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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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punnygirl789's review against another edition
1.0
I know, I know I'm solidly in the minority in this rating. I thought this was historical fiction, and expected suspense and intrigue. Instead it was mostly romance and sex and affairs and fashion and debutantes.
kayceslitlife's review against another edition
5.0
The perfect, delicious summer read. History, espionage, scandal, love, all the things.
bridget_h's review against another edition
4.0
Wayyyyy better than Next Year in Havana. I am so excited how Beatriz's story unfolded.
girlinthepages's review against another edition
3.0
If you hung around my blog last summer/fall, you probably heard me raving about my love for Next Year in Havana, a historical fiction novel that stole my heart with its dual timeline narrative, Latinx protagonists and gorgeous cover. As a first generation Latinx woman myself, I am always always always looking for more representation of my Latinx heritage in literature, and though I'm not Cuban I was deeply invested and moved by the story of the Perez family and their descendants. I was ecstatic to find that there was to be a sequel set in the 1960s following the sassy side character sister Beatriz and promptly added it to my must read books of 2019 shelf on Goodreads.
First and foremost I will admit that I didn't love When We Left Cuba quite as much as Next Year in Havana. Though it picks up pretty quickly after the events in the "past" timeline of its predecessor novel, it's firmly set in the past and rooted in a lot of politics. To be honest, I think I learned more about US relations with Cuba and the Cold War through reading this novel than I ever did in school (another reason why I love historical fiction, it's so educational)! About 100 or so pages in I started to become invested, especially as Beatriz takes on the role of a spy for the US government. I loved that she used her feminine skills to find out useful information and be an asset to her new country, rather than her being trained to be some sort of kick-ass assassin or something- strength and skills come in all different shapes and forms and Beatriz didn't change who she was for her espionage work, rather honed her pre-existing personality traits for the job.
I was also here for the romance- there's just something about historical fiction romance that feels so much more swoony and, well, romantic sometimes than modern romances (maybe just me?) and of course there was a lot of underlying scandal involved in it since it featured Beatriz. I was fascinated learning about the high society of Florida's elite in the 1960s and how it compared to the politics and upper class structure of Havana that the Perezes left behind. You can tell Chanel Cleeton did a lot of research for these novels and it definitely paid off.
If you hung around my blog last summer/fall, you probably heard me raving about my love for Next Year in Havana, a historical fiction novel that stole my heart with its dual timeline narrative, Latinx protagonists and gorgeous cover. As a first generation Latinx woman myself, I am always always always looking for more representation of my Latinx heritage in literature, and though I'm not Cuban I was deeply invested and moved by the story of the Perez family and their descendants. I was ecstatic to find that there was to be a sequel set in the 1960s following the sassy side character sister Beatriz and promptly added it to my must read books of 2019 shelf on Goodreads.
First and foremost I will admit that I didn't love When We Left Cuba quite as much as Next Year in Havana. Though it picks up pretty quickly after the events in the "past" timeline of its predecessor novel, it's firmly set in the past and rooted in a lot of politics. To be honest, I think I learned more about US relations with Cuba and the Cold War through reading this novel than I ever did in school (another reason why I love historical fiction, it's so educational)! About 100 or so pages in I started to become invested, especially as Beatriz takes on the role of a spy for the US government. I loved that she used her feminine skills to find out useful information and be an asset to her new country, rather than her being trained to be some sort of kick-ass assassin or something- strength and skills come in all different shapes and forms and Beatriz didn't change who she was for her espionage work, rather honed her pre-existing personality traits for the job.
I was also here for the romance- there's just something about historical fiction romance that feels so much more swoony and, well, romantic sometimes than modern romances (maybe just me?) and of course there was a lot of underlying scandal involved in it since it featured Beatriz. I was fascinated learning about the high society of Florida's elite in the 1960s and how it compared to the politics and upper class structure of Havana that the Perezes left behind. You can tell Chanel Cleeton did a lot of research for these novels and it definitely paid off.
Overall: While not quite as addictive as Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba is an educational and entertaining historical fiction novel that adds dashes of espionage and romance to the somber and serious setting of the Cold War. I hope Cleeton continues to write about this family because I really can't get enough!Overall: While not quite as addictive as Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba is an educational and entertaining historical fiction novel that adds dashes of espionage and romance to the somber and serious setting of the Cold War. I hope Cleeton continues to write about this family because I really can't get enough!This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
First and foremost I will admit that I didn't love When We Left Cuba quite as much as Next Year in Havana. Though it picks up pretty quickly after the events in the "past" timeline of its predecessor novel, it's firmly set in the past and rooted in a lot of politics. To be honest, I think I learned more about US relations with Cuba and the Cold War through reading this novel than I ever did in school (another reason why I love historical fiction, it's so educational)! About 100 or so pages in I started to become invested, especially as Beatriz takes on the role of a spy for the US government. I loved that she used her feminine skills to find out useful information and be an asset to her new country, rather than her being trained to be some sort of kick-ass assassin or something- strength and skills come in all different shapes and forms and Beatriz didn't change who she was for her espionage work, rather honed her pre-existing personality traits for the job.
I was also here for the romance- there's just something about historical fiction romance that feels so much more swoony and, well, romantic sometimes than modern romances (maybe just me?) and of course there was a lot of underlying scandal involved in it since it featured Beatriz. I was fascinated learning about the high society of Florida's elite in the 1960s and how it compared to the politics and upper class structure of Havana that the Perezes left behind. You can tell Chanel Cleeton did a lot of research for these novels and it definitely paid off.
If you hung around my blog last summer/fall, you probably heard me raving about my love for Next Year in Havana, a historical fiction novel that stole my heart with its dual timeline narrative, Latinx protagonists and gorgeous cover. As a first generation Latinx woman myself, I am always always always looking for more representation of my Latinx heritage in literature, and though I'm not Cuban I was deeply invested and moved by the story of the Perez family and their descendants. I was ecstatic to find that there was to be a sequel set in the 1960s following the sassy side character sister Beatriz and promptly added it to my must read books of 2019 shelf on Goodreads.
First and foremost I will admit that I didn't love When We Left Cuba quite as much as Next Year in Havana. Though it picks up pretty quickly after the events in the "past" timeline of its predecessor novel, it's firmly set in the past and rooted in a lot of politics. To be honest, I think I learned more about US relations with Cuba and the Cold War through reading this novel than I ever did in school (another reason why I love historical fiction, it's so educational)! About 100 or so pages in I started to become invested, especially as Beatriz takes on the role of a spy for the US government. I loved that she used her feminine skills to find out useful information and be an asset to her new country, rather than her being trained to be some sort of kick-ass assassin or something- strength and skills come in all different shapes and forms and Beatriz didn't change who she was for her espionage work, rather honed her pre-existing personality traits for the job.
I was also here for the romance- there's just something about historical fiction romance that feels so much more swoony and, well, romantic sometimes than modern romances (maybe just me?) and of course there was a lot of underlying scandal involved in it since it featured Beatriz. I was fascinated learning about the high society of Florida's elite in the 1960s and how it compared to the politics and upper class structure of Havana that the Perezes left behind. You can tell Chanel Cleeton did a lot of research for these novels and it definitely paid off.
Overall: While not quite as addictive as Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba is an educational and entertaining historical fiction novel that adds dashes of espionage and romance to the somber and serious setting of the Cold War. I hope Cleeton continues to write about this family because I really can't get enough!Overall: While not quite as addictive as Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba is an educational and entertaining historical fiction novel that adds dashes of espionage and romance to the somber and serious setting of the Cold War. I hope Cleeton continues to write about this family because I really can't get enough!This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
lfinkenkeller's review against another edition
4.0
I chose this book because I wasn't quite ready to leave the world of the Perez sisters.
The story is about Beatriz Perez and her life in America after Castro comes to power. After her bother's dead body is delivered to her doorstep, Beatriz vows she will avenge his death. When Castro takes over Cuba, Beatriz family is forced to leave. In America, she becomes involved in with the CIA in a plot to kill Castro. Bearix risks everything for this cause: the love of her life, her family, and even her own life.
This story had moments that made me think. Again, I am reminded to never take freedom and democracy for granted.
The story is about Beatriz Perez and her life in America after Castro comes to power. After her bother's dead body is delivered to her doorstep, Beatriz vows she will avenge his death. When Castro takes over Cuba, Beatriz family is forced to leave. In America, she becomes involved in with the CIA in a plot to kill Castro. Bearix risks everything for this cause: the love of her life, her family, and even her own life.
This story had moments that made me think. Again, I am reminded to never take freedom and democracy for granted.
linesuponapage's review against another edition
5.0
I have now reread all three of Ms. Cleeton's book about the Perez women. My favorite is her last- The Last Train to Key West, however, Beatriz is by far my favorite Perez Woman. She was independently fierce. She knew what she didn't want in life which is what her mother only wanted for her: motherhood and to be a wife to an influential man. Did she fall in love with an influential man, yes, she did. Did she realize the rest of her mother's only desire for her girls? Nope, not at all. She had other plans. Things that created her to grow, stretch, and sometimes fall down.
This book, When We Left Cuba is full of romance, historical fiction, and some badass action through espionage.
Ms. Cleeton's writing is strong, her research in the history full of depth, and I highly recommend reading this book! Of course, start with Next Year in Havana!
This book, When We Left Cuba is full of romance, historical fiction, and some badass action through espionage.
Ms. Cleeton's writing is strong, her research in the history full of depth, and I highly recommend reading this book! Of course, start with Next Year in Havana!
crashderby's review
2.0
Okay, two stars might be harsh, but I have given quite a few better books a three star so two it is. I finished it, and I really didn't care to. I checked for the "time left" on my audible three times. I chose this book (audible) because I liked Next Year in Havana well enough to want to continue the story. I had already downloaded it when I realized it wasn't a continuation, but a side story of one of the other sisters. I thought, no big deal - she seemed interesting enough.
I enjoyed the very basics of the story line. I can't say I really enjoyed it as a love story because I don't really think it was a love story. She falls in love, and questions love for another, but then handles them both in a very high-school hoity-toity fashion. I did not need to hear three thousand four hundred and thirty seven times that she was an independent woman and felt oppressed. No part of the story spelled out her highly hinted at heart-breaker attitude.
Her revenge plot was also half-assed. The whole book was in waiting for what ended up being a five minute meeting that nixed the whole build-up of a proper revenge. And then, we didn't even get a real story as to if there was a real person to blame.. although it felt like there was an answer there waiting to be explored, and then was ignored.
And by golly. My heart strings were pulled all over the place for Cuba in Next Year in Havana. Growing up in the 90s, I knew of Cuba and the very little we were taught in schools, but this book gave a different side that made me want to do a research paper and expand my knowledge of the time frame and the area. This book, however, annoyed me. It just all felt so hypocritical. And by the end, I was wanting to yell through to the main character to shut up about America. Everything was just on repeat, over and over. It was a very political book, but just personal opinions and feelings. Very little that felt like true insight. Those parts were skimmed over.
Things were built up but never followed through on throughout the whole book. She duplicated an entire mini paragraph and I didn't realize it - Mr. Dwyer (sp?) talking to her when she was awaiting her plane to Spain, and then again at the end when he was proposing to her his ideas for Europe. Same exact wording. The author must have jotted it down as a conversational thing to be included and then forgot she had already included it. And Edwardo being on the phone at the end, but then she is back with Nick? I dismissed it as I didn't care anyway at that point, but just all seemed so messy. Or maybe I missed something because I was so over it.
Beatrice (sp?) had so much potential. SO much. I'd love for another author to take her and tell me her stories from a less whiney perspective - give her that true independent woman feeling.. one who takes her lemons and makes lemonade then pours it down her antagonists shirt fronts. And leaves out the constant bashing of the USA. And doesn't spend her whole life blaming everything that happens to her on the idea that its only bc she's a woman. I get it - it might be - but DO something about it and shut up.
Anyway. Annoyed me enough to make me want to write a review, even tho its been a while since I cared enough to put more than a couple sentences.
I enjoyed the very basics of the story line. I can't say I really enjoyed it as a love story because I don't really think it was a love story. She falls in love, and questions love for another, but then handles them both in a very high-school hoity-toity fashion. I did not need to hear three thousand four hundred and thirty seven times that she was an independent woman and felt oppressed. No part of the story spelled out her highly hinted at heart-breaker attitude.
Her revenge plot was also half-assed. The whole book was in waiting for what ended up being a five minute meeting that nixed the whole build-up of a proper revenge. And then, we didn't even get a real story as to if there was a real person to blame.. although it felt like there was an answer there waiting to be explored, and then was ignored.
And by golly. My heart strings were pulled all over the place for Cuba in Next Year in Havana. Growing up in the 90s, I knew of Cuba and the very little we were taught in schools, but this book gave a different side that made me want to do a research paper and expand my knowledge of the time frame and the area. This book, however, annoyed me. It just all felt so hypocritical. And by the end, I was wanting to yell through to the main character to shut up about America. Everything was just on repeat, over and over. It was a very political book, but just personal opinions and feelings. Very little that felt like true insight. Those parts were skimmed over.
Things were built up but never followed through on throughout the whole book. She duplicated an entire mini paragraph and I didn't realize it - Mr. Dwyer (sp?) talking to her when she was awaiting her plane to Spain, and then again at the end when he was proposing to her his ideas for Europe. Same exact wording. The author must have jotted it down as a conversational thing to be included and then forgot she had already included it. And Edwardo being on the phone at the end, but then she is back with Nick? I dismissed it as I didn't care anyway at that point, but just all seemed so messy. Or maybe I missed something because I was so over it.
Beatrice (sp?) had so much potential. SO much. I'd love for another author to take her and tell me her stories from a less whiney perspective - give her that true independent woman feeling.. one who takes her lemons and makes lemonade then pours it down her antagonists shirt fronts. And leaves out the constant bashing of the USA. And doesn't spend her whole life blaming everything that happens to her on the idea that its only bc she's a woman. I get it - it might be - but DO something about it and shut up.
Anyway. Annoyed me enough to make me want to write a review, even tho its been a while since I cared enough to put more than a couple sentences.
autumnous17's review against another edition
5.0
If I had to describe this book in one word it would be WOW. History, action, romance, danger, beautiful writing, deep characters. Wow. I love historical fiction and this took a spot in my tops for this genre. What a gift for story telling Chanel Cleeton has. I can’t wait to read her other works.
chelswillread's review against another edition
3.0
I'd say 3.5. This one took a little more effort to stay engaged for me, but that's probably because I could not put her other two books down.