Be Dazzled

by Ryan La Sala

[helenfarch]

"Only now am I seeing a new truth: that sometimes the broken bits are just the pieces you need to create something new, something better, something remarkable."

Billed as Project Runway goes to Comic Con, I knew I just had to read this book.

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.

What follows is a story about believing in yourself, the power of creativity and friendship.

From the outside, Raffy and Luca have nothing in common.
Raffy is an incredibly talented artist, but he is meant to use his talent for "serious" art, not craft projects, according to his famous, art gallery owning mother.
Luca is meant to be the star football player, not a cosplayer and especially not a bi-sexual cosplayer. His believes ultra-conservative family would never accept him if they find out he isn't straight.

But the beauty of this story is that Raffy and Luca see past what they are "meant" to be and find their true selves.

The love story of Raffy and Luca is told in alternate timelines - how they met and fell in love, and where they are now, after breaking up and becoming rivals.

Since breaking up with Luca, Raffy's best friend May has become his cosplay partner for the competition he is counting on winning to increase his chances for a scholarship that will allow him to go to art school on his own terms. Their main competition is Raffy's former friend Inaya and Luca. Through the twists and turns of competition, Raffy realises just what his single-minded focus on his work may have cost him in his relationship with Luca and Luca begins to feel more comfortable with his true self and not hiding it away from the world.

It is fun, it is super nerdy and I loved it!

"I don't see the flaws. I only see the magic."

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the ARC.