“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. I also received an ALC from Dreamscape Media. 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 audiobook is narrated by Ramona Master. Her narration improved the experience of reading the book. She did a good job with the characters and had a great accent.

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.

Thanks to Forever and Netgallery for the ALC 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.

The narration was good, the voice actor did a good job with the Spanish and evoking some emotions, the problem was the story.

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.

Great narration!

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!