When We Left Cuba
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When We Left Cuba
(The Perez Family #2)
by Chanel Cleeton
Published by: Berkley
Publish Date: April 2019
Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction, BIPOC, Cuba, Romance
HB&W Rating: 5
View on Goodreads
Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository
Synopsis
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…
Synopsis source: Goodreads
Review
This is the second book in The Perez Family series by Chanel Cleeton, the first of course being Next Year in Havana, which I gave 5 stars to last year.
I’m happy to report that, in my opinion, this book is just as good as the first one! In fact, I think I liked it better. We have all of the same history and tumult of the last book with the added bonus of espionage.
When We Left Cuba picks up where book 1 left off in both the past and the present timelines, but this time focusing on the enigmatic and beautiful Beatriz. Beatriz is the more worldly and daring older sister of sheltered and sweet Elisa. The sisters are so different from each other, despite growing up in the same household, but I love their strong sisterly bond.
I loved Beatriz and the air of intrigue around her story. From the Bay of Pigs to the Cuban Missile Crisis to the JFK assassination, we follow Beatriz as she navigates her place in the world, life as a spy, and a love that is over before it begins. This one will pull at your heartstrings. If you enjoyed the first book, I think you’ll enjoy this one as well.
Looking forward to the rest of the series, but as the next two books feature other historical members of the Perez family, I think I’m going to skip to Our Last Days in Barcelona (Book 5) which features the eldest Perez sister, Isabel.
Until next time,
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