Reviews

Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa

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emilyrose724's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad 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? Yes

4.5

book_concierge's review against another edition

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3.0

Digital audiobook performed by Avi Roque

This is a YA gay romance featuring two very likeable young men facing serious life decisions. Ander is an artist and planning to go to college to further his studies in art. He has a chance at a prestigious scholarship, but feels he should take a gap year first. Santiago is an undocumented immigrant without family who takes a job in the restaurant Ander’s family runs. When they meet, sparks fly.

Oh, the intensity of young love. The passion and fierceness of the feelings. I really liked these two young men. Ander is very “out there” … he’s expressive and expansive in his art and in his feelings. He never holds back. Santi is more reserved, partly because of his natural personality, but also partly because he HAS to live under the radar to avoid being deported.

These two face some very tough decisions. Should Ander give up his dream college program because Santi cannot travel with him? Should Santi go back to Mexico to deal with a tragedy in his own family? Can the love they feel for one another survive such a separation? What choices do they have?

They are lucky in that Ander’s family is incredibly supportive of them both. While they are understandably upset that Ander would even consider abandoning his college dreams for Santi, they love him and respect his decisions. And when ICE arrives, they support and fight for Santi equally.

I do have a complaint, however. I’ve seen comparisons to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and the feelings and tenderness of first love certainly hold up to that comparison, but to ME, the language here (significant use of the ‘F’ bomb) and the sexual content seem more adult than YA. It’s a beautifully told love story, but Villa could have done it with much less swearing and graphic sex.

ezismythical's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-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? No

5.0

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

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1.0

Ander is an immature, ignorant, self-centered, 19-year-old. They are a talented artist artist whose family runs a successful business and that has spared them from most of the things that cause their family and neighbors to worry. The worst part is that they have no idea how privileged their existence has been.

Santi is a seemingly hard-working young man who is seeking a better life in the U.S. He is the outline of a character we've met dozens of times before; but there is no real depth in him.

Apart from the physical attraction, it is hard for me to understand what these two see in each other; much less why they've decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

Spoiler

I am 83% in and decided to bail because this whole thing with Santi's mother and sister was too much to handle. Not just because of how horrible it must be for Santi, but because of Ander's complete lack of empathy and support. Sure Ander agonizes about it, but there is no real change in their attitude; ultimately they care more about their feelings that about what their boyfriend is going through. Then again, they haven't even said that they love each other. ("Te quiero" is very different from "te amo.")

And now this "fairy godmother" Hollywood twist. Nope I'm done.

Update: I actually finished the book and there is no way I can suspend disbelief that much.

hyac1nthgirl's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

so so so good. funny, emotional, warm feelings, the truth about the hard feelings. and love, so much love. (also, abuelitas are the best people on the planet, argue with the wall)

"through happiness and destruction."

lookatjimmy's review against another edition

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4.0

[4.25]

Thank-you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Jonny Garza Villa for the eARC.

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.