Dani lies about knowing who René is to get a work assignment (we’ve all been there!) at her music label, and then has to follow him to Puerto Rico to get a behind-the-scenes feature as he works on his new solo album.

I genuinely can’t think of one thing I didn’t enjoy in this book: the pacing was great, I loved that it was set in Puerto Rico, and I loved both main characters in Dani and René. I love when I read characters that I feel like I could be friends with in real life, and Dani was one of those.

I really, really enjoyed this one! I finished it in a day, I was so engrossed in the story and am now officially a big fan of Lissette Decos’s writing.

This is a great example of the women's lit type of books I adore. Where the romance is the central idea and point, but the development of the maun character is most important. This close look at a woman who has had to hold it together and provide for her family for years, this is a tue breakdown taking its time.
I love the double Latinx leads and I love that it takes place on the island too.
I just want to gently request fact checking. Beaches in PR are not private no matter what rich people say. There were other PR slang discrepencies as well.
Diversity editor and or sensitivity readers are pivitol when writing outside of your experience.
It is still such a great book that i will be recommending to many!

Okay, I’ll admit it—I went into Takes One to Know One fully relating to Dani’s anti-reggaeton stance. My hips? They do not lie… because they do not move. But then along came Rene El Rico Rodriguez, and suddenly, I (like Dani) was questioning all my life choices.

This book is the perfect mix of sizzling tension, hilarious banter, and the kind of slow-burn romance that makes you want to shake your Kindle and yell, “JUST KISS ALREADY!” Dani is a relatable, buttoned-up queen who thrives on structure (respect), and Rene is her exact opposite—charismatic, cocky, and way too handsome for his own good. Naturally, their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is pure chef’s kiss.

Puerto Rico practically becomes a character in itself, with vibrant descriptions of the music scene, the food (warning: do not read this hungry), and the island’s magic. The only reason this isn’t a full five stars? There were moments when I wanted Dani to relax just a tiny bit sooner. But honestly? Watching her learn to let go (with Rene’s help, of course) made it all worth it.

If you love grumpy/sunshine energy, forced proximity, and a hero who’s secretly a softie, grab this book. And who knows? By the end, you might just find yourself adding some reggaeton to your playlist.

3.75 stars!
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 was a sweet slow burn romance. Dani works in the music industry and gets very nervous when there is talk of mergers and possible layoffs at her label. So when her boss calls her into her office she lies and says she knows all about reggaeton and an artist named El Rico in an effort not to lose her job. That all comes back to bite her in the butt when she then meets with him and obviously immediately lets him know she doesn’t know him or his music at all. With everything on the line, she is forced to follow Rene (El Rico) to Puerto Rico to record him creating his new album and to try desperately to get him to open up and do promo and an interview. Her career depends on this, but that is tricky when he doesn’t like or trust someone who doesn’t know his music. The scenery was beautiful, and I loved all the music, food, and cultural elements thrown in. I enjoyed this book and slow buildup between Dani and Rene, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if there had been more interactions between the two main characters, or if part of the story was told from Rene’s perspective. But it was still a fun easy read. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This book started out a little slow for me, but once the story got going and the characters were a bit developed, I was intrigued with how this book was going to play out.

This book follows Rene, a famous musician who is coming out as a solo artist and Daniela, who works as his new PR team. The story starts out a little awkward, with Daniela not knowing any of his work.. and you can see the banter between the two characters. The author did a good job both characters being enemies and seeing them fall into each other. I was really rooting for these two... and at one point.. I was holding my breath as the chapters unfolded.

If you are looking for a light hearted, very sweet, low spice romance, pick this one up. 4 stars!

This book made my heart happy. As a proud Latina, I felt so connected to these characters. I am not Puerto Rican but I still felts so seen. There were so many parts of this book where I was so surprised that other people did that. Like the egg situation lol. Rene and Dani were just so understanding of each other. This was a romance but it felt like so much more. I’ve been to Puerto Rico once so I could actually feel and see the scenes that Lissette did so well of explaining. It makes me want to go back!

Thanks to Forever and Netgallery for the E-ARC of Takes One to Know One in exchange for an honest review.

I think that this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year for many reasons. For starters, there are not enough books by Latinx authors, with Latinx main characters, specially puertoricans. So it pains me to say that this book didn't hit the mark for me. For starters, the chemistry between our main characters was NON-EXISTENT. 60% of the book and they barely have conversations or anything that could make me believe they liked each other or could have everlasting love. To me, saying this was a romance, is just not real.

While I appreciate the setting, it felt off. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and while some descriptions were beautiful, it just didn't feel authentic. It lacked heart IMO and it felt like it was just a plot device. I understand the apprehension of the FMC on going to the island, and I appreciated the exploration of grief, but it just felt flat. Everything on the story felt all over the place.

Again, I am sorry I didn't enjoy the book and I really hope that if you give the book the chance you end up loving it. But is a no for me.

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!!

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 felt like a trip back home! Both the tourist sites and the locals-only places are beautifully described in this story of two people who both have some internal struggles to overcome and manage to help each other do that together. The plot and pacing start off strong, and they never let up. The setting is a character in its own right, as well as the cuisine. While there is Spanish woven into the book, the author includes translations where necessary. (When not, the context translates easily.) If you're looking for spicy romance, this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for a romance with a slow build, a focus on companionship and intimacy, and helping each other grow as people against a gorgeous backdrop, while also learning a bit about reggaeton, you'll love it!

There was so much to enjoy about this book. The setting and the atmosphere felt vibrant to me, and I felt a connection through Dani as she experienced it all.

Dani was a very complex character who was incredibly well-developed from background history to present day. I felt like I got a good sense of who she was deep down and why she had developed certain parts of her personality. She was someone who was dedicated and talented, and she showed real care for the work she was doing regardless of her personal opinions or tastes. I loved seeing her get to explore the island where her late father grew up and gain that sense of a bond to him and the culture that was so important to him. She had so many moving experiences as she connected with the Puerto Rican side of her heritage. It was touching to feel a part of that as a reader. I also loved seeing her rediscover herself and her own passions and realize she could let some of her worries for her mom and sister go.

As far as the romance went, I was less invested in that than I was in Dani’s personal journey. René had some very charming moments, but he also confused me. I often felt just as confused as Dani about him. He was a bit of an enigma, which was fine for his celebrity persona but less so when it came to me wanting to feel him and Dani having a deeper connection. That said, I did love the way their HEA played out.

Thank you to Forever via NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

As a Puerto Rican reader, Takes One to Know One by Lisette Decos felt like coming home. Decos transports you to the heart of the island — you can hear the rhythmic sounds of the coquí frogs at night, see the lush green mountains and crystal-clear beaches, and practically taste the alcapurrias. In "Takes One to Know One" we meet Dani- a music label executive who struggles to find herself amidst always prioritizing her family and her job. Her job takes her to Puerto Rico to oversee a behind the scene view of Rene "El Rico"s new album. I am a fan of reggaetón music so I enjoyed that this story followed a reggaeton artist and how their album was being developed. I loved that the artist wanted to create an album that celebrated Puerto Rican culture & identity.

Overall this was a fun read & am so thankful to have received a arc copy from Forever & the publisher!

This was a cute, classic enemies-to-lovers love with Puerto Rico as a backdrop - a light, summer read, if any. I breezed by this quickly and I appreciated that Lisette Decos weaved in other more serious elements, such as Dani coming to terms with her grief, to build more layers into the story. However, to critique the romance book itself, I did find myself having difficulty connecting with the chemistry between the characters and personally felt that there was always more potential than where we were taken to in the story throughout my read. That said, this was a lovely opportunity to diversify those romance bookshelves and I found myself transported to Puerto Rico with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

This was a very cute romance. I personally think that "Ana Takes Manhattan" by Lissette Decos was better than this book of hers, but I still enjoyed it. I think anyone who is looking for a swoonworthy romance will enjoy this book!

“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.

Sweetest romance with enemies-to-lovers vibes. A must to read this summer/spring on the sun.

I was amazed by this one.

Thanks netgalley for this ARC, this is my honest feedback!

Lissette Decos' Takes One to Know One is the sweetest enemies to lovers story and the ending was perfect.

Dani is a play-it-safe, no-nonsense marketing executive at Ocean, a record label. When she hears there are potential job cuts, she's ready to do anything to keep her job--including adamantly declaring her love of reggeaton. Only one tiny problem--Dani despises reggeaton as her body just doesn't move to it. Her lie earns her the job of working with Rene ("El Rico"), who sees right through her lies, in Puerto Rico, her father's birthplace.

Dani is determined that no issues happen as Rene records his album in Puerto Rico, but her dislike of his music and perceived persona makes for some very tension-filled moments that leave both her and Rene fuming. It doesn't help that Dani is feeling a bit of grief being in her father's birthplace. Her father has been dead for six years and she came to the island with a tape filled with her father's song about Culebra. Dani ends up playing her father's song for Rene and one by one, they visit the places in the song. Slowly, Dani lets go of having to be a caretaker for her everyone around her, and along the way, figures out what she wants, especially when it comes to be happy.

Takes One to Know One isn't a fluffy rom-com. It's rich in Puerto Rican culture and emotional depth with Dani's exploration of her grief and what she wants in life. My heart was so happy when I finished reading this book. I literally could not stop smiling at the ending.

Thank you so much to Forever for the e-ARC!

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.