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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Like the previous book in this series ( can be read separately for sure - not even convince now they are connected truly) it keep me listening to it non stop - the changing chapters seems to be a good practice for me, one that makes me want to know more.
Three women, three different lines of life but connected one moment in time. Loved to hear more about Cuba, but sad to see how much it struggled over the years.
Three women, three different lines of life but connected one moment in time. Loved to hear more about Cuba, but sad to see how much it struggled over the years.
Inspired by real-life events and the true story of a legendary Cuban woman–Evangelina Cisneros, the Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba quickly pulled me in.
Cuba has been invaded by Spain and three times the Cubans have unsuccessfully tried to overturn their rule. Many people in Cuba and in the United States support Cuba’s freedom. In an attempt to shed light on the war, all while selling more papers and swaying the public and President of the United States, two newspapers vie for headlines.
Newspaper tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer are trying to outdo each other from stealing reporters to getting the inside scoop. It’s 1896, and Grace Harrington is trying to make it in this cutthroat business. Cuba and the stories that emerge change the landscape of journalism, and Grace hopes to make a difference and prove herself.
Grace is independent and lived with her Aunt. Unlike the others in her social circles, she isn’t interested in balls, marriage and exclusive invited to lavish parties where the five hundred try to outspend each other. An idealist, she hopes to put pen to paper and change the world.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisnero, a wealthy Cuban finds herself imprisoned. Separated from her family, there is little hope of escape. That is until Hearts hears of her story and enlists men to free her. She becomes the gem of the United States and through the paper and a book all handled by Journal; she becomes the voice of Cuba. Evangelina doesn’t want any of this, but she loves Cuba and desperately wants it to have its freedom.
Marina Perez left her life of privilege to marry a Cuban farmer. They had built a good life with their daughter until the Spanish took their land. Her husband joins the revolutionaries and Marina finds herself in an interment camp. She cleans laundry and passes messages for the cause. Perez represents the people of Cuba from their loss to their endless passion to free Cuba. ¡Viva Cuba Libre!
Cleeton weaves history, human perseverance and rich characters to form a story that held me captive. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will find themselves captivated by the story of these women and the world they live in. I closed the book and immediately wanted to learn more about Evangelina and other historical characters we meet. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Cuba has been invaded by Spain and three times the Cubans have unsuccessfully tried to overturn their rule. Many people in Cuba and in the United States support Cuba’s freedom. In an attempt to shed light on the war, all while selling more papers and swaying the public and President of the United States, two newspapers vie for headlines.
Newspaper tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer are trying to outdo each other from stealing reporters to getting the inside scoop. It’s 1896, and Grace Harrington is trying to make it in this cutthroat business. Cuba and the stories that emerge change the landscape of journalism, and Grace hopes to make a difference and prove herself.
Grace is independent and lived with her Aunt. Unlike the others in her social circles, she isn’t interested in balls, marriage and exclusive invited to lavish parties where the five hundred try to outspend each other. An idealist, she hopes to put pen to paper and change the world.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisnero, a wealthy Cuban finds herself imprisoned. Separated from her family, there is little hope of escape. That is until Hearts hears of her story and enlists men to free her. She becomes the gem of the United States and through the paper and a book all handled by Journal; she becomes the voice of Cuba. Evangelina doesn’t want any of this, but she loves Cuba and desperately wants it to have its freedom.
Marina Perez left her life of privilege to marry a Cuban farmer. They had built a good life with their daughter until the Spanish took their land. Her husband joins the revolutionaries and Marina finds herself in an interment camp. She cleans laundry and passes messages for the cause. Perez represents the people of Cuba from their loss to their endless passion to free Cuba. ¡Viva Cuba Libre!
Cleeton weaves history, human perseverance and rich characters to form a story that held me captive. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will find themselves captivated by the story of these women and the world they live in. I closed the book and immediately wanted to learn more about Evangelina and other historical characters we meet. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I cannot recommend this book enough, for the story line taking place at the verge of Cuba’s rebellion against Spain in the late 1800’s, that maintains three threads, woven together beautifully. Grace is an aspiring journalist, taking advantage of the feud between Hearst and Pulitzer to land a job. Evangelina, dubbed the most beautiful girl in Cuba, went through grueling and difficult times, including incarceration in the prison of Recogidas, where women were jailed for everything from political crimes to just being unsavory. Marina gives up the life of her wealthy parents to marry Mateo, live on a farm until Mateo joins the Cuban revolutionaries and Marina and her daughter and mother-in-law are sent to reconcentration camps. During this time, almost 1/3 of Cuba’s population ended up in the camps, riddled with disease and poverty. I was not aware of much of this history, including the American takeover of Cuba until independence was won in 1902. I highly recommend this fantastic piece of historical fiction, and thank Edelweiss for the ARC.
A little heavier than usual on the political stuff. I don't think real people would casually have such constant conversations about their stances on political issues. Shouldn't your husband know whether you support a free Cuba? Nah. Let's talk for four pages about it lol
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This is phenomenal! Chanel Cleeton just keeps writing amazing stories. I implore everyone to read her historical fiction novels about Cuba.
This is the fourth Chanel Cleeton book I've read and can confidently say that her stories are solid summer reads.
I love historical fiction, especially when I’m introduced to a little known slice of history. In this case, Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain and the Gilded Age of NYC in 1896.
I loved how the story was propelled through the eyes of three main female characters: Evangelina, Marina and Grace. This was an easy yet engaging read. Cleeton’s books rarely end up on my year end “Standouts & Shoutouts” list, but I keep reading and enjoying them year after year.
I love historical fiction, especially when I’m introduced to a little known slice of history. In this case, Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain and the Gilded Age of NYC in 1896.
I loved how the story was propelled through the eyes of three main female characters: Evangelina, Marina and Grace. This was an easy yet engaging read. Cleeton’s books rarely end up on my year end “Standouts & Shoutouts” list, but I keep reading and enjoying them year after year.
This was probably my least favorite Chanel Cleeton novel so far, but you have to take that with a grain of salt because I still gave it 4 stars and would rate it over many of the other books I’ve read this year.
I really loved the plot of Grace Harrington as a journalist trying to make it in a man’s world in the 1890s; the fact that she had to work twice as hard to get half as far still hits hard today. I also enjoyed all of her commentary about journalism becoming more of a spectacle than honest reporting. That’s another thing that is still true with certain forms of news media.
I guess I didn’t read the synopsis for this book well enough because I didn’t realize until the end that Evangelina Cisneros (aka the titular Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba) was a real person. I’m amazed by the research Chanel Cleeton must have done to bring her to life in this book, and I really enjoyed reading about her role in Cuba gaining independence from Spain.
Marina Perez sort of slowed down the story for me. I felt like I couldn’t connect with her as well as I could connect with the other two women, and it felt as if she was only included so that this book would be tied to the other books about the Perez family, even though it didn’t feel like “Marina’s story” at all.
Always nice to learn some new history and read some of Chanel Cleeton’s writing at the end of the day, though!
I really loved the plot of Grace Harrington as a journalist trying to make it in a man’s world in the 1890s; the fact that she had to work twice as hard to get half as far still hits hard today. I also enjoyed all of her commentary about journalism becoming more of a spectacle than honest reporting. That’s another thing that is still true with certain forms of news media.
I guess I didn’t read the synopsis for this book well enough because I didn’t realize until the end that Evangelina Cisneros (aka the titular Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba) was a real person. I’m amazed by the research Chanel Cleeton must have done to bring her to life in this book, and I really enjoyed reading about her role in Cuba gaining independence from Spain.
Marina Perez sort of slowed down the story for me. I felt like I couldn’t connect with her as well as I could connect with the other two women, and it felt as if she was only included so that this book would be tied to the other books about the Perez family, even though it didn’t feel like “Marina’s story” at all.
Always nice to learn some new history and read some of Chanel Cleeton’s writing at the end of the day, though!
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated