship with Luca.

The general pacing of the novel is well done. La Sala stretches the cosplay competition in a way that keeps it interesting; the alternating timelines ensure the intrigue of the story remains intact. Each chapter ends with small cliffhangers that keep you hooked with the respective storylines. La Sala builds to the climactic points of both timelines so that no momentum is lost, keeping the excitement of the competition and the emotion of Raffy and Luca’s relationship and personal struggles.

The alternating times also gives the characters a chance to grow. Any questions about how Luca and Raffy drifted apart are answered as the timeline tracks their relationship before the competition unfurls. La Sala shows the two extremes of their relationship: rivals and two people who spend nearly every moment together; it’s a natural and dynamic progression. Raffy and Luca’s friends, Inaya and May, also have time to shine. May remains a constant in Raffy’s life, written as someone who supports and understands Raffy as best she can. Meanwhile, while we don’t learn much about Inaya, her arc still flows well throughout the story. Another major player is Raffy’s mother, Evie. Though Evie herself doesn’t have a large amount of page time, the way Raffy talks about her paints a clear picture of the nature of their relationship, and every time she does appear, she only reaffirms what Raffy states about her. I enjoyed reading about Raffy and Evie’s interactions. La Sala includes anything pertinent to the story, but it would be interesting to learn more about how Raffy and Evie’s relationship reached the point it did. For me, their dynamic was one of the most intriguing aspects outside of the cosplay competition storyline.

Something particularly noteworthy about the book is how La Sala writes anxiety. He doesn’t fall into harmful stereotypes or mock anxiety in any way. Every experience Raffy has with anxiety, from tight con deadlines to encounters with other characters, comes across as entirely genuine. He acknowledges when he spirals without downplaying how it affects him. His experience, while the contributing factors may differ, is instantly recognizable. This is a book that serves as an excellent example of how to incorporate characters who struggle with anxiety in an incredibly real manner.

There’s plenty to admire in "Be Dazzled," but my favorite aspect about the book is the obvious care and love imbued into every single word. La Sala’s attention to detail crafts a vivid story easy to visualize as Raffy talks through his process. It’s easy to feel excited about Raffy’s passions, whether they’re ones you have in common with him or not. Every pop culture reference, every mention of cosplay, and every mention of Luca (pre-competition especially) is written in a way that seems as though Raffy could talk about each one for days without stopping. And whether you’re a cosplay enthusiast, someone who generally loves arts and crafts, or neither, it’s easy to revel in the art settled right at the core of the story. La Sala shares a story that celebrates creativity and reminds us to live our lives with passion and determination.

"Be Dazzled" is a delightfully queer, nerdy, and intensely comforting story that demands multiple re-reads. La Sala effortlessly blends crafting knowledge, humor, and emotion to bring the story to life. He perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being at a con and the excitement that swirls around seeing the creative endeavors of cosplayers right in front of your eyes. He creates a bittersweet feeling of longing for the return of cons while remembering part of what makes them so remarkable in the first place. La Sala creates a protagonist many will find themselves in. Raffy’s story is relatable, authentic, and nothing short of dazzling.

"Be Dazzled" will hit shelves on January 5, 2021. Make sure to pre-order your copy here!

Very, very cute cosplay romance. Lighthearted and completely nerdy. I am liking the trend of including a bisexual love interest in YA and teen books. I plan to purchase this for my middle school library in print and audio format.

MY RATING 3,75/5 STARS
This was a super cute book that had a lot of amazing moments. I am a sucker for really soft moments, so I absolutely loved one of the scenes where Luca asks Raff if he can kiss him, instead of just doing it.

I really enjoyed the arts and crafts aspect of the book. It was pretty cool to see the book talking about how one art form should not be seen as better and more important than others.

Another thing I enjoyed was the dual timelines, and how we both got to see the competition and what happened when Luca and Raff first got together.

I also really liked how we in the end got to see both of their parents start to become more supportive of their children. The fact that Evie did not do a complete 180, and instead started to slowly come to terms with Raff’s art seemed very realistic.

**eARC received by the publisher and NetGalley**
(I was so excited when my request to read it was approved, I can't even!)

I love love loved this book! A true love letter to creativity, crafts, and self-love.

The story follows Rafael (or Crafty Raffy, as he's known online), a passionate cosplayer, as he attends Controverse and competes alongside his friend, May. Impressing at Controverse could lead Raffy to the glittery future he's always dreamed of and all seems to be going well.
Then his ex-boyfriend, Luca, shows up in a fabulous cosplay—how can he compete alongside Luca and their many memories? On top of that, Raffy's mother doesn't know about Controverse and it has to stay that way.

I absolutely loved La Sala's voice in this book. His way of telling the story was so fun and captivating. The story is told in dual-timelines, which worked very well, and moved the story along at a fast pace. Through the 'then' chapters we see how the boys' relationship started out and how they ended up at the complicated place they're at in the present. Also, the way the story and the competition developed...*chef's kiss*!

The characters were also great! Raffy is very focused on crafting and building cosplays, often to the point of distancing himself from the rest of the world. Then there's Luca, the kind jock who's very interested in Raffy and cosplays. His chaotic energy in Raffy's structured creative process was so stressful, but fun to read about.

It was wonderful to hear so much about crafts and building a cosplay. I love to sew and be crafty, though nowhere near Raffy's level, so every time I understood the sewing terms he used I was like, aHA. And the details! La Sala described everything so well. There are too few YA-books with crafting at the center of the plot.

Cosplay, cons, and crafts...what's not to love!

Overall, BE DAZZELED was a celebration of creativity perfect for all of us geeks and fan-people out there. Its exploration of friendship and queer relationships warmed my heart. The mix of hilarious adventures and seriousness weaved through the story was perfect. And, truly, it was a story about standing up for who you are.
5/5 stars! I highly recommend it!

Whenever I plan on reading a romance book, I always schedule it for after I finish a suspenseful fantasy or a mind-boggling thriller, since romance stories are usually light and relaxing. Be Dazzled, however, was nothing of that sort. Though it did not have suspense or action (obviously), it was still intense and exciting, with the element of surprise incorporated.

Rafael is living his cosplaying dream. He is competing in Controverse alongside his friend, May, and Controverse is set to be bigger than ever this year. He has worked himself almost to death, has made sure everything is perfect, and has come forward with the most creative ideas ever!

However, he could not prepare himself for his ex-boyfriend, Luca, competing that year, too. After their break-up, Rafael set himself to working twice as hard and is determined to win Controverse. But Luca's presence brings back too many memories.

Rafael attempts to excel at cosplaying, all while dodging his snobbish mother, trying to keep his mind off Luca, and trying to raise the money he needs for Art school.

The story goes back and forth between the present situation and the story of Rafael and Luca which took place thirteen months ago.

The book was set on a unique, interesting plotline, incorporating new types of Art, such as cosplaying. It was a refreshing change from the mainstream hobbies highlighted when reading about male protagonists in other books.

I loved how the story highlighted friendship and romance at the same time. I mean, I love a good romance, but throw in some pure friendship? Masterpiece.

A couple of pressing issues, such as dealing with unsupportive parents, being gay in a religious family, and toxic friendship were highlighted. This made the story realistic and insightful, alongside entertaining and romantic.

The flashbacks to Luca and Rafael's relationship were adorable and exciting, since I was curious of how they broke up through out, seeing their relationship displayed as perfect and loving.

At the beginning, the extensive descriptions of cosplay were a little boring for me. Later, I couldn't stop reading because of the curiosity about the results of Controverse and the end of Luca and Rafael's story.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review!

Oh my stars!: "Be Dazzled" has to be the most passionate book I've ever read!

Raffy is a talented cosplay artist who just wants his craft to be acknowledged to help fuel his artistic dreams. He always works relentlessly to create the perfect look because anything less is not enough - he is not enough.

Raffy and Luca were an absolute joy. It’s almost painful how relatable they are.

Both characters experience feelings of inadequacy and earning your parents’ respect/support by living up to expectations that differ from their dreams. Raffy’s mother is a highly respected artist and gallery director, so she has a very fixed idea of what art is. There’s so much tension between Raffy and his mother who he often refers to by her first name, Evie. Luca’s parents’ want him to stick with masculine and heterosexual norms whilst refusing to acknowledge anything to the contrary.

There’s also the all-consuming need of perfectionism, which causes Raffy to focus more on the end results (winning the cosplay competition at Controverse) than on the journey (having fun making things). By contrast, Luca tends to go with the flow but respects the process. I loved how Luca’s chaotic presence challenges Raffy’s control.

But most of all, it’s having to hide your true, authentic self, which is why Raffy and Luca had to be extremely careful as their relationship progressed into something more. For Raffy, it’s his mother’s harsh vehemce for anything she doesn’t consider as “real” art (i.e., crafting). This tends to set Raffy’s anxiety aflame and drives him to work nonstop. For Luca, it’s his parent’s toxic masculinity. Luca fears coming out, which often causes strife in his relationship with Raffy. Sometimes even lashing out at Raffy. It hurt to see them struggle with who they’re expected to be and who they want to be. They simply want to create a future on their own terms.

"Be Dazzled" is a celebration of art, queerness and geekiness. There’s cosplay, anime and other nerdy references that warm my heart. I wish I had an art studio like the one at Raffy’s house that his mother made for visiting artists. I’ve never been to the type of convention or seen a competition like the ones in the story, but the author brings it to life so well. Rules are clearly explained in a way that it doesn’t feel like an info-dump. I loved the shared excitement about the endless possibilities in creating something new - you always put a part of yourself in anything you make. And I loved the chaotic wonder of true love between Raffy and Luca.

"Be Dazzled" was a lot of fun even if I was anxious for a good portion of the book. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Be Dazzled is an homage to all the nerds, geeks, outliers, and fans out there. It’s for the people who weren’t made to fit in, who were born to stand out. As much as it’s framed around a love story between two teenage boys discovering their sexuality, it’s really a love story about someone falling in love with themselves. I hope you enjoy this story! It was quickly and easy to read, and made me miss BookCon. ♥️

There are many things in this world that I will admit to knowing absolutely nothing about and queer teenage relationships, cosplay and the world of comic-cons are definitely three of them. Despite this I ended up loving this novel, which I would affectionately describe as a YA LGBTQI+ dramadey/ rom com/ nerdy extravaganza.

Raffy or 'Crafty Raffy' as he is known to his followers, is a 17 year old anxious high school student by day and a cosplay loving, master crafter by night.

While other teenagers are out partying or playing sports Raffy is 'embroidering for attention from strangers on the internet' creating stunning costumes for multiple conventions every year, all while streaming the progress online.

Raffy is about to compete in his biggest competition yet. He has an amazing team mate, show stopping outfits and a plan structured down to the minute, but he also has one big problem; his main rival is his ex boyfriend that he hasn't been able to get over after their devastating split.

Raffy is after the perfect revenge, winning the competition, and hopefully earning a little respect from his mum, some extra cash and maybe his ex back along the way.

It may be a niche subject but this was such a well written novel you don't have to be an expert in cosplay or all things nerdy to enjoy and appreciate the art these teenagers are creating and their amazing passions.
The writing was witty and fast paced and the characters were so divine, complex, well fleshed out and very very real. Raffy and Luca had real dreams and aspirations, real fears and insecurities and this book was not afraid to dive right in.

The main thing I took away from this book was the love the author put into this novel. It radiates from every page leaving you with the warm and gooeys and made Raffy and Luca's characters so easy to get attached to. I was so invested in their relationship and the dual storyline had me on edge waiting to find out what had lead to the dramatic breakup that left them as bitter rivals.

This book is as fun and funny as it is serious. An exploration of first love, queerness, finding your people about never giving up on your dreams, despite those who don't understand them. Kudos to the author, I will definitely be recommending this to anyone who reads YA.

This second novel by Ryan La Sala is different from his first, Reverie, in many ways, but of course, in so many others, it’s familiar. The queerness is alive and well, and it’s great to see a range of orientations represented so positively. Luca’s bisexuality is a major part of the narrative, and it’s welcome in YA.

But as our narrator, Raffy controls what we see, and when we see it. Flashing back has become a real trope, and I have grown weary of it. However, in this story, it serves as a release valve. The events in Raffy’s present timeline start badly and continue to disastrous, so to return to the past where he and Luca lean into their attraction is a glimpse into a happier time. Not that La Sala explains every event and misadventure. No, he leaves spaces for us to ponder: what exactly does Luca see in Raffy? Sometimes it seems as if he’s mostly spending time because of Raffy’s hobbies and flair. Also, the situation that develops with Inaya lacks detail. There is a lot of room for readers to come to their own conclusions, which is the type of book I love to advocate. Too many of them spell everything out and leave teens with little chance to explore ideas and motivations for themselves.

There are many twists and turns in this world of cosplay and costume design. We are treated to absent AND overprotective parenting. Friendships seem constantly on the cusp of breaking down, and Raffy’s own mental state is a thing of concern. But the immersion into this increasingly more mainstream space is fully realized. I have little awareness of manga worlds, devotion to fictional characters through crafting, and the influence of Youtubers and Instagrammers, yet I experienced Raffy’s stress and triumph completely and satisfactorily. This is the power of the author’s writing and his own knowledge and acceptance of the people who inhabit and commit to these fantastical communities. They own their weird and quirky ways, and we are better for such celebrations and joy.

I received this uncorrected proof thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire. Highly recommended to teens who enjoy being part of a tolerant and inclusive community. To those who appreciate that breaking up can sometimes be a good thing, and who cheer on the underestimated and underappreciated. Be Dazzled has a wonderfully appropriate cover and comes out (in the US) on New Year’s Day, 2021.

I LOVED this book! As a 70-old-retired school library, I love books that show me different points of view. Raffy’s voice was so strong. He was so articulate in sharing his passion about designing for cosplay, and his sexuality. Not only was he a refreshing voice in sharing his emotions about his boyfriend, but I was surprised at how emotionally involved I became in the ComicCon convention competition. Sadly, the cover design showed none of this. I was expecting more of a cute gay romance, rather than the issues covered in the book.