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A review by book_concierge
Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
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.
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.