Cleeton is one of my favorite authors, one who writes with so much emotion and fills the stories with historical events relating to Cuba. This book is set in two timelines, the 1930’s with Alicia Perez, the matriarch of the Perez sisters, and 1964 with Isabel, the eldest of the four sisters. The passion for Cuba inherent in the books about the Perez sisters give the books their depth. Isabel goes to Barcelona to find Beatriz, who is involved in sensitive political issues since the family left Cuba in exile. Isabel married not for love, but to position her family in the United States. Alicia’s story informs the reader of the efforts of many Cubans during Spain’s war between the Republicans and the Nationalists. Alicia was escaping her marriage, bringing her daughter Isabel to Spain with her. The stories weave together beautifully, as the evolving nature of a woman’s place in the world is evident. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Review will be posted on 7/1/22

The year is 1964 and if you've read Cleeton's other novels, you know the Perez family is in Florida, away from their beloved home in Cuba, thanks to the Castro's revolution. While they have started new lives in Florida, they can't deny how Cuba still calls to them. Isabel, the oldest Perez daughter, travels to Barcelona, because she is worried about her sister, Beatriz. She hasn't heard from her and Isabel worries that she has tangled herself up in something dangerous. While searching for Beatriz in Barcelona, Isabel comes across a very curious photo of their mother, Alicia, with a young Isabel, and a strange man in Barcelona. How can this be? Jump back to 1936, Cleeton takes us to Spain when Alicia visited after she found out her husband was cheating on her. While in Spain, Alicia reconnects with a former love and there's much more family drama enroute. Chanel Cleeton's Our Last Days in Barcelona is another great addition to the Perez family story. While it wasn't my favorite in the series, it was definitely an engaging historical tale.

Isabel is a character you immediately are drawn to in Our Last Days in Barcelona. How could you not feel for her as she sister has pretty much vanished and it's up to her to get some answers. Thanks to Beatriz's friend, Diego, Isabel has some leads. What was Beatriz up to in Spain? Was she working with the CIA and more importantly, did her being in Spain have something to do with the picture Isabel found of their mother in Spain with an unknown man?

Cleeton then fills in the blanks by taking us back to Spain in 1936 with their mother, Alicia, who is visiting her sister who finds herself pregnant and unmarried. The Perez women have a strong sense of duty to their families and have more in common than initially thought. The Perez women, although separated by many years, have to deal with war and lives being torn about; in turn, it has caused them to be extremely brave and resilient. I liked Alicia's story and learning more about what brought her to Spain, what Spain was like before war broke out, and how she was going to help her sister who was most definitely in a jam.

What I like most about Our Last Days in Barcelona is Cleeton's ability to bring the time periods to life so well. Whether it be in Cuba, Spain, or Palm Beach, Cleeton brings the setting to life as well as the politics, but without it being too heavy. Spain was on the brink of war during Alicia's visit and Cleeton was able to highlight that well and really set the stage. Lastly, I really enjoyed the espionage parts of this story as well as the unearthing of family secrets and how that impact's Isabel's life in 1960s.

Even though this wasn't my favorite of Cleeton's novels, I think her fans will still enjoy Our Last Days in Barcelona and appreciate this mother/daughter story complete with politics, espionage, romance, and adventure. I look forward to reading the next installment in the Perez family's saga.

So, are you a fan of Cleeton's novels? Is Our Last Days in Barcelona on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

This was a delightful continuation of the characters in the story of Next Year In Havana. In true Chanel style, she captures what it is to be a Cuban immigrant as well as strong feminist sentiment. I love the back-and-forth of historical story lines. Chanel continues to put out amazing work.

Chanel Cleeton is a favorite, auto buy author for me. I picked this for my book club and unfortunately it fell flat compared to her other works. In previous books there was more emphasis on the historical components and I didn't see that in this one - more so just the love story. That being said, I already can't wait to read whatever she comes up with next.

This book is about Isabel Perez who goes to Barcelona to find her sister. Once she arrives, she learns the story of her ancestor, Alicia. The reader has learned aboutIsabel from When We Left Cuba. It was nice to have this series focus on her. However, Alicia’s story was more interesting. She is a strong mother who has to struggle through many hardships inSpain. I found Alicia’s journey to be very inspiring! Overall, this novel is about family, hope, and determination! I love how both Alicia’s and Isabel’s lives are similar! The story is very well-written and meticulously researched! I recommend this for fans of The Moon Sister, The Alice Network, and The Fountains of Silence!

Is it just me or do all avid readers have shelves of books that are unread? There is something about heading into Indigo and browsing the displays. If Heather Reisman, Reese Witherspoon or Oprah recommend it, I'm probably going to buy it. But it often takes me some time to read it. I've purchased a few Chanel Cleeton books but this is the first that I have read. Our Last Days in Barcelona has rave reviews from both Oprah and Reese Witherspoon which means chances are you're about to start a great story.

I've picked up many of Chanel Cleeton's books. I can't resist the covers. I want to be on that beach in Barcelona right now! Yet - this is the first Chanel Cleeton book I have read, but most certainly not the last.

Isabel Perez is living in Florida. Her sister, Beatriz is in Spain. None of her sisters have heard from her in a while and one of them should go to Barcelona to ensure she's OK. The timing is perfect because Isabel needs a vacation and she's never been to Spain before. She also needs some time away from her husband.

While searching for her sister she finds a picture of her and her mom at the cafe down the street. But Isabel has never been to Spain. It doesn't make any sense. When she questions her mom she says she's never been to Spain either and quickly changes the topic. Yet there's no questioning that this is a picture of her and her mom in Spain.

Our Last Days in Barcelona takes place in 1964 but it switches often to 1936 to tell the story of Isabel's mother. I really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed all the characters and their relationships. It was the perfect amount of adventure, love and history. I will definitely be reading Chanel Cleeton's other novels soon.

I was so excited when I realize that this book featured the Perez sisters from Chanel Cleeton’s previous books. This book picks up right where When We Left Cuba leaves off. You do not need to have read the prior book/s to appreciate this one. This book features the oldest Perez sister Isabel. 1964 Isabell the silent propper sister is headed to Spain to find out what’s going on with her rebellious sister Beatriz. Not only do we get Isabell’s story, we also learn more about the sister’s mother Alicia. 1936 Alicia flees to Spain to figure out her future. The book seamlessly weaves together these two time periods. I also love learning more about the complicated histories of both Cuba and Spain. Two strong smart women learning more about themselves and one another. Especially Isabel who truly saw an entirely new side to her mother after visiting her past. There is also some romance in the story, but it takes a backseat to the plight of these women. The backdrop of historical Spain was so interesting and evocative. Another beautifully told story from Chanel Cleeton that hit me right in the heart and taught me so much.

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

This is my second book by Chanel Cleeton but my first about the Perez sisters and I"m excited to read her other books! Cleeton has a way of transporting readers to storied and lively places (like Barcelona!) and making it feel cozy. I'm also always baffled by how little I know about history. I like how this story was framed around Spain's civil war.

The 5th book about the Perez family once again delivered. This time we get a dual timeline story featuring Isabel Perez and her mother, Alicia. The story is told decades apart in Barcelona where both women fled in the early years of their marriage.

I love the way the stories dovetailed at the end. The final page had me grinning ear to ear. If you are interested in Spain’s history and its impact on Cubans at the time, this is the Historical Fiction story for you!

Book no. 4 from Chanel Cleeton did not disappoint! Our Last Days in Barcelona features eldest daughter Isabel Perez, the level headed caretaker of the family who does what’s best for her family if not for herself. Second sister Beatriz and mother Alicia are also featured heavily here.

I’ve only read Next Year in Havana, but I did not feel lost at all having not read the prior two books and thought Cleeton did a great job with sharing just enough background to explain people and relationships.

I loved the historical aspects of the war in Spain and The Spain-Cuba connection. I’m always a sucker for historical fiction and it was well explained. The German involvement and total annihilation of a Spanish village during WW II was new to me and so heartbreaking and unfathomable. And it felt strangely relevant for the Ukraine today.

Epilogues are hit and miss for me but this one was perfect. It really tied everything together so well. I loved Isabel and her relationship with Diego and how much she grew and found her own voice & passion over the course of the story.

Barcelona really hit the mark the mark for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you’ve read other Chanel Cleeton stories, you will not be disappointed. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?! Great for fans of historical and/or women’s fiction. Thank you Berkley Publications and Net Galley for an eARC of this book.

This follows the eldest of the Perez sisters, Isabel, as she seeks to find herself amidst the tumult of her marriage, her exile from Cuba and her estrangement from her sister. Traveling from Palm Beach to Barcelona, Isabel is trying to understand her younger sister Beatriz’s disappearance. While there, she discovers more about herself and many secrets locked within her family for decades. Told in alternate viewpoints and from different generations (1964 and Barcelona on the verge of war in 1937), Cleeton thoroughly enchants the reader with evocations of the eras and with the characters.

I haven’t read any of the other works by Cleeton about the Perez family (despite all of them being on my TBR list) but now they have moved up to the top after this one. I loved the characters, how rich they were and their relationships. The world she built around this family and in conjunction with the time periods - Cuba, bombing of Guernica, etc. - was immersive and evocative.

This is such a fascinating book and I have not read the previous books that the Perez family but I will now go back and read those books. This book is set in the mid 60s and Isabel has not heard from her sister Beatriz who is in Barcelona for several weeks. Isabell decides to travel to Barcelona to try to find Beatriz. While there she begins to learn about her own families past in Barcelona. The story travels back-and-forth between Isabell and her mothers story which is that in the 1930s in Barcelona. Alicia the mother has just left Cuba and is in Barcelona and find yourself caught up in the revolution there as well. It’s so interesting to see the stories of both the mother and daughter play out in a time at which there is much turmoil. All in all this was a highly interesting book and I would recommend it to someone to read.

Included as a top pick in bimonthly May New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

The Perez women are back in Our Last Days in Barcelona. 💃 With every Chanel Cleeton novel, we learn a little more about the family and get a little more insight about what shapes their lives.

The Perez family is constantly overcoming adversity. They learn to pull their loved ones closer and to embrace life every day, to let the small things go. After all, what else can we do?

Thanks to @berkleypub for inviting me to participate on the blog tour and to Chanel Cleeton for this extraordinary series!

4.5 stars rounded up

Chanel Cleeton is one of the authors that reignited my love of reading with her first book of this series, Next Year in Havana.

I love the way she blends different time periods with strong female protagonists and brings it all to life. Her newest book was no different.

In Our Last Days in Barcelona, we follow Isabel Perez in who travels to Barcelona to find sister Beatrice in 1964 after being exiled from Cuba. In alternating perspectives with their mother Alicia back in 1936, who travels to Barcelona right as the rise of fascism threatens the world, Cubans stepping in to help Spain.

I really loved that the story brought the Perez sisters back. I've enjoyed all of her books, all branches of the family tree, but this one felt like home with the sisters who started it all.

Each of the women experiencing her own internal struggle while supporting one another, as history was being made in the background dictating their course, with a side of romance. All consistent with each time period.

I will always read these books. For the badass female characters, the history and culture, family and moral values, and romance. It's the perfect balance of depth without being gut wrenching, while being full of heart.

Cleeton’s latest installment in the Perez sisters series features love, lies, and spies against an irresistible Barcelona backdrop. Resuming where When We Left Cuba leaves off, the story begins in 1964 with eldest sister Isabel traveling from Cuba to Spain on a rescue mission. Her glamorous—and estranged—younger sister Beatriz may be in trouble. But once she arrives in Barcelona, her search expands to involve not just Beatriz but long-buried secrets of her family’s past, which she hunts down with the help of Beatriz’s handsome friend. In satisfying alternate chapters, Cleeton shifts the story to 1936, when the girls’ disappointed mother, Alicia, leaves Cuba to seek solace with her parents in Spain after she makes an unwelcome discovery about her marriage. The storylines brilliantly converge—with a tied-with-a-bow ending. In her don’t-miss author’s note Cleeton says she initially resisted writing Isabel’s story, but the spirited eldest Perez sister is now her favorite. Read this and see if you don’t agree.

I absolutely love all of Cleetons books and this one did not disappoint. I love how vividly she describes the scenery. I love the characters she develops. I will always recommend her books.

This was a great summer paperback to read poolside. The majority of the story is set in Barcelona in 1936 and 1964, which I loved learning more about Spain and Cuba during these time periods. I had only read The Last Train to Key West, so I was not familiar with the main characters, though it was easily read as a stand-alone. I do look forward to reading When We Left Cuba from my shelf to look back at Beatriz’s story.

This was a really fun read. I didn’t realize it was part of a series, but I didn’t feel that it took away from this story as a standalone. It was fun for me personally that I was in Barcelona when I read this. The writing was excellent and I liked the story a lot. The main character, Isabel, has always been the responsible sister but when her sister Beatriz stops responding she travels to Barcelona to find her. While there she discovers her family has some secrets and she also discovers herself. The story was sweet and a good escape and a good look into the people had been forced to leave Cuba. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.

It always feels like summer when I have a new Chanel Cleeton book to read. In Our Last Days in Barcelona we get to learn more about Isabel Perez; the eldest Perez sister. I really liked her story! Her growth throughout the book was enjoyable to read and I liked the glimpses of Beatriz Perez. We also get a past timeline with their mother, Alicia, back when Spain was on the brink of a civil war, something I knew very little about.

My take: A perfect historical fiction/romance book for the summer! And if you haven't read this series yet, what are you waiting for??!