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annhenry's review against another edition
3.0
Although a good read, I didn’t enjoy it as much as Next Year in Havana. Still Key West awaits…..
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoying Chanel Cleeton’s writing. Strong female characters, excellent historical detail and compelling stories. Looking forward to her new one next month.
acdurham1980's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
shannonpifher's review against another edition
4.0
Great sequel (prequel) to Next Year in Havana. I loved hearing more about Beatrice’s young years in Miami after Cuba. Fantastic Novel.
myworldtoread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
missy_evanko's review against another edition
4.0
I think I liked this better than the first one. Less predictable maybe? Beatriz is a modern woman before her time, fighting the restraints of the patriarchy saying that her only worth is in finding a good husband. Not really much connection to My Year in Havana, so you could read this as a stand alone. Brief check ins with some of the previous characters.
cometreadings's review against another edition
5.0
There are stories…and Stories. When We Left Cuba belongs to the second ones.
I had such good vibes when I started reading this novel, probably because I loved Next Year in Havana so much, or because the premises Beatriz would have been such a fantastic character have always been there in my mind. There is no page of this novel that is trivial or undeveloped. The dialogues are excellent, and the evolution of the characters shows the mastery and affection of the author towards this story. Despite being a second chapter in the Perez family saga, this novel can be read without having previously read Next Year In Havana, however, it would be a shame.
In fact, from the first book, we start knowing the characters’ s personalities in another social and geographic context.
If in the Next Year in Havana, the initial wealth of the family is described in a historical context that was moving towards remarkable and rapid changes and then the events of Cuba are followed, retracing them through Marisol (who is Eliza’s nephew, Beatriz’s younger sister); in When We Left Cuba the narration is set mainly in Palm Beach, Florida, where the Perez family has settled after escaping from Cuba.
In this new reality and social condition, the Perez’ can no longer count on the influence and protection of their name, and that makes more important to avoid scandals and have the right connections within a restricted and diffident society. The narration is told from the point of view of Beatriz, who is the rebellious soul of the family, the woman who does not want to limit her role as a woman to social conventions. The “Sugar Queen” sees her beauty more as a curse in a society where the only goal is to raise a family, not always implying true love.
Beatriz is such a great, passionate character. She is determined in the way of loving and pursuing her ideals, that represent her only way to still love and keep alive the memory of her brother, Alejandro.
But while her feelings could lead to an overwhelming love relationship, her identity and dreams are strongly projected toward Cuba and the discovery of the world and its opportunities to make significant changes.
Her rebellious and dreamy soul will lead her to live every moment as if she were the last and to discover a new and even more profound sense of identity, family, and home.
I had such good vibes when I started reading this novel, probably because I loved Next Year in Havana so much, or because the premises Beatriz would have been such a fantastic character have always been there in my mind. There is no page of this novel that is trivial or undeveloped. The dialogues are excellent, and the evolution of the characters shows the mastery and affection of the author towards this story. Despite being a second chapter in the Perez family saga, this novel can be read without having previously read Next Year In Havana, however, it would be a shame.
In fact, from the first book, we start knowing the characters’ s personalities in another social and geographic context.
If in the Next Year in Havana, the initial wealth of the family is described in a historical context that was moving towards remarkable and rapid changes and then the events of Cuba are followed, retracing them through Marisol (who is Eliza’s nephew, Beatriz’s younger sister); in When We Left Cuba the narration is set mainly in Palm Beach, Florida, where the Perez family has settled after escaping from Cuba.
In this new reality and social condition, the Perez’ can no longer count on the influence and protection of their name, and that makes more important to avoid scandals and have the right connections within a restricted and diffident society. The narration is told from the point of view of Beatriz, who is the rebellious soul of the family, the woman who does not want to limit her role as a woman to social conventions. The “Sugar Queen” sees her beauty more as a curse in a society where the only goal is to raise a family, not always implying true love.
Beatriz is such a great, passionate character. She is determined in the way of loving and pursuing her ideals, that represent her only way to still love and keep alive the memory of her brother, Alejandro.
But while her feelings could lead to an overwhelming love relationship, her identity and dreams are strongly projected toward Cuba and the discovery of the world and its opportunities to make significant changes.
Her rebellious and dreamy soul will lead her to live every moment as if she were the last and to discover a new and even more profound sense of identity, family, and home.
readingwithkris's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars
"If I’m going to have regrets in this life, I’d rather them be for the chances I took and not the opportunities I let slip away."
When We Left Cuba is the follow-up novel from Cleeton's [b:Next Year in Havana|34374628|Next Year in Havana|Chanel Cleeton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498524468l/34374628._SY75_.jpg|55459615] where the reader was first introduced to the Perez family. Compared to the first novel where we see Beatriz's great niece discover more of her heritage, this follow-up allows us to see into the life of Beatriz as a young exile from Cuba hellbent on revenge for her dead brother and her dying country.
I enjoyed the first book, but I LOVED this book. Beatriz was such an intriguing, fear-less, powerful female protagonist that I couldn't help but be compelled by. Even during the "slower" parts (didn't feel like it had many), I just loved the narration of Beatriz and her battle between loving what America has given her vs what she's longing for back in Cuba.
And, kudos to the author, Chanel Cleeton, who does an incredibly job of interweaving a fictional story into the reality of the late 50's and early 60's. As well, she created a love story that just pulled me in and roped me into cheering for it throughout the whole book.
UGH I JUST REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK AND YOU NEED TO READ IT IF YOU HAVENT!
"If I’m going to have regrets in this life, I’d rather them be for the chances I took and not the opportunities I let slip away."
When We Left Cuba is the follow-up novel from Cleeton's [b:Next Year in Havana|34374628|Next Year in Havana|Chanel Cleeton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498524468l/34374628._SY75_.jpg|55459615] where the reader was first introduced to the Perez family. Compared to the first novel where we see Beatriz's great niece discover more of her heritage, this follow-up allows us to see into the life of Beatriz as a young exile from Cuba hellbent on revenge for her dead brother and her dying country.
I enjoyed the first book, but I LOVED this book. Beatriz was such an intriguing, fear-less, powerful female protagonist that I couldn't help but be compelled by. Even during the "slower" parts (didn't feel like it had many), I just loved the narration of Beatriz and her battle between loving what America has given her vs what she's longing for back in Cuba.
And, kudos to the author, Chanel Cleeton, who does an incredibly job of interweaving a fictional story into the reality of the late 50's and early 60's. As well, she created a love story that just pulled me in and roped me into cheering for it throughout the whole book.
UGH I JUST REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK AND YOU NEED TO READ IT IF YOU HAVENT!
lindseysparks's review against another edition
4.0
Romance meets spy thriller - this was so fun. I loved what we saw of Beatriz in Last Year in Havana and was happy to get a book with her as the star. I so want to go to Cuba someday, although really what I want to do is visit it 1958.
guylou's review against another edition
5.0
QOTD: Have you ever visited Cuba? If yes, which area did you visit? If no, would you like to go one day?
My Review:
Some books capture your heart and transport you to the core of the story. When We Left Cuba is one of these books. It is 1960, Fidel Castro has taken power in Cuba and many Cubans escape to the United States of America to save their lives. They have left everything behind and are trying to integrate in the American culture and hope to return soon to their beloved Cuba. But what they thought would take only a few months is now dragging over many years.
January 20, 1961 - John F. Kennedy is elected as the new US President. The exiled Cubans have hope that this new President will help them take back Cuba. Negotiations are not easy. The Missile Crisis starts and ends, Fidel is still in power.
Beatriz Perez is ready to do anything to avenge her brother’s death. She is convinced that Castro is personally responsible for his death and that he deserves to die. The CIA recruits her as a spy and promises to give her an opportunity to kill him. Her hatred for Castro and her desire to return to Cuba will drive her to perform unorthodox actions. Her love for a US senator will tear at her heart and put her in a difficult situation.
November 22, 1963 – Kennedy is death and rumors point to Cuba as being behind the assassination. Beatriz gets her chance to return to Cuba to perform her deadly mission. Will she choose revenge or will she choose love?
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an advanced copy of this stunning book. When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton will be available at your favorite bookstore on April 9, 2019.
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