Set in the Florida Keys during the Great Depression, Chanel Cleeton’s latest novel, The Last Train to Key West is a heart-stopping read that follows three young women whose lives are forever changed when a devastating hurricane strikes.

Helen has lived in the Keys all her life. She is nine months pregnant and married to an abusive man whose abuse has only gotten worse as times have gotten more desperate. When we first meet Helen, she is daydreaming about what life could be like if her husband were to die. Helen captured my heart right from that scene because imagine being in such a bad situation that trying to make it alone in the world with an infant in the middle of the Depression is preferable to living with your own husband.

Mirta, a young woman from Cuba, has come to the Keys with her new husband. Her marriage is an arranged marriage to pay off her family’s debts and all Mirta knows about the man she has married is that he is from New York and that he appears to be involved in an unsavory and potentially dangerous line of work. As they arrive in the Keys on their honeymoon before heading home to NYC, Mirta is feeling incredibly anxious, having been forced to leave her family and the only home she has ever known to go with this man who is a stranger to her. As with Helen, I immediately became invested in Mirta and her well being.

The last young woman we meet is Eliza, a native New Yorker who has traveled to the Keys. She tries to play it cool and be coy about why she’s traveling so far alone, but the truth is that she’s desperately searching for a long-lost family member. Eliza has heard rumors that he may be at a work camp in the Keys, which is what has brought her to Florida. Eliza is determined to find him and bring him home because he’s the only one who can save her from a future she does not want and a man she does not love. I admired Eliza right away because of her spunk and determination, so as with both Helen and Mirta, I was immediately hoping that Eliza would find her happy ending.

Cleeton’s storytelling just pulled me in right away. I loved the way the story unfolds through alternating chapters from Helen, Mirta and Eliza and how their journeys eventually become intertwined with one another. The characters are so complex and beautifully drawn, and all three of them possess an inner strength and sense of resiliency that made me love them all the more. Their stories were all so compelling that I just couldn’t put the book down.

It wasn’t just these wonderful characters that made The Last Train to Key West such a fantastic read, however. The story is also fraught with danger, suspense, and mystery, and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. As if these women didn’t already have enough to contend with, there are also potential dangers with the mob afoot as well as a deadly hurricane bearing down on the island contrary to weather reports that had the storm taking a different path. I don’t want to say anything else for fear of spoiling but, just wow! I devoured this book in a couple of sittings and still wanted more when I finished the final page!

These characters and their lives grabbed hold of my heartstrings and didn’t let go, which just made for a perfect read for me. I also didn’t realize when I first started reading that the hurricane in the book is also based on an actual catastrophic storm that struck the Keys back in 1935. Cleeton made that whole experience feel so real and so devastating that I shed tears when I realized it was based on an actual event. The Last Train to Key West is, by far, one of my favorite reads of 2020 thus far and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and stories that feature women trying to make their own happy endings.

Chanel Cleeton blends beauty and tragedy with The Last Train to Key West. I fell in love with Ms. Cleeton’s writing a few years ago but there’s something gorgeously romantic about her historical fiction writing in particular that never fails to captivate me.

The Last Train to Key West is the journey of three very different women set against the backdrop of one of the most powerful hurricanes in history. Elizabeth Preston is a former society girl who has been abandoned after her family lost everything in the stock market crash. She flirts as easily as breathing, but what most men miss is the spine of steel and bravery beneath the beauty. She flees an engagement she doesn’t want in New York and is headed to Key West to look for someone she hopes can save her among the veteran camps in the outlying areas. Mirta Perez’s family is in a precarious position after the Cuban Revolution of 1933. She finds herself in Key West on her honeymoon with a near-stranger who saved her family. Mirta has wealth and grace on her side, but when her husband’s dangerous business comes to light and threatens her life Mirta’s true strength comes out. And finally there’s Helen Berner, a pregnant Key West native trapped in an abusive marriage. The kindhearted waitress is in a desperate situation and has every reason to be fearful of her husband. Like Elizabeth and Mirta, Helen’s true strength comes out when she’s backed to a wall. I loved watching all three women come into their own over the course of the story.

Each woman is strong in their own way, possessing an inner fire that most don’t see. I loved each of their journeys and the men who wind up capturing their hearts. The powerful and dangerous Anthony, the steady and true John, the quick and reliable Sam… Like the women, each man has a distinctive voice and personality. However, to say too much about them would spoil the journey of discovery. I loved watching the three different storylines weave in and out of each other in the days leading up to and after the hurricane. Ms. Cleeton brings her characters’ worlds to life, blending fact and fiction beautifully. Each character’s background is well-drawn, the events of the hurricane are woven into the story perfectly, and added to that we learn about the veterans of the Great War who were sent down to the Keys and the horrible conditions of the camps. It sounds like a lot, but somehow Ms. Cleeton brings everything together perfectly and makes it all feel organic.

The Last Train to Key West is an utterly addictive read. The story is fast-paced and builds in intensity so much that by the climax I was glued to my Kindle. It takes a talented writer to deliver believable romances set against tragedy and Ms. Cleeton is more than up to the task. The Last Train to Key West is a gorgeous tale that is by turns hopeful and heartbreaking; it’s a story of love and survival that I enjoyed from beginning to end.

Chanel Cleeton has done it again. She has quickly become one of my favorite historical fiction authors and this book did not disappoint.

This book is told from the perspectives of three different women.. Each woman was unique in their way which added depth to the story. I liked being able to experience the storm from three different perspectives which made the book a bit more nuanced.

Another thing I love about Cleeton’s work is she does such an amazing job with the imagery. Just as she did with Next Year in Havana, the descriptions of the Florida landscape and the ocean are so vivid and beautiful. It made me want to pack a bag and immediately head for The Keys. Also, her description of the hurricane was riveting. I had such a strong sense of fear for the characters as the hurricane set in, I could not put the book down.

The reason I adore historical fiction so much is because I get to learn something while still enjoying a fictional story. I had never heard of the Labor Day hurricane let alone the veterans who worked on the Overseas Highway. How I have never heard stories about the largest hurricane that has ever hit the US I don’t know, but I am thankful for this book for shedding a light on this event for me.

This one is a page turner that will keep you hanging on until the end.

I was introduced to Chanel Cleeton with Next Year in Havana and I quickly fell in love with her writing. I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this story and it was exactly what I needed. This was a little different from her last two, but in the best of ways. We follow 3 different women set around a natural disaster in the 30's. Ms. Cleeton has a way of writing that her words reach out from the pages and just capture you from the beginning. This is an ABSOLUTE must read!

As a lover of historical fiction, it was fate that Chanel Cleeton’s beloved books would end up on my radar in 2019. I read Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba in pretty close succession because I was so fascinated by the history, and adored the romances she crafted. Each book follows different women from the Perez family as they cope with politics, love, and discrimination.

I’m sure, then, you can imagine how overjoyed I was to be invited to join the blog tour for Cleeton’s latest book, The Last Train to Key West. (And yes, you do see another Perez woman in this book). While the other two companion novels have dual timelines, here we’re focused solely on the women in 1935 Key West.

What I really loved about this book is that I got to learn about a piece of history I was totally unaware of. The Key West hurricane of 1935 is not something I, as a Canadian, learned about in history class. Cleeton, as usual, tackled a difficult and complex historical event with care and detail. She doesn’t shy away from the horror of it, and how different groups were affected by it.

She also tackles the subject of the expectations and limitations women faced in the 1930s. Each woman is at a different stage in their journey to marriage, from yearning to escape a marriage, to getting to know your new partner, to feeling trapped by an engagement that will save your family. Women throughout history have had little to no say in their lives, and rarely a choice in partner. Through Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth, we see how the women are united in their struggles but also facing different issues related to marriage. It’s incredibly nuanced and emotional.

Cleeton’s historical fiction always has a romance component, and unsurprisingly I was captivated by them. They’re imperfect and sometimes rocky, but they feel sweet and interesting. I was hoping and wishing that each of the leading ladies would find their happily ever after amidst so much struggle and suffering. The couples vary from slow burn, to verbal sparring, to passionate. All are unique and fascinating, and complement each other.

The Last Train to Key West was, honestly, a great read. I read it in the space of a day because it’s so easy to get invested in the story. I only wish the ending – and thus the resolution of each romance and character – was not quite so rushed. But it’s a train worth riding to the end of the line.

TLTTKW is a bit different than her previous two, but still a five star, can’t put down read. This book covers the lives of three women who all meet in Key West in 1935 over Labor Day weekend before, during, and after a powerful hurricane. Y’all know I love a book that follows multiple characters’ story lines who all eventually meet and find that their stories intertwine. As a native Floridian, the hurricane storyline hit home for me. I kept feeling for the characters and the lack of preparations they had for this monstrous storm. Heads up, you will need tissues with this one. Packed with page turning drama and rich historical detail, this book will take you on a journey that will expose secrets and question love.

I've read Chanel Cleeton's last two books and have loved them and this one was no exception. I always learn something I didn't know before with her books. This one was unique as it has three female perspectives, all from different backgrounds, all centered around the Labor Day hurricane of 1935. And you know what? It worked beautifully. I usually tend to be drawn to one perspective over the others, but this one had me equally engaged in them all. It was historical romance perfection. 4.5/5⭐️

As I finished the last sentence I let out a contented sigh... ALL the stars for The Last Train to Key West! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chanel Cleeton is a wonderful storyteller and delivers a well-researched & fascinating story rich with historic detail, culture and plenty of feels. I devoured this book in a day and I’m still thinking about her characters, especially her three strong female protagonists who are all so intriguing and had such distinctive voices.

There is so much to enjoy in The Last Train to Key West with a heady mix of drama, romance, mystery, action and suspense. Cleeton easily transports you to another era & exotic location with her vivid imagery and imparts interesting historical facts in a seamless way. I haven’t experienced a hurricane before, but the terror and devastation that Cleeton depicts is palpable, as well as the amazing chemistry between Elizabeth, Helen and Mirta and their love interests.

I loved how the story unfolded at a fantastic pace to reveal how these women’s lives intersected and I was so invested in how Elizabeth, Helen and Mirta’s stories would end. I learned something new about the veterans’ camps in Florida after WWI and it was so refreshing to be reading about another period of history that I knew little of - I felt like I was experiencing it all from such an intimate perspective.

The Last Train to Key West is a must read that I believe would appeal to many readers, not just historical fiction lovers. I’ll definitely be buying myself a paperback copy to add to my collection and I can’t wait to read Chanel Cleeton’s other novels.

Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing for providing this copy via Netgalley for review

This story is told by three different narrators, Helen, Mirta and Elizabeth. Their lives are intertwined but they do not know it. It takes a hurricane to bring these three together.

Helen is in an abusive marriage and she is expecting. She must get away from her husband now! Mirta is a newlywed. And she does not know her husband well…at all. Elizabeth is running away from her fiancé to find her lost brother.

These three ladies are strong and resilient. They each tackle their problems differently. I connected with each of their stories immediately. The author uses a powerful, historical hurricane to unite these three into a very unique and compelling tale.

This is the best book by this author…hands down. I loved everything about it. The setting, the characters, the intensity…fantastic from start to finish.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

6 stars!!!

I was pulled into the stories of these characters from the beginning. Narrated by 3 women from different circumstances whose paths cross in the Florida Keys just before the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, this was an engaging historical setting.

Mirta is on her honeymoon, having married a virtual stranger in Cuba and traveling to her new home in New York. Elizabeth is a New York socialite trying to help her remaining family survive, but needs to find someone she thinks may be staying in the work camps in the Keys. Helen is a Key West local waiting tables, going home each night wondering what mood she will find her husband in.

Each woman has an entirely different story to tell, and their voices are clear and distinct. Though they have an endless number of differences between them, they have many threads in common as they each go about their business in the days leading up to the storm. Their stories weave together brilliantly. I had sorted out a few of the more surprising connections prior to their big reveals, but I was still caught up in the drama in the face of the storm and recovery.

Speaking of the storm, I wasn’t altogether familiar with this specific hurricane prior to reading the book, but the details described by the characters made it clear that this was a unique storm approaching. During and after, the descriptions were almost visceral, with the desolation evident throughout the area.

I loved all three women for their courage and grit, as well as the people who helped each on their way. I wasn’t sure I liked Anthony (Mirta’s new husband) at the beginning, but it was mostly the reputation that preceded him that caused me caution. Elizabeth’s helper had his own air of mystery about him, and Helen’s helper had a softness that belied his experiences.

The character growth over the course of this short time period is yet another reason I loved this book. I think of the three recent books from the author set in Cuba & South Florida this is the strongest. (And that’s saying a lot because I loved the other two as well.) The lessons each woman takes away from the storm drastically change the directions of their lives.

I loved every moment of this book and found myself thinking about talking about it even after I was finished. The storms, both literal and figurative, developing in this story made for great background tension as Mirta, Elizabeth, and Helen navigated the unknowns in their lives.

My most anticipated book of the year and it did not disappoint! I love how characters we have met previously are intertwined in this 1930s historical fiction. Chanel Cleeton is an amazing writer who paints the historical backdrop of the Florida Keys in an enticing way! This is the absolute perfect summer read!

All of the characters are well written and each woman has her own fantastic story that you just cannot put down! I personally loved learning about the aunt, Mirta, and her journey from Havana a few decades before her family. Elizabeth Preston was also so intriguing as we were introduced to her in the last book.

I am not sure if there will be another, but I do hope so! I do not want to leave this family yet!

Chanel Cleeton has become a must-read author for me with her incredible story-telling abilities. The way she is able to combine history, family, heartbreak and love into a story has amazed me. The Last Train to Key West focuses on three different young women (Mirta, Helen, and Elizabeth) who are living different lives, but will be hit by the same disaster. They all come in contact and are also in a way connected to each other without knowing. I was able to connect to all three of them, and was invested in their lives. They are all uncertain about their future, and I loved seeing the similarities between them even if they were from different walks of life.

Chanel's writing style is so easy to follow and has a very nice flow, the pages flew by without me even noticing. I will not go into the plot because I think the blurb is more than enough information. I think readers who have read and enjoyed Next Year in Havana and/or When We Left Cuba will also enjoy this book. The romance was subtle but very powerful, and fit the story perfectly. However, I do wish the book was longer, because we are focusing on three main characters. The book was finished before I even knew it, and it left me wanting more to be honest. I wanted to see the characters grow even more, and I wanted to spend more time with them. Thankfully, we got a little snippet into the future which I loved. I already look forward to what the author has in store for us next.

Em The Last Train To Key West vamos conhecer a história de três mulheres: Elizabeth, Mirta e Helen. Três histórias que carregam a força da mulher. Helen, que está em seu nono mês de gestação convive com um marido abusivo. Elizabeth chega a Key West em busca do irmão, que após a Primeira Guerra sumiu e a última vez que falou com ela foi de uma carta postada de Meu West. Mira está recém-casada com um homem perigoso, ela não sabe bem o que acontecerá na sua nova vida. Enquanto essas mulheres se ajustam a uma vida difícil, uma tempestade se aproxima de Islamorada.
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Essa foi a minha primeira experiência com a escrita da autora e eu gostaria de agradecer a @prhinternacional pelo envio do ARC, já que o livro só lança dia 16/06 nos EUA.
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Com uma narrativa fluida e emocionante Chanel Cleeton nos leva a uma cidade pequena que está sofrendo as consequencias da Grande Depressão, que aconteceu no ano de 1929, e nos mostra que anos depois as pessoas ainda estão se afogando.
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Helen lida diariamente com as marcas do que pode acontecer quando um homem violento acaba perdendo tudo. Seu marido, Tom, bate nela mesmo que ela esteja grávida de nove meses. Quando ela conhece, John, um dos veteranos que se mostra disposto a ajudá-la, Helen vê uma saída. A autora conseguiu lidar muito bem com a violência doméstica na década de 30, de maneira esperta e muito tocante com essa personagem que mostra força e coragem.
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Mirta, por sua vez, é uma garota que teve que casar para tirar a família de uma enrascada. Cubana, provinda de uma família que apoiava o antigo ditador Cubano, ela teve que ceder a Antony, um homem perigoso, um mafioso que está a levando para uma vida de violência. Mirta é uma mulher que fará de tudo para ter uma vida satisfatória e construir uma família, inclusive ser a rainha da máfia de NY,se for preciso.
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Elizabeth é minha personagem favorita, não satisfeita com as circunstâncias da vida que tem, ela vai até Key West para encontrar o irmão, a única família que ela ainda tem. Ela é impetuosa e livre e isso para uma personagem que vive em uma sociedade completamente conservadora.
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São três histórias incríveis e esse com certeza é um livro que eu torço para que chegue aqui.

One holiday weekend + three women in danger + a hurricane ...

Thanks, #netgalley #berkleypub for a complimentary e ARC of #thelasttraintokeywest for review. All opinions in this review are my own. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.

Key West is a popular destination for tourists. In the 1930s, it is also an opportunity to forget the economic depression. The three women in The Last Train to Key West have very different reasons for finding themselves in Key West on Labor Day Weekend, 1935: Elizabeth travels to Key West from New York City and is desperately searching for a WW1 veteran who is rumored to have been sent to work on the railroad; Key West native, Helen, wants to escape an abusive marriage; Mirta comes to Key West from Cuba for her honeymoon. Rounding out the weekend is an FBI agent, a kind friend, an abusive husband, a secretive groom. and the destructive 1935 Labor Day Weekend hurricane.

One of the reasons historical fiction is my favorite genre is because of the knowledge gained. Three events that I know nothing about are featured in this story: the Overseas Railroad, the devastating hurricane of 1935, and the (WW1) veteran camps in Florida. Reading histfic usually sends me down Google research rabbit holes! I need to note, though, that I would categorize The Last Train to Key West as women’s fiction with a historical background. It’s my opinion that the focus is more on romance and relationships than historical events.

We have three complicated, complex, and believable characters. Two of the three female protagonists in The Last Train to Key West are definitely likable! The third is interesting but I’m not sure about likable. Elizabeth is impetuous, determined, and daring. Helen is brave, kind, and a survivor. These two characters connect meaningfully in the story. Mirta is naive and practical but I thought of her as an outlier in the relationships. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Helen because of her commitment to doing the right thing.

Despite some heavy themes, I consider The Last Train to Key West an escapist read. The story is told from three points of view in one timeline which includes a few flashbacks to build backstories. The narrative and plot are easy to follow which makes the reading fluid and quick. I read the story in one day. The first part of the story is character-driven as we are introduced to the three unique and intriguing protagonists. The last half of the story is plot-driven as Elizabeth’s search intensifies, Helen attempts a daring escape, Mirta realizes who she married, and the hurricane hits. Part of the reason I consider this an escapist read is that it engaged me from beginning to end, the plot is riveting, the ending is resolved in a meaningful way, there’s an emphasis on romance, and I feel satisfied with the read. Time well spent.

I appreciate the author’s vivid descriptions of Key West, the overseas railroad, the scenery, the plight of the soldiers, and the devastating hurricane.

Thoughtful themes include poverty and wealth, determination, bravery, survival, romance, and second chances.

Content Considerations: references to spousal abuse.

I’m enthusiastically recommending The Last Train to Key West for those who are looking for lighter romantic historical fiction, for fans of Chanel Cleeton, and for readers who love an engaging story with a historical setting and a side of suspense. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.

4.5 Stars

The Last Train To Key West; a powerful portrayal of a weekend in history

I love historic fiction. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again – one of the main reasons why I love good historic fiction is because it educates me as well as engages me. And The Last Train To Key West, due to be published on 16th June 2020 has done just that.

Over the past two years Chanel Cleeton has become one of my favourite authors. Her previous two novels Next Year in Havana (a Reese Witherspoon book club pick) and When We Left Cuba are powerful portrayals of the impact 1959 Cuban revolution that still affects lives today. As well as being an amazing storyteller, one of the reasons why I love Chanel Cleeton’s books so much is because they are packed with history and political intrigue.

Cuban political history is a factor in the story of The Last Train To Key West as it touches on the impact of the 1933 Cuban Revolution. This is explored through the character of Cuban newlywed Mirta Perez.

However The Last Train To Key West is a slight departure for Cleeton as the crux of the novel focuses on the 1935 Labor Day hurricane that hit the Florida Keys. For me what makes this new novel so powerful is that yet again Chanel Cleeton refuses to shy away from politics and social justice issues. The hurricane was one of the deadliest storms to devastate the United States. However its impact is tragically linked to the camps occupied by World War I veterans who were sent to the Keys to work on a new highway.

They didn’t want us in Washington, causing trouble, reminding the American public – the voting public – that we weren’t taken care of, that the government hadn’t exactly lived up to its promises. They probably thought the Keys were far enough away to send us so everyone would forget about us.

The historic weekend is told from the point of view of Mirta, as well as pregnant Helen Berner, a native to Key West and Elizabeth Preston, a New Yorker on a very personal quest to the veteran camps. Each of these women have their own dramatic back story and narrative which portray the social justice challenges of the time. Some of these challenges have sadly proved to be timeless.

All three of Chanel Cleeton’s novels revolving around the Perez women are unique, powerful and gripping. When I was offered an advance copy of The Last Train To Key West I couldn’t believe my luck. I’m very happy to say it didn’t disappoint. 🙂

Thank you yet again Chanel Cleeton for engaging and educating me with your fantastic storytelling. Thank you also to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my advance copy.

The Last Train To Key West is published on 16th June 2020.

Happy reading everyone! 🙂

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton is an enjoyable summer read. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The story centers around three female characters during the 1930's depression era. Readers are transported to the lush, paradise location of Key West and the surrounding Keys as we learn a little bit of history of that part of the United States. Also, the historical Labor Day hurricane of 1935 features as somewhat of a character as well. This book has it all: mystery, intrigue, romance, history and suspense. I recommend it for people who enjoy Jojo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.

The Last Train to Key West was such a quick read which really surprised me because it's a historical fiction and those usually take me quite a while to get through, but I only needed a bit more than a day to read this one.

I absolutely loved Chanel Cleeton's writing style and this was just such an enjoyable read. I also loved how the novel was written from the perspectives of three different women who for some reason or another happened to be in Key West at the beginning of the book. It was so interesting to see how their paths kept crossing and I also loved each of them so much. It was also very interesting to see how this book only covered a very short period of time, about ten days or so, but so much happened during those few days. Furthermore, I really enjoyed how the book also had a couple of darker aspects such as for example the connection of some characters to the American mafia.

One of my favorite things about The Last Train to Key West however, were all the smart little details Chanel Cleeton included. The paths of the three women did not only cross when they were actually meeting each other somewhere in the area of Key West but they were also kind of connected by many small details. For example through things one of the women was seeing that was then later on seen by a different woman or characters one of the women meets that are strongly connected to one of the other women. There were so many surprising connections between the three of them that I just never would have figured out myself.

So overall, this novel very pleasantly surprised me and I just loved it so much. The Last Train to Key West was such an entertaining, gripping and interesting story. I've never read a historical fiction set in this part of the world, but I would definitely be interested in reading more books like this one. I'm definitely going to check out some of Channel Cleeton’s other books now and have actually already ordered a copy of Next Year in Havana.

FOREVER A CLEETON FAN.

This is the third historical fiction book I’ve read of Cleeton’s and I am HOOKED. I love the story set-up and strength of the women in her books. It’s all captivating and I have a hard time putting them down.

I initially wasn’t sure where this book was going with the length + three different women’s stories together. While I still felt like a direct plot was missing, the three women’s stories moved me each in their own way.

What’s incredible impressive to me is how easy I fall for the romance plot lines in Cleeton’s works. Her writing makes the love story seem magical and real all together. This book literally happens over 3 days (with some increased time differences towards the end) and I was shipping every single couple with all that I was worth. I wanted their happiness, and their choices to matter. I wanted Helen, Mirta and Elizabeth to get the ending they wanted and it was delivered.

I love the way each women’s story also had connections between them. It’s an interesting thought to consider how small interactions with those around us may influence and effect our entire lives. I was also smitten with the men of this book too. How could I not mention them? I just love how each character stood out. I was never confused as to what chapter I was reading and who was speaking. Everything flowed and wove together beautifully and I will sit here and impatiently wait for Cleeton’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

Historical fiction + romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses, some closed door scenes with little detail
Violence: guns, murder, hurricane, physical
Trigger warnings: a physically abusive husband, an incredibly destructive hurricane, attempted assault and robbery, brief mentions of a characters two family members committing suicide

My gosh! The saga of Mirta, Helen, and Elizabeth have been with me for days after finishing The Last Train to Key West. Written with such emotional and griping details I have placed Chanel Cleeton firmly in place as one of my most favorite authors. Taking place in 1935 in the Florida Keys, a hurricane is headed their way. With the weather being only part of the turbulent atmosphere, each of these women does their best to craft their individual situations into something better.

It is truly historical fiction at its finest.
~Tanja

As a devastating hurricane barrels it's way towards Key West, the lives of three women intersect after chance meetings at a local diner. Elizabeth is on the run from something or someone in New York, Mirta has just married a man she barely knows and pregnant Helen lives with an abusive husband.

The impending storm and the trajectory of each woman's story makes this a page-turner. Cleeton does a fantastic job of alternating between POVs and maintaining the fluidity of the story.

I had never heard of the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 or of the veteran camps. Both so devastating but also fascinating to learn about.

I'm quickly becoming a fan of Cleeton's work! A wonderful historical fiction author!