Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala

I absolutely adored this book! Be Dazzled is a hilarious, queer, romcom masterpiece pitched as “Project Runway goes to Comic Con”, which is such a spot on description! It’s a fun, tender and emotional story about creativity, passion, big dreams and how everything in life is better when bedazzled.

I received an eARC from Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley of this book that will be published early next year, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this gem and to find this new (to me) amazing author! Ryan La Sala has a unique voice in his writing. It’s so fun and witty, yet so personal and emotional.

The story follows seventeen-year-old Raffy who is a master of cosplay. He’s also a bit of a drama queen, which made me love him even more, and so vulnerable and adorable. ​He’s totally passionate about his creations and determined to win a big cosplay competition and prove to his art-world powerhouse mother that his art matters. With the help of his best friend May he’s got everything ready for the big day. The only problem is that his ex-boyfriend Luca is there too, competing against him…

Luca is also such a sweet, lovable character that I immediately rooted for. He’s a closeted soccer player, who’s attempt to tell his mother that he’s bisexual brutally failed. Now he wants to be with Raffy and he wants to do cosplay and dress up and… be himself. But he’s struggling with the need to keep it private for his parents’ sake.

The story is told in two parallel tracks, jumping between present and past to reveal how Raffy and Luca met and fell in love. I really loved this way of slowly revealing the relationship and the problems leading to the break-up. The relationship was so cute and still there were so many misunderstandings and mistakes that broke my heart, with Luca doubting Raffy’s love and with Raffy doubting that their different worlds would go together outside the studio.

“All I want is this.”
“I think you want a lot more,” Luca observes.

Raffy and Luca were so perfect for each other, all I wished for was a way for them to realize it too and find a way to make it work. To find a way to keep them sparkling together.

“There. Now you sparkle too.”
Luca grins. “You like it?”
“I like you.”
“I like me too, especially when I’m with you.”

All in all, this is a wonderful and charming story about first love, about finding your path in life and finding the courage to become your most authentic self. I loved the pacing, the puns, the way the story was told in parallel timelines, the relatable characters with all their flaws, over-the-top feelings and vulnerability and the cosplay world insights. I adored the unique, funny yet serious, voice in which Ryan La Sala told this gem of a story. And most of all, I loved the important message in this book that you are perfect just the way you are. This is a book that makes the world shine a little brighter!

Rating:
5 bedazzled stars

Get your own copy:
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Book Depository

​Author info:
Ryan La Sala