A review by warlocksarecool21
Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

Ander and Santi Were Here is a beautifully devastating story about family, heartbreak, joy and love. I adored Ander and Santi and I enjoyed every second of watching their relationship develop. At first, it seems like the book is going to be a light-hearted (and a lil raunchy) queer rom-com but it’s so much more than that. The topics of immigration and deportation are explored in such a profound and impactful way. Those moments in the book were heart-wrenching, I won’t lie I cried a lot, but the hope and love that Ander and Santi had despite everything was so beautiful. I also loved how normalized queerness was in this story. It was so refreshing to see all of Ander’s friends and family not only accept them but also celebrate their identity, and to have a character that is not afraid to be bold and take up space. Coming out stories are definitely important, but it made me happy to have queer joy centered so much in this book. The writing in this story was beautiful, I felt so connected to Ander’s art, their family and their relationship with Santi. This is a powerful read and one you won’t want to miss. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings