A review by mlsweeten
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

adventurous hopeful informative 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

3.5

The book has two storylines- one is Elisa’s during 1958 in Cuba at the time of the rebellion which put Fidel Castro into power.  The other is Marisol’s, Elisa’s granddaughter in present time. Marisol must go to Cuba to spread her grandmother’s ashes and while there, she learns secrets about her grandmother’s life. Elisa’s family was exiled during the rebellion and she was never able to return to her homeland, leaving behind Pablo, the man she loved who fought to overthrow the president that her father supported. 

I liked how the author described Cuba in detail- the history, architecture, and lifestyles. I preferred the chapters about Elisa more than Marisol’s and felt the romance in Elisa’s story was better developed. The romance in Marisol’s story felt forced and rushed to make things unfold neatly.  I didn’t like that the author was constantly asking questions on behalf of the characters as if they were thinking out loud….what will happen next? What should I do? Etc. etc. It seemed to go on throughout the whole book.  

Overall it wasn’t bad but certain things could have been better. I haven’t read many books that take place in Cuba, so I was glad I read this one.