Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Let me begin this review by stating that I rarely read romance novels.  I’ve never read anything by Chanel Cleeton and had no idea that was what she wrote.  In looking for a little guidance in my reading, I decided to try Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Bookclub.   That being said, I have nothing against romance novels, it’s just been a long time since I’ve ready any.  I think of romance novels as having a basic formula, girl meets guy, all kinds of things get in their way, but they eventually fall in love.  The end.   This book had some of that, but it had so much more.

I loved this book!  It is the story of two women, Elisa and her granddaughter, Marisol.  The chapters alternate between the two women.

Elisa is living in Cuba in the 1950’s at the beginning of the Cuban revolution.   Her family are very wealthy sugar merchants, living a life of luxury.  Elisa meets Pablo, a fighter for the revolution.  She must keep him a secret from her family, but they manage to spend some time together.  From her story, we learn all about Cuban before, during and right after the revolution.

Marisol is Elisa’s granddaughter living in Miami.  Her beloved grandmother, Elisa, has died and wants Marisol to go to Cuba to spread her ashes.  Marisol goes to Cuba and meets up with Elisa’s best friend and her grandson, Luis.  During Marisol’s story, we learn about Cuba today and how it is changing.

The parallel lives and stories work especially well in this story, both women falling in love during a state of change in Cuba.  The writing is well done, the characters well developed.  I knew a little of the Cuban history and I enjoyed learning more.  The novel really touched on the feelings of the Cubans.  The contrast between those who stayed in Cuba and those that left.

Book --> Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

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What I've read in 2018 so far.