I really liked both the characters in this one and learning more about Cuban history through their stories. The tie in of stunt reporting and the battle between Pulitzer and Hearst was a great addition. I wish there had been a little bit more of Marina's story included as I found her story the most compelling, but truly was an all around well done piece of historical fiction.

I've been a big fan of Chanel Cleeton's historical fiction for a while now. I've learned so much about Cuba's history through the Perez family, and her most recent novel "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" is no exception. This time, Cleeton takes you to the end of the 1800s, when Hearst and Pulitzer are fighting over the dominance of New York's newspaper scene and Cuba is fighting against Spanish oppression. The story centers around Evangelina Cisneros — "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" — who changes the course of history when Hearst learns about her plight. Told from three different perspectives — an aspiring reporter named Grace, a member of Cuban resistance (and a Perez) named Marina, and Evangelina herself — the story captures the strength of women and the innate desire for freedom.

As always, I loved the strong female characters — both real and imaginary — that Cleeton has created. As a current writer and former journalist, I found Grace's fight to become a female journalist in a male-dominated environment personally interesting. However, I really connected emotionally to Evangelina and Marina's stories.

"The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" was not as fast-paced as Cleeton's other works, as the story seemed to focus mostly on the politics between Cuba, Spain and America. It really seemed to bog down the story, especially at the end. However, I knew very little about this time in both Cuban and American history, so I appreciated the history lesson. I always love reading at the end which parts were based on truth and which were part of the fictional world. If you're a fan of Cleeton's other works, this one won't disappoint.

Pages: 384 pages
Genre: historical fiction
Pace: medium
Rating: 5 ⭐️

Themes: gender roles and gender stereotypes, yellow journalism, living through war, disparate treatment among social classes, the woman behind the mask

My thoughts: first, I loved the time period. I haven’t read anything set during Cuba’s war for independence in the nineteenth century, and I learned so much. As is typical of Cleeton’s writing, I felt immediately immersed in the setting and felt the characters’ connections to their country and cause. I also loved the characters—three strong, independent women who were trailblazing and fighting against the roles society cast for them. The storyline also kept me engaged and I loved the romance in this one too. This was also the first of Cleeton’s books that really took us into the heart of war, and I went through the full range of heartbreaking emotions. If you are interested in this time period and like strong female characters, then I highly recommend that you pick this one up!

Who should read: fans of the Nightingale, Lilac Girls, or Arctic Fury

I have been in love with Chanel Cleeton's writing since I read her first book Next Year In Havana a few years ago. She has a way of writing that just envelopes you into the lives of the woman in her stories. In her newest book we are following 3 different woman who all play a role during The Cuban War of Independence and The Spanish American War in the late 1890's. We are first following Grace Harrington as she pursues a career in Journalism in New York City. Grace tries to get a job with Joseph Pulitzer at The World but says he will only hire her if she spies on William Randolph Hearst for him. Wanting the job she goes straight to The Journal and asks Hearst for a job which he grants her. Over the course of a couple years, Grace realizes that she respects Hearst and comes clean about the spying and continues to work from him.

At the same time we have Evangelina Cisneros and Marina Sandoval. Evangelina is from a wealthy family who sides with the revolutionaries for Cuba's independence. The local man in charge took a liking to Evangelina and tried to assault the result which landed her in jail. While Marina was forced from her home and put in a reconcentration camp. Evangelina became a rally cry for the Americans to get involved with war in Cuba. Hearst used her story to bolster his paper sales and at the same time gain sympathy for whats going in Cuba. Marina who is frustrated that she can not help the revolutionaries decides to start carrying letters hidden in her laundry that she does for others. Eventually all 3 of these woman's lives will intersect and how they each helped the other in a time when woman seemed to be forgotten.

I really enjoyed this book and the stories that were told. Every time I pick up one of Chanel's books I always know I am going to learn about a time in history that I am not knowledgable on. I found myself googling Evangelina Cisneros ( who is a real person ), The USS Maine and of course the rivalry between Hearst and Pulitzer. While I was not as invested in one of the ladies stories I still loved this book. Grace was such a great character read about and I would have been happy if the entire book was about her! Thank you so much to Berkley for my advanced copy and for letting me apart of the blog blitz for this incredible book!

It’s the late 1800s, and Cuba is fighting for independence from Spain’s brutal, ruling hand. We have three women, two in Cuba and one in the U.S., all very different, whose lives will soon intersect to alter one another’s fate.

I loved these women! They’re each fierce in the face of danger and strong in their own ways. I felt I’d gotten to know them well, as if they’d become friends, and I was sad to say goodbye.

The writing is beautiful, the research impeccable. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about Cuba’s war for independence or Hearst’s and Pulitzer’s roles with their New York newspapers. This story taught me things, while keeping me thoroughly entertained and breaking my heart a little along the way.

Grace is struggling to make it as a female reporter in an all male world. She is in a cutthroat business with Hearst and Pulitzer. But, when she discovers a situation in Cuba, Grace knows she has found the story of a lifetime.

Grace has some gumption…I will tell you that. Then there is Evangelina. She is wrongfully accused and placed in a Spanish prison in war torn Cuba. Enter Marina. She is a courier for the Cuban revolutionaries. These three ladies are tough and do exactly what it takes to achieve freedom!

Thanks to Chanel Cleeton, I am now a fan of historical Cuba. Until I started reading her books, I had no idea about Cuba. Her research, her strong female characters and her setting make for fabulous books.

Need a unique historical fiction book…THIS IS IT!

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

I really enjoyed this book! I have read and enjoyed two other historical fiction novels set in Cuba from this author so I went into this book knowing what to expect. I had hoped that this would be another book with fantastic characters, a vivid setting, and a story that would make me think, and that is exactly what I got. The story grabbed me early on and I found it to be a story that was easy to lose myself in for hours at a time. I really had an incredible time with this book.

This book tells the tale of three women. Grace lives in New York and wants to succeed as a reporter. She gets a job at Hearst’s Journal where she eventually covers some important stories. Evangelina ends up in a Cuban jail after fighting off the advances of a Spanish leader. She eventually becomes well known in the United States as a result of newspaper coverage and sparks interest in the situation in Cuba. Marina and her daughter are forced from their farm in Cuba and sent to a re-concentration camp where the situation is dire. Marina is able to earn some money by working for wealthy families and does her part for the cause by delivering messages with the laundry.

Each of these three women had a remarkable story to tell and I loved the way that their paths interconnected. All three women had to deal with difficult, although different, situations and they each had some very had decisions to make. I loved the way that the story brought these women and the people surrounding them to life so that I really felt connected to each of their stories. I think that the historical details that were woven throughout the book were quite eye-opening and helped to tell this powerful story.

I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very well-written and entertaining story featuring wonderful characters. This was a book that I enjoyed from beginning to end and wanted to see things work out for each of the characters. I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

I love when a historical fiction novel leaves me feeling both entertained and educated, and that is without a doubt the experience I get every time I pick up a Chanel Cleeton novel. Another sweeping tale set between Cuba and the United States, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba is another standout from the Cuban-American author.

Similarly to the structure of Cleeton’s previous novel, The Last Train to Key West, her newest installment rotates between three POVs of strong women who are each facing unique challenges either in Cuba or the US during the late 1800s when Cuba is fighting for their independence from Spain. While seemingly having very different lives and backgrounds, the women’s stories eventually become entwined as the US becomes increasingly pulled into the conflict in Cuba. Arguably the most important character, Evangelina Cisneros, was an real historical figure and Cleeton crafts her fiction around the real life events the woman endured and inspired. I love how Cleeton balanced a true historical figure with her own fictional characters and wrote all of their narratives to be compelling in their own ways. I especially loved that this book also included another Perez woman, from the Cuban family who’s strong females have been a running thread subtly connecting all of Cleeton’s books about Cuba (it was so intriguing to be back at Miramar for a short time and seeing the groundwork for the family in her previously written novels that take place in the 20th century). I can’t get enough of the Perez women and sincerely hopes she keeps writing companion novels about them!

While Cleeton’s storytelling abilities shine through as usual in this novel, where it really excelled for me was how much I learned. Cleeton has the most digestible way of writing historical fiction and really, thoroughly educating the reader on a specific time in Cuban history without the writing ever become dry or overwhelming. As an America, I am frankly shocked each time I read one of Cleeton’s novels and find how underdeveloped my education regarding Cuba was considering how important a role the country played in America’s international relations over the course of the past 120+ years. I knew about the USS Maine and the Spanish-America role, but was unaware as to how drastic the situation in Cuba had become and how much of a catalyst it was for the war- from the decimation of Cuba’s countryside to the reconcentration camps- the horrors and human rights violations we often associate with larger world wars were happening just 90 miles off the cost of America in the late19th century. The way Cleeton weaves empathy and human emotion to bring these historical moments truly to life through her writing is astounding.

In addition to Cuban history and politics, I found this novel to also dive quite a bit into American history as well, specifically the rise of newspapers. I had no idea stunt girl reporting was a thing and there were so many determined women trying to break into journalism after the success of Nellie Bly. I thought it was fascinating that Cleeton wrote Pulitzer and Hearst into her novel as actual characters (I’ve been to Hearst castle a few times and he’s truly such a fascinating figure). I also appreciated the ethical dilemmas that Cleeton explored in this novel when it came to how the publishing industry was exploiting/leveraging the situation in Cuba for their own gain- whether it be to increase circulation, to drive the US toward war, to influence policy, etc. I found this novel to really push the content of this series outside of just Cuban politics and take a successful approach at Cuba’s wider international influence and ripple effects as well.

Overall: Chanel Cleeton has enthralled me again with her latest historical fiction novel surrounding Cuban history, and I cannot recommend her books enough to both longtime historical fiction readers and those hoping to explore the genre for the first time.

Chanel Cleeton has done it again with this sweeping story of three women fighting for freedom. Inspired by real life events the story centers around Evangelina Cisneros who is fighting for her life in a Cuban jail. Her passion for a free Cuba and her circumstances garner the attention of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Hearst has employed Grace Harrington, a determined woman that wants to be a reporter. Her story can help convince the American people to help Cuba as they strive for independence from Spain. Lastly there is the brave Marina Perez whose husband is away fighting to free Cuba. She is left to take care of their daughter amidst horrible conditions. Marina does what she can to help her country and save her daughter no matter what the personal cost.

These women were so strong and admirable. Their story was heartbreaking and inspirational. If you have read Cleeton’s other Cuban Historical fiction than you will not be disappointed by this one. Her stories transport me back in time and open my eyes to parts of history that I was not very familiar with.

Thank you NetGalley and Chanel Cleeton for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this great book!
#NetGalley #TheMostBeautifulGirlinCuba

Thanks to #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary eARC of #TheMostBeautifulGirlInCuba upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The real-life circumstances of Evangelina Cisneros (“the most beautiful girl in Cuba”), the Cuban fight for Independence, and a feud between two New York newspapers owned by Hearst and Pulitzer are at the center of this fascinating historical fiction story of 1896 Cuba and its revolution. The story transpires from three perspectives: Grace Harrington, a young woman breaking the glass ceiling in the cutthroat newspaper business; eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisneros, unjustly imprisoned in Cuba; Marina Perez, a brave courier working secretly for the Cuban revolutionaries in Havana. With the help of Hearst’s newspaper and Marina, who had been forced into a Cuban reconcentration camp, Evangelina is rescued from prison and Grace travels to Cuba and writes the story of women who suffer from wrongful imprisonment.

All three women are well-drawn and remarkable women with strong voices, and I enjoyed rooting for each of them. I especially enjoyed Grace, the newspaper reporter. Grace is determined, gritty, and courageous. I love that she wants a different life than her “Society” family heritage would have easily afforded her. It is lovely that Grace has a side of (slow burn) romance in this story, too! I love learning about Evangelina and how she was the brains behind her real-life prison escape and how she was able to tolerate being “the most beautiful girl in Cuba” and used for political clout. Marina is also admirable for the risks she took and for her love of Cuba and commitment to independence for the people.

I love the thoughtful themes of freedom, independence, meaningful life’s work/following your passion, taking risks to help others, women’s strong voices, and the influence of newspapers in politics and war.

Chanel Cleeton puts the history in histfic with this well-researched story and I’m here for it! I loved learning more about the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban people. It made me sad to think that after the revolution they would shortly be governed by Castro and under communism.

I’m highly recommending The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba for fans of compelling and well-written historical fiction; for readers who love stories of strong, independent women; for those who have connections with Cuba; and for book clubs. There’s a lot to discuss here!

This newest addition to Cleeton’s sublime Cuba series, does not disappoint! Set in 1896 to 1898, the years leading up to the Spanish American War, the story alternates between three fascinating and courageous women. The first is the real Evangelina Cisneros, who American newspapers have named dubbed “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba”. Evangelina is imprisoned in Havana and William Randolph Hearst sets out to orchestrate her escape and use her as the impetus for American to declare war on Spain. Secondly, Marina, a member of the Perez family, has been disowned by her family because she chose to marry a revolutionary. With her husband missing, she and her daughter are detained in a refugee camp. She finds work as a laundress and is recruited by the Hearst’s people to be the go between with Evangelina. Finally, there is Grace Herrington, a spunky young woman with ambitions to be the next Nelly Bly, she is hired by Hearst to help tell the story of Evangelina. The three women’s stories come together to in this well-researched and gripping novel of courage, love, and perseverance.

A wonderful blend of history and fiction, with strong characters and fast-paced prose. This is a masterfully crafted story, blending real life characters such as Hearst and Cisneros with strong-willed females breaking down the barriers of their time and class. I have loved all Cleeton’s novels, but this may well be my favorite. Once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down; following the many twists and turns until it leads to the satisfying conclusion!

Once again, Cleeton delivers an amazing story of strength, courage, and resilience.

Continuing on another branch of the Perez family tree, we follow Marina, Evagelina, and Grace between Cuba and New York City in 1896. Tensions rise in the fight against Spain for Cuban independence, and Cuba looks to America to intervene.

Inspired by true events and legendary Cuban woman, Evangelina Cisneros, who was unfairly incarcerated in an infamous jail in Havana, and other women who dared to go against society standards and join the fight by any means necessary.

I love Cleeton’s novels, as they’re filled with fantastic female characters, and rich in historical details. Beautifully written, heart wrenching, as well as educational - I can always count on her books to bring me to a time and place I hadn’t known much about previously.

I have enjoyed all of Chanel Cleeton’s books, but she has truly found her voice with historical fiction surrounding Cuba. The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba shares the story of three women as it sweeps us back and forth between New York and Cuba during the Gilded Age. War, bravery and romance awaits you with this history inspired tale.
Inspired by real-life events and the true story of a legendary Cuban woman–Evangelina Cisneros, the Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba quickly pulled me in.

Cuba has been invaded by Spain and three times the Cubans have unsuccessfully tried to overturn their rule. Many people in Cuba and in the United States support Cuba’s freedom. In an attempt to shed light on the war, all while selling more papers and swaying the public and President of the United States, two newspapers vie for headlines.

Newspaper tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer are trying to outdo each other from stealing reporters to getting the inside scoop. It’s 1896, and Grace Harrington is trying to make it in this cutthroat business. Cuba and the stories that emerge change the landscape of journalism, and Grace hopes to make a difference and prove herself.

Grace is independent and lived with her Aunt. Unlike the others in her social circles, she isn’t interested in balls, marriage and exclusive invited to lavish parties where the five hundred try to outspend each other. An idealist, she hopes to put pen to paper and change the world.

Meanwhile, in Cuba, eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisnero, a wealthy Cuban finds herself imprisoned. Separated from her family, there is little hope of escape. That is until Hearts hears of her story and enlists men to free her. She becomes the gem of the United States and through the paper and a book all handled by Journal; she becomes the voice of Cuba. Evangelina doesn’t want any of this, but she loves Cuba and desperately wants it to have its freedom.

Marina Perez left her life of privilege to marry a Cuban farmer. They had built a good life with their daughter until the Spanish took their land. Her husband joins the revolutionaries and Marina finds herself in an interment camp. She cleans laundry and passes messages for the cause. Perez represents the people of Cuba from their loss to their endless passion to free Cuba. ¡Viva Cuba Libre!

Cleeton weaves history, human perseverance and rich characters to form a story that held me captive. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will find themselves captivated by the story of these women and the world they live in. I closed the book and immediately wanted to learn more about Evangelina and other historical characters we meet.

{Thank you to @berkleypub + @netgalley for a #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.}

Sometimes a real life person's story is more fantastic than fiction. In Chanel Cleeton's newest book in the Cuba saga, The Most Beautiful Girl In Cuba (out May 4), that's absolutely the case.

Taking place in both New York and Cuba at the turn of the century, Cleeton's deftly written tale tells the story of three women: Grace is a scrappy reporter trying to make it in the man's world, navigating a feud between Pulitzer and Hearst; Marina Perez is a Cuban freedom fighter acting as a courier for the revolutionaries at great personal cost, and Evangelina Cisneros is unjustly imprisoned in a Havana jail...until she's branded as "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" and it changes the course of her life...and that of many others.

If you've read any of Cleeton's other books, you'll know that she's fantastic at writing believable, flawed yet lovable flesh and blood women who spring from the pages. This installment is no different - I honestly didn't realize Evangelina was a real woman until I finished, and the payoff was so satisfying. I dove into her Wikipedia page, looked at newspaper articles that inspired the plot, and it showed how historically accurate and full of depth this book was.

As a communications specialist, I was also deeply intrigued by Evangelina's story and how it aligns with the work I do for social good campaigns. It truly was a PR campaign for Cuban independence. You take a personal story with high stakes and a sense of urgency, create an incredible tagline, and slowly tell the story and build a connection to the cause with readers over time with hopes of influencing a decision-maker - in this case, for the U.S. to step into the fray. It was almost a case study for how to change hearts and minds.

I also loved that Cleeton dives into the ethical implications of journalists getting involved with a story, rather than covering it - and how it ultimately may not have helped Cuba's revolutionary cause, exchanging one colonialist force for another.

I don't want to spoil too much, but I loved this book and thought it was a strong addition to the Cuba saga. Recommend it for anyone who has loved Cleeton's other books, All The Light We Cannot See, or The Nightingale or Kate Quinn's books.

I received a gifted galley of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA by Chanel Cleeton for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA follows three women. In Gilded Age New York, Grace is an aspiring journalist hoping to join the limited ranks of females who make a difference in the world by writing the news. Evangelina is in Cuba, arrested and imprisoned for something that she didn’t do. Her story and her beauty inspire the American news to take up the cry for her release and for Cuban independence. Marina is young wife and mother in Cuba, secretly working for the revolutionaries in Havana. Their three different stories begin to intertwine, centering around the real life story of Evangelina which inspired the book.

This was my third book by Chanel Cleeton and I think my favorite so far. While her first books had a bit of a glimpse into modern day, this book is purely historical fiction and I loved getting different looks at this point in time that I didn’t know much about.

Grace’s story and the insights into the news world was very intriguing to me. This was a point in time where the big names in media (Hearst and Pulitzer) not only reported the news, they went out and made the news. They took sides, framed narratives and went out to report with extravagance.

Evangelina’s story was also very gripping for me, especially knowing that she was a true figure in history, though through a fictionalized account. The news made her their poster child for pushing America to get involved in Cuba’s politics, using her beauty to catch the American eye and interest. The descriptions of the horrifying conditions of the prison and the women there was beautifully written though heartbreaking to read. It took me a bit longer to connect with Marina’s story line, though by the end I really loved her as well.

This is a fantastic read for the historical fiction fans and I loved getting a better idea of a part of Cuba’s history and the history of print news.

Based very closely on true events leading up to and during the Spanish - American war, Cleeton gives us another gorgeous story from the perspectives of three brave and resilient women.

A time period that I know so little about, I loved learning about each woman’s experience. I had no idea the immense suffering that was taking place in Cuba during that time. Of the four books in this series, this one is definitely the most focused on the history and less focused on romance. Cleeton’s passion for her heritage is so evident and I’m so grateful she shared it with us.

The parts of the book that I found most interesting and relevant to modern day issues was the focus on the power of the press. The book talks about the start of the newspaper giants and how their influence and spin can even change history.

Read if you like: strong female characters, historical fiction from multiple perspectives.
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This book follows three women as they become embroiled in Cuba's struggle for independence. There is Grace, who is a reporter in New York who fights for her rights in a male dominated sphere. She was awesome and I absolutely loved her character. Then there is Evangelina, who is fighting for her family's survival in Cuba. Finally, there is Marina, who wants to fight for her country alongside her husband, but is limited to what she can do because she has to take care of her daughter and mother in law. I loved that even though she was restricted, she was still a very strong character and worked to play a role in the fight.
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This book was gripping right from the beginning and I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen to each of these three women! I love a story about women's involvement during a time that women's contributions were overlooked.
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CW: violence, misogyny, sexism, and sexual harassment.

Thank you to Berkley Pub and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction but I really love Chanel Cleeton's writing. It's always a great history lesson on a part of history that may not be very well known. Her stories are captivating and you get very invested in the characters. Her books are definitely page turners. I enjoyed The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba which focuses on Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain and the Spanish American War. However, this one felt a little too history focused for me. Cleeton is usually really good at weaving the lives of the three women she writes together, but this one felt a bit weaker.

Overall, this one is not my favorite out of the 4 but I still highly recommend this series of standalone novels.

Though Cleeton’s Cuba stories are all connected to the Perez family in some way, they all (and particularly this one) stand on their own as complete, encapsulated stories. This one takes place during the struggle for Cuban independence from Spain, narrated by 3 women fighting for their beliefs, their freedoms, and the right to be who they wanted to be.

Evangelina Cisneros, dubbed “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba” by the American press, is stuck in prison and refuses to recant her story in order to obtain freedom. She is young but confident in who she wants to be and after the events that landed her in an infamous prison she is even more determined that Spanish rule be ousted from Cuba.

Marina Perez wants a free Cuba, and though her husband fights on the front lines to free their country, she is stuck in the camps in Havana to protect their daughter. But she can’t sit idly by and takes a role as a courier, shuttling revolutionary messages throughout the city. She gave up her standing in society to marry for love, and isn’t a stranger to working hard.

Grace Harrington wants to write the news, to tell the stories that no one else can tell. Caught up in the newspaper wars in New York, she plays the games between Hearst and Pulitzer, fighting for readership and control of the media lines.

These three women are each remarkable and intriguing in their own way. As their stories weave together, their personalities and differing stations give them different perspectives on the same events. I found myself slowing down as I read not only to make the story last, but to really absorb the details. This conflict told from the perspective of the women involved was an entirely fresh way to read about revolution. This wasn’t so much about the battles and the fighting, but about the struggles to maintain home, family, and identity throughout the stressors of revolution.

I have come to appreciate the way Cleeton uses the historical details to propel her fictional characters’ plights. Though 2 of the three main characters are fictional, they move in the world as if they are real. Evangelina is a historical figure, and the attention to detail in her journey for freedom is obvious. All 3 women make interesting characters to tell this story of revolution, change, and hope for freedom.

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My first book of May, and it was a 5 star 😍 But that’s really no surprise given that it’s Chanel Cleeton, and every single one of her books are a five star rating for me.

Once again, we are transported to the past and feel as if we are fighting (or in this case reporting as well) right along side the women in Cuba and the US. Between the beautiful writing, interesting characters, a few love stories, and historical time period, I had no choice but to fall in love. Cleeton is masterful when it comes to historical fiction. I will forever read all of her books.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I quite literally squealed when my request went through ❤️