Publishers Weekly
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In December of his senior year, Mexican 17-year-old Rafael “Rafie” Álvarez is riding high: he’s a star vocalist in his school’s mariachi band, made out with a fellow mariachi member from a different school, and led North Amistad High School’s Mariachi Alma de la Frontera to their 11th first-place win in the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional. Eight months later, however, his family moves to San Antonio. Now attending a different school, Rafie auditions for Selena Quintanilla-Perez Academy’s Mariachi Todos Colores and is shafted into a secondary vocalist position—and the lead vocalist turns out to be transgender afromexicano Rey Chávez, the boy he hooked up with all those months ago. Beneath the fiery passion and desperate ambition of Rafie and Rey’s rivalry, however, Rafie contends with grief over his abuelo’s recent death and must decide if this persistent duel is worth pushing down his emotions and keeping a chance at healing—and romance—away at arm’s length. 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. Ages 13–up. Agent: Claire Draper, Bent Agency. (Apr.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A queer mariachi musician learns that his star shines brighter when it’s part of a constellation. Seventeen-year-old Mexican American Rafael Casimiro Álvarez is destined for mariachi greatness. Not only has he won best vocalist two years in a row, but he’s a third-generation musician. Rafie’s plan for domination hits a snag when the mariachi director at his new performing arts school decides he’s not ready to be lead vocalist. Being relegated to backup singing would be bad enough—the blow is compounded by the fact that Rey Chávez, the Afro-Latino lead vocalist, is the boy he hooked up with at last year’s Mariachi Extravaganza Nacional. When Rey’s voice cracks during a performance (Rey is transitioning), Rafie seizes the spotlight, earning the dubious honor of becoming co–lead vocalist. Weeks of training together thaw the ice between the boys until Rafie opens up about the pain of losing his abuelo and the stress of his family legacy. He lets himself feel the love he’s suppressed for Rey, but just when they become a happy couple (onstage and off), Rafie’s ambition threatens to destroy it all. The novel is driven by multiple, compounding elements—grief, Rafie’s ambition, the suppressed romance, and the pressures of expectations—ensuring that the tension never dissipates, even once Rey and Rafie get together, much to readers’ satisfaction. Racism, homophobia, and transphobia within the mariachi community are realistically portrayed, complicating that space without rejecting its beauty. A queer love letter to mariachi music and culture. (author’s note) (Romance. 13-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

In this contemporary romance, Mexican American Rafie is fuming at his parents for making the family relocate to San Antonio. After the passing of his beloved grandfather (the man who introduced him to guitars and mariachi), Rafie is determined to be lead vocalist of his new high school’s mariachi band and secure their win at the Extravaganza Nacional competition. Things take an unexpected turn when Rafie discovers that Rey, an old flame, goes to the same school and is already the band’s lead vocalist. With an overabundance of ego and confidence, Rafie will stop at nothing to take over, even if that means breaking hearts. As both teens musically battle it out to see who is the best, their attraction to each other becomes undeniable. New friends, family, and a talking calavera help guide Rafie to breakthroughs in his domineering habits and grief. In their third teen romance, Garza Villa orchestrates another masterpiece about queer youth redefining traditional customs in Texas. Readers will empathize with the main characters as they bravely navigate recurring prejudices targeting their BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identities (Rey is trans and receiving hormone therapy). The mention of musicians will leave readers quickly YouTubing songs by Vicente Fernandez, Selena, Bad Bunny, and more. A sweet love story with the positive message that not all change is bad.