Author: Chanel Cleeton

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted September 30, 2025 in ARCs, Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I am a long time fan of Chanel Cleeton. Several years ago I read her first Cuban historical fiction novel and I was hooked! I’ve read all of her historical novels since and most land firmly in the four and five star realm for me. While The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes had many of the things I love about Cleeton’s writing – multiple POVs across women in different points in history, highlighting different parts of Cuban history, etc – I found this novel in particular struggled a bit with pacing for me personally. While overall still a worthwhile read, […]

The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted May 21, 2024 in ARCs, Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I love love love Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novels about the Cuban diaspora in the US, and this one didn’t disappoint, with the added bonus of also being a mystery with a spooky slant to it. As with many of Cleeton’s novels, the story is told in two interwoven timelines. The first follows Anna, who is the wife of a wealthy American man who basically wants to be the next Gatsby and moves them from New York to Florida to build an over the top, enormous manor and estate (Marbrisa) that his wife isn’t really a big fan of. The […]

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted April 10, 2023 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

I’ve had the privilege of receving ARCs for several Chanel Cleeton’s Cuba inspired historical fiction books, and they have never let me down. I’m pleased that The Cuban Heiress continues this tradition, as I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced historical mystery! Set aboard the real-life cruise ship the SS Morro Castle, the novel follows two women, Elena and Catherine, who are both on the ship at the same time for its week long journey from New York to Havana and back again. Told in alternating POVs, both women’s true motives slowly unravel- and eventually intertwine- over the course of the […]

Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted May 16, 2022 in ARCs, Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

When I tell you that I LOVE the epic story of the Perez family that Chanel Cleeton has created, I am not kidding! Every installment in the series is an instant “add-to-TBR” book for me, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review an early copy of the newest addition to the Perez family’s history, Our Last Days in Barcelona. In Cleeton’s newest novel, readers follow eldest Perez sister Isabel who’s often been in the background as the dutiful, quiet sister. After a few years from their escape from Cuba to Florida, Isabel has been married off to […]

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted May 3, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I love when a historical fiction novel leaves me feeling both entertained and educated, and that is without a doubt the experience I get every time I pick up a Chanel Cleeton novel. Another sweeping tale set between Cuba and the United States, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba is another standout from the Cuban-American author. Similarly to the structure of Cleeton’s previous novel, The Last Train to Key West, her newest installment rotates between three POVs of strong women who are each facing unique challenges either in Cuba or the US during the late 1800s when Cuba is fighting […]

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted May 11, 2020 in Books, Reviews / 2 Comments

I’m a huge fan of Cleeton’s previous Cuban themed historical fiction novels, and The Last Train to Key West is no exception. Cleeton has created a fictional world of strong female protagonists exploring the nuances of Cuban and American politics across her companion novels, and while each story explores a fascinating mix of history, drama, and romance, I found The Last Train to Key West to be my favorite yet! The Last Train to Key West has subtle nods to Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba, featuring a protagonist who is Beatriz and Elisa’s aunt, Mirta, who’s […]

Adult Mini Reviews: When We Left Cuba and The Friend Zone

Posted September 2, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 2 Comments

If you hung around my blog last summer/fall, you probably heard me raving about my love for Next Year in Havana, a historical fiction novel that stole my heart with its dual timeline narrative, Latinx protagonists and gorgeous cover. As a first generation Latinx woman myself, I am always always always looking for more representation of my Latinx heritage in literature, and though I’m not Cuban I was deeply invested and moved by the story of the Perez family and their descendants. I was ecstatic to find that there was to be a sequel set in the 1960s following the […]

Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton | Review

Posted September 24, 2018 in Reviews / 8 Comments

I don’t remember where I first heard about Next Year in Havana, but I do remember being struck by the gorgeous cover and feeling a deep compulsion to read it immediately. After a few frustrating weeks waiting for my library hold to come in, I decided to take the plunge and just buy the book, something I’m always a bit wary to do when I’m not familiar with the author. I shouldn’t have worried though, because Next Year in Havana was not only the book I wanted, but it was very much the book I needed as well. Next Year […]