Canto Contigo is the story of Rafie, a Mexican-American mariachi who's life is uprooted when his family moves to San Antonio right before his senior year of high school. The book follows his struggles to process the death of his abuelo and honor his abuelo's legacy through his music. My favorite part of this book was Rafie's relationship to music and his journey to learning how to love mariachi again. I also enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers arc between Rafie and Rey. Rafie exhibited a lot of character growth in this book, as he learned that he can make his abuelo proud by trying his best, and as he learned to let people in. I appreciate the trans representation very much. I love the author's portrayl of love, friendship, and the feeling of home.

I will not be providing feedback/a public review for this title until SMP meets the demands of the boycott.

CANTO CONTIGO is another heartfelt, Texas-set YA novel from Jonny Garza Villa. The main character in this one is not the easiest to like, due to his overabundance of confidence and somewhat cutthroat nature, which makes an interesting challenge. The author does a nice job of giving him a solid reason for acting this way and a believable character arc. The romance and some of the character antics and plot devices feel a bit forced, and the story is fairly predictable. Still, the world of mariachi is fun to read about, and the story has moments of comedy and emotion that really work.

I believe this was my first time reading Jonny Garza Villa, and he has his own style.

Rafael is the champion of the Mariachi Extravaganza with his school, and he has promise his grandfather in his death bed he'd also win his senior year. However, his parents need to move to another city and this another school. There he meets again Rey, the single boy who had managed to divert his thoughts from his grandfather's death during the last Extravaganza, but life continues to challenge him despite of that. He doesn't get to be the lead singer in the new school's group, instead, he loses his position and his mind to Rey. What he can't afford is to lose in the next Extravaganza and not fulfill his promise.

2.5 rounded up to 3, because not even someone as unbearable as Rafael could obfuscate the beauty of this story.

I'm glad I waited until I was into this type of read to start this book, because it was already hard to get through it. The first thing that got to me was how much Spanish there was. I know some Spanish, I've had to read whole books when getting my Master's, but street Spanish (or maybe Mexican slang?) was just too hard for me to follow. There are some conversations that half of it is in Spanish, but at least they're not the ones that are heavy on the slang. I can't speak for people who don't know any, but my guess is that you can still understand most of what is going on, and it definitely doesn't get in the way of the story like my other problems with this book did.

Yeah, the biggest problem was how hard it is to relate to Rafael. It wasn't instant hate. He's full of himself, but we know that's only so his fall will be from higher, so in the beginning I was only curious to see how that would go. However, he very inconstant. One time he's okay with how things are going, another he's very sad about how he's had to relinquish his position, then he's full of himself again. His progression was confusing to me. It didn't help that the big conflict in the end is caused by something that should have happened much earlier, and I couldn't buy the reason it didn't. Even worse, I couldn't buy Rafael's reaction.

However, there are points very worth it. I loved the family thing, all the culture transpiring from it. It was like being brought to a different world. All of the other characters were also great, especially Rey. There were countless moments I feel I learned something from, and even if I hadn't, it felt worth it living them. The depth this book has got is no joke, I loved it.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

CANTO CONTIGO by Jonny Garza Villa is a beautifully written romance that is a love song to mariachi. Rafael Alvarez is part of a big Mexican family in North Amistad, and is proud to be living up to his reputation and his family’s legacy as a mariachi musician and singer. He has a particularly tumultuous year following the loss of his beloved abuelo, and his immediate family’s subsequent move to San Antonio. Now at a new school, competing for lead singer with a guy who turned his head in last year’s competition, he’s angry and frustrated and hurt and sad…

Jonny Garza Villa writes Rafie unflinchingly and sympathetically. Readers will feel those big feelings and pressures along with him, and long for him to be able to find better footing. He creates an immersive read, using Spanish to excellent effect, and writing characters that walk, sing, play, right off the pages. Rafie’s pain and longings as well as his dreams and the courage he’s able to find flow off the pages and into our hearts.


This is the first I’ve read by Jonny Garza Villa, but I absolutely plan to read their backlist, and look forward to future books.

Rivals to lovers + sass & banter + YA!

Eight months after winning the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional and making out with the cutest guy, Rafie is forced to move to San Antonio and join their mariachi group.

The problem: their lead vocalist is the guy Rafie made out with.

Their rivalry quite literally takes center stage as they have to figure out how to work together to win this year’s Extravaganza while also fighting their feelings for each other.

Read if you love…
✨rivals to lovers
🎤mariachi & Latinx music references galore
✨YA, high school seniors
💬texts on page
✨Spanish on page
🏳️‍🌈a cast of queer characters
✨second chance ishhhhh
🤣so much sass & banter
✨forced proximity

3/3 for crying reading a JGV book. ✔️

To zero people’s surprise, I loved this one!

The whole premise of the book was wonderful, and as per usual with a JGV book, I loved how much I learned about the Latinx culture, language, and food!

Rafie was prickly af at first, and a little hard to like, because his ego is so big. He knows he’s the best, but he also can be a jerk about it. But I loved seeing his story, past, insecurities, etc unfold throughout the book. His grief about losing his grandfather is so big & it deeply affects everything in his life.

I adored everything about Rey, and won’t say much because spoilers. But Rey is just perfection.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Wednesday books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

📍Texas
✨Rep: Latinx & gay MC; Black Latinx & trans & gay MC; queer side characters
‼️Content: anti-queer/trans; racism; loss of a grandparent, Parkinson’s; grief

I will not be reviewing nor promoting any St Martin's Press titles until they address the racism, Islamophobia and all over reprehensible behavior of one of their employees.

I adored Ander and Santi Were Here so I was so excited to have the opportunity to read Canto Contigo before its release! I will admit, I had a harder time getting into this one than Ander and Santi, simply because Rafie was very difficult to like for almost half of the book. He is very full of himself and is very focused on winning Extravaganza which causes him to mistreat the people around him. Rey deserves to be anointed into sainthood for how patient and forgiving he is towards Rafie. I was beginning to wonder if the book would ever turn around, but I never should have doubted Garza Villa. We begin to see cracks in Rafie's facade and understand why he behaves the way he does. There is so much growth to his character and it was a joy witness. I loved him and Rey's relationship as well and the side characters were really enjoyable too.

Canto Contigo is a coming of age, queer, YA romance following Rafie as he deals with loss and grief, expectations of himself, and who he is and what he truly wants out of life. An incredibly enjoyable read, I highly recommend and cannot wait for what Garza Villa writes next!

I’d like to say I read a lot of diverse books, but this was the first one I’ve seen about gay mariachis. There is just something about the Spanish in this book not being italics that I love. The story is amazing, and how it’s written. It definitely feels like it was written for me and other tejanos

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

Last year, I had the chance to read "Ander and Santi Were Here" by Jonny Garza Villa, and I was excited to read another one of their YA novels. The story revolves around a romance where the main characters were almost lovers, but now they are rivals, and then they become lovers again.

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.

I think not everyone will love the main protagonist, Rafael Alvarez, but I admit that I have a soft spot for him. Rafie is not perfect he's a bit of an asshole and it's astounding that more characters didn't want to knock him over the head. There were some touching moments as Rafael grieved for his grandfather who was an influential figure in his life. I loved the scenes between Rafael and his father, as well as a particular scene with his grandmother later in the novel. I loved that the novel was steeped in Mexican culture and that the characters speak Spanish throughout, although I cannot speak a word of it myself.

Although there were some slow parts, I liked the antics of the characters, the positive discussions on sexuality between teens and parents, and following a high school Mariachi band during their competitions.


Expected Publication Date 09/04/24
Goodreads Review 06/04/24

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest, spoiler-free review!

It took a while to get through this book because of school, but I enjoyed my time reading it.

It starts with a prologue that explains the main character’s, Rafie’s, past, and I thought that the way it was written, was nicely connected to the present storyline. You’re introduced to Rafie’s losses and his grief as well as his first meeting with the love interest, Rey. Although I enjoyed the chemistry and the characterizations, I felt like the author moved a bit too fast at times.

I enjoyed following the characters in the story. I enjoyed seeing Rafie and Rey’s enemies-to-lovers interactions and banter. I loved their teasing and their chemistry. I thought they had great tension, especially when they argued with each other. However, I was frustrated with Rafie at first, especially with their argumentative nature at times. But seeing the grief that he has faced and reading his inner monologue, I can understand where he is coming from. Grief isn’t an easy feat to maneuver and it can make you do strange things. Yet, Rafie’s growth was promising. He learned to cope and become a better person. He started becoming a brighter person, and overall, I really liked his character development and story arc. As for Rey, he is the sweetest character. He is super supportive of Rafie and is overall a super kind and passionate individual. He is also trans and a Black Latine, which is a great representation. One thing I would’ve liked to see is a bit more of a fleshed-out storyline for Rey as well.

As for the plot, it was great as well. It’s your “enemies-to-lovers” and “coming-of-age” young adult novel so some conventions are to be expected. Teenagers act like, you know, teenagers, and kind of do some stupid things because of pent-up unexpressed anger, hormones, and difficult emotions like grief. But overall, I liked following QPA’s Mariachi band. I liked the interactions between all the characters and how they supported each other. I liked the antics and schemes that the characters pulled, and I enjoyed the insertion of some witty humour and pop-culture references. The ending of the book ends… where you expect it to. But I think it’s pretty fitting and it ties up quite nicely.

Finally, I think it’s always important to write books featuring diversity. Not only does this book feature plenty of queer characters, but it also has Mexican representation. This book heavily centres around a Mariachi competition. It also features plenty of references to Tejano culture and important Latine figures. There is also a lot of Spanish included in this book. Though I am not Latine and cannot comment on whether the representation is good, I think that it’s important for young Latines, Mexicans and Tejano to have a YA book that reflects their culture, especially one written by an Own-Voices author.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

Hence, 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

After meeting Jonny last year, I was super excited to read this book. I had read their other 2 before and was so ready to get to this one. I felt like there was something missing here, though. Mostly, I just couldn’t get fully with Rafie.

Rafie is just such a huge jerk. I don’t really know how I felt about him. Rey is so sweet and kind and I’m aware that Rafie is grieving but I would have dropped him so fast. You can only give so many chances. The patience that Rey has is incredible. The ending was so sweet, however. It really makes up for a lot of it but I was still annoyed. But I always appreciate character development. I wished we could have gotten more with Xope and Erik. As well as some more on Xolo. I also really liked the way that Rey being trans is explained and how accepting and positive Rafie is.

At the end I really did enjoy this book. I felt really bad for everyone and wished better decisions were made, but how can I fault teenagers as much? I wasn’t as serious as any of them when I was in high school so they get points for that even. I was impressed with a lot of this. Grief is a huge plot point and Rafie getting over his grief and realizing he can look forward to the future made me smile so much. A lot of parts had me either near tears, bursting out laughing, or going awww. Jonny’s charm is definitely in this like their other books.

I adore Jonny Garza Villa books, and this is no exception. I know that no matter what the book is about, I am going to gobble it right up.

I had a hard time with Rafael in the beginning, but I warmed up to him. The discussion surrounding grief was so good. I was sobbing at a few points - the way Rafael grieves his grandfather was so real and raw.

What a brilliantly beautiful story. So much emotion. So much growth. So much love. Rafie & Rey were darling, their young love pulled at my heartstrings. I loved this story!!

Musings:

This book has become my all time favorite book I’ve ever read. It has been a long time since I even read a contender to add to my list of all time favorites. Let alone to find a book that would steal that #1 spot. To be fair Rafi wouldn’t have had it any other way.

When I first opened this book I was waiting for my boyfriend to finish helping his sister so we could continue the movie we had been watching together. I read the first chapter of this while he was away and immediately I was sobbing. I opened this book thinking this would be an adorable contemporary love story with boys who love mariachi and while it is that still it is so much more.

In the very first chapter Rafi loses his Abuleo. It personally crushed me because I was in the hospital with my dad just like Rafi does with his abuelo and I sang to my dad after he had a particularly bad stroke and couldn’t recognize me. Rafi wants to use his singing to bring home another gold trophy to make his abuelo proud. The way music is a living part of him and his connection to his abuelo made my heart ache because it is similar for me and my dad. Even though my dad is still with me and I haven’t lost him yet, remembering that day in the hospital, singing to him, I felt more heartbroken then I’d ever felt and so from the very first chapter I felt connected to Rafi deeply.

Rafi is messy in his grief and he makes choices that hurt people for the sake of thinking it’s the right thing to do out a fear that was borne from his sadness. His back and forth with Rey especially in the beginning of the book broke my heart, but I also understood it. Canto Contigo is such a beautiful encapsulation of grief and what it means to struggle with it.

I loved how even though his Abuelo has passed on, his abuelo has a huge living presence throughout the book. Rafi receives advice from his abuelo throughout the novel via an old Calavera (skeleton) figure that was passed down from his abuelo. Rafi hears his abuelos advice and the way his abuelo is with Rafi at the end of the book was one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever read.

I loved how much Spanish is in this book and it’s left for you to either know the words or look it up. I enjoyed learning new words and being pleasantly surprised when I realized that I knew a lot more then I thought I did. Spanish is unapologetically a part of this manuscript and it’s perfect in every way as part of this novel.

I loved the discussions of sexuality in this book. I loved that it was about being in love and claiming a space that they have every right to claim that has long had homophobia as a part of it and shattering those ideas.

I want to talk more about Rey and Ravi’s love story and who they are as characters and the growth they go through together and how much I loved them, but this is a story that deserves to be read for yourself. I don’t want to spoil it or any of the major things that happen. All you really need to know it’s beautiful.

A Note:

Also, I wanted to say that while I am white I was raised in a Hispanic household. I grew up listening to Spanish being spoken at home. Eating pupusas and drinking jarritos. My dad always would play mariachi music and when we’d go to the swat meet or to church fiestas I’d always watch mariachi perform and I would be a part of the sea of people that were dancing, clapping, and cheering. Even though I don’t feel I can claim Mexican culture for my own, it is the culture I grew up with. This book felt so true to me also because I connect to it on such a personal level.

Also I loved the authors note. I knew that by them saying that I didn’t ever have to read this book because I’d felt grief in my life that I absolutely had to read this book. While they were right that it would hurt, it was a beautiful healing hurt. I appreciate Jonny so much for their beautiful words.

Afterward: I was not intending to write a review today. I wasn’t intending to finish this book today. This review happened because last night after being 10% of the way through for a few days I decided to continue this and it had me in a chokehold I had to force myself away from when it was 3am and I was at 50%. I was supposed to write about April’s book releases today, but this book had other plans. I will always have this book inside my heart.

Another big hearted, make you laugh through your tears winner from Jonny Garza Villa. Lead singer Rafie Alvarez has only ever been center stage- in mariachi, in his abuelo’s heart, and in his own mind. But when his abuelo dies from Parkinson’s the same year Rafie’s family moves three hours away from his hometown & 3x national champion mariachi group, Rafie has to learn to share the stage. If his ego, perfectionism, and grief, will let him that is. Lovers to rivals to lovers hijinx ensue with Jonny’s signature big cast of beloved, funny af friends & family & a winning love interest in Rey, a trans mariachi who is a literal saint for putting up with the (un)believably flawed Rafie.

A love letter to mariachi, abuelos, putting in the work, and above all love. Highly recommend. 5 stars.

4.5 - “How do I be happy again when I’ve let down the people who made me happier than I’ve ever been?”

This is such a beautiful story of grief, gender identity, and perseverance. Rafie is struggling with the death of his grandfather and a move to a new school, away from his champion mariachi group. He’s bitter and upset, and expects to be handed lead vocalist. At the beginning, hems definitely difficult to root for. He’s a bit spoiled and entitled, and Rey is definitely not going to give up his rightfully earned position of lead vocalist easily.

What’s so incredible about this story is the way that it explores grief and gender identity in teenagers. It’s not so cut and dry, and the way both Rafie and Rey act seem so typical of people their age. They don’t always handle their emotions or react well, so a lot of their interactions and conflicts feel realistic. Rafie’s arc is also so well done. He is in a completely different place by the end, adjusting to his new school and life, as well as the death of his grandfather.

Villa also does such a great job with Rey's trans representation, as well as all of the LGBTQ representation throughout the story. I think that young adult stories with this representation are so important. They weren't around when I was in high school and I know a lot of people who would have benefited from being able to see themselves represented so well in media. The way it's portrayed here is that it's just another fact of life and not something to be ashamed about.

This was such a beautiful book, and I will read anything Jonny Garza Villa writes.

Great story really enjoyed the writing from this author for this book. Thus author knows how to write and the main characters did not disappoint.

Canto Contigo is my first Jonny Garza Villa book, but it won’t be my last. When Rafie, a Texas high school mariachi king, loses his abuelo, he is devastated. His goal is to continue to make his abuelo proud by carrying on his mariachi family heritage. But what Rafie doesn’t anticipate is having to transfer to another high school for his senior year—the school that has come in second to his high school for the last three years at the big Mariachi Extravaganza competition. Rafie assumes that he’ll slide right into lead vocalist of the new school’s second place mariachi band and continue his winning ways…what he doesn’t anticipate is a fellow musician who is also a great vocalist and a teacher who wants to make him better. Oh and his vocal competition is the hottie he hooked up with at last year’s Extravaganza. Will Rafie learn something and continue his abuelo’s traditions or will he be so frustrated that he gives up?

This story had great characters and I loved all the cultural parts of Rafie’s mariachi heritage. I loved how Garza handled the homophobia and transphobia in this young adult way. I can’t wait to read another one of his stories that bring the LGBTQIA+ young people to the front and center.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I've been meaning to read a Jonny Garza Villa book for ages, and this did not disappoint. I loved this book. My favourite romances are ones that go deep and this rivals to lovers YA romance explored grief, homophobia, transphobia and mental health in a nuanced and beautiful way. Rafie is an asshole for most of the book, he's struggling with the loss of his abuelo and the idea that he must win at all costs to honour his abuelo's wishes. I like that Garza Villa didn't shy away from having Rafie be a self-centered jerk at times. It was refreshing to see, frustrating at times, but ultimately worth it. It's a realistic journey with setbacks and poor choices that Rafie has to grapple with, I do wish we had seen more of Rey, I would have loved to see his POV because it was difficult especially near the beginning to understand why Rey was still interested in Rafie.

I know next to nothing about Mariachi and I was worried that would affect my enjoyment, but it didn't. Missing a few references and not knowing any of the songs didn't matter (though I will be listening to them soon for the full effect).

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves queer romance and especially music lovers.