Scan barcode
dhishfish's review against another edition
4.0
Aaaahhhh this book was so adorable!!!
Be Dazzled was one of those books where they've broken up but then get back together. At first, I was like 'this is gonna be not great' but it was. It was so wholesome and real and really focused on the whole healing a relationship bit which I found so nice.
I loved the writing styles and even through the characters pissed me off a little, it was still super cool to dive into a world of crafting and cosplay with them.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for an LGBTQ+ arts and crafts romance!!
Be Dazzled was one of those books where they've broken up but then get back together. At first, I was like 'this is gonna be not great' but it was. It was so wholesome and real and really focused on the whole healing a relationship bit which I found so nice.
I loved the writing styles and even through the characters pissed me off a little, it was still super cool to dive into a world of crafting and cosplay with them.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for an LGBTQ+ arts and crafts romance!!
siaalex's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
nikknack's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookwormjimmy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Raffy is the craftiest person he knows. And his favorite thing to craft: cosplay. I mean, how fun is it to put together a costume of your favorite character and parade around in front of a bunch of other fans at the next convention. Of course, in the meantime, Raffy likes to stream his work on social media for all of his adoring fans. All ten of them or so.
Then along comes Luca, a talented athlete who has been following Raffy's streams for who knows how long. As they get to know each other and build a relationship, Raffy begins to see just how much of a fun-loving nerd he can be as well. Perhaps they could even cosplay together at the next Controverse, Boston's biggest cosplay con.
I adored this book. It's not too deep, not too dramatic, and very light on the plot. What this is really deep on is heart. These characters shine and make you want to comfort them and let them know it'll all be okay. The time period alternates between present and what happened a year ago between Raffy and Luca so that you can get a better understanding of their dynamic. I also enjoyed the focus on crafting and building cosplay, something that I haven't seen (at least not seriously) in a book, and I'm all for it. It also brings me great joy that these young characters are so into all the cartoons and anime I used to watch as a kid, and now I really want to go see a cosplay convention with all of these characters.
If you're looking for a fun YA romance with crafting and cosplay, check this one out.
Then along comes Luca, a talented athlete who has been following Raffy's streams for who knows how long. As they get to know each other and build a relationship, Raffy begins to see just how much of a fun-loving nerd he can be as well. Perhaps they could even cosplay together at the next Controverse, Boston's biggest cosplay con.
I adored this book. It's not too deep, not too dramatic, and very light on the plot. What this is really deep on is heart. These characters shine and make you want to comfort them and let them know it'll all be okay. The time period alternates between present and what happened a year ago between Raffy and Luca so that you can get a better understanding of their dynamic. I also enjoyed the focus on crafting and building cosplay, something that I haven't seen (at least not seriously) in a book, and I'm all for it. It also brings me great joy that these young characters are so into all the cartoons and anime I used to watch as a kid, and now I really want to go see a cosplay convention with all of these characters.
If you're looking for a fun YA romance with crafting and cosplay, check this one out.
hidingincorners's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars - I read this in a day. It was a stressful experience. It really triggered my anxiety. Too much stress to be a romcom. I think it is well-written and the characters are well-developed. I think Raffy's relationship with his mom was an excellent portrayal of how even parents who are progressive can be abusive or controlling of their children.
The structure flipping between the past and present made it difficult for me to root for Luca and Raffy's romance because it kept switching between sweet and stressful. I think I would have enjoyed this more, and been more joyous about the payoff, if the past bits had been sandwiched in one section between the present. Or if they had been done in larger chunks. I especially think Raffy's mom's relenting would have landed better with more present-time emotional build up.
If I had known the dynamics with both boys' parents going in, I don't know if I would have read this book. I thought it would be a cute, emotional lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story. It was a lot heavier. A good book, but one I was not prepared for.
The structure flipping between the past and present made it difficult for me to root for Luca and Raffy's romance because it kept switching between sweet and stressful. I think I would have enjoyed this more, and been more joyous about the payoff, if the past bits had been sandwiched in one section between the present. Or if they had been done in larger chunks. I especially think Raffy's mom's relenting would have landed better with more present-time emotional build up.
If I had known the dynamics with both boys' parents going in, I don't know if I would have read this book. I thought it would be a cute, emotional lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story. It was a lot heavier. A good book, but one I was not prepared for.
kirstie_eloise's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was exactly what I needed as a pallette cleanser and change of pace from the multiple fantasy series that I'm currently in the middle of.
Be Dazzled is just so fun and cute! And yet, it still has just enough drama to keep things interesting, and enough depth and character development to feel like it's a quality read without being overbearing or heavy. I fell in love with Ryan La Sala's writing in The Honeys, and I'd say that this still has a lot of great moments without feeling quite as literary as The Honeys. Which, I think, is just the perfect balance for this book.
I really liked the use of the dual timelines going back and forth between what happened in the past and the current present story throughout probably 90-95% of the book. For some reason, this technique just didn't quite hit right towards the very end for me. I also felt that a few of the resolutions towards the end were a bit rushed and not as fully developed as I had expected them to be for a few of the interpersonal conflicts between various characters. I appreciated the resolutions that occurred, but they still left me thinking, "Why and how did this change when it had been such a big deal before?"
Overall, I really did love this book. If the idea of Project Runway meets Comic-Con in a YA-contemporary-queer-romance sounds like something you'd be interested in, then I 100% recommend Be Dazzled!
Be Dazzled is just so fun and cute! And yet, it still has just enough drama to keep things interesting, and enough depth and character development to feel like it's a quality read without being overbearing or heavy. I fell in love with Ryan La Sala's writing in The Honeys, and I'd say that this still has a lot of great moments without feeling quite as literary as The Honeys. Which, I think, is just the perfect balance for this book.
I really liked the use of the dual timelines going back and forth between what happened in the past and the current present story throughout probably 90-95% of the book. For some reason, this technique just didn't quite hit right towards the very end for me. I also felt that a few of the resolutions towards the end were a bit rushed and not as fully developed as I had expected them to be for a few of the interpersonal conflicts between various characters. I appreciated the resolutions that occurred, but they still left me thinking, "Why and how did this change when it had been such a big deal before?"
Overall, I really did love this book. If the idea of Project Runway meets Comic-Con in a YA-contemporary-queer-romance sounds like something you'd be interested in, then I 100% recommend Be Dazzled!
twowheelsaway's review against another edition
4.0
I adored “Be Dazzled”- it takes place in such a rich, vibrant space, and the whole book feels like the kind of dream I might have while I have the flu and be deeply upset to wake up from. The characters are all distinct, unique beings buzzing with neuroses and excitements— especially Raffy, who I was unable to visualize as anything other than smaller version of the author Ryan La Sala (as portrayed through the Celebrity Book Club podcast, mostly).
My one kvetch is the tidiness of the ending- I don’t mind a tidy ending, necessarily, but some of the changes in characters at the end of the book felt out-of-step with everything up to that point. I can’t say too much without spoilers, but it in no way detracts from the book being a WILD ride that will drag you along.
My one kvetch is the tidiness of the ending- I don’t mind a tidy ending, necessarily, but some of the changes in characters at the end of the book felt out-of-step with everything up to that point. I can’t say too much without spoilers, but it in no way detracts from the book being a WILD ride that will drag you along.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Be Dazzled was all kinds of cute. I've never been to a Comic Con.. or even a Book con.. and after reading about this.. I feel like I'm missing out?!?! I don't know who I would dress up as but I mean.. you can go and look at people who dress up right? Lmao.. I don't know the rules of con's.
In it, you will meet Raffy and Luca. They were both really adorable and it wasn't hard at all to like them instantly. I just know that something was going to happen but I didn't know when it was all going to go down. Once the drama did unfold though.. it was still very interesting to get to know both characters throughout the book.
Out of the two.. I feel like Raffy was my guy. He was hilarious and just realistic to me. I mean the whole book felt realistic because people were making mistakes left and right. Not all dumb ones but mistakes are mistakes.
In the end, this was really cute and now I need to go to a Con! Whenever COVID disappears...
Be Dazzled was all kinds of cute. I've never been to a Comic Con.. or even a Book con.. and after reading about this.. I feel like I'm missing out?!?! I don't know who I would dress up as but I mean.. you can go and look at people who dress up right? Lmao.. I don't know the rules of con's.
In it, you will meet Raffy and Luca. They were both really adorable and it wasn't hard at all to like them instantly. I just know that something was going to happen but I didn't know when it was all going to go down. Once the drama did unfold though.. it was still very interesting to get to know both characters throughout the book.
Out of the two.. I feel like Raffy was my guy. He was hilarious and just realistic to me. I mean the whole book felt realistic because people were making mistakes left and right. Not all dumb ones but mistakes are mistakes.
In the end, this was really cute and now I need to go to a Con! Whenever COVID disappears...
lahariel's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashish_ras's review against another edition
5.0
Dazzling
This is high drama from the first words. You feel the rush in the first chapter as Raffy drags May. The story is a cos player's dream come true.
This is only the second book I have read with alternating chapters between the past and present. The 'Then' and 'Now' concept works well, but after a point, the 'now' has become so intriguing that as a reader, you want to move fast to know what comes next. I will be frank; I skipped some of the 'Then' chapters.
This is high drama from the first words. You feel the rush in the first chapter as Raffy drags May. The story is a cos player's dream come true.
This is only the second book I have read with alternating chapters between the past and present. The 'Then' and 'Now' concept works well, but after a point, the 'now' has become so intriguing that as a reader, you want to move fast to know what comes next. I will be frank; I skipped some of the 'Then' chapters.