This year has been marked by the sheer amount of Romance novels I’ve read. In no other year have I read as much as I have this time around. I have a very complicated relationship with the genre, as I always come in with low expectations, not because I don’t respect the Romance genre. To the contrary, I think in Romance is where most progress in terms of representation and subversion of tropes can be seen, especially among marginalized writers. I come in low because sometimes… there’s a lot of work to be done… Which is why when I enter a Romance book with high expectations I have to look at myself and say “Congratulations, you played yourself.”

Their Perfect Melody by Priscilla Oliveras is by no means perfect. One might argue that, of course, no person and, therefore, relationship is perfect. From the description alone, I thought the pairing could be good: two Latinx people, both of Puerto Rican descent, in Chicago with their own emotional baggage figuring out how to work through that together by showing how passionate they are in what they do.

Lilí Fernandez is a Victim’s Advocate, working with battered women to help them cope and get better. She meets Diego Reyes when she responds to one of her clients’ call for help after their partner threatened her and turned violent. Reyes, a police officer, has also answered the victim’s emergency call and is standing guard outside, obstructing the way and not letting Lilí do her job to protect her client.

After she’s allowed inside, she proceeds to do her job, though Reyes keeps antagonizing her inside and, again, obstructing her process by contradicting her and defying her decisions. Lilí wants her client to press charges against the abuser, but we know that the victim must be the one to bring it up and come to terms with it. Yet Reyes gets angry and confrontational when Melba (the victim) hesitates to do so, which is the opposite of what Lilí needed. The antagonizing particularly annoyed me, seeing as it’s played as a cute thing. I’d be furious, especially when we see from his perspective that he riles her up on purpose.

The story continues with Lilí deciding to let her stay at her own apartment until Melba decides to go to a women’s shelter. Reyes is beside himself for some reason, which we later find out why, but it made me wonder if he took it personal any time a woman, who isn’t conventionally attractive like Lilí or connected to him in some way, who’s been assaulted and decided not to report it to the police. He proceeds to “investigate,” in the name of law and order, where Lilí lives by following her car after she leaves the crime scene, even though she explicitly asks him not to. Eventually, he goes to her apartment building (without her knowledge) to canvas and notify the head of security to help find the abuser. He saw it as a part of his job; I saw it as an invasion of privacy, but Lilí doesn’t seem to mind for some reason.

There’s a theme throughout the whole book about the lines the characters are willing to cross, be they personal or professional. Lilí will cross her own professional boundaries to keep her clients safe, while Diego will cross his own to keep his sister and Lilí safe. It’s implied that he looks out for the kids in the neighborhood, but there’s not much evidence of it except when he’s at the community youth center. Lilí will cross her personal boundaries after knowing how the system fails victims of assault and previously having a bad relationship with a cop; Diego will actually do some emotional labor for change (?).

The book says that Lilí went into Women and Gender Studies in college after helping a younger student go through the reporting of a date rape, which ended up in nothing as most of these cases usually do. After that, she decides to become a Victim’s advocate, helping them get better and being a positive but realistic person. As someone who graduated with a Women and Gender Studies degree from a school in the Midwest, this was especially comforting to see, seeing as it's something a lot of my classmates also do. And yet, Lilí’ll do and say things that are incongruous with many of the things we’re taught in a basic Women and Gender Studies class. For example, at the beginning of the book, after Lilí’s first brush with Diego, she’s thinking about maybe having a different meet-cute: “It made her wonder what it would have been like had they run into each other at a club or bar out with friends. To have those intense brown eyes focused on her in a totally different way. The male-female kind of way (bolded for emphasis).” I re-read this line plenty of times, at first confused and then insulted. It’s an incredibly hetero- and cisnormative way to view passion and even how some people experience sexual tension/attraction.

If that’s not enough, Diego’s constant insistence that he’s a “nice guy” grated me; no “nice guy” needs reiterating the fact. This especially when he’s repeatedly undermining Lilí and her job. Sure, he sometimes admits fault. But Lilí, who finds fault in him and knows Diego doesn’t take her career seriously and that he doesn't ever take the time to actually listen to victims, won’t look him in the eye and never calls him out. And she doesn't point out his chosen profession and say the obvious: domestic violence is more prevalent in police officers’ families than in non-police officer families. Lilí, who knows firsthand about the failings, oppression and ignorance of certain institutions, who’s probably seen her fair share of domestic violence survivors at the clinic, ignores these facts. How many of Diego’s coworkers have probably been abusive toward their families? Does he know and keep quiet, therefore maintaining a culture of abuse within the police? What about racial profiling done by the police? Police brutality? Where does Diego stand on the issues that affect the community he so loves? How many victims have been to Lilí's workplace that Diego probably knows?

I know that Diego has his issues with his family and his sister. But throughout most of the book he lets Lilí do most of the emotional labor, and when the climax of the story (or "The Big Misunderstanding") happens, Diego bails. Lilí tells him exactly why she did what she did, and he still makes it about himself. He isolates himself and doesn't contact Lilí. It takes him two weeks, a grand romantic gesture, and a private conversation where he grovels a little bit, to apologize. (And not for everything.)

I know this review looks like I didn’t like the story, which isn’t the truth. I thoroughly enjoyed Lilí and the heavier topics the book tackles, such as trauma, what family means in different contexts, as well as assault and its repercussions. I liked the fact that there wasn’t a declaration of love, seeing as they’d met about a month (?) before the book's conclusion. However, I don’t think the two characters need to have a happy ever after together. At least, not in the “let’s get married and have kids” way. I think they can grow together, have sex together, learn from each other. I don’t think Diego deserves to have Lilí doing so much emotional labor for him. He needs to take a look at his life and realize all that he needs to do to get better. In the end he does seem like he wants to start mending those things, which I appreciate.

To conclude, the book isn’t perfect, and the relationship between Lilí and Diego isn’t perfect except in their own eyes, but it’s still an enjoyable story that hits a lot of topics ignored in the Romance genre. I hope to read more from the author, as I believe she’s a great writer in terms of the technical aspects and in developing her characters. Oliveras captures Latinx family dynamics in the most heartfelt and loving way that could only be possible if written by a Latinx author. It’s in the crowded scenes, such as the baseball game and the family dinner, where Oliveras finds her strength as an author when she makes a big cast melt into the background so that the two characters always gravitate toward each other; which is why the story still resonated with me. It’s when the scenes are loudest that the more moving, quiet moments happen. And that’s what still makes this story a good one in my books.

Trigger warnings for novel: domestic violence (secondary character experiences it and describes it), physical assault (described by victim and then experienced by MC), abuse, sexual assault of secondary character (actual act isn’t described or seen), date rape of secondary character (mentioned), reporting of sexual assault of secondary character (perpetrator isn’t apprehended), drug use (specifically crack cocaine; mentioned and seen, usage of it isn’t described), drug rehab, stalker behavior, homo- and transphobia (wording), misogynistic slurs used by man during an assault, emotional trauma, PTSD (MC experiences signs of it after assault, showing mostly anxiety), mention of death of loved ones (one of the MCs has lost their parents, the other lost their mother), parental negligence (father of one of the MC’s is an absent parent).

An eARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from said copy and may be changed in the final print. Thank you!

"Their Perfect Melody" by Priscilla Oliveras
I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary family love and real life struggles story.
I chuckled and I shed a few tears while in the company of Lili and Diego.. and my memories of this story still have me smiling. I was one of the lucky ones who received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley. This is one of those stories that you just have to read another chapter before you can put the book down... and then maybe just a little bit more than that!

This was very good reading. It had romance, drug addiction, cops and their struggles with family, and hope. I loved that Lili worked with struggling women who needed help to be safe. Diego was a cop whose sister was one of those women. But as men often do, he wanted to be in control all the time. The story moved along well and I enjoyed all the characters. I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review

What's better than a Latin romance? Their Perfect Melody. The chemistry between the characters are undeniable and the storyline is top notch. TPM tells the story about how family always comes first and most importantly, love. I couldn't put this book down.

I'm sorry that I didn't realize how large a part the domestic violence aspect of the plot would be. I find it triggering and will not be able to continue reading the book. I think this should have been made clearer in the blurb.

I loved this book! After spending time with the other two Fernandez sisters, it was a pleasure to be back in the fold with the youngest! I find such comfort in Priscilla Oliveras' books! They are like coming home and spending time with some of my favorite people!

Another fantastic story, wonderful characters and of course, the happily ever after I adore!

Their Perfect Melody was just the perfect way to end this sweet trilogy. I've had a lot of luck with these books and with Priscilla Oliveras' writing and I can't wait to see what else she writes in the future. I just know I'll be first in line to grab whatever she publishes.

In Their Perfect Melody, we get Lili's story, who happens to be the youngest Fernandes sister. I loved the glimpses that we saw of Lili in the previous book, so I was happy to see her shine. As with her sisters, she was a strong independent young woman with a heart of gold. She had devoted much of her career to helping women in need. Lili was brave and kind, and just the perfect heroine for this book. When her latest case brings her in the face of danger, she meets Diego, a police officer. Diego was a protective hero who was dealing with his own issues with his sister. Besides being a cop, he was passionate about music and was a talented guitar player. When they first meet, they butt heads, but over the course of the book, they develop a companionship that developed into more.

Their romance was really sweet. I especially loved how they bonded over their shared love of music and their passion for doing community work for those in need. Their relationship was incredibly satisfying to a romance lover like me. Once again, family was a huge part of the book. Both Diego and Lili were close to their families and how both their families placed such important roles in their lives. It was great to see the previous couples as well as their bonds with the characters.

I can't recommend the Matched to Perfection series enough. They have a lot of great things going on for them, and this last book was just delightful!

Diego Reyes is a Chicago cop whose sister has made a lot of bad choices. Lili Fernandez is a counselor for women in bad situations. They are both from the Puerto Rican community so have many things in common but still have difficulty connecting. Diego wants to protect and "help" his sister and Lili, but sometimes comes on a little strong. Ms. Oliveras has a way of describing a situation or a place that paints a very clear picture of what is happening. You can practically smell the wonderful Latin foods and see the rundown but proud neighborhoods and people.

This book contains explicit descriptions of domestic violence, and there are references to it in this review.

When I put out a call on my Twitter for Latinx OwnVoices romances, I didn’t hear from many people – but my curiosity googling led me to the work of Priscilla Oliveras and her new Matched to Perfection series about the Illinois-based Fernandez sisters.  I loved the first two books in the series, so I was delighted to read Lilí’s story in Their Perfect Melody.

An advocate at a local shelter for victims of domestic violence, Lilí Fernandez is furious, frustrated and scared when an admittedly cute police officer stops her from entering the apartment belonging to her friend and client, Melba. Melba had called Lilí panicked and afraid for her life because her abusive and alcoholic husband Tito was trying to break down the bathroom door intending to beat her, and all Lilí wants to do is be sure that Melba’s safe.  Pushing past the officer, she barges her way into the apartment, finding Melba has sustained only a few minor injuries, and Tito long gone.

Officer Diego Reyes has become somewhat hardened to the unfairness of the world courtesy of his job, but he still believes in justice, which is why he starts protectively hovering over Melba and Lilí.  He also has a guilt complex over what happened to his older sister, whose descent into addiction also badly affected their mother’s health; he is determined not to let another woman down. When Lilí sweeps Melba off to her condo in The Loop instead of letting her stay home where Tito might assault her, Diego flat out wonders if she’s crazy. He loves Chicago and his middle-class lifestyle on the West Side, and Lilí’s classy manner, tough as heck attitude and designer outfits raise his eyebrows (and other portions of his anatomy). What Diego doesn’t know is that Lilí grew up lower-middle-class in a close-knit, Catholic Puerto Rican community and has only recently become a part of the fancy elite due to her sister Rosa’s marriage into the upper crust (in Her Perfect Affair); Chicago flows through her blood as heavily as it does his.

Already bound together and invested in Melba’s fate, Diego and Lilí work to bring Tito to justice as he takes to stalking Lilí to figure out Melba’s whereabouts. At the same time, Diego and Lilí  are drawn together and discover a number of shared interests – helping abuse victims, teaching the vulnerable… and music.  Lilí, once a wild child who would dance every dance at every club in Chicago, finds herself muted, unable to enjoy the music as she once did, her reaction - like Rosa’s self-blame and Yazmine’s (her other sister and heroine of His Perfect Partner) intense drive toward dancing perfection - to their mother’s tragic death in a car accident and their father’s failure as a dancer.  In Lilí’s case she’s also struggling with the aftermath of the rape of a close friend years ago, which is what drew her to her line of advocacy.  Diego plays guitar, and his music is the best connection he has back to roots that were shaken apart after his mother’s death and his sister’s struggles with addiction.  Moved by one another and touched by a sense of emotional affinity, Lilí and Diego are slowly falling for each other – but are they too stubborn and scarred to allow romance to touch their hearts?  Or will Tito strike and rip them apart forever?

Their Perfect Melody is an undeniable bite of delight; part tender romance, part thriller, it combines a beautifully realized sense of cultural identity with a beautiful, steamy romance.

Lilí is smart, spirited and conscientious; family means everything to her, she’s a Cubs devotee and she cares a lot about the people whose safety and trust are placed in her hands.  A similar sense of devotion comes from Diego, whose cynicism clashes interestingly with his intractable faith in order and justice.  They share many similarities and a lot of bedrock commonality that causes their pairing to make a lot of sense; their romance is easy to root for right from the start, and each is allowed their moment of frailty and weakness.

The book has a beautifully strong cultural identity that made me nod my head eagerly in familiar recognition; that’s what dinners I’ve attended feel like, happy nights with my family and music.  There’s also a grit provided by Diego’s sister’s addiction and Melba’s abuse that doesn’t clash with the happy, hopeful storyline. There are no easy answers for any of the characters involved.

The books’ flaws are minor, and most of them don’t relate to its structure. The blurb doesn’t mention how much of the  domestic violence plot absorbs the narrative – it’s actually a much more prominent plot element for the first half of the book than the shared musical interest that is played up in the synopsis.  Speaking of, it’s really awkward to watch our hero and heroine have their first stirrings of lust for one another at the scene of a domestic violence incident.  I’d rather that had waited just a tiny bit, at least until they had gotten Melba off to safety.  But otherwise I liked the spark and heat between the two of them, and all of the various plot elements come together well.

Their Perfect Melody is a very nice, well-balanced romance.  More importantly, I recognized myself and my family in this story, which was a beautiful thing to see and feel that made the story a rich reward to read.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

I haven't read the other books in this series and although this was a stand-alone it did mention other characters from previous books and, as with most series, it probably would have been nice to have read them first. But it didn't really detract from the story.

This book is about Lili and Diego. Lili is the youngest of the sisters from previous books, and works in a centre helping women in need. Diego is a cop. They meet when one of Lili's clients from the centre is attacked by her husband and calls Lili to help, along with the police. Lili and Diego immediately clash, but as the book goes on they warm to one another. It turns out that Diego also helps out at a centre Lili also helps out at, Diego with guitar lessons and Lili with self-defence classes. So they are both caring people helping those less fortunate in their community.

Diego did think he knew best a lot of the time though and instead of letting Lili just do her job he tried to protect her from various situations, which was a bit annoying as she was more than capable of looking after herself most of the time. But he came around eventually.

A light, quick, enjoyable read.

An incredibly charming contemporary romance and an excellent conclusion to Oliveras's trilogy, THEIR PERFECT MELODY is going to be a must-buy this holiday season. Lili's character has really benefited from appearing in the first two books and I was incredibly invested in seeing her happily ever after by the time I got my hands on this book. I tend to be a little hesitant about heroes with careers in law enforcement, because they tend to be extremely alpha, but guitar-playing Diego is a charmer who lives his life like the Fernandez sisters: familia primero. I'm already looking forward to rereading the entire series.

Great read - I have not read the first 2 books in the series but would like to go back and read them now.

I liked how the chapters were told from both Lili and Diego's point of view.

This is the third book in the series, I recommend you start from the beginning because I truly believe you will not enjoy it or appreciate the story if you dont. The way these sisters interact you will definately enjoy, which is one the reasons I recommend reading from the very beginning, that being said I found this book to be ok. I enjoyed the meeting of Lili and Diego I think you will like. I really approved of Lili's work at the center, helping those in need but Lili herself I wasn't crazy about, which kind of surprised me because she was always portrayed as the clown or the happy one who didn't take much seriously. Diego was too macho, I like alpha's dont get me wrong but I dont enjoy machismo, so yeah was totally not crazy about him. All in all was an ok read, I would rush out to get a copy.

Growing up, Lilí María Fernandez was affectionately known as the family “wild child.” The life of the party, she loved to dance, especially salsa, merengue, and bachata, and often sang beside her father during rehearsals for his trío group. But tragedy and loss have drawn out Lilí’s caretaking side, compelling her to become a victim’s advocate. These days, the special rhythms of the past seem like a distant memory. Until she meets Diego Reyes . . .

A police officer with the Chicago PD, Diego also has a talent for playing classical Spanish guitar. And Lilí soon finds herself inspired by his passion—for the music, for her, and for their shared love of familia and community. Can Diego reignite Lilí’s fun-loving spirit, persuade her to balance work and pleasure—and embrace her wild side once more?

I have not read the first two books in this trilogy but feel that I need to in order to learn more about Lili’s character. I had a lot of time to read during Tropical Storm Gordon and this well written romance fit the bill. Readers will care about each character in the story. Thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Third in the Matched to Perfection series, this is a charming read about Lili, the youngest of the Fernandez sisters, and Diego. The chemistry between Lili and Diego kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed how the Spanish language is seamlessly interwoven in the conversations.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Well written, heart warming romance

Their Perfect Melody is a wonderful addition to Priscilla Oliveras' Matched to Perfection series. While this book does read well as a stand alone after reading the book you'll want to read more about this wonderful caring family of sisters.
Lili and Diego have a great first meet ( which I won't spoil). I loved how their instant attraction developed into so much more. The author does a very satisfying job of showing a little of that sexual chemistry before the bedroom door closes. There was a subplot regarding Diego's sister Lourdes that I thought was handled very thoughtfully. It was also great to see what Lili's sisters and their families are up to. I look forward to reading many more of Pricilla Oliveras' books in the future.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

I reviewed this title for a library publication and loved it. Great heat with Lili and Diego. I like his arc, how he grew to open up more to keep Lili. Both made mistakes and their scenes with family members were particularly enjoyable! Thank you for letting me read this one!

I don't know if I've missed something by not reading the first two of this series. I read an excerpt of this and was immediately intrigued by the premise. But then, no... They're just... Hardheaded, prejudiced and plain boring, if I'm to be completely honest.

I liked Lilí's work at the center, with the women in need, but I did not like her personality. I liked how Diego cared, but not him in general. I did not like the feel of the family, but like I said, maybe that's because I haven't read the sisters' books. And the romance wasn't all there.

It's hard to pin down exactly what I disliked about this book. It is the overall feeling when I read - how the language doesn't speak to me, the characters who I felt nothing for, the romance, which felt more than a little stilted. the struggle I had even getting past the second chapter. It doesn't flow, I guess, is the problem here. That said, it wasn't a terrible story and I liked the premise.

Thank you Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC!

/ Denise