Canto Contigo

A Novel

De: Jonny Garza Villa

Narrado por: Alejandro Antonio Ruiz

Long-listed, CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, 2024

Long-listed, NYPL Best Books of the Year, 2024

“Alejandro Antonio Ruiz embodies all of the roiling emotions in this compelling queer teen love story.”—The Children’s Book Review

"Ruiz’s masterful narration captures all the anger, tension, and banter...Ruiz yells, cries, whispers, laughs, and sings, revealing all the many layers to Rafie and Rey’s story."—AudioFile

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.

In a twenty-four-hour span, Rafael Alvarez led North Amistad High School’s Mariachi Alma de la Frontera to their eleventh consecutive first-place win in the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional; and met, made out with, and almost hooked up with one of the cutest guys he’s ever met.

Now eight months later, Rafie’s ready for one final win. What he didn’t plan for is his family moving to San Antonio before his senior year, forcing him to leave behind his group while dealing with the loss of the most important person in his life—his beloved abuelo. Another hitch in his plan: The Selena Quintanilla-Perez Academy’s Mariachi Todos Colores already has a lead vocalist, Rey Chavez—the boy Rafie made out with—who now stands between him winning and being the great Mariachi Rafie's abuelo always believed him to be. Despite their newfound rivalry for center stage, Rafie can’t squash his feelings for Rey. Now he must decide between the people he’s known his entire life or the one just starting to get to know the real him.

Canto Contigo is a love letter to Mexican culture, family and legacy, the people who shape us, and allowing ourselves to forge our own path. At its heart, this is one of the most glorious rivals-to-lovers romance about finding the one who challenges you in the most extraordinary ways.

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

©2024 Jonny Garza Villa (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A queer love letter to mariachi music and culture."—Kirkus, Starred Review

"In their third teen romance, Garza Villa orchestrates another masterpiece about queer youth redefining traditional customs in Texas."—Booklist, Starred Review

"Positing that love and joy are life’s greatest experiences, Garza Villa (Ander & Santi Were Here) crafts an earnest story that is both a quiet exploration of grief and a fierce rivals-to-lovers romance that centers the intensity and importance of passion."—Publishers Weekly

Just wonderful.

While the story circled around a bit at the beginning and got a bit repetitive at times, overall the heart in this story is what made it great. The narration was EXCEPTIONAL and I was a total mess many times over while listening to this. Absolutely a wonderful story and I would highly recommend it.

Beautiful story of a home town!

Being from SA it was super cool hearing all the spots and dates they went to and knowing exactly what they meant. Listening to their story go thru its many ups and downs was so beautiful! Can’t wait to listen to more 🩵

Beautiful story

Loved this book. I wished the main character spent less time fighting and withholding his truth but it was well worth it. Brought a tear to my eyes.

Cute

This is a very cute YA love story full of Mexican Mariachi culture. Love is captured completely.