A review by jce
Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 There's so much to love about this book. I was hooked on the cast of characters and really enjoyed learning more about Mariachi. The only thing I struggled with was the main character, Rafie. I definitely don't think it's unrealistic to make teenage MCs self-centered and entitled and messy. But Rafie was so frustrating! He spends so much of the book being such a jerk. And yes he has reasons, but he still chooses over and over again to put himself first at the expense of other people. The romance was tricky because there was so much I felt was wonderful, but Rey (the love interest) being so completely amazing and Rafie treating him so badly for so long was rough. I was particularly frustrated by the third act low point, because Rafie had already been such a jerk for so much of the book. I think the romance would have worked better if Rey had been the one to struggle towards the end and Rafie had been there to boost him up, instead of it always being the other way around. Still, there was enough to love that I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

*ARC provided by NetGalley