His Perfect Partner is a sweetheart of a tale with a twist of salsa to flavor it up. Tomas and Yaz are temptation at it's best. Oliveras has written an alluring romace that brings readers into the dance. Heart's are broken, hope is lost, but it's the healing power of love that casts a spell on readers and tangoed it's way into my heart.

His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras is the author's debut romance and the first story in her sweet romance series Matched to Perfection, about a group of Latina sisters who find love in unexpected places.

Yazmine Fernandez is a dance teacher at a local center, but used to live in New York and spent time on Broadway. She's back home in Chicago with her sisters because her father is dying of cancer. She believes that she should be pursuing a dance career because it's what everyone expects but truth be told, the idea of returning to New York doesn't make her happy.

When she meets Tomas Garcia, the divorced father of Maria, one of her young dance students, she finds yet another reason to deter her from wanting to return to NY. They strike up an honest friendship, one where there are up front with each other that Tomas isn't looking for a new wife (though his family thinks he should) and Yaz has every intention of leaving in a few months. But when they start having other feelings for each other, will they own up to them in time?

This is a really lovely, sweet (kisses only) romance. It's also quite the tearjerker, as the subplot of Yaz's father dying of cancer (there is no miracle cure here, just the honest and difficult adjustment to reality) takes place through the course of the story. It draws the three sisters together, and also is a means to help integrate Tomas into the family as he becomes someone Yaz can rely on, both for his listening ear and a comforting shoulder.

Tomas is understandably gun-shy when it comes to another relationship, after being abandoned by his partner with their baby when she announced she wasn't interested in being a mother and took off. He's raised Maria by himself and this has required a lot of sacrifice on his part, working long hours to make sure they have a comfortable life. It's easy to see why Maria would be drawn to a mother-figure like Yaz. Though they are only teacher and student, they share a strong bond already that would be easy to expand into a mother-daughter one.

The Latinex cultural heritage is an integral part of the story on both sides and adds an authenticity to the characters and their daily lives. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read (be prepared for tears) as Tomas and Yaz find in each other a supportive partner, a friend, and a love destined to last. I look forward to reading more from this author!

This review has been posted at Harlequin Junkie and feedback updated with the link. It's been posted at Goodreads.

I was a little worried about reading two dance related books so close together, and although they share several common things like Latinx author, Latinx characters, and dancing, they are very different.

Yazmine, our heroine, has been a dancer since she was a young girl. She went to New York after high school and was working in the industry but left New York when her dad got cancer. Right before her dad fell ill, she was struggling in New York because of a bad relationship and was doubting if it was really for her. Yaz has been back home for almost two years caring for her father and teaching at the local dance school. One of her students is little Maria, who has a dad that doesn’t show up when he is supposed to and Yaz is mad at him for it, even though she doesn’t know it.

Tomas is a single father. He doesn’t intend to be absent in Maria’s life and really desires to make a good life for Maria so that means he works too much. Maria’s mom left shortly after her birth and because of that, Tomas is not interested in getting involved in a short term relationship, he wants to make sure Maria has stability and consistency in her life. Yaz deems him in need of her “Perfect Partner” and they both believe that Yaz is not a perfect partner.

Yazmine and Tomas meet when Tomas is participating in a father-daughter dance routine in the recital. Yazmine is instantly drawn to Tomas. He’s handsome and she quickly realizes that he is a really good father. There are several instances where they end up spending time together- lunch with Maria, dinner with Yaz’s dad and Maria. And then Tomas’s nanny gets called away on an emergency so naturally Yaz offers to fill in. I LOVE a good single parent/nanny trope. I think because it usually forces the couple to spend time together and is slightly forbidden. Needless to say, this setup worked for me.

I thought the writing and descriptions in this book were top notch. It is told in dual POV so we get insight from both MCs and see their thought process as they fall for each other. I loved every moment of it. Tomas really becomes a rock in Yaz’s life. She’s been a caretaker for two years, but doesn’t have anyone to lean on. Tomas was everything I like in hero, supportive and loving and take charge when needed.

“You’re an incredible woman, Yazmine Fernandez. I’ve seen you in action— with your family, your students, pushy parents, on stage tonight. More importantly, with Maria. You amaze the audience, and you light up a room. You make people feel good about themselves. Like you said to Rosa, don’t short-change yourself.”

There was a lot to like in this book. Good chemistry, strong family bonds, hero and heroine that were loving and kind, a child that was not just a plot moppet, but there are two big things that some readers may not enjoy. Yaz’s father is incredibly ill. And it is sad, heartbreakingly sad.
The second thing is that this is a chaste book. I finished the book feeling a little cheated out of being able to see the characters connect on a physical level. There are some pretty good scenes where they display their chemistry and build up of sexual tension and to not see it pay off is a downer. Around the 60% mark I was thinking it was going to be a really great slow build, but it just kept building with no pay off. If there has been sex on the page, I could give this book an A-.

I liked so much about this book. Yaz and Tomas were a perfectly matched couple. I was really invested in them. The author also did a great job and piquing my interest in Yaz’s younger sisters and their stories. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great love story but knows going in there will be an emotional heaviness and no sex. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author and will have appropriate expectations in regards to the sexy times, or lack there of.

Grade: B+

Tomas Garcia is a man doing his best to balance his professional and personal lives. However, being so laser-focused on his career, it seems he's missing more and more time with his daughter. Yet, he's determined to do better starting with learning the moves Yazmine Fernandez is teaching in her class for the Christmas father/daughter routine. But the more time Tomas spends with Yazmine, the more he wants her in his life. Will he be able to convince her to take a chance on him or will her desire to get back to Broadway tear them apart?

What a beautifully-crafted, emotionally-intense read Ms. Oliveras has penned in this story that was incredible due to the main characters back stories, their growing relationship and the enchanting dialogue between them that had me totally focused on my kindle and nothing else. Certainly, I love a book that immediately pulls me in, especially when a hero is a single dad doing his best to balance his work and personal lives as Tomas does throughout, even though he's doing everything he can to close the deal of a lifetime for his career. Will he be able to give his daughter the attention she deserves while being able to close the deal he's looking to secure? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that I loved, as Yazmine isn't afraid to give Tomas a piece of her mind when it comes to his daughter and the fact that he needs to be there more for her. Will Tomas accept the heroine's advice?

The dialogue was compelling and had me absolutely hooked by the main characters back stories and everything that's happening in their lives on their journey to happy ever after. Moreover, the dialogue was also intense too due to what's happening with one of the secondary characters that has the heroine worried. Will the heroine be able to talk some sense into this secondary character or will she have to accept the inevitable? Yet, what I liked most of all about the dialogue is the interactions between the hero and heroine as well as between the main characters and the hero's daughter; an adorable little girl that loves spending time with the secondary characters in Yazmine's family.

As for the main characters, both are totally enthralling, as neither have had much success with love. The mother of Tomas's adorable little girl abandoned them and it's not easy for the hero to put his trust in any woman, which is why he's so focused on his career and his daughter's happiness. Will the heroine win Tomas over and prove not all women are like his ex? Then there's what the heroine's ex did to her that has her wary of giving another man a chance. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous, sassy and I liked how driven she was when it came to her dancing career. I also liked her loyalty to her family and that she would do anything for sisters and her father, which is proven by making sure she gets her career back on track in order to make her father's dream for her come true.

While the hero, he's hard-working, a great dad, and I liked how determined he was to balance his work and personal lives, even though he's doing everything he can to win an account that will be worth all the extra hours he's put towards it. I also liked how the hero put his trust in the heroine when it came to his daughter and how he gave the heroine a chance, even knowing that she was set to get back to her life. Yet, what I liked most about the hero was his determination to make sure his daughter knew how special and loved she was through his actions, no matter how much work keeps him busy.

Overall, Ms. Oliveras has penned a captivating and wonderful read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was heady and convincing; and the ending had me charmed by this couple's happy ever after, because of the decision Yazmine makes that gives her the chance to be with Tomas. Also, I loved their conversation towards the end as Yazmine really is the perfect partner for the hero. I would recommend His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras, if you enjoy the mysterious strangers trope; a story containing a workaholic hero and a heroine that isn't afraid to tell it like it is; or if you are a fan of authors Alexis Daria, Mia Sosa, Laura Florand and Michelle Major.

Review: HIS PERFECT PARTNER (Matched to Perfection) by Priscilla Oliveras http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9Zj
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 3.5 Stars

This was a lovely debut novel with a Latin flair. Yaz and Tomás’s romance was a sweet and endearing slice of life, where each of them grappled with real issues and desires that we can all relate to. Tomás’s little girl added a fun tenderness to the story, as did Yazmine’s family. A nice quick read with a hint of more to come.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh i liked this one. enjoyed the slowly budding romance between Yaz and Tomas. There was some yummy tension throughout, and some heated kisses. No sex in this one which was just fine by me. I read books with and without sex, their tension was enough for me :)

I love how Yaz's Puerto Rican heritage is superseded throughout. All the food descriptions made me hungry! And the coquito drink sounds a lot like the ponche de creme we have here around Christmas time.

Now while the push and pull of Yaz & Tomas' relationship was happening we have an ailing parent. Yaz's father. that tugged at me and i'll admit i cried. Like, legit tears because I've been there. Losing a parent isn't easy. And her father's passing is all wrapped up in Yaz's coming to terms with what she wants career wise. i wouldnt want anyone to get blindsided by that. I wasn't prepared for those emotions to rear up in me but they did.

Oh I adored Tomas' daughter. Maria is the cutest fictional kid i must say. Every scene with her had me grinning and Yaz didnt stand a chance with falling for her like she did her dad. Their bond was so cute!

The author set up the next couple in this series perfectly! It'll be one of Yaz's sisters Rosa and (insert name here lol) and I'm looking forward to it. Loved seeing the three sister's relationships. they're so different, and butt heads as siblings tend to do sometimes. So intrigued to see the other sisters as the main characters in the upcoming books :)

Will definitely be reading more from this author.

his perfect partner was the perfect book for me right now in this moment in time, in history. as a puerto rican watching the devastation wreaked by hurricane maria, there was something to be said for spending time with yazmine fernández and her puerto rican family. romance authors have been making an effort to diversify their characters for years, but so often the authors don't have a hispanic background so i am always catching small things like bad spanish or inaccurate cultural references.

but priscilla oliveras is mexican-puerto rican, and clearly grew up in a bilingual household. the only thing that was inconsistent were the accents, but hey, i am all over the place with them too when i write in spanish, so that's a stone i can't cast. this book was rich with puerto rican culture and i loved it for that. the sense of family also really strong as there is a very big subplot involving yaz's father and her sisters, and this is one series that i think will really do a wonderful job of showing what it means to be una familia. but mainly his perfect partner also tell the story of this really sweet romance between yazmine and tomás.

they meet at his daughter's dance class, yazmine is the teacher and there is an instant spark. but tomás has just moved to the suburbs to give his daughter a better life and yaz is destined for the big city lights, she's been dreaming of broadway since she was young. but even though they know that their paths are pulling them in different directions, they find their lives more and more intertwined. and what makes this romance so beautifully done is the sense of friendship and kinship that transcends the love story.

The author of this book stated in the beginning that this is her first book. I must say she did a wonderful job. A story full of joy, sadness, the yearning for love, and for me the love of a father for his daughter or daughters. Yaz, or Yazmine Fernandez is the oldest of three daughters. She has been home teaching dance in the same studio that she grew up dancing now for two years. Two years ago her father was diagnosed with cancer and it coincided with her plight in New York and she came home. Her other two sisters were able to stay in school and one thing of the story is family first. You met Tomas entering her dance studio and she believes that he is lost. She is with a group that is doing a father, daughter dance for the Christmas show for the studio. Once he enters you are immediately drawn to their attraction, but also by the change of a little girl sitting in the corner Maria. You now has shown more life than Yaz has ever seen running and jumping for her papi. That heat between the two main characters stay with them throughout the book and you are given glimpse into each ones defenses that they have created for themselves to protect them, but are they really. Tomas believes she is wanting and will leave to go back to New York to dance and does not want to give into his feelings and impose an ultimatum. The language, and the culture that are Puerto Rican, reminds me of the times when I first married into my wife’s Hispanic family over 37 years ago and her Nani’s and Tata’s house on Christmas morning or any day of celebration. The music, food, people, laughter, the author captured for me that feeling. The way she treats Rey and his illness and everything associated with that was does with respect and class. Having spent time with family members my wife and I going through the same. The author does everything the Latin way, and yet Tomas is with every step of the way. A very powerful story that I must say caught me off guard, but I am so very glad that I read this wonderful book. All of the characters even when you start to get to the end and you are introduced to Mr. Linton who “might look like Elmer Fudd, with his short, portly body and balding head.” Growing up on Saturday morning cartoons I knew exactly her description. This is just one of many throughout the entire book. A wonderful first book, a wonderful story. I thank the author for this beautiful story.

What you get here, my fellow romance book loving friends, is clearly spelled out in the synopsis. You definitely feel the magnetic pull between Yazmine and Tomas, the main couple, as they get to know each other and dance around their attraction. However, instead of focusing on the beautiful music they could make together as a couple, they listen to the non-stop, negative inner voices in their heads convincing them it would never work between them.

If you prefer a romantic read where the language of love is spoken using just passionate kisses, this book may indeed be a perfect match for you. If you don’t like the idea of a heroine setting the hero up on blind dates, well, you will likely take exception to that part. Along with Tomas constantly telling himself he needs to find someone other than Yaz to fill the void in his life and be a mother to his five year old daughter. At first, his wife motivations seemed rather disingenuous to me. It was all about just picking anyone who fit a generic mold. Knowing Yaz would eventually leave town to once again pursue her Broadway career, he was afraid to put his heart out there to be stomped on once again. Yaz was very conflicted, as well.

The writing did flow, their chemistry felt genuine, the sub-characters were great, and I did enjoy the premise of the book, except for Tomas taking OW on dates. Though the reason Yaz set them up was sacrificially well intended, and it is implied nothing came of them, that element just does not set well with my avid romantic heart.

There were heated glances but mostly stubborn denial, which lead to tons of relationship angst. Yaz’s younger, high spirited sisters, dying but doting padre, and Tomas’s young daughter, Maria, added a family aspect that seemed to bind them even closer together. The good news is when the final curtain falls they do eventually get their HEA.

Book 2, Her Perfect Affair, will feature Rosa, one of Yaz’s siblings. There is a teaser chapter at the very end to give you a taste of that storyline.

Title: His Perfect Partner, Series: Matched to Perfection (Book 1), Author: Priscilla Oliveras, Pages: 336, a couple passionate kisses, afraid of getting hurt divorced, workaholic hero, both have been celibate for awhile, dates OW, Broadway dancer heroine.

Book 1 - His Perfect Partner (Yazmine & Tomas)
Book 2 - Her Perfect Affair (Rosa’s story)

(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I'm still trying to figure out my thoughts on this one. I liked the writing. I liked the general story. Yet I was also more than a bit, well, bored by it. Something was missing, something that kept me from being fully engaged with the story.


Will I read the next in the series? Sure. I'm not writing Oliveras off yet, not by a long shot! :)


Trigger warning: Cancer/loss of a parent.



~ * ~ * ~ * ~


I will be talking about the book on my next Whatcha Reading? podcast which is now up on TBQ's Book Palace.

3.75 stars

For a debut novel, this is pretty much A+. I love Yazmine and her family; I love her relationship with her father and two sisters, I love how tight they are with each other. It took a while for me to warm up to Tomas, but his kid Maria is so adorable I want to adopt her.

The pacing of the novel is slow but I didn't mind it much because we get to see more buildup in the relationships between Tomas and Yazmine's family, and Yazmine and Maria, and Tomas and Yazmine themselves. I love that the story is rich in culture; I 89% understood the Spanish in the dialogues without having to look them up, which I'm very proud of myself.

The romance? SLOW BURN. I love seeing Tomas and Yazmine's relationship progressed from professional (Yaz is Maria's dance teacher) to friends to <i>hey, I think I might love you</i>. The only complaint from me about the romance is there is no sex???? I've been expecting it because their kisses are hot??? WHY DID YOU DEPRIVE ME OF THE SEX, MS. OLIVERAS???

Overall, it's a great read. I couldn't put it down! Super excited for Rosa and Jeremy's book next!

This was a totally satisfying contemporary romance. Perfectly paced, hit every beat exactly right. It was a joy to read, start to finish. The main characters have wonderful chemistry, and the conflict was very well drawn and had my holding my breath at certain points. This is one of the best romances I've read in 2017, and its going on my list of comfort rereads.

His Perfect Partner has a couple tropes that I adore, and it hit the core notes of them. I love watching characters fall for single parents, get wrapped up in both child and parent, and fall in love with them as a family. This was completely satisfying on that front: sentimental, swoony, with an adorable child I fell for too. It also hits the mark for a holiday romance, and I loved that about it. So much of the story holds that kind of sweetness and celebration, that centering of family and care. The MCs start off as antagonists, and I really appreciated the way their relationship developed. It was very satisfying to watch them go from being angry and glaring to caring about each other.

It is not as much of a classic dance romance as I anticipated it would be; we spend more time with Yaz as a dance teacher than as a dancer, but I didn't find myself disappointed there. I really liked the dance teacher aspect a lot. And it definitely made sense given the direction of the story, and the struggle Yaz was grappling with in her own arc. I really liked her arc, thought it was well drawn and compelling, and the pacing of the culmination of it felt exactly right and had me holding my breath. His arc was also satisfying, and really worked for me. This is one of those romances where you want to shake both the MCs and demand they wake up and see whats in front of them; I enjoy those a lot.

One of the central aspects of this story was a parent who is ill, and the way that ripples through a family, and impacts all of them. I was so invested in them as a family by the middle of the book, cared about all three sisters and the father so much, that this arc was intense for me as a reader. As it should be. I really appreciated that this was part of the story, and the care with which this portrayed. It made for an emotional, cathartic read, one that really made room for that emotion and felt like it held it.

All of the central characters in this story are Latinx (the heroine and her family are Puerto Rican and the hero and his family are Mexican American), and I really appreciated how deeply culturally specific so many aspects of the story were, and how much the romance was partly about shared values like familia primero. The interweaving of Spanish and English is part of how the story is told, in both the MC's internal thoughts and in how characters communicate with each other. I really appreciated that aspect of the storytelling. I had no trouble following with my rusty Spanish from a few years study in high school many years ago. There are enough context cues for these moments that I think it would likely be easy to follow for non-Spanish speakers. The Spanish is italicized, which I know is a bit of a contraversial choice, so I wanted to note that.

This is one of those romances that does not include sex. There are a few heated kisses. That aspect of the story felt like it fit quite well with the arc of the romance, and worked for me.

Overall, I loved this romance, and highly recommend it. It is truly an impressively crafted and deeply satisfying debut, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series and get to spend more time with this family that has my heart.

Trigger warnings: Parent ill with cancer (lymphoma). Decision to stop cancer treatment. Death of parent. Parental illness and death drives a good portion of the plot.