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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-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:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
informative
mysterious
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
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-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
Review of The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
Summary:
Set against the backdrop of the devastating 1935 Labor Day hurricane, The Last Train to Key West follows three women—Helen, a pregnant Key West native stuck in an abusive marriage; Mirta, a Cuban newlywed grappling with her husband's criminal past; and Elizabeth, a fallen socialite on a secret mission in the Keys. Their paths converge during one harrowing weekend as nature and fate collide, forcing them to confront danger, secrets, and the chance at new beginnings.
What I Liked:
- ✨ Distinct female voices: Each woman had a clear, unique perspective that made the alternating chapters feel fresh and engaging.
- 🌪️ Atmospheric tension: The hurricane scenes were vividly rendered, capturing the sensory chaos and dread of being in the eye of a storm, making the readers feel the intensity and suspense of the story.📚 Little-known history: The inclusion of the WWI veterans used to build the railroad and their poor treatment offered important historical insight.
- ❤️ Fast-paced storytelling: Short chapters and cliffhangers kept the story moving, making it an easy, quick read.
- 👒 Compelling setting: The 1930s Florida Keys came alive, rich with detail and a sense of place.
What Needed Work:
- 🤔 Underdeveloped historical depth: The real-life tragedy of the veterans and the hurricane's devastation were underplayed, taking a backseat to romance.
- 🧚 Improbable plot threads: The convergence of the three women's stories felt too coincidental and tidy, bordering on unrealistic.
- 💔 Overly neat resolutions: Each woman conveniently found safety, support, and love, which undercut some of the emotional weight of their struggles.
- 📉 More romance than history: For a historical fiction novel, the balance leaned heavily toward romantic subplots, which might not satisfy readers looking for deeper historical context.
Recommendation:
Recommended for fans of historical romance who prefer character-driven, fast-paced stories with light historical elements. The Last Train to Key West blends suspense, survival, and a touch of old Hollywood glamour. It's great for readers who want a feel-good story with strong women and a stormy setting.
I think I was expecting literary fiction. This is not. The characters are one dimensional and the book relies heavily on dialog to explain the story.
I am just not the target audience for this treacle tart of a book. If you are looking for a read where you will be able to predict everything that will happen and every connection between the characters within 40 pages, this might be your particular brand of comfort food. For me it was far too sweet.
Probably the best historical fiction book I’ve read this year! I love the first two books of this “series” by Chanel Cleeton and this one did not disappoint. Wonderfully woven together story lines of three women taking drastic steps to change their lives. 10/10 would recommend.