Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Review: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

Title: When We Left Cuba
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Series: Sequel to Next Year in Havana
Genre: Contemporary
Published By: Berkley Books (April 9, 2019)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 5 Solid Stars!


Book Description:
In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life--and heart--to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly. 

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez--her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro's inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.


As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future--but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything--not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart... 









Rich in detail and devastating history, Next Year in Havana enchanted me with the smooth way it blended history with fiction and before I knew it I had completely devoured it in one sitting.

Knowing that there was a sequel on the horizon, this time told from possibly the most famous and notorious Perez girl, I knew it would be one of my top reads for the year and I'm happy to report I wasn't wrong.

Filled with strife, and  heartache but also love and friendship, When We Left Cuba will completely take readers breath away with the seamless way Cleeton once again weaves through history both past and present in a time when the world was being torn apart but so many events and conflict. 

The author once again proves that she can write about a history that many of us don't know about and makes us all care deeply about it and want to learn more, until we are so engrossed with the story and the characters themselves that it changes us all. The way we think, they way we feel and most of all, changes our perspective on how we view the world and those around us.

Beautifully told and completely memorizing, I enjoyed Beatriz's story so much and am so glad I was introduced to this series for so many reasons. I will be on the lookout for whatever the author writes in the future. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

33 comments:

  1. This was one of my most anticipated reads, too. Yes, exactly. She made us care about a part of history we never knew much about. :)

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    1. Yes! *highfivesyou* I'm so glad you get it and that you like these books as well. They really do take you by surprise.

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  2. The heartache in this one was UNREAL. It was so so good! I'm really glad that Chanel is writing more HR. She's so talented!

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    1. Agreed Nick! I didn't imagine when I started it that I would feel so much! So glad this author is writing about this.

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  3. I need to read both of these books! Everyone raves about them.

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    1. Yes! Do it Grace. They really are so worth it!

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  4. OMG this is so my kind of read thanks Kindlemom

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    1. Definitely read this one and the first Debbie, so your reads. ;)

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  5. I have been looking forward to this one since last winter. I am so happy to hear that it met expectations. I will be starting it soon.

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    1. You are going to love it Heidi and have some tissues handy, you are going to need them!

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  6. I couldn't imagine being in her shoes.

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  7. Ooh what a neat cover! And sounds like a great story! I love it when an author can seamlessly blend history and a compelling fiction story together.

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  8. I heard the romance in this one is better so I ame xcited :D I loved the first one so looking forward

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    1. It is for sure, also just as heartbreaking if not more so be prepared!

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  9. I enjoyed Cleeton's previous serious. She is a brilliant writer. Glad to hear you loved this one. :)

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    1. I really do need to check out her other books.

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  10. I have the first book in my tbr and I need to get to it. I'm excited to learn about Cuba. I know very little, but would love to learn more.

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  11. I have heard so much about this book. What a great review, I am putting this on my to read list.

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    1. Make sure you grab the first one as well if you haven't read it yet too!

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  12. I didn't realize Next Year in Havana had a sequel, but I'm so glad to see that you loved it so much. Sounds great!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I loved Next Year but I truly think I loved this one even more!

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  13. Sounds really interesting. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart

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  14. I'm not at all surprised. I haven't done this series but the other one she did was fantastic, too :)

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    1. I need to check her other series out. It's high on my list!

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  15. I love when a book can completely engross you and the characters and story can change you and your perspective! I've heard great things about this book! Wonderful Review!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. I really do too and yes, definitely wonderful and the first book as well. Both must reads I think. ;)

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