book review next year in havana

• ADMIN AREA MY BOOKSHELF MY DASHBOARD MY PROFILE SIGN OUT SIGN IN

NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA

by Chanel Cleeton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2018

A love story and an homage to the history of the Cuban people, the latter significantly overshadowing the former.

“My grandmother loved a revolutionary,” says Marisol Ferrera, returning to Cuba 60 years after her family fled the island only to find herself falling for another attractive rebel.

Romance readers who enjoy their love stories leavened with a sizable measure of earnest political history will warm to Cleeton’s ( On Broken Wings , 2017, etc.) new novel, which offers parallel tales of entwined hearts challenged by oppressive regimes. Elisa Perez, one of the four “sugar queens”—the privileged daughters of a Cuban sugar baron—is the first star-crossed lover. Living in luxury in Havana in the late 1950s, Elisa and her sisters are shielded from the imminent revolution by their father’s money and allegiance to the status quo, but then Elisa falls for Pablo, “Fidel [Castro]’s eyes and ears in the city.” In the 21st century, Florida-based lifestyle journalist Marisol smuggles her grandmother’s ashes back to Cuba, obeying Elisa’s wishes to be reunited in death with the country from which she had been exiled. Once in Havana, Marisol discovers not only her family’s roots and the letters revealing Elisa and Pablo’s secret passion, but also her own emotional fulfillment in the form of Luis, the grandson of Elisa’s best friend. Cleeton delivers the two women’s descents into dangerous romance with persuasive intensity, but her descriptions of Pablo’s and Luis’ commitments to challenging the political establishment and her larger commentary on Cuba’s long, troubled history make for a heavy contrast. “Why is the Cuban convertible peso so important?” asks Marisol, setting the reader up for another solid slab of social/historical/financial exposition. Somber and humor-free, the novel feels uncomfortably strung between its twin missions to entertain and to teach detailed, repetitive factual lessons.

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-399-58668-2

Page Count: 400

Publisher: Berkley

Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017

GENERAL FICTION

Share your opinion of this book

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

Kirkus Reviews' Best Books Of 2015

Kirkus Prize winner

National Book Award Finalist

A LITTLE LIFE

by Hanya Yanagihara ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2015

The phrase “tour de force” could have been invented for this audacious novel.

Four men who meet as college roommates move to New York and spend the next three decades gaining renown in their professions—as an architect, painter, actor and lawyer—and struggling with demons in their intertwined personal lives.

Yanagihara ( The People in the Trees , 2013) takes the still-bold leap of writing about characters who don’t share her background; in addition to being male, JB is African-American, Malcolm has a black father and white mother, Willem is white, and “Jude’s race was undetermined”—deserted at birth, he was raised in a monastery and had an unspeakably traumatic childhood that’s revealed slowly over the course of the book. Two of them are gay, one straight and one bisexual. There isn’t a single significant female character, and for a long novel, there isn’t much plot. There aren’t even many markers of what’s happening in the outside world; Jude moves to a loft in SoHo as a young man, but we don’t see the neighborhood change from gritty artists’ enclave to glitzy tourist destination. What we get instead is an intensely interior look at the friends’ psyches and relationships, and it’s utterly enthralling. The four men think about work and creativity and success and failure; they cook for each other, compete with each other and jostle for each other’s affection. JB bases his entire artistic career on painting portraits of his friends, while Malcolm takes care of them by designing their apartments and houses. When Jude, as an adult, is adopted by his favorite Harvard law professor, his friends join him for Thanksgiving in Cambridge every year. And when Willem becomes a movie star, they all bask in his glow. Eventually, the tone darkens and the story narrows to focus on Jude as the pain of his past cuts deep into his carefully constructed life.  

Pub Date: March 10, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-385-53925-8

Page Count: 720

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015

More by Hanya Yanagihara

BOOK REVIEW

by Hanya Yanagihara

More About This Book

PERSPECTIVES

by Elin Hilderbrand ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 16, 2015

Once again, Hilderbrand displays her gift for making us care most about her least likable characters.

Hilderbrand’s latest cautionary tale exposes the toxic—and hilarious—impact of gossip on even the most sophisticated of islands.

Eddie and Grace Pancik are known for their beautiful Nantucket home and grounds, financed with the profits from Eddie’s thriving real estate company (thriving before the crash of 2008, that is). Grace raises pedigreed hens and, with the help of hunky landscape architect Benton Coe, has achieved a lush paradise of fowl-friendly foliage. The Panciks’ teenage girls, Allegra and Hope, suffer invidious comparisons of their looks and sex appeal, although they're identical twins. The Panciks’ friends the Llewellyns (Madeline, a blocked novelist, and her airline-pilot husband, Trevor) invested $50,000, the lion’s share of Madeline’s last advance, in Eddie’s latest development. But Madeline, hard-pressed to come up with catalog copy, much less a new novel, is living in increasingly straightened circumstances, at least by Nantucket standards: she can only afford $2,000 per month on the apartment she rents in desperate hope that “a room of her own” will prime the creative pump. Construction on Eddie’s spec houses has stalled, thanks to the aforementioned crash. Grace, who has been nursing a crush on Benton for some time, gives in and a torrid affair ensues, which she ill-advisedly confides to Madeline after too many glasses of Screaming Eagle. With her agent and publisher dropping dire hints about clawing back her advance and Eddie “temporarily” unable to return the 50K, what’s a writer to do but to appropriate Grace’s adultery as fictional fodder? When Eddie is seen entering her apartment (to ask why she rented from a rival realtor), rumors spread about him and Madeline, and after the rival realtor sneaks a look at Madeline’s rough draft (which New York is hotly anticipating as “the Playboy Channel meets HGTV”), the island threatens to implode with prurient snark. No one is spared, not even Hilderbrand herself, “that other Nantucket novelist,” nor this magazine, “the notoriously cranky Kirkus.”

Pub Date: June 16, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-316-33452-5

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: May 20, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015

More by Elin Hilderbrand

by Elin Hilderbrand

• Discover Books Fiction Thriller & Suspense Mystery & Detective Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Nonfiction Biography & Memoir Teens & Young Adult Children's
• News & Features Bestsellers Book Lists Profiles Perspectives Awards Seen & Heard Book to Screen Kirkus TV videos In the News
• Kirkus Prize Winners & Finalists About the Kirkus Prize Kirkus Prize Judges
• Magazine Current Issue All Issues Manage My Subscription Subscribe
• Writers’ Center Hire a Professional Book Editor Get Your Book Reviewed Advertise Your Book Launch a Pro Connect Author Page Learn About The Book Industry
• More Kirkus Diversity Collections Kirkus Pro Connect My Account/Login
• About Kirkus History Our Team Contest FAQ Press Center Info For Publishers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Reprints, Permission & Excerpting Policy

© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Popular in this Genre

Hey there, book lover.

We’re glad you found a book that interests you!

Please select an existing bookshelf

Create a new bookshelf.

We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!

Please sign up to continue.

It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!

Already have an account? Log in.

Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.

Almost there!

• Industry Professional

Welcome Back!

Sign in using your Kirkus account

Contact us: 1-800-316-9361 or email [email protected].

Don’t fret. We’ll find you.

Magazine Subscribers ( How to Find Your Reader Number )

If You’ve Purchased Author Services

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up.

clock This article was published more than  5 years ago

Chanel Cleeton’s ‘Next Year in Havana’ gets a worthy sequel

Chanel Cleeton’s “Next Year in Havana” got a huge boost when Reese Witherspoon selected it for her book club in 2018, and it was rightfully singled out. The novel balanced a lesson in Cuba’s volatile history with an emotionally affecting story. Its sequel “When We Left Cuba” delivers some of the same — including plenty of heartache — with a very different narrative.

The perspective in “When We Left Cuba” shifts from Elisa Perez to her older sister Beatriz. It’s 1959, and the plucky, rebellious 22-year-old is outraged her family was forced to uproot from her beloved Cuba and move to Florida because of Fidel Castro. “It isn’t just politics to me. It’s my life. It was my brother’s life. He died fighting for a better future for Cuba. How do I turn my back on that?” she argues. As she gets older, she grapples with how to fight for her home country while simultaneously figuring out who she is without it.

So she approaches the CIA, assuming that the agency is desperate to take down Castro, and offers her services as a spy. It’s not long before she becomes embroiled in various plots to end Castro’s regime. Unlike her sisters, two of whom eventually marry and lead quiet lives, Beatriz harnesses her anger to seek retribution for her fellow Cubans, gaining an agency uncommon for women during that time period. What she doesn’t anticipate is falling hard for engaged U.S. Senator Nicholas Preston, who is American royalty with political ambitions that a relationship with Beatriz could jeopardize.

They are a dangerous match from the beginning but launch into an affair anyway. Other than being betrothed to another woman (at least initially), Nick couldn’t be a better match for Beatriz; they’re both passionate about politics and making a difference, and he treats her like an equal. And yet, the romance — for all its careful construction and emotional impact — is not Cleeton’s main concern.

After all, Beatriz has understandable reservations toward commitment. In Cuba, she was raised to believe that her main goal was to marry well — “our success tied to the men we catch rather than our own merits,” she laments — but now she has the freedom to reject that institution and pursue a career, creating her own identity.

Her pursuit of Castro is the true heart of the story, even if the success of the mission is moot. The journey is what matters: Beatriz’s growth and resilience in taking on a risky job of such magnitude, especially as a woman during the 1960s.

“When We Left Cuba” is both a hard-earned love story and a visceral account of history. Cleeton’s writing pulsates with passion and intimacy, even as she gives us a panoramic vision of life during that tumultuous era. She’s long since established herself as a remarkable writer, but with “When We Left Cuba,” she’s written with a sublime force that keeps us tethered to her words.

Kamrun Nesa  is a full-time publicist and a freelance writer whose work has appeared on NPR, USA Today’s Happy Ever After romance blog, Bustle and HelloGiggles.

When We Left Cuba

By Chanel Cleeton

Berkley. 368 pp. $16

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Review: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton is a beautiful and passionate book about the strength of sacrifice. As I mentioned in my preview, Cuba is somewhat of a mystery . There’s the Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro’s long rule and famous tales of Hemingway in Old Havana. But obviously Cuba is much more than that.  Next Year in Havana  is a tale of forbidden love but also provides a look at Cuba’s past and present.

In her acknowledgments, Cleeton called Next Year in Havana  “the book of my heart.” And you truly can get a sense of the deep personal connection found in this fiction book. She says the inspiration came from her family’s exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. When her grandparents were forced to leave Cuba, they buried their valuables in their backyard, hoping to return to it one day. This action is an important component to the book.

Grandmother/granddaughter

The narrative is told from two perspectives and time periods. The year is 1958 in Havana and the country is changing at a rapid pace due to political unrest. Elisa Perez is the sheltered daughter of a wealthy sugar baron. Her life takes a fateful turn when she begins a passionate affair with a revolutionary named Pablo.

The other is told from Elisa’s granddaughter Marisol Ferrera who travels to Cuba in 2017 to fulfill Elisa’s wishes of having her ashes scattered in Cuba. When she comes to Havana, she experiences Cuba’s beauty and tense political climate. She also meets Luis with his own secrets.

While Elisa and Marisol are similar in many ways, and even look a bit like each other, Cleeton did a good job of balancing the narrative between the two and making them sound distinct. I liked how their stories were connected in some ways, especially when it comes to falling for men passionate about a free Cuba.

While there is plenty of romance in the book, don’t expect a romance novel. Pillow talk between the two couples are about the state of Cuba. I believe all the political talk is to show the varying perspectives and ideas from different generations.

A big theme of the novel is family loyalty but also expectations. Almost every character we encounter from Elisa, Marisol to Luis are fiercely loyal to their families. Elisa and Marisol also deal with expectations to live a certain way that they don’t always agree with.

Elisa’s sisters are mentioned throughout the book. One sister, the legendary Beatriz, will be the focus of Cleeton’s next novel coming out in 2019. Excited to see where her story goes.

Those who left vs those who stayed

An interesting component to the book was the division between those who left Cuba and those who stayed. The ones who left Cuba had to adjust to a new country and try to preserve their heritage. While the ones who stayed dealt with plenty of cruel and unfair hardships. Cleeton talks about how those who came to the U.S. hate Castro with an unrelenting passion since he took away their country. While those who remain in Cuba, had to abide by the government even if they didn’t always agree with it. Cleeton presents both sides fairly and how much each had to sacrifice.

Love for country

There isn’t freedom of speech in Cuba, which is prevalent throughout the novel. There’s some tense moments in the book where you feel the terror of the government’s hold on its people.

But the passion for the country is relentless. Cleeton does an exceptional job of painting Havana with its flaws and natural beauty.

So what’s the verdict?

Next Year in Havana is a good read with plenty of history, some romance and even a small mystery. Whether it’s for a book club or just for you, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

You May Also Like

What's Better Than Books?

Book Reviews, Author Interviews, Guest Posts, Ratings, and More!

#BookReview Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton @ChanelCleeton @BerkleyPub

After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

Atmospheric, absorbing, and incredibly heartfelt!

Next Year in Havana is a riveting tale that sweeps you into a country ravished by rebellion, oppression, economic instability, and political upheaval, and a populace that’s confused, disappointed, angry and struggling with self-identity, patriotism, and a lack of freedom and rights.

The story is set in Cuba during both the late 1950s, as well as present day and is full of mystique, familial drama, heartbreak, secrets, deception, history, culture, courage, loss, self-discovery, hope, and romance.

The prose is eloquent and vivid. The characters are multi-layered, sympathetic, and torn. And the plot is well crafted and uses a past/present style to unravel all the motivations, personalities, and relationships within it.

Next Year in Havana is the perfect blend of historical facts, intriguing fiction, and palpable emotion. It’s a beautifully written story that is nostalgic, heartbreaking, fascinating and sweet and highlights Cleeton’s passion for her familial heritage.

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Thank you to Chanel Cleeton and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Chanel Cleeton

Originally from Florida, Chanel Cleeton grew up on stories of her family’s exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

2 Comments on #BookReview Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton @ChanelCleeton @BerkleyPub

The first thing that captured me was the beautiful cover but after reading your post I love the sound of this.

Thanks, Adele! It is a beautiful cover!

Next Year in Havana – A Stunning Story of Love and Family

Next Year in Havana Synopsis :  After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958 . The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017 . Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

Next Year in Havana Review

Every so often, a book comes along that simply speaks to the heart.  Next Year in Havana is one of those books. Cleeton’s voice is lush. Sounds of the ocean echo in the pages. The heat of summer prickles on your skin. The rush of love at first sight will sweep you away. Author Chanel Cleeton’s writing style will pull you in immediately. It’s incredibly intimate yet inviting. You connect immediately with Elisa and Marisol. They become your friends. More than that, they become your family.

Related Post | The Balcony Book Review – A Dream-Like Introspective Read

As a result of Cleeton’s writing style, the Cuban culture becomes another character in her story. Cleeton’s exploration of what it means to be Cuban truly shines. She blends reality with Marisol’s romantic idea of Cuba. Marisol’s Cuba came from stories she heard as a child. The reality is harsher although the softer elements remain. Marisol’s perceptions slowly change the longer she is in Cuba. She begins to discover how being Cuban in Cuba is vastly different from being Cuban in America.

“It’s raucous and beautiful, and more than anything, I want to belong here, want this city to become a part of me.”

I loved how Cleeton described the same culture as something different when transplanted. When Marisol arrives in Cuba, she feels she’s home. Except, despite her Cuban blood and family history, she doesn’t belong. The resentment of Cubans left behind to live under Castro is strong. It’s that sentiment that Marisol navigates with something less than grace but more than ignorance. It also leads her on a journey of self-discovery. One that parallels her grandmother’s own journey.

Breathtaking Romances

Cleeton’s leading men in Next Year in Havana are beyond swoon-worthy. In the past, Elisa falls hard for a revolutionary. Pablo’s passion for life, for Cuba and for Elisa, open her eyes to the world around her. She begins to see things differently. Elisa struggles to reconcile these changes in herself and in her country. Her love for Pablo forces her to re-examine her privilege. As a result, she finds herself torn between her love for Pablo and her family.

“There is something intimate about the scent of soap and man, layers stripped away between us.”

Marisol’s Luis is a modern-day version of Pablo. His keen intellect, hidden rebellion and immediate love for Marisol make him as irresistible to Marisol as Pablo was to Elisa. Cleeton’s romantic narrative is divine. It ranges from softly whispered secrets to soul-consuming passion. Yet, it never devolves into anything explicit or graphic. Instead, it gently unfolds while still being all-consuming. It is impossible not to feel a pang in your heart as Marisol and Elisa fall in love with men whose lives are rife with complications.

Adaptation Recommendation

Yes, please! This would be a gorgeous movie. The flashbacks of 1950s Cuba set against Cuba in the 21st Century would be incredible. Movies like Slumdog Millionaire or Forrest Gump come to mind. The Romanticism of Cuba’s political landscape in both time periods would also translate well to the big screen. And then, of course, is the romantic love story. To see the two breathtaking romantic relationships brought to life would be amazing.

However, casting would be extremely important. Cleeton’s characters pull from the very fabric of Cuba. Thus, some connection to the emotion of what it means to be Cuban is important. So, newcomers or unknowns might be best for those pivotal roles. However, that is a risk for any production. In any case, the casting of Latino actors for the roles is a must in my opinion.

Final Thoughts on Next Year in Havana

I cannot express enough how much this book spoke to me. From the imagery to the romance, Next Year in Havana is a treat for the heart. It’s poetic and hypnotic. It brings the past to the present, melding them into a beautiful story of family, love, and sacrifice. If you are looking for a gorgeous, historical romance, this is the book to read!

Next Year in Havana is available at your favorite bookstore or online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo or Google Play Books.

Content Warning: Mild innuendo.

Have you read Next Year in Havana ? What did you think? Drop me a comment below and let’s chat!

OVERALL RATING

“You had me at hello.”

ROMANCE RATING

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.

I have loved none but you.”

( Scroll down for the full Old-Fashioned Romance Breakdown!)

ARE YOU A ROMANCE FAN? FOLLOW THE SILVER PETTICOAT REVIEW:

Catherine is an avid reader and a self-declared professional binge watcher. It's not uncommon to find her re-watching a series or movie for the umpteenth time and still be crying into a box of tissues. When she's not hiding in her closet to read or watch a show or movie, Catherine is a wife, mother, and, in her spare time, a lawyer.

More posts by this author.

Book Reviews | Open Book Society

Read, review & discuss, next year in havana (the cuba saga series, #1) by chanel cleeton: book review.

Title : Next Year in Havana

Series : The Cuba Saga

By:   Chanel Cleeton

ISBN: 0399586687 (ISBN13: 9780399586682)

http://www.chanelcleeton.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage. (Goodreads)

Next Year in Havana is a thought provoking story set in a dual timeline which, finally in the second half, grabbed my attention and made it very difficult to put the book down. This first book in The Cuba Saga series by Chanel Cleeton paints the picture of life in Cuba in the 50’s as well as in present day while following the life of Marisol Ferrera.

Marisol Ferrera is a Cuban-American writer whose wealthy family escaped to Miami just after the rise of Fidel Castro. Upon the death of her grandmother, Elisa Perez, Marisol returns her grandmother’s ashes to Cuba, as Elisa’s dying wish is to be scattered in the land she loved. The journey to find where Marisol should scatter the ashes is an enjoyable and at times difficult journey.

The title of the book is imbedded in a quote in the book, where Marisol is talking about her Cuban heritage with Luis and what she says on New Years eve about her families hopes of being able to return to their homeland…It was very poignant and the essence of the book (at least for this reader).

” You’ve all moved on. There’s a modern Cuba now with a rich history, and emerging cultures, and experiences. And I’m not part of that. None of my family are. We left, and we haven’t been able to return, and we’re stuck in stasis in the United States. Always waiting for a headline on the news that Fidel had died, that the government has admitted this was a terrible mistake, that things will go back to the way they were. As exiles, that hope is embedded in the very essence of our soul, taught from birth–  Next Year in Havana– It’s the toast we never stop saying, because the dream of it never comes true. And if it does one day, what then? There are Russians in the home my ancestors built. What will we return to? Is it even our country anymore, or did we give it up when we left? I’m trying to understand where I fit in all of this.”

The journey that Marisol is on is one of discovery – both of her grandmother’s life in Cuba and one of her heritage as a Cuban. As Marisol learns more about Elise’s life while in Cuba, one can’t help but be drawn in by Marisol’s growth as she discovers many secrets that Elise carried with her for her entire life. Throughout the story-telling, I was reacquainted with much of Cuban history that had slipped my mind which fascinated me.

I found the dual time line easy enough to follow, though at times I found that Marisol and her story were definitely in the background. It certainly did not carry the depth that Elise’s story did. And boy, was Elise’s story engaging with surprises that I had not anticipated. 

Having been to Cuba a couple of times over the past three years (and one trip we stayed in the heart of Havana) reading Next Year in Havana was like returning to a place I treasured. Where the historical and cultural depth of the country is intriguing. I found the storytelling compelling and true to life (as much as historical fiction does take some poetic license). 

If you are a fan of historical fiction, and enjoy dual timelines, then I suggest giving this debut novel by Chanel Cleeton a chance – you won’t be disappointed. After all – it was a book of the month for Reese Witherspoon’s bookclub. And who doesn’t like a romance (or two) in the book they are reading?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Member Login
• Library Patron Login

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR

FREE NEWSLETTERS

Search: Title Author Article Search String:

Reading guide for Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Summary  |  Excerpt  |  Reading Guide  |  Reviews  |  Beyond the Book  |  Read-Alikes  |  Genres & Themes  |  Author Bio

Next Year in Havana

by Chanel Cleeton

Critics' Opinion:

Readers' Opinion:

• Historical Fiction
• Central & S. America, Mexico, Caribbean
• 1940s & '50s
• Contemporary
• Generational Sagas
• Adult-YA Crossover Fiction
• Immigrants & Expats
• Strong Women
• War Related

Rate this book

About this Book

• Reading Guide

Reading Guide Questions

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

• The novel alternates between Elisa Perez's life in Cuba in 1958 and 1959 and her granddaughter Marisol Ferrera's trip to Cuba in 2017. Which woman did you identify with more?
• What parallels can you see between their personalities and their lives? What differences? The first chapter ends with Elisa wondering how long her family will be away from Cuba. The final chapter ends over a decade later with her posing the same question. How are the themes of hope and exile illustrated in the book? How does the weight of exile affect the Perez family?
• When Marisol arrives in Cuba she struggles with identifying as Cuban because she grew up in the United States and because she has never set foot on Cuban soil. How much does a physical place define one's identity? How does Marisol's trip alter her views about being Cuban and change her perception of herself? How do Marisol and her family attempt to keep their heritage alive in exile? Are there stories and rituals handed down through the generations in your family?
• Like her grandmother, Marisol falls in love with a man who has revolutionary political leanings. What similarities can you see between Pablo and Luis's dreams for Cuba? What differences are there in their worldview? How do they go about achieving their dreams for a better Cuba?
• Sacrifice is a major theme that runs throughout the novel. How do the characters make sacrifices for one another, and what are some examples of them risking their safety and security for their loved ones? How do you think you would have acted in similar situations?
• Family plays an important role in the novel, and each of the characters face their own struggles in their attempts to live up to their family's expectations. What are some examples of this? Did you identify with one character's point of view more? Are there certain expectations in your own family? Do you feel the need to live up to them? How have they shaped your life decisions?
• Elisa's final wish is to have her ashes scattered over Cuban soil. Do you agree with her decision? Would you have wanted your ashes spread in Cuba or would you have preferred to be buried on American soil? Do you think Marisol picked the best place to spread Elisa's ashes? Where else would you have considered scattering them? Have you scattered the ashes of a loved one? What was the experience like?
• What initially attracts Elisa to Pablo? Do you believe they would have been able to overcome the differences between them if they weren't caught in the midst of the Cuban Revolution? Or was their love fueled by the urgency of the times?
• Elisa chooses to save her letters from Pablo and her memories of their romance by burying them in a box in the backyard. If you had a box in which to bury your most precious possessions, what would you choose to keep safe?
• What parallels do you see between life in modern Cuba and life in pre-revolutionary Cuba? What differences?
• Pablo tells Elisa that everything is political. Do you agree with him?
• Despite coming from very different backgrounds, Marisol and Luis share many similarities that bring them together as a couple. What are some examples of this? Why do you think they get along so well? Do you think they are a good influence on each other?
• Pablo believes that the best way to change his country is from within. Others like Elisa's family choose to leave Cuba because they can no longer support the regime. Which approach do you identify with? What are the differences between the Cubans who remained in Cuba and those who live in exile? What are the similarities?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Berkley Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.

• "Beyond the Book" articles
• Free books to read and review (US only)
• Find books by time period, setting & theme
• Read-alike suggestions by book and author
• Book club discussions
• and much more!
• Just $45 for 12 months or $15 for 3 months.
• More about membership!
• Media Reviews
• Reader Reviews

Beyond the Book:    Che Guevara

• Read-Alikes
• Genres & Themes

Support BookBrowse

Join our inner reading circle, go ad-free and get way more!

Find out more

BookBrowse Book Club

Members Recommend

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

Eve J. Chung's debut novel recounts a family's flight to Taiwan during China's Communist revolution.

The Stolen Child by Ann Hood

An unlikely duo ventures through France and Italy to solve the mystery of a child’s fate.

Win This Book

Only the Brave by Danielle Steel

A powerful, sweeping historical novel about a courageous woman in World War II Germany.

Solve this clue:

and be entered to win..

Your guide to exceptional           books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email.

Arlene's Book Club

Our honest review, of books old and new!

Next Year In Havana Book Review

Book review by Dinh.

Read synopsis .

The cover of Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton is just beautiful! Who wouldn’t want to read a book with such an enticing book cover?

I read some great reviews on Next Year In Havana and was excited to see if it lived up to its hype.

Although I enjoyed the book – it was good but not great – I thought that it was a fluffy romance with an interesting setting. (Cuba.)

I liked that the novel follows the lives of of two women almost six decades apart – Elisa and Marisol.

• Elisa grew up in Batista ‘s Cuba and lived among the wealthy and privileged until the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro assumed power. During this time, Elisa falls in love with Pablo, a revolutionary.

Fearing for their lives, Elisa and her family go into exile to the United States.

• American born Marisol is Elisa’s granddaughter and goes to Cuba to honor her grandmother’s final wish of her ashes being scatter on Cuban soil. In Havana, she falls in love with Luis.

Author’s Style

I love the setting of this book! I have not read any books based in Cuba and it was interesting to learn about the history, culture and politics of the country. It encouraged me to further read up on Cuba.

Cleeton style is light, with the pace of the book being even keel, making it like a beach read.

I enjoyed the dual time line – bouncing between Elisa’s and Marisol’s story line, although I did prefer Elisa’s story more.

Cleeton does a great job in bringing to the forefront the themes of identity and what it means to be in exile. Elisa’s love of Cuba does not diminish but she moves on and pass down her heritage to Marisol.

Although I enjoyed the romance and the love stories, I felt that the parallels between the two main characters were too similar. It got a bit repetitive.

Find Chanel Cleeton: Website | Facebook | Instagram

• Elisa Perez is a daughter of a sugar baron and lives a shelter life among the wealthy. At nineteen, she does not have any ambitions and follows her parents wishes. She is very loyal to her family until she meets Pablo.
• Marisol Ferrera is a Cuban American freelance writer and Elisa’s granddaughter. Marisol was very close to Elisa and wanted to witness the beauty of Cuba for real not just in the stories and tradition told by Elisa.

I like that the book went full circle with the Perez family leaving Cuba and wondering when they will return.

“ How long will we be gone? A year? Two? Ojalá “

I loved the last word, ojalá , in the book. I had to google it to see what it means. Translated from Spanish to English it means hopefully . That’s what Elisa was thinking when she looked across the ocean from Key West, Florida to Cuba. Hopefully, she will go home one day.

My Final Thoughts

I enjoyed Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton. It was a light easy read with an interesting setting. This historical romance is perfect for someone who is interested in reading about different cultures.

Get your copy here . Or listen to the audio book for free with an Audible trial.

Belong to a book club? Check out Next Year in Havana book club discussion questions !

4 thoughts on “ Next Year In Havana Book Review ”

Next Year in Havana is a wonderful and poignant story that any immigrant family, refuge and climate refuge can relate to. Loved the two story lines and the relationships.

Hi Lynn! Oh I am glad you enjoy Next Year In Havana! I loved learning about the different cultures and the history of the place.

Hi Dinh! Next Year In Havana Sounds like a worthwhile read. I do love reading about different cultures for sure. You’re right…With a cover like that how can I resist 🙂 Hope you & yours are well my friend!! ~Jeremy

Hi Jeremy! I hope you enjoy Next Year in Havana. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Getting Started
• Start a Book Club
• Book Club Ideas/Help▼
• Our Featured Clubs ▼
• Popular Books
• Book Reviews
• Reading Guides
• Blog Home ▼
• Find a Recipe
• About LitCourse
• Course Catalog

Next Year in Havana (Cleeton)

Next Year in Havana   Chanel Cleeton, 2019 Penguin Publishing 400 pp. ISBN-13: 9780399586682  Summary After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity—and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution . Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba's high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country's growing political unrest--until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary... Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa's last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth. Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba's tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she'll need the lessons of her grandmother's past to help her understand the true meaning of courage. ( From the publisher .)

• Next >>

LitLovers © 2024

Next Year In Havana

51 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-14

Chapters 15-20

Chapters 21-26

Chapters 27-31

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Next Year in Havana is a novel by Chanel Cleeton, a Cuban-American writer of contemporary romance and historical fiction. The book was the July 2018 selection for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club and a New York Times bestseller. The novel alternates between 2017, when Cuban-American writer Marisol Ferrera goes to Cuba to scatter the ashes of her grandmother Elisa (Perez) Ferrera, and 1958-1959, when Elisa falls in love with a revolutionary. This guide is based on the 2018 Penguin Random House print edition.

Plot Summary

In 1959, Elisa, the 19-year-old daughter of sugar barons in Cuba, waits in a Havana airport for a flight to the United States. Elisa is there with her father, three sisters, and mother. Elisa has a secret—she is pregnant with the child of Pablo Garcia , a rebel who is on the side of Fidel Castro , whose forces have at last forced dictator Fulgencio Batista out of the country. Elisa’s path to exile in Miami began one night in 1958 after she went to a party and met Pablo. They began a whirlwind romance.

Six months after Elisa’s death in 2017, Marisol—Elisa’s granddaughter and a journalist who writes travel pieces—makes the pilgrimage to Cuba to bury her grandmother’s ashes. In her will, Elisa merely tells Marisol that she will figure out where the ashes belong. Marisol grew up hearing stories about the decadent Cuba where the Perezes lived before the revolution, so she is excited. Cuba is still ruled by an oppressive regime, so Marisol is also scared to return. Once in Cuba, Marisol meets Luis Rodriguez , the grandson of Ana Rodriguez , the best friend whom Elisa left behind. Luis is a history professor and a secret dissident who writes a political blog that is critical of Cuba. Ana runs an in-house restaurant ( paladar ) in what was once the family’s mansion.

Marisol’s search for a site for her grandmother’s ashes gains new direction when Ana gives her a box that contains letters between Pablo and Elisa from 1958, a beautiful ring, and some sentimental items whose meanings only become clear as Marisol reads the letters: After meeting Pablo at the party in 1958, Elisa is so drawn to Pablo that she begins meeting him in secret and exchanging letters with him. Their relationship eventually culminates in lovemaking just before Pablo leaves to join the rebels far away in the Sierra Maestra Mountains. When the rebels win a decisive battle, Batista flees, leaving the elites like the Perez family exposed. Elisa receives word that Pablo died in battle. Emilio Perez , Elisa’s father, is arrested once the rebels take Havana, and they eventually execute Alejandro Perez, Elisa’s brother. The family finally leaves Cuba. Before she leaves, Elisa buries the box of letters with the help of Ana.

In 2017, Marisol falls in love with Luis. Their combined efforts to track down news of Pablo’s fate bring the pair to the attention of the authorities. Luis is arrested for his work on the blog, and Marisol is also snatched from the streets. Marisol’s captor is no captor at all—it is Pablo. Pablo turns out to have survived after all and is now a person of some influence in Cuba. He manages to free Luis and uses his pull to help Luis and Marisol leave the country. Marisol gives Elisa’s ashes to Pablo so that he can scatter them on the seaside where the two once wandered. Using her family’s wealth, Marisol transports Luis to the United States, where the pair begins work on a series of articles to tell the world about what is happening in modern Cuba.

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Chanel Cleeton

When We Left Cuba

Chanel Cleeton

Featured Collections

Cuban Literature

View Collection

Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine...

• Book Reviews
• PBR Favorites
• Discussion Questions

• DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
• READER FAVORITES
• MYSTERIES & THRILLERS
• BEST SELLERS
• AWARD WINNING BOOKS
• FAVORITE COSTCO BOOKS
• CLASSIC BOOKS
• WEEKEND READING
• WHAT TO READ NEXT
• POPULAR BOOKS

Next Year in Havana Book Club Questions & Discussion Guide

Next Year in Havana explores Cuban history through the stories and romances of two women, Elisa Perez and her granddaughter Marisol Ferrera. The story takes us through their rich personal lives filled with romance, mystery, and nostalgia. This provides lots of great opportunities for discussion, so use our Next Year in Havana book club questions to help you dive in.

Elisa Perez’s story begins in 1958 Cuba, where she has grown up as the wealthy daughter of a sugar baron, but her life turns upside down when political turmoil forces her family into exile. Next we are introduced to her granddaughter Marisol, who returns to a Cuba she has come to love through stories and family culture. While there she tries to figure out her place and relationship to Cuba. Both women’s lives are forever changed by love affairs, politics, and their cultural identity. 

This Next Year in Havana discussion guide includes question prompts, a book synopsis, selected book reviews from other readers, and to get your discussion going. When you are looking for your next read, keep scrolling to find our selection of three books like Next Year in Havana .

(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.)

Next Year in Havana Synopsis

Next Year in Havana , Chantel Cleeton

After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity—and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution… Havana, 1958 . The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest—until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary… Miami, 2017 . Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth. Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

10 Next Year in Havana Book Club Questions

• “But then again, what is certain in this world? Governments change, regimes fall, alliances shift. With so much that lies out of our hands, it seems like love is the easiest and only thing worth trusting.” What did you think about the love stories in this book? Did they strike you as authentic? Did they reflect Cuba in any way?
• “To be in exile is to have the things you love most in the world—the air you breathe, the earth you walk upon—taken from you. They exist on the other side of a wall—there and not—unaltered by time and circumstance, preserved in a perfect memory in a land of dreams.” Do you think Elena’s memories of Cuba were influenced by the fact she was exiled rather than leaving of her own desire? How would that influence her memories and feelings towards Cuba?
• What do you think the future holds for Marisol and Luis? Will their passion burn out or their love endure? Do you think they will ever return to Cuba?
• “I walk down these streets, and I look out to the sea, and I want to feel as though I belong here, but I’m a visitor here, a guest in my own country.” Luis takes my hand. “Then you know what it means to be Cuban,” he says. “We always reach for something beyond our grasp.” What did you learn from Luis and Marisol about what it means to be Cuban?
• What does Luis struggle with when he’s deciding whether or not to leave? Can he do more or less good for Cuba if he goes?
• Do you think Pablo did the right thing by letting Elena think he was dead? Why or why not?
• Were you surprised to find out Elena and Pablo had a child, or did you see it coming?
• “Loyalty is a complicated thing — where does family fit on the hierarchy? Above or below country? Above or below the natural order of things? Or are we above all else loyal to ourselves, to our hearts, our convictions, the internal voice that guides us?” The characters in this book encounter a lot of questions surrounding loyalty, to their family, their country, to their lovers. How do they reconcile these different loyalties during these turbulent times?
• Cuba is used by the communists, the Americans, and other political actors. How do these influence the Cubans? What would freedom really mean for them?
• Did you learn anything new about Cuban history or culture from this book?

Selected Reviews for Next Year in Havana

“This book fails on basically every level. A look at past and present Cuba (through almost identical and wholly unbelievable romances) that is devoid of any nuance, complexity, or a true understanding and appreciation for humanity. If you want 1) ‘Cuban history for Dummies’; 2) the ‘privileged, naive, clueless light-skinned girl falls for dangerous, poor, revolutionary darker skinned activist’ trope; and 3) right wing politics — then ok, do you. I found it incredibly and frustratingly facile and trite.”

“The family saga is told in bold, rich details, so vivid I felt like I was there taking in all the sights and sounds of Cuba. The atmosphere is heavy with foreboding and tension, danger always lurking in the shadows. Love, at times, chooses the most inopportune moments to invade one’s heart, but also has a knack for knowing just the right time and place, knowing somehow, someway that it’s now or never. Both scenarios come with hard choices and consequences. 

The book is also very informative, giving readers an up close and personal look at what life is really like in Cuba. While I did find all of this very interesting, at times the ‘lectures’ or history lessons slowed the momentum of the story, but I still think readers need to absorb at least some of this information because this knowledge contributes to the high level of anguish and suspense that builds as the novel reaches its climax.”

“I have mixed feelings on this one. I loved parts & I disliked others. I loved Elise’s story… the struggles she faced in a changing Cuba were heartbreaking. I had a vague knowledge of Cuba’s tumultuous past & present, so I really found that part very interesting. At the same time, I enjoyed learning more about Cuba’s struggles, it felt over done in Marisol’s story. The sentiments became very repetitive which made me lose interest & start skimming. Marisol & Luis’s relationship was another aspect I didn’t like. It seemed forced and tried too hard to mirror Elise’s story.”

NEED BOOK CLUB IDEAS?

Use our guide to find dozens of book ideas for your group.

3 Books Like Next Year in Havana

If you liked the setting for this book, we have a whole book list featuring fiction and non-fiction books set in Cuba .

Havana was also a pick for Reese’s book club. If you like her recommendations, we have quite a few guides for Reese’s books club . Some that also include tricky relationships and/or exile include Daisy Jones and the Six , Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows , How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water , Where the Crawdads Sing , Little Fires Everywhere and Northern Spy .

When We Left Cuba , Chanel Cleeton

Keep reading about the Perez family in Cuba with another novel by Chanel Cleeton. This story follows Elena’s sister Beatriz Perez after their wealthy family’s exile from Cuba. Beautiful and confident, Beatriz is recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle.

Filled with romance and adventure, this book is sure to please you if you enjoyed the romance and Cuban history of Next Year in Havana . 

The Lions of Fifth Avenue , Fiona Davis

If you liked the dual timeline and family drama of This Year in Havana , try the Lions of Fifth Avenue . There is a book theft and mystery at the heart of the book. It follows Laura Lyons in 1913 and her granddaughter Sadie Donovan in 1993. These women are both connected to each other through their family relationship but also the New York Public Library, where some book thefts occur in both timelines.

In addition to the mystery, book also carries themes of female empowerment, family intrigue, sacrifices, and secrets.

And if you are a sucker for books about libraries and librarians, we have a whole book list for that .

The Summer Country , Lauren Willig

Set in 1854 Barbados, this story follows Emily Dawson, a British Vicar’s daughter, who unexpectedly inherits a dilapidated sugar plantation from her grandfather. What awaits her in Barbados is a mystery, why did her grandfather leave her this, what happened there, why are the neighbors so interested in the property?

Her questions lead Emily on an exploration of the island, culture, history, romance, and politics, and her family’s history that will bring her to question everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

Have a listen on Audible. Try audio books for free for 30 days.

Share these Next Year in Havana book club questions with your friends:

Share on Social Media

Meet our Writers :

• Literature & Fiction
• Genre Fiction

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $13.62 $13.62

Save: $6.13 $6.13 (45%)

Buy for others

Buying and sending ebooks to others.

• Select quantity
• Buy and send eBooks
• Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Next Year in Havana: Reese's Book Club (A Novel) Kindle Edition

• Print length 394 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publisher Berkley
• Publication date February 6, 2018
• File size 3831 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved., product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B072BLV8Y9
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (February 6, 2018)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 6, 2018
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3831 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 394 pages
• #34 in Hispanic American Literature
• #511 in Women's Historical Fiction
• #562 in Sisters Fiction

About the author

Chanel cleeton.

Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, and The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba. Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Learn more about her on her website at www.chanelcleeton.com.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

Report an issue

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices