All the Right Notes

I love music, so I’m always on the lookout for books about musicians or music lovers. A debut novel that particularly caught my interest was All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim. This dual timeline romance stars two Asian American men, from their time in high school in the 1990s to the present day when they get a second chance at love. 

Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Summary

In the late 1990s, Quito Cruz is a high school senior who’s never really fit in. His last class each day is choir, in which he plays piano accompaniment while the other students sing. Quito’s dad is the choir teacher. The newest student to join is Emmett, one of the most popular guys in the school. But when Mr. Cruz gets Quito and Emmett to have one-on-one practice sessions, the two surprisingly become best friends. Quito’s crush on Emmett is a secret, but by the end of their first year of college, something happens to break the two friends up. 

In the present day, Emmett has become a famous actor, while Quito plays piano for Broadway musicals and at a club called Broadway Baby. When his dad announces his retirement and plans for a benefit concert at their high school, he asks Quito to play piano… and to get Emmett to sing. Quito and Emmett haven’t spoken in twenty years. Will this benefit concert be the reunion they need to become friends again? Or will something more blossom between them? 

Review

All the Right Notes is a sweet and fun romance. My favorite aspect about it–and, indeed, the first theme that drew me to it–is how musical it is. This novel highlights high school choirs, Broadway musicals, drag performances, and more within the theater realm of music. I myself was in choir for five years between middle school and high school, and this book brought all those fond memories back. In my mind, Mr. Cruz’s classroom looked the same as my high school’s music room. Quito’s piano playing and songwriting and Emmett’s naturally skillful singing are a perfect match. 

Another thing I love about All the Right Notes is its diversity, both racially and within the LGBTQIA+ community. Both Quito and Emmett are Asian American: Quito’s parents immigrated from the Philippines, and Emmett is half Japanese. Further, this is a book that celebrates queerness. Quito is gay, and his romance with Emmett is long-awaited but sweet. Quito’s best friend, Ujima (a wonderful secondary character!) uses they/them pronouns, and their own arc surrounding gender identity has a nice crescendo near the end. I would love to read a book in which Ujima finds their happily ever after!

Half of All the Right Notes takes place when Quito and Emmett are teenagers. These chapters portray a youthful innocence and naivete, and feel a bit more YA in delivery. It made me feel nostalgic while reading these parts. In contrast, the present day chapters feel more solidly adult, and while both Quito and Emmett still have some insecurities, how they handle those insecurities has changed. Both have grown in the past twenty years, but they also have some learning left to do. After all this time, they still need to learn how to open up and trust each other. 

Beyond the romance and the music, family also plays a central role here. There is some discussion of the distance between Emmett and his demanding father and their later estrangement. Quito’s mother dies when he’s in middle school, leading to discussions of grief. And his father, Mr. Cruz, is a big part of both Quito and Emmett’s lives. He’s instrumental in bringing the two men back together after all these years. His own story arc of needing care is another emotional part of the book. 
All the Right Notes mixes an array of themes to make for a sweet symphony of a story. It weaves in teenage awkwardness and tentative friendship, a second chance romance, family issues, friendship, and career struggles. It’s emotional but ultimately hopeful and joyous.

Final Thoughts

All the Right Notes is a wonderful debut that all music lovers should read. I enjoyed reading it and already look forward to Dominic Lim’s next book! 

Get the Book

You can buy All the Right Notes here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim
Audience	Adult
Genre	Romance
Setting	New York; California; Ohio
Number of Pages
Format I Read	ebook (NetGalley)
Original Publication Date	June 6, 2023

Official Summary

In this hilarious and joyous rom com, sparks fly when a piano genius and a Hollywood heartthrob are thrown together for a charity performance of solos, heartfelt duets, and a big, showstopping finale.

Quito Cruz might be a genius piano player and composer in New York City now but it doesn’t mean that he’s any closer to his Broadway dream. Although Quito knows what the problem is. Or rather who. Because ever since that night in college—with pretty-boy jock Emmett Aoki—his inspiration has been completely MIA . .  .

Now Quito’s dad wants him to put on a charity performance in his hometown. And there’s one hella big string attached: convince Emmett—now one of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities—to perform.

It’s all shaping up to be the biggest musical fiasco of Quito’s life. Especially when Emmett agrees to attend, and Quito realizes that undeniable vibe between them is stronger than ever. Because there’s nothing simple about falling for a movie star . . . even when he’s pitch-perfect.