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bookish_selkie 's review for:
Ander and Santi Were Here
by Jonny Garza Villa
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow, this book stole and promptly destroyed my heart. Ander & Santi Were Here is one of my favorite books of 2023! Ander and Santi have a relationship filled with longing, so much love, and many real-life obstacles. It’s devastatingly romantic and filled with very real grief and pain. Ander & Santi Were Here is brimming with heart and beautiful writing that includes lots of Spanish (which is easy to understand based on context). This is a book that promises to make you cry, grin, and end up wanting to reread the whole thing over again.
Ander & Santi Were Here is simply beautiful from the cover to the story inside. Once you read the story, you will have even more appreciation for the stunning cover. This is a book that is so moving, deeply romantic, and yet also incorporates real-life problems. I don’t see how anyone could read this story and not come away with a deeper understanding about how immigration laws in the US are horrifyingly cruel and tear families apart.
The queer representation was excellent; Ander is nonbinary and uses they/them/elle pronouns. Ander and Santi have an instant attraction, surrounded by Ander’s family. I loved how Ander’s family was so wonderful and involved in protecting Ander and especially Santi. Ander’s parents were so loving and accepting, while also calling them out when needed and trying to help them no matter what. Since a good portion of this book takes place at Ander’s family taquería, you absolutely cannot read this book without snacks because the descriptions of Mexican food are incredible.
I would recommend this for readers who enjoy Edward Underhill (Always the Almost), Gabe Cole Novoa (The Wicked Bargain), and Sonora Reyes (The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School). I would truly recommend this to anyone, especially those who enjoy queer love stories that will take you on an emotional journey. I already can’t wait to read Jonny Garza Villa’s next book!
Thank you so much to Jonny Garza Villa, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ander & Santi Were Here is simply beautiful from the cover to the story inside. Once you read the story, you will have even more appreciation for the stunning cover. This is a book that is so moving, deeply romantic, and yet also incorporates real-life problems. I don’t see how anyone could read this story and not come away with a deeper understanding about how immigration laws in the US are horrifyingly cruel and tear families apart.
The queer representation was excellent; Ander is nonbinary and uses they/them/elle pronouns. Ander and Santi have an instant attraction, surrounded by Ander’s family. I loved how Ander’s family was so wonderful and involved in protecting Ander and especially Santi. Ander’s parents were so loving and accepting, while also calling them out when needed and trying to help them no matter what. Since a good portion of this book takes place at Ander’s family taquería, you absolutely cannot read this book without snacks because the descriptions of Mexican food are incredible.
I would recommend this for readers who enjoy Edward Underhill (Always the Almost), Gabe Cole Novoa (The Wicked Bargain), and Sonora Reyes (The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School). I would truly recommend this to anyone, especially those who enjoy queer love stories that will take you on an emotional journey. I already can’t wait to read Jonny Garza Villa’s next book!
Thank you so much to Jonny Garza Villa, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.