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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
emotional
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
I’ve been reading tons of historical fiction lately and wondering why I hadn’t read this genre sooner.
And Chanel Cleeton is going to be an author that I come back to, possibly for even more that her historical fiction.
Before reading The Last Train to Key West, I can honestly say I’d never heard anything about Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad or the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.
This story takes place on Key West with three different perspectives. Each woman has their own struggles and their own distinct story to tell. However, part of the fun for the reader, is seeing all the stories intersect so uniquely.
This tale deals with themes from abusive husbands, to newlyweds who don’t know each other very well, to one woman’s journey to looking for her brother in one of the many veteran camps for WWI vets who are there to help work on the railroad.
There are so many elements to this story and I don’t want to ruin any of it for you.
Cleeton knows her way around a story and has such a way of bringing about vivid images in the mind and making the story come to life.
And Chanel Cleeton is going to be an author that I come back to, possibly for even more that her historical fiction.
Before reading The Last Train to Key West, I can honestly say I’d never heard anything about Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad or the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.
This story takes place on Key West with three different perspectives. Each woman has their own struggles and their own distinct story to tell. However, part of the fun for the reader, is seeing all the stories intersect so uniquely.
This tale deals with themes from abusive husbands, to newlyweds who don’t know each other very well, to one woman’s journey to looking for her brother in one of the many veteran camps for WWI vets who are there to help work on the railroad.
There are so many elements to this story and I don’t want to ruin any of it for you.
Cleeton knows her way around a story and has such a way of bringing about vivid images in the mind and making the story come to life.
2.5 stars. While the history around the novel is interesting, the story felt very contrived. I surprised that this book was so highly recommended.
This is the third Chanel Cleeton book I've read and can confidently say that her stories are compulsively readable.
I love historical fiction, especially when they introduce me to a little known slice of history. In this case, the devastating Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and the dilemmas of WW1 veterans in work camps in the Florida Keys.
I loved how the story was propelled through the eyes of three main female characters: Elizabeth, Helen, & Mirta. I just kept turning the pages faster and faster as if I was trying to beat the storm. It was an easy, escapist read with atmospheric, colorful imagery.
I saw some of the 'aha' moments early one while others remained a surprise. All in all a great summer read.
I love historical fiction, especially when they introduce me to a little known slice of history. In this case, the devastating Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and the dilemmas of WW1 veterans in work camps in the Florida Keys.
I loved how the story was propelled through the eyes of three main female characters: Elizabeth, Helen, & Mirta. I just kept turning the pages faster and faster as if I was trying to beat the storm. It was an easy, escapist read with atmospheric, colorful imagery.
I saw some of the 'aha' moments early one while others remained a surprise. All in all a great summer read.
I really enjoyed this historical fiction/romance. I haven't read anything else by this author, but didn't feel like I was missing anything by reading this as a standalone first. It was thrilling enough to feel like a movie in parts, but also had enough emotion and reflection to make me really care about the characters. I liked all 3 women and their perseverance through differing marital challenges during a time in history when most families were facing the hardships brought on by the Great Depression. I knew nothing about the 1935 hurricane and the focus on the WWI veterans was something that I haven't read a lot about (other than learning about the Bonus Army in high school history), so I appreciated seeing their struggles. The hurricane scenes and aftermath were well written and devastating. Based on the title I expected this book to take place in Key West, but besides the first meeting of the 3 narrators, most of the action took place on Islamorada and Matecumbe. Since Key West has been a family vacation spot, I was looking forward to viewing it from a historical lens, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The Last Train to Key West was such a fun read. Taking place in the Florida Keys during the 1930’s/ Great Depression and post-World War I era, this novel transported me in such a stunning way.
The story follows three women in different places in their lives all brought to Key West for various reasons. Their stories and lives become intertwined during the days leading up to and following the Hurricane of 1935.
I have not read many historical fictions prior to this book, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. The novel touches on the actual historical events of the hurricane that devastated the Keys and the veteran camps that were erected during the construction of a highway connecting the islands. The women’s stories were the main focus.
Great for fans of historical fictions/ historical romance.
The story follows three women in different places in their lives all brought to Key West for various reasons. Their stories and lives become intertwined during the days leading up to and following the Hurricane of 1935.
I have not read many historical fictions prior to this book, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. The novel touches on the actual historical events of the hurricane that devastated the Keys and the veteran camps that were erected during the construction of a highway connecting the islands. The women’s stories were the main focus.
Great for fans of historical fictions/ historical romance.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars for this one.
Great historical fiction with very interesting characters and a few twists along the way that I didn’t expect at all. Some of the ending felt a little too convenient and rushed but otherwise a fantastic, quick read!
Great historical fiction with very interesting characters and a few twists along the way that I didn’t expect at all. Some of the ending felt a little too convenient and rushed but otherwise a fantastic, quick read!
“There’s so much broken around us; maybe all we can do is try to fix each other, do what we can to preserve these precious moments in a world where there is so much sadness and loss.”