I’ll be honest, this is not typically the area of historical fiction that I read, however Chanel Cleeton pulls me in every time I pick up one of her books, and she never fails in making me want to visit Havana! Grace has left society life behind to become a reporter, much to the dismay of her mother and stepfather. Her ambition to write meaningful pieces that resonate with her readers is quite remarkable, given the time period. I had never heard of “stunt girl reporters” until now and it was enthralling to see where it took Grace in her time as a journalist.
The story of Evangelina Cisneros is heartbreaking in a way as she’s been portrayed in the media as a victim, when in reality she’s made of steel, surviving a notorious women’s prison and singlehandedly negotiating leniency for her father. Marina Perez has given up everything for causes that she truly believes in, no matter the danger it could put her in.
The fight for Cuba’s independence from Spain is vividly written, as in all her books the love for Havana is clear. The Most Beautiful Girl In Cuba is a truly beautiful book!

*Thanks to NetGalley, Chanel Cleeton and Berkley for advanced copy

I loved this book. I knew very little about the Cuban war for independence, but even with little background knowledge I think this book was a lot of fun to read and has really sparked my interest to learn a little bit more. I also love that this book is completely told from the female perspective. It really showed that while woman may not fight in the wars themselves they play pivotal roles that can help shape history. Grace helped write stories that brought the plight in Cuba to the attention of the US Public. Evangelina learned that to play the role of the most beautiful girl in Cuba and spoke out to the Us public about what her country was suffering under Spanish rule. Marina acts as a spy and messenger while fighting to protect her family, even when it means she has to let them go. All three woman have such strong stories that intertwine to help bring the US to the aid of Cuba. Chanel Cleeton is such a smooth reading author. This book will be perfect for patrons looking for a strong woman based story, and great for any type of book club read. I can't wait to recommend it. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to pre read it.

I mostly read Contemporary Romance and throw a couple other genres in every now and then, Historical Fiction being one of them. I have fallen in love with Chanel Cleeton's writing since I read Next Year in Havana, and I always look forward to her releasing her next book. I can always depend on her writing about strong and determined women. The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba is the latest release in the author's Cuba Saga. I want to thank her for introducing me to Cuba, a beautiful and resilient country, and educating me to its complicated past. 

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba was like the previous books very emotional and intriguing. I fell in love with the three main characters Evangelina, Grace and Marina. Normally I am not a big fan of multiple POVs but Chanel just does such an incredible job in making the story flow perfectly. I was 100% connected to the characters and looked forward to seeing how they would fare in this book. I was rooting for them, and when they found themselves in bad situations it hurt my heart. This book made me feel so many different emotions. 

I loved how everything was connected and the characters at times found themselves in the company of each other. I love that the author continues to write about Cuba but chooses a different historical event to focus on. It is very educative and piques my interest to do my own research. This book was great and it held my attention until the end. The author really brought the characters to life, and I loved that some of her characters were based on real people. I already look forward to Chanel's next book.

I have been a fan of Chanel Cleeton's Cuba Saga since I read the first book. It's been a delight to learn more about Cuba, its history, the people, and its relation to the United States through her words. Each book has a told a different story through multiple view points. The same was done with The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba. For this review, I'm going to tell you a little bit about each character and then I'll sum up my final thoughts.

Grace Harrington - Grace wanted desperately to be a newspaper reporter like Nellie Bly. In order to become one, she found herself entrenched in the battle between the Journal and the World papers. This battle brought her attention to the one going on in Cuba. To be honest, it took me a while to get into this character's story. I wasn't immediately drawn to her desire to be a newspaper reporter. Once I got several chapters in her point of view, her involvement in the story became more fascinating to me. That was good because the majority of this book seemed to be in her POV. I also enjoyed Grace's interactions with Rafael.

Evangelina Cisneros - This was the POV that I kept wanting more of. Evangelina was a real life person who went through some horrible things in Cuba. I could tell Cleeton did her due diligence researching her plight and life. I, like Americans of the time, found her life fascinating. I could have read a book entirely in Evangelina's POV. I would have liked more of it in this book. 

Marina Perez - It's always nice to learn more about the Perez family. I found her backstory to be very interesting and her current life situation as well. I liked how her POV tied the story together. Marina was probably the least fleshed out character with the least amount of time spent on her POV. I would have loved more inclusion of her in this story. 

Now for more on the book as a whole...

I found the subject of the Cuban Revolution to be incredibly interesting. I hate to say that I knew nothing about it prior to this book, but I knew nothing about it. I loved how Cleeton used real life inspiration to craft her story and create her characters. Each woman's tale was well written and inspiring. I do have to mention that at times I found The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba to be quite information heavy. It had more information than her past books in this series and less focus on the romantic relationships. Being a romance reader, I missed the focus on that aspect. That being said, it was still a great read that fans of this series are sure to love.

I dare you to read the prologue and not want to pick this book up immediately. I have really enjoyed all of Chanel Cleeton's but this one felt like the one with the strongest historical research. So if you love historical fiction and haven't read her other books start here. The story follows 3 Cuban women during the Spanish- American war and their courageous fight for freedom. The most famous of these women, Evangelina Cisneros, "the most beautiful girl in Cuba".

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
The Cuba Saga #4
Publication date - May 4, 2021

Strong female protagonists adorn the pages of The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba - Grace, Marina and Evagelina lives intertwine in unsuspecting ways throughout the novels telling of the Spanish occupation of Cuba in the late 1800’s and the war that ensues.

The author, Chanel Cleeton, weaves realistic fiction into the retelling of Evangeline Cisneros story as the face of the Cuban revolution. A story largely exaggerated by William Randolph Hearst, owner of The New York Journal . Hearst used sensationalism to sell papers during the Gilded Age, in his fight for dominance in the paper business against Pulitzer.

The is a gripping tale of love, loss and the passion to fight for what you believe. It is a must read for lovers of historical fiction, and a wonderful compliment to other books in this saga. Cleeton’s commitment to the truth and research about the uprising is highlighted in the author notes.

This is a must read!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC for an honest review.

I appreciate NetGalley giving me the opportunity to review Chanel Cleeton's newest book, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, in exchange for an honest review. The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba is just as enjoyable as her other books. It features 3 heroines and takes place near the end of the 19th century. Grace Harrington is a plucky woman from a "good family" in New York. She longs to be a reporter and uses the rivalry between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst to grab her chance. Evangelina is thrown into a Cuban prison for women after she rebuffs the advances of a Spanish Colonel. Marina leaves her wealthy parents to marry the man she loves and gets drawn into working with Cuban Revolutionaries. The three women's lives will intertwine in unexpected ways as the story takes place in Cuba and New York City.

“I am not the girl they want me to be. You cannot see the things I have seen or live them and be the innocent they all toast.”
— 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝐵𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝒢𝒾𝓇𝓁 𝒾𝓃 𝒞𝓊𝒷𝒶, Chanel Cleeton

Rating: 🍀🍀🍀🍀/5

Spanning across three years, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝐵𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝒢𝒾𝓇𝓁 𝒾𝓃 𝒞𝓊𝒷𝒶 follows three women as Cuba attempts its latest revolution against the suffocating Spanish rule they’ve been living under. Grace Harrington is an aspiring journalist who wants nothing more than to report on the issues that matter to her and the American public. Marina Perez is the wife of a revolutionary, and strives to do her part to aid the cause as a courier while caring for her daughter and aging mother-in-law. Evangelina Cisneros is stuck in the Isle of Pines with her father, a convicted rebel, and sister. But when a Spanish officer makes advances she doesn’t want and Evangelina fights back, she is thrown in prison. All three women struggle to make a difference, but some choices may cost them everything.

I’ll be the first to tell y’all that this book absolutely dragged for the first 35%. I struggled to remain engaged, but I’m so glad I stuck with it and finished. Cleeton has once again found a way to bring to life a topic that before reading this I knew absolutely nothing about. I am such a huge fan of the way in which she wove these women’s stories together, as well. Grace is my favorite, for what it’s worth. And Rafael 👀

It’s interesting to me that, though both are living under vastly different circumstances, Grace and Marina are a lot alike. Both were well brought up in families that could provide everything for them, but both spurned tradition and turned their backs on that family. Grace in favor of living the life she wanted and pursuing her career aspirations, and Marina in favor of marrying for love rather than obligation and status. Evangelina, meanwhile, was forced to waste away in prison for rejecting a man’s unwanted advances.

If you’re a fan of Cleeton’s other works, you’ll certainly enjoy this one. I docked a star because the beginning was super slow.

“The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba” by Chanel Cleeton showcases why I enjoy historical fiction. This book highlights a part of history that I had not read much about and presents the story through the lenses of three women. Author Cleeton brings history to life, in all its glory and agony.

“Remember the Maine!”

That phrase most likely sums up all most of us remember about the Cuban War of Independence, more familiar to Americans as the Spanish-American War. Crying “Vivre Cuba Libra!” farmers became soldiers against a powerful military. In the last years of the 1800’s, many in America began to rally to the Cuban’s cause and the horrific living conditions going on in Cuba.

Author Cleeton uses three women to tell the story of this war. Grace is a new reporter at William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal. As Grace learns the journalistic ropes, she is given the opportunity to write about the War. In Cuba, Evangelina is arrested and thrown into a horrible women’s prison in Havana. Also in Cuba, Marina says goodbye to her revolutionary husband and vows to protect her daughter and continue the fight against Spain.

Evangelina Cisternos was a real woman and her daring actions propelled her to world fame and increased support for Cuba. Over 400 hundred articles about her appeared in William Hearst’s paper and she was touted as the “most beautiful girl in Cuba.” (She was a young woman at the time and she disliked being called a “girl.”)

Through the stories of these three women, Author Cleeton examines the war, when is war necessary, and should the press report on the war or take active means to support it? The stories of the two Cuban women highlight their dilemmas, too- how can the wealthy support the war, and how can women be involved?

Written in a slow and clear style, “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba” will teach you, entertain you and finally, inspire you. Cuba gained formal independence in 1902.

*This review will be featured on my blog on or about May 4,
2021 https://www.jenabooks.com/category/promotions/

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

Chanel Cleeton has once again plunged her readers into Cuban culture from a truly fascinating angle. The Spanish-American War, and the affect that it had on the people of Cuba is not often a story that gets told in historical fiction. In this story, we not only find ourselves in that world, but we hear the story from another angle that is often ignore in history-women.

This excellent story about three female freedom fighters was a wonderful education on this period in Cuban history, and terrific insight into Cuban culture. I have enjoyed all of Chanel Cleeton's books, and this one also hits the mark!

**Review will be published May 4th as part of a blog tour**

BEAUTIFUL STORY.

I have continually enjoyed reading Cleeton’s historical fiction books. They take me into a time of history that I know little about and add a dash of romance that I appreciate. This was another solid combination of both.

There’s three points-of-view in this story (as in her previous). Sometimes I wish the novel as a whole was longer so that I could get more of each woman’s story. The backgrounds and nuances of each character are remarkedly different and it’s easy to get caught up in what’s happening.

This time period of Cuba trying to break away from Spain was really great to learn more about. I hope to research some more because I feel like this only skimmed some of the surface. I had no idea about the dominating world of journalism at the time and the truly terrible conditions Cubans were facing from Spain. One of my favorite parts of the historical fiction genre is the inspiration to further gain knowledge on the time period and people brought to life.

Not to mention, I always love the subtle romances that work their way into my heart. They aren’t generally a heavy part of the plot, but it gives some hope and angst to the book. It’s the best little touch that I think always fits well.

My only major complaint was the pacing. I would get into one story line then jump too quickly to a different one. Or things would be too slow for too long which had me begging for some more action segments. Besides this, a really beautiful novel. I look forward to continue reading Cleeton’s books!

Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses, closed door scenes
- Violence: battles, wars, physical altercations, gun violence, kidnappings, ship explosions
- Trigger/Content Warnings: being jailed without cause, reconcentration camps, losing loved ones, having to give up a child for a time (her child does come home eventually!), attempted sexual assault/rape, lewd remarks to women

Love Chanel Cleeton & loved this one! I love this series & can’t wait to read more. Thank you for the opportunity to review this!

Another great Cuba set read from Chanel Cleeton
This series really is recommended. So much history and culture as well as a cracking story.
LOTS of interesting subjects here and a real heroine of the Cuban revolution.
I really enjoyed this. Lots to enjoy here.

This novel, incorporating real-life figures from Cuba's fight for independence from Spain, is a big, melodramatic mess. The actions and words of the characters were so over-the-top that it was difficult to read without laughing out loud. I was really disappointed, because the actual history of this period in Cuba, and the women who made it, is a thrilling story and was hoping for a more realistic story crafted around their lives.

Three very different women struggle to find their freedom as Cuba struggles to find its freedom from Spain. Grace wants to live an independent life and be a reporter for a New York paper but struggles to be taken seriously. Marina has given up her well off life for love but now struggles to keep her daughter and mother-in-law safe in a reconcentration camp as her husband fights for the revolutionaries. Evangeline is committed to the revolutionary cause and is imprisoned for her role in an attempted insurrection. Will the women find the freedom they seek?

The three main characters of this book were very strong independent and likeable and I loved that one of them was a Perez. All three women revolved around the Cuban fight for independence from Spain at the end of the nineteenth century. Their stories did intertwine to a degree, but I almost wish that it had been focused on the women individually because their stories seemed a little too surface level. This book lacked the intrigue and "page turning"- ness of the author's other books. An interesting story, but missing some elements to make it a must read.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy.

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy!

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who loves learning about history, there was a lot to learn about the historical side of this story.

Evangelina Cisneros was a real woman in history. She was determined to be an enemy of the Spanish state, and was put into a women's prison in Cuba.

She was dubbed "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" by the New York Journal, a newspaper owned by William Randolph Hearst. This newspaper was in a circulation war with The New York World newspaper owned by Joseph Pulitzer. In order to sell more papers, Hearst was encouraging war with Spain over Cuban independence. I had no idea that we entered the Spanish American War, mainly because of newspaper stories!

I also liked meeting fictional Grace Harrington. She was a strong, independent woman who determined that she wanted to be the next Nelly Bly, a stunt newspaper girl! Grace was asked to help write some of the stories about Evangelina, her escape from prison with the help of Journal journalists.

I really appreciated the Author's Note at the end that told of the research and the truth behind this historical fiction book. It was nice to know who was based on a real story and where the side characters came from.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for the eARC of The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton. This is the first novel I've read by Cleeton and it did not disappoint.!

This is a book about three courageous woman during the 1890's as Cuba is fighting for their independence from Spain. Set in both Cuba and New York, the novel follows the lives of Grace Harrington; a writer for William Hearst who owns a newspaper in New York. Harrington once wrote for Joseph Pulitzer; a rival newspaper. Grace is trying to make a name for herself and she soon finds herself writing about Evangelina Cisneros who has been imprisoned in Cuba who soon becomes known as The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba. Enter, Marina Perez; a young mother in Cuba with a young daughter who has followed her heart and passion her whole life. She serves as a courier and plays a crucial part of the release of Evangelina from prison. However, Marina soon finds herself imprisoned as she is caught while delivering an important letter in regard to Evangelina. When Grace Harrington learns of Marina's prison sentence she is determined to set the work in motion to free her. This story also tell 3 different love stories in the midst of the Spanish-American War.

I felt that the first half of this book was somewhat of a slow burn. However, it was necessary in order to pr0vide the background of all the players involved in this impactful story. About midway of the book, I couldn't put it down and I was fully invested. How does this all end? No spoilers, you will have to read it!!!!

I learned a little more about this time period and the Spanish American War! This was a powerful and insightful read! I loved all 3 of the women who were empowering, brave, and resilient!

This review will be shared 4/27/2021

This is a story of a revolution and a battle to win the hearts and minds of Americans through a good story. We see it through the eyes of three women: Grace, an intrepid reporter in New York anxious to prove herself; Marina, whose husband fights with the revolutionaries and who finds a way to make a difference herself, and Evangeline, a beautiful girl who rejects the advances of a Spanish officer and finds herself in a horrific prison. Their stories intertwine through a daring attempt by US journalists to break Evangeline out of prison and bring her to the U.S. to build sympathy for the Cuban plight and bring America into the war.

I knew almost nothing about Cuba’s history as a Spanish colony and the U.S. aid provided to the revolutionaries. I found myself Googling for more information about the interesting historical figures we meet. I was especially intrigued by William Hearst, as this book showed a different side to him. When he brought chorus girls to a war zone so he’d stay entertained, then started taking prisoners as the Spanish army fled, you wonder what in the world he’ll do next!

All that said, at times, the lives of the characters took second place to recounting the events that led to war. I started out most interested in Grace’s storyline, but by the end, all three women had me invested in their point of view. I also enjoyed the romances in the book, though those are definitely side storylines.

All in all, it was an interesting read that I’m glad I picked up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Chanel Cleeton has quicky become an immediate must read for me. I've loved all of her books and she writes such amazing books about Cuban Americans and her romances are always so sweet. This book held up to all her others and I will continue to recommend to everyone.