I enjoyed this book. I don't usually enjoy high school drama/theatre/music content, but overall this one did work for me. Though, I really, REALLY hate the miscommunication trope. Like, it is the worst, I hate it, it can die in a fire, and this book was A LOT of that. Obviously without that there would be no book, but I still found it incredibly frustrating.

I really liked all of the diversity in this book and I liked that it went into some cultural stuff (the MC is Filipino and the LI is Japanese-American), around food and dress and whatnot. I also appreciated that the side characters were well fleshed out and that the ones who weren't, it felt like that was an intentional choice.

Throughout most of the book I thought it was going to be a solid 3 star read for me, but the ending really got me and I liked how things were resolved, which upped my rating to 4 stars.

I will definitely keep my eyes open for more books by Dominic Lim in the future, as this is a super solid debut.

Music to my ears!

Dominic Lim’s debut All the Right Notes a spectacularly moving romance full of teen angst, family drama and expectations, finding yourself and learning to be true to your identity. Fans of Julie Soto’s Forget Me Not, Rachel Reid’s writing or the tv show Glee will be in raptures over Quito and Emmett’s epic story!

After losing as inspiration, piano, prodigy, Quito is living in New York City and working half heartedly on the score for a friend Broadway play… went out of the blue a call pulls him back to his hometown to take care of his ailing, father and organize a retirement choir concert, while also forcing him to get back in touch with his high school best friend/crush that he’s been avoiding since their fallout years ago.

Quito is surprised when he and Emmett reunite how time and Emmett’s celebrity status doesn’t affect how easily they fall back into their former rolls.

Working together they unpack their history in order to create a future together.

I absolutely loved all the musical elements Lim incorporated in the story. Music really does connect people, and it’s so beautifully done for Quito and Emmett. But your storyline of current and past tense what’s the story of the friendship, built and lost, while rebuilding back together again. I couldn’t get enough of Quito and Emmett’s relationship and my Glee loving heart squealed for these two!

Lastly, this book is full, so many great, I characters from the always encouraging Mr Cruz, Quito’s father, to his bestie the extravagant and wonderful Jee.

I laughed, I cried- and in the end I was left with a smile on my face.


Thanks to Forever Publishing for the e-arc review copy.

#AllTheRightNotes #dominicLim

All the Right Notes was a solid debut from Dominic Lim. A queer Filipino love story with second chance angst, a cast of diverse characters and lots of musical references.

Written in dual timeline, from Quito’s POV, this story was addicting! Lim ended almost every past chapter with a cliffhanger, which kept me engaged to the very end. I was dying to find out the reason for their falling out.

When I finally discovered the reason, it didn’t sit well with me. I don’t want to spoil it here, but DM me if you’ve read it, I am curious to hear your thoughts.

Additionally, I would have loved to see more dialogue between the love interests. I live for witty banter in romance books and couldn’t get a good feel of Emmett’s character with their limited interactions.

Most of my enjoyment came from Ujima (Quito’s best friend), Mr. Cruz (Quito’s wonderful Dad) and the musical elements. I also felt there were too many plot things happening and don’t think all of them were necessary.

Overall, I would still give the book 3.5-4 stars. There is something to be said for those books that you can’t put down. I also adored Ujima and Mr. Cruz’s pep talks to Quito and the choir students. I would still be interested to pick up Lim’s next book since I enjoyed the writing style.

This was a lovely book, with flashbacks of high school to present day. I realy enjoyed it and loved the family and friends surrounding as well.

I really liked the premise of the book and the characters were great (love Ujima). I found the story was developing too slow for my taste, so I ended up skipping chapters to get to parts where the plot was moved forward significantly.
I did find it challenging to follow the flashbacks as my copy didn’t have an indicator as to when we were in the past or in the present. This made it challenging for my brain to follow the story well as it would sometimes take me a paragraph or two to adjust to the change.

I liked how the book ended, resolving the conflicts between the two MCs, finding ways to move forward together, and to honour Quito’s father.

2.5 rounded up to 3/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of the book. Thoughts are entirely my own.

All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim is a pitch-perfect romance, perfect for fans of Glee, musical theater, and all things queer.

Quito Cruz and Emmett Aoki are PRECIOUS ANGELS and I love them. And Quito's roommate, Ujima--she totally steals the show!

Quito, a talented pianist and composer, works at a piano bar in NYC, but his Broadway dreams never materialized. After he ruined his friendship with Emmett one night in college, his inspiration and desire to make music completely disappeared. But now his father, a beloved choir director, is retiring and wants Quito to return to help with the final concert. And he wants him to reach out to Emmett, now a successful Hollywood star, and ask him to return for the performance, too.

Dominic Lim's charming debut came out of nowhere and completely stole my heart. This book is perfect for fans of Alexis Hall, Casey McQuiston, or Anita Kelly. It's all about found family and love and music, three of my favorite things. 10/10. Five stars. Highly recommend.

I truly enjoyed this queer, multiracial fiction/romance. I did struggle a bit to get into the novel at first but I’m so glad I picked it back up again and gave it another go. We always need more LGBTQIA+ representation, particularly in sweet ways that honor queer love. I found the characters to be very relatable and multi-dimensional. Definitely cannot wait to see what else Dominic Lim writes in the future!

I very much appreciated the opportunity to read this e-copy thanks to NetGalley, Dominic Lim, and Forever/Grand Central Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim is a queer contemporary rom-com with dual timelines. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at just under ten hours and is narrated by Aaron J. Albano. The audiobook producers do an AMAZING job here, with music and sound effects.

This is a very solid debut. I didn't expect to cry so much! This rom-com definitely has heart.

The dual timelines are labeled as "Then" and "Now" chapters, though they are always from Quito's perspective. The past timeline is during Quito's senior year of high school, and the present timeline is twenty years later. Note that there are heavy topics discussed here; it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The author lists CWs at the beginning of the book in detail.

I was really pleased by the amount of diversity in this book. There's a lot of Filipino food sprinkled throughout the story, which made me hungry!

There is a LOT of the miscommunication trope in here. It's not usually a favorite trope of mine.

TROPES: slow burn, second chance, childhood friends to lovers, miscommunication, dual timelines, closeted Hollywood heartthrob

CW: grief, parental death, dubious consent, homophobia, homophobic slur, drug and alcohol abuse, infidelity, domestic abuse, casual transphobia, sexual assault

This book was a mess. I did not enjoy Quito at all. A big issue was the tokenization of side characters, especially Ujima who is just there for comic relief and who Quito continues to misgender. The nail in the coffin for me was how poorly consent was dealt with. An incapacitated person cannot consent, even if they are the one initiating the action. I was emotionally done with the book when all that was revealed and cannot in good conscience rate it higher than a 2.

I don't often get to read about Filipino protagonists in romance, so All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim was a treat.

✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ One Bed
✔️ Celebrity
✔️ Coming Back Home

My favorite parts of the book were seeing Quito with his found family (especially bff Ujima) and his real family (his dad and the flashbacks with his mom). It's such a gift when parents and those closest to you truly see you and I could feel the love that all of these characters had for the main character even if he couldn't always see it. This is the stuff I can't get out of my head.

I loved how the Filipino culture was all over the storytelling, from the food to the language and mannerisms that is so familiar to me. Side note, every time Quito's dad called him "Anak" my heart would ache a little (my mom was the last person to call me that and she passed away 19 years ago).

As for the romance, I enjoyed Quito and Emmett together and I loved seeing them in high school getting to know each other and them in current times also becoming reacquainted. It's my favorite part of then and now books - the opportunity to fall in love twice. They're both artistic souls who know how to emote when performing, but man, are they bad communicators. However, I wouldn't say there's a miscommunication trope here - it's more like they were clueless kids and now they're emotionally clumsy adults.

This was a terrific read for me. I'd have to say 4⭐️

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

All the Right Notes is a must for fans of the Broadway or performing arts scene in NYC and elsewhere. The characters are dynamic and the feels are large.
I am, however, not the reader for this book. I was super excited by the premise and because I'm always looking for more m/m romance written by men of color, but I lack the love of show culture I think this book requires. I ended up pushing myself through at times because I wasn't interested in the behind the scenes music stuff and that's not fair to the author or the story.
I hope this find its audience and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Dominic Lim.

All the Right Notes is an unexpectedly poignant queer romance that kept me reading page after page. Dominic Lim combines queer Asian American characters with the emotion of Broadway and the angst of high school choir kids everywhere.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quito is working as an accompanist in New York when his father calls to say he’s retiring from his career as a high school choir teacher. He wants Quito to help him with celebratory concert at home in California. He also wants him to ask his former BFF Emmett to perform too, not knowing the two haven’t spoken since college. Quito can’t say no to his dad, but how is he going to convince his old friend to do this concert? And when he does, how will the two be able to work together on the songs for the show without their emotions getting in the way?

All the Right Notes shines with the amazing descriptions of Filipino food that left me hungry the entire time I was reading. I also enjoyed the way the author’s love of Broadway infused the storylines; this book shines in its descriptions of music, showing it as a visual experience as well as an auditory one. And, the representation of a diverse group of queer characters, especially Asian Americans, was great.

This second chance romance was sadder than I thought it would be, though. And I had a tougher time getting invested in Quito and Emmett’s feelings for each other. The past sections that talk about Quito and Emmett’s high school and college relationship are written in past tense. And since the reader only has Quito’s point of view throughout the book, we only have Quito’s thoughts on what happened. There were times where I had a tough time figuring out Quito’s motives and logic, but the book eventually brings both parts of the story together in a satisfying way.

I enjoyed All the Right Notes. While it is not the lighthearted story I thought it was going to be, Quito’s emotional journey is one worth taking. Add in a soundtrack of favorite musicals and some delicious Filipino food and the reader has a queer romance that adds something a little different to the genre.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful love story that covered a lot of ground!

- slow burn
- second chance romance
- celebrity romance
- LGBTQIA+ representation
- Filipino culture
- MUSIC

*There were a lot of possible triggers in this books, so please be sure to check the TWs before proceeding!

What I loved:
- UJIMA! <3 I feel like I shouldn't love a secondary character more than the main characters, but they were EVERYTHING!
- The dual timelines - I love that this story alternated between "then" and "now". It is clear from the get-go that something big happened between Emmett and Quito when they were younger and the need to uncover that as the story progressed keeps you flipping the page.
- The music! Of course, music is woven throughout the entirety of this book. It was absolutely gorgeous and so evident that Dominic has a deep connection to the art. I loved everything from the songs, to the choir, to how it played a part in Emmett and Quito's story.
- ONEderland - I don't know if this exists in real life, but if not, we need to make it happen!
- Mr. Cruz <3

What I didn't love:
- Mark, ICK!
- There was one bit that referenced adult incontinence pads which felt unnecessary and made me cringe a bit. I did receive this book as a non-finalized ARC, so there is a chance that this was removed in the final version!

Overall, this book made me laugh, cry, swoon, and want to have a home-cooked meal. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

------
Thank you NetGalley & Forever Pub for this ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.25⭐ on 🎧

A musical gay romance about childhood friends that are now famous / not famous?!? Could there be a better recipe for a romance book?? I truly loved listening to Quito and Emmett's story with the dual timelines of past and present. These two were both so sweet and awkward as teenagers which only made it better when they reignited their romance as adults.

There were parts of this book that felt rushed and I honestly think it could have even been a bit longer to fully develop key plot points. This romance did get really deep and there were some sad and tough moments throughout the book. I would definitely recommend checking out content warnings before reading. Overall if you are a Broadway fan and love seeing two kind, talented men fall in love, read this book.

I also will say that I loved how this audiobook included Quito's music but it sounded s little weird on 1.6x speed 😅

I loved this book! What a beautiful love story! I need to read it in audiobook now!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Quito Cruz is a first-generation Filipino-American musical prodigy working in a piano bar as he figures out what he wants his first musical to be about. He's working hard in New York when he gets a call from his choir teacher dad asking him to come back home to help with his retirement concert. Only he doesn't just want Quito to come, he wants Quito's "friend" Emmett to sing as well. The problem is that Emmett is now a giant Hollywood star and Quito hasn't talked to him since they had a big falling out years ago.
There is so much to unpack in the plot, from the immigrant experience to family experiences to loss and identity. It's surprising how well Lim manages to navigate through all of it while giving every aspect the needed level of importance and letting it move the story without any specific theme overtaking things. It all reads as naturally as it would in real life, and that's not a skill that many authors manage.
The then/now timeline works wonders as it slowly reveals how Quito and Emmet became friends and then fell away from each other. It's both a second-chance and first-love romance, and I am here for how emotionally fulfilling every little aspect of it is. Yes, it does have a bit of my most hated element where everything would be solved if they'd only talk to each other, but it also works to show character growth and reflect the situation they're in.
Overall, it's a very sweet romance that hides a complex web of emotions within its fun plot line. It's a comfort read that comes with lots to think about.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the deliciously emotional read!

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO: friends to lovers, Asian American rep (Japanese, biracial, Filipino), non-binary bestie, big feels!, alternating timeline

CWs: death of a parent, abusive parent, alcoholism, cheating, bullying, sexual assault, drug and alcohol use, MISCOMMUNICATION, hospitalization, commentary on young women’s clothing choices

>> this book had me up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get to that first kiss! (it’s my toxic book trait if we’re being honest.)

that being said… while i do love Emmett and Quito, i cannot get over a MAJOR PLOT POINT (dm if you want/ need a spoiler) that led them to not talking for 20 years… and they just breezed on by like it was nothing. spoiler… it wasn’t nothing and i cannot suspend reality to assume that such a thing would ever have gone down. EVER.

i also did NOT like that this grown ass man (Quito is in his late 30s) had a random af comment about a young woman’s clothing choice??? like wtaf my guy, you are taking over your dad’s classroom and the one not-plot related comment is about how a girl “squeezed herself into a dress when she didn’t even know how beautiful she was” (paraphrasing).

no.

>>> these are really the biggest issues i had but i did love Emmett and Quito’s romantic tension. i just think better editing was needed.

If you are looking for a wholesome friends to lovers reuniting story with a musical theater twist then look no further!! I loved this book! I mainly listened on audio but read along in my physical copy!

This audio book is fantastic! @aaronjalbano did such a great job and really made the characters come to life! There were so many small touches that took this audiobook to the next level for me! I loved that Aaron sang the songs in the book! This will be a go-to audiobook recommendation for me!!

I can’t wait to see what Dominic Lim does in the future after this great debut! Next time you are looking for a great queer book with Asian representation pick this up!!

I thoroughly enjoyed All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim. It was a sweet, fun and powerful exploration of self-identity, purpose and family. Complete with a vibrant cast of characters that leapt off the page, All the Right Notes is a book I most definitely recommend checking out.

Split between the timelines of then (high school 20 years ago) and now (present day), the two timelines are successfully capture the very different feels of those times. Then examines the history of the friendship between Quito, musical prodigy and son of the choir director, and Emmett, high school royalty, jock and future movie star. Now examines Quito's life in New York that hasn't lived up to expectations. He hasn't been able to compose since college. When his father calls and tells him to bring Emmett, who he hasn't spoken to in nearly twenty years, to perform at his retirement concert, their lives are put back on a collision course.

I think one of the most magnetic pieces of this book is how fully Lim is able to flesh out this world. Both when it comes to music and art, and food, the book feels very visceral and ready to leap off the page. Both Quito and Emmett and incredibly dynamic and I fell in love with them both.

This was a much more emotional read than I was expecting, but I think these kinds of stakes really added to the whole experience of reading the book.

Really, really enjoyed it!

4 stars!

I loved "All the Right Notes" by Dominic Lim! This is such a heartfelt, terrific queer love story! Right from the get-go, I was drawn into Quito and Emmett's story, one that jumps back and forth on a timeline between their time in high school and the present day. Quito has always struggled with self-confidence. He is a tremendous piano player, but he has aspirations to write the music for a Broadway musical one day. When he was in high school, Quito's father, Mr. Cruz, the choir director, tasked Quito with working with Emmett, who is a super-smart jock with a wickedly talented singing voice, tons of charisma, and looks that could kill. Quito quickly falls for Emmett but doesn't know if he's a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Still, there are definite sparks between them, but nothing really happens. After they graduate from high school, they then go to college, and we discover why they haven't talked to one another in many, many years. In the present day, Quito plays piano at a piano bar in New York City, and Emmett is a big-time actor. When they reunite, the sparks they once had for each other definitely still fly. As they rekindle their relationship, we learn more about their past, and we see how their second chance may unfold in the present. As crucial as Quito and Emmett's relationship is to the story, Quito's relationship with his father is also central to the plot.... and it might even outshine the romantic aspect! I simply loved their dynamic, and I think it makes the book as strong and as successful as it is. I appreciated how accepting and caring Mr. Cruz was to both Quito AND Emmett as their high school choir director. His unwavering support makes this book as good as it is. Mr. Cruz constantly pushed Quito to go after his dreams and never judged him for who he was. He also meddles quite a bit in Quito's life, which adds a lot of fun shenanigans to the story. The Filipino representation is stellar in this book! I appreciated the heck out of the music-related plot. I also loved Ujima as a secondary character! Great book, please read it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dominic Lim, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.