This book is very familiar to another book that I enjoyed. I just couldn't enjoy this one. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

*DNF @ 23%*

I feel bad dnf’ing this book because it is not the books fault whatsoever but it was stressing me out. The main character is so hard on themselves and is constantly worrying about everything and as a fellow overthinker I cannot read about that as it makes my mental health go to rock bottom. This book is not bad and the representation is good however it just is not something I can read without getting a migraine from stress.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. The downfall was that I requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before the book was archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

a sweet story with fun characters and an interesting plot

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

This nb/m romance is so much fun! it's a slow-burn with two very stubborn (and very smitten) exes who are way too in denial about how into each other they still are. When they end up competing against one another in a very-big-deal of a cosplay competition, the forced proximity may be enough to get them to admit their feelings after all. If you're looking for a charming YA novel with lovable and imperfect characters that doesn't take itself too seriously, look no further and add this to your TBR!

*I received a free copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I like the two main characters relationship, however this book was just not my vibe. Even though I relate to the main character being trans. It was hard to finish, not because of the writing, I just found the storyline not engaging enough. However, I can see how others might actually really be interested in it, especially since theres not many books out there about cosplay.

#Netgalley #Breakup,Makeup #Breakup,MakeupbyStaceyAnthony

A sweet story with excellent trans rep.
The plot was really fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their interactions. The writing was smooth and the story was very easy to enjoy.

Rating this for how little I enjoyed reading this.

It's a book for a specific niche audience (white picrew pfps) full of references that will go over the head of most people.

The main character failed to captivate me and it was just annoying to see them do their whole thing. The drama was pretty stupid, I need to stop reading books where the conflict was 'I was scared'

This was a really fun and fast read for me! The love story was so cute, the characters were insanely loveable as well. I had a really nice time reading this and can’t wait to talk it up to customers!

I had high expectations for this one, but unfortunately they aren't achieved.

First I didn't connect with the characters very well, idk ,they're a little annoying.

And the second reason why I gave this note, who is actually the main reason , is about the writing.
Through the boom the author often which from third to second person and then to first person, and English not being my native language, I struggled a bit with that

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- this was a cute read that explored identity and queer love at a special effects makeup competition, which was low conflict and adorable to read. the characters felt human and their wants and goals were real, which made me invested in their romance. the writing style was slightly off, but it didn’t deter me from reading.

- overall, a soft story filled with queer love and longing.

- tw/ deadnaming

This was really sweet, I loved the premise and thought it was well executed. The author did a good job of creating an interesting influencer plot without it being too much of the story. I loved the second chance romance plot, the break up while unnecessary wasn't born from nothing and felt like a very realistic thing that could happen to two young people in love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Running Press and Running Press Kids for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Great book with a great story line, original characters you rarely read about in books (1; cosplayers and 2; non-binary main character) and such a fun contest you rarely read about. Only thing holding me back from giving it 5 stars was the excessive amount of weed smoked, for totally no reason. But other than that, really fun book!

Came for the trans rep, which was great, but cosplay and fandom isn’t really my scene and I struggled with it

At times the writing was a bit rough and I ended up skimming sections
Not fully the books fault, as I think I have just grown out of YA writing styles and need to get away from them

WHAT A FASCINATING BOOK!!! It took me a while to get into the rhythm of reading, but after that, it was impossible to put the book down. The characters are really enjoyable to follow throughout the book and I became very fond of all of them, especially Zach and Eli, two of the best characters I've had the pleasure of reading this year. And despite not being very connected to the world of cosplay and conventions, I was very entertained by the whole plot of the book, I really liked the ending and I thought that the motivations of the characters made sense within what was proposed. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

What an absolutely adorable and fun book. The characters were a joy to read about and the story was wonderful. These feel like people I would encounter in my daily life.

I’m not the biggest fan of romance that starts with the two main characters already broken up and rekindling their relationship but this one really seemed to work for me. I think it was told in a way that made me understand why things happened the way that they did.

I was absolutely enthralled by the makeup/prosthetics discussed in the story. I find it so intriguing and I like how much they talked about it.

This is definitely an author that I’m interested to see more.

I love most queer romances but I also love the world of drag, cosplay & SFX makeup (despite not doing it myself) so knew I had to read this!

It was after I was approved that I discovered it has trans/nonbinary rep which was such a pleasant surprise! Nothing makes me happier than seeing queer people be people & living lives like anyone else with the good, the bad & the ugly all rolled into one. The mc is called Eli & the plot is about them wanting to compete in a makeup competition where the prize is a scholarship to the best SFX school in the country. But the problem is their head to head opponent is their online rival…and ex boyfriend… And how do you juggle your emotions, passions, personal life & career all in one big glittery mess?

If you like YA/NA romances that focus on more than just romance then this is definitely the book for you!

This book is everything! I don’t think there is anything about this book that I don’t love. The plot was great, the character were amazing, the pacing was fantastic and the romance was so freaking cute! I am desperately hoping for more books by this author, because I really enjoyed the writing style.

If you are into queer books and cosplay this book is definitely for you! I can’t wait for this book to come out, so I can buy it and re-read sometime in the future!

I received an ARC and I’m leaving an honest review.

A beautiful and emotional story about heartbreak, passion and hope, with a side of paint, foam and glue.

I’ve been to a few cons before (as a simple peasant) and I’ve always been fascinated by the cosplay community. Reading a story about it was just an overall amazing experience, and the addition of queerness and a tender and gripping romance just made it perfect.
(I cried multiple times, but in all fairness, I'm a crybaby).

I've been loving this book since the very first sentence, and when I was nearing the end I got extremely stressed, only to find out there's no third act break up or unnecessary drama. I've never been happier in my entire life.