When We Left Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton
April 9, 2019
Women’s Fiction/Historical Fiction
Penguin/Berkley
Book Summary:
In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life–and heart–to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. Beautiful. Daring. Deadly. The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez–her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost. As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future–but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything–not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart…
Book Links:
Learn more about When We Left Cuba including downloading the book club guide and more at: http://www.chanelcleeton.com/when-we-left-cuba
Praise for When We Left Cuba:
“You won’t be able to put this one down.”—Cosmopolitan
“A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly un-put-down-able.”—PopSugar
“A beautiful and utterly transporting novel.”—Publisher’s Weekly
“Bold, unconventional Beatriz makes a heroine for the ages…A thrilling, thought-provoking read!”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress
“A gorgeously atmospheric homage to a country and a past that vibrates with emotion on every page. Historic events, espionage, and a Kennedy-esque romance make this novel a rich read, but the addition of a formidable heroine truly makes it unputdownable. This is not just historical fiction, but also an unrequited love story for a country and a way of life, as well as a journey of self-discovery for a woman torn between love and the two countries she calls home.”—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author
“Cleeton once again delivers a masterful tale of political intrigue tinged with personal heartbreak. Her ferocity and fearlessness can be found on every page, and Beatriz’s story—one of vengeance, betrayal, and bravery—astonishes and thrills.”—Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Masterpiece
“Atmospheric and evocative, When We Left Cuba captivates with its compelling portrayals of the glamorous Cuban exile community and powerful forbidden love set against the dangerous intrigue of the Cold War. Unforgettable and unputdownable!”—Laura Kamoie, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Dear Hamilton
“By turns a captivating historical novel, a sweeping love story, and a daring tale of espionage—I absolutely adored this gem of a novel.”—Jillian Cantor, author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time
“Oozing with atmosphere and intrigue, When We Left Cuba is an evocative, powerful and beautifully written historical novel which had me completely captivated from the first page to the last. Take a bow, Chanel Cleeton!”—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter
“With a sure hand for historical detail, an impeccable eye for setting, and a heroine who grasps hold of your heart and never lets go, Chanel Cleeton has created another dazzlingly atmospheric and absorbing story of Cuba and its exiles. A beautiful and profoundly affecting novel from a writer whose work belongs on the shelves of every lover of historical fiction.”—Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown
“Powerful, emotional and oh so real. One woman’s fight to reclaim her own country, against all odds and no matter what the cost is intertwined with the real history of our lifetime and creates an unforgettable story.”—Rhys Bowen, New York Times and #1 Kindle bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and the Royal Spyness mysteries.
“Scintillating….An intriguing dive into the turbulent Cuban-American history of the 1960s, and the unorthodox choices made by a strong historical woman.”—Marie Benedict, author of The Only Woman in the Room
“Rich in historic detail, When We Left Cuba has it all—the excitement of a page-turning thriller, the sizzle of a steamy romance and the elegant prose of a master storyteller.”—Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer
“Cleeton draws you into the glamour, intrigue, and uncertainty of the Cuban exile community just after Castro’s coup through a heroine who could give Mata Hari a run for her money….You’ll be rooting for Beatriz to change the course of history—and find her own hard-won happily ever after.”—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The English Wife
“With a richly imagined setting and a heroine worth rooting for from the start, When We Left Cuba is thrilling and romantic, and timely to boot.”—Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Met Jack
“A compelling unputdownable story of love—for a man, for a country, for a past ripped away, and a future’s tenuous promise. When We Left Cuba swept me away.”—Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Lighthouse Beach.
“Electric and fierce. Beatriz Perez’s romance with a handsome, important senator will sweep you away, but it’s her profound loyalty to Cuba and her formidable determination to be her own woman despite life-and-death odds that will really hold you in thrall.”—Kerri Maher, author of The Kennedy Debutante
“In a tale as tempestuous as Cuba itself, When We Left Cuba is the revolutionary story of one woman’s bold courage and her many sacrifices for her beloved country. An absolutely spectacular read!”—Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of American Princess
“Beatriz Perez’s brand of vintage-Havana glamour dazzles with equal parts intrigue, rebellion, and romance to make for an unforgettable story.”—Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott
“When We Left Cuba is a breathtaking book, and it captures what I love best about historical fiction.”—Camille Di Maio, author of The Way of Beauty
My Review:
“You’re a dangerous woman, Beatriz Perez.”
‘When We Left Cuba’ is a fascinating, standalone follow-up to the wonderful ‘Next Year in Havana.’ I devoured the first book and could not wait to get my hands on Beatriz’s story.
The author has done a magnificent job of recreating Florida, New York and Cuba in the early 1960s. No detail escapes her attention. While the first book centered around the revolution in Cuba, ‘When We Left Cuba’ takes place during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the events leading up to the failed invasion at the Bay of Pigs. It is all very fast-paced and thrilling and the strength of Beatriz and her devotion to Cuba shines though every page.
“Sometimes I don’t know what’s worse: feeling like you did nothing or failing in the attempt?”
Chanel Cleeton weaves a thrilling tale of espionage, romance and politics all while keeping the reader on the edge of your seat. Real-life characters are interwoven with the fictional Perez family so that you get a real sense of history and place. And the description of Palm Beach in the early 1960s was perfection!
I can see why Beatriz had to have her own book; she is smart, fearless and patriotic. She never takes her freedom for granted and would give her life so that her country could be free once again. This is a must-read for all fans of historical fiction and historical romance. It left me with a deep sense of nostalgia for the South Florida of my youth. Highly recommend!
“You have no idea how fortunate you are to be born in this time, in this place. Without freedom, you have nothing.”
(With thanks to the publisher for a review copy.)
Author Information:
Chanel Cleeton is the USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family’s exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.