age 16+ Courageous love story told by teen suffering abuse. Parents need to know that The Dangerous Art of Blending In, by Angelo Surmelis, is a powerful, heartbreaking, coming-of-age novel based on the author's own abusive childhood. Be prepared: This is a tough read, but a worthy one. Although the message is ultimately uplifting, there are heartbreaking scenes of physical and mental abuse, as well as graphic scenes of bullying and homophobia.