Ander & Santi Were Here (2023)-Jonny Garza Villa
This is a book for everyone who falls in love hard and fast
Content Warnings: racism, xenophobia, deportation,
Representation: Latine, Mexican, nonbinary, nblm, mlm
Favorite Quote: “I can live a life that’s both complicated and happy. Even if it’s just for a little while. And especially if it means I get to have you.”
Ander & Santi Were Here is a realistic YA novel set in a predominately Latino area of San Antonio, Texas. It follows a nonbinary, young adult artist named Ander during their gap year before moving to Chicago to attend a prestigious art school. At this time, they meet Santi, the new employee at Ander’s family’s restaurant. The two immediately share a mutual interest and attraction despite inexplicable discouragement from Ander’s normally very supportive family.
Though Santi is technically Ander’s replacement at their family’s taqueria, Ander quickly falls for Santi and is set on being with him, but Santi has fears about getting into an official relationship with Ander. The book follows the two through a whirlwind romance over the course of nearly a year as both grapple with their futures and particularly the sort of art that Ander wants to create. They describe their art as “Mexican, queer, and done in a way that’s loudly and proudly both” but doesn’t want to be tokenized as a Mexican muralist when they move to their predominately White school in Chicago.
In addition to these two highly lovable main characters, the supporting cast of characters bring a strong sense of community and vibrance. Ander is surrounded with a family constantly seeking to support and look out for them as well as their best friend/ex-boyfriend Zeke, all of whom fully embrace Santi as a new member of their inner circle. Much, however, is out of the characters’ control when ICE becomes a threat to the life that they’re all building together.
Despite the relatively long course of time throughout the book,Ander & Santi Were Hereis a slow-paced story that’s best described as slice-of-life and coming-of-age. Both main characters are only nineteen years old and have little direction for what to do with their lives. There are a handful of major events that occur, but most of the book simply follows the evolving relationship between Ander and Santi. The relationship itself, however, is more than enough to make the book compelling as it’s incredibly authentic feeling and very sweet. Readers are sure to root for the characters of this book.