This is a book about what it means to protect the voices that tell our history. Told through three women, this novel travels through time to explore what it means to protect a legacy and the sacrifices that come with those decisions. It isn’t perfect — the modern timeline is noticeably less compelling than the other — but the emotional impact, the authentic settings, and the theme of reclaiming history make it a very rewarding read. This story lingers — especially if you care about how stories travel across time, how exile and memory shape identity, and how books aren’t just artifacts but a way to preserve all voices included in a shared history.

Set across three interconnected timelines—1900, 1966, and 2024—this story centers on a mysterious book and the secrets surrounding it. I loved experiencing all three perspectives and how Cleeton explored each woman’s personal struggles and her connection to life during the resistance movement and post-revolutionary Cuba. The mystery kept me turning the pages, and I appreciated the touch of romance woven throughout. The audiobook was so well done and absolutely unforgettable.

Read if you like:
▪️Historical fiction x mystery
▪️Dual timelines
▪️Books about books

American-in-London Margo is an antiques and rare objects dealer, she excels at her job and has contacts that can help her worldwide. When a man asks her to find a book by Eva Fuentes, a book of which there is only one copy in existence, Margo in intrigued, but she doesn't know quite what she is getting herself into.

Eva lived over a century ago, a Cuban teacher afforded the chance of going to Harvard for the summer. It is a summer that will not only change her life, but with the book she writes about her experiences, Eva will be able to change and influence many other lives. One of those is Pilar, a librarian in 1960s Havana, a time filled with turmoil and violence under the Castro regime. Pilar ends up with Eva's book, and vows to make sure it reaches the rightful owner.

These three women lead their timelines, each a distinct voice as we piece the details of Eva's book and its journey, as well as the dangers that come with trying to find something that has been hidden for a good reason, for such a long time. Of course, Margo's client is not the only person after the book, but Eva and Pilar's determination is only matched by Margo's, who starts to understand how many lives the book has touched.

Eva's lost story is a worthy one to experience, the mix of intrigue and history well crafted and the writing one that kept me engaged throughout.

This was a new author to me. I enjoyed the mystery of how the book "A Time for Forgetting" connected three women from different eras. One woman wrote the book, one kept the book safe and the third was searching for it. They all experienced tragedy and fear, had immense courage to carry on and emerged triumphant at the end.
I wish there had been more dialogue to move the storylines along. I also would have loved more description of each persons surroundings and some more historical elements to help ground the reader in each era. Especially Eva's timeline (1900). The history of Cuba and the volatility of those time periods was vague. And the lack of these elements to the storylines made the novel feel two-dimensional.
There were enough twists to keep me reading till the end. For that reason I have given it three stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC.

I really enjoy Chanel Cleeton's historical fiction. I did not want to put this one down. We have three timelines, 1900, 1966, and 2024, and three women. Eva is in 1900 and she is sent from Cuba to Boston in a program called the Cuban Summer School. Cuban teachers were sent to Harvard to learn the American ways and for Americans to learn from the Cubans. Of course I had to google and learn about it some more. That is why I enjoy Historical Fiction. Eva ends up writing a book after her experience. In 1966, Pilar lives in Fidel's Cuba and obviously it is horrible. Her husband is in jail and she is a librarian and is given Eva's book to hold on to. In 2024, Margo has been hired to locate this book. Why is this book important and why are more people now trying to find it? I enjoyed every storyline and wanted to know how it would all end.

-The beautiful thing about libraries was that they offered a home to the casual reader, the devoted reader, and the nonreader alike.

-And yet, in that make-believe world the reader looked for truth-for the words on the page to resonate, for the characters in the scene to make them feel seen, for a thread that they could hold on to, for the book to sink its hooks into them and carry them on an unforgettable adventure.

-Knowing the things that triggered her didn't make facing them easy. Her old ghosts still crept up even now.

-Some memories you carry with you and others that are best left in the past.

-There was something about books that brought people together, a passion, a devotion that created an intimate bond and understanding. After all, book spoke to the deepest parts of the soul and so they linked readers in unforgettable ways.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review - all opinions stated here are my own.
Finally! I have been in such a slump, but I knew I could count on Chanel Cleeton for a historical fiction I would like! YES!
Things I liked: I like multiple timelines - 3 is a bit much, but usually a dual timeline is something I can really get into. I loved the characters as they had their quirks and foibles. I really wanted to move through the book - meaning I latched on quickly and read the whole thing in a couple of sittings.
Things I would fix: 3 timelines is a lot but necessary for this story. I definitely liked storylines one and two more than the most recent one. Knowing my historical fiction book clubs, I would have liked more 'googlable' history in here. My book club peeps like actual people and events - I know Castro is mentioned but the story is about the book with the history second.
Overall its more than a 4 but not a 5 for me. I enjoyed every moment - more history would have made it a 5.
4.5*

Thank you so much @berkleypub for the gifted book!

Three women. One book. A century of secrets.

In present day London, Margo Reynolds is hired by a mysterious client to locate a rare book, but the task soon turns dangerous.
In 1966 during a tumultuous time in Cuba, librarian Pilar Castillo has been risking everything to keep beloved books safe from Fidel Castro’s regime.
In 1900, Cuban schoolteacher Eva Fuentes travels to Harvard University as part of an exchange program where she falls in love with an American writer.

I loved this book, especially learning more about the history of Cuba and the struggles women in particular faced. My grandmother immigrated to the US from Cuba and I was always fascinated by the stories she would tell of her youth. The mystery of the book kept me intrigued, but the stories of these women and their connection really moved me. I am very much looking forward to reading her other novels!

I was completely captivated by Chanel Cleeton's "The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes," a novel that felt like uncovering a hidden treasure across generations. From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into a world where a single book became a lifeline connecting three remarkable women separated by time but united by extraordinary courage.

Cleeton's storytelling was nothing short of magical. I found myself deeply invested in Margo's dangerous book hunt in modern-day London, Pilar's quiet resistance in 1960s Havana, and Eva's groundbreaking journey in 1900 Boston. Each woman's narrative was so richly drawn that I felt like I was walking alongside them, feeling their hopes, fears, and unbreakable spirit.

What struck me most was how the book explored the power of written words. As someone who believes in the transformative power of stories, I was moved by how these women used literature as a form of resistance, connection, and hope. The subtle romantic elements added depth without overshadowing their individual strengths, creating a narrative that was both intimate and epic.

The way Cleeton wove together these timelines was masterful. I was continuously surprised by the connections, the secrets slowly unraveling, and the way each woman's story echoed through time. It revealed the unexpected ways our lives can intersect through powerful storytelling.

I couldn't put this book down. It was a powerful, beautifully crafted story that will stay with me long after the last page. For anyone who enjoys historical fiction that goes beyond dates and events to explore the human heart, this is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for my digital review copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.

Not my fave Cleeton, but I definitely enjoyed it more than some of her recent novels. I've read all of her work and it was great to have this book feel a bit more like her older novels.

I really enjoyed this book! I know multiple timelines is not for everyone, but I love them- I feel the propels the book forward as you are constantly switching perspectives and stories only to have them blend beautifully together at the end of the book. I loved every character in this book and the second chance romance was an added bonus. This book truly had it all- mystery, romance, brave women, and more! I will absolutely be looking for more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Pub for the arc.

I never thought I was a historical fiction girlie. Then I read this book and was proved wrong. This book was full of Cuban history, mystery & love. A book about 3 women, brought together by a book spanning over 100 years. I truly loved this story. Each individual POV had me on the edge of my sweet, I wanted to know more. I needed to know what was so special about this book, the twist at the end blew me away. I was no expecting that.

★★★★½

A love letter to books, their power, and the impact they leave on readers’ lives.

Told through three POVs across multiple timelines, this novel weaves together the stories of three incredible women:
📖 Margo – London, 2024
📖 Pilar – Havana, 1966
📖 Eva – Havana & Boston, 1900

Their lives become intertwined through a mysterious, decades-old book that connects them across time.

This story has it all - mystery and suspense, a secret love affair, a tragic romance, a second chance at love, and relationships that are as powerful as they are unforgettable. Chanel Cleeton delivers a sweeping, atmospheric tale of resilience, identity, and the ties that bind us to stories—and to each other.

Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and multi-timeline narratives.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this touching, unforgettable story in exchange for my honest review.

Three women, separated by more than 120 years, and connected by a single, rare book.

London, 2024. Margo's business is to find things for clients, mainly rare antiques. This time, she's asked to find the single remaining copy of a mysterious book.

Havanna, 1966. Librarian Pilar must stay busy after her husband's death in Castro's prison camps, and she has chosen the only way she can find to help people during the revolution: by hiding their valuable books.

Boston, 1900. Eva has come from Cuba on a goodwill mission with many other educators to study at Harvard for the summer. She plans to continue writing her novel while she is there, but things don't turn out as planned. She will write a book, but not the one she thought.

This book is dangerous to some and healing to others.

I enjoyed the story of these three women. Much history is included in its storyline that I didn't previously know about Cuba and the political upheaval it has gone through. The way some of that information is conveyed felt like info-dumping, in my opinion, and read a bit like a history textbook. I did enjoy the stories of these three women, though, and the remarkable way their stories came together in the end.

Expected publication, September 30, 2025

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

A book written in 1900 forms the basis of this novel, in which three women's lives are intertwined over the course of 124 years. And a fabulous story it is, indeed!

I love books about strong women, and all three of these ladies do not disappoint. Taking us from Cuba to Boston to London we follow the compelling stories of Eva, Pilar, and Margo., each of which could have starred in their own story. The book is fast paced, emotional, and is a definite page turner.. I loved it and highly recommend, "The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes".

"A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women - and their secrets - in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.

London, 2024: American expat Margo Reynolds is renowned for her talent at sourcing rare antiques for her clients, but she's never had a request quite like this one. She's been hired to find a mysterious book published over a century ago. With a single copy left in existence, it has a storied past shrouded in secrecy - and her client isn't the only person determined to procure it at any cost.

Havana, 1966: Librarian Pilar Castillo has devoted her life to books, and in the chaotic days following her husband's unjust imprisonment by Fidel Castro, reading is her only source of solace. So when a neighbor fleeing Cuba asks her to return a valuable book to its rightful owner, Pilar will risk everything to protect the literary work entrusted to her care. It's a dangerous mission that reveals to her the power of one book to change a life.

Boston, 1900: For Cuban school teacher and aspiring author Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to study for the summer is the opportunity of a lifetime. It's a whirlwind adventure that leaves her little time to write, but a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger changes everything. The story that pours out of her is one of forbidden love, secrets, and lies...and though Eva cannot yet see it, the book will be a danger and salvation for the lives it touches."

A book can totally change a life.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton. I’ve enjoyed her previous books, and this one might be my favorite so far. It’s a great read for anyone who loves books and stories about the power they can hold.

The novel is told through three timelines. First, we meet Eva, a Cuban teacher in the early 1900s who is chosen to attend the Cuban Summer School at Harvard. She’s single, traveling alone, and still dealing with the aftermath of the Cuban War of Independence.

In 1966, Pilar is a young librarian in Cuba whose husband has been imprisoned by Castro’s regime. Her life feels uncertain until a neighbor gives her an old book that once belonged to Eva. Pilar doesn’t know much about the book, but reading it brings her a sense of peace and hope.

The third timeline follows Margo in the present day. She’s been hired to find Eva’s lost book, but she quickly realizes she’s not the only one looking—and someone else might be willing to kill for it.

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes is a beautifully layered novel that shows how a single book can impact lives across time. If you’re a reader who loves stories about books, history, and strong women, this one’s for you.

This is a story about a book and how it weaves together the lives of three women spanning from the beginning of the 20th century to present day. At its core, it’s a book for book lovers, and about the power books have to impact our lives.

In 1900, Cuban teacher Eva Fuentes wrote a book after her Summer at Harvard. In 1966, Pilar Castillo risked her life and protect said book from the Fidel’s regime. In 2024, Margo Reynolds was hired to find the sole copy of this book, quickly realizing that others are also searching for this book. There’s mystery, some romance, a murder, and a ton of historical details.

Eva, Pilar, and Margo are all strong female characters who also have moments of vulnerability. Their experiences are wildly different but they are all brave in their own ways. You will quickly be captivated by them and their stories. I loved them all for different reasons, but I felt a special kinship with Eva and Pilar (my father and his parents were among those who fled Cuba so their stories feel like part of my heritage).

Cleeton planned this story out so well that the three timelines never feels messy or complicated. All of it just makes sense. In fact, I was so engrossed in this book that I didn’t see the twist coming (I actually gasped).

This book has quickly become a favorite of mine and I will absolutely be reading more by this author!

In The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes, an elusive book is at the center of a story that is told in three alternating timelines, from three narrators with different points of view. Eva Fuentes is the author of A Time for Forgetting, written around 1900 after Fuentes spent the summer with more than 1000 other Cuban teachers at Harvard University in a real-life cultural exchange project. In 1966, librarian Pilar Castillo is trying to survive in Cuba where Fidel Castro and his regime have jailed her husband and are aiming to possess everything of value in the country. Her neighbor, who is leaving Cuba, knows that Pilar is guarding some books of value and asks her to hide a particular book and seek to return it to the author. And in 2024 London, American Margo Reynolds has her own company, hunting down rare antiques and other items that are meaningful to their prospective owners. Of course, there is only one known copy of A Time for Forgetting, and there are multiple clients looking for it.

It is a fascinating premise, and Cleeton somehow manages to make the transitions from one time period to another fairly smooth for the reader, although sometimes it can become a bit confusing. The characters are vividly drawn and memorable, and the action scenes compelling. There are two subplots that include romantic relationships--one with a man Eva meets Harvard, and another with Margo's ex-husband, who also has a client looking for the book. How those play out is very different and interesting enough to keep the reader in suspense. The overall message is that just one book can be meaningful enough to precipitate dangerous missions and change lives

My thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

3.5 this is the author's love letter to the magic of books. A missing book with an important list of books in it travels from Cuba during Fidel's Revolution. Three time periods share the story of this book with characters that are well developed. I liked the Cuban setting the most, as the author writes often in this setting and is well researched on the country.the end kind of sped up the pace to cram a conclusion but the beauty lues in the apparent love be of books. The teacher exchange was totally new and interesting. Informative and at times a little boring. A slow pace for sure.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

I loved how cozy and informative this story was. It felt like I was wrapped in a warm hug while reading.