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celgrove's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
5.0
The way I loved this newest historical fiction from fav author Chanel Cleeton is indescribable!! Full of romance, mystery, revenge and based on real events. Fans of Titanic esque stories with strong female characters and con artist stories DO NOT want to miss this one.
It was also great on audio narrated by Frankie Corzo and Rachel L. Jacobs. Many thanks to NetGalley and @prhaudio for early complimentary copies in exchange for my honest review! Chanel Cleeton has knocked it out of the park with this one!
It was also great on audio narrated by Frankie Corzo and Rachel L. Jacobs. Many thanks to NetGalley and @prhaudio for early complimentary copies in exchange for my honest review! Chanel Cleeton has knocked it out of the park with this one!
shannonpifher's review against another edition
3.0
Chanel Cheeton sure knows how to write a book, but only when it is about the lives of the Perez sisters. Her books that central around other historical events are just sub par. Only gave this book 3 stars because I like the author. But holy predictability…
readtowander's review against another edition
4.0
Chanel Cleeton delivers an absolute gem with "The Cuban Heiress," a captivating historical novel that transports readers to the thrilling world of a luxury cruise in 1934. Inspired by the true story of the SS Morro Castle, Cleeton weaves a mesmerizing tale of two women whose pasts collide in a fight for survival aboard the ship. Packed with suspense, romance, and historical flair, this page-turner is a testament to Cleeton's exceptional storytelling prowess.
Cleeton's vivid and evocative prose paints a rich backdrop, immersing readers in the vibrant atmosphere of 1930s Havana. The historical setting is meticulously researched, lending authenticity and depth to the narrative. The author's attention to detail shines through, capturing the glamour and allure of the era while highlighting the social and political undercurrents that permeate the story.
"The Cuban Heiress" is propelled by a cast of complex and engaging characters who leap off the pages. Catherine and Elena, both strong-willed and determined in their own ways, command attention and evoke empathy from readers as they navigate treacherous waters in search of justice and redemption. Their stories are intertwined seamlessly, creating a riveting tapestry of resilience and empowerment. Prepare to be transported and enthralled from beginning to end.
This was my first Chanel Cleeton read and it definitely won't be my last. A great read for the summer!
Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Cleeton's vivid and evocative prose paints a rich backdrop, immersing readers in the vibrant atmosphere of 1930s Havana. The historical setting is meticulously researched, lending authenticity and depth to the narrative. The author's attention to detail shines through, capturing the glamour and allure of the era while highlighting the social and political undercurrents that permeate the story.
"The Cuban Heiress" is propelled by a cast of complex and engaging characters who leap off the pages. Catherine and Elena, both strong-willed and determined in their own ways, command attention and evoke empathy from readers as they navigate treacherous waters in search of justice and redemption. Their stories are intertwined seamlessly, creating a riveting tapestry of resilience and empowerment. Prepare to be transported and enthralled from beginning to end.
This was my first Chanel Cleeton read and it definitely won't be my last. A great read for the summer!
Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
grippolindsay's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
1.25
Dialogue is lazy and ill-fitting for setting.
monica_heim's review against another edition
3.75
One of the drawbacks of pretending to be a proper lady is that you must act like a proper lady, and everybody knows they have absolutely no fun at all.
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author. This specific plot wasn't ideal for me and I probably should have known better.This had a similarity to the titanic I wasn't looking for. But even with the plot being a bit out of my ideal I really enjoyed the relationships in this book and the mystery that unfolds.
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author. This specific plot wasn't ideal for me and I probably should have known better.
girlinthepages's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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 week both on board the ship as well as in Havana when the ship docks, eventually culminating in an action packed finale that leads to a tragedy at sea.
I don't want to mention too many specifics since this story is really a mystery at its core and it's hard to review without spoilers, but I really enjoyed this one! It was a bit of a change of pace from the other Cuba novels Cleeton has written (though I've loved those!) and definitely had an almost Agatha Christie vibe with the ship location and the 1920s setting. While I do wish it had been a touch longer (I would love for there to have been more time spent in Havana) it was refreshing to read such an action packed story with no filler- I felt every scene had a purpose to further the plot while still making me feel like I was getting invested with the characters. There was even a romance that I came to absolutely adore (and usually I am one complaining about how romances are unnecessary in other genres and bloat the narrative).
While The Cuban Heiress didn't necessarily feature Cuba as a "character" as prominently as Cleeton's other books have (where the country was its own, larger than life actress on the stage of the story) it offered a slightly newer style from the author in the form of a true mystery centered novel (in my opinion) as well as a true revenge story. I would love to see more mystery focused novels from Cleeton in the future, and hope she continues with the Cuban focused stories (I would love a master family tree of how all of the characters are related across what are essentially companion novels).
Overall: Another engaging and well-researched novel from Chanel Cleeton with a mystery twist! I will keep reading these Cuba-centric stories as long as she keeps writing them!
This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
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 week both on board the ship as well as in Havana when the ship docks, eventually culminating in an action packed finale that leads to a tragedy at sea.
I don't want to mention too many specifics since this story is really a mystery at its core and it's hard to review without spoilers, but I really enjoyed this one! It was a bit of a change of pace from the other Cuba novels Cleeton has written (though I've loved those!) and definitely had an almost Agatha Christie vibe with the ship location and the 1920s setting. While I do wish it had been a touch longer (I would love for there to have been more time spent in Havana) it was refreshing to read such an action packed story with no filler- I felt every scene had a purpose to further the plot while still making me feel like I was getting invested with the characters. There was even a romance that I came to absolutely adore (and usually I am one complaining about how romances are unnecessary in other genres and bloat the narrative).
While The Cuban Heiress didn't necessarily feature Cuba as a "character" as prominently as Cleeton's other books have (where the country was its own, larger than life actress on the stage of the story) it offered a slightly newer style from the author in the form of a true mystery centered novel (in my opinion) as well as a true revenge story. I would love to see more mystery focused novels from Cleeton in the future, and hope she continues with the Cuban focused stories (I would love a master family tree of how all of the characters are related across what are essentially companion novels).
Overall: Another engaging and well-researched novel from Chanel Cleeton with a mystery twist! I will keep reading these Cuba-centric stories as long as she keeps writing them!
This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
This story gave me all the classic movie vibes that I love! (Think Dial M for Murder, Gaslight, Rebecca, etc . . . the heroine is even reading Dashiell Hammett’s The Thin Man, which became a popular classic movie series.) The action centers around various characters brought together on a high society pleasure cruise to Havana. First, we have an elegant jewel thief who stumbles upon the secrets of a beautiful pretender, a former actress engaged to a wealthy widower—one whose former wife just happens to have died under questionable circumstances. Then there’s a mysterious young woman trying to get her life back after having been fooled by a ruthless, older man, and the handsome revolutionary who comes to her aid. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and romantic with a great twist and satisfying ending. Five stars!
beaureads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Another good book by the author. I didn’t know it was in this series. Not sure how it plays into it all. The book
takes you many places.
takes you many places.
tensy's review against another edition
3.0
A good bit of fluff that makes the perfect beach read. Consumable in a few days of lazy reading if you don't want to spend too much time on character development and don't have a problem with morally questionable protagonists who don't balk at theft (an "honest thief," yeah right) or murder. The plot zips along and resembles a typical made for Netflix movie. Placing the action on the historic Morro Castle ship allows events to happen in one location with some historical references, although the Cuban locale is barely referenced unlike Cleeton's other novels which provided more substance in the plot.