Cosplayed

by Laura Maisano

To battle her anxiety, Audrey Warren spends conventions in the shelter of her uncle’s failing comic booth, but once she’s convinced to give cosplay a try, everything changes. Dressing as Sailor Moon gives her confidence, and she rocks the con floor with moon prism power…that is, until a group of elitist geek girls corner her and set off a panic attack.

Fellow cosplayer, Kyle Porter, comes to her rescue! However, it soon turns out her savior is the one in need of saving. Kyle’s dad puts the D in dysfunction when he yanks Kyle into his truck and drives away. Audrey must summon real courage to both save her uncle’s store and rescue her dude in distress—all with only twenty-seven bucks in the bank.

198 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2017

About the author

Laura has an MA in Technical writing and is a Senior Editor at Anaiah Press for their YA/NA Christian Fiction. She's the author of the Illirin series, SCHISM and UNITY.

Her gamer husband and amazing daughter give support and inspiration every day. Their cats, Talyn and Moya, provide entertainment through living room battles and phantom-dust-mote hunting. Somehow, they all manage to survive living in Texas where it is hotter than any human being should have to endure. http://lauramaisano.com

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute story but I think there could have been more.I’m not sure what kind of more but just more , more comic on details more costumes more relationships more story just more . It was an average read , I finished it so it was good but I just wish for more.

[Jane Lebak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun!

Take two nerdy/geeky teens who don't feel like they fit in. Add in cosplay. Discover how putting on a character begins to make you truer to yourself, even when the masks start to come off. Fall in love a little. Lose it--kind of. Watch as all the major struggles with your parents start coming to a head. And then decide what matters most to you -- and how to protect it, even if it costs you everything else.

Really, really good book. I've read it twice already.

Totally recommended for geeks, con-goers, cosplayers, anyone who's ever felt out of place in a crowd, and people who love a good story.

[Annabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, although for me it wasn't long enough!

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, fast paced and fun, likeable characters but just seemed to be missing something I couldn’t put my finger on, enjoyable read though

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Fast read.

[Samantha (Booktiamo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this story! A great plot about being yourself even if it scares you! And finding friends who do it with you and support you all the way. A lovely little geeky love story!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Despite her love of comics, anime, comicons and everything else related, Audrey never imagined herself actually dressing up and playing a character. When her friend Dan needs her to fill in for his skit she enjoys it a lot more than she ever could of expected. For her next comicon Audrey decides to dress up as the popular character Sailor Moon. When two elite cosplayers make fun of her costume it sends Audrey into a teary panic attack. Then a boy, Kyle, comes to her rescue and basically makes it all better. Audrey soon finds out that Kyle has problems at home with his father. Add this to her not getting paid for her job because Uncle Rick is in danger of losing the business and the house and things quickly become intense. With everything so uncertain Audrey feels she must find a way to help Uncle Rick and Kyle while being broke and grounded herself.

I thought Audrey and Kyle were cute in a teenage first love sort of way. However, their relationship seemed to escalate at an extremely fast rate. After seeing each other twice, they were so determined to keep seeing each other that one or both (I'm not telling 😉) resorted to lying and stealing. It honestly seemed a bit over dramatic reminding me of Romeo and Juliet (not in a good way).

The story wasn't bad though, as I was definitely entertained throughout its entirety. I enjoyed the overall story that was told. Besides the super fast-paced love, I found the characters easy to like. The only thing that was confusing to me was Audrey was supposed to be shy and had a lot of panic attacks, which in the book I believe she only had one. If the book was supposed to show her change it did so very quickly and without much attention, as she does things that don't really fit with being shy.

The ending was wrapped up quickly. It all seemed to wrap up a little too nicely as it went from a horrible situation to a pretty good one. While I did like the book, I think it would be better suited for someone else, possibly someone younger or more into the gushy romance. A hopeless romantic teenager would probably love this book. Also, fans of geeky books, romance or non, would enjoy this.

You can find this review and more at
https://fourmoonreviews.blogspot.com

[Diana in SC · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration

Sweet teen love for nerds!

I usually avoid books about modern teenagers, but this one was very captivating and charming. It is a clean/sweet YA romance with just kissing. It is told in alternating third person perspective. Audrey and Kyle are both nerdy young people who love dressing up at comic/sci-fi conventions. I heartily recommend this book to all fans of YA books, including teens and adults. I also recommend it to everyone who loves sweet contemporary romance. In addition, everyone who loves comic/sci-fi conventions would love this audiobook.

I like that this audiobook focuses on the teen girl's and guy’s activities on the weekend rather than on their experiences in high school. Audrey is a very likable, nerdy girl with the usual adolescent insecurities and longing to be accepted. She reminds me of myself in my high school years. I really connected with Audrey immediately. Her love interest Kyle is such a good guy that I feel a little jealous I couldn’t find a boyfriend like Kyle in high school. The writing is marvelous and accurately portrays the swirling emotions of adolescence. I appreciate how both Audrey and Kyle are slightly flawed individuals who found each other and helped each other overcome various things. The character development was lovely. I also love how the angst never rose above a low level.

The solo female narrator, Morgane Hadley, did a marvelous job and really elevated the novel with her nuanced performance and pleasing voice. She was very good at both male and female voices. She especially conveyed Audrey’s character quite beautifully. Her pacing and sense of humor were great as well.

I requested and received a free audiobook copy via #AudiobookObsession, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
#AudiobookObsession Reviewer

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book and I'm glad I had the chance. I had recently gone to a convention, which was why I was excited to read and review this book. This book was really clever and really cute. I think context wise, the author was spot on. I felt like I was back in Denver, surrounded by cosplayers, looking through all the booths filled with goodies and memorabilia. I also enjoyed that this book contained a young adult romance. I always make the joke that it's cute when nerds fall in love, especially when they get to geek out over similar interests. It was creative for the author to add extra conflict between the two main character's families because it kept the reader interested beyond just the budding romance and the relatable content. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fairly short, feel-good read, especially to teenagers and my fellow nerds that have fond memories of conventions.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this one and the narrator did a good job. It wasn't clear to me in the description, but this is a good story appropriate for a pre-teen/young teen audience. Most characters are about 16 or 17 years old. There wasn't anything in the story that I would have been uncomfortable with my 9 year old hearing, however I would have followed it up with a conversation about how I would have liked her to act in an unfair situation. The characters often didn't set an example I would want her to emulate, but I do think they grew and matured over the course of the story. Without giving any spoilers, it wasn't any worse than what you see in a lot of family movies and I'd put it in the category of lying to parents/sneaking out/bad choices that a lot of kids make. There were a couple words I wouldn't want her to use, but nothing that you couldn't hear on live tv/radio.

#AudiobookObssession

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey hides behind characters to battle her anxiety. In today's world, this happens more and more. I really enjoyed the realistic points of Audrey and how she deals with her anxiety. When the situation becomes extreme, Audrey has to face that anxiety to help her friend Kyle. It is a struggle for Audrey and again, the struggle is so realistic. Audrey and Kyle really get into the roles of their characters and it is fun to see them come to life. This is a great story for any Geeks out there!

Morgane Hadley narrated this story. It was read at a slower pace than what I prefer. Ms. Hadley was able to narrate the characters with different tones and made the book easy to follow. Ms. Hadley's voice is pleasant to listen to.

[Sharon Naylor Toris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, light read with no need for gripping suspense, so a good choice for just a relaxing read on a vacation or a breezy porch. Characters are charming, and you get that intensity of youth that fills the book with a buzz of energy. The author showed plenty of research of and appreciation for cosplay artistry, and I would have loves a bit more woven through the narrative. That's where the layering of art and sensory elevates the storyline with the guy rescue and his dad. The author has thought to use the best of what cosplay is in this story, which makes it worthy. Thank you, NetGalley for the review copy!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: This way an enjoyable, fast-paced, lighthearted story that was perfect for a quick read.

Things that I liked:
- The author showed both positive and negative side of the cosplay world
- The ending was unexpected and adorable

Things that I did not like:
- The challenges/struggles that the characters had were solved extremely fast. There was not enough build up to have me concerned that the struggles would not be overcome.
- The insta-love was a little to fast for my taste


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to receive a free copy in exchange for a honest review.

[Kenna Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Audrey and Kyle meet by chance at a con and find an attraction between themselves, but circumstances try to pull them apart. This is a sweet romance about two very likable but star-crossed lovers. I love the attention that went into the setting and creating believable and authentic characters.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Although I have never cosplayed, I have been to conventions with friends that have; both kinds, the ones doing it just to costume and the ones doing it to perform. The con settings were spot-on and the bonus of it being set in Texas was even more of an enticement. It brought back some fond memories.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Kyle and Audrey, who meet at a convention. Both are trying to keep their families happy whilst also having their own life.
Told from both their points of view, a fast paced read.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review

[Amanda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this. It's such a fun story about being yourself and embracing it. I really connected with Audrey and enjoy how she battles her anxiety as she dives into the world of cosplay. I liked the added layer of Kyle's relationship with his father. Audrey and Kyle really demonstrated the diving in head first, all encompassing, teenage romance.

The narration by Morgane Hadley. She was a pleasure to listen to and it was easy to distinguish the characters.