Be Dazzled

Narrated by Pete Cross
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 05 Jan 2021 | Archive Date 02 Feb 2021

Talking about this book? Use #DreamscpeMedia #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic queer love story about creativity, passion, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.


Raffy has a passion for bedazzling. Not just bedazzling, but sewing, stitching, draping, pattern making―for creation. He's always chosen his art over everything―and everyone―else and is determined to make his mark at this year's biggest cosplay competition. If he can wow there, it could lead to sponsorship, then art school, and finally earning real respect for his work. There's only one small problem... Raffy's ex-boyfriend, Luca, is his main competition. 


Raffy tried to make it work with Luca. They almost made the perfect team last year after serendipitously meeting in the rhinestone aisle at the local craft store―or at least Raffy thought they did. But Luca's insecurities and Raffy's insistence on crafting perfection caused their relationship to crash and burn. Now, Raffy is after the perfect comeback, one that Luca can't ruin.
But when Raffy is forced to partner with Luca on his most ambitious build yet, he'll have to juggle unresolved feelings for the boy who broke his heart, and his own intense self-doubt, to get everything he's ever wanted: choosing his art, his way.

Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic queer love story about creativity, passion, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.


Raffy has a passion for bedazzling. Not just...


Advance Praise

"A charming, geeky love story filled with all the con drama readers could wish for" - Kirkus Reviews


"A crafty queer romance about self-acceptance, and a delightful addition to YA collections." - School Library Journal


"Heartfelt and hilarious, Be Dazzled is an artfully crafted ode to teen ambition and first love. From the book's charming cast to Raffy's quick-witted voice, La Sala's contemporary debut simply dazzles. " -Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us 


"La Sala (Reverie, 2019) crafts a fabulously gay story of hope, friendship, and love worth fighting for. Queer nerds, rejoice!" - Booklist


"A sequin-filled romance that's also a love letter to the craft and creativity of cosplay." - Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

"A charming, geeky love story filled with all the con drama readers could wish for" - Kirkus Reviews


"A crafty queer romance about self-acceptance, and a delightful addition to YA collections." -...


Available Editions

EDITION Audiobook, Unabridged
ISBN 9781662055584
PRICE $24.99 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (AUDIO)

Average rating from 152 members


Featured Reviews

4.5/5 stars for this YA Contemporary read! Great for fans of Queens of Geek and Geekerella! Perfect blend of nerdy and queer. Adorable characters! Narration was great! Definitely recommend if you need a nerdy read!

*i received this book from Netgalley in exchange for honest review* It releases January 5th 🎉

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute story over all but not really my kind of story. I loved the comic-con meets Project Runway vibe of this story. The cosplay descriptions were amazing. I would have loved for there to have been some rough sketches but again that is just me.
Sadly the atmosphere is all I loved about this book. I wasn't a huge fan of the romance which is really what this book was all about. I liked the characters but just them together did not work for me. There was nothing inherently wrong with it I just don't think it was for me.
Overall this was a solid book with a great setting and some great characters it just wasn't for me. I would definitely recommend this book to others who I know will love it.

Was this review helpful?

Project Runway meets Comic Con!!! Yes, I am totally down for that! I enjoyed Be Dazzled so much. I enjoyed it so much that I could not stop listening to the audiobook and finished it in one day.

Ryan La Sala made me love Raffy and Luca even when they both were being idiots that I just wanted to shake some sense into. I also felt completely heartbroken for Raffy and the lack of support from his mother for his art. It made me so frustrated for him.

I have never competed in any kind of cosplay competition before and am not actually crafty enough to make my own costume but I enjoy that world and have so much respect for people that are in that community. I loved the descriptions of the costumes and honestly wouldn't have minded more focus on building them.

This really is such a fun book and I cannot wait to read more from Ryan La Sala.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled is a really cute story of a group of friends who share a love of cosplay and all things nerdy.

Raffy and Luca are hiding big parts of their lives from their parents, and their relationship gets in the way. It gets harder for them to hide their love of crafts and each other from their families, and it ends their relationship. Now, they are competing against one another in the biggest competition of Raffy's life.

I loved the story, and the characters were endearing. My only qualm with this was I wish there wasn't the flashbacks in between chapters, and that it was just one continual plotline.

Was this review helpful?

This was very good! I had fun reading it, and found myself enjoying both the past and present timelines. The narrator did a very good job bringing the story to life, and the author had very strong characters and plot. Overall, it was great! 10/10 would recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I just reviewed Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala. #DreamscpeMedia #NetGalley

This was so sweet. Even though I don’t think I am the target audience this was so cute. If you have a LGBTQIA+ Youth in your life, this is just for them.
Raffy and Luca are the sweetest couple. They compliment each other. They are there for each other for all the hard parts. They have issues with their parents and they lean on each other.

Was this review helpful?

Comic con, cosplay, queerness, and the rise and fall of a first love...you get it all in Be Dazzled! In a voice that is funny, sarcastic, and thoughtful we get this story of two boys falling in love: with each other, and with the joys of competitive cosplay.

Now: Raffy is getting ready to compete in the cosplay competition of his life and prove the worth of what he does to his snooty artiste of a mom. Nevermind that it's with his best friend instead of the boy who broke his heart....

Then: Raffy livestreams his cosplay work and is out and proud in highschool. Luca is a secret admirer and closeted bisexual who plays on the school soccer team. But they fall for each other and try to make things work, despite their differences and family difficulties.

This is a really charming story of first love, being queer, finding joy in fandom, and working through relationship challenges. It's fun and funny, but can also be serious. I am loving Ryan La Sala as a new voice in queer YA fiction and this is a very strong second novel. The audiobook is also performed wonderfully! You really get a feel for the voices of the characters. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

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. Pete Cross’s narration was a big part of my enjoyment. He got not only the emotion of Raffy but his voice changes for different characters was excellent.

Was this review helpful?

This book was actually really enjoyable. I went into it expecting a cute queer YA story which is what I got bu I enjoyed it way more than I was expecting to. The story follows Raffy who loves everything geeky such as comic cons, animes and cosplaying as he goes through many different challenges and ups and downs. I was really surprised at how quickly i went through the audiobook and how enjoyable my listening time was. The cover lowered my expectations because frankly I do not like it at all and the only thing that drew me in was the fact that it was marketed as a queer and geeky YA love story. It did not disappoint at all! Highly suggest if you are looking fro a fluffy quick read that still talks about subjects more on the serious side. debating between a 3.5 or 3.75 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Prepare to Be Dazzled!
This book is an absolutely delightful YA read. I love the characters Raffy and Luca and their journey as they navigate first loves and coming out, as well has how to really show up for each other. The premise of the Cosplay competition a' la Project Runway was so much fun, and I absolutely loved it even though I've never been to a Comic Con.
I loved the narration by Pete Cross and thought he did an excellent job with these characters. The pacing was excellent and I couldn't wait to hear what happned next and he did a great job of keeping the past seperate from the preset. I highly recommend the audiobook.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled
Ryan La Sala
Pub Date Jan 5, 2021

Brief Synopsis:
Be Dazzled is Ryan La Sala’s second novel, following Rafael, a burgeoning cosplayer with an unsupportive home life and big dreams to win the upcoming cosplay contest and catapult his possible career as a professional cosplayer and streamer. But when he shows up to the convention and sees his ex will be competing against him, it throws him for a loop.

Audiobook Feedback:
I don’t think I had ever listened to an audiobook narrated by this reader but I thought his voice fit these characters well. He read the novel conversationally and was enjoyable to listen to. I would definitely listen to more by this narrator!

What I liked:
Most of the characters are really likable and the chemistry within friendships and relationships is well done. The description of the cosplay is in depth and detailed, but still feels fun. I especially enjoyed the characters who were struggling with unsupportive families of different varieties. It felt authentic and really made you feel for their situations.

One thing I didn’t love:
Rafael’s mother drove me absolutely insane. I’m all for a crazy unsupportive parent as a villain but she was just so all over the place as a character and had some weird character choices that felt like they had no reason other than to be weird? I could have done without the weird drug use and completely absent parenting.

Final Thoughts:
I had the honor of reading an ARC of La Sala’s debut novel, Reverie. I enjoyed that one, but possibly one of my favorite things about reading this book was seeing how much Ryan La Sala has grown as a writer. The language has blossomed and it was like reading a totally different author and the growth was awesome! I also loved the little inclusion of the word “reverie” in this book. Overall, 4 stars.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a fun contemporary that was a nice palate cleanser. We follow Raffy as he's at a cosplay convention and finds his ex there competing against him, I liked the creativity of this novel because I've never read a book about cosplay but as I'm not very into fashion or cosplay I felt disconnected from it. I also didn't fully connect to the characters but I did appreciate the anxiety representation and I think it was done pretty well. Overall I think that if your really interested in cosplay or fashion you would really enjoy this a lot more than I did.

Was this review helpful?

This audiobook version of this new YA read, GAH, was so cute and the audio format just totally immersed me in the characters. This audiobook, narrated by Pete Cross, is so entertaining and I'm obsessed by the first chapter alone. This book reminds me of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' meets Ashley Polston's geeky fangirl slash cosplay YA romances, and that's what has my heart from the start. It's described as "project runway" meets comic con to make an epic queer love story, and that is one thousand percent an accurate description. Here, we follow Raffy who has a passion for fashion and design and yearns to make his mark at this big cosplay competition to help jumpstart his future in the business. In the present timeline, his main competition is his ex-boyfriend Luca. As seen in different flashback chapters, they were the perfect team until Luca's insecurities and Raffy's perfectionism imploded everything. Back to the present, they are forced to team up once more on the most impressive cosplay comp yet, juggling unresolved romantic feelings, self-doubt, and working to build their most ambitious build yet. This book is chock full of funny, witty, and relatable language that reads as so authentic and engaging. This language is just so witty and rich, and I'm obsessed. Then, the narrator really nails each emotion and tone of every character. This audio version brings listeners the perfect way to envision every scene and feel every single emotion and vulnerability. The narrator brings so much personality to each character's dialogue to differentiate and sells everything to me. Each character is so distinctive, rich, complex, and dynamic, and this audio version truly shows that. This engaging and authentic language feels like each character is so authentic, honest, and vulnerable. It's so much fun by the first chapter and I already just want to keep listening. We jump back and forth between the present day competition and different flashbacks to demonstrate these boys' journey to the current timeline. This couple, boy, are they absolutely adorable! Even from the beginning where they were hiding their relationship because Luca's not out or the beginning of their feelings and craft sessions, or even openly pining present day at the competition, just, GAH, precious. These two just have such a precious banter and are just so dang cute, like totally squeal-worthy. This book's pacing feels just right and authentic, which keeps me engaged and wanting to read more.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled tells the story of a crafty cosplayer who desperately wants to win a competition to show up his ex-boyfriend and finally prove himself to his artist mother. I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Ryan La Sala in audiobook form, as narrated by Pete Cross. The dual timelines in this book are expertly woven together to build suspense and maintain narrative drive. The story is gripping from the start. The characters feel believable and likable with all their flaws. It's a win all around!

While the cosplaying, crafting, and convention culture aspects of the story might be a turn-off to some, I hope people will give this book a chance. At every moment, we're given just enough information to understand what's happening in that world but never bogged own with detail. The costumes worn throughout the story are similarly described using the most vivid details to bring them to life without becoming overindulgent. Factor in the emotional stakes of Raffy managing his ambitions, anxieties, and personal relationships, and the story soars.

I have to take a moment to acknowledge La Sala's debut, Reverie. While delightful in many ways, that story felt underserved by being too heavy on visual description and action sequences and too light on character and ideas. Be Dazzled strikes a perfect balance that is appropriately dazzling. Combined with his quirky and fabulous public persona, I hope we'll be seeing a lot more Ryan La Sala in the future!

Was this review helpful?

Raffy wants to be the greatest Cosplay artist possible, and loves LOVES crafting, but his mother, who is a famous artist in her own right, does not believe this is serious art, so he must do it in secret. Luca, also must craft in secret and he also has to love in secret as his parents are not okay with his bisexuality. He loves both Raffy and the fun of creating Cosplay costumes, and spends as much time as he can with Raffy outside of his other world with his family and his soccer team. They seemed to be making it work too, until something went awry at a Comic Convention and it seemed like their Cosplay partnership and romance was coming to a crashing end. Might they get a second chance? Might Raffy be able to prove that he is a superior crafter? Is there a happy ending here? You will have to listen to this audiobook to find out.

I loved Ryan La Sala's first book Reverie, and was so excited to find out that he had a new book coming out. This one felt different from his first, tackling young love and the world of cosplay in a funny, enjoyable listen. The narrator did an excellent job with this book, making it an easy listen with clarity of who was speaking, and he was so fun to listen to! Probably would have given this book 4 stars if I had not listened to Reverie first which was a 5 star book, and makes this one shine a bit less in my eyes, but still worth the listen!

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to preview this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I’m not a big romance reader. I’ve been known to completely skip over the genre all-together, so I’m not totally sure why I was so hyped to read Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala. It might be because this book is YA contemporary, and if I’m going to do a romance, it’ll probably be that sub-genre. It also might be that I’m already a fan of Ryan (despite this being the only book of his I read whoops) after watching a couple of interviews he’s given & videos he’s posted. I went into this hopeful that some of the energy he brings to social media would carry over into his work.

And I’m happy to say it did! Be Dazzled exists in the exciting world of competitive cosplay, set during the convention known as Controverse. Raphael ‘Raffy’ Odom is the son of a famous artist, Evie Odom, and has to deal with her exacting creative expectations, as well as the pressure he puts on himself. The story begins right before this final competition, but is interwoven with flashbacks where Raffy first meets his future boyfriend-turned-rival, Luca. Having the sweet and heartwarming moments the two of them shared broken up by their current estranged relationship is as saddening as it is captivating. I was speeding through this book trying to find out what could have happened to blow up what seemed to be a promising love story between Raffy and Luca.

Raffy is such a strong and compelling main character. He’s funny and easy to root for, and in a story about a high-stakes cosplay competition, that’s an important attribute! I loved how La Sala walked us through his designing and planning process for each different project Raffy was working on. It really helped the reader be able to visualize not just the end product, but how each component went into creating the entire look. Raffy’s social media presence and live-streaming was also a realistic course for this type of character and setting.

Another thing I liked in this book was that there never ended up being a ‘true villain’. Yes there are characters who make mistakes or act poorly, but there is not really a ‘bad guy’ at the end. Everyone is just responding to the hand they’re dealt, and sometimes natural conflicts arise as a result. (And for any romance readers wondering, yes, there is a HEA.)

This was such a fun read, especially considering it’s not the usual thing I gravitate to. You don’t have to be an expert on cosplay or Comic-Con or art & design at all to appreciate the accomplishments of these characters and get invested in what they’re doing. I could totally see this being a Netflix movie or something, the perfect feel-good rom-com for younger millennials and zoomers. Be Dazzled is a witty, charming and all-together endearing novel that will be sure to delight its readers!

Was this review helpful?

Oh my gosh, this could not have been better. I'm not a YA contemporary reader generally, but I absolutely love cosplay, shows like Face Off and Project Runway, and competitions. This included all of that on top of an adorable and believable romance that made me smile and laugh on numerous occasions.

The writing in this is accessible but not in an amateur sense of the word. There was snark, some very quotable sentences, and a few sad and happy tears shed.

I loved the character development of both Raffy and Luca. The friendships and conflict felt very realistic, not contrived from lack of communication for the sake of having conflict.

The strained parent relationships created tension on the reader as well as within the character's relationship. There were plenty of moments that I wanted to reach through the pages and hug these sweeties.

Overall, I just loved every second of this.

Was this review helpful?

Told in alternating timelines, BE DAZZLED is the story of Raffy, a teen whose passion is cosplay, and Luca, who he shares classes with but doesn’t know anything about cosplay. A year ago, they were falling in love, but now they are rivals in one of the biggest cosplay competitions
I had no expectations going in and this was amazing!
I loved the convention setting. I've only been to one convention where I cosplayed (but not to the level of this book), but I was getting so nostalgic! And the cosplays in this book are so well described, you wish that the fake anime/video games they were based on were real! Are you missing con season? Check out this book.
The cosplay competition ends up going above and beyond in the last 25% but I still enjoyed it! You just gotta suspend that disbelief for a bit and dive into the fun.
It was really the characters and their relationship that solidified this book as a potential new favorite. Raffy is such a good character. I loved his drive for perfection and ambition and his character growth? Chef's kiss. Luca was such a dork, but also so supportive and just trying his best considering his situation.
This is a weird thing to say, but I loved their parents as well. They both felt nuanced in their reasons for making their sons keep secrets. Raffy's mom doesn't hate his cosplay because "raaa! she's an evil lady," but because she's into high art and doesn't consider anything else "Real art." Luca's parents aren't explicitly homophobic, they just don't know how to react and so they ignore it and then freak out if Luca hides things from them. It felt real!
But their relationship... I have not been this gaga over a relationship since Cemetery Boys. No offense to every other relationship, but Raffy and Luca made me scream out loud in the middle of my neighborhood when I'm taking walks around my neighborhood. That takes a special kind of cute to get me to do that.
I rated this book 4.5 stars and it has a very good chance being my first favorite book of 2021!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a free copy of Be Dazzled in exchange for an honest review!

La Sala's newest work is a dazzling (pun intended) look at high school, following your dreams, and falling in love. The characters are charismatic and lovable and the storyline is filled with unexpected twists. The story employs a time jump between every chapter, looking at a relationship before and after a turning point. This keeps the reader hooked because suspense is always high. I highly recommend picking up a copy of Be Dazzled when it releases tomorrow, you'll find yourself cheering for main characters Raffy and Luca from the very first page!

Was this review helpful?

This book was an absolute freakin delight from start to finish. Raffy is a talented artist, and his medium? Elaborate cosplays that he designs and executes himself. His dream is to win a scholarship to art school by taking first at the cosplay competition at his local Boston version of Comic-Con.
At the beginning of the book I wasn't a big fan of the main relationship between Raffy and soccer-bro Luca, but as the book progressed and Luca's character developed, I was definitely a fan by the end.
Raffy is such a relatable character and is exactly the kind of friend you would want to have in high school. I loved that the book takes his art seriously from the very first page and that despite his many obstacles (difficult mother, friend drama, relationship stress, anxiety) Raffi stays confident in his art and himself.

Pete Cross is an excellent narrator and I loved listening to this audiobook.

I can't recommend this one enough, what a wonderful way to start the year!

Was this review helpful?

* I received this audiobook as a free ARC from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

Raffy has a vision for his whole future, and it starts by winning the ultimate cosplay design challenge at CONtrovese, Boston’s biggest anime convention of the season. But when his ex-boyfriend, Luca, shows up in one of Raffy’s designs, things begin to spin out of control.

This book is so fun! As a formerly very nerdy teen, this book really struck a chord with me. The details and joy surrounding the convention atmosphere, and the thrilling cosplay competition, is so wonderful! But, I struggled to find certain aspects of the plot to be believable. The main character is a teen still in high school, and has no parental supervision and seems to rarely attend school. I found the strained relationship between Raffy and his mother to be a stretch of my suspension of disbelief. Which was further challenged by the apparently immense wealth and privilege Raffy has as the son of an influential art curator. There is very little reckoning within the story about this aspect of Raffy’s identity and the ways in which it allows him to move through the world of crafting and conventions.

This book has a lot going on within it and sometimes feels stretched too thin trying to cover all the ranging plot points, but the romance at its core is believable and tender. And the thrill of competition and nerdy-ness of it all caught and held my attention. This LGBT YA dramadey is sweet and fun, with a satisfying conclusion.

Was this review helpful?

I thought [book:Reverie|52061964] was a rather insipid book, but I liked this one much better. It was a wee repetitive, but the story was cute and delves deeper into cosplaying that other con-centered YA books that have been published recently.

Pete Cross does a great job bringing these characters to life, but ultimately Raffy wasn't complex enough for me to understand what Luca saw in him. As for Luca, he is nothing more than a hunk of meat until the very end of the book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a delightful romp into con culture and the competitive world of cosplay. Part Project Runway and part Cosplay Melee, this book had me riveted. Characters jumped off the page almost as much as their out-of-this world creations and the DRAMA BROUGHT REALNESS.

The fact that this story took place during Comic Con (in real time) and going back over a year to the beginning of Raffy and Luca's relationship really played with our expectations of what their history truly was, as well as first impressions. The back and forth time play also demonstrated character growth so well, even if it was messy and bumpy. This book is SUPER GAY. SUPER BEDAZZLED. AND JUST A VERY GLITTERY LOVE STORY. It was wonderful and I'm so glad it was my first read of the year!

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun, cute read with a really nice, heartfelt message. The convention setting of this novel was an interesting departure from the usual YA contemporary setting. I have read YA romance contemporary stories with a similar setting, but I really enjoy the detail this novel went into with this. Writing the whole preperation aspect of cosplay is such a huge part of the craft, and I loved seeing it in novel format. The switch from past and present flowed nicely. I never once felt confused about which timeline I was listening to. The representation of anxiety was also well done, in my opinion. It is the depection of caual anxiety that so many go through that is not a part of the diagnosed disorder that was well written. I loved the show of men crying. This story really tries and get rid of toxic masculity, and it was a joy to read. The main couple gave me David and Patrick vibes (from Schitt's Creek) and I thought it was very cute and well done. My biggest gripe with the story is that with the message and theming, it was a bit heavy handed. There were a lot of moments that told me the point instead of showing me. It was almost distracting how often I was being shown the point of the story or the sad moments or the relationship. Besides the "telling" aspect of the story, I had a great time with it. The narrator of the audio version did a good job of portraying the main characters emotions. It made it a very good listening experience. If you are looking for a cute, male-male romance with cosplay, this may just be the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

As a thank, you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audiobook copy of Ryan La Sala’s second novel Be Dazzled. I write this review. The book has been pitched as “project runway goes to comic-con” after reading that I had to see what this novel held. The novel follows “Raffy” or Raphael Odom as he navigates his creative endeavors by competing for an art school scholarship at Trip-C ( the Controverse Championship of Cosplay). The novel is told in two timelines one that includes Luca a closeted himbo jock who has an interest in Raffy that leads to a short-lived romance. The other is told after the two have broken up and shows Raffy competing against Luca in a cosplay competition. The novel focuses on the importance of emotional growth and the opportunities we may give ourselves if we let go. The novel gives emotional weight to coming out and examines the importance of choice for the individual choosing when to come out when they feel safe to do so. This component for teens is important to read and also to have practiced by someone whose experience may be similar. The novel is one to read for its elements of friendship, emotional growth, and plot. I enjoyed this novel as an audiobook. The audiobook narrated by Pete Cross is fantastic. Cross’s ability to become both Raffy and Luca is distinguished by nuances expanded on as the novel progresses ex. tone, annunciation, and timbre of his voice. Cross did an excellent job as a narrator and would like to explore other works he has narrated as well. Overall I enjoyed this production of Ryan La Sala’s second novel Be Dazzled and give the novel a high 5 out of 5 stars on good reads as well as the audiobook which I shall purchase as well. A thank you again to Netgalley, the publisher, and Dreamscape media for the audiobook version of this novel.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute YA romance. Lots of queer and non-binary characters The importance of strong friendships and creative expression are central to the plot, and the book offers a fun peak into cosplay competition, which is a world I was unfamiliar with.

Was this review helpful?

Raffy has a love of cosplay, not just doing it, but creating it. This year, Raffy is giving it everything he’s got in a huge competition that could lead to sponsorships, art school, and the acceptance of his mother who doesn’t see his art as, well, art. There’s only one problem, his ex-boyfriend, Luca is his main competition. Raffy taught Luca everything he knows and inspired him to be his true self, and this is his repayment? When the two are forced to partner up in the competition, they’ll have to put aside their past to win, and maybe even move past the past to reconnect.

This book was so much fun, and a great way to start a new year. Y’all. I’m not kidding with this backlog catchup. I am single minded. Plus, I’m trying to save more money this year, so I want to focus on reading books I already have and not buying as many new things. I’m a huge nerd and have cosplayed myself a time or two, but my sewing skills aren’t quite up to the task of creating my own looks just yet. One day!

I loved everything about this. The boys’ budding relationship, the turmoil of breakup, and the hope of reuniting. I am obsessed with Project Runway, and this was billed as that meets Comic Con, right up my alley. The narration was excellent, and I couldn’t stop listening. I spent a lot of today in bed, forcing myself to rest, and not once did I want to nod off while finishing up this book.

I was with the narrator, Raffy, and Luca, and I was rooting for them. I wanted them to win the competition, and I really wanted them to get back together. I love it when characters are precious, and you want to root for them.

This one’s out on Tuesday, so if you like queer YA, cosplay, costume design, and or sewing, definitely check this one out from your local library or purchase from your local, indie bookstore.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun time! Be Dazzled is a YA contemporary featuring a cosplay. The con and cosplay elements were fun. It was neat to be on the inside of the creating and designing process. While this book deals with some familial situations, it is lighthearted. There is a dual timeline but it is easy to follow. The audio narration fit the characters well. *ARC provided by NetGalley for review.

Was this review helpful?

I really really enjoyed this book! Although I am not part of the cosplay community, I do live in Boston, where this book is set. One of my favorite thing in contemporary novels are the setting, and the author did an amazing job including some very Boston specific jokes and locations.

My only complaint is that I had a hard time telling which sections were in the present and which were in the past whenever I picked it back up in the middle of a chapter. Other than that, the romance was adorable and the friends weren't terrible people!

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled tells the story of Raffy, a gay teen boy who wants nothing more than to be able to craft complex and awesome cosplays and receive recognition for his work in the aftermath of having his heart broken. Told in alternating timelines, we see the beginning of his relationship with closeted bi Luka, the fallout, and maybe the beginning of a reconciliation.
This was a really sweet story. I loved Raffy. He was messy and impulsive but so passionate and talented. In the book, he really struggles with his mother who is a famous and elitist artist who looks down on crafting and cosplay to the point that he has to hide this thing that is so very important to him and gosh it made me really feel for him. I also just loved how wonderfully and unapologetically queer this book was. I loved Raffy and also really enjoyed his character development throughout the book.
The one note I had was that I’m not sure that the alternating timeline really worked for me. I think it helped in the beginning but there were bits where it felt clunky. Like there were times where the things we were learning about in the flashbacks have already been shown or talked about in the present or even times where I wished that the past storyline would illuminate something better like Raffy's friendship with Anaya (since I listened to the audiobook, I'm not sure if this is how her name is spelled). I think my biggest issue was at the end where the Now storyline is building to a wonderful and happy crescendo only to jump back to Then where things are evolving and getting worse. Yes, it provided good contrast and could be seen as a way to make the highs of Now even higher but it didn’t work for me. Instead, it felt like it was taking the sails out of the happiness of the present but that could just be personal preference.
This was a great audiobook. The narrator was pitch-perfect. He gave a wonderful performance and hit all the right notes of humor and heartache. I could always tell which characters were speaking but also he fleshed out Raffy so fully. He brought a lot of life to the book and I was so happy to have gotten access to this as an audiobook because of it.
As a crafty person who grew up in the fannish and geek scene, I kept thinking of people in my life I wanted to recommend this book to. It was sweet and adorable and extremely creative and nerdy in ways that really resonated with me and overall a very satisfying performance as an audiobook. I definitely recommend this!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for an ALC of this book.

Raffy has dreams of being a cosplay champion, and Luca has dreams of being able to show his true self. They make a great team...until they don't.

Told in a now and then style, this story of love, cosplay, and lots of bedazzlement is the heartwarming tale you will want to start the year with!

I absolutely loved the messages in this story. Both main characters have to grow a lot before the end of the book and they both have to be able to stand up to forces that are conspiring against their happiness.

The writing is great and my heart is filled with queer joy by the end!

This book debuts on January 5th! Make sure to get yourself a copy!

Was this review helpful?

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. The narration and production was well done. I plan to purchase this for my middle school library in print and audio format.

Was this review helpful?

4 stars. It was cute, nerdy, entertaining, and short enough for me to finish before the year ended, which I appreciate.
Rep: Gay mc, bi love interest, lesbian and probably Chinese sc, her name is Mae Wu (it could be May, audiobook), generally pretty queer.
TW: homophobia, mild panic attacks

I wasn't actually expecting to like this book as much as I did. I got the arc a couple days ago, and I wanted to finish it before the release date, which was surprisingly easy. It was fast paced, thoroughly entertaining, and I rarely got bored, although I did have to take a few breaks for the second hand embarrassment this book gave me. Authors, please, stop having your characters do dramatic and embarrassing shit in public. I almost never read synopses, so when I started this and realized it was a convention book, I was a little apprehensive because I don't usually read them, however this one touched my secret geeky heart, even though I didn't get most of the anime/video game references, and now I really want to go to Comic-Con and Bookcon/Book Expo.
I am impressed that Raffy was a well written male geek who isn't completely insufferable, and for the most part I really liked him. He's pretty fucking dramatic, which isn't too inaccurate for a 17 year old, but still a little irritating. The author does a great job of writing flawed but likable characters, especially in their relationships with and actions toward each other. Luca is super sweet, and he and Raffy have great chemistry. The long, detailed, and frequent descriptions of Luca's body and appearance made me pretty uncomfortable, but that's probably just a lesbian thing.
I'm not a huge fan of books that take place over such a short amount of time, but the "Then" chapters lay out a great backstory and give more weight to the present-day timeline, considering it's three days long.
Overall, it's cute, nerdy, queer, and a pretty fast read, if you're into that kind of stuff, and I would highly recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

3.5/5 Stars

Raffy is a cosplayer, with the hopes of making it big by winning this years competition at Controverse - the biggest competitive cosplay convention in the country. If he wins. he could win not only an scholarship and university, but also his mother's approval. Enter Luca, Raffy's ex-boyfriend, and newest cosplay competitor. When they are unexpectedly partnered in the competition, they must work together again to win the competition.

Ryan La Sala is such a fun individual (at least on Twitter and in the videos I've seen of him) - that I was excited for his next book to be released! I read Reverie recently, and enjoyed it as well, but I think I liked this one even more (which is surprising because I'm not the biggest romance fan). This was a super cute romance read, with a loveable relationship! I liked the alternating time lines of Before and Now. I think that Raffy and Luca are adorable together, and I loved the flashbacks we got to their relationship. They worked well together - and I'm glad they were both able to work through their individual problems in the end to come out stronger. The cosplay competition setting was a lot of fun and I enjoyed reading about everything that went into the building of their costumes. The planning process and design for each look was interesting to read about. I liked Raffy as a main character, but at times he was very frustrating to read about. He often let his temper get the best of him, and treated his friends and Luca poorly because of it. Raffy also experiences anxiety, and from the reviews I've read, it seems to be good representation.

Overall, I think it was a super quick, and fun read!

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled reading notes:
- Jurassic Perk... I absolutely need a coffee shop sign for my house.
- I’m loving the different backgrounds each character has. So much better than just having distinct villains and assholes... although Evie obvs takes that title.
- Actually I love that there isn’t even a clear “good guy”, despite Raffy as our only narrator. As the story goes on you get such a distinct picture of individual struggles. It’s wonderfully done.
- Despite having never been to a Con myself, or CosPlayed, I’m somewhat obsessed with the artistic talent and costumery of it all. It’s brilliant. So this setting and the author’s amazing descriptions were a dream. Absolutely loved it.
- No, seriously. I have a degree in fashion design but CosPlay is another level of design and ingenuity of materials, so I love that this book highlights the artistry.
- I feel like there’s too much crying but that’s my own hangup. I’m weirdly critical of crying... unless it’s a pet being reunited with a parent.
- The audio is great. Narrator does a fantastic job of capturing that “adolescent” voice without being campy.
- Jury is still out on Inaya. I have reservations.
- Loved how it all wrapped up! Absolutely worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

Well, it’s official - I will literally read anything Ryan La Sala writes! Cosplay and Cons are something I know next to nothing about but thanks to the incredibly engaging storytelling and Ryan’s beautiful writing I fell in love with Raffy, Luca, and this crazy world of crafting and Cosplay they inhabit.

I love stories told in split timelines when they are done well. It takes skill as a writer to weave in the flashbacks and have them feel relevant to the story. With other books sometimes I find myself skimming flashback scenes in order to get to the current story but in Be Dazzled I was just as eager to follow the beginning (and end) of Raffy and Luca’s relationship. There is a mystery there, how did it all fall apart, who was to blame and I love how Ryan drew it out. I also love that I never actually felt any animosity towards Luca. He was sympathetic right from the beginning and even though Raffy was clearly feeling a lot of anger towards him, as a reader I only wanted to get to know Luca and his story more. And can I just say how bummed I am that I can’t watch Raffy and Luca make cosplay together in real life?

I love the idea of the parents as the villains, because how many teens totally see their parents that way, real or imagined? Evie was totally over the top but felt very much like a Ryan villain. I had major Poesy flashbacks. Everything got tied up a bit too easily with the parents in the end but hey, who didn’t want a happy ending there?

And of course there are all the beautiful and detailed descriptions of fabric and materials and craft. One of my favorite things about Reverie was how well the magical, dreamy quality of Ryan’s words fit the story. I was so happy to see that his style fit this more contemporary world just as well. Everything felt magical and I was dying to see it in real life. I’m 100% going to look up cosplayers on YouTube now!

Fans of Reverie will definitely enjoy this and I think anyone who loves crafting, Cons, and cosplay will adore it too. I also think it just makes for a fun YA contemporary romance and I challenge anyone not to root for Raffy and Luca to find their happy ending.

About the audiobook: I thought Pete Cross did a fantastic job and his narration definitely added to my enjoyment. All of the voices were easy to follow and his pacing and pauses felt right for the story. I felt immersed in the book instead of just being read words. Definitely recommend the audiobook!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an early Audiobook of Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala in exchange for an honest review!

Be Dazzled is glitter & sparkles incarnate & that’s that on that. I got along pretty well with Ryan La Sala’s second release (& now, really can’t wait to crack open my copy of Reverie) — crafting, conventions & all that jazz? Yes, please.

The Pitch: Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic queer love story about creativity, passion, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.

Did that reel you in? Because, honestly, it should have. It definitely got me excited. Anywho, in Be Dazzled we are introduced to Raffy who enjoys creating costumes for cosplay & has a goal of winning the year’s biggest competition. Winning would open a lot of doors for him, like getting into art school. But, alas, this is a book & we need something stopping Raffy from easily completing his goals — so, let’s sprinkle in his mother who’s totally against his love for cosplay, and his main competition who also happens to be his ex-boyfriend, Luca.

If you followed my previous blog, you may know that I have a special place in my heart for Geekerella by Ashley Poston. Be Dazzled gave me the same vibes, causing it to instantly win me over. However, it’s important to note that Be Dazzled can stand 100% on its own without being compared to a previous title.

Our cast of characters gets a 10 out of 10; they are all very easy to love, even when their flaws arrive on center-stage. Each of Ryan La Sala’s characters feels real — from their dialogue to their feelings. I’d easily recommend this book to someone in their teen years because I feel as if these characters would be very easy to relate to. My entire heart grew two sizes when we reach the conclusion, and see each character’s final book form.

Be Dazzled is also a lot of fun. Ryan La Sala’s personality shines throughout the pages. I laughed a lot & the book provided me with so many good vibes. La Sala also does a fantastic job at alternating between the past & present, making everything cohesive. All comes together seamlessly as it reaches its conclusion.

For those looking for the romance element, just yes. I found myself to be a huge fan of Luca; such a sweet & wonderful teddy bear.

I can definitely recommend the audiobook edition of Be Dazzled. The narrator does a brilliant job bringing Raffy to life. If you’re looking for a fun LGBTQIA+ romance/contemporary & love the convention scene, check this one out!

Was this review helpful?

I hoped when I downloaded this that the narrator would work for the story and he absolutely does! The reading of this story is just as enjoyable as the book I read. The narrator does a great job of capturing the nuances of the humour and quirkiness of the characters in Be Dazzled. I love Ryan La Sala's work and this audiobook is GREAT!... I am going to paste my original review of the book below as I feel the same about the audio version!

....

Because I had high hopes for this book, I had avoided reading much about it so I read it with a completely open mind. And, I absolutely loved it! There's nothing about this book that I didn't enjoy, there's a lot that made me laugh, there's a bit that made me cry, and a lot that made me feel like Raffy is my spirit animal!

Raffy is a young man with a talent for creating other-worldly cosplay. He's creative, imaginative, and has never met a sparkle he didn't love (if it's in the correct shade of seafoam). Raffy is heading to the penultimate convention for cosplayers and he intends to win. With his friend May by his side... he doesn't even have time to worry about the fact that he was supposed to be there with his ex-boyfriend, Luca Vitale.

In beautifully placed flashbacks, La Sala unveils the year-long relationship between Raffy and Luca. From the early days of their own meet-cute to their parting of the ways... they have the kind of relationship that makes a YA book. It's adorable, it's tough, there are mistunderstandings and mistakes...and it's real.

Raffy is a bit of a drama queen... and I loved him. This character is epic and much more than I even knew that I needed. I loved La Sala's forays into Raffy's mind. His anxiety ratchets up as he gets further into each build...and it's not without cause. Raffy's mother is an artist.. and has some very definite ideas about what qualifies as art. She's quite certain that cosplay is ... crafting. Crafting is not art. But Raffy can't contain his hot glue gunning and be-dazzling! He's creative, and it's art to him!

Luca ... oh Luca. What a bundle of joy and sweetness with a lot going on in his sweet head. Luca is a soccer player who has attempted to tell his parents that he's bisexual. They don't want to hear it and Luca is struggling with coming out... becoming himself... knowing what he wants public and what he wants to keep private.

It's rare to read a book that can be this over-the-top and yet still feel authentic at the same time. I loved the characters, and La Sala really has captured the cosplay commitment and competitive spirit of cons. I think what is fantastic about this book is the way that all the characters are fighting to be their authentic selves. Maybe they're not doing it very gracefully, maybe they are making huge mistakes, but they're trying... and really that's all we can do when it comes down to it.

This book was a gem. La Sala has a wonderful voice whether he's writing a fantasy with a serious side... or a humourous romance. This is an author to watch. And please, if I can convince you of one thing... follow Ryan La Sala on twitter. You will not regret it.

Was this review helpful?

I have never read La Sala before but this one is super cute! It brings you into the fun world of cosplay costume design and competitions that take place at a crossover between Comic Con and a drag race. We have our main character Raffy who is super passionate about this. His artist mom doesn’t support his passion for crafting and costume design and I really liked hearing about the strained relationship between him and his mom. I thought the romance was cute and fluffy too - a perfect escape. The chapters alternate between after the break up with Luca and how they began dating and what ended them. I’m not into cosplay/comic con but it doesn’t take away from the story, however, I do think if it’s a passion for someone reading this story they would most likely enjoy it a lot more. It also does deal with coming out, being outed, trying to find a place for yourself, and touches a little bit on friendship. Overall, this was a cute and easy read.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a copy of the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

What can say... I really enjoyed this quick, easy and comical book. I found myself laughing and say “Oh that so Raffy/Luca”, the characters are created amazingly. I can’t say I was a fan of all of them (mostly Raffy’s mother) but the roles they play are brilliant.

The then and now formatting was easy to comprehend with what period you are in. But as the then starts to meet up with the now, I felt it got just a smidge muddled.

Overall I enjoyed the plot, problem and solution.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled is a funny and whimsical coming of age story that is unapologetically queer. Touted as Project Runway goes to Comic Con, I was a bit apprehensive as to what to expect with this story since my knowledge of both fashion and Comic Con is basic to say that least. That being said, no real knowledge of either is needed to enjoy this absolute gem of a story.

Raphael ‘Raffy’ Odom thrives on competitive cosplay. He even has his own streaming channel to give intimate insight into his costume builds. What Raffy doesn’t have is a mother who support him, so he resorts to creating in secret. Raffy refuses to let his mom get him down and has his eyes set on winning Controverse. The only problem? The boy who broke his heart is competing as well. AWKWARD.

I absolutely loved Raffy as a character. He’s hilarious and so confident in himself and his abilities even when faced with dissenting opinions from those who care about him. Raffy’s passion for cosplay and building his constructions was infectious. The author did a really fantastic job immersing us until this world.

The scenes with Raffy and Luca together were adorable. I loved their meet-cute in the hobby store. The two of them really balanced each other out in terms of personality and creative differences. One thing that I want to highlight is that the fear of Luca coming out as bisexual to his family is addressed and that these scenes may be potentially triggering.

The actual competition surrounding Controverse was really fascinating. I always enjoyed the turned up drama and theatrics.

One last thing, I hated Raffy’s mom. Ugh. You’d think that one creative would support another, especially when it is your child, but her pretentious behavior and actions constantly got under my skin.

Overall, if you’re looking for a story that just wraps you up in a hug…this is it!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing a review copy through NetGalley. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

One of the cutest romantic comedies that I've ever read. I alternated between the audiobook and a physical copy, and it was a nice distraction from the world of lockdowns and pandemics. Ryan La Sala's Be Dazzled differs greatly than his debut novel Reverie, but I urge you to read both. Ryan La Sala's stories create a world in which I hope we can emulate.

Was this review helpful?

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Thank you netgalley and Dreamscape Media.

This was my first ever Ryan La Sala read and I am in love. He is about to be added to my auto buy list.

The story follows our Raffy. Raffy is trying to juggle first loves, his love and skill for cosplay, and a very unsupportive mother. Let us start with the cosplay and the Cons. It was shown off so well. I felt like I was building, thinking, and sewing with Raffy. The world was represented so well.

Now the romance. The story is in the past and present every other chapter. Raffy and Luca’s relationship is put through the test many times. Luca is in the closet with his bisexuality and of course, that has added some strain. His mother has one of the best lines in the WHOLE book. So if you do not want to be spoiled skip to the next paragraph. She says to him “Then I’m staying too, I never missed a game in your life and I’m not missing this. I am your mother and I cheer you on no matter what okay?” LIKE WHY DID YOU TO MAKE ME CRY LIKE THIS?

I love the different side characters and friendships we got to see in this as well. Raffy really came full circle thanks to them.

The narration was great. Pete Cross voiced Raffy perfectly. He showed emotion through his voice so well. I could hear and feel the different cadence of every emotion. The only downside for me would be there was not much of a change in voice for the other characters. Solid four stars for narration.

One million percent ADD TO YOUR TBR. Five stars.

Was this review helpful?

Ryan La Sala's second literary release Be dazzled is written unapologetically for the queer nerds of secondary school. As the main character competes in a cosplay contest, he must come to term with his own ambitions and past love experiences. This book revels in geeky interests like anime and intertwines it with light-hearted competition. Readers who attended big fan events like Comic Con will relate to the excitement and camp written in the pages of this novel. Those who have not experienced cosplay before will be able to follow along seamlessly with descriptions which do not feel overly forced or dry. Regardless of a reader's comfort with cosplay, anime, or video games--the competitive aspect of the story will likely satiate anyone who has enjoyed shows like "Project Runway" in the past.

This novel is predictable and leads a fairly simple plot line. The prose is about what you would expect from a YA novel, with the emphasis on character interactions and feelings over details and complex concepts. This aside, Be dazzled is a fun, easy read which would be a kind companion on a lazy afternoon.

Thank you Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewers, my score is my own honest opinion based on my own reading experience.

Was this review helpful?

This is a really cute story of being bold, getting love, and communication. This was a cute story to read. I loved the changes of then and now chapters. Not a fan of cosplay but this book made it seem fun.

Was this review helpful?

What a fun book! I loved the narrator, fell in love with following Raffy and Luca's story, and the fandom aspects were on. point. This book is such a delight in a dark time.

Was this review helpful?

Grab your glue gun, sparkles and fabric because it is time for CRAFTING with Raffy! Raffy is a normal teenager that may have an obsession with cosplay and creating clothing and accessories with his own two hands. All he wants to do is win the biggest cosplay competition and maybe get over his ex. Although that may be easier said than done. Be Dazzled is Project Runway, Next In Fashion, and Making it sewed together to make one AMAZING BOOK. La Sala is a master at witty conversation that hit deep in the feels and will have readers laughing so much they cry. I can not express enough how incredible this book is. The authentic emotion poured into every character and the world La Sala has built. The plot is a dual timeline, rotating from past experiences to present, each memory giving more depth to the present actions. The characters! readers will fall in love with the fun, adorable, vulnerable Raffy, cheering him on as he tries to prove his artistic value. Luca starts out as the stereotypic jock but over the course of the book morphs into a fully formed character with depth, emotion and growth. Readers will not be able to resist Raffy or Luca's charm and will find themselves illustrated in this book. While this leans heavily on the romantice of two individuals, the book does not make it center stage. Instead allowing for the relationships to fully blosum and in their strength the beautiful story of Raffy is told.

Was this review helpful?

I had high hope for this book and I’m happy to say that I’d didn’t not disappoint.

This book follows the fallout of Raffy and Luca’s past while also keeping pace with their present. I’m always skeptical of alternating timelines due to the fact that sometimes the stories can be confusing to follow. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to keep the two timelines separated. I loved learning about how Raffy and Luca got to the point they did when the book starts.

Raffy and Luca’s relationship was adorable for the majority of their past. They learned to give and take in their relationship and it was nice seeing them navigate through a first love. While I think that coming out stories are important, especially for queer youth, it was also nice to see that wasn’t the only aspect to Luca’s character. I loved the growth that Luca and Raffy experience both as a couple and as individuals.

I throughly enjoyed this book. It’s was a fun and feel good story. I was lucky enough to receive a audio ARC on Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled is the sparkly gay book I hoped it would be.

Raffy is a seventeen-year-old gay cosplayer with a passion for craft and a dedicated following. His mother is a big name in the art world and looks down on his work to the extent that he has to hide it from her. Raffy's ex-boyfriend Luca is a bisexual soccer player with a homophobic father and a mother who wants Luca to be straight because it's easier. (For her.) When Be Dazzled begins, they've been broken up for a while and the narrative switches back and forth between the beginning of their relationship and the present, when they're against each other in a cosplay competition.


La Sala balances the romantic arc with Raffy and Luca's family arcs, as well as Raffy's growing into himself as a crafter and artist. The relationships between the teens and their parents are definitely strained and since the book is entirely from Raffy's POV we don't know the full of extent of what Luca's struggling with, which worked well as a way of keeping them apart. I was wondering how or if they'd find their way back to each other, how they could possibly work things out with their parents and, honestly, if one of them would get kicked out.

But I'm a queer romance reader and the ending of this book felt like a hug. Nothing's perfect and it's not a sitcom episode where everything's suddenly fixed and happy, but it was hopeful and joyful in a way I really needed in January 2021.


Narration Notes: The audio narrator was a great choice for the story. His narration captured the full range of Raffy's emotional journey and there were points at which I found myself recoiling away from his mother's disdain. My only regret is that I couldn't see the intricate and lovingly described cosplays, but the ebook wouldn't have helped there!


***


I received a digital copy of this audiobook for review but liked it enough that I purchased a copy of my own.

Was this review helpful?

This was my second audiobook arc and I loved it. The story is compelling and relatable - anxious gay cosplayers and artists? Um, yes, please. Raffy is a bit of a mess and I loved seeing how Luca helped reign in his anxiety and perfectionism. They both have rough relationships with their parents for most of the novel, and though it was maybe a little too neat at the end, I loved seeing their parents come through for them. Because let's face it, we need all the queer happy-ever-afters we can get.

Ryan La Sala made the interesting choice of starting the story in the middle and then with alternating chapters working forward from the beginning to the middle and also the middle to the end. It really worked though, and it was such an interesting perspective, seeing how Raffy and Luca got together, how they fell apart, and how they got back together all at the same time.

The audiobook narrator was excellent and really brought life to the story. He was a bit over-the-top in how he portrayed Raffy but then Raffy is pretty over-the-top all on his own. I'm so happy I was approved for the audiobook arc because I probably would have chosen to read an e-book otherwise and I would have missed out on a fabulous audiobook.

After Reverie and now this, I look forward to anything Ryan La Sala writes.

Was this review helpful?

This book was just SO adorable! I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved just about everything that happened!

I honestly don’t even have the words to describe how cute this book was. Raffy and Luca are just the sweetest cinnamon rolls ever and the parts of them in the past has me SQUEEING.

Was this review helpful?

Profiled as Project Runway meets Comic Con - what's not to love?

I enjoy a non-linear narrative structure, which Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala offered. We learn about how Raffy and Luca ended up together and fell apart. It's a beautiful queer love story that literally sparkles.

I had the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this story, and it really brought the characters to life. I definitely recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled is, at its heart, about the joy of creating stuff, about making art irrespective of medium. Raffy, who is the son of an artist-turned-gallery director, has to hide his main passion, cosplay, from his mother because she doesn't consider it art; she treats crafts like it is a hobby, and she tries to direct his creative passions towards something more 'respectable' like fashion design. Raffy, however, is adamant on going to art school (another thing his mother looks down upon), and he wants to win this year's Controverse competition to cement his entry into college. Controverse is a big convention and one of its main events is its cosplay competition, and Raffy, who has been doing this for years, and has his own streaming channel and everything, is aiming for a win, and one of his rivals is his ex-boyfriend, Luca. Raffy's personal arc is about him being ambitious and driven, but he sometimes also forgets to have fun with the process.

Now, this book has two timelines - one taking in the present on the days of the Controverse convention, and the other starting from about 13 months ago, when he first meets his classmate Luca at Craft Club (I guess it is the non-homophobic version of, you know) while searching for rhinestones. At that time, Luca started off as his fan, who regularly watched his streams, and soon fall into a relationship, with Raffy teaching Luca the basics of sewing, and crafting builds for cosplay. In the present, Raffy is participating along with Mei, his other best friend, who is also a webcomic artist come to connect with other artists and sell merch at the convention. The main 'mystery' at the start is how they broke up, and as we go forward we see how their budding relationship was strained a bit by Luca's family not approving of his relationship, and even denying his bisexuality. At the start, the girl Luca is participating with also seems like a rival (in the competition) to Raffy, and her impression is worsened by the fact that she and Luca are doing one of Raffy's idea. By the end, though, we do realize that there is no antagonist, per se, but just circumstances that worked against the characters (though I am still on them using Raffy's idea).

While the book is amazing and full of heart, and love for creating, I especially loved how much detail the author has put into describing Raffy's process itself. And while I know practically nothing about how cosplay is made, I was not overwhelmed by the details, either, nor did I feel they took away from the pacing of the plot. About the timelines, I must say, though, is that the way they align doesn't always work. For instance, we get Luca's and Raffy's reconciliation before we get the full version of the event that finally broke them. It felt like the build-up (I was assuming big betrayal or something) gets to nowhere. Same with his issue with his mom - her snobbishness disappears promptly at the end (though I admit moms do be like that; mine is pretty much the same in taking others' opinion before my own). But, throughout, the book is quite enjoyable and I loved Raffy's journey. Coupled with the brilliant narration by Pete Cross, the experience will leave you delighted.

Was this review helpful?

Nerds and crafters rejoice! This queer YA contemporary is the fabulous, geeky novel that you- and I for that matter- did not realize you needed. I enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. He really did a fantastic job bringing the story and characters to life.

Our protagonist is ambitious, albeit anxious, Raffy is simultaneously very gay and very talented at what he does– cosplay. Raffy is the artistic spiritual animal that I never knew existed and who I aspire to become when I grow up. Though if I’m honest, I doubt I could never be that artistic.

On a more serious note, at the center of the story is the m/m romance between Raffy and Luca, both how they started almost a year before the start of the novel, and how they find their way back to each other in the present. The romance was sweet, wholesome, and everything the doctor ordered to begin to heal from the trauma that was 2020.

While I have never attended a comic con I was fascinated by the dynamics and imagination that went into all the cosplays included in the novel. Also, I have released that I adore behind the scenes glimpses of competitions, be they art, food, or fights to the death.

The aspect of the story that entirely blew me away was Raffy’s struggle with high functioning anxiety. I felt so seen when Raffy struggled to turn off the mental lists and crushing fear of not meeting deadlines. Like Luca did for Raffy, my own husband has done wonders to help me slow down, breath and cope with my anxiety in much healthier and productive ways.

I also empathized with Raffy’s struggle to meet his mother’s expectations while pursuing what he loved and being authentic to himself and following his dreams

Overall, I gave Be Dazzled 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

In short, if you spent your days daydreaming about owning your own dragon, magic wands, or galaxies far far away Be Dazzled should be high on your TBR. More specifically, if you loved books such Geekarella by Ashley Poston and Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner, you needed to read this book yesterday.

Was this review helpful?

Where do I even begin with this book? Well, I was hesitant to even request it because Ryan La Sala's last book (Reverie) was not one I enjoyed. However, the premise for this one? Had me intrigued.
Not only did I love the writing style, but I fell in love with these characters. I was left needing more from them. Like this isn't where their story ends, it can't be. I need more of Crafty Raffy and more of Luca. I want to see as their relationship grows and evolves and the future family dynamics and I just want to see the hints of some partnerships for Raffy form and him turn cosplaying into his career.
I also loved the nostalgia I felt from this book. I may have never been huge into cosplaying with he 50 hour builds but this book has left me wanting to binge watch my favorite anime and finally turn old cosplaying dreams into reality.
All in all, a solid read and one I am glad to have read. Thanks so much Dreamscape Media for letting me review this book. I absolutely adored it!

Was this review helpful?

*Thank you, Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for the gifted copy. I voluntarily read and am choosing to leave a review*

**This story has queer and anxiety rep, also to me what sounded like disassociation**

This story has alternating timelines for chapters between now and "then". It provides a nice backstory of the relationship between Luca and Raffie.

It was cute, adorable, sometimes sad and frustrating and all over wonderful.

Was this review helpful?

I just reviewed Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala. Thank you Dreamscape and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Book is available now in paperback and audiobook.

This story is a romance story as much as it is a self discovery story. Raffy and Luca struggle to find themselves as a couple and also as individuals. You are able to see the struggle that these two young men are going through when it comes to expressing themselves. For Raffy it's all about being able to be himself as a creator of cosplay outfits when his mother sees it behind them in the art world. Through the story you are able to see the joy this hobby brings Raffy but through his eye you are able to see how stubbish his mother views it. In another part of Raffy’s story you are able to see the budding romance with Luca. Things here are different since Raffy is open about being gay whereas Luca is struggle to come out because of the view of his family. I love how this story shows two different sides of the coin. I think that RyanLa Sala show cultural appreciation for LGBTQ+ community in such a simple and beautiful way. While at times he lost me in the ComCON world I could feel the world and emotions that his words wove around me.
Pete Cross has away with the spoken language that you can help but be swept along with the story. The combination of Ryan’s written word and Pete’s spoken interpretation of said word is simply put out of this world. I hope to see more from these two.

#DreamscpeMedia #NetGalley #reviewbooks #bookreviews #bookbloggers #booklover #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookstagrammer #bookaddict #bookaholic #booknerdigan #readmore #readersofinstagram #readingisfundamental #readingcommunity #bibliophile #bookcommunity #reviewerofbooks #lovethisbook #recommendedreading #youngadultbooks #yabooks #lgbtq #ryanlasalaauthor

Was this review helpful?

This was okay. It wasn't bad and I thought the main pairing was really cute and fluffy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was this review helpful?

I really LOVED this book, its humor, gay, nerdy, artsy and fabulous! The characters are likeable with their own flaws and I found myself connecting with each of them in a different way. I've never read a book about cosplay crafting and competition let alone where it was a main part of the storyline, I found myself cheering on the creative processes and "builds" throughout. I liked that the writing was descriptive but not overly done so that I could still imagine what everything looked like for myself.

I FREAKING LOVED the relationship between Raffy and Luca so much, wasn't too cheesy to me. This book literally had my laughing at times and crying at times and that definitely equals a 5 star read to me! Id recommend this to everyone who is into LGBTQ reads with a little deeper side and a LOT of fun! The only con is that I wish it was longer! UGH this was just soo so good!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Title/Cover Draw:
After reading Reverie, I had to read more by Ryan LaSala. The premise of cosplay meets project runway sounded fantastic.
What I liked:
The dynamic between Luca and Raffy as well as the more technical aspects described in making the costumes was the best. Lately I have been really into historical garments and cosplay and I understood so much of the sewing terminology.
What I didn’t like:
Sometimes the past and present jumps got a little confusing.
The Characters:
I feel like I did not know Luca as much as I wanted to. Since the story is told from Raffy’s point of view, you get to know a lot more about him and his motives.
The Narrator:
Pete Cross adds a lot of unique quirks to his character that helps to differentiate between them.
The Ending:
The end was cute with a lot of hope and promise of this to come.
Consider if:
You like feel good stories about geeky things.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Project Runway meets Cosplay in this dazzling second chance romance! These characters are written beautifully, with their flaws in center stage. They felt real and made me feel real emotions for them. One thing I question is the dual timelines climaxing at the same time. Logically it makes sense, but I felt a mild sense of whiplash with so many emotions contradicting. Overall, this book was a feel-good, engaging look into the cosplaying world. Even with no experience, I felt a passion for costuming art through these characters!

Was this review helpful?

Read my full review here: https://booksteahealthyme.home.blog/2021/01/02/audiobook-review-be-dazzled-by-ryan-la-sala/

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my hinest review.

Was this review helpful?

I need to start by saying Michael Crouch nailed it, his voice matched the character perfectly. The tone seemed spot on for how I felt the character would sound. His other voices in the story were also distinct which made it more enjoyable to listen to. He really brought the text to life for me and I still hear the voices in my head days after finishing the book.

The 8 hour book seemed to fly by but not in a "woah slow down" kind of way, but in a wonderfully paced , piece giving speed. That might have been due to the alternating timelines between "then" and "now" where you desperately want to know where this seemingly perfect relationship goes wrong to lead to the strong feelings we experience at the beginning of the book.

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala is a wonderful young adult, LGBT, contemporary romance novel that does not disappoint. I wouldn't call it steamy at all but the relationship in the novel is all encompassing. Raffy, the main character, is into cosplay and all the nerdy stuff that I also love and so I would squeal at the references to videogames and anime. He also perfectly captures the experience of going to a convention for the first time but also as a veteran. The love interest is Luca and he is thrust into this world with open arms but feels like he needs to hide it from his family. Family issues are on both side of this relationship and while they are different, they feel eerily similar in how they both feel like they need to be in the eyes of their parents. You will root for them as much as I did.

I can think of many people I would recommend this book too.

Was this review helpful?

Raffy is a kid with a passion for art, costuming, and cosplay. He is talented and centers his world around bettering himself at his art. He’s working towards a life changing competition without the support of family, and his Ex boyfriend Luca is his competition. I wasn’t sure how much I would like this book because I know absolutely nothing about cosplay and art. It’s never really interested me. However, this novel is super fun! I loved it! The characters are so relatable and make you want to root for them. They show so much growth and maturity throughout the course of the book. I got so invested in their story and competition. There was a dual timeline, but it’s done very well and I never got lost or confused. Also, I love reading LGBQT romance, and this was done so well! I was rooting so hard for this couple, and I loved their romance! It kept me laughing and smiling the whole time, and I thought it was really well done!

Was this review helpful?

Let's be honest, the second Ryan announced Be Dazzled, I immediately needed it because, hello, it's Ryan La Sala. I got approved awhile back on Netgalley for an earc but I've gone through some weird slumps over the past few months and could never focus very long to actually sit down and read it. Well, then, Dreamscape Media approved me for a copy of the audiobook (audiobooks are great for reading slumps fyi) to review and all I have to say is wow. Pete Cross does an amazing job. Be Dazzled, even more than Reverie, feels like Ryan. Ryan has a big vibrant personality and it comes across in his writing. It makes his writing an adventure. Pete was an absolutely amazing Ryan.

On to the story itself, I didn't know anything about cosplay before picking up this book and I still don't. But, Bedazzled, at it's heart, is a story about friendship and young love. It's the perfect book to escape from reality for a few hours.

***Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire, Dreamscape Media, and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of Be Dazzled.***

Was this review helpful?

I liked reading this romantic comedy and would give it 3.5 stars.  It was a welcome reprieve from everything that is going on right now.  The story moved at a nice pace and didn't lag. I also liked the love story between these two guys because it felt innocent and realistic all at the same time.I don't know much about the cosplay world but reading this book made it sound fun and interesting.  These two guys were both hiding something very different but both were looking for an out to be able to reveal their true selves.  I thought that juxtaposition was really smart by the author.

Was this review helpful?

Be Dazzled is a delightful LGBT+ YA novel of comic con + project runway. The main character Raffy is a compelling lead, hilarious and easy to root for while dealing with tough parental expectations. The novel dives deep into the creativity behind comic con - great descriptions of the fashion and cosplay. I enjoyed the back and forth of "then" and "now", which helped drive the plot forward while providing context. I would highly recommend, especially the audiobook version as I became super invested in the characters and plot.

TW: homophobia

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a copy to review!

Was this review helpful?

Gah! I loved this book so much! I can't wait to read more books by Ryan La Sala!

The setting was so much fun. I love the world of cosplay and miss being able to attend cons to see all the creativity that people put into their costumes. I would definitely go see Raffy and Luca compete! I thought the addition of Raffy's social media presence was great for the story as well and thought their meet cute was the best!

I enjoyed the switch between past and present and being able to see how their relationship evolved and got through all the bumps in the road. I thought the story was well developed and really shed light on how each person within the LGBTQA+ community has a different story and that all are valid.

The family dynamic between Raffy and his mother was very strained and he always felt that his creativity would never live up to what she see's as "Art". Their relationship was the toughest for me because she is not a very affectionate or supportive of him in ways I believe she should be. On the other hand, Luca's family is more affectionate and supportive toward Luca except when it comes to their beliefs regarding sexuality. They are a religious family which makes it difficult for them to really accept that their son may be part of the LGBTQA community. I thought that having these two different family dynamics makes this story relatable.

If you're looking for a great YA Contemporary than I would definitely recommend this to you. The audio was well done and I definitely recommend it on this format. It really brings the characters to life! Especially when it comes to the well done banter between Raffy and Luca!

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: