Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

4 reviews

author2223's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

5.0


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elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.75

This book was supposed to be a light, fluffy read based on its incredibly cute premise, but now I’m crying. Like, Jonny Garza Villa outdoes himself with Canto Contigo. It is sweet and beautifully written and so emotional and, quite frankly, I cannot do it justice even if I had all the adjectives from all the languages in the world at my disposal. Gorgeous. 

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justinekorson's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

Thank you to Netgally for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

"You can have me if you want me."
WHAT A LINE UGH. THESE BOYS COMPLIMENTED EACH OTEHR SO WELL IT WAS UNFATHOMABLE. This is the first book I've read by Jonny Garza (though I think it's his 3rd book he's ever published) and what a great one to start with! I couldn't understand a lot of the Spanish being spoken in the book (for the very obvious reason that I don't speak the language) but I was still able to pick up the gist of what was said most of the time and there were occasional translations for particularly  long sections of Spanish too which I appreciated. Raife and Rey were so much fun to read about. They were ACTUAL rivals to lovers (unlike some stories where they aren't really rivals at all they just have bad interactions). They were actively fighting for that spotlight before they decided to share it and that made the story so much sweeter when they finally came together!

My one gripe with the story is that I wish Rafie didn't actually agree to become lead vocalist (causing the catalyst of the third act breakup). Instead, I wish he'd ask to have some time to think it over. Rafie had changed so much (in my opinion) over the course of the school year and I knew he loved Rey so it hurt ME to see him pick himself over their partnership. I feel that if Rafie had asked for time instead of immediately agreeing it still could have worked. Someone could have overheard Rafie's conversation with his teacher and the principal (possibly that dick Arturo) and then Arturo could spread the rumor that Rafie was going to be lead vocalist. This could still lead to the third act breakup where Rey and Rafie have a fight and where they talk about trust and belief in one another. I think it would have been just as good but what do I know! 

Regardless I love the representation that was in this book and although I know only Coco levels of things about mariachi, I really liked how this whole story centered around this really cool type of music/music competition. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jonny!

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careinthelibrary's review

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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

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