Author: Ryan La Sala
Publication Date: 5 January 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Page Count: 336
Reading Method: Physical ARC
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
This book was described as Project Runway goes to Comic Con and heck yes – I can confirm these are the exact vibes the story gives off!
Raffy is a cosplayer who specializes in making epic costumes while livestreaming to his online following. This year, he plans to enter a huge competition to show off just how amazing his work really is. But when Luca, Raffy’s ex-boyfriend, shows up to the competition, all of Raffy’s plans are derailed.
This story is told in two timelines – we have the present day, and flashbacks to Luca and Raffy’s relationship. It was cute to see Raffy and Luca in the early stages of their relationship, but I enjoyed the present day sections just a bit more. In the present day sections we had the competition and the sass of lover’s scorned. I thoroughly enjoyed the bits of the story detailing the creation of Raffy’s costumes and the chemistry between Luca and Raffy was undeniable.
Bedazzled was filled with moments of fun, laughter, epic costumes, and references to characters from my childhood – though it made me feel a bit old that a half a page was dedicated to describing who Him is (from Powerpuff girls).
