I love that this is an own voices book on more than one level--the writer is both queer and Latinx. I didn't know much about Mariachi before reading this book and had no idea how competitive it was. It made me want to listen to and learn more about it. It was heartbreaking how the main character, while dealing with the loss of his grandfather, also had to deal with homophobia from his Mariachi bandmates. In addition, the other main character, an individual of color, has to deal with whether others consider him a "real" Mexican because his skin is darker than theirs.

But this is not just a story about prejudice. It is also about doing things that we love--but not necessarily for the right reason. It's about family and friends. It's about what's more important--our ambitions or people we care about.

And maybe it's even a love story as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

(Might adjust rating later, I keep going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars. So I guess consider a 4.5)

“It makes me miss [it] so much. So much it hurts. It always hurts. But it also helps me realize that I carry a little part of it all with me wherever I am.”

Not going to lie, I came for the mariachi plot and was sucker punched out of nowhere with one of the most raw stories about grief. I was not expecting it, but it was what the story needed. For a while I was worried that Rafie was just going to be this insufferable main character, but I liked the journey he takes throughout.

Rafie shows that grief, and healing, and growth are not linear. Just when he thinks he’s getting the hang of it, he spirals right back down again. I appreciate that others let him know that they were there to support him, but made it clear that they were not going to be waked on in the process (something that I think is often missing in plots like these).

Minor notes for inclusion of modern slang/other Gen Z-isms . While not too distracting from everything else, I just think that sometimes these can hurt rather than help the text, as modern terms and pop culture moves so fast nowadays that it almost dates the book in an attempt to seem topical and relevant.

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa is a fiesta for your feelings, performing a mariachi serenade of bittersweet romance against a sun-drenched Texas backdrop. This YA gem pits Rafie, a cis gay Mexican-American cutie with a mic in his hand and a dream in his heart, against Rey, a gay Afro-Mexicano trans boy, his one-time hookup and eventual high school mariachi band rival. Rafie's life is a whirlwind of rivalry, grief, and family expectations. The magical realism woven into the story, embodied by a mariachi calavera, adds a touch of the extraordinary to Rafie's journey of self-discovery. Villa paints every page with vibrant scenes of Latine pride and familia love, tugging at your heartstrings as Rafie juggles tradition and his own damn desires. Rafie's relatable struggle with perfectionism is so real. And Rafie and Rey's romance is a perfectly seasoned salsa–tangy banter, simmering frustration, and a slow burn that melts into a sweet, swoon-worthy finale, making Canto Contigo an anthem for finding your own harmony, no matter whose tune you're supposed to be singing.

This one has one of the most intersectional premises I have ever come across in YA. And the execution and immersion was flawlessly done. Where do I even begin! First, I LOVED Rafie's family! While the story does revolve around the inherently low-key homophobic and transphobic landscape that is usually any cultural art form, such as mariachi, it made my heart so happy that the baseline of this ONE family, SO celebrated in the mariachi scene is so loving and enthusiastically supportive of multiple out, queer children. So much so that the protagonist's whole emotional arc is to come to terms with the fact that literally no one is expecting him to overachieve or compensate for anything except his own adolescent brain cocktail of grief and displacement. While that is a very admirable theme in YA, I am not sure I was a fan of how infodumpy it was at times when Rafie would literally have to monologue about why he acts like the most insufferably arrogant jackass most of the time. I wish the POVs switched up to include Rey, because honestly, I was having a hard time understanding why he was putting up with Rafie's behavior most of the time and still wanted him. The cute bits of communication and connection through music were so unutterably cute through I regularly forgot about these not insignificant gripes I had. It's also fortuitous that I have been hitting the Spanish Duolingo recently, though, which helped me stay immersed with these characters and events. And if you think I looked up so much of the music mentioned in this that Spotify helpfully provided me a "Buenas Vibras" playlist, no I didn't.

Three for three for Jonny Garza Villa. I'm a sucker for characters and this book has so many great characters. including the background characters could each have their own books I'd happily read. I won't lie, Rafie was hard to like in the beggining but I'm glad I stuck with it. There is so much nuance and humanity in this exploration of grief and identiy, of belonging, of family and culture, of growing up and of being true to yourself. Jonny Garza Villa is an automatic buy for me,

Review withheld as part of the St Martin’s Press Boycott. I stand in solidarity wiith my fellow influencers in asking for a true apology and plan.

Reading Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa was such a joyful experience. I loved that it was unapologetically queer and Mexican. When the characters spoke in Spanish and made references to Mexican culture, it didn't force a way to explain what it was talking about it. It's something so small but it's something I really appreciated. I thought the characters were well rounded (even with all their faults) and I liked the exploration of being and figuring out who you are when you lose someone you love dearly. I don't think it was a perfect book, Rafie's promise to his grandfather (and the central plot issue) felt a little too incomplete or vague. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it and I kind of forgot about it until it was brought up towards the middle of the book. Besides that, I really enjoyed it and I cannot wait for Garza Villa to post the playlist so I can listen to all the wonderful mariachi music that was mentioned throughout the book.

What a lovely book - there is no doubt that this will be one of my top books for 2024! You will laugh, cry, and feel everything in between with this - and you certainly won’t be disappointed!

Rafie is a rising mariachi star, bringing his high school group to victory at the annual mariachi contest for three years and is hoping for one more before graduating. Rafie wants to live up to the legacy of his recently deceased grandfather, his inspiration in mariachi. However, he was not anticipating having to move to San Antonio and transfer schools for his senior year. Anticipating having the lead vocalist position handed to him after his audition, he is shocked when he is not granted this and is forced to share the limelight with Rey - the guy he made out with at last year’s mariachi contest. Despite this new rivalry and many fights/confrontations to be THE leader for the group, both Rafie and Rey are forced to work together to win, and in the process, they start to turn from enemies-to-lovers.

This is my first book that I’ve read by Jonny Garza Villa, and I cannot wait to read through their entire back catalog of books! This was such a lovely coming of age queer story, packed with so much romance and passion. I loved the quick-witted, hilarious banter between Rafie and Rey, and found myself literally laughing out loud at many parts. The dialogue felt so realistic and appreciated the natural flowing Spanglish throughout. Rey was my absolute favorite character - there is no way you can read this and not fall in love with him. I also appreciated the focus on grief and the loss of a close loved one. Villa does a phenomenal job with portraying Rafie’s struggle with losing his grandfather and what that meant for his life and future; it felt authentic and raw. Overall, this is such an emotional, heartwarming, and lovely queer YA rom-com that will have your heart singing throughout!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

After absolutely loving Villa’s previous title, Ander & Santi Were Here, my expectations for this title were high. Those expectations were met and then some. Canto Contigo focuses on Rafael, a rising mariachi star, and his experiences when he has to transfer schools during his senior year. This title tackles so many important topics like Machismo culture, Mariachi traditions, and the Mexican-American identity. Jonny Garza Villa is an auto-read author for me and their work deserves a place in every YA collection.

When I read the blurb for this book, I thought to myself, "Wow, I'm sure this is going to be beautiful writing with complex characters." And then I started reading it and... not so much. While challenging traditions, such machismo and heterosexual (male) mariachi, is necessary and important work, the heart of this novel wasn't quite there. Especially in the first 186 pages, specifically because the main character's internal conflict was not clearly fleshed out (he thinks he needs to be perfect to uphold his late abuelo's love for him as a perfect grandson). If more time had been spent showing why Rafael thought he needed to be perfect (aka elucidating his relationship with his abuelo), then I would have been more invested in him and his struggles. As it was, it was very tedious to continuously read him wanting to be emotionally involved with Rey but then telling himself he couldn't--y por qué no? If Rafie's abuelo was the only other person besides Rey who saw his true self, then why couldn't he be with Rey? The conflict did not make much sense and was irritating to read on repeat--for 186 pages!--until Rafie finally (sorta) got over that conflict. Even then, this was just another first person narrative that spends a lot of time telling a story rather than showing it, thus distancing the reader from the passion of this story and also muddling the heart of this novel. The second half of the book was a little better, but I had higher expectations.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book.

withholding my review in support of the SMP boycott. Will update once SMP speaks up and responds to readers/reviewers concerns.

I'm sorry, but I really don't think this was for me.

I'm all for unlikable characters, but when they have overinflated egos that causes them to do/say cringe things for two-thirds of the book, I can't tolerate it well. Even though I understood why Rafie was like that, and that he was gonna get the big emotional moment that turns him good, it didn't really endear me to him that much. I couldn't get past me scrunching up my face whenever he was an asshole to Rey or anyone else in the band.

Other than that, I did like the writing. The banter, despite me not really liking Rafie for most of it, was witty. The only thing about it that kept nagging on me is the constant use of whole italicized sentences in dialogue. From my understanding, italicizing one or two words is putting specific emphasis. But whenever a whole sentence was that way, I just thought they were yelling or hissing. (There were some instances where it is made clear they're yelling, but my point still stands the rest of the time.) There is also lots of Spanish interwoven in the prose, which I should have expected but still made it confusing at times as a non-Spanish speaker. But I also get that this book's primary demographic isn't me; I'm sure YA Latine readers would love this.

All in all, this wasn't for me. The author does have their fanbase, though, and I'm sure this'll be a big hit with them.

simply so beautiful, i have no words. review to come very soon when i can form coherent thoughts but for now, this was lovely and i found myself shedding so many tears reading this.

Canto Contigo is another Jonny Garza Villa MASTERPIECE! After Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun and Ander and Santi Were Here, I am getting used to Jonny's books simply always being on my favourite reads of the year lists!
In Canto Contigo we follow Rafie, a high school Mariachi star who is forced to change schools in his senior year. Despite losing his beloved grandpa and being forced into a new environment, he is still determined to bring in his fourth win of Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional, even if with a new team who's never made it out on top. But when he finds out that the lead was assigned to the boy he met at last Mariachu Extravaganza and his fleeting crush that felt much more than that, Rey, and he'll have to stay in the background, everything falls apart. Can Rafie somehow still take the lead role, make his grandpa proud and fall back in love with being a Mariachi? Can he work with Rey and make sure that the most colourful high school Mariachi group finally wins? Or will eventually everything fall apart?

I don't even know where to START with this review! Rafie is the type of character that might seem unlikeable at first because he is stubborn to a fault while also having a bit of a massive ego - but when you delve deep, you realize that a lot of that is posturing and insecurities, grief that makes you lash out in ways that is not always palatable to the general public. Rafie is a fantastic, truly remarkable singer and tbh him knowing his worth was refreshing af! But he is also so much more than his voice and confidence - he's a grieving teen, determined to make his grandpa proud whatever it takes, finding his place in the world. And don't even get me started on Rey aka our little trans sunshine love interest who is also not afraid to show his teeth (and here comes the most fantastic rivals to lovers story hehe)! I loved their dynamic - from blushing teens meeting for the first time, to heated rivals, cautious friends and beautiful and respecting partners in the end! <3

There's also a familial aspect to the story - of living in your legacy's shadow and fighting for your place in the world at the same time, of grief and hurt and sadness like no other. It was a painful story to read but also deeply relatable and I think Rafie's relationship with his grandpa was one of my favourite parts of the story. Was it hard to read? Definitely, but I think many people will find solace in this book.

Also just all the epic side characters, from Rafie's friends from back home to his new friends in San Antonio, to his family, I wouldn't mind staying in this world for hundred and hundreds of pages longer.

Of course, Canto Contigo is also a story of a gay Mexican boy and all the struggles that come with that (not from his family which is supportive and so, so loving, and I always love seeing these stories <3), of a trans Afro-Latinx love interest that feels like he belongs even less - there are homophobia and transphobia from ignorant and bigoted SCs, but there is also so much love and hope and queer joy woven with Mariachi glamour and triumph.

You need to put Canto Contigo on your TBR as soon as it comes if you love:
• epic rivals to lovers stories
• heartwarming (and also heart-shattering) queer YA stories
• so, so many queer characters! Gay MC, trans LI, trans and queer SCs
• beautiful and supportive family dynamics

Canto Contigo is a beautiful ode to Mexican culture, Mariachi, family and legacy, to finding yourself and fighting for your future, to falling in love with someone who sees you and challenges you! Basically, a must read and a book I'll definitely recommend again and again!

In exchange for this honest review, Jonny Garza Villa made me a mixtape of the music mentioned in their upcoming book. Not really, but please???? I just finished Canto Contigo on NetGalley and oh my! Let’s start at the beginning- no-let’s start at the cover! It is as just a gorgeous as the cover of Ander and Santi Were Here, both by Artist Max Reed.
Then we open it up and there is a touching note to the reader: I got a little teary at Jonny’s words - giving the grieving reader a content warning and then Permission to read only when ready. I feel seen.
Quick overview: Rafi is a mariachi phenom whose very recently deceased grandfather taught him everything he knows. After his father gets a better job in San Antonio, a very cocky and competitive Rafie must prove himself worthy to be the lead of the mariachi at his new performing arts school. After being knocked down a few pegs by his new maestra, he learns he will singing backup to his former, yet unforgettable, fling named Rey.
Rafi will do anything it takes to top his rival so he can four-peat his national title at the Marichi Extravaganza, but he also can’t get Rey out of head romantically.
There is also the sometimes paralyzing grief that drives and guides Rafi’s poor decisions in music and his love life. And while there is heartbreak, there is laugh out loud humor. His abuelo’s spirit possibly haunts a marichi calavera that sits on Rafie’s nightstand. It is both judgy and wise and reminds me of Juanita the garden gnome from On My Block. The rivals fights and flirtations also make for hilarity.

Garza is the champion of getting so deep in is their main character’s head while at the same time giving us richly delveloped secondary characters to fall in love with. There are instances of homophobia and transphobia, but Garza writes characters who are confident in their skin and well supported by their families. I love that for young LGBTQA+ readers. #Books save lives!
Canto Contigo is available for pre-order from your favorite indie bookseller and hits shelves April 9th.
Here’s the link to my video review:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT84vEFwn/
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I really enjoyed this book, it's always great to have more youth queer representation. I felt that the characters were well-rounded and had a level of depth that made this book easy to read and simple to enjoy.

thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for allowing me access to Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa. This was a book one of my most anticipated books of the year and it didn't disappoint

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

Canto Contigo is a beautiful, touching YA romance that explores the process of grieving, both in healthy and unhealthy ways, as well as issues of homophobia and transphobia specifically in the framework of Mexican-American culture. It doesn't stop at identifying problems though; instead, it transcends to show the reader the beauty of music and art when people are able to express themselves. I can't comment on the accuracy of the cultural depictions, but what I CAN say is that even someone not intimately familiar with the history and significance of mariachi can appreciate the story told here.

For sensitive readers, content warnings are helpfully listed inside the book, but I will also include them here: homophobia, transphobia, grief, and sexuality (making out is described graphically, sexual acts are alluded to but occur "offscreen").

Jonny Garza Villa did it again. Such a masterful contemporary romance about grief ; the pressure we put on ourselves and the price to be good.

I think this will be a good story for a lot of people, but I don't think it is for me. I didn't realize it is more of a teen story than a young adult story, so I don't think I will get as much out of it. I may try to find physical copy of this when it is released, as I would like to add it to my library.