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whendotheykiss's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Did I inhale this book over two days? Yes. BUT, I wanted more romance! Loved the short chapters, and the writing had an easy flow.
This reminded me of a Mariana Zapata book (in a good way) where it's single POV from the FMC's part, and it's a slow, slow burn. René is tight-lipped and definitely shows his affection for Daniela through the things he does for her. While there are some romantic moments, this story mainly focuses on Daniela's grief over her dad who passed away six years ago. The feelings she's been running from come to the surface when she spends a month in Culebra working to document René's upcoming solo Reggaeton album. She's surrounded by places her dad talked about, and said they would visit together. In the moments where René actually opens up, we're told and not shown — I just wanted more conversations between them, and more moments where René was talking about himself (there are a few) instead of Daniela learning about his true character behind the 'El Rico' façade from his stylist, mom, people he collaborated with, and his producer.
I often see questions about 'do you think these characters would make it?' and for René and Daniela? I don't see it. Their foundation is so rocky, and while her character arc is strong, the writing around his is weak, and needed more development. I've seen people describe this as a 'rom-com' and while there are some funny moments, that doesn't meet my definition of the term.
Thank you to Forever for making this Read Now on NetGalley!
- slow burn
- single POV
- Puerto Rican MCs
- closed door
-WDTK? Ch. 38
This reminded me of a Mariana Zapata book (in a good way) where it's single POV from the FMC's part, and it's a slow, slow burn. René is tight-lipped and definitely shows his affection for Daniela through the things he does for her. While there are some romantic moments, this story mainly focuses on Daniela's grief over her dad who passed away six years ago. The feelings she's been running from come to the surface when she spends a month in Culebra working to document René's upcoming solo Reggaeton album. She's surrounded by places her dad talked about, and said they would visit together. In the moments where René actually opens up, we're told and not shown — I just wanted more conversations between them, and more moments where René was talking about himself (there are a few) instead of Daniela learning about his true character behind the 'El Rico' façade from his stylist, mom, people he collaborated with, and his producer.
I often see questions about 'do you think these characters would make it?' and for René and Daniela? I don't see it. Their foundation is so rocky, and while her character arc is strong, the writing around his is weak, and needed more development. I've seen people describe this as a 'rom-com' and while there are some funny moments, that doesn't meet my definition of the term.
Thank you to Forever for making this Read Now on NetGalley!
- slow burn
- single POV
- Puerto Rican MCs
- closed door
-WDTK? Ch. 38
audiobooksmostly's review
4.75
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Takes One to Know One by Lissette Decos.
Dani’s job at a record label is on the line. In hopes of keeping her job, she takes on a project for a genre of music that she doesn’t listen to - reggaeton. She travels to Puerto Rico to work with singer Rene ‘El Rico’ Rodriguez.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! Dani and Rene have such incredible chemistry. Things do not start off well between these two and the tension between them kept me so engaged. There are so many incredible moments between these two, from the beginning when they’re not on the same page and as their relationship develop. I loved the detail incorporated about Dani’s job. Dani’s a professional who knows what she’s doing and I enjoyed getting into her mind. And the ending was so lovely!
I highly recommend checking out this forced proximity, workplace romance!!
Dani’s job at a record label is on the line. In hopes of keeping her job, she takes on a project for a genre of music that she doesn’t listen to - reggaeton. She travels to Puerto Rico to work with singer Rene ‘El Rico’ Rodriguez.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! Dani and Rene have such incredible chemistry. Things do not start off well between these two and the tension between them kept me so engaged. There are so many incredible moments between these two, from the beginning when they’re not on the same page and as their relationship develop. I loved the detail incorporated about Dani’s job. Dani’s a professional who knows what she’s doing and I enjoyed getting into her mind. And the ending was so lovely!
I highly recommend checking out this forced proximity, workplace romance!!
kimberlyyyreads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Thank you Forever for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
This is a very loose review, and probably will be subject to change in the upcoming days/months.
I think the novel had strong potential, having a romance set up in the spanish music industry (Puerto Rico's industry specifically) piques your interest but was is executed well? Not really.
Rene and Dani lack immense chemistry, the romance was simply not there. You have them interact a bare couple of times and each time it feels forced. The marketing team fell short because "Enemies to Lovers" was not the vibe. It was just more one sided dislikeness.
to be honest...The reggaeton hate and "I don't dance" characteristics was not my cup of tea and that's okay. Dani grows to see reggaeton more than face value but it still wasn't enough to sway me.
As for the music artist component, For Rene "El Rico" is an alter persona that he wears. Personally, I'm not really a fan of this decision. It paints the MMC in a light that just makes you feel confused about who he really is as a person and artist. The book taking in PR and having the album be recorded in PR is supposed to bring out this authentic version of himself but it felt limited because we only see Dani's perspective. I would've loved to see this be further explored with a dual perspective for us to feel more connected with Rene but unfortunately that's not the case.
Dani is half Cuban & Half Puerto Rican. This is essential to the storyline because as she's in Puerto Rico, she's connecting to her dad's roots and is falling in love with the island. Seeing her explore her culture and also accepting the grief she's experiencing via her father is really heartwarming because of this, I think that the book fell into the wrong genre.
This book as a contemporary novel would've held better than within the romance genre because adding the romance didn't add anything.
In reading this book, you don't stick for the romance but rather the elements of self discovery and grief.
This is a very loose review, and probably will be subject to change in the upcoming days/months.
I think the novel had strong potential, having a romance set up in the spanish music industry (Puerto Rico's industry specifically) piques your interest but was is executed well? Not really.
Rene and Dani lack immense chemistry, the romance was simply not there. You have them interact a bare couple of times and each time it feels forced. The marketing team fell short because "Enemies to Lovers" was not the vibe. It was just more one sided dislikeness.
to be honest...The reggaeton hate and "I don't dance" characteristics was not my cup of tea and that's okay. Dani grows to see reggaeton more than face value but it still wasn't enough to sway me.
As for the music artist component, For Rene "El Rico" is an alter persona that he wears. Personally, I'm not really a fan of this decision. It paints the MMC in a light that just makes you feel confused about who he really is as a person and artist. The book taking in PR and having the album be recorded in PR is supposed to bring out this authentic version of himself but it felt limited because we only see Dani's perspective. I would've loved to see this be further explored with a dual perspective for us to feel more connected with Rene but unfortunately that's not the case.
Dani is half Cuban & Half Puerto Rican. This is essential to the storyline because as she's in Puerto Rico, she's connecting to her dad's roots and is falling in love with the island. Seeing her explore her culture and also accepting the grief she's experiencing via her father is really heartwarming because of this, I think that the book fell into the wrong genre.
This book as a contemporary novel would've held better than within the romance genre because adding the romance didn't add anything.
In reading this book, you don't stick for the romance but rather the elements of self discovery and grief.
sorina_boeriu's review
4.0
“Takes One to Know One” by Lissette Decos is a rom-com that partially takes place in Puerto Rico.
Thank you Forever for providing this ARC. Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Dani is a publisher for a record label and needs to work with the reggaeton singer “El Rico” while he records a new album. The issue is that she lied about liking reggaeton.
This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed the story. The fact that they go to Puerto Rico to record the album helps Dani connect with her father, even after he is gone. I liked her character development during the book.
The relationship with Rene is a slow burn as they cannot stand each other in the beginning. But after spending more time together they develop a friendship and in the end a relationship. We only have Dani’s POV, so I feel like Rene’s character was underdeveloped.
Even of the romance is not the main plot, there are some sweet moments and there is a happy ending.
Thank you Forever for providing this ARC. Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Dani is a publisher for a record label and needs to work with the reggaeton singer “El Rico” while he records a new album. The issue is that she lied about liking reggaeton.
This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed the story. The fact that they go to Puerto Rico to record the album helps Dani connect with her father, even after he is gone. I liked her character development during the book.
The relationship with Rene is a slow burn as they cannot stand each other in the beginning. But after spending more time together they develop a friendship and in the end a relationship. We only have Dani’s POV, so I feel like Rene’s character was underdeveloped.
Even of the romance is not the main plot, there are some sweet moments and there is a happy ending.
kerosenelit's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute! Set partially in Puerto Rico, it follows Daniela, a marketing coordinator for a record label who gets paired with René, a reggaeton artist working on his next album. Daniela is desperate to prove herself, but the two immediately clash when René quickly realizes she knows nothing about him or his music.
René was so effortlessly suave and confident, yet beneath that was a deeply passionate guy simply wanting to create something authentic rather than just a marketable persona. And I really felt for Daniela, too. Since her father’s passing, she's been under immense pressure to maintain their family home while also being a good role model for her sister. With so many responsibilities, she’s had very little room to take risks of her own.
The setting was absolutely beautiful, and I loved how it, along with the incorporation of music, tied into Daniela’s grief. René’s final collaboration really hit me in the feels, and I loved how he inspired Daniela to want something for herself. But I don’t know… for a slow-burn romance, I just didn’t feel their chemistry. It lacked that palpable tension, buildup, and excitement for me. It’s a minor complaint, but an important one when it comes to my overall enjoyment of romance.
(heat level: closed door)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
brin3543's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
This sizzling rom com is perfect for the readers who enjoy:
🎤 Enemies to lovers
💃 Forced proximity
🏝️ Island destination
✨ Rockstar romance
Daniela has just landed her dream job as a publisher at a record label and her first assignment is to help improve the image of playboy / bad boy international reggaeton star Rene "El Rico" Rodriguez. Immediately the pair butt heads and I felt Lissette Decos did an incredible job building the tension between the two main characters. The dialogue was witty, the barbs were sharp and the pair could not have been more different.
However as the pair travels to Puerto Rico to allow Rene to complete the work on his next album, the pair are forced to spend extended time together and their walls begin to come down. Set on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, I felt Lissette transported the reader to the island especially as the pair visited Rene's childhood town and attending a large music festival.
The chemistry was moderate and I would classify this as a slow burn as the pair moved from enemies to lovers, but the wait was worth it 😉 There was an even balance between plot + spice, which I appreciated (🔥🔥🔥/5)
This is definitely a novel to add to your TBR list to read this Summer! Thank you Forever for the ARC!
🎤 Enemies to lovers
💃 Forced proximity
🏝️ Island destination
✨ Rockstar romance
Daniela has just landed her dream job as a publisher at a record label and her first assignment is to help improve the image of playboy / bad boy international reggaeton star Rene "El Rico" Rodriguez. Immediately the pair butt heads and I felt Lissette Decos did an incredible job building the tension between the two main characters. The dialogue was witty, the barbs were sharp and the pair could not have been more different.
However as the pair travels to Puerto Rico to allow Rene to complete the work on his next album, the pair are forced to spend extended time together and their walls begin to come down. Set on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, I felt Lissette transported the reader to the island especially as the pair visited Rene's childhood town and attending a large music festival.
The chemistry was moderate and I would classify this as a slow burn as the pair moved from enemies to lovers, but the wait was worth it 😉 There was an even balance between plot + spice, which I appreciated (🔥🔥🔥/5)
This is definitely a novel to add to your TBR list to read this Summer! Thank you Forever for the ARC!
readwithkait's review against another edition
4.5
I loved this book! Before I even had finished I texted several friends to tell them to pick this up.
From the very beginning, I was immediately pulled into the story, and I had a hard time putting this book down. The setting (Culebra in Puerto Rico) is so well described, I felt like I could picture everywhere they’re going. The author took the same care into the food - I had to google a few items, and immediately try to find a restaurant near me where I could try them.
There’s some Spanish in this book, but the author did a great job of weaving it into the story - despite not speaking Spanish, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything - it only added to the culture.
The side characters are all well flushed out, and felt really real as well. I was rooting for every single person in this story.
I do think for being billed a romance, there’s not actually a lot of romance in this story, but I loved it anyways.
I was provided a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
stylesplenty's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
My arc had 327 pages.
Dani is a Miami marketing coordinator with a well-known record label. She listens to just about any genre of music--except reggaeton.
I really enjoyed this one from start to finish, a one day read and a good representation of enemies to lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)-Forever for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. Releasing on April 1, 2025
Dani is a Miami marketing coordinator with a well-known record label. She listens to just about any genre of music--except reggaeton.
I really enjoyed this one from start to finish, a one day read and a good representation of enemies to lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)-Forever for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. Releasing on April 1, 2025