Takes One to Know One

This week saw the release of Lissette Decos‘s second novel, Takes One to Know One. Set primarily in Puerto Rico, this enemies-to-lovers romance follows up-and-coming reggaetonero Rene ‘El Rico’ Rodriguez… and Daniela, the reggaeton-hating record label executive working with him while he records his debut album.

Why I Chose This Book:

I never pass up to read a book about music, and Takes One to Know One instantly captured my interest not only for its focus on reggaeton (a genre I haven’t yet seen featured in a book), but also for its setting in Puerto Rico. I also loved that it was between a musician and a label exec. Fun fact: With my degree in music business, my original career plan was to work at a record label. So I already liked Dani going into this!

What I Liked:

• Reggaeton and peek into making music. I admit that, like Dani, I don’t really listen to reggaeton. But I enjoyed getting to know it here and loved the behind-the-scenes into how Rene crafted the songs for his debut album. I especially loved the song he writes for Dani and the one her dad had previously written.
• Artist-label dynamics. As a hardcore music fan, I know a fair amount about the complications that can exist between the music business side of things versus the artists. Dani falls into the former category, and it takes some time for her and Rene to see eye to eye. At least she genuinely cares about music and telling his story right.
• Puerto Rico is on fully display! I loved getting to know Puerto Rico here! From frogs and wild horses and waterfalls to their delicious food and warm culture, it’s portrayed beautifully here.
• Dani’s dealing with her grief over her late father. I can completely relate to her feelings of grief after losing her father six years prior to this novel. But I loved getting to see her connect with him again through his song, getting to know his Puerto Rican home, and learning to talk about him again.
• Perfectly done relationship. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is built up so well, and I love how Rene eventually shows his hand by writing a song about Dani. Omg! And showing her around the island? Loved it all!

Audiobook:

Ramona Master goes beyond simply narrating Takes One to Know One and fully into voice acting here. She really brings Dani’s character to life, infusing her with so much personality! It was almost like listening to a movie adaptation. This was one of the most vibrantly done audiobooks I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.

Final Thoughts

Takes One to Know One is a fabulous romance for anyone who loves music (especially reggaeton), Puerto Rico, and a slightly workaholic main character. It was such a fun, emotional, beautiful book! I will absolutely be reading more from Lissette Decos!

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

Get the Book

You can buy Takes One to Know One here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

Takes One to Know One by Lissette Decos
Audiobook Narrator	Ramona Master
Audience	Adult
Genre	Contemporary Romance
Setting	Puerto Rico
Number of Pages	400
Format I Read	Audiobook & Ebook (NetGalley ARCs)
Original Publication Date	April 1, 2025
Publisher	Forever

Official Summary

“A scandal-ridden musician clashes with the buttoned-up label rep sent to clean up his reputation” in this angsty enemies-to-lovers rom-com set in Puerto Rico’s. (Fangirlish, ’16 Best Romances of April 2025′)

Daniela is risk-averse, blazer-obsessed, and likes to be taken seriously. So when her record label job is on the line, she’s prepared to do anything to keep it. Except for working with the genre of music she hates most: reggaeton. It’s supposed to inspire sensual hip-swinging dance moves and Dani’s hips do not swing—not like that anyway. Out of desperation, Dani lies and says she loves reggaeton. But not only does Dani get to keep her job, she gets a ticket to Puerto Rico . . . on a mission to clean up the scandalous image of international reggaeton singer Rene ‘El Rico’ Rodriguez.

Despite her best act, Dani’s dislike of his music and Rene’s prickly disposition is palpable, resulting in them butting heads at every turn. Yet as the two spend more time together under the island’s sizzling sun, Dani realizes there’s more to Rene than his rough edges and good looks. The man that many only see as a sex icon actually cares about his music, community, and culture. Against her will, she slowly begins finding him harder to hate. And before she knows it, Rene is teaching Dani how to find the rhythm of the music and learn to let go. But will she ever be ready to acknowledge the heat growing between them and put her heart on the line?