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spatterson12's review against another edition
4.0
Cleeton's historical fiction stories have such a hold on me.
Did I know that the SS Morro Castle was a cruise ship that caught fire in the 1930s and forced people to evacuate? Absolutely not. Do I wish a little more context about the boat was provided in this story? Absolutely.
Having zero knowledge about this real-life event, I was reading this story as though it was the first Titanic VHS tape. Then, later the characters actually referenced the Titanic and what a wild thing to go on a cruise ship 15 years after that accident!
As I've shared countless times before, I enjoy a con artist story so discovering that Catherine wasn't quite the heiress her fiancé believed was a treat as a reader. I would've liked a little more backstory as to how she convinced him of her wealth, but he was a widower so maybe the grief blinded him from the details.
Catherine, her fiancé, his daughter, and their nanny take the SS Marro Castle to Havana. They start to make friends with dinner guests on the cruise, with a thief taking particular interest in Catherine.
The story alternates to another woman on the journey — Elena. She has a secret of her own, hiding in the shadows of the wealthy on the ship, and giving a false last name. She has business to take care of in Havana that will put her life back on track.
Did I know that the SS Morro Castle was a cruise ship that caught fire in the 1930s and forced people to evacuate? Absolutely not. Do I wish a little more context about the boat was provided in this story? Absolutely.
Having zero knowledge about this real-life event, I was reading this story as though it was the first Titanic VHS tape. Then, later the characters actually referenced the Titanic and what a wild thing to go on a cruise ship 15 years after that accident!
As I've shared countless times before, I enjoy a con artist story so discovering that Catherine wasn't quite the heiress her fiancé believed was a treat as a reader. I would've liked a little more backstory as to how she convinced him of her wealth, but he was a widower so maybe the grief blinded him from the details.
Catherine, her fiancé, his daughter, and their nanny take the SS Marro Castle to Havana. They start to make friends with dinner guests on the cruise, with a thief taking particular interest in Catherine.
The story alternates to another woman on the journey — Elena. She has a secret of her own, hiding in the shadows of the wealthy on the ship, and giving a false last name. She has business to take care of in Havana that will put her life back on track.
delagoldwein's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoy this author’s books because they are based on a little known event in history and she makes it interesting and entertaining with the fictional back stories she creates. Who ever heard of the Morro Castle? I didn’t realize it was real until the end.
maren23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
3 stars - audio
I found this story to be very meh…. I was curious at first but lost interest pretty quickly. I found it to be pretty clique and cringy. The only reason it’s a 3 vs 2 star is the woman fight/redemption story and that it is inspired by a true ship wreck.
I found this story to be very meh…. I was curious at first but lost interest pretty quickly. I found it to be pretty clique and cringy. The only reason it’s a 3 vs 2 star is the woman fight/redemption story and that it is inspired by a true ship wreck.
pannemak's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Such a fun book! It really kept me guessing and the true story was amazing.
v_hankins's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
shandawarren's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
jacs2015's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
knod78's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars for me. I may drop this to 3 stars. I will say this book was good and kept my interest. I didn't know about the Morro ship fire, which made this an interesting historical thing. The book was a quick read, perfect for the beach. And I loved that it was told between two female characters. I also loved the backdrop of going to Cuba after the revolution, during the next one. And I certainly read the next book in the series, which I assume there will be a next book.
There was a lot of repeated information. Also, I felt like the two female characters were lying to me as a reader, especially Catherine. The author I think was trying to throw you off the scent so to speak with the mystery that evolves. And yes, if the two characters had been honest with their thoughts and feelings and words, I would have figured it out. But that also made me not like those characters as much. Although, I did like Harry's character. I guess he seemed the most honest with the page time we got. The rest, not so much.
I do recommend the book, because it's a fun read on your next trip. I just don't know if you will love it or hate it. Other reviewers do seem to love the book.
There was a lot of repeated information. Also, I felt like the two female characters were lying to me as a reader, especially Catherine. The author I think was trying to throw you off the scent so to speak with the mystery that evolves. And yes, if the two characters had been honest with their thoughts and feelings and words, I would have figured it out. But that also made me not like those characters as much. Although, I did like Harry's character. I guess he seemed the most honest with the page time we got. The rest, not so much.
I do recommend the book, because it's a fun read on your next trip. I just don't know if you will love it or hate it. Other reviewers do seem to love the book.