I just finished reading WWLC. What a a nice ride! Cleeton’s first book was set in Cuba and its overarching themes were family and romances in the time of Castro’s Revolution. This is a sequel surrounding Beatriz Perez, a strong character from that first book, and it is clearly a stand alone journey. There is no need to have read the first book, as Cleeton weaves the essence of her earlier work into this tale.
Cleeton has the reader jump right into the story as she introduces Beatriz Perez, a very modern woman whose story evolves into a complex tale of love and intrigue. (Don’t be surprised as you increasingly find yourself glued to her story.) Perez is clearly a feminist patriot whose romances are affected by the politics of the time. This is the tale of a woman with a sense of her own power and abilities, who is searching to find her true place in the world. Her juggling and struggling make her story that much more real.
The only glitch for me-
In the beginning, it appears to be memoir set in a modern time with a look back. However, the last 1/3 of the book, juxtapositions recent years with the 60’s in a more fluent manner. It was interesting in telling the story, but I found it to be a bit disconcerting as the changed timeline would be inserted mid-chapter. That left me wondering which time period would continue with the next new chapter.
This retrospective story is rife with romance and politics and the challenges Beatriz faces as she struggles to balance societal norms with her personal beliefs and needs. Historical facts come into play as her story is punctuated with classic Cold War references that inform the choices she must make. It is a long and winding journey that speaks to the power of a woman whose life is also infused with (of course) great romance.

Political intrigue, history, wanting to know more about Cuba, and a love story were the things that attracted me to this book, as well as the fact that I enjoyed [book:Next Year in Havana|34374628] . It moved a little slowly at first. I didn’t feel immersed until a third of the way in and then I was taken in. I remembered that Beatriz Perez was Marisol’s great Aunt and Elisa’s sister from the previous book, but I don’t remember much more about her from the first novel. She turns out to be a spirited, independent woman, who seems beyond her time in that she won’t follow her family’s wishes when it comes to a woman’s place in society - “that our parents consider marriage to be the final goal for us, our success ties to the men we catch rather than our own merits.” She follows her own heart, falling in love with a man, already engaged. Motivated by a desire to avenge her brother’s murder before they left Cuba and to avenge her family’s loss of home and fortune, she becomes involved with the CIA and wants to do whatever it takes to kill Castro.

In a note , Cleeton says “While the Perez family and their friends are entirely fictional, the events in the novel were inspired by the tumultuous Cuban-American relations in the 1960’s.” She does a great job of depicting historical events of the 1960’s such as The Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missle Crisis and Kennedy’s asassination through the lives of these characters. I have to admit that Beatriz’s involvement in the CIA was a bit much for me at times as I am not a spy thriller reader and there were shades of that here. Having said that, I loved her character and admired her strength and independence. As in the first novel, I felt the author’s connection to the story through her heritage. I loved that the buried box appears here too. An engaging story.

This was a Traveling Sisters read.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Berkley Books through NetGalley.

“You’re a dangerous woman, Beatriz Perez.”

'When We Left Cuba' is a fascinating, standalone follow-up to the wonderful 'Next Year in Havana.' I devoured the first book and could not wait to get my hands on Beatriz's story.

The author has done a magnificent job of recreating Florida, New York and Cuba in the early 1960s. No detail escapes her attention. While the first book centered around the revolution in Cuba, 'When We Left Cuba' takes place during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the events leading up to the failed invasion at the Bay of Pigs. It is all very fast-paced and thrilling and the strength of Beatriz and her devotion to Cuba shines though every page.

“Sometimes I don’t know what’s worse: feeling like you did nothing or failing in the attempt?"

Chanel Cleeton weaves a thrilling tale of espionage, romance and politics all while keeping the reader on the edge of your seat. Real-life characters are interwoven with the fictional Perez family so that you get a real sense of history and place. And the description of Palm Beach in the early 1960s was perfection!

I can see why Beatriz had to have her own book; she is smart, fearless and patriotic. She never takes her freedom for granted and would give her life so that her country could be free once again. This is a must-read for all fans of historical fiction and historical romance. It left me with a deep sense of nostalgia for the South Florida of my youth. Highly recommend!

"You have no idea how fortunate you are to be born in this time, in this place. Without freedom, you have nothing.”

<strong>Chanel Cleeton</strong> strikes again with another emotionally driven story that hit me in every single feel in my body. After finishing Next Year in Havana, I looked forward to jumping into this book because I was mighty interested in getting Marisol's Great-Aunt's story. Beatriz Perez was the real deal in the first book and she is just as intense and amazing in her book...maybe even more so because we got her front and center with every single page.

Beatriz really stands out in this book. She makes this entire story work. She's bold, she's beautiful and she makes no apologies for who and what she does. She was also brave as hell. She knew what she stood for and even though she fell in love with a man who complicated the hell out of her beliefs, and her life, she didn't apologize for her love for him either. I admired the hell out of her because she was fierce in her beliefs and her loyalties.

This story takes place when the relationship between the US and Cuba was not good and it shows us how complicated living during this time was and I just really enjoyed the drama, the passion and the romance between Beatriz and her boo thang. It wasn't an easy read. There are things that happen that I wasn't too comfortable with but because Chanel Cleeton wrote these things in (see content warning above) a way that I couldn't help but understand, I didn't mind it too much. There were times when my heart hurt for everything that Beatriz went through and there were times that I about swooned over how passionate Nick and Beatriz's romance was. There were also times when I cheered for Beatriz because the bitch likes to get shit done. She's probably my favorite character in both this book and Next Year in Havana and I'm SO glad that I read it.

Do I recommend this book? You bet your ass I do. Go forth and read this one, you won't regret it. I promise.

<strong>Grade: 4.25 out of 5</strong>

I loved this second book as much as I loved Next Year in Havana. I liked Beatriz's character in the first book and I'm glad Chanel Cleeton wrote this story about her. This is an interesting read with bits of history, romance and a badass female lead character.

You could probably get away with just reading this book, but I highly suggest you start with Next Year in Havana to get the back story of this family leaving Cuba. It is worth reading. I can't find anything that says whether or not there will be another book in this series. If she writes it, I will read it!

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton takes place in Palm Beach, Florida. The year is 1960. One year ago, the Perez family was exiled from their beloved home country of Cuba. This story explores Beatriz's side. The heartbreaker. The socialite who will stop at nothing to try and kill Castro and regain entry to her home.

We watch Beatriz fall in love and get her heartbroken. The forbidden love affair she had with the Senator, Nicholas Randolph Preston III was beautiful and tumultuous. Not the happiest love story but not the saddest either for love can last forever. These two prove it!

We also witness her growth and see the tides of change through her eyes. Beatriz comes to realize that she may not have been able to save Cuba like she wanted, but she was brave and fought for other injustices in the world. She never married. She never had children. She traveled the world, making the world her oyster as she made a name for herself. She's the embodiment of #GirlPower ✊🏼

Also, it needs to be said that Chanel is a genius. The way she weaves fiction with real historical events and people is truly magical! I was sucked in and utterly captivated! Once again, I was transported back in time.

These stories Chanel has penned are timeless and heartwarming. My first historical fiction reads, they planted a seed for me to continue to explore this newfound genre. Another job well done by Chanel! Take me to Cuba, please 🇨🇺.

Beatriz Perez lives in exile in Palm Beach, Florida with her family, but Cuba forever lives in her heart. The family fled during the Cuban Revolution and they lost their family home and successful sugar field business. They are safe, but Beatriz has <strong><em>anger and revenge on her mind. </em></strong>She isn't one to forget the past.

Beatriz as a strong, independent and beautiful young woman and is known for catching the eye of many and is known to <strong><em>collect marriage proposals</em></strong>.

She is approached by the CIA and agrees to help them, but she is a not a trained spy.  Things could easily go wrong. <strong><em>Has she gotten in over her head? Could she possibly turn the head of  Fidel Castro or catch his eye? </em></strong>Many believe she can.

Some cliff-hanger chapters steeped in suspense, a politically flavored romance and plenty of historic details made this one easy to pick up and hard to put down.

Recommend to fans of Cleeton's debut novel, <strong><em>Next Year in Havana</em></strong> and those who enjoy historical fiction with a bit of glamour and suspense.

Rich in detail and devastating history, Next Year in Havana enchanted me with the smooth way it blended history with fiction and before I knew it I had completely devoured it in one sitting.

Knowing that there was a sequel on the horizon, this time told from possibly the most famous and notorious Perez girl, I knew it would be one of my top reads for the year and I'm happy to report I wasn't wrong.

Filled with strife, and heartache but also love and friendship, When We Left Cuba will completely take readers breath away with the seamless way Cleeton once again weaves through history both past and present in a time when the world was being torn apart but so many events and conflict.

The author once again proves that she can write about a history that many of us don't know about and makes us all care deeply about it and want to learn more, until we are so engrossed with the story and the characters themselves that it changes us all. The way we think, they way we feel and most of all, changes our perspective on how we view the world and those around us.

Beautifully told and completely memorizing, I enjoyed Beatriz's story so much and am so glad I was introduced to this series for so many reasons. I will be on the lookout for whatever the author writes in the future.

Did you read Next Year in Havana? Did you love Next Year in Havana? Well hear me now when I say When We Left Cuba is EVEN BETTER! Beatriz Perez is Marisol’s cool, glamorous, mysterious aunt. Who, following her family’s exile from Cuba, was recruited by the CIA to gather intelligence and get close to Castro. Beatriz agrees in an attempt to avenge the death of her brother, who was murdered by Castro during the revolution. Don’t be fooled by the CIA espionage, this is most certainly a character driven novel, with a healthy dose of suspense and drama thrown in. Beatriz is an amazing character. She is a strong, smart woman. I want to be Beatriz! Chanel Cleeton explores themes of loyalty to family, loyalty to country, forbidden love, heartbreak, and revenge. And Nick and Beatriz’s love story...just yes, yes 100% yes! I could not get enough of them. I emphatically give this book five stars!

[ Review ]

If you enjoyed Next Year in Havana, then you will sure enjoy When We Left Cuba because it features Beatriz Perez. Chanel Cleeton does an amazing job with Beatriz’s character. You instantly fall in love with her determination and fight. I loved this book because it has a little bit of everything; romance, espionage, history and family drama.

[ Synopsis ]

It’s set in the 1960’s after Beatriz and her family were forced out of Cuba during the revolution. The family now resides in Florida. Beatriz has a lot of anger toward Fidel Castro for what he did to her country, for what he did to her family and more specifically to her brother (for those who have read When We Left Cuba you understand her anger.) It is with all that anger that she decides to start working for the CIA to infiltrate Castro’s inner circle. It is then when she starts seeing how dirty politics can actually be. When she starts a forbidden love affair, she has to start making decisions that are going to affect both sides of her loyalties, both with lasting consequences.

[ Reflection ]

I enjoyed how many different aspects of storytelling were going on in this book. There was the history of Cuba and the United States during the revolution. There was Beatriz and her forbidden love story that you can’t help but root for. There was the spy aspect, where you were sitting on the edge of your seat concerned about the deaths of your favorite characters. Cleeton has wrote an amazing novel and I highly recommend it.

Recently, I read Next Year In Havana, by Chanel Cleeton, in preparation for reviewing her newest release, When we left Havana. Although it is not billed as connected, I was delighted to find that they are! While the first book only hints at the life of Beatriz ("The Legend"), she is the entire focus of the second book. This had everything I love about historical fiction. There were fiery characters, and a tragic romance all set against the backdrop of sweeping historical events. I loved this book!

What I Liked:

Stand Alone Book:

I appreciated that the reader needn't have read Next Year In Havana to understand what was happening in this book. The characters do not overlap all that much. That being said, I do think one would get a better appreciation of the Cuban revolution if they read Next Year in Havana first.

Historical Events:

The sixties were a volatile time, with so many established notions being challenged such as the kinds of roles women could have, and how much control the United States should have in the Western Hemisphere. This is showcased in the struggles that America had with Cuba. As American big business bemoans the nationalization of their assets by Fidel Castro, Cuban exiles wait for the U.S. to use their might to overthrow the new government.

This was the height of the cold war, and the tensions between the United States, the Soviet Union, and Cuba come to a head with the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The book really gave me a sense of how scary it must have been to have two super powers on the brink of nuclear war.

Characters:

Beatriz is a legendary beauty in Havana, and brings her considerable reputation with her to Palm Beach, Florida. But behind her notoriety as a heart breaker lies a young woman who is questioning the norms of her day. Why can't she get an education and take care of herself? Must she be delegated to be only someone's wife or mother? I loved Beatriz for her willingness to be in charge of her own destiny. She never waited to be taken care of or saved.

Nick's relationship with Beatriz parallels the relationship America has with Cuba. Just as America sees its Island neighbor as something to possess, he sees Beatriz as needing to be taken care of and protected. But he soon learns that if he is to win her heart, he needs to treat her as an equal. Cuba also demands to be seen as formidable (thus the Cuban Missal Crisis). I found Nick's character to be complex, and morally ambiguous.

Espionage:

Since this was the cold war, spying was a significant part of this book. I loved all the moments where we saw how this worked. How did spies communicated with their handlers? Why did they risk everything for their ideals? This was a thrilling part of the book. I liked how Beatriz gets slowly sucked in to becoming a spy, not realizing until it's too late that she is being used. By then, she doesn't have much of a choice but to proceed.

Romance:

The romance between Beatriz and Nick is epic with so much more than reputations at stake. Nick sees his work as a U.S. Senator in idealistic terms. He is out to change the world. Beatriz also feels her life work, overthrowing the Castro regime, is more important than her personal happiness. But their attraction cannot be ignored. I liked that while they knew they were a scandal waiting to happen, they couldn't quite walk away from each other.

When We Left Cuba brings the Perez family back to us. It hasn't been long since they had to flee their beloved Cuba and they are now settled in Palm Beach, Florida. While the family does it's best to move on and rebuild, Beatriz, twin to Alejandro just cannot let things go. She wants revenge.

Lucky for Beatriz, through the connections of old friend Eduardo, she is recruited by the CIA. They want to use her brains, social standing, and beauty to get her close to Fidel in order to assassinate. But of course her heart gets in the way.

Not for Fidel of course, but a young, prominent man about to be elected in Congress, named Nick.. Rumors swirl, reputations are on the line, and yet a girl is set on giving her all for her homeland, no matter the cost..

I was eagerly anticipating this book after Next Year in Havana. While I did like it, there was something that didn't catch me the way Havana did. While I loved Beatriz's gumption, her need to continuously prove herself and argue her beliefs and reasons seemed to take up a good portion of the book and the same arguments are revisited often. Despite this, I truly adored her character. She was absolutely fierce.

When We Left Cuba is a compelling sequel to best-selling novel Next Year in Havana; either can stand alone, but there’s added depth if you read them in order. This was a highly anticipated release for spring of 2019 and it certainly did not disappoint.

Cleeton has a way of immersing the reader in history, without ever feeling preached to or lectured to. This book takes place in both Palm Beach, Florida and in Cuba during the height of the Cold War. In high school, I learned the history surrounding this time period only from an American’s point of view, not from a Cuban’s. Through the eyes of the Perez family, this book explores what living through those tyrannous years must’ve felt like. The first book focuses more on the Revolution, while this one on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Perez family has an amazing cast of characters that keeps you invested in each of their lives. I’d like the author to tackle yet one more sister, in a new book. Perhaps the youngest, as her age kept her insulated from politics and war. I loved the cameo’s with JFK. It really took you to time and place. I read this while in Palm Beach, which made me feel like I was truly inside the book. I loved that.

This book offers an amazing love story, espionage, revenge, adultery, trust, suspense, feminism, love for one’s country and the strong bonds of family. When We Left Cuba will be a doozie to discuss and I’m definitely adding it to my list of book club picks. Highly recommend!

Ever since reading Next Year in Havana (4 solid stars), I've been excited for this sequel. Next Year focused on Elisa and the Perez family's last year in Havana before fleeing Cuba after Fidel Castro overthrew the government and nationalized the family's sugar fields.

When We Left Cuba takes place after their move to the United States and focuses on Elisa's sister, Beatriz, and the two sisters could not be more different. While Elisa was ready for marriage, Beatriz is a strong-willed, independent woman who wants to be more than just another pretty face. Ever since her twin brother, Alejandro, was killed by Castro's regime, she seeks to avenge his death and begins working with the CIA to overthrow Castro.

I've been wanting to read a fictional account of the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis so this story fit the bill.

Location: Florida (Palm Beach), NYC, and England (London)

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved the novel Next Year in Havana! This novel did not disappoint! This was a beautiful and evocative book with a lush setting! This will be one of my favorite reads of the year! Full review to come on the day of the blog tour.

Wow! Chanel Cleeton did an amazing job with the follow up to Next Year in Havana. Her writing draws me in from the beginning and I don't want to stop reading, but I don't want the book to end either. Beatriz Perez is a strong independent woman. She and her family are Cuban exiles living in Florida. Her sisters are adjusting, but Beatriz cannot forgive Fidel Castro and the current regime in Cuba for her brother Alejandro's death.
Beatriz is no average debutante. She's not interested in becoming a wife and mother, but that doesn't stop her from falling in love with Nick, an engaged senator. She's determined to avenge her brother and gets involved with the CIA as a spy. She doesn't let anyone stop her from following what she believes in, even meeting the love of her life. This book was such a wonderful work of historical fiction. Cleeton always makes me want to dive into the world Beatriz lives in. I adored this book and highly recommend it.

My review will be posted on Instagram and my blog on April 14th.
www.instagram.com/reading.is.my.happy.place

Last year, the release of Next Year in Havana brought me into the world of Cuban Americans and Cuba of the 50s and 60s through the eyes of two separate Perez women told in split time stories. The Perez sisters were introduced in Elisa’s story and I couldn’t help being captivated by the fiery Perez sister, Beatriz. It was with high anticipation I waited when I discovered that we were to be given Beatriz’s own story.

When We Left Cuba opens with Beatriz learning of the death of Castro in 2016, but then it dips back into her life right after her family escaped Cuba and came to live in Palm Beach. Her family is impoverished by their former standards as a wealthy and prestigious in the highest society, but now are forced to start fresh with the smaller amount her father had in overseas accounts and start at the bottom of the Palm Beach society’s social ladder. Her mother is in full matchmaking form.

But Beatriz is angry and frustrated. She wants revenge for Castro having her twin brother killed and for causing them to flee their country. She is already looking for ways to get involved in the groups working to get Cuba out of Castro’s hands. She’s even willing to get in bed with the CIA if that’s what it takes. She will not marry for status or wealth or to please family; she will make a difference. She looks with blase interest in the American men who prostrate themselves for her beauty and spirit. She wants none of that.

Then she meets, Nicholas Preston, friend of Kennedy, son of wealth and power, and likely senate candidate on the eve of his engagement. One look, a dance, and a brief conversation and the star-crossed pair know they are all wrong and yet perfectly right.

There is a powerful star-crossed romance in this one because it involves the clash of two strong personalities who know and respect each other down to the bone, but are set on two separate ideological paths. But it is not only a romance. This is, again, the story of Cuba, Cuban Americans, and a woman who will not be pigeon-holed into the expected life or worry about what others think. She will go her own way. Beatriz is not stupid nor is she hopelessly naive, but she is very angry and feels helpless as her world crashed around her and she lost the person closest to her. She gets involved in the gray world of espionage and plots. It was suspenseful without heading into thriller territory. Where the first book was bittersweet and nostalgic. This one follows a woman of action set during the intense times of revolutionary Central and South America, rise of communism, Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis and the Kennedy years. I was riveted.

The reader goes into this knowing were Beatriz is at in 2016 so that is a small comfort and knows some of what came before for her when she lived with her family in Cuba, but now there were the in between years. The promise of Beatriz’s story lived up to and surpassed expectation. While this is a companion novel rather than part of a series, I still recommend that readers pick up Next Year in Havana first just to get the earlier years and then go into this one. I can highly recommend both.

My thanks to Berkley via Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When We Left Cuba has it all - adventure, history, suspense and romance all wrapped into a beautiful and atmospheric novel. It’s 1960s Palm Beach Florida and the Perez family has settled into a new life after being forced to leave their beloved Cuba. Rebellious daughter Beatriz, along with her sisters, is expected to insinuate herself into this new society and marry well to help bring back the family’s status and wealth. Beatriz however has other ideas. Spurred on by her hatred of Fidel Castro, thoughts of revenge for all that he took from her family, as well as a longing for independence; Beatriz sets out to pave her own path. With the help of an old family friend, Eduardo Diaz, she is recruited into the CIA and the world of espionage. To complicate matters she is captivated by Senator Nicholas Randolph Preston III, a scion of Palm Beach society with ambitions of his own. Despite his engagement to another woman and the risks to his career; the two become embroiled in a passionate affair that could shock the staid world around them.

Cleeton transports her readers to another time and place. The events of the era such as the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy’s assassination, and the Cold War unfold through plot twists and turns in this spectacular read! I was swept up into this story from the first scene and held captive until the last words. Although I loved Cleeton’s first novel about the Perez family, Next Year in Havana, this second installment surpassed my expectations. Readers of historical fiction, politics, romance and intrigue will be delighted with this novel.

When We Left Cuba picks up a couple of years after Next Year in Havana and tells the story of Beatriz Perez. Beatriz is a beautiful, strong woman trying to buck the societal norms for women of the time. Beatriz is focused on avenging her twin brother's murder and she won't let anything or anyone stand in her way. Last year, I read Next Year in Havana and couldn't wait for this book. Chanel Cleeton has written an intriguing story with yet another memorable character. When We Left Cuba was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 and it far surpassed my expectations!

When We Left Cuba tells the story of Beatriz Perez, one of those forced to leave Cuba during the rise of Fidel Castro, and leave her family's life behind. When she reaches America, she wants to devote her life to bringing Cuba back to the way it was, even if it means getting involved with the CIA. Throughout all of this, she is falling in love with Nick Preston, an engaged American senator who winters in Palm Beach. This book primarily takes place back in the 60's at the time of the Bay of Pigs, and Beatriz is forced to choose between her family, Cuba, and her love. I didn't love this one quite as much as I loved Next Year in Havana, but it was still a good historical fiction telling of Cuba's history and Fidel Castro.