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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
I really liked this entire series. They all exist as stand alone stories which is great, but it's interesting to see how they intertwine too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: War
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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:
No
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
• ModernMrsDarcy.com 2020 Summer Reading Guide
Three women of completely different social circumstances are brought together during one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the Florida Keys in the early 1930s. One is from Key West dreaming of escaping an abusive husband. One is from NYC looking for her brother in the Keys. The third is a Cuban woman traveling through the Keys onto NYC with her new husband via an arranged marriage. Mesmerizing tale!
Three women of completely different social circumstances are brought together during one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the Florida Keys in the early 1930s. One is from Key West dreaming of escaping an abusive husband. One is from NYC looking for her brother in the Keys. The third is a Cuban woman traveling through the Keys onto NYC with her new husband via an arranged marriage. Mesmerizing tale!
This was one of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide picks, as was a previous C. Cleeton choice last year. At that time, I was disappointed by the telanovela nature of the book, in which the main character's luscious beauty and passion caught the eye of a Kennedy-esque senator with whom she trysted, all while her family dealt with exile following her brother's death under Castro....too much of all the things we know as a background, too breathless a treatment, not enough below the surface. So I was not that keen to read Last Train to Key West, but decided to add it to the list not only because of A.V.'s endorsement but also because, while waiting for it to become available at the library, I attended the author's MMD talk; author discussions always incline me toward a book.
So now, with two data points, I can say that Cleeton and I are not a good reader/writer combo. Her action-packed story would certainly bring the hurricane of 1935 alive for many readers, and the Depression and mob and mores of the time would interest many who love historical fiction for its own sake. I still found this novel to be too predictable and its emotional tone too reliant on stylistic tropes. It was a "check-off-the-list" book for me.
So now, with two data points, I can say that Cleeton and I are not a good reader/writer combo. Her action-packed story would certainly bring the hurricane of 1935 alive for many readers, and the Depression and mob and mores of the time would interest many who love historical fiction for its own sake. I still found this novel to be too predictable and its emotional tone too reliant on stylistic tropes. It was a "check-off-the-list" book for me.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Almost as good as the previous book in this interconnected series. This time going back another generation to Perez family, this brings together three women from very different walks of life whose stories collide in the days leading up to the devastating 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Rich in atmosphere, filled with emotion, and layered with historical detail
I really enjoyed the individual stories from all 3 women and how different they were all from one another. Cleton also did an amazing job of subtly interconnecting all their stories organically. While I enjoyed their arcs and the fluff of their romances, I was not as invested as the previous book.
I really enjoyed the individual stories from all 3 women and how different they were all from one another. Cleton also did an amazing job of subtly interconnecting all their stories organically. While I enjoyed their arcs and the fluff of their romances, I was not as invested as the previous book.
That said, it’s still a compelling read, and I admire how Cleeton continues to spotlight lesser-known moments in Cuban-American and Floridian history.