The Vibes:

—bi awakening

—nerd/jock, college-style

—coming out vs. staying safe

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

Destined to be a star goalkeeper someday, Gabriel knows he can't be anything but straight. That doesn't stop him from longing for his new friend and tutor, Vale. Being publicly bisexual could ruin Gabi's future, but the closer he and Vale become, the harder it is to resist the pull.

The Review:

Aaaah, this is so very good. It's very easy for this kind of story to hit beats you'd call cliche, right? When I tell you, "This is about a kid in college dealing with the homophobia in soccer and directed at queer Mexican players in particular", you might think you know what's coming.

And it's not that there are any crazy twists and turns or deuxes of the machinas. There shouldn't be. This is a character piece romance, through and through. But it's doing the delicate work of tackling real issues—that are, if anything, more relevant than ever—while also completely selling you on the heady swoon of falling in love really hard as an emerging adult.

Gabi is conflicted about who he is and what he wants... but he's also funny, horny, obsessed with soccer, obsessed with being the best. Did I mention horny? That is very much true. He could very easily be this kind of sad, tragic figure. But here, his problems don't go away with the snap of a finger. He has to dig deep. It's not easy. However, he does consistently find joy.

And some of that joy is in Vale. While, as a this is a single POV book, we don't get quite as much insight into Vale's character, he's still full of depth and emotion. He's also super charming; it's easy to see why Gabi is head over heels.

Yet for all that they're romantically and physically drawn to each other, this is the rare novel that manages to build a realistic, believable friendship before they take it to the next level. I don't know if I'd truly call this "friends to lovers" because like.. there's always something going on between Gabi and Vale. The chemistry is electric. But you feel something true between them.

Yes; this book does deal with homophobia up close and personal. It offers an optimistic perspective, but a realistic one as well. Not everything resolves itself perfectly. There are a couple of deeply hurtful moments. But it's a romance, and it's a book we need for this moment. It's hopeful.

(And obviously, there is a full HEA.)

As a sidebar, I really appreciated the attention paid to supporting characters, including Gabi's parents and this really dimensional cast of friends. It adds not only to the world, but the stakes. Even when I know that Gabi may be overthinking things—not that I don't get why he does—I still believe his feelings.

The Sex:

This is a college romance, and both characters are over eighteen. There's a mixture of like... fumbling adorable sweetness and just full "rip each other's clothes off" desire. While it's explicit, it's more on the side of "passionate" than "anatomical". Appropriate for where the characters are in their lives, while still aligning with that "obsessive young love and awakening" vibe.

Futbolista is a super strong book, and you truly don't have to be this massive soccer fan to get it (I say as someone who really only watches during the World Cup). It blends confusion and love and desire and vulnerability so well. Would recommend to anyone in the mood for a character-heavy, well-written, happy-making romance.

Thanks to Levine Querido and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This coming of age story was fantastic! I loved getting to know Gabi, Vale, and the gang as Gabi discovered who he is and who he wants to be. It was a great story that touches on what it’s like for Latinos that identify as LGBTQ+.

This is literal perfection. I have no notes other than I can’t wait to read this again and again. This gave me all of the feels.

Jonny Garza Villa returns to the broader universe of 1500 Miles From The Sun with Gabriel Piña bumpy road to being true to himself. Gabi wants to become a professional footballer, a space which isn't exactly known for its acceptance and inclusivity. He has it all planned, until sweet Vale turns his world upside down and gives him the gentle shove he needed to start asking the hard questions.

The story is sweet, hot and funny! Vale is a cinamonn roll, understanding, supportive and respecftul. Gabi is cocky and confident, he messes up, he learns from his mistakes and never stops growing. Their chemistry is amazing and the sexual tension is thick from the first moment they meet!

Gabi's friend group is hilariously chaotic, and highlight the importance of a support system: friends, family, mentors. Gabi overcomes his fears because deep down he trusts his people to have his back.

Vale and Gabi will stay in your heart after the last page!

PS. Grumpy time: there are no points in football. They are called goals. There is no red flag, it's a red card. No team can go 10+ matches without conceding a goal, especially a non professional team. Research on football should have been a bit more thorough, it's not as if it's difficult to immitate the vocabulary and description style of the most popular sport in the world.

I received an eARC copy from publisher Levine Querido via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After finishing Canto Contigo, I knew I would be returning to Jonny Garza Villa’s work—and Futbolista was the perfect next read.

The novel follows Gabriel, a young individual who seems to have it all figured out. From his studies to his personality, friends, sports, and preferences, Gabi is well-rounded and confident, with little to no insecurities. The kind of character that feels grounded and, in a way, invulnerable.

But as the story progresses, Gabi faces a truly important point in his life that pushes him to confront the complexities of his identity. What begins as an exploration of his inner self soon turns into a journey marked by self-discovery, where Gabi questions everything he once thought was certain. He faces the harsh realities of homophobia, societal limitations, and threats—but also experiences unexpected love, encouragement, and support from the people around him.

What makes Futbolista stand out is the emotional and mental growth Gabi goes through. And those traits, as well as those of his community, are so profound and powerful. The novel emphasises the importance of communication, family, and recognition—and how crucial it is to have strong support in moments of vulnerability and doubt.

Gabi's journey is incredible and eye-opening, especially when dealing with rejection and acceptance. It is a story that challenges you to reflect on your own experiences and perspectives. Futbolista is a rollercoaster in the best sense, and it undoubtedly deserves a spot on every bookshelf.

To be honest, I've been a fan of Jonny Garza Villa's work for some time and have enjoyed the various journeys it’s taken me on, as well as its ability to dissect Mexican-American culture and reconstruct it through a queer lens. They've explored father-son dynamics, grappling with grief, the meaning of mariachi, and now fútbol, philosophy, and self-discovery.

Gabi, a freshman in college, is navigating life as a rising fútbol player beginning to gain national attention. He's also hoping that the friend-with-benefits next door is ready to become his girlfriend. But just as the stakes for his future rise, enter Vale—a classmate and tutor—who changes everything. Vale challenges Gabi’s way of thinking, feeling, and understanding love, introducing him to a side of himself he’s never experienced before.

This is a beautiful story of self-discovery that captures what it means to be both Brown and bi, as Gabi balances care and attention between all his relationships—romantic and platonic. Gabi is full of heart, and so is this book.

Jonny Garza Villa’s works carry the voice that younger me needed while growing up, that my inner self still craves now, and that others can cling to as they see themselves reflected in their stories. Truly, a wonderful, wonderful work.

Mr. Jonny I don’t know how you write banger after banger, but I am glad you do. This book is by tejanos for tejanos and had all the feels of south Texan. I love the balance of machismo and the love of family and friends. It’s a true celebration of tejano culture. The only thing I didn’t love is seeing Selena’s name only once.
I was given this book for free as an arc all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Levine Querido and Netgalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first Jonny Garza Villa book and oh my goodness it was an amazing introduction to their writing. I instantly fell in love with the two main characters, along with the supporting cast. Reading Gabi's journey through self discovery was very beautiful and the friendship turned to relationship between Gabi and Vale was honestly perfect in my opinion. The author has a beautiful way of writing that was deeply emotional, while having other light hearted parts that had me smiling like an idiot. I also just need to shout out to Perez for being an amazing supportive character.

This book really touched my heart and I will definitely read the author's other works in the future!

this is not a bad book but it's supposed to be a gay romance so why was the MC pining after a girl for half the book

Thank you Levine Querido and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. All I can say is oh my! Gabriel Piña is just starting his Freshman year of college. His friends all ended up at different schools but he’s got his three roommates and they get along well. Football is going great he’s managed to become Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s starting goalkeeper, something not many freshman can boast about. He’s also managing a shut out season so far. He even becomes number 3 on the Freshman to Watch list. The captain, Barrera, has become a mentor and the girl next door has become something more. If he keeps going he’ll be on track to becoming a professional maybe even playing for El Tri. Then at a party a boy asks for a kiss. That’s fine he’s secure in who he is to kiss a boy, after all he’s done it before. However this kiss is the best kiss he’s ever had. And later when he pictures this boy while spending some time with himself that’s ok to, all guys do it, right? It doesn’t mean anything. But when the boy, Vale, becomes his tutor/study buddy his attraction grows. Soon it’s obvious that Vale has feelings and Gabi can’t deny it either. He’s bi. But queerphobia is still prevalent in football, even more so within the Mexican football community. He can’t loose his dream, football comes first. But the more time he spends with Vale the harder that is. Can he overcome his fears and allow himself to be with Vale? Can he have both? One thing I can say with a Jonny Garza Villa novel is that I am going to feel and feel deeply! They will break my heart and put it back together! Sweet, charming, romantic, funny, and full of sexual tension! I found myself completely frustrated with Gabi but also completely understanding where he was coming from in a way only Jonny Garza Villa can accomplish! I loved Gabi’s parents but also his found family in his 3 roommates and Kat! And sweet, wonderful, understanding Vale. Absolutely loved Futbolista and it should be on everyone’s TBR lists!

Jonny Garza Villa does it again! The way he writes characters is so stunning. Gabriel is such a relatable character for me. He might be my favorite character that Villa has ever written. His journey is so raw and also well written. I really can’t praise this book enough. A beautiful story of coming into oneself and love internally and externally.

This might be my favorite Jonny Garza Villa novel to date (and I've read all of their books!). It follows Gabriel "Gabi" through his first semester of college. He starts out thinking he has no room left for growth and he already knows everything there is to know about himself (said with all the overconfidence only an eighteen-year-old could have, LOL). We then watch Gabi eat his words and change A LOT.

This is JGV's first New Adult book, but it's a good mix of his YA (the biggest difference is the open door sex scenes). Gabi is a great MC; he knows he's good at football (soccer), but he's not obnoxious about it in the same way that Rafie is about mariachi in Canto Contigo. I'd say it's most similar to Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun, not only because of the football/soccer focus, but also because Gabi goes through a queer awakening/coming out journey. There's a ton of homophobia (coming from one person in particular who wields a lot of power over him), so be prepared for that.

I liked that this didn't feel like insta-love. Def insta-connection, but Gabi had a lot of self-discovery to do before he could fall in love with Vale. It was slow burn, friends to lovers yumminess. I loved them together! Gabi's friend group was also incredible.

Just FYI, Gabi is hooking up with Vale's best friend, Leana, in the beginning. Nothing graphic, all closed door, and they're never in a relationship (though Gabi had planned to ask her to be his girlfriend the same night she broke things off).

I'm so glad JGV is with Levine Querido after basically getting screwed over by Saint Martins Press. Thank you to Levine Querido for the advanced copy!

PS Jonny if you're reading this please write a book for Pérez!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review. I have loved Garza Villa’s work since Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun. Each work gets better and better. Futbolista was no exception. Gabi’s inner turmoil is no stranger to those of us who have ever questioned any part of ourselves. He’s a very likable protagonist, even when you’re frustrated with the choices he was making. Vale was a lovable love interest and has the patience of a saint. I’m really pleased to have had the chance to read this and more excited to have it as part of my collection, as I’ve already preordered a physical copy.

Thank you to Levine Querido for a digital copy to review!

A classmates-to-friends-to-lovers romance that's equal parts raunchy, heartfelt, queer, and Mexican-American, centered on college football (the REAL football)!

^from the publisher!

If you didn’t know, you do now that Jonny Garza Villa is one of my favorite authors. They write such beautiful, heartfelt stories. They always have a deeper meaning and emotion behind them which makes for an incredible reading experience.

Having said that - Futbolista is my favorite yet. It’s full of wit, charm, sexiness, love, self-discovery, growth, and an incredible amount of maturity in young adults.

I LOVED the age group of this. College kids are a tough group to get right and Jonny got it RIGHT. Vale and Gabi are the loves of my life and I will hear zero criticism of them. They are incredibly sexy, flirty, hot, vulnerable, consensual, they communicate well, and they have so much genuine love and respect for each other.

So much of this book is Gabi coming to terms with is bisexuality and how it affects his worldview with regard to football. The emotional journey he goes on is NOT to be missed.

I would risk it all for Gabi and Vale, along with his boys and Kat. I LOVED THEM. I want to be in that friend group. And if Jonny wanted to write a Perez book in the future I wouldn’t be mad…

This book tore at my heart, had me crying in a restaurant, and laughing through tears steaming down my face. I had 402 highlights. I can’t wait to mark up my own physical copy and you should preorder this one right now!!