Breakup, Makeup by Stacey Anthony is a love letter to fandom, cosplay, and queerness.  It’s also an ode to the way we can use makeup to transform ourselves and that we’re beautiful just as our messy, true selves.

Eli (they/them) broke up with Zach and broke his heart on the eve of their big move to NYC.  They also broke their own heart.  So when they run into each other on the set up Makeup Wars, a cosplay makeup competition, things are tense between them.  Can there be room for a second chance or is there too much between them still?

I admit, I did find Zach’s willingness to forgive and forget a little too easy, but it’s a romance, and that’s what we’re here for.  In the end I just loved the ride.  I liked getting to know Zach better through the story and I SUPER appreciated the competitors working together and helping each other to be their best versions of themselves.  I love when we get to see that in reality style shows.  I hate when people are shitty to each other.

Pick this one up for second chances, awesome cosplay, personal growth, and if, like me, you’ve got massive nostalgia for conventions (shout out to Otakon 2008 folks!).