This was my first book by this author and I don't think it will be my last. It was heartfelt and wonderfully told also. It was a definite 5 star read for me and the romance, the family drama, everything was amazing. My favorite storyline or characters, in particular, were Isabel and Diego.
I didn't know until I was in the middle of reading this, but apparently, this is part of a series, but I didn't feel lost at all reading this as a stand-alone. The story is about a mother, and her two daughters and their stories so there are 3 different, dramatic, and moving stories for 3 different characters. I did lose track or focus a few times with which character and story were what, but I was able to figure it out and get things straightened out quick enough.
The main focus and character was mostly on Isabel, who when they notice that her sister, Beatriz, disappears goes to Spain to search for and find her. When Isabel arrives she finds and meets up with Diego, who is a friend/acquaintance of her sister, Beatriz, and helps her with finding her sister. Isabel's journey with figuring out where her sister is and what's going on with her sister's role in espionage leads her to meet others like Diego, find and figure out more about herself, who she is, what she wants, of her family's history and how everything leads to them being who they are and living the lives they are. The other characters and their stories are of her sister, Beatriz, with her being involved in espionage, and of Isabel's mother, Alicia, and her voyage from Cuba to Spain. It also focuses on how both mother and her daughters have to decide between following their hearts and their family's expectations. The romance is swoon-worthy and the story is an emotional rollercoaster ride that enlightens and enriches your mind.
If you enjoy Chanel Cleeton's work, historical fiction, family sagas or the like then make sure to check this one out. It's a fascinating story that keeps you engrossed and captivates your attention from start to finish. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Berkely for a copy of Our Last Days in Barcelona! Chanel Cleeton has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I was eagerly awaiting her newest book about the Perez women. #berkleypartner #berkleyig

I loved this dual perspective between Isabel in 1964 and Alicia in 1936 in Barcelona. I loved the similarities between this mother-daughter pair and while they both ended up in Barcelona for different reasons they both face a choice between the family expectations and what they desire.

I loved seeing more of Isabel and learned a lot about the relationship between Cuba and Spain throughout history, especially during The Spanish Civil War. If you're a historical fiction fan I highly recommend reading this and any of Chanel Cleeton's books. They are the perfect blend of a story with amazing characters and such fascinating history!

This is an all encompassing historical fiction. You always have me sold on a dual timeline and this tied up so perfectly.

1964 in Barcelona Isabel and her family have been exiled from Cuba after the revolution. She will do anything for her family including looking for her sister Beatriz who disappeared. What she finds shocks her and throws her out of her world into comfort into a world of espionage and intrigue.
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1936 - Alicia arrives in Barcelona with a marriage in turmoil and her young daughter, Isabel. All of this with a background of a country in turmoil and upheaval.
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These two stories entwine seamless. I loved both of the story lines and loved how it came together.
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Thank you @letstalkbookspromo @berrittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads @berkleypub for an advanced copy!

OUR LAST DAYS IN BARCELONA is historical fiction set in both 1936 and 1964. The story happens in Barcelona, Havana, Florida, and New York at different times. The book centers around Isabel and her mother, Alicia.

The story is told by different people in different time periods and could be confusing and choppy at times. I often had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to remind me who was speaking and what point in time they were. Note: OUR LAST DAYS IN BARCELONA is a connected story to other books written about the Perez family. Although I haven’t read any of them yet, I didn’t feel lost since there was a lot of background information given in this book.

Isabel travels to Barcelona from Florida in 1964 to check on her sister, Beatriz, who lives there. No one has heard from Beatriz, and she’s not returning phone calls. Isabel has adventures while there since she hasn’t been anywhere and realizes she likes some of the freedoms she has by being away from her husband and family. She and Beatriz, who have been estranged, reconcile, and Isabel becomes friends with Diego, one of Beatriz’s friends. This sets off a multitude of feelings that Isabel never expected to feel, including love!

There are many emotional moments in this story, especially between the sisters and their mother who are living in exile from Cuba as well as others who remain in Cuba. There are also many emotions shared between Isabel and Diego. The story has several story lines being woven together. Every detail is important and oftentimes a connection is made unexpectedly. There is nice closure and a happily ever after that meshes well with some expected sadness. I would love the story to continue with younger sister, Maria’s story.

I am going to start with the end, Chanel Cleeton wrote the perfect ending for Isabel’s story. The story came a full circle and I love it! There is no doubt of a mother’s love and the Perez family bond. I am hopeful that there is more of there story to tell but if this is the last book featuring the Perez family, I will be happy with that.

Isabel went to Barcelona to find her sister but instead found herself. She found a life that she craved and that she deserved. The support of Beatrix and Diego gave her the courage to work for her dreams. The dreams that Isabel have put her at odds with what her parents expected of her, it is hard for her to go against their wishes. Isabel deserves all the happiness that she can get and I was excited to see her find her own way.

Alicia, Isabel’s mother, is the other part of the story. There is a part of her life that she did not share with her children, she denies it when she is asked about it. Beatrix stumbles on part of that life and questions her own life. Alicia’s timeline told of her time away from her husband with young Isabel during the start of their civil war in Spain.

I love the Perez family. Their family is one of strength, love, and support. The Perez daughters have each other and can take on the world.

4.5 stars

I have been a HUGE fan of Chanel Cleeton over the years. I have loved all of her novels in different ways and for different reasons. Each. time I crack open one of her books I am guaranteed to be transported to an exotic location with a thrilling family. I have read some of her books twice just because I love them and also to refresh where we are at in the Perez family story. I have certainly read the books out of order so don’t feel like you need to go back and read the others first before this one, but it certainly helps gain a full understanding of the family history and politics.

I love the Perez girls, especially Beatriz so seeing that she would be part of this latest novel made me really excited to read it! While maybe not the central focus of the novel, she at the very least puts in an appearance so fans of previous books will enjoy that. Cleeton has earned a spot on my auto buy list and I am always eager for the spring to come to see what sort of exciting novel that Cleeton has come up with!

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read and Cleeton’s books always stand out head and shoulders above many of the books in the genre. They are fresh, full of rich history, and so well written and researched. If you have not read these books yet you are absolutely missing out and should stop what you’re doing and read any of the books in this series (including this one!) it’s so good and I can’t sing the praises of the books enough. They are all amazing and for different reasons.

Summary
When Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s new novel.

Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.

Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.

Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
I loved that this book took us on an adventure to Barcelona rather than exclusively in Cuba. Almost all of Cleeton’s books are set mostly in Cuba but this one has an added little big of excitement by being set in Barcelona too. But readers who have enjoyed learning and reading about Cuban history (like myself) will still find something to love in this one because Cuba is still very much part of the story. In this book the stories of Cuban and Spanish history come together to give the readers a unique experience and with Cleeton’s practiced hand and well researched content—-you will find something to love and something special in the pages!

Beatriz has been a fan favorite in the series for many readers (myself included) and seeing her make a reappearance in this book was so satisfying. As I mentioned earlier even though she isn’t really the focus of the story, it’s nice to catch up with her and see what she’s gotten herself into now! The other sister Isabel hasn’t really been the focus of the other books so I was excited to get to know more about her character and see how her story unfolded. Up until this point I felt like Beatriz was my favorite but now I am not sure, Isabel added a unique element and narrative to the story and I absolutely loved getting to know her better.

This book has three different POVs and as always, Cleeton always brings the POVs together seamlessly and leaves readers feeling content, satisfied but at the same time wanting more of the Perez family and Cuba. This book was no different! I finished it and immediately began wondering what’s next! This series overall is so well researched, written, and the characters distinguish themselves in the most memorable ways! I loved this book and cannot wait for Cleeton’s next release. If you love historical fiction Cleeton’s books are not to be missed!

Book Info and Rating
Format: paperback 320 pages

Published: May 24 2022 by Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780593197820

Free review copy provided by publisher, Berkley Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: historical fiction

The Perez family saga continues with Cleeton's work of historical fiction. This is another engrossing story about the family, exiled from Cuba after the takeover by Castro. This time the focus is on oldest daughter Isabel. It is 1964 and Isabel is worried about her sister Beatriz who has disappeared in Barcelona. Leaving her husband behind, Isabel flies to Spain to find her sister despite their difficulties the two have shared in their relationship. While is looking through Beatriz's apartment, Isabel finds a picture of her mother Alicia in a Spanish cafe sitting beside a strange man and holding Isabel on her lap. We also get to hear Alicia's story from 1936, her escape to Spain, and the horror of being caught up in the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War.

Cleeton's story shines with her vivid portrayal of place and time. Her talent for creating strong female characters and relationships that ring true continue in this novel. She is a master of weaving history with fiction, and characters that grow and evolve from their experiences, with a satisfying and believable resolution. If you have not read the other books about the Perez family, I encourage you to do do, but this novel works as a standalone story. Richly detailed, well researched, with excellent writing, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction as well as women's fiction.

I look forward to more novels from this author.

4.5 Stars

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

In 1964, Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to check on her sister Beatriz after the family loses contact with her. The family is worried about her disappearance because they fear Beatriz may be involved in espionage. Isabel meets a (handsome) gentleman friend and coworker of Beatriz’s who helps locate Beatriz. While in Barcelona, Isabel stumbles upon an old picture that causes her to question her family history. The story takes us back to 1936 as family secrets are revealed.

Having read three of Chanel Cleeton’s most recent releases, I’ve deemed her a reliable, auto-buy author. What I love most about Cleeton’s stories is the easy way she engages readers. I’m invested in the story from page one. Even though her stories have a vivid historical sense of place, we are never overwhelmed with historical facts. In my mind, I categorize her stories as women’s fiction in a historical setting. For me, her writing style is “easy reading” while still providing substantial content.

Do you love complicated family drama? Although Cleeton’s main characters in each book are all connected to the Perez family of Cuba, each book can be read as a stand-alone. In dual timelines, Our Last Days in Barcelona shares the story of Isabel (1964) and her mother (1936). They are each inspiring, independently minded, strong, and brave women. We see how cultural expectations, family traditions, and circumstances attempt to shape their lives.

Cleeton writes satisfying endings for her stories. I love how the two timelines of Our Last Days in Barcelona come together. The story has an especially satisfying ending tied up in a big fluffy bow.

Thoughtful themes include mothers and daughters, family loyalty, sibling conflict and devotion, independence, taking risks, friendship, reconciliation and forgiveness, living in times of civil war and political unrest, and desperate measures in desperate times.

Readers who are looking for non-WW11 histfic will appreciate Our Last Days in Barcelona, and fans of substantial women’s fiction will be delighted. A thoughtful beach read for summer! Rich discussion possibilities also make this an engaging book club selection or buddy read.

It's been weeks since the Perez family last heard from their sister, Beatriz, who's somewhere in Barcelona on assignment. Suddenly, Isabel, the eldest of the Perez sisters is forced to face her demons: traveling alone, standing up to her husband, and facing her sister again for the first time since betraying her to their mother. But ensuring Beatriz's safety is paramount, especially after the family has lost so much since Fidel's rise to power in Cuba. With nothing but her own will, Isabel packs a bag and boards a plane to Spain. Will what she finds out in Barcelona change her relationship with her family? Better yet, will the handsome stranger she meets sweep her off her feet? Thrust into a world of secrets, spies, and salsa dancing, everything in Isabel's life is bound to change on this trip. How could it not? ⁠
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The latest in the Perez sister's series does not disappoint! Sexy, thrilling, and rich with drama, this book was a welcome escape from my usual WWII fiction and life in general. I love the city of Barcelona, so this book was such a win for me. It felt like I was back there walking along La Rambla or sitting at a tapas bar snacking on olives and Jamon. The dual timeline/POV gave this book so much more dimension and the family in general. While I enjoyed Isabel’s storyline, Alicia’s role in the book was my favorite by far. Learning more about her experiences early in her marriage gives so much more meaning to her role in the lives of the Perez sisters. This was my second book in the series, so I can vouch for not having to read all the other books before enjoying the latest. But, as I said in a recent video on TikTok, I’m glad I read the first in the series before this one as it enhanced the experience.

This book follows Isabel Perez after her family flees Cuba for Palm Beach, Florida in the 1960s. Her sister Beatriz has gone to Barcelona, but the family has lost ties with her. Isabel and Beatriz have lost touch over Isabel’s marriage. Isabel decides to go in search of her sister, but meets Diego in Beatriz’s empty apartment. The two band together to find her and Isabel learns more about her family secrets along the way.

Told in a dual timeline, but back in the mid 1930s, Isabel’s mother, Alicia has also gone to Barcelona to take a break from her husband who she has caught cheating on her. She brings baby Isabel with her, but it is a period of much unrest with the country on the verge of war. After many Cubans come to fight the war, Alicia is reminded of her past and reunited with a former love.

Chanel Cleeton is a master of blending incredibly heartfelt fiction and facts about history. I always learn so much from her stories and the dual timeline worked perfectly here. It’s interesting to see how Isabel and her mother were going through the same situation 30 years apart. I’m happy Isabel decided to change her story. The author uses such vivid imagery, I really felt like it was there while Isabel was painting.

Thank you so much to @berkleypub and @chanelcleeton. Our Last Days in Barcelona is on sale now!

Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton brought on so many emotions. By the end of the book, I was crying. Relationships between sisters always intrigue me and this one was no different. There was so much courage and love between these women. I generally don’t read historical fiction but it was really interesting going between two different time periods. You grow with these characters and see what they see. Our Last Days in Barcelona is a powerful story.

Our Last Days in Barcelona was another phenomenal Historical/Women's Fiction novel. I don't even need to know the plot of the book, I just know that Chanel Cleeton will deliver a unique and intriguing story with amazing characters. There are always multiple POVs, which I love because it tells the story from different views and elevates it. Everything is connected and throughout the book, you come up with multiple theories and I love it when an author surprises me when the story unfolds differently from what I predicted. Chanel's storytelling is beautiful and so engaging. I always get so hooked on the multiple storylines and fully connect to the characters. The author just has a way of telling a story that has me intrigued and invested until the very last page.

I couldn't put the book down because I needed to know what would happen next. The amount of romance that the author includes satisfied my romantic heart. All three women whose POVs we follow go through hardships and grow so much in this book. They have to make hard decisions and it was very interesting to see their individual character development. This book is about family and making difficult decisions, and that it is okay to want and go after something for yourself. You are an individual with dreams and you don't have to follow other people's expectations. Our Last Days in Barcelona is one of my favorite reads of the year and I already look forward to the next book Chanel Cleeton will release.

Read if you like: Next Year in Havana, Cuban/Spanish history.
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This book follows Isabel Perez. When her sister Beatriz goes missing in Barcelona, she leaves her safe life in Palm Beach to go to Spain to look for her sister. The book also follows their mother Alicia and her experiences in Spain during the Spanish civil war. This part was my favourite timeline/perspective and I found myself wanting to get back to her part.
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I loved the characters, the story, and the strong connection to family. Plot was fast paced and I wanted to keep reading!
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CW: adultery, war, violence, pregnancy, sexism and misogyny.

1964 - Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona in search of her sister, Beatriz, who got caught up in a dangerous world of espionage. In her search for Beatriz, Isabel discovers a shocking family secret.

1936 - Alicia Perez leaves Cuba for Barcelona with her young daughter, Isabel. Spain is on the brink of civil war, and this dangerous journey unexpectedly reunites Alicia with her lost love.

I’m so glad I finally read a Chanel Cleeton book! Our Last Days in Barcelona was beautiful, emotional, and riveting! It was fascinating to get a glimpse into this family’s history amidst the political turmoil in both Spain and Cuba. I really enjoyed both timelines, but as the story went on, I became more invested in Alicia’s story. She went through so much, but she was strong and resilient. It was interesting to see how her past affected not only her future but her daughter’s as well. I also enjoyed trying to figure out the truth behind a family secret, which added another wonderful layer to this story. Although this is meant to be a stand-alone, I wish I had read Cleeton’s previous books first to have more background on the Perez sisters. Despite that, this was an absolutely beautiful story of love, family, and courage!

Prior to Our Last Days in Barcelona, I've only picked up The Last Train to Key West by Cleeton (which I loved). Barcelona was fine to read as a standalone, but I do wish I read her other stories following the Perez sisters so I'd have more background context on them.

The story alternates timelines from Alicia, mother of the Perez sisters, in the 1930s, and Isabel, her daughter, in the 1960s as she visits Spain looking for her sister Beatriz.

I love how Cleeton weaves together the characters and experiences across her storylines. We see the characters struggle between fulfilling family obligations versus pursuing what the heart wants, all while living through war and conflict that adds an extra layer of tension. It was a bit slow to start for me as I got familiar with the characters, but ultimately I enjoyed the story as we get a combination of history, romance, and family drama.

Thank you Berkley Publishing for my advance copy in exchange for a review.

I used to read a lot more historical fiction than I currently do, but I will never miss a release from Cleeton! She gave us exactly what we asked for with another Perez sister story - and, be still my heart - I loved every second of this book ♥️

Told in dual timelines of the Perez matriarch, Alicia, and the eldest sister Isabel, we learned lots of family secrets here. I absolutely LOVE how she has built this world and I found myself completely immersed yet again!

This book has it all!!
•Family drama/mother, daughter, sister dynamics
•Gorgeous Barcelona setting
•Great history that I don’t know nearly enough about - Spanish civil war and Cuban Revolution
•EPIC, TIMELESS romances
•Strong women 💪🏼
•One of the most special endings I have read!!

If you are thinking about trying historical fiction, I think Cleeton’s books are perfect for you. If you already love HF, then you need to read these books, too! They all hold a very special place in my heart!

Our Last Days in Barcelona is a continuation of the Perez sisters' saga, a family exiled from Cuba after the revolution. In 1964 Barcelona, Isabel Perez has traveled across the ocean from America in search of her sister, Beatrix, who has stopped communicating with her family. Fearing that Beatrix has become involved in espionage again, Isabel has to accept the aid of a mysterious man who she meets at Beatrix' apartment.

There are family secrets exposed in Barcelona. By traveling back to 1936 we meet Alicia Perez, the sisters' mother. War comes to Spain and Alicia and her daughter are not always safe. There are a lot of parallels between the two time lines, similarities so strong that sometimes I had to remind myself which timeline I was in.

The overriding feeling from the book is the love and friendship between sisters. Chanel Cleeton does a wonderful job bring that love to the forefront. The historical elements teach us so much about not only war but what immigrants face when they come to a new country and the lengths they will go to to be accepted.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.

Isabel is searching for her sister, Beatriz. She knows she is in Barcelona. And when Isabel arrives she encounters several dangers. Plus, she is unsure who to trust. She knows her sister is involved with espionage and is possibly in the CIA. The more Isabel uncovers, the more the past comes to threaten the future.

The thing that makes Chanel Cleeton stand out is the location and history of her books. And this one is on target…Cuba and Spain…what’s not to love! Now, sometimes she has too many characters and I tend to get lost. But this one kept me entertained and intrigued. I love the mystery and the secret. Add in the setting…and it’s a pretty dang good book! AND THAT COVER!

Need a good book set in Spain…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

I loved this book! I have been a fan of Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction books featuring Cuban characters since she started writing them. I was really excited to learn that this book would feature one of the Perez sisters but once I started reading and found in addition to a Perez sister we also get to read about their mother, Alicia, and their aunt, Rosa. I was pulled into this story from the first page and hated to put the book down until I had reached the very end.

Isabel is the oldest of the Perez sisters. When she learns that her sister, Beatriz, is missing in Barcelona, she travels to Spain hoping to find her. She soon meets Diego and the pair set off to track her down. Years earlier, Alicia also traveled to Spain with her young daughter, Isabel. While Alicia is in Spain, the county is filled with violence with war on the horizon. Rosa is a new wife back in Cuba who must say goodbye to her husband and he leaves to go to Spain to fight.

I was swept away by the stories of these women and the choices that they had to make. All three tried to balance the needs of their family against the things that they really want out of life. These women were loyal and passionate while trying to do the best they could in incredibly difficult situations. I was glued to the pages as they struggled to find the best future possible. I really liked the dynamics between the Perez sisters and liked that we got to see Alicia in both of the timelines.

I would highly recommend this book to others. It was hard not to fall in love with this group of characters and the story was filled with the perfect combination of passion and excitement. I cannot wait to read future works by this talented author.

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

Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for an advanced copy of this book. I loved it!

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: May 24, 2022

I was highly anticipating this book, but I was also dreading it because Isabel was, up to this point, my least favorite Perez family member. This book completely changed that for me!

First off, can we all give a standing ovation to Isabel Perez in this story? Her heart, her courage, and her decisiveness all give me reasons to cheer for her. She started the story unsure of herself and her position, and by the end, she was a take charge of her future kind of girl. I loved that she evolved so much throughout the story! And, I love Chanel Cleeton's ability to create certain, tangible relationships among her characters. From the moment Diego stepped onto he pages, I knew he belonged with Isabel.

Second, Alicia. Talk about a storyline that broke my heart. I'm a sucker for missed chances when it comes to love, and Alicia missed her chance big time. It broke my heart, and the further I got into her storyline, the more my heart broke. I understand Alicia in a bigger way now, but I still feel like there is so much left to her story. I would love to know more about her time after returning to Emilio in Cuba.

Third, can we also give Chanel Cleeton a standing ovation? This book and the perfect way it pulled little Easter eggs from previous characters in her books was just amazing. I felt like I was returning to my own family reading this book because the characters were that familiar to me. And, I can't say it enough regarding Chanel Cleeton's ability to create the most tangible, strong relationships among her characters. She is a master of the pen and always keeps me wanting more from her relationships.

And that ending? Be still my heart. Perfection.