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litoreads's review against another edition
Canto Contigo is a YA, queer, coming-of-age, enemies-to-lovers romance centered around two queer Mexican-American boys with a shared passion for mariachi. Regrettably, I had to discontinue reading this book after reaching 57%, an unusual decision for me as I rarely DNF books. It marks the second book I've ever set aside.
Amidst my reservations about certain elements, there was one aspect of the book that genuinely resonated with me: the exploration of the spiritual context and the significance we attribute to our departed loved ones. Family holds a paramount role in Latin culture, and even after their passing, we carry forward the love and reverence for their legacy, beautifully manifested in the magical tradition of Dia de Los Muertos, adorned with calavera imagery. The inclusion of the calavera mariachi, serving as Rafie's confidant and potentially embodying his grandfather's energy or spirit, struck me as a poignant and inventive concept within the narrative.
1.5 Stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
girlreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Jonny Garza Villa has done it again. This was marvellous.
A beautiful coming-of-age story that's part lovers-to-rivals-to-lovers romance and part love letter to Mariachi and the may ways in which the people we love shape us.
It's a story of the need to make your family proud and to live up to the expectations you place upon yourself. It's a story of queerness, first love, community and family. It's a story of both grief and joy in their rawest forms. It's a story about two boys falling in love to the soundtrack of Mariachi and it's simply gorgeous. With a cast of wonderful characters and a story that's heart-wrenching, adorable, funny and filled with music, passion, Jonny Garza Villa has once again highlighted why they are one of my top auto-buy and auto-recommend authors.
A beautiful coming-of-age story that's part lovers-to-rivals-to-lovers romance and part love letter to Mariachi and the may ways in which the people we love shape us.
It's a story of the need to make your family proud and to live up to the expectations you place upon yourself. It's a story of queerness, first love, community and family. It's a story of both grief and joy in their rawest forms. It's a story about two boys falling in love to the soundtrack of Mariachi and it's simply gorgeous. With a cast of wonderful characters and a story that's heart-wrenching, adorable, funny and filled with music, passion, Jonny Garza Villa has once again highlighted why they are one of my top auto-buy and auto-recommend authors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Racism, and Homophobia
careinthelibrary's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I support the St. Martin's Press boycott. It is in response to a few major issues the publisher has yet to act on, like the ongoing apparent favoritism of white reviewers for ARCs over BIPOC reviewers and, more recently, their inaction towards a marketing employee's support of the escalation in violence against Palestine including posting Islamophobic comments online.
https://r4a.carrd.co/?fbclid=PAAabVQ1bAHLVenzYwgXY3m0hJ9UwJCCJqd0ZTfj3k1gKE9TPDYPR-UBzIpqM_aem_ASuQIh1_kP39TR3Xp6RHF58ZtO7CnBKjCiwC-n4NwX6mSK_YhKKmlzmb8zqBOBLkRfg#boycottoutline
https://r4a.carrd.co/?fbclid=PAAabVQ1bAHLVenzYwgXY3m0hJ9UwJCCJqd0ZTfj3k1gKE9TPDYPR-UBzIpqM_aem_ASuQIh1_kP39TR3Xp6RHF58ZtO7CnBKjCiwC-n4NwX6mSK_YhKKmlzmb8zqBOBLkRfg#boycottoutline
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Bullying, Medical content, Racism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Death
itsmeeryn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
When a Mariachi star transfers schools, he expects to be handed his new group's lead vocalist spot—what he gets instead is a tenacious current lead with a very familiar, very kissable face.
Canto Contigo was a heartfelt, humor-filled delight to read. It has been a while since I have read a book that has me cheering when the couple finally gets over themselves and ends up together, but Canto Contigo handled its rivals to lovers storyline with incredible ease. Keeping their banter and “dislike” for each other at a level that doesn't make their eventual togetherness feel undeserved. Rafie’s personality is balanced perfectly, an asshole with an ego who you can’t help but love because of his heart. He and Rey have incredible chemistry from the time they interact for the first time to the end of the novel. Moments that would typically have me cringing and noting as cheesy I found endearing and I was cheering on for more. While the romance shines in this book, its exploration of grief hit incredibly home to home. It was messy and realistic, and felt incredibly real, and as a warning to the inevitable future readers, will have you sobbing.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I cannot wait to pick up a physical copy as soon as I can!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Transphobia
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