The Dangerous Art of Blending In 
Author: Angelo Surmelis
Publisher: Penguin Teen Australia
Release date: 12th February 2018
Pages: 315 pages
R.R.P: $19.99
Seventeen-year-old Evan doesn't know where he fits in. He loves his family, but is terrorised by his abusive mother and confused by his father's silence. He has friends, b one of them- Henry- has become distracting lay attractive, and seems interested in being more than just a friend.
Oh, and yes, Evan kissed a boy this summer.
As things with Henry heat up and the violence escalates, Evan has to decide how to find his voice in a world where is has always survived by being silent.
My Review
Thoughts on the book: May Contain Spoilers
The Dangerous Art of Blending In is the heartbreakingly beautiful debut novel by Angelo Surmelis which deals with hard hitting topics such as family abuse, sexuality and suicidal feelings. Even since he can remember Evan has been scared of his mum. She abuses him for being different, for not being the son that she deserves and for not appreciating everything she and his dad do for him. The abuse isn't normally easy to spot either, as its been going on for so long his mother has learnt to do it where it is hidden away from the naked eye or if someone notices Evan just claims that he is clumsy. As for why Evan's dad doesn't step in he tries but he almost turns a blind eye to it all. If this wasn't the worst thing to happen, Evan has recently come to the realisation that he is gay and coming from a very religious Greek family this is not something that is encouraged. Evan wants to hide this fact as much as he can from his mother especially because he can imagine what would happen if she found out. But it doesn't help that he seems to be falling for his best friend Henry and that is seems like might reciprocate these feelings. But how do you let someone in when your trying so hard to just stay alive?
Massive thank you to Tina from Penguin Teen Australia for sending me a copy of The Dangerous Art of Blending In for review I really enjoyed it. The Dangerous Art of Blending In is perfect for fans of Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda. Evan is, like I would imagine, most boys who are exploring their sexuality and deciding if they are or aren't gay and the impact that this would have on everyone around them. He is such a strong character and goes through a mountain size load of drama that no person should have to go through but deals with it relatively in his stride. I loved that he loved to draw and wish that the author had included some of these pictures in the book as they sounded amazing and would have certainly lifted the book to new extremes.
I was frustrated with Evan's dad throughout the book and couldn't understand why he would let his wife do these things to his son. He clearly knew the depth of the abuse but chose to turn a blind eye or downplay it and I think he really did believe that his wife would basically grown bored and stop doing it. And did anyone else get the vibe that maybe his dad was a bit of a flirt and was having a thing with the waitress from the donut shop or was that just me reading too much into it? Another character I didn't really like and I felt was just way too pushy was Gaige. Yes they had a brief little summer kiss at bible camp but when he comes back into Evan's life he is all in his face always wanting to know what's going on and wanting to talk. It seems that the relationship meant more to him than but when EvAn rejects him he just said that he wanted to muck around and have a quick hook up.
Then of course there is Henry, the gorgeous hot friend that he has secretly had a crush on but now seems to reciprocate those feelings. I adored Henry and how loving and caring he was, well in the end he was after his little slip up with a girl to as he said make sure he was fully gay. He is so loving and caring towards Evan and tries to help him in any capacity with what's going on with his family. It would be extremely hard for him knowing that his own family is so accepting of his coming out and Evan's is not only supportive of him but his own mother is abusing him. I know I don't know that I would have coped as well as Henry is with it all.
The Dangerous Art of Blending In is a really amazing novel that will have you wiping away the tears one second before busting into laughter the next. I think it's a must read for everyone.
Rating: 4/5
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