I will always remember Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa because of the feelings it invoked: the love, the tears and the heartbreak; not necessarily in that order; the vibrant culture of San Antonio, the food, the language, the beautiful cover art, the friendships and family. My Spanish to English dictionary got quite the workout. I learned so many swear words that my vocabulary thanks you. I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Ander is a non-binary teen living in San Antonio, TX, who has decided to take a gap year after graduation to continue their career as a muralist. Everything seems to be going great until their family lets them go from the taquería they run, so they can focus solely on their art. Ander is instantly attracted to the boy they hire to replace them, Santi. The attraction is mutual and the two begin a beautiful relationship. The only problem, Santi is undocumented.

This book was so beautiful, sweet, and heartbreaking.

I felt the characters were incredibly well developed and their struggles so deeply real. I loved Ander and Sanyo’s relationship and how we really got to grow with them throughout the book.

The world building was also fantastic. I’ve never been to Texas, but I really felt like I was there and living in this neighborhood while reading.

The message behind this book is such an important one and I feel it was delivered in a wonderful way.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys YA love stories, queer novels, or just loves a story that is going to make you feel all the feels!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and statements are my own.

Ander and Santi Were Here is the character-driven story of Ander, and nonbinary Mexican teen who paints murals and is taking a gap year before going to art school, and Santi, a new arrival to town who starts working at Ander's grandma's restaurant, and immediately catches Ander's eye. Santi's undocumented, though, and this puts a big snare in the plans of lovelorn teens.

Two things can be true, as Santi says. This book is sweet and passionate, tells a story that many have lived out, and is filled with joy and pain. This book is also slow, has teenage insta-love (which makes the slowness of getting to it all the more frustrating for me), and the ending feels very perfect and almost too easy and simple.

Overall, it is a good book about an important topic, but it just didn't hit top marks for me like I'd hoped based off other reviews.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a vibrantly and wonderfully told story… and a beautiful story, at that. While I need to add my usual disclaimer that I am someone with a lot of feelings who cries easily, this book did absolutely make me tear up a couple of times. But, saying that, the ending was a good one, although maybe not the one you’re expecting.

The chemistry between the two leads, Ander and Santi, was so electric, and is really the backbone of the entire book. Without it, the story would really just fall apart, but is is truly quite believable and beautiful. And seeing queer people being happy and falling in love will never not make me smile, especially when they do it against all the odds and forces working against them. You love to see it, especially in today’s climate.

Ander & Santi Were Here has been high on my most-anticipated list since I read and loved Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun last year, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. Jonny Garza Villa has once again created a book full of characters and prose that go straight into your heart. I tried to stretch it out so that it didn't have to end, but I also just fell into the story in a way that made it impossible to read only a little bit at a time. It's a quiet story, but one that echoes and takes up space. Highly recommended.

CW: deportation, ICE, racism, marijuana use

ANDER & SANTI WERE HERE by Jonny Garza Villa is a beautiful love story between a non-binary Mexican-American artist and a young man, who's an undocumented immigrant and works at their family's restaurant. While the story develops at a slower pace, it never feels boring. The characters and their relationships are well-drawn and feel authentic. Ander, in particular, leaps off the page with vivid clarity through their dialogue and mannerisms. The romance is just lovely and has the reader rooting for a happy ending for the two souls at the center of it. Overall, the story is a perfect blend of funny, tender, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Abolish ICE.

Thank you to Wednesday Books (via NetGalley) for the ARC!

"Through happiness and destruction." 🥺😭

I spent much of this book with tears leaking out of my eyes. Ander and Santi's romance is sweet and intense, but man do they go through it during the course of this book.

Ander is a Mexican-American muralist, taking a gap year before attending art school in Chicago, who is working with a local group to put murals up all over their town. Santi is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who is hired at Ander's family taqueria. They are instantly drawn to each other, despite Ander's mother warning them not to start anything (at this point Ander doesn't know that Santi is undocumented). Of course, they don't listen 😆

Ander has been struggling to connect and find deeper meaning with their art while also not wanting to be boxed in by stereotypes so often attributed to artists of color by white people. As Ander and Santi grow closer, Santi's appreciation of Ander's art allows them to also gain a new perspective of it. Meanwhile, the threat of Santi being deported lingers in the background of their lives, almost like a tangible thing.

A few things I loved about this book--

-The author's note at the beginning: Garza Villa notes that while they don't personally know what it's like to be an undocumented person, they did grow up, similar to Ander, with undocumented people in their life and the chance that any of them could be taken at any time. They wanted to do their stories justice, and, for however much my opinion counts, I believe this story was very well done. I can see the care and, most of all, the humanity with which Santi's character was handled, and I think that was the author's goal--it is said a few times throughout the book that the reason organizations like ICE exist and the reasons borders are so cruel is that governments forget about the humanity of the undocumented people behind the statistics

-There is absolutely zero homophobia in this book! Ander (they/them/elle) is gay and nonbinary and is already out when the book starts. Their family accepts them completely, and so does everyone else they come across in the book. Ander does not tone down anything about their personality, spending most of the book wearing crop tops and short shorts and just generally being loud. They are never misgendered. I love that with all the other conflict going on in this book, that is one thing that doesn't come up at all ❤️ (except for a very sweet scene where Santi checks in with Ander about using a gendered word as a term of endearment)

-The descriptions of Ander's art. Ander creates multiple murals throughout the book and the descriptions of them were so vivid that I felt like I could actually see them. And now I really do want to see them! Even more so knowing that the cover is based on the last mural that Ander paints in San Antonio before leaving to be with Santi in Mexico 🥺❤️ I have been obsessed with the cover since I first saw it, and it's one of my favorite book covers ever. Someone please turn this book into a movie so I can see all of Ander's murals irl 🙏🏼

I really didn't mean for this review to become so long, but I really loved this book ❤️ It comes out on May 2nd, so go pre-order it or go buy it when it comes out!

"Ander & Santi Were Here" is a breathtaking YA contemporary queer love story that offers readers a timeless message on finding one's place in the world. The author's skilful blending of realities in modern America, including the harsh realities undocumented immigrants face, along with a message of love, hope, and fighting to belong, adds a thrilling and emotional depth to the book.

The latine, queer, and nonbinary representation in the book is commendably diverse. The characters are beautifully portrayed, and the emotional journey they go through is genuine and relatable. The author has a way of wrapping readers in the story, making them feel as though they too are experiencing the same struggles as Ander and Santi. The love story is incredibly heartwarming and touches the soul without feeling heavy-handed or cliche. Yes, I cried a lot.

Overall, “Ander & Santi Were Here” is a must-read for anyone who loves a heartfelt, captivating and moving contemporary love story that offers an inspiring and uplifting message. Jonny Garza Villa's ability to blend life's most pressing realities with storytelling that can uplift and inspire is nothing short of admirable.

- Oh, my heart, this book. ANDER AND SANTI WERE HERE is truly something special. I loved everything about it. The openly welcomed queerness, the love for San Antonio, the grappling with unfair and scary situations.
- Ander and Santi are incredible characters, both still finding the softness and joy in life amid brutality.
- This book also toes the line between YA and NA with some borderline spicy scenes, and I appreciate a book for young people that doesn't shy away from that aspect of life, like teenagers don't experience it.
- I feel like I can't put the beauty of this book into words. It's really a must read if you like YA, queer lit, Latine lit, or any combination of those.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley

This book wrecked me. It's a beautiful, painful, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful story.

CW: this book deals with family separation, loss of a parent, and ICE.

Ander (they/them) has taken a gap year before he plans to attend a prestigious art school. They are using their time to do an artist in residence for a local group called Beautify not Gentrify. They meets Santi when their Tita hires Santi to work in their family taqueria. Ander and Santi try not to fall for each other but they're unable to resist falling in love. Ander paints murals and struggles with the racist 'advice' of their school advisor while they struggles to grow as an artist. Santi is undocumented and in America alone. He was forced to leave his mother and sister behind at the border and continue to America on his own. He can't get a license and he's under constant risk of deportation. Despite all this he's determined to make the most of being with Ander.

Honestly, part of reading this book stressed me out. I could feel Santi's fear when ICE showed up, I could understand the visceral horror of Ander understanding what the reality of Santi's life was. It's very real for so many people, and reading this story really brought it home to me. It was a tough read. But it was SO good.

And there were parts of it that were so funny too! I loved the dialog between Ander and their family and Zeke. Scenes of Ander and Santi painting together were amazing. And I also liked how well accepted Ander was. They wore pink cropped shirts and had pastel painted nails and no one gave hem shit about it. MORE accepting families like this please. I loved the passion you could feel from the characters and how much richer a story it became the more we got to know them.

I think more people should read this story. I don't think a person could read something like this and not come out of it a better more compassionate person. I am very grateful to Jonny Garza Villa for writing and sharing this story.

ander decided to take a gap year before starting art school, and is content filling their time with an art project a month and working in the family taquería. but then, ander is fired so that they can focus more on their art. when they meet their replacement, santi, they want to get to know him better.

i loved that this story was set in san antonio, texas. it’s always cool to read books set in places i’ve been to. though i’ve mainly visited the areas surrounding six flags and seaworld, i could imagine the setting and enjoyed getting to know this other part of a city i love so much.

as for the story itself, i’m still thinking about and tearing up over it days later, and i think that says a lot. santi is undocumented and ICE eventually comes for him. this aspect made me both angry and sad, especially when taking into account that this is not a fictional thing. santi’s own backstory, though not shown much as he is not a POV character, was so heartbreaking.

i also loved ander’s own journey through their art and plans for the future. every meeting they had with their academic advisor made me so angry, so i wasn’t really surprised with what happened in regards to that in the end. i loved the descriptions of ander’s art and creative process.

i highly recommend this book to any YA reader, though be aware there are some more mature themes and the main characters are nineteen.

Absolutely devastating. I couldn't stop crying along with Ander whenever Santi's safety was targeted. The ending surprise me by not being the typical YA contemporary romance ending. I feel like this will resonate with Young Adults way more than cookie cutter endings. When I finished, the first thought that came through was 'I wish them all the best.' The family dynamic was so fun to read. I love family that clap back at each other. Jonny Garza Villa writes characters that are not only fun but incredibly moving as well. I wish there were illustrations of Ander's murals included, I would've love to see the one on his family business.

so incredibly heartfelt and the characters feel so real

I really appreciated the author's note at the beginning and the words which the author chose. It completely sets the vibe for the rest of the novel.

the queer representation!! I felt so deeply connected with both Santi and Ander in their queerness - Santi in his sexuality which he describes as "I like pretty people" (I do not think my sexuality could be described any better and his contentedness in not using a formal label felt freeing for me personally). Similarly in Ander's gender, but especially in the way that everyone accepts their gender and there was a single misuse of pronouns that I noticed. AND their love story felt so indicative of what I've experienced from queer love -- wonderfully done on Garza Villa's part, simply wonderful.

the story is not perfectly wrapped up either, which I appreciated. It felt real compared to so many other romance stories that I have read.

100% would recommend and the short chapters totally make this binge-able as well

thank you so much to Netgalley, which provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 -“You deserve that. The happiness. And all the things you want, without the complicated parts. And you have me for as long as you want.”

Ander is a talented muralist in San Antonio, in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood. They’re planning to go to school in Chicago, but something is making them hesitate. Ander’s family fires them from their restaurant so they can focus on getting ready for school. But then they meet their replacement, Santiago. The pull between them is undeniable, and Ander starts to put the pieces of what they want together.

This is the type of book to squeeze your heart. Ander is such a great protagonist, and they’re incredible representation. They’re so talented as a muralist, and it’s so great to see their supportive family. I think with situations and books like this, it’s easy to have the family be unsupportive, but Ander has the support of their family and their friends. I love the way Ander is on this journey to discover what they truly want to do with their life and how they continue to explore their talent.

Their relationship with Santi is just beautiful. They both feel this pull toward the other and it’s really lovely how it all unfolds. Santi is so supportive of Ander and their art. When ICE comes for Santi, it felt like a weight was on my chest. You become attached to both Ander and Santi so the fear is real. Everything about both Ander and Santi is so beautifully written, and I love that Ander's family are willing to protect Santi. The ending is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it felt like the perfect ending for them.

“I’m with you. Through happiness and destruction.”

My only issue was that part of this seemed to drag and there were filler moments that I ruin l could have been cut. Ander and Santi are so likable as characters that I didn’t think the extra filler was necessary. But overall, I would definitely recommend this beautiful story.

First and foremost, I have never in my life felt more ATTACKED than I did while listening to the Valentina hot sauce comment. Mx Garza Villa really came for my neck with that one.

In all honestly, it took me about a third of the way to fully get into this book. I liked the concept, the characters, and all the Mexican-ness that reminded me of home, but this was the first book I've read that made me feel like maybe I WAS too old to still be reading YA. Just some of the terminology (such as the unironic use of the word "unalive") and the super specific pop culture references that made me feel like I was ready for senior discounts and early-bird dinner specials. 😜😜😜

However, once I got the the heart of the novel, I was all in. What a beautiful story. What a beautiful, terrible, realistic story. A quote in particular that really took my breath away was "it's weird how, because we're brown, we start doubting everything," and ain't that the truth.

Also I clocked a reference each to Adam Silvera and Benjamin Alire Sáenz, and that made my heart sing. Faves supporting faves.

I didn't expect this book would make me cry, and certainly not as much as I did. Will absolutely be recommending this. Through happiness and destruction. 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

This was the easiest 5 stars I’ve given in a while!! This will 100% be in my top 5 of the year! I have so much to say and I don’t even know where to start. Ander and Santi are so special and words aren’t enough to explain why. These two just wanted to be together, be happy, and be safe and even though everything was against them, they fought for each other and while it didn’t always work how they wanted it to, in the end what mattered the most was that they were together and happy and safe.

I can’t even begin to comprehend the things they were going through. Especially Santi just trying to survive in this country. The way America treats immigrants is deplorable and disgusting. It’s ridiculous that people are treated like they don’t deserve basic human rights. It’s heartbreaking and I hope our country will care about human beings enough to change in my lifetime 💔

I also just love queer stories that aren’t about coming out or struggling with their identity and don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy those stories as well but it’s such a breath of fresh air when that’s not the conflict! And both Ander & Santi were so secure in their identities (even if Santi didn’t know exactly where he fell) and the people around them were so accepting! It just made a story about struggling to be able to stay together so joyful!

I just love love love Ander & Santi and I will read any and everything that Jonny releases! 2 out of 2 books released so far that I absolutely fell in love with! Highly highly recommend this one!!

I would like to sincerely thank St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, this book cover art is stunning. It sets the tone for all the facets of artistry, which, as an artist, I enjoyed immensely. This was a sweet story that was emotional at times, full of colour and family, food and young love. Ander & Santi Were Here makes a great addition to the list of YA books exploring the challenges POC and the LGBTQIAP+ communities face in their lifetime. And so here's hoping that as awareness grows one book/piece of art/restaurant at a time, compassion and acceptance and peace will overcome the fear, hostility and violence communities face for their diversity. Fun and summery, with narrative sincerity, Ander & Santi Were Here brings art, community and culture to the forefront of a continuously evolving conversation we all need to be a part of!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5

🌺Latine Ya Romance
🌵Non-binary MC
🌺Queer joy
🌵Art
🌺Mexican food

This young queer love story is about a Mexican-American teen who falls in love with an undocumented Mexican immigrant. It follows their journey as they both search for a place where they can belong.

I got this ARC in Feb, but I read this book back in March for the #tranrightsreadathon and it was such a beautiful and emotional ride. I laughed and cried many times, the displays of love and support from this family were impeccable. This was such a hopeful story, full of acceptance from family and friends, and something I certainly wish we had more of in our current society.

I was especially fond of the bits that we got from the father, displays of emotion, full honesty, and support for their kid. The book also touched on some important global topics while not going super deep, I think it was just enough to get us curious, and I hope it encourages readers to educate themselves further.

I hadn't read a book that included this much Spanish and I loved it!
As a Spanish speaker myself, I appreciated the representation of non-binary language and how smoothly the conversations happened, especially for a language that is heavily rooted in assigning a gender to everything. It made me feel pretty confident to start integrating non-binary language when speaking in Spanish.

Jonny's writing style is amazing and I often forgot I was reading. The visuals and celebration of queer art were beautifully done, and they provided a special background to the emotional moments that had my heart.

Lastly, can we please take a moment to appreciate the stunning cover by @kerriresnick !!
Hope you check this book out it comes out May 2.
Thank you so much to Jonny Garza Villa, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I even start? This was an absolutely beautiful and at times, heartbreaking, story. The way we treat people “not from this country” as if the United States would be what it is today if not for the original people (colonizers) that literally came from other countries! At the end of the day, we are all just people regardless of where we come from and I think we’d be better off to remember that.

This is an important story to tell and I think this book did an amazing job. I will never know the pain and fear that Ander and Santi felt and experienced. I’m sorry for anyone that has or ever will. I can only hope and fight for a better future for all. 💛

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story.

Ander, a nonbinary Mexican-American muralist, that falls in love with Santi, who came from Mexico undocumented, and is hired by the family taqueria. It’s about culture, love, and finding home.

I also really enjoyed reading the gender-neutral Spanish.