This was a really sweet story with a lot of heart, but man was the pacing so all over the place. There were so many climaxes in the last half that I kept thinking the book was almost over and then it just! kept! going! And the end definitely hit meaningfully but it was bogged down by the other two climaxes before it. I feel like if this book had picked one dramatic way to end, it would have been better, and more focus could have been on the legal battle rather than it feeling sidelined at the end (iykyk what I'm referring to).

A lot of this just felt rushed and there were so many specific points for the two of them to hit along the way that I think the greater point was kind of lost? That's to say the stakes just kept changing on the reader, which made the reading experience a bit less meaningful.

Tldr: This book has a lot of important things to say, I just wish it were streamlined lol

It took me longer than it should have to finish this book, but that's my fault and not the fault of this beautiful book. If you want an older YA/new adult perspective on queer relationships, especially when life gets in the way, but with a supportive as heck family at the center of it all, then look no further than this book. It made me laugh, it broke my heart - and I'd do it all over again.  I received an ARC of this novel, which was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ander & Santi Were Here is an emotional, at times heartbreaking, YA romance. I appreciated this book for everything that it portrays. It’s also written beautifully. It was a great YA book about belonging, identity, and immigration. I would consider this an important read, especially for its target audience, young adults.

Ander is a mural artist and struggles with figuring out the balance between doing Mexican style art because it’s expected of them vs because they actually want to. I really enjoyed the nuance of their dilemma around their art, and their advisor who was being racist under the disguise of being helpful. Not all racism is blatant and bad-intentioned. I enjoyed that Ander being non-binary was not a big deal within the story and how supportive their family was.

The biggest conflict in the book comes from Santi’s immigration status. The uncertainties and instability of being undocumented with the threat of deportation always hanging over their head were portrayed honestly. I appreciated that a YA romance didn’t shy away from covering these realities that you'd be more likely to see in adult fiction.

On the other hand, I really didn’t enjoy the romance aspects of the book. I felt Santi had no real personality. We have no idea about his interests, hobbies, what kind of person he is… They have an instant love connection and the rest is history. I couldn’t tell you why Ander was interested in him at all. Though, their romance was quite tender, heartwarming and cute.

I also couldn’t stand Ander. This could very well be because I’m quite far from my teenage days, but I found them annoying because of how immature and angsty they were while also making very adult decisions, plus I found their obsession with being a “puta” a bit off putting.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to St Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

Ander & Santi were here is a beautiful story filled with love, identity, growing up and leaving behind once you thought was. And it was also about pain and grief. It said incredibly important things about American immigration policies, and deportation, and the pain that it can cause for people, families, and communities. Their struggles in the way that they came together to support and appreciate each other made a very emotional conclusion.

Latine Heritage Month

This is not only YA. It is Latine. It is queer. It deals with the undocumented. People that say kids don't have it tough, haven't been a kid in far too long. It's not only tough. It can be devastating.

In San Antonio, a city I'm very familiar with, Ander/AJ Martínez are living out their artist dreams while they await their time to attend art college. I'm always pleasantly surprised when parents, especially non-white parents, are so accepting of their non-binary children.

While Ander is a muralist, and loves depicting Mexican, Mexican American, and American art, the art school they are set on attending in Chicago believes they should lean into stereotypically Mexican art. But Ander isn't just Mexican. They are American. And they should be able to make whatever art they so choose.

On the other side of this, Ander's parents own a restaurant that they work at. They are effectively fired so they can focus on art and preparing for school. However, one day, they see their new crush, Santiago López Alvarado, there. Guess who goes back to work?

In all seriousness, the romance was very cute. I loved the fight between what people see you as, what you see you as, and what you are inside. Being a diaspora kid is tough. Being undocumented is tougher. I think that part was dealt with well, but as I have no firsthand experience, I'll let other reviewers speak to that.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books

What was the last 25% of this book 😭😭😭.

This book is so tender and heartbreaking. I felt so much joy when reading this and then immense heartbreak. I loved the way cultural differences were outlined in such a beautiful way.

Not many books make me feel emotional like this did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I am very late to this review, and actually read the finished copy I have in my classroom. Ander & Santi Were Here was a beautiful story and one that I think will help readers develop empathy for LGBTQ+ and undocumented youth. I loved the characters, the loving friends and family, and the way that hope remained despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I'll be reading more from this author!

A beautiful contemporary YA love story with a fresh voice, rich characters and a gorgeous setting. I loved watching this love story book .

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook. I loved Ander and Santi. It was an overwhelming read. So pure and beautiful

Both a deft rendering of the realities of undocumented immigrants and a heartwarming romance, Ander & Santi Were Here is the kind of story that both breaks your heart and pieces it back together.

Ander and Santi Were Here is a profoundly moving love story that blends joy and heartbreak beautifully. The romance between Ander and Santi is deeply touching, while the portrayal of the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants adds a significant emotional depth. Jonny Garza Villa’s storytelling is exceptional, and I can't wait to own a copy to highlight my favorite parts. This book is a must-read and deserves a spot on everyone’s TBR list.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This book was very sweet, deep and emotional.

Ander and Santi Were Here follows main character Ander who is taking a gap year before going to university to study art. Their parents and family decide to "fire" them from work so they can focus on their art and portfolio. Replacing them is Santi a cute boy who starts working at Ander's family's taqueria. The two form a bond with their friendship quickly becoming something more. However, Santi is an undocumented immigrant and Ander soon realises just how fragile love and home really is.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. Much like Jonny's previous book, Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun characters are at the forefront of this story with the development of romance and chemistry integral to the book. The backstories of the characters and their personalities were my favourite elements of Ander and Santi Were Here and I loved getting to know them better.

My one criticism of the book is that it seemed very slow in terms of its pacing. I kind of wanted the book to be a little bit faster but I understand this was to show the slow burn and deep connection between both Ander and Santi which was slowly blossoming into a deep sort of love. I think readers who love deep connection would love this novel.

Wow wow wow! This was one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful stories I have ever read.

There is so much OWN- Voices culture intertwined throughout this story that made a huge impact on me.

The romance was fantastic and swoon-worthy. The fact that these young man need to be dealing with ICE was heartbreaking and real.

I really wanted to love this one. There aren't many Mexican American queer books out there and I had high hopes for this. After having a similar opinion on Fifteen Hundred Miles From The Sun I thought this was going to be the book for me but sadly it wasn't.

I loved the first 80% of the book, it was fast paced and entertaining but after that it felt rushed and I didn't like where the story was going.

This book absolutely owns me. It hit me in all the feels. The characters, the storyline, the writing style. I'm honestly obsessed.

“And with every touch, I am reminded that we are powerful—that our existence is powerful—that we can be both protectors and protectors. [...] ...we exist. Together. Right here and right now, with each other. And no man, government, or racist ideology can ruin this—at least, not right now.”

Ander and Santi Were Here covered many important topics, especially for young adults. This story included topics such as nonbinary, being an undocumented citizen, queerness, minority, and so much more. It was a great balance of being optimistic and hopeful while still sharing some hard truths about the world. Through Ander, we can learn so much about what it means to be an immigrant. This story so is lively and heartfelt.

Typically I'm all over LGBTQ+ novels, especially in the young adult realm. For too long, this demographic has been ignored and looked over and it's time their stories are being told.

What I Liked:
-Ander has an incredibly supportive family and I loved this for them. More of this, please.
-Ander's grandmother is incredibly endearing. She might have been my favorite character in the whole book.
-I'm so thankful books like this exist: books featuring gay/nonbinary characters and tackling the realities of ICE/deportation head on. I feel like both of these topics have been touched on in other ya literature but to have both of them present at once is still fairly revolutionary.
-Let's take a moment for that cover, please.

What I Didn't Like:
-One thing I'm not loving about ya lit right now is the number of books that are being marketed as young adult but are really geared for that new adult age (think college age characters). I love a good ya story: the agnsty teenager figuring things out while they are still restricted by their age and adults in their life. This whole new adult age group is new, and honestly, probably needed, but isn't my favorite age to read about. Would 17 and 18 year olds gravitate towards these stories? Absolutely. But they don't hit in the same way young adult does.
-I felt like the fear of deportation was not handled consistently. I fully recognize my comments come from a place of privilege. However, it felt like deportation was a fear, then went completely away, then came back full steam ahead, then went away again. It just felt.. inconsistent. I realize the characters can't spend every waking moment worrying about deportation, because how debilitating, but I also thought this could have been handled more consistently throughout the book.
-The plot was so slow. So slow. Some readers will love this but it'll take the right reader to fall in love with the slow pace of this one.
-I hated the ending. I guess I'm old and jaded now because the ending seemed to be the most unrealistic part of this whole story.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Tender, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Ander and Santi's story is important and poignant. Balanced an incredibly sweet and heartwarming romance with the hard-hitting realities of undocumented immigrants in the United States.

A delicious and fascinating story that hits every emotional beat perfectly. Can't wait to read more from Garza Villa in the future!

*4.5 stars*
I have so many thoughts about this book, but it’s so hard to put them into words. I adore this book. I adore the characters. I loved the representation and themes of the story.

Ander & Santi Were Here is a touching story that had me laughing and crying. Reading a book that’s rich with Mexican culture that’s so relatable to my own experiences growing up was something so beautiful to me.

Ander and Santi were so loving and sweet with one another. I do wish Sandi’s character was a little more fleshed out. We don’t get to know much about him, which sucks, but I was still able to enjoy the relationship between him and Ander. Ander was so funny and I adored their personality.

This book deals with ICE and it really puts the experiences undocumented immigrants face into perspective. Overall, this was such a great book. I think everyone should give this book a chance. Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.