*4.5 stars*
I have so many thoughts about this book, but it’s so hard to put them into words. I adore this book. I adore the characters. I loved the representation and themes of the story.

Ander & Santi Were Here is a touching story that had me laughing and crying. Reading a book that’s rich with Mexican culture that’s so relatable to my own experiences growing up was something so beautiful to me.

Ander and Santi were so loving and sweet with one another. I do wish Sandi’s character was a little more fleshed out. We don’t get to know much about him, which sucks, but I was still able to enjoy the relationship between him and Ander. Ander was so funny and I adored their personality.

This book deals with ICE and it really puts the experiences undocumented immigrants face into perspective. Overall, this was such a great book. I think everyone should give this book a chance. Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all, I knew I was going to love this book the moment I bought it because I had already loved Jonny’s debut. Secondly, book reviewers I trusted were giving glowing reviews of it.

So, it’s no surprise that this book had me in absolute shambles in the best way possible. I knew it would hurt me, there were low chances that a love story between a Mexican American and an undocumented Mexican immigrant wouldn’t, but it was such a beautiful story beyond that.

The vast majority of this book is actually full of queer and Latine joy. The love story between Ander and Santi is heartwarming and cavity inducing. They felt like a treasure I got to hold every time I opened the pages and was able to watch them awkwardly stumble towards a relationship and then be so happy once they choose to be in one.

Not only was the love story beautiful because we had such wonderfully crafted characters, it was also beautiful because I felt like I was home. The conversations between Santi and their friends felt so familiar and real. I could picture myself in their family, in their shoes, because I’ve been in similar with my friends and family. It was a perfect reminder of why these stories are so important and why I continue to pick up YA. YA Latine authors continue to write stories that feel like home. Estoy con mi familia cuando leo sus palabras.

It’s beyond what I can put to words. The gift Latine authors give me when they write with all the truth in their hearts is one I will always cherish.

As soon as I was done reading it I pre-ordered a copy for me and a copy for my friend. This was heartbreaking and honestly so unexpectedly lovely. I will probably give this one another read as I love how Garza Villa writes. I still haven't managed to get over his last book and then this one came out of nowhere to break my heart.

I have heard so many excellent things about Jonny Garza Villa’s books, and though it took me a while, I’m so glad I picked them up. Ander & Santi Were Here is such an emotional ride, but centrally it is so full of warm hug energy. I love how much family and community plays a part in Ander’s story and especially in the art they create. The way the cover art is a part of the story? Excellent! There’s a lot of emotional upheaval, especially in the last quarter or so, and so much stress about what’s going to happen to Santi, but the ending is still so happy and hopeful and continues that warm-hug energy. I’m so glad I read this book, and I cannot wait to see more from Jonny!

Ander & Santi Were Here was a fun, challenging, informative, and hopeful read. It has a balance of romance, family dynamics, social justice concerns, and provided the readers with the complexity of balancing it all. It is evident that the author did it’s worth to tie all themes together and make it informative but also fun for the reader.

One of the best contemporary YA book I have read in a long time. People reading YA now are so damn lucky!

Ander & Santi is filled with heartwarming and thought-provoking moments and is a wonderful story about the power of love, family, and community in the face of adversity.

Touches on so many themes like gender, culture, and politics. SO much angst and yearning but also so much tenderness and love.

Absolutely loved this!

Jonny Garza Villa is one of my favorite contemporary authors and this book is no exception. The romance is so tender and vital and life changing.

This was a good {not great} book, in my opinion. It's a YA novel, and while it was poignant story of two characters on the brink of adulthood, I did find it was quite slow. I enjoyed the non-binary rep, the vivid descriptions of Mexican food, and the Spanish dialogue throughout; although, admittedly it was a bit hard to follow given I don't know the language.

All in all a decent book.

Thank you to NetGalley + the publisher for an early reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of a young artist who starts a relationship with an illegal immigrant and falls in love. This story did drag and seemed repetitive at times, but overall was a sweet story. The character development was a bit weak and was almost exclusively reactionary. I did like the openness of the two boys families and acceptance of them, as well as the realism of the prospects of a non-citizen in the US.

Ander & Santi was like stepping into a story about my friends at the end of high school as we tried to figure out what we wanted to do with our lives. The setting was so familiar and welcoming. I loved the way Garza Villa wove English, Spanish, and Spanglish together in a natural flow, while not bogging down the text with translations (even a non-Spanish speaker like myself easily followed along).

I loved this book.

Ander is relatable, funny, and passionate. His problems are realistic and relatable to anyone else around his age. Santi is a sweetheart who can make your heart melts my heart melt and must be protected at all costs.

I love the them of family, which is evident in AJ's family. They're very lovable, relatable, loyal, loving, but honest and are there for each other.

This is a passionate, sweet romance with real stakes. It made me laugh. It made me cry. Absolutely recommend

Due to the ongoing marketing boycott of St. Martin’s Press because of their continued failure to address an employee’s harmful and offensive remarks on social media, I will be withholding from reviewing this title. I sincerely hope the company takes action soon so I may resume promoting the diverse stories that SMP ought to stand by,

Ander & Santi Were Here is a moving book about the human impact of ICE and immigration policy. I absolutely loved the characters and listened on audiobook to my favorite narrator reading which was extra special. I loved the ways we got to know the characters. I appreciated Ander's journey with their art and trying to figure out what their path is from the micro (sometimes macro) aggressions of their art school advisor. I loved the discussion of what home is (person, place, feeling, etc.) and what it means to be who you are. I loved Ander's family and felt like I was a part of it. The personality and voice of Ander made this book extra special and I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with these main characters, especially Ander. The way the author gave immigration policy a "face" and "name" -- personalized it for the audience and made us feel it so much in my mind is what makes this book; it was one of the many things I loved about it. I would definitely recommend this because I think the discussions of immigration policy are so impactful -- however for the YA audience there are some spicy parts and mature language; I think a mature YA reader would really enjoy and appreciate this read and I think while it is technically a YA novel that every adult could benefit from reading this.

"Ander & Santi" was the perfect fast-paced page-turner to get me out of my reading slump. Their chemistry was palpable and Jonny Garza Villa had me longing for more with each sentence.

Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa is a beautiful and complex YA/new adult queer love story that explores complex and contemporary themes. It's a book that makes it feel like an honor to have read it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

I am currently supporting the boycott against St. Martin’s Press until they respond to influencer’s concerns about safety, inequality, systemic issues at hand and also meet the demands of the boycott. I am looking forward to leaving an updated review for this book once the demands are met ❤️

Ander and Santi Were Here talks about real life events that still happen today. Many undocumented people and their families live life looking over their shoulders.
I understand that feeling all too well.

This book had me feeling all sorts of things. It took me three tries to finally get into this book. It wasn’t because of the book, I was not in the right head space for it until now. I am so happy I did not give up though. I ended up loving it so much. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

I also appreciate how this is an older YA, with 19-year-old characters. I felt better knowing their ages with certain scenes.

This novel is a love letter to Queer Mexicans, and my heart is so full.

If I have any advice for you it’s please do not read this in public or when you’re hungry. It won’t go well 😅

Just read it.

It is so beautiful to see an exploration of trans representation being displayed in the latinx community. Ander and Santi, had me at a loss for words and constantly had me feeling emotional - as it dealt with heavy topics pertaining to an important topic which is being undocumented. This love letter for my community was nothing short of extraordinary.

Love, love, LOVE! If you like Adam Silvera or Benjamin Alire Sáenz this read is perfect for you! It was beautiful & soul touching! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review.

4.5 SO SO good

The FUN that comes from Ander's voice in this mixed with the tension that comes from the two teens fearing ICE over their backs at every turn mixed with the pure whirlwind teendom of their relationship... ugh it was just such a comfy ride even when there were stressful moments. I'm totally recommending this for older teens!!