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haley49's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to love this so much more than I did. I loved the last train to Key West by the same author. The premise was really intriguing. It was well written and interesting with good pacing.
However, a few things put me off. The love interest annoyed me so much. He and the fmc had so many conflicting approaches to politics and he kept sweeping her experiences aside and acting like she was irrational. Actually so many people acted like she was behaving irrationally when she made good points. She was a bit reckless but they all seemed to talk down to her despite her capability. Most of the side characters were condescending at one point or another.
They kept saying how wrong for each other they are but they aren’t star crossed. They could be together if they weren’t so stubborn. I don’t get it. It just got annoying when the author would act like they are soulmates only for them to refuse to do anything serious about their relationship because of their ideological differences. It took away from the fmc growth to have her always go back to this guy who didn’t support what she wanted from life.
Also, for a book about history and politics it really doesn’t get into much of either. All the history is very vague and all the politics are very surface level. The fmc even studied politics and yet we the readers aren’t sure where she sits on the spectrum or why. It doesn’t have to be crazy political but I would have thought there would be more of a discussion. We got brief bits of diplomacy versus espionage and which is better in times of tension.
However, a few things put me off. The love interest annoyed me so much. He and the fmc had so many conflicting approaches to politics and he kept sweeping her experiences aside and acting like she was irrational. Actually so many people acted like she was behaving irrationally when she made good points. She was a bit reckless but they all seemed to talk down to her despite her capability. Most of the side characters were condescending at one point or another.
They kept saying how wrong for each other they are but they aren’t star crossed. They could be together if they weren’t so stubborn. I don’t get it. It just got annoying when the author would act like they are soulmates only for them to refuse to do anything serious about their relationship because of their ideological differences. It took away from the fmc growth to have her always go back to this guy who didn’t support what she wanted from life.
Also, for a book about history and politics it really doesn’t get into much of either. All the history is very vague and all the politics are very surface level. The fmc even studied politics and yet we the readers aren’t sure where she sits on the spectrum or why. It doesn’t have to be crazy political but I would have thought there would be more of a discussion. We got brief bits of diplomacy versus espionage and which is better in times of tension.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexism
Moderate: Murder, Violence, War, and Gun violence
Minor: Xenophobia and Racism
jennie_cole's review against another edition
3.0
When I read Next Year in Havana the mysterious great-aunt Beatriz popped out to me and I had thought of "what is her story". It turns out that Chanel Cleeton has the same thought and started writing Beatriz's story at the same time as Next Year in Havana.
Beatriz's story takes place after the family arrives in Palm Beach and continues for the next few years through Kennedy's assassination in 1963. Beatriz is seeking revenge for her twin murder in Cuba and the CIA is willing to assist with that goal. This is a spy novel in the sense that Beatriz works with the CIA but it is much more a love story. Would you be able to compromise on your desires for the love of your life? That is Beatriz's journey.
Beatriz's story takes place after the family arrives in Palm Beach and continues for the next few years through Kennedy's assassination in 1963. Beatriz is seeking revenge for her twin murder in Cuba and the CIA is willing to assist with that goal. This is a spy novel in the sense that Beatriz works with the CIA but it is much more a love story. Would you be able to compromise on your desires for the love of your life? That is Beatriz's journey.
sofiamarielg's review against another edition
3.0
A fast-paced historical novel set in the 60s, When We Left Cuba is a perfect long-weekend read, meant to be read in long sessions, preferably outside. Cleeton's addition to the Perez family novels doesn't disappoint - it's compelling, exciting, and fun to see the life of a sugar heiress who turns to espionage. My only complaint is the overly cheesy writing for her romance.
juliannegern's review against another edition
2.0
This book was very disappointing. The first book was interesting because it told a story about the Cuban Revolution from within Cuba. This book told the story of what happened to the same family in the US after the revolution. It had potential—a former debutant turned spy, trying to save her country through espionage. Unfortunately, it was essentially a romance novel (and a pretty unrealistic one at that). This ended up being 90% romance novel, 10% international spy novel.
Another disappointing aspect of this book was the audio narration. I listened to a chapter or two and did not like it because her male voices sounded like a little kid pretending to be a man, and it was impossible to distinguish the dialogue from internal narrative. I re-read my thoughts about the first book and had the same complaints.
Another disappointing aspect of this book was the audio narration. I listened to a chapter or two and did not like it because her male voices sounded like a little kid pretending to be a man, and it was impossible to distinguish the dialogue from internal narrative. I re-read my thoughts about the first book and had the same complaints.
hilaryc87's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first book in this series last year and I’m happy I decided to continue with the second. Beatriz definitely deserved her own book. It was exciting , smart and really captured the political climate of the US and Cuba in the late 60s. The best type of historical fiction.
lurdes_oliveira's review against another edition
2.0
The book started out really strong. Beatriz sounds like an independent woman for her time period who wants to make her own way in the world.
But I found this book too political for my liking, I know it’s historical fiction but at some point it just felt like a history lesson.
The writing isn’t particularly descriptive or beautiful, I found the whole thing very dull.
The spy sections were sporadic and failed to be suspenseful. I didn't care about Beatriz and Nick's relationship, The book just left me feeling disappointed at the supposed happy ending, because it just wasn't realistic.
But I found this book too political for my liking, I know it’s historical fiction but at some point it just felt like a history lesson.
The writing isn’t particularly descriptive or beautiful, I found the whole thing very dull.
The spy sections were sporadic and failed to be suspenseful. I didn't care about Beatriz and Nick's relationship, The book just left me feeling disappointed at the supposed happy ending, because it just wasn't realistic.
rhiannon_loves_books's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
niharikaaaaaa9's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Next Year In Havana, and when I saw the first chapter of When We Left Cuba at the end of this book, I was excited to learn more about Beatriz Perez, who seemed like the kind of woman who could smash the patriarchy while drinking champagne (in the same night, and somehow not wake up hungover).
Unfortunately, we didn't get very much of said strong, independent Beatriz in this book. For someone who spent a non-trivial amount of time in the book arguing against marriage, and not wanting to be a typical wife because she wanted her independence and didn't want to be tied to a man, she spent about 80% of the book talking about one of three men (most of that time being spent talking romantically about them). Even the parts in which she seemed she would not talk about them, because she was off on her own adventure, she somehow managed to make it about them (or run into them).
All in all, it was a complete disappointment; it tried to be both a love story and an adventurous one, and for that reason I rate this 2 stars.
Unfortunately, we didn't get very much of said strong, independent Beatriz in this book. For someone who spent a non-trivial amount of time in the book arguing against marriage, and not wanting to be a typical wife because she wanted her independence and didn't want to be tied to a man, she spent about 80% of the book talking about one of three men (most of that time being spent talking romantically about them). Even the parts in which she seemed she would not talk about them, because she was off on her own adventure, she somehow managed to make it about them (or run into them).
All in all, it was a complete disappointment; it tried to be both a love story and an adventurous one, and for that reason I rate this 2 stars.
liz_renneker's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction that isn’t WWII. Strong female lead is always nice after floozy romance novels
winstonandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Tonight, I looked at myself in the mirror, and it occurred to me that perhaps adulthood had come not with a white gown and veil thrust upon me against my wishes, but rather in this moment, with this decision to claim my womanhood, to use it to get what I want rather than what everyone else wants for me.
Tonight, I feel powerful.
A well paced, interesting, empowering read, set in a fascinating and incredibly tense corner of history, with a great heroine. I enjoyed this one more than Next Year in Havana. I was a bit disappointed that some aspects of the story were skipped over or glossed over, but overall I really enjoyed the read. I recommend this book.
Tonight, I feel powerful.
A well paced, interesting, empowering read, set in a fascinating and incredibly tense corner of history, with a great heroine. I enjoyed this one more than Next Year in Havana. I was a bit disappointed that some aspects of the story were skipped over or glossed over, but overall I really enjoyed the read. I recommend this book.