Book Review: "The One True Me and You" by Remi K. England

The One True Me and You was absolutely adorable and it left me smiling!

Kaylee is excited about attending her first Con and meeting friends she’s known online for years. And as a popular fanfic author, she’s looking forward to meeting some of the people who inspired her to start writing. But more than that, she wants to do three things: try using they/them pronouns, wear cosplay that’s more masculine, and kiss a girl for the first time.

Teagan is competing as Miss Virginia in the Miss Cosmic Teen USA pageant. She has a real shot to win it all this year, and the $25,000 scholarship will really make a difference in her future. She loves competing but doesn’t like having to hide who she really is—a gay, fanfic-loving, fan art-drawing geek. She just has to keep it all to herself for one more week.

But the Con and the pageant are in the same Orlando hotel. And when Kay and Teagan meet, they both feel an instant connection, but Kay hasn’t ever felt this way before and Teagan has to outsmart the pageant chaperones. Of course, both have the same nemesis—Miss North Carolina—who, if she discovers all that is going on, will make life hell for Kay back at home and will stop at nothing to ruin Teagan’s chances for victory at the pageant.

Cosplay and pageants in the same book? How did Remi England know me so well? I thought The One True Me and You was just a great story, one about finding your authentic self and finding the courage to show it to the world. While there certainly was angst in this book, ultimately I found it really joyful, and I read it in one sitting.

Definitely a fun, sweet, positive YA romance!

Book Review: "Out of Character" by Annabeth Albert

Out of Character, the second book in a series (after Conventionally Yours), is a story of second-chance love and believing you’re worthy of good things.

Milo and Jasper were inseparable best friends growing up. But when they hit high school, Milo became a jock and didn’t want to be associated with Jasper, because he didn’t want people to think he was gay. And while he never bullied Jasper himself, he never stopped those who did. Jasper has never forgiven him for that, or quite gotten over the hurt he felt.

A few years later, life hasn’t been easy for Milo. He’s close to rock bottom, and he keeps making mistakes. The only person who might be able to help him get back some rare game cards he lost in a bet is Jasper. But will Jasper help him after all that has transpired?

Seeing Milo again brings back some of the hurt, but Jasper always felt unable to resist him. And while he agrees to help Milo find the cards, there’s a price—he needs Milo to dress in costume for cosplay appearances they make at a children’s hospital. And as Milo gets more comfortable with being in costume, he starts to realize that he can actually make a difference in others’ lives in a positive way.

Little by little, Jasper and Milo start to rebuild their friendship. But Milo’s been hiding another secret—he’s always been in love with Jasper. Will Jasper believe him capable of change? Is Milo ready to be honest with those around him—and himself—and believe he’s worthy of being cared about?

This was a very sweet story. I love this type of plot, the hybrid of second chance and friends to lovers, as well as rebuilding one's self-esteem. The pacing was a little slow at times, but I liked how Annabeth Albert avoids a lot of the stereotypical pitfalls I was expecting the plot to fall into. Perfect for romance lovers!!

Book Review: "Be Dazzled" by Ryan La Sala

Ryan La Sala's newest book, Be Dazzled, is an utterly adorable rom-com that looks at doing what you love and being with whom you love, no matter what anyone says. Plus sequins. Lots of sequins.

Raffy is a tremendously talented artist. But unlike his artist-turned-gallery-owner mother, he doesn’t view art as valuable only if it’s elitist. His talent lies in design—costume design, more specifically—and he’s found his sweet spot in designing costumes for cosplay conventions. This isn't something his mother approves of, so he must hide everything from her and work only when she isn't home.

He literally runs into Luca, a handsome boy from his school, in the sequins aisle of a craft store. Luca has actually followed Raffy’s popular videos on a YouTube-like channel, so he’s mesmerized by Raffy’s talent. Clearly smitten with one another, they decide to create a costume for the two of them to compete at the next cosplay convention.

But the pressures of creating the perfect costumes and having to hide this side of him from his mother take their toll on Raffy and his relationship with Luca. It doesn’t help that Luca has his own anxieties about fully coming out to his own family and embracing the side of him that loves cosplay, and these anxieties ultimately doom their relationship.

Devastated and angry, Raffy is still determined to create the winning costumes for the biggest cosplay convention, in hopes he might get offers of sponsorship or even jobs. But when Luca shows up with a former friend of theirs to compete as well, it opens wounds that aren't even close to healing and ignites Raffy’s competitive spirit. Can he get everything he wants, or will he have to sacrifice something to be happy?

Although I have zero artistic ability I am fascinated by art supplies and the creative process, so I couldn’t get enough of this book. Raffy and Luca are an adorable if dysfunctional couple, and even though I wanted to shake them sometimes, I rooted for their love to win in the end.

Be Dazzled was a fun story with real emotional components as well, because it hurts when you can’t share the things or the people you love with those closest to you. La Sala shows he’s just as talented at rom-coms as he is creating fantastical situations, like he did in his last book, Reverie.

This book charmed me completely!