Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Canto Contigo.

I really enjoyed this one, and found it to be Jonny Garza Villa's best! I was more than attached to this book, I was addicted! I AM ADDICTED! Johnny Garza Villa has become one of my all time favorite authors and I can’t wait for his next works!

Call me a fan and it’s guaranteed this author is an auto buy.

Three for three, Jonny Garza Villa does it again!!!

Something I always really appreciate with Jonny's YA books is that they always write very sex positive stories that show that, yes, teens have sex, and it's healthy and normal. I think positive queer sex representation like this can be very helpful for young queer people.

As always, I'm excited to read what Jonny writes next :)

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the digital arc!I absolutely loved the first book I read from Johnny Garza Villa (JGV), Ander and Santi Were Here, so I knew I had to get my hands on the follow-up Canto Contigo. And let me tell you, he did not disappoint! JGV's books are full of love and passion for queer boys, gay coming-of-age stories, artistic expression, Mexican culture, and tight family relationships!

Canto Contigo is a love letter to the art of Mariachi and the passion there, as well as a mediation on grief. I think a lot of people's first loss in their life is that of a grandparent, and it tends to have a huge impact on who you become and how you evolve; when you lose someone, especially an older family member, especially ESPECIALLY in childhood, you do wonder as you grow on without them, Would this person be proud of who I've become? Would they still recognize me? Still be proud of me? Or would they reject who I am now? Grief can be an absolute mindfuck.

Canto Contigo introduces us to Rafie and Rey; two teen singers whose missed connection leads to them reconnecting eight months later...only to discover they're competing for the same lead vocalist spot in their school's official mariachi band.

Cut the most adorable, hilarious enemies-to-lovers I have read in a long, long time. It's more like rivals-to-lovers than anything. I've got to say, between his near-delusional levels of confidence and some hilariously audacious moments, Rafie genuinely reminded me of a male Rachel Berry from Glee. Just determined to take the top spot and succeed in showbiz to any degree, to the point where he's not even a little bit shy of reminding everyone he's not there to make friends.

Rey on the other hand is our adorable, patient, cinnamon roll character who is there to Rafie he actually has a soul, under all that competitiveness, grief, and bravado. Rey is a less developed love interest than Santi was in Ander and Santi Were Here, however, he was still a pleasant character, and while he exists here more for Rafie's benefit than his own, he still has some nice moments and character-defining traits that allow him to stand apart.

I would say this is a great take on trans representation as well; being trans is firmly part of his identity and shapes who he is, it's something he has conversations about and it plays into who he is, but at the same time it's not the sole defining trait of his person. Rey is a talented artist, a friend, son, and those things define him just as much as his transness does. I love that JGV allowed there to be a balance where there's a focus on queer identity that feels measured and intentional, without it eclipsing other important character tidbits.

It's become a heated debate how to write a good queer character: should their queerness be inconsequential and not the focus? A lot of people seem to think so, and yet I think that underestimates how important queer narratives are to a lot of LGBT folk and makes the assumption that these stories should cater to straight audiences rather than focusing on LGBT readers. At the end of the day I don't know a single queer person who never acknowledges they're queer and for whom their queerness isn't something they talk about and that has no bearing on their lives. Our experience is about us and not outsiders, and in our personal lives we don't censor ourselves to be palatable for a cis or het audience.

I think when LGBT characters are held to this infinitely higher standard where so many people want them to be identical to and indistinguishable from cishet narratives and characters, and so many other people only want 100% authentic ownvoices stories, it can feel impossible to write something 'the right way.'

Here I think JGV manages that by showing a balance in Rey's life and identity where being a trans guy absolutely plays into his daily life and his experience and identity, as it should; he's got to take T shots and he briefly discusses how being trans plays into his dating experience. However he's also allowed to be an individual in his own right with a big group of friends, musical talent, and his own sense of determination and ambition to match Rafie's.

The actual rivals section of the plot takes up around 30% to 40% of the book and is the most hilarious section for sure. The way Rafe and Rey's relationship evolves and goes through several phases as they keep getting used to each other in new contexts and redetermining their dynamic is magnetic to read. There are several laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of snappy arguments for folks who love this trope.

I also adore the way JGV centers family in his works. Big, loving, accepting, playful families are a focus in a way that resonates with me greatly. People, especially teens, are products of their families, and a lot of romance novels ignore this a little too much for my liking. I enjoy that JGV places importance on family relationships and platonic friendships and portrays his worlds in a place where romance is important and romantic love is special and beautiful, but where it isn't the be-all-end-all and that other types of relationships are also crucial for emotional health and life value.

Rafie's parents and kid brothers are a very cute, supportive presence in this novel. I especially liked his dad. And of course the relationship with his grandfather which we see him grieving so deeply, with the thread of art and music connecting them across time and memories.

Mexican culture is also celebrated here much the same way it was in his previous book; family, food, and art. I love the focus on how food brings people closer and is so important for family and friend bonding, as well as how art is a sum of history, linage, tradition, remembering and honoring the past while also creating a path to the future as each new generation evolves and puts their spin on the classics!

While I related to Ander's painting and being a visual artist more, I still greatly enjoyed seeing inside Rafie's musical mind, his obsession, perfectionism, the rush of his performances, his musical opinions, etc. His Omar Apollo jokes were really funny. (Stream Tamagotchi if you love yourself tbh.)

Xope, Xolo, and Erik were all fun characters for me, especially Xolo, the evil twin to Xope's good twin. I also adored Sra. Pena and Angel and Migs, although for me Xolo just stole the show with his attitude, threats, and chaos gremlin energy.

All in all this book has everything I expected from JGV and while it didn't hit the highs of Ander and Santi Were Here, which made me cry multiple times, I did adore it to bits. I think we can all expect great things from Johnny Garza Villa in the future if he continues down this path, and I'm so glad I got the chance to read this early and highly recommend it to everybody who loves rivals-to-lovers, rom-coms, great gay and trans rep, a loving homage to music and Mariachi, and a book full of pure, wholesome vibes.

JGV stories radiate love, passion, and appreciation for life, love, and Mexican culture, as well as queer male identity and experience. If you want all that with a ribbon tied around it, Canto Contigo is the book for you!

I am withholding my review of this title and all SMP umbrella titles in solidarity with the St. Martin’s Press boycott that is ongoing. Please respond to your readers.

Great gay representation. Very sweet and heartwarming. I was rooting for their relationship since the very beginning and was glad they got their happily ever after.

Rafie is a talented mariachi musician... and he knows it. Trained by his grandfather, he's won national competitions for his school for the past few years. Rafie NEEDS to be the best to honor his grandfather's legacy. But senior year, his parents decide to move to San Antonio, and Rafie is forced to join the second-placed mariachi band, and not even as lead singer. That spot has been given to Rey, a trans boy who Rafie had a brief hookup with a year ago, and who's dominated his thoughts ever since.
This story was rich with culture and diversity. It beautifully shows familial love and acceptance. It addressed homophobia and transphobia within the culture of mariachi. All the secondary characters were wonderful. And Rey was dreamy! So thoughtful and honest and compassionate. But I really didnt like Rafie for 85% of the story. While his grief was real and the obvious catalyst for his desire to be the best, he was a pompous jerk to everyone, especially Rey. Ultimately, he does grow and redeem himself, accepting his mistakes and finding a love for the music (and Rey) again.
In my opinion, Garza Villa's previous book, Ander and Santi Were Here was better, but this one still carried a lot of weight and was worth the read.
*****
I received this eARC from @netgalley and publisher St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

Canto Contigo will be released April 9, 2024.

In tune with Jonny Garza Villa's previous books, CANTO CONTIGO is another richly realized exploration of identity, love, and belonging. The rivals-to-lovers romance was so fun and fit perfectly with Rafael's broader journey of figuring out how he fits in with his family. The author's style is a breeze to read.

At its heart, this is a story about grief and love and all of the things that happen when those two emotions are so tangled up with one another. Our main character was one of the most frustrating people to follow, and was often a bully, but the way this author approached his character and the REASONS behind his actions was so well done. This is a true character study in unlikable, deeply flawed characters and as much as I found myself yelling at our main character's actions, I held such a deep love for him as well. The final third of this story was where we were able to finally get that closure and have the discussions we were NEEDING from the character and as much as those were well done and worth the wait, I do wish Rafie had more of a realization earlier in the book about how atrociously he was treating the people around him. As much as his bullying was never justified or without criticism, it was frustrating personally to read about how many chances he was being given by the people he was hurting. And although these apologies happened and the trauma was delved into and we understood why Rafie was acting this way, I will say it was difficult to read. In the end, though, I do believe that the writing of this book really helped me root for the main character despite it all, and the plotting (although comfortably predictable) was incredibly engaging. My only complaint is, perhaps, how drawn out the "bullying" sections were and how forgiving especially Rey was to him in the beginning. I understand that Rey saw something no one else did in him, but I struggled to believe WHAT he saw when he was barely shown any kindness from Rafie until well into the second half. That being said, as soon as characters started to communicate and reasonings behind actions were explored, I was absolutely obsessed with all the characters and the growth we see from Rafie especially is incredibly heartwarming. In the end, this was a beautiful story, I only wish Rafie experienced remorse for some of the ways he acted earlier on, and that the narrative would have given readers more of a reason to understand why so many characters were giving him so much grace, at least in the beginning.

This book was emotional and lovely. I expected nothing less from JGV, to be clear--their characters are so full, their worlds are so detailed. The ways that they create a full cast of characters without detracting from the MCs and their growth is really beautiful. I cared about all of them--literally like 10 other people!--but never got off track. The use of single-POV really deepened the story also. I really liked this book.

It should be in high school libraries.

I absolutely loved this book! It was incredible. Jonny Garza Villa is an auto buy author for me. This book is about grief, loss & all the expectations we have for ourselves but I absolutely devoured it. I cannot recommend this book enough

dropped at 14%

while this is absolutely nothing against the author or this book, i just don't think my heart was really in it. i tried pushing through multiple times, but just really couldn't find myself wanting to continue this book, so unfortunately it is a dnf for me. i want to try reading it again after it is officially published, though, because it really does seem like a beautiful premise and the writing style is lovely.

overall, i just really wanted to like this, but i just couldn't get into it. maybe it really was just the timing. my star rating is absolutely not reflective of the author's work or story, though. i also loved that the author included trigger warnings, but i will note that my reasoning to dnf also stemmed from the triggering content, and me personally not being able to handle it right now. i am still sure this is a beautiful, beautiful story, though.

Canto Contigo feels bright, even when the sun dimmed. Even when grief and darker thoughts took over. Even when Rafie made disputable decisions. The rivals-to-lovers trope is one of my favorite and laughs bubbled up from my belly when those guys hated each other but secretly had fallen for the other so hard already. The love those boys had for their music was simply beautiful, and I adored how they started opening up to each other more and more. When Rafie’s grief started to pour out, the story felt a bit sadder but still so heartwarming and it meant time for healing too. And the last chapters made me smile again so hard!!

A heartwarming story about love, culture, family, passion for music and Mariachi, grief, and the LGBTQ+ experience in our Mexican communities.

Rafael Alvarez is a star Mariachi singer who moves from North Amistad to San Antonio, leaving behind his friends, family, and a winning legacy, to join the Mariachi band in Todos Colores, their rivals during the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional. He soon reunites with Rey Chavez, a former meet-cute that now stands in his way of being the lead vocalist at his new school. Rafie now has to choose between love and his dreams, and learns that sharing the spotlight can take you farther than you ever could on your own.

Wow, was this book a roller coaster. Grieving a passed loved one and fighting to stay on top are big themes, often woven between cute romance and charming Texan culture. I will say, I couldn’t stand Rafie at times. Thankfully, his humor and Rey’s heart of gold did soften the erratic blow of his mood swings. It’s all part of growing up, and it adds a unique narrative, very reminiscent of my high school years here in Houston, Tx. In the end, I’m proud of Rafie and how much he’s grown.

If you love a good story about music, love, family, Mexican culture, and Texas charm, give this book a read! Fans of Cemetery Boys will especially love this one :)

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I just love Jonny Garza Villa. As was the case in their previous book Ander & Santi Were Here, Garza Villa's character work in Canto Contigo is excellent -- the main and side characters are drawn with care, full of complexity, rich, flawed, and beautiful. Garza Villa once again portrays the vibrancy of family relationships, friendships, and romances here, too, while also bringing our notice to societal issues that need our attention and stories that deserve to be heard. Their storytelling is really quite remarkable.

In Canto Contigo, Rafie is a Mariachi musician who knows he's the best at what he does. He's led his high school Mariachi group to three consecutive first-place wins at nationals as their lead vocalist, and is eager to do so again during his senior year. But right before the school year starts, his family abruptly moves to a new city. Rafie, who is already very much not into this unexpected transition and is also grieving the recent death of his abuelo, is further outraged to be named backup vocalist instead of the lead for his new school's Mariachi group. To make matters worse, the person who currently holds that coveted role is a cutie who Rafie hooked up with some months ago and has been daydreaming about ever since. What we have here is a fun, queer take on the rivals to lovers trope, a tender exploration of grief, and a meandering journey toward self-love and the joy that accompanies it.

I'm still coming down from finishing this book, and am sure I'll have a lot more thoughts and feelings in the coming weeks. I loved it, but not quite as much as Ander & Santi, and I think it could have used another editing pass through (beyond just some typos which will hopefully be cleaned up prior to final publication). I also already know a few of its impressive elements will be reverberating through my consciousness for a while: Jonny Garza Villa's gentle and honest handling of being a teenager, their continued commitment to celebrating queer joy and love, and a deft inclusion of music throughout. I may have even made a Spotify playlist of all the songs and musicians that show up in the book... you can check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7A5wgzlDx306TvzozxHBlx?si=94e39ca545e24c94

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book so much, I cannot wait to reread it in the physical form. The way the story was laid out, described and put together was phenomenal! It was heart wrenching at times and heartwarming at others. Definitely a must read for everyone!!!

Jonny Garza Villa writes such beautiful characters puts so much emotion into their work. Literally every book I’ve read by them has made me cry.

In Canto Contigo, we follow Rafie who is struggling a lot. His family moved to San Antonio right before his senior year of high school and his abuelo died the previous December. We first meet Rafie as he say goodbye to his abuelo, and then we cut to the start of his senior year at a performing arts school. Rafie has always loved mariachi, and he struggles with his feelings surrounding mariachi after his abuelo dies because that’s always been some thing that he’s shared with him. It would be very easy to write Rafie off as “unlikeable” because for a lot of the book he is sort of unbearable, but it’s so clear that he’s making those choices because he’s grieving and he’s a teenager who doesn’t know how to process his emotions. The way that Jonny Garza Villa is able to pour in so much emotion and vulnerability and care into their work is truly incredible.

While this book does follow Rafie, there’s also a very sweet romance with a trans boy named Rey, and I love the way that developed. Rey was so sweet and so understanding and so determined to see the best in Rafie. I also loved that the majority of the new mariachi group is queer in some way, shape or form, and how proud they are and open they are about it in such a traditionally not accepting environment. I loved the discussions around internalized homophobia, and the growth we see from Rafie in that respect was beautiful. We also get to see Rey administer his T shot on page, which I think I’ve only seen in one other YA book. It was a small moment, but I think it could be a very important and impactful moment for a lot of teenagers.

TLDR; I love this book and I’ll read anything Jonny Garza Villa writes. I can’t wait until this is out next spring. I will definitely be picking up a physical copy and probably also the audiobook.

"Canto Contigo" by Jonny Garza Villa is a delightful and heartwarming young adult novel that combines music, culture, and romance to create a story that is both touching and entertaining.

The story revolves around Rafael Alvarez, a talented Mariachi musician who is forced to move to San Antonio with his family, leaving behind his beloved Mariachi Alma de la Frontera. Rafie is determined to make the most of his senior year and win one final competition. However, he soon finds himself at odds with Rey Chavez, the lead vocalist of Mariachi Todos Colores, and the person he shared a memorable encounter with eight months earlier.

The novel beautifully explores themes of identity, family, culture, and love. Rafie's journey of self-discovery is portrayed with depth and authenticity, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist. His passion for Mariachi music and his love for his abuelo (grandfather) are central to the narrative, adding emotional depth to the story.

The rivalry between Rafie and Rey adds a compelling layer to the plot. Their interactions are filled with tension, chemistry, and humor, making their transition from rivals to lovers a captivating and heartwarming journey. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of their relationship, allowing readers to root for their romance.

Villa's writing is engaging and evocative, immersing readers in the rich Mexican culture, the vibrant world of Mariachi music, and the colorful streets of San Antonio. The novel also pays homage to cultural icons like Selena Quintanilla-Perez, adding authenticity and nostalgia to the story.

"Canto Contigo" is not just a romance but a celebration of Mexican culture and the importance of embracing one's true self. It beautifully portrays the importance of family, the bonds of friendship, and the power of music to connect people across generations.

Overall, "Canto Contigo" is a heartwarming and culturally rich coming-of-age story that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. It captures the essence of young love, the pursuit of dreams, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Jonny Garza Villa has crafted a story that is both a celebration of Mexican heritage and a universal tale of self-discovery and love, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction.

When a Mariachi star transfers schools, he expects to be handed his new group's lead vocalist spot—what he gets instead is a tenacious current lead with a very familiar, very kissable face.

Canto Contigo was a heartfelt, humor-filled delight to read. It has been a while since I have read a book that has me cheering when the couple finally gets over themselves and ends up together, but Canto Contigo handled its rivals to lovers storyline with incredible ease. Keeping their banter and “dislike” for each other at a level that doesn't make their eventual togetherness feel undeserved. Rafie’s personality is balanced perfectly, an asshole with an ego who you can’t help but love because of his heart. He and Rey have incredible chemistry from the time they interact for the first time to the end of the novel. Moments that would typically have me cringing and noting as cheesy I found endearing and I was cheering on for more. While the romance shines in this book, its exploration of grief hit incredibly home to home. It was messy and realistic, and felt incredibly real, and as a warning to the inevitable future readers, will have you sobbing.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I cannot wait to pick up a physical copy as soon as I can!

Everything Rafael learned about Mariachi, he learned from his abuelo. The skill, the practice, the determination – it all continually resonates in his blood like the deep bass of a guitarron. At his abuelo's deathbed, Rafael promises to continue to be the best Mariachi singer and goes on to win his third first-place award as well as lead his school's Mariachi group to victory. That night, he meets a guy at a party and shares a romantic moment that lifts him from his sorrow and unveils the power of love. But this moment is abruptly interrupted, leaving Rafael haunted by its memory.

Fast forward eight months, Rafael's life takes a sharp turn as his family relocates, forcing him into a new school. He arrives with dreams of becoming the lead Mariachi singer, only to discover that his rival, Rey Chavez, is the same guy from that unforgettable party eight months prior.

'Canto Contigo' is a love letter to Mariachi, encompassing everything Mariachi embodies. It is unfiltered emotion, passion, music, and storytelling at its best. I didn't plan on reading it in one sitting, but I did. All the while, I took notes and created a playlist of all the Mariachi songs referenced. Because, not only is this a great story, but it is also a subtle history lesson of the art.

'Canto Contigo' is a book that sings. When Rafie and Rey sing together for the first time, you hear it. When the group musically connects, you feel it. This book is as musical as it gets, and your heart will hear it. Mine did. The laugh-out-loud moments, the ugly crying, the snapping aloud at witty comebacks. Even, in my case, applause after a character's performances.

It is also a book about grief, delving into how grief can define us, drive us, but also cloud our vision from love. Then it shows how love can guide us to a place where grief and love can exist simultaneously.

Finally, and most importantly, it is a book about love. As a love story, this packs a punch, and my tear-covered Kindle is proof of that.

Passion. Grief. Music. Joy. Performance. Love. That is Mariachi. That's 'Canto Contigo.

This was very cute and I loved Rafie and Rey's enemies to lovers journey. I was thrilled to learn about the Mariachi world and basked in all of the Mexican culture. I've been reading a lot of books about white people and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just nice to see a diverse queer romcom with heart and authentic representation.