"Wanting the world to know that we gave it our best and that that has meaning. That we loved here, and no one and no amount of hate can ever erase that."

Ander & Santi's story completely snuck up on me. I was expecting to like it, but the way reading this book carved a hole into my heart, made me ache and cry while simultaneously making me feel unbridled joy and giving me strength, confidence, determination — it's unparalleled.

Ander & Santi Were Here follows Ander Martínez, a nonbinary teen living in San Antonio, Texas. They are first and foremost a muralist, but after deciding to take a gap year before starting art school, their parents "fire" them from the family taquería so Ander can focus on their art. Then Ander meets their replacement at the taquería, Santi, and as their growing feelings for each other becomes something neither of them can ignore, so does the secret Santi is hiding. When ICE agents come for Santi, Ander starts to question what their "home" really is, and how far they're willing to go for the boy they've grown to love.

This is the type of book that had me itching for my highlighters. There are so many beautiful lines, so much introspection about art and identity, love and passion, honesty and patience, compassion and empathy. This story and Jonny's writing tackled huge, complicated situations and did it with the utmost care and attention.

I loved how we got to see Ander struggling with creating art outside and within the stereotypes and boxes they are so often pushed into, as a Mexican-American. The open conversations they had with their close friend, as well as with Santi, were so real, without falling into the trap of a response that feels premeditated. I loved reading about Ander creating their murals and seeing their passion bleed off the page. Their art always meant something important and ohmygod don't even get me started on significance it reveals about the title of the book.

Ander and Santi's story was the most beautifully emotive and passionate romance I have read in months, probably even years. Their attraction to each other is instant, but the way Ander's feelings progress throughout the novel, outside of attraction (and working with it), make their story truly extraordinary. Jonny's writing of Ander was such a beautifully authentic experience that I felt like I was living through them. Both Ander and Santi felt for each other so deeply, and as a couple I never doubted the strength of their love and convictions.

Ander & Santi Were Here is a book that reveals and brings awareness to people who are often ignored. It tackles the unfairness of the world to undocumented immigrants, how we can be complicit even when ignorant, how people are imperfect and how despite — because — of that, we need to fight for them. People shouldn't have to be exceptional to be worthy or deserving of a better future. Yet somehow we are often drawn to stories and arguments that uplift the outliers in these situations. People are worthy because they are people, not because of their potential for greatness.

I loved this book. I guarantee it will make you cry, and it will teach you something new, if not about yourself, then about the world. Ander and Santi reinvented love in my eyes, and I don't think I'll ever be the same after reading their story. I'll never forget them, and they will always have been here, in my heart and my world, no matter what.

Trigger Warnings: deportation, racism, ICE, xenophobia, police brutality, kidnapping, trafficking, racial profiling, transphobia

This book features wonderful representation and discussions about art, queerness, and being undocumented. I liked how the book started off with Ander taking a gap year before college to pursue an art residency program. They were creating art pieces around their hometown for a nonprofit as a way to discover what they want to do and be as an artist, despite their parents being against the idea. This opened up a lovely discussion about choosing your own path and trying to find yourself amongst the expectations of your parents, and I really enjoyed how the book opened with this!!

Unfortunately, I did DNF this book shortly after that, around the 16% mark. I found the dialogue to be a bit cringey and awkward at the start and the pacing was very, very slow. After a few weeks of trying to get into the book, I decided that it was just not holding my attention and I should pick it back up at a later date :/. (As an example of the slow pacing: we get glimpses of the love interest, Santi, a few times, but only around when I DNF’d did we actually get to really meet him.) I do plan on trying this book again in the future because the premise is very intriguing and the representation is great, but I need something more fast-paced at the moment.

**I paired this ARC with the ALC because I prefer to read and listen at the same time.** The narrator, Avi Roque, did a beautiful job performing the story and is part of why I was holding off on tabling this book for the time being. It truly did feel like a performance rather than a simple narration, and I love when audiobooks bring stories alive like that.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC/ALC!

I don't even know where or how to start this review. Like, there are still actual tears in my eyes as I'm writing this.

But maybe I should start by saying that I was expecting this book to blow me away. I read FIfteen Hundred Miles from the Sun when it first came out in 2021, and it absolutely captured my heart. Ander and Santi did the exact same thing, but add to that some more endless tears and laughter over all the beautiful and heart-wrenching moments, all the feels I was in at any given moment, and there you have it.

In Ander and Santi Were Here we follow Ander, a young artist who is preparing for college after deciding to defer for a year, working in their family's taqueria, and creating beautiful murals when they are not. In comes Santi, a new waiter, who instantly captures Ander's interest. As the two are drawn together again and again and as their friendship starts blooming into something more, they will have to decide if they are ready to stand together through happiness and destruction.

I don't want to say too much about the plot itself, but after you read the author's note at the beginning of the book, you will quickly learn about one of the biggest factors in Ander and Santi's story. A factor that affects millions of people, something that should not be as prevalent and as painful as it is, but that's the reality many people live in. Jonny created a raw and tender love story, adding their soft and sensitive touch when it came to dealing with harder topics (again, trying not to spoil anything, and it's proving difficult ahh), and outlined one of the biggest issues that plagues the US (and many other countries too, of course).

Ander and Santi are two queer young people, from different backgrounds, who faced different challenges, but who are pulled together, who find solace and safety with each other. I absolutely loved their love story - from the first glances filled with lust and wanting, to how it later transformed into something so deep that it cut directly into my heart. Ander's (honestly horny, we stan 😌😂) commentary about Santi and other aspects of their life in the entire book - but most heavily featured in the beginning - added levity to the story and made me wholly unprepared for the eventual pain that came after about 40% of the book. I knew it was coming, it was in every line of Santi's being, in every worry etched onto his face, in the author's note, and yet it still. Hit. So. Hard.
Again, stopping now because spoilers, just read this book, PLEASE.

Now about Ander themselves and their story - Ander is a nonbinary (they/them pronouns), Mexican-American teen living in San Antonio, with a loving family and a best friend that used to be their boyfriend but is now firmly in the best friend category again. We still don't get many stories in which a queer teen is accepted wholly and wholeheartedly, but Ander's family gave us that. Ander is comfortable in their skin and loved by everyone in their life for who they are. The queer joy that radiates out of this book is stunning, and my heart is full of love because of it.

Basically, I think I can coalesce my thoughts about Ander and Santi like this: Some days you just sail through life, like one does. And some days you read a book that rearranges something inside you, touches your heart, and is determined to stay with you forever. Ander and Santi Were Here is a book like that. 💗
(I know I sound dramatic, BUT THIS BOOK, PEOPLE! THIS BOOK!!)

PS. What's the point in life if not someone calling you "mi cielo? (in platonic or romantic capacity). Asking for a friend.

PPS Once you are done with the book, you see the cover in a totally new light, and I am INCONSOLABLE!!!

PPPS Somebody help me keep Ander and Santi safe and happy, please. I am getting a big blanket as we speak.

REP: nonbinary, Mexican-American MC, queer Mexican LI, queer and Latinx SCs

The smell of enchiladas and roasted peppers permeated the kitchen. The spices reminded them of all the goodness of home and the love of family. They plated the food and turned to deliver it to the waiting patrons when a set of gorgeous eyes stared back at them, stopping them in their tracks.

Ander & Santi Were Here is a YA romance following Ander, who is taking a gap year before they go off to art school and Santi, who is the new waiter at Ander’s family’s restaurant.

Before I go into my review, I’d just like to say that I’m so glad this story is out there. We need more stories like this in the world detailing important topics like this book discusses and also giving representation and a voice to those who don’t always get to see themselves in stories.
I loved many aspects of this book. I liked watching Ander and Santi grow, but their relationship didn’t 100% gel for me. I thought it was rushed and decisions made by the characters didn’t sit right with me. I felt a deeper friendship needed to grow between them to give a more meaningful connection. I just had a hard time seeing it. Overall though, I’m so glad I read this one!

If you’re looking for a book with non-binary rep and discussions about what it means to be an immigrant in this country, please give this book a read, because I feel its topics are important.

This was a stunning, heartfelt, powerful story. A perfect read for pride month (or any month!). I absolutely adored these characters. They were easy to root for and were so lovable and memorable. I also love the way culture and queer representation was woven into the story. It was just perfect.

I loved Ander & Santi Were Here so much that I found myself thinking about the characters and where they might be now long after I finished reading it. This is an incredible queer love story that is also about finding yourself, accepting yourself, chosen family, complex intergenerational relationships and patterns, culture...it's just so rich! I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a sweet romance, yes, but also anyone who enjoys a coming-of-age tale, wants to see queer, trans, genderqueer rep, Latinx culture, and that powerful feeling of finding yourself a little bit as the characters are finding their pathways to self-acceptance. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc!

Ander & Santi Were Here was a bittersweet read! I enjoyed the book overall and liked the couple's chemistry, but I wasn't too thrilled about the ending. I also liked the representation and how this book shined a light on undocumented teens.

The culture, art, food, family, found family, and queer love in this book was beautiful. It moved a little slowly at times, but the evolution of the MC's relationship, as well as the evolution of sense of their self and relationships with other family and friends, was an absolute joy.

This was the first ever ARC I was approved for on NetGalley and my very first e-book. Let's just say I am SO happy that this was the first for me!

This book was such a great YA story about Ander, a nonbinary Mexican American and Santi, an undocumented Mexican living in San Antonio, TX. Ander is a muralist who took a year before moving to Chicago to go to art school and is working at his family's taquería while doing art projects for his fellowship throughout his hometown.

In comes Santi, the cute new worker at the taqueria hired to replace Ander so he can focus on his art. The story follows Ander and Santi falling in love while dealing with ICE agents continuously searching for undocumented immigrants in San Antonio. We get to learn just how much their love can take to protect one another and whether their love can survive a government that wants to tear them apart.

I took a lot of time reading this and using Google Translate to help understand the phrases in this book and it made it more interactive for me. To learn about culture and experiences that don't personally affect me are often the perspectives I enjoy the most cause I learn a lot.

Jonny Garza Villa takes current day issues that many Hispanic and Latin people have to endure while being in America and dealing with ICE and gives us a vulnerable, raw, and beautiful YA romance. I was rooting for Ander and Santi the entire time and immediately fell in love with them. It's heartbreaking to get a glimpse of what happens when ICE rips families and loved ones apart but this story continued to keep me enthralled and holding on to hope.

A STRONG 5 star read. I hope whoever is considering picking this book up gets the chance to fall in love with Ander and Santi like I did!

This was such a heartbreaking and moving story. I like the movement of seeing more books about separating family, friends and relationships and how hard that is. I found Ander and Santi's story so touching and eye-opening. I also enjoyed the culture, food and art that was added to the story. So well done, I loved this one!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Oh my god.

This book truly shows how beautiful queer love is.

I loved the intersectional representation. I loved watching Ander grow as an artist. I loved reading the descriptions of all the food made at Lupe’s and at Anders house. I also loved that the author highlighted the struggles of undocumented people in America.

Ugh this book was so good.

it was pretty good i really enjoyed it planning to buy a copy. if this auother releases anything else i'll defo read it.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is my honest review.

What a wonderful book! Ander and Santi Were Here caught my attention from the first page and kept me riveted. I loved Ander’s voice. Engaging and funny and earnest and self deprecating and proud of what they have achieved and so open about themself and their family.

The family aspect was so rich and layered—both blood and found family—and it carried through as a theme throughout the book.

Santi—what do I say about Santi—so brave and kind and vulnerable and my heart broke for him time and time again.

I really appreciated the way the narrative progressed. How we got to know the protagonists and how the nuances of the story were revealed bit by bit. I learned so much that I did not know from this book. It is chilling to come face to face with the reality and I am grateful to the author for writing this.

Ander’s art was so joyous and meaningful and such an integral part of the story and who they are. And who they are becoming.

I wasn’t sure how the story would end but I found it both unexpected and very satisfying.

Highly recommended.

First off the cover of this book is absolutely STUNNING and when we learn the meaning of it while reading the book it truly adds another layer to its beauty.

This is a very character-driven book and the pacing is a bit slow at the beginning; which made it a bit hard for me to be fully invested. Once the story picked up about halfway through I could not put this book down. And by the end, I was a crying mess!!

I think this book did a wonderful job of portraying the characters as teens falling in love so deeply. And depicting a Mexican American family in such a beautiful way. Ander's sexual and gender identity was never an issue in the book and I loved to see that Ander got to exist on the page as themselves no questions asked; which is not something we see so openly in Latine households.

Santi had my heart from the very beginning and learning more of his background only solidified the love I have for him. The moments when his immigration status was at the forefront broke my heart!! And the emotions on-page were definitely felt as I read!

Overall I did enjoy this book and highly recommend it.

“Te quiero. Through happiness and destruction.”

Ander & Santi are one of my new fav couples🥺 I was rooting for them from the very start!

This is a contemporary queer romance that follows Ander (they/them) who is an artist working for their families taqueria and painting murals around the city, when in comes Santi- the new waiter who isn’t so bad to look at. From there blooms the most beautiful relationship.

This was an emotional rollercoaster of a story because the love between both MCs was unmatched but certainly tested. One second I was lost in their bittersweet romance and then instantly snapped into stress mode. Their love is so raw and honest, and through anything it comes out on top.

“This whole neighborhood showing up for us. Fighting for us. For someone who’s always called this place home and another who deserves a place to call home.”

Read if you like:
•Amazing Rep including: Mexican-American gay non-binary MC, undocumented queer Mexican MC
•Current issues surrounding being undocumented living in America/ICE
•YA/NA Romance tempered with real life issues
•Mexican Foodies 🤤
•Found family vibes
•HEA but make it emo
•Supportive family

"And with every touch, I am reminded that we are powerful. That our existence is powerful. That we can be both protector and protected."

Thank you so so much @netgalley for the eARC, and @wednesdaybooks for the gifted hardback for my shelf🥺 I am obsessed with the artwork that was included! Thank you @jonnyinstas for writing such important and beautiful stories.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #queerromance #queerreads #lgbtpride #readersofinstagram #pridereads #anderandsantiwerehere #jonnygarzavilla #yaqueerbooks #readreadread #readqueerallyear #nonbinary

This was such a beautiful book. I don't read a lot of YA anymore but I'm really glad I got the chance to read this book even if it's not something I would normally pick up. It felt a little slow paced but that could've just been for me personally, and honestly it worked for the story so I can't complain. The romance was beautifully written and felt so natural, but it wasn't just the love between Ander and Santi that was wonderful but the love felt through all of the characters. There was such a sense of belonging and found family that I absolutely loved. The book had a great combination of lighthearted moments and deeper moments especially when taking and dealing with the ICE, and since Santi is undocumented it played a big role in the story.
I thought everything throughout the book was handled and written so well and I was so happy with how the ending came together. It wasn't an easy ending to get to for the characters but I'm so glad at how everything worked out. Definitely an emotional read but well worth everyones time!

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Fun novel that will be the perfect to lose yourself in. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Ander & Santi Were Here was a heartbreaking and uplifting queer love story. I loved that Ander & Santi were so different from one another, but fit like two puzzle pieces. Their relationship felt real, and the issues they faced in the book around immigration were so heartbreaking especially since this is a reality so many people face every day. The ending totally caught me off guard, and I'm so happy about that. I think this book shows that there are more than one option for this scenario, and I couldn't be happier with the ending. I will absolutely be recommending this book during Pride month and beyond. One of the best books I've read this year.

Wow, one of my favorite books I have read in 2023. This book, with a non-binary main character takes a deep look at the complexity of life while also touching on the topic of immigration. The text is well crafted and poetic at times. I hope there is another book about these characters!

sweet and heartwrenching. What especially stood out were the characters I loved them right from the first page. Ander's relationship with their friends was a delight; I love when friends are real people and not props.  
sweet and heartwrenching. 

I got a copy from Netgalley, opinions are my own.