In our world, this story will hit home to so many people. I have been wanting to diversify my reading more and I am so glad I have been trying to make that a priority because this is the kind of story that I want to learn about. While this story may not have worked for me I still see the importance of this story and want more people to read.
So because this was not my favorite story I wanted to share the things that I think this book did well and the things that I think could have been better.
The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was the family dynamics of Ander's family, the diverse representation, and the difficult topics that were discussed.
One of the things that didn't work for me are Ander as a character. Ander annoyed me from the beginning maybe because they seemed so selfish from the very beginning is what made me not connect with the character. For me, all of Ander's decisions big and small were made for what they wanted in that moment. I was glad that at one of the main conflicts, this selfishness was addressed and I do understand that they were only 19, but for someone who has grown up in a family like Ander's, it seemed off to me that they would be so selfish. The other big issue that I had was that the pacing felt very disjointed. The first 3/4 of the book was so slow and because I wasn't enjoying Ander as a character it made that portion drag then the last 1/4 of the book felt rushed and while I understood that the events that were occurring would have been rushed it felt like the most character development that was happening was also rushed and didn't feel authentic in my opinion.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Ander Martinez has only ever know his neighborhood, The Santo Vista in San Antonio. Their job at the family's taqueria, the mixture of Spanish and English. This place inspired their work as muralist and as they get ready to finish school, they start thinking if they really want to leave everything behind. To keep him to be "complacent" during their gap year, their family fires them so they can focus more on their murals and be ready for their college. But meeting the new hot waiter, Santiago López Alvarado, changes everything. It's thanks to him, Ander starts to understand who they are and what they want to be as an artist, and thanks to Ander, Santi starts his first steps into see this neighborhood and the United States as his new home. Until ICE agents come for Santi and their precious world and sense of belonging is shattered and they have to fight to stay together in a world that wants to separate them.

Ander & Santi were here is a romantic, heartwrenching love story written by Jonny Garza Villa, who has emotionally destroyed me once before. So why read another book? I guess, I'm a masochist. BUT this book is magnificent, written so beautifully and dealing with important and delicate themes like love, belonging, fighting to recognize a new place like home, growing up, falling in love in a world bent on hurting you and fighting against it for your own chances and choices. I do love it immensily, I was deeply involved and it was so impossible not to feel for Ander and Santi, their growing bond and love, Ander's art and to want them to be happy, safe and sound.
Totally recommended it!

It took me a long while to finish this book and I don't know why. It was beautifully written, it was sad and joyful and heartbreaking and encouraging all at the same time. Love in the face of terror and the thought of losing a loved one can be magical even when everything is dark and scary. Ander was a wonderful protagonist and their emotions rang through every word. I'm glad they had a happy ending and lived dispite it all.

To date, I believe Aristotle and Dante discover the Secrets of the Universe to be one of the most important and fundamental cornerstone of not only my reading journey, but of my adolescence. So, whenever I hear something compared to Aristotle and Dante, I always give it a reluctant try. Thankfully, Ander & Santi Were Here lived up to every expectation and blew me away!

Not only did I find the characters incredible diverse, with it's genuine Latinx and queer representation, but the way that it was presented was incredibly vivid! It's easy to fall into the trap of writing a non-binary character that is sassy and a diva, but I found Ander to be so rich in their artistry and growth that I could tell the author held great respect for Under. And Santi was a tragic character that also had so much joy to him!

While the romance felt a little insta-lovey, I will continue to root for the romance of Ander & Santi, as well as keep Jonny Garza Villa on my author radar moving forward!

There is so much to love about this story, from the nuanced characters to their complicated lives and relationships, it pulls you in and helps you grow.
Ander Martínez is an artist in San Antonio. They love working in his family's taqueria and creating murals so much that they defer their entry into art school in Chicago to spend another year at home working on an internship with a local non-profit. It's during this time that they meet Santi, a quiet young man that starts working at the taqueria. Falling in love feels as easy and natural as breathing. But as Ander struggles to figure out what they really wants their art to be and Santi fights to be able to stay in the US, falling in love might be the only things that's easy about their relationship.
It's a great story that touches on some very controversial topics with grace and empathy. You feel everything right along with Ander, Santi, and the rest of the characters. It's a story of love, family, dreams, pressure, and, ultimately, hope.
My one issue is one that is probably just me, and I realize is kind of dumb is the language. I'm not talking about the mangled Spanish, but the rude and foul language the characters use between themselves and on certain occasions. Maybe I'm old-fashion, maybe I'm out of touch, but I majorly dislike the use of those words be it in print or spoken, so it pains me to do it, but I'm deducting an entire point from the rating just because of that. I get that it's realistic and normal and okay and whatever people want to say, but it's something that I personally hate.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the emotionally satisfying read!

I probably would've enjoyed this, but I couldn't get passed the conversations that were clearly not plot-related. Surely the plot of the first episode of Demon Slayer is not essential to the plot and therefore the book, and you can incorporate characters watching Demon Slayer without going into the plot of it. These types of conversations were just too frequent for the, like, 16% that I read, so I dnf'd it.

Excellent.

I never want to forget the emotions this book made me feel, and yet I would love to be able to read it again for the first time.

There were times when my chest felt so tight and I had to stop reading because of how wonderfully overwhelmed I was.

I cannot wait to read more works by Jonny Garza Villa.

I loved this one. The characters leapt off the page and the romance is really cute. It didn't just do the cute and warm well, it also discussed dark topics and themes in a realistic and empathetic way. It was very readable; I read it very quickly and can't wait for a new release from this author. For fans of Cafe Con Lychee, Felix Ever After, and The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School. Contemporary YA romance with a good sense of humour and its heart in the right place.

Ander & Santi Were Here is so tough for me to review. The writing is stunning, the discussions about being an immigrant were powerful and there’s an excellent cast of characters. The only place this really fell flat for me was the actual romance, which is sort of a bummer because it is the heart of the story. It’s not that I didn’t buy Ander and Santi as a couple, because I did. They clearly care about each other and understand each other. It’s the build up that feels underdeveloped. It’s definitely a little insta -lovey. Ander meets Santi only twice before falling head over heels. They weren’t having a ton of important conversations before admitting they had feelings for each other. I just wish there was more. But after they’re together it’s hard not to root for them. Ander is a great narrator, sweet and funny and just a little naive. I loved that they were nobinary and no one had an issue with that. Santi is also sweet and thoughtful, and has a heartbreaking story. Ultimately, this is an epic love story with a slight pacing issue. Still, I recommend it to older teens and even adult readers.

I am enamored with this book, the characters, the depth of the plot, and the message within this story. It is SO much more than a YA romance. Ander (aka AJ) is a non-binary artist in Texas, working at his family's restaurant while also beautifying the city with his powerful murals. Santiago (aka Santi) is an undocumented immigrant, risking it all for a better life.

So much queer representation in this story - nonbinary, trans, ace, and bisexual. It is a heartwarming and charming story of young love, while also exploring profoundly relevant social issues. This story made me laugh, cry, and burn with rage. Yay feelings. Highly recommend!

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

THIS BOOK!!!! I'm literally giving it all the stars. It was such a nice read that was honestly powerful and sweet and made me feel so many things. I can't believe this book isn't everywhere. I loved it so much. The characters were phenomenal and the story itself was a hefty one that had a lot of meaningful messages. I really enjoyed this and will be recommending it for a long time!

a cute and charming romance, i enjoyed this read

thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for this review copy.

I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of Ander and Santi were here and although I took way too long to get around to writing my review, I LOVED this book. Adore it. I cannot recommend this romance enough.

Ander/Aj is instantly relatable, hilarious, and passionate, while still feeling like his problems are realistic and relatable to everyone his age. Although this is technically YA I got a real New Adult vibe from this and from his voice. He's so funny.

Santiago/Santi is a total sweetheart who makes my heart melt. I just want to protect him so much. He's a sweet innocent angel cinnamon roll and he must be safeguarded no matter what! Every time his fate was threatened I was on full defense!

The aspect of the novel I love most is AJ's family. They're very lovable, relatable, and familiar at once, so protective but not afraid to smack AJ on the back of the head and tell him what he needs to hear. A loyal, loving, but honest family, who sticks together.

And the love AJ has for his neighborhood and his place in the universe.

This is a passionate, sweet, fluffy romance with real stakes. It made me laugh. It made me cry. I read it in two sittings. I will read it again or buy a physical copy for sure. This is the kind of book you NEED to add to your collection. And the hype is worth it, I swear to you.

Another author that earned his place on my instant-read list. The perfect book for LGBT readers, artists, romance fans, people who like ownvoices stories, the lightness and cute quirkiness of John Green paired with the serious social issues tackled without flinching but also with hope approach of Angie Thomas. This is impeccable!

10/5 stars! For sure.

Thank you so much Netgalley for letting me read. All the love for this one.

I swear that Jonny Garza Villa is destined to become one of our generation's best writers and this book is a good example of why. I know now that I was subconsciously rationing out my reading of this because I just did not want it to end but there came a point that I couldn't ignore and fell full into it and finished it in a day. There were parts that made me hungry, made me hopeful, made me fall into utter despair, made me hold my breath in suspense, and also sigh in satisfaction because it ended in such a way that I couldn't imagine it being better.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this advanced copy.

I couldnt say anything but this good was beautiful and heartbreaking.

I adored Jonny Garza Villa’s first book, so I was excited to see what they were going to do with their sophomore effort. If you don’t want to read my whole review, all you need to know is that they absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one.

Ander is a nonbinary teen working at their family’s restaurant and biding their time before starting prestigious art school in Chicago. They have a plan, and they’re going to fulfill their dream, but all that changes when Ander meets Santi. Okay, technically, Ander has been “fired” so they can focus on their art before the fall semester, but once Santi starts working at the restaurant, Ander finds excuses to visit all the time.

This book captivated me from start to finish. Ander is a compelling protagonist with such a clear and genuine voice. They frequently switch from English to Spanish, so keep up, friends. This book broke my heart—I’m not giving away the ending, but I also don’t want to imply that everything is doom and gloom for our star-crossed lovers. Where there is sorrow, there can also be joy, and this book is full of joy, eked out in portions that vary from drops to heaping spoonfuls.

This book made me hungry. The characters in this book like to eat, and everything they eat sounds good. This poor author lives in a land where taquerias are few and far between, so the yearning is REAL. Seriously though, not everyone can write food descriptions, but Jonny Garza Villa has the gift.

I would absolutely recommend Ander and Santi Were Here. As much as I loved Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun and thought it was 10/10, I have to say that Ander and Santi manages to score an incredible 12/10. I’m already looking forward to Jonny Garza Villa’s third book.


I received a digital ARC of this book from Wednesday Books/NetGalley

This book is a whirlwind.

This is a terribly romantic book, but that doesn't mean it is smooth sailing. But not because the characters are queer--they are accepted and protected by their family, found and blood. That community is so strong and so lovely. Instead, the tension comes from the very real issue of ICE and immigration and deportation in a world where the reality of Santi's situation is not given the empathy it should.

I also appreciate how this is an older YA, with 19-year-old characters. Ander is taking a gap year and reconsidering their college plans as they are on a painting fellowship. The story becomes very much of taking control of one's path in life, with a conclusion I did not see coming because it was so daring.

I did think the pacing was a little off...it took a while for the romance to get going, I felt, but then I was hooked.

This was a beautifully told story. I loved that it felt very much like a world without homophobia. The characters got to experience their love without dealing with homophobia in addition to immigration issues. I could also feel and see Anders art and taste and smell the food. It was so visceral. I loved it!

Ander and Santi Were Here is a queer love story set against a backdrop of modern immigration policies that separate loved ones and force families to gamble on uncertain futures. This is one of the most heartbreaking books I’ve read recently, but there is still a light and fluffy feel to the romance aspects.

Jonny Garza Villa is adept at transitioning between the sweet romance plotline and the heavier aspects of the story about Santi’s reality as an undocumented person. They know how to turn a story that might be a difficult read into something that feels impossible to put down. I was so invested in characters that I spent the entire afternoon reading.

Ander’s family features prominently in the story, as well as their larger community. They work at their family’s restaurant, which is a community staple owned by their tita. The love shared between them and their family came through so well in the story, and I loved that they had such a large role in determining how Ander felt about their future and figuring out who they are as an artist and person.

Santiago, or Santi as he is known in the story, is reticent to get to know Ander at the beginning of the story because it would mean opening up about his undocumented status. However, the friendship and new love between the two becomes too powerful to ignore, and it is amazing to watch Santi trust Ander more and start to feel at home around them and their community. The two have such a lovely relationship that left me wanting more even after the book ended. I haven’t read anything else by Villa, but I would be so pleased if they were the type of author who features prior main characters in cameos in future novels.

My favorite aspect of the book was Ander’s skill as a muralist. The way they translate their feelings about family, love, their culture, and San Antonio into art that gets displayed in their community is so powerful. I wish the book had come with full color illustrations! I loved how their art was described, and the way it brought joy to their family and friends was so adorable.

This beautifully written story earns 5/5 stars from me.

The strength of Ander & Santi Were Here lies in its authentic and relatable characters. Ander and Santi, the main protagonists, are beautifully developed, with their unique struggles and vulnerabilities laid bare. Their individual journeys intertwine and unfold with grace, allowing readers to empathize with their joys, sorrows, and the challenges they face in understanding their identities and reconciling their pasts.

Villa's writing style is evocative and filled with heartfelt emotions, capturing the essence of the characters and the setting. The portrayal of the small Texas town is vivid and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the community and its dynamics. The author's attention to detail creates an atmosphere that envelops readers, making it easy to emotionally invest in the story.

The exploration of themes such as grief and loss is handled with sensitivity and nuance. Villa delves into the complexities of these emotions, illustrating the profound impact they have on individuals and their relationships. Through Ander and Santi's experiences, the novel examines the different ways people cope with loss and how it can shape their perceptions of themselves and others.