Common Sense Media Review
By Julian Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Swearing, drinking in emotional queer YA romance novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ANDER & SANTI WERE HERE, 19-year-old Texan muralist Ander Martinez is working during his gap year before moving to attend the Art Institute of Chicago. At his part-time job as a waiter at his family's restaurant, Ander befriends handsome young Santiago, a new waiter at the Taqueria. Their friendship blossoms into romance and an unshakable relationship as Ander believes they have found the love of their life. However, Santi's undocumented immigration status means deportation might rip their relationship apart. Depsite these struggles, Ander fights for the boy they love dearly.
Is It Any Good?
This compelling and engaging romance has poignant emotional depth drawn from the author's personal life as a queer, Mexican American. Author Jonny Garza Villa portrays queer love, immigration, the Covid pandemic, and race with care and authenticity. At its surface, Ander & Santi Were Here is a love story of two people who create a sweet bond despite looming threats to their relationship (possible deportation, moving away for art school). Beneath that, it's a tale of loving who you are, creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ communities, and standing up to various forms of racism and injustices.
Ander's a well-drawn, nuanced character that feels real and relatable, especially for queer and nonbinary readers. They face racism from their advisor who fails to understand Ander's mural art and makes applying to art school harder. They also live with fear, always wondering if ICE will detain Santi. Despite it all, Ander and Santi's deep love jumps off the page. Their choice to be happy in their time together as a couple models how to thrive in the face of systemic oppression. They do not let the destabilizing uncertainty diminish their love. Romance lovers who gravitate to love stories with deeper thematic threads will find a lot to love here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how characters in Ander & Santi Were Here show compassion for those who are deemed unwelcome and discriminated against because of their race or immigration status. How does showing or receiving compassion help the characters? How does it help you?
How does Ander demonstrate empathy towards Santi due to ICE's attempts to deport him. When was a moment when you showed empathy to another person in your life?
How do character's respond to Ander's nonbinary identity? Does it feel true to life or is it idealized? Why do you think the author wrote Ander's experiences this way?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , LGBTQ+ rights , Racial justice ) , School ( High School ) , Family Stories , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Wednesday Books
- Publication date : May 2, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : August 25, 2026
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