Their Perfect Melody

Lilí’s book features the very real conflict generated by the mutual attraction between her and Diego Reyes, a Chicago police officer. Diego at first thinks Lilí is a disconnected, rich social justice warrior, while Lilí is hesitant about entering into a relationship with a police officer, after having experienced a failed one in the past. For this couple, their greatest challenge is one of achieving emotional intimacy through honesty and admitting vulnerability, especially on the part of Diego, who hides so much of himself. His challenge is to break down the emotional walls he’s created to protect himself and others, while Lilí struggles to be understood.

Olivera’s ouvre (I like the word!) appeals to me because, as a fellow Puerto Rican, I caught on quickly to the cultural shorthand she uses to describe the space in which the Fernandez sisters to live and fall in love. I understood the food, the mini-expressions in Spanish, the superstitions and cultural beliefs. There’s is a common refrain from book one, familiar primero or family first, that resonates throughout the novels and makes sense to me. When Lilí, in book three, prays to both her parents for guidance, it is a second-nature, authentic gesture I recognize from my own experience.

Music plays a major role in the novels, also. In book one, the beloved patriarch, Rey, has spent his life playing with a band and frequently jams in the makeshift studio in his basement. As in many Hispanic families, music forms the back drop of nearly every social gathering or important event. The motif of music comes full circle in the character of Diego, who plays the guitar and sings, becoming the music man Lilí has always been looking for.

Music and dancing are accompanied by descritions of wonderful Puerto Rican cuisine. The three sisters cook together, reminding me of the comforts and pleasures of my family’s kitchen when my grandmother, mother, aunts descended en masse to make pasteles or other complicated dishes while the men roasted pork and played dominos in the backyard, the children always underfoot.

This series was a true pleasure to read. Oliveras is a master of emotional beats and pacing. Because these books are relatively low heat, the onus of the emotional payoff rests heavily on the relationship between the characters and the work they have to do to obtain a happy ending. That is not to say there isn’t sexual tension, and in fact, the books grow progressively steamier, but when it is resolved, it is done off the page.

Romantic, full of rich characters and cultural details, this series provides the joy of full immersion. Pair it with a warm blanket, a glass of wine and and a bowl of asopao for the perfect book weekend.

I was waiting for Their Perfect Melody to come out before starting the series (I already had the first two), but I couldn’t resist and read this first. Yes, Virginia, I read out of order. Horrors!

I didn’t have any problems with the introduction of several characters who already had their stories told in previous books. Yaz and Rosa’s presence here, along with their respective partners, actually made me want to read their books even more. I’m an older sister so I relate very well with the two of them in the way they behaved towards Lili. Truth is, as a Filipino, I can relate to a lot of elements in Priscilla’s stories: strong family ties, female friendship, music, food, and yes, even Diego’s machismo.

I really liked that both Lili and Diego are good people with noble intentions. While that stemmed from their jobs, it’s also because of people in their lives. They’re both strong-willed characters with enough vulnerabilities to balance their personalities.

Some heavy subjects were tackled in this book – domestic violence and drug use among them, but there were also lighthearted moments like the baseball game and all the teasing and matchmaking.

I enjoyed this book primarily because of Priscilla’s writing. As a fellow writer of color in romance using #ownvoices to champion main characters who are not the norm, I have much admiration for her work and am inspired to produce quality books just like she does.

Brimming with the perfect balance of warmth and sizzle, this story takes on some weighty issues with a light touch. Diego Reyes is an alpha with a badge and also happens to be a gifted musician (insert a happy sigh for that romantic trait). He can be a tad bossy in his desire to protect the women he loves, including the more than capable Lili Fernandes, but I think his experience with his sister colors his perspective at the outset, and he does come around eventually. Lili devotes herself to her work with abused women, which makes her eminently admirable. I also enjoyed the way she helped young women learn to protect themselves. She’s devoted to her family and shares a wonderful bond with her older sisters, whom series readers will be happy to see again.

I consider this romance to be built around an enemies-to-lovers trope because Lili and Diego certainly butt heads when they first meet. They are also both somewhat stubborn and guarded, but that only made the melting of the ice between them all the better!

It takes a special talent to be able to vividly bring to life some of the less fortunate sides of society while still leaving plenty of room for romance to bloom. Ms. Oliveras did an excellent job with that, and of convincing this reader that Diego and Lily made another perfect pair to finish this delightful series.