It's Rafael's first convention appearance since his disastrous breakup with Luca, and so far things aren't off to a great start-- he spots Luca right away, and he's donning one of Raffy's cosplay concepts. Be Dazzled is told in two different timelines: Raffy and Luca's love story one year ago, and now as they compete against each other in a high-stakes cosplay contest, all building up to exactly how they got in this predicament. At first, I was rooting for Rafael, but it wasn't too long until I was rooting for them both! Con-geeks of all kinds will get all the feels from this boyfriends-to-rivals-to-second-chances novel of fashion, fandom, and fabulousness!

Luca is a soccer star who is secretly into anime (and boys); Raffy is so into cosplay that he streams his project sessions (just don't tell his mom). BE DAZZLED tells their story in two converging timelines, one beginning nine months ago at the start of their failed relationship, and the other beginning on the first day of Controverse, where Raffy is determined to win the cosplay contest and accompanying scholarship money.

This thing that makes BE DAZZLED stand out is that it isn't a typical gay romance because it isn't about being gay, it's about the two boys developing the courage and confidence to be themselves as full people and as artists. The characters have an exceptional amount of nuance: Luca is confident on the field but hesitant in the studio, while Raffy is a minor internet sensation but struggles to get recognition from his elitest, artsy mother, and the main conflict is centered around the two of them moving beyond other peoples' expectations. There is a sexuality aspect - Luca's parents have some assumptions about cosplay, anime, and homosexuality - but it is parceled into the overall cosplay plot as opposed to being the primary issue. The ending is heartwarming and pure, the writing is quirky and hilarious, and the characters are both flawed and loveable.

I highly recommend this book to anime nerds, cosplayers, and anyone who needs a lighthearted, positive story with a couple of queer characters. Ryan La Sala is clearly a rising star in YA lit, and I cannot recommend his books heartily enough.

The year of queer YA is soooo strong. Meeting a boyfriend in the sequin aisle of the craft store is a dream, and the book just gets better from there. Ryan writes descriptions really well, and as someone whose memory drops chunks of descriptive text really easily, I was still able to process and imagine the gorgeous costumes and cosplay buildings that are expertly laid out.

I loved the puns, loved the two timelines, and Ioved the clear personal feelings and experiences included. Also, as a high schooler, I always had crushes on soccer players, so I totally related to Raffy.

Funny, charming, and nerdy. Perfect.

I wasn't a huge fan of Reverie, but was curious to pick up this book to see if I enjoyed Ryan La Sala's writing in a different genre. While I did enjoy this book a lot more than his previous work, I still think there's something about La Sala's writing that doesn't connect with me personally. The story was fine and the characters were fine, but I wasn't blown away by this book as others have been.

If you love YA, fast paced love stories then this is the book for you. I really enjoyed every character for their own quirky habits and behaviors. Very easy to read.

Ryan La Sala comes hot of the heels (yes, I mean that literally) of Reverie with this contemporary novel about a boy who just loves to make cosplays. Raffy is the son of an effervescent out of this world art expert of a mom. She just does not get cosplay, going as far as calling it arts and crafts and cheap imitation of others art. It’s not elevated. It’s not the best. And she wants her son to be the best artist he can be. Raffy keeps his cosplay a dirty little secret from his mom. Raffy has worked hard to build is social media following on the video streaming app Ion (think a mix of Instagram and TikTok) and plans to make his mark on the cosplay scene at the big cosplay contest Trip-C where he will finally prove that what he does is art! But, lots of twists and turns on the competition put Raffy to the test, and the biggest twist might be if he can deal with his feelings over his ex-boyfriend, Luca.

I was mesmerized by this book. And I expect nothing less form Ryan La Sala who, like with Reverie, manages to weave a fantastical story but keep the characters down to earth and believable. Raffy is riddled with self-doubt and anxiety, all of which plays out very well on the page. I got caught up in Raffy’s worries, his hopes and dreams, and I felt his pain when it all comes crashing down.

And we have Luca. Luca’s story arc was my favorite. *** BIT OF LUCA SPOILERS HERE *** He is closeted when he meets Raffy (which they meet in the CUTEST way), but that doesn’t stop him from falling hard for Raffy. Luca is plagued by constant worries of coming out and staying in the closet. He navigates this in-between space uneasily. At times he seems out and proud (wearing a very gay outfit to a art gallery) but also by being very reserved in not wanting anyone to find out he’s cosplaying. It’s a journey I really felt connected to, one that I went through myself at that age (minus the cosplay). Ryan really captures this delicate space that a closeted queer person sits in and how they have to navigate their identity around others. *** END THE SPOILERS ON LUCA ***

I felt like Raffy and Luca compliment each other really well. Raffy is high strung, a perfectionist, always has to be working. Luca is down to each, easy going, and just goes with the flow. Raffy is first bothered by this, but find himself fall into Luca's easy going nature and learns that sometimes it's not all about the work.

I really loved this book for a lot for a lot of reasons. It is nerdy and lots of talk of anime, video games, and comics. Plus, the COSPLAY! UGH. I just love it all. I have no idea how to make costumes at all, but I after reading thing I would say Ryan has either done this before himself or did a lot of research into it. Lot’s of scenes describes HOW the costumes are made, the techniques used, the tools used, and everything. It added that extra special something that really made me believe Raffy and his art. It isn’t vague suggestions about making cosplay leaving the details to the readers imagination. The details are there, and I believe them.

My only real *** SPOILERS ON ENDING *** issue with this book is the end, and specifically the resolution between Raffy and his mom. I’m happy they come to an understanding, but their relationship seemed so complicated, and honestly a bit toxic, that the way they settle their disagreement just felt unsatisfying. I almost wanted them to still nearly hate each other by the end with a bit of hope it will work out. That would have been more believable to me.

I read this in the early autumn of 2020 and I cannot explain how much I needed this story at that exact moment. 2020 was the year that the con circuit was cancelled and I was devastated that I couldn’t make my annual trip or even think about travelling to any others. There is a magic to anime and comic conventions that does not exist anywhere else and Ryan La Sala completely captures that magic in Be Dazzled.

La Sala has written a gay love letter to the cosplay world and it pierced my heart. I haven’t made cosplay in years (though I have worn it) and this reminded me what it felt like to create. It made me want to create again. Both Luca and Raffy are characters were definite flaws, but they are also both extremely easy to love. You forgive them for their mistakes because you feel like you’ve been there with them.

The story is told in two timelines, the first is the present at Controverse where a single Raffy is competing with his best friend May against his ex best friend and his ex, Inaya and Luca. The second is nearly a year ago when Raffy and Luca are just beginning to fall in love. I really liked switching back and forth between these perspectives and it meant that the story was always exciting even when one section slowed down for a bit. I also thought it was a much more interesting way to show off what drove Raffy and Luca apart than an info dump.

Of course I adored all the little references to anime, cartoons, games and comics that were splattered throughout the series. It covered quite a few classics as well as some newer material and I just always feel so seen in stories when the characters are exactly as geeky and nerdy as I am.

I really felt satisfied when the story pulled to a close. It was happy, hopeful but not exactly what I expected. The characters were all written as people and there were no real villains or bad guys other than…Evie.

Evie is the one reason that this book does not get a five star rating. Sort of minor spoilers in this paragraph. Evie is abusive and a horrible mother. She puts down Raffy at every chance, tells him his passions are stupid, leaves him home alone most of the time, yells at him for touching light switches and embarrasses him in public. She does drugs in front of him and there’s no indication that she’s only been like this in his teen years. There is no nice resolution to this story where Evie is made to see what a horrible person she was. Luca’s parents were homophobic and Evie still comes off as the worse mother so that should say something.

Aside from my extreme distaste with how Evie was handled this story was whimsical and wonderful. I hope we can all go back to conventions again soon because La Sala really reminded me how it feels to be surrounded by all the weebs, geeks and nerds and know that you are among your people. This is a really fresh story with a distinct voice and I look forward to reading more of La Sala’s work in the future.

Thank you SO MUCH Netgalley and Sourcebooks Publishing for giving me the ebook ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

THIS BOOK. THIS. BOOK.

This book reminded me why I love to read. Raffy's voice comes out so clear from the first sentence that I was instantly transported into his life, and I got to experience everything that happened in such a vivid way that I never wanted to leave. This book flows with such a magical glittery fantastical pace, and all the characters are fantastic.

I really cannot praise this book enough. It is phenomenal and inspiring and deep but not preachy and I loved, loved, loved it. The best book I've read in a very long time. The queer romance the world needs so badly is expertly executed with tons of style and a degree of detail that pulls you in but never overwhelms.

READ THIS BOOK. LET YOURSELF BE DAZZLED. I know I was.

Everything about this queer YA romance novel was fabulous, glittery, and bedazzling. It was such a fun read, with characters full of charm. Plus cosplay--freaking cosplay! And crafts and all the things you never really see in a book but wished you had. I wanted to be there to see all these amazing costumes come to life. And Raffy is adorable, clever, and hilarious and keeps you reading all the way to the end. A fantastic sophomore book from LaSala. Can't wait to see what he'll dream up next!

Young Adult Contemporary Romance. Rafael is a cosplay artist with a decent livestream following. He is determined that this is the year he will not just attend a Con but win it and get some sponsorship for his future. He had planned to do this with Luca, but since Luca became his ex Rafael recruited his friend May to join him. This story is told in two timelines, the present and the past (from about 13 months ago to 5 months ago) which shows on one hand how Rafael feels after the break-up and on the other hand how their relationship was while they were together.

This book was pure escapism-- the wonders of two boys falling for each other amid the backdrop of wonderful cosplay creations. I loved reading the detailed descriptions of the costumes. The chemistry between Raf and Luca was great. My only complaint is that I would have loved an epilogue!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the chance to read a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Be Dazzled in exchange for an honest review!

I know this book is likely going to be compared to Geekerella (because convention) and Simon Vs (because every story with a cute MLM plot line is) and as someone with a... distaste for both of those, I'm here to tell you that regardless of your feelings towards 'similar' books, you need to read this.

After falling in love in a live stream chat then sequin aisle then crafting-lair, Raffy and Luca are the perfect, storybook couple. Or are they? Told in 2 timelines, one where Raffy and Luca are rival competitors at a cosplay convention, the other (starting place 13 months earlier) where we watch how the two went from strangers to ex-boyfriends, Be Dazzled is the geeky MLM romance everyone's tried to write that few have properly achieved.

Exploring both Luca and Raffy's not-so-great relationships with their parents, the challenges of being out while dating a closeted person, and the power of glitter, Be Dazzled shines from beginning to end.

You know what this book is??? It is absolutely delightful. There's so much love of art and creating here, affirmation that no art is "silly", that being only focused on the competitive aspects can make you forget why you love this. I've been struggling with loving art for a while and then THIS BOOK comes with reams of glitter and cloth and a stressed, anxious cosplaying crafter queer boy who makes beautiful things despite the world telling him he's ridiculous -- and it stole my heart.

I know it's far too early for a review but!! Put this one on your TBRs. (Also I have not yet read Reverie but I will be!!)

Crafty Raffy
One thing though If you have an Australian accent these do not rhyme. But anyway, I loved Raffy so much. He is STRESSED. The whole book he is stressed and anxious, but brilliant and clever. He sews and crafts, he sketches and designs. Like my mind boggles at the detailed creativity of cosplayers. This is such a skill set. He enters a prestigious cosplay contest which could really help him if he won...but the twist is: he's competing against his ex, who he not only taught how to craft, but who has stolen one of his designs. But it's way way more complicated than that. The book is told in "then" and "now" so we get to see Raffy and Luca's relationship developing. And then the fall out of it in the present.

I loved their dynamics together! Luca is the floppy haired, puppy-dog eyed, soccer jock who is closeted from his family but wants to explore glitter and softness. But only if he doesn't "risk" anything. And Raffy is super uptight to the point of shoving everyone away, but Luca is so soft for him and Raffy melts at the idea someone respects his craft... Their relationship is wholesome and heartbreaking.

Best thing: all the details on the making and building of the cosplays! Because I have no idea how people do it and I was fascinated! (I used to sew as a kid too, so there were some fun nostalgia feels.) And there's the cons and craft store explorations and silly scenes and high stress scenes.

Literally the only thing I wanted more of was deepening the angst, just raising the stakes of the fallouts a bit more.

I just loved reading this. It felt like a glittering warm hug. So many things I love are wrapped deeply in these pages, and it is unapologetically gay and explosive and chaotic and imaginative.

Be Dazzled is really cute. I love all of the characters, they are very distinct. I especially love Raffy, the main character. I've never read a book about cosplay before and there was so much detail, it was interesting. I would highly recommend this book at my library.

This was such a great, fun, loud read!

This book slayed me on so many levels. I felt so strongly for Raffy. He feels like he has to live up to the expectations of this huge force in his life - his mom. With a famous artist as a mother, especially one who doesn't approve of the way he shows his own artistic creativity, he has to hide some major parts of himself. It's not even that she disapproves of his sexuality, but that she disapproves of him on a totally different level. How hard that must be.

Raffy is such a wonderful human. He is full of life and full of love, not to mention the fact that he is brimming with creativity. He is full of the most beautiful individuality. He loves what he loves, and even at risk of detrimental quality of life (if his mom were to learn of his predilection for cosplay and dressing up so flamboyantly), he strives for greatness in his craft. But he measures himself to what he thinks he needs to be in Evie's eyes... in Luca's eyes... in the judges eyes...

I loved the cosplay aspect of this book. I love the idea of creating these beautiful costumes and presenting them as an extension of yourself. I also loved the relationship between Luca and Raffy. When they are at their best they shine bright. And when they are at their worst, you still root for them so hard. I sure did! I love that La Sala does such a great job of shattering that masculine gender role. Why can't men wear pretty things? Does that not mean they are still men?

This book meant a great deal to me and the characters will stick with me for a long while. It just made me feel so hopeful.

A fabulously gay romance YA incorporating crafting and cosplay! Yup.. that literally sums up the whole story.

Be Dazzled to me was a fast paced and fun read. It was cheesy, funny and so cleverly narrated. I honestly enjoyed the storyline and exciting plot.

Besides that, I like how this story which was written from the main character, Raffy’s POV goes back and forth between the past and present in alternating chapters. I thought it was a brilliant way to create adequate suspense and leave readers mind blown at the end.

As for the characters, I think they developed pretty well although I would have liked to know the background of the characters’ family a bit more. My fav character was Luca, not just because he was hot, but because I like his cheeky personality 😬

Overall, I enjoyed this fun and easy read which I devoured in a few days. It represented the LGBTQ+ community in a very positive manner and also made cosplay seem like the coolest thing ever!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a fun read! I loved the plot and how, in the last third, it felt like a reality show. And I really loved the romance, it was such an adorable relationship!

Be Dazzled is a loving, funny and highly emotive love letter to the world of cosplay. It's an original plot with likeable characters and a very lovely read.

Have I ever expected my love of Boston, Art, Anime, and all things Queer to be combined in one book? Probably not without a ritual sacrifice, if being honest. Yet La Sala appears to have done this for me. It's so refreshing to read something so funny, goofy, sad and tender - sometimes all at once. To go from something as fantastical and cosmic as Reverie to something as equally fabulous but centered in the real world would be a challenge for many but Ryan La Sala's confident style and strong sense of character helps make the jump in genre a smooth transition. I look forward for the world to read this and see what other ideas that La Sala conjures up next.

It was a very cute story and I liked the universe it gravitated around: cosplay. It was very original and I learned a lot about making costumes. I thought the relationship between Raffy and Luca even thought I'm not sure I liked going back and forth in the past and present. A very good story and I'm definitely going to pick up the author's first book.

5/5 fucking stars

Thank you so so so so so so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-arc.

So, where should i start? I'm not the most precise reviewer with the most rigid format and flowery writing but i'll try to word out my love for it more precisely. I love it. The mix of Evie's elitism, the amount of detail when it comes to crafting and the relationship in its whole were just some of my favorite details about this book. And not to mention the love interest being slightly based off of the author's past significant other whom has a somewhat large media following, just adds another layer to Luca Vitale's already wonderful personality. The 2 timelines intersecting was a cute way of keeping you hooked that i really enjoyed. A slight critique of mine would be the fact that a 17 year old would place high in a national convention competition where i presume there would even be foreign visitors who might compete. Again, i love it very much. Can't wait to pre-order when it becomes available in Italy. Oh and i want to also give points to the author for adding such iconic pop/drag culture references. To sum this book up: "I haven't had any complaints"