This book is an amazing story that is told in dual time lines. In Cuba with Elisa in the late 1950's-1960's and in 2017 with Marisol visiting her beloved grandmother's Cuba. Elisa and her family fled Cuba once Fidel took power in Cuba. Marisol visits Cuba in 2017 as Fidel is no longer in power and she has a mission for her grandmother. The suffering of the Cuban people is astounding to Marisol. Her Grandmother has told her stories of her homeland but what Marisol encounters is not the Cuba her grandmother told her about. I didn't know anything of Cuba history and I learned a lot reading this book. It took extreme courage to leave your homeland and extreme courage if you stayed. I loved the characters in the book with Elisa being my favorite. The descriptions in the book make in seem as if you are actually in Cuba. I loved this beautiful book. It is a story of family and love, of hope and suffering. I received an ARC of this book and all opinions are my own.

This is one of the best books in the historical fiction genre that I have read this year. The story is a good one and very pertinent to our times since the US relationship with Cuba is still slowly changing under the new regime. As the book will tell us, however, the average Cuban lives in less than adequate housing with little money and/or access to enough food, clothing and the necessities of life. Those who rebel against the government are still in danger of imprisonment and even death.

The novel is told from two points of view and takes place in the past and present. Ms. Cleeton’s writing flows beautifully and I had no problem with the dual timeline.

The first point of view is from Elisa who was one of four daughters and one brother in the Perez family whose money was gained through the sugar industry. The Perez family was one of the most prestigious families in Havana for many decades. They lived in a mansion filled with every luxury and the family enjoyed travel, parties, beautiful art and a life filled with parties, shopping and everything that wealth could buy in Cuba. During this period before 1950 there were many American and European families who were the elite society owning plantations, hotels, etc. who lived a life in the paradise that was Cuba while the average Cuban lived in poverty. There is romance in the book as well between Elisa and one of the rebels. However during the late 1950’s the revolutionaries, let by Fidel Castro, were gaining more and more support to overthrow the government let by Batista. After Castro took power, many of the wealthy landowners were imprisoned and their land confiscated. Hundreds of rebels were executed. In 1967 the Perez family finally fled Cuba and settled in Miami.

The second time line, in the present, is told through the thoughts and actions of Marisol who is Elisa’s granddaughter. Elisa has recently passed away and her last request was that her ashes be spread in Cuba and they be carried there by Marisol, the granddaughter whom she was the closest to. When Marisol arrives in Cuba she finds that there is still a great divide between those that have money and influence and the poor. Castro promised democracy and freedom for all but in reality he governed with a fierce and bloody hand. The average Cuban was no better off in Castro’s Cuba.

While staying with a dear friend of her grandmother she discovers a secret life that her grandmother never shared with her. She finds a treasure of letters and after reading them decides to try to uncover the mystery that was Elisa’s secret life. While there she meets Luis who writes a blog that uncovers Cuba as it really is. He is in a precarious situation but Elisa is determined to love him and get him out of Cuba.

I won’t disclose any more of the plot, that is for you to uncover and enjoy. The descriptions of the island, it’s beautiful flora and fauna and the ocean surrounding it are very well written and I felt I could see the island in my mind’s eye.

The author is of Cuban heritage and she learned much about Cuba from her own family history. I think that anyone who loves historical fiction would enjoy this book. I came away with the feeling that we are so very lucky to live in the US and we take for granted our ability to speak out about the government without fear of imprisonment of worse. This would be a good book club book as it contains discussion questions and a reader’s guide at the end of the book.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

Will also post to Amazon upon publication.

The Perez girls were the talk of the town for many reasons.

The day they had to leave Cuba was not pleasant but a necessary event.

We meet the girls when their family was prosperous and in power, and then we move to when the granddaughter of Elisa Perez, Marisol, comes back to Havana as a grown woman and a journalist to find a place to spread her grandmother’s ashes in her beloved Cuba.

What her granddaughter finds is a box that her grandmother had buried and was told to keep for Marisol. What Marisol finds inside the box is upsetting and reveals something no one ever knew or perhaps something Elisa never told anyone.

Marisol is determined to find out more, but is warned about the danger of looking into someone's past.

Ms. Chantell has a mesmerizing effect on you as you read about the adventures and lives of the Perez girls and of living in Cuba then and now.

Her descriptions of the scenery, the kitchens, the food, and simply everything is detailed, beautiful, and exquisite.

Let’s not forget that absolutely gorgeous cover, and remember that no book can be complete without a little bit of love and romance.

The book was a lesson in the history of Cuba and its people. If you have an interest in the history of Cuba, NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA will be a book you won't want to miss.

The secret that Marisol finds out about her grandmother is sweet but heartbreaking.

ENJOY if you read NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA. 4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review

This book is just wow. It packs a punch in so many ways. I have been a huge fan of Chanel Cleeton’s writing but this story takes it to a whole new level and I am honestly blown away. This is an amazing story that has the past and present colliding and opens your eyes. Marisol goes back to Cuba after decades long embargo and her life is thrown a curveball as she learns so much about her grandmother and her family history. Love gets thrown in and things begin to change for Marisol in so many ways. But those little twists that Cleeton puts in there really makes your jaw drop.
Overall, this is a brilliant story where the past clashes with the present. The attention to detail had me so engrossed in this story. You could literally feel like you were in the streets with Elisa or Marisol, exploring Cuba. My heart sang, my heart broke and my heart was mended with this story. I really enjoyed the mixture of historical in this one and I found I could not put it down once I started reading it. If you want something brilliant and unique, I would highly recommend this one because it was utterly stunning in every way possible!

What a wonderful book! I stayed up til after 2 AM to finish!
The author shows us the complicated relationships and emotions of both the exiled Cubans, and those who choose to stay on the island.
Weaving the story of Elisa and her granddaughter Marisol, this novel brings us into the history of Cuba from the revolution to the present day's loosening of restrictions for Americans. The characters are wonderfully written, and the story is very well told.

When I read the synopsis of Next Year in Havana, I had no idea this book would affect me as much as it did. It was beautifully written, very educational without it being too much, romantic, heartbreaking, emotional, and also heartwarming and hopeful. This book was so much better than I expected. At times it brought a smile to my face but other times I was teary-eyed and trying not to cry even more. This novel alternates between Elisa Perez's life in Cuba in 1958-1959 and her granddaughter Marisol Ferrera's trip to Cuba in 2017. Both stories were beautiful and I loved seeing the similarities between them. Marisol grew up hearing stories about Cuba and wants to see the country herself. But the current state isn't the same as it was back when Elisa was still living there.

"I walk down these streets, and I look out to the sea, and I want to feel as though I belong here, but I'm a visitor here, a guest in my own country."

My heart broke for Elisa and what she had to go through, I was glad to see her develop into such a strong character. The bond between her and Marisol was beautiful, and I was sad to learn that she passed away. While I was reading about Marisol traveling around Cuba, it felt like I was with her seeing the same things. Chanel has a very beautiful way of writing and engaging the reader. I also adored all the side characters, and they played an important role. I really enjoyed learning about what happened in Cuba, I am a huge history lover and always want to learn more. This book definitely has woken a interest about Cuba in me, and I will definitely read more books about the country. The author did a great job in not going too much into detail about what happened to the country, but summarized it in a very fluent and easy to understand manner. I didn't want this book to end, but unfortunately every book has an ending. Some stories you just want it to go on forever, this story was one of them.

Beautifully written, evoking pre-revolutionary Havana and the Havana of today.

I don’t think it’s possible for me to convey how much this incredible story resonated with me. I’m going to think it for a very long time and I know I’ll read this book again. I loved EVERYTHING about this book including the cover!

I enjoyed the dual storyline and how the author describes Marisol’s first journey from Miami to Cuba to honor her grandmother’s memory. She’s determined to find the perfect place to scatter her ashes and she’s anxious to get a glimpse of her “grandmother’s Cuba”.

Elisa grew up wealthy and sheltered, surrounded by her loving family and yearning for more. She secretly ventures out to a party with her older sisters and she realizes there is a whole other Cuba she has never seen and she meets and is immediately intrigued by Pablo.

This is a tumultuous time in Cuba and Elisa realizes that her family’s wealth and political connections make them targets. Her parent’s make the decision to flee Cuba.

Marisol is forced to reconcile the woman she knew as her grandmother and young Elisa who was in love and had plans of her own. One of my favorite quotes I the book is, “One day we had everything, the next it was knocked over like a castle in the sand. You never know what life will throw at you.”

Chanel Cleeton painted such a vivid picture of Cuba that I felt like I was witnessing what I was reading. I was transported into this story and during that time everything else fell away. I quickly became invested in these characters, wanting to learn more about the history of Cuba and her people.

I received an advance review copy of this book from Great Thoughts Ninjas. All opinions are my own.

I really liked reading the historical parts of this book, but the rest of the story was trite and predictable. I didn't care for the story of Marisol. Way too prdictable of an ending.

4.5 Compelling Stars!

Next Year in Havana is an epic and compelling story. It is so unique and so different from anything that I've read from this author to date. Now, I will be the first to admit that I struggle with the Historical Romance genre, but I am so glad that I decided to give this book a chance. I had no idea what to expect and just loved getting swept up in this story.
Next Year in Havana is so incredibly unique and is told in dual timelines. That's right dual timelines. It was so incredibly gripping. I was hooked from page one and was unable to put it down. I couldn't get enough of the story. This book was just so unexpected. My emotions were all over the place as I was taken on the most amazing journey. This story was so much more than I ever anticipated. 

Next Year in Havana is well written, full of heart and history. It was everything I could have asked for in a Historical Romance. I loved getting lost and consumed by this book. It is an unforgettable story of love, loss, heartache, courage and family. It is so powerful and is so much more than I ever expected. I am blown away by the story that this author has written.

This book takes place in the past and the present and focuses on two main characters. But the city of Havana itself acts as its own character. I loved this book and the way in which it was written.

As the daughter of Cuban emigres, I felt like "Next Year in Havana" was telling the story of my family. I sincerely hope the book has wider appeal and believe it will as it is well written and compelling. I loved the book and hope to walk the Malecon like Elisa, Marisol, and my parents did some day soon..

3.5 There are so many fantastic elements to this novel. The book opens with the Perez family fleeing Cuba after the revolution. This is the first thread of the story. The second is Elise Perez's granddaughter Marisol, traveling to Cuba, sixty years later to scatter her ashes in the country she had loved.

The history of Cuba, Batista, Che and Castro are told in bold, detailed fashion using the Perez family to add a human element and interest to the story. This story would be my favorite part of the book, a look back at what happened to the Perez family, and a revolution that promised much be delivered little. Said to have ended Batista's cruelty, in effect, in one quote by the author, it just replaced one dictator with another.

Marisol would find love in Havana but also many other things she didn't know she was looking for. Again the descriptions of Havana we're done well, but that in one week two people would fall in love, was a bit unbelievable. I enjoyed the characters, the different looks at the people who fled Cuba, and those who stayed. There are a few surprises along the way, in this very readable book. Things may be more open in Cuba but as the book shows the danger for some is far from over.

Very well written, the history, thankfully for me but maybe all readers will not feel the same, overshadowed the love story. The ending poignant, heartfelt but a little to pat. All in all z good read about a country of which I am still learning.

ARC from Netgalley.

Next Year in Havana follows the lives of two women – Elisa Perez, a nineteen-year-old Cuban debutante in the 1950’s and Marisol Ferrera, her American granddaughter who, decades later, travels to Cuba for the first time to fulfill Elisa’s dying wish.

The author draws from her own family’s experiences as Cuban expatriates (her own family fled Cuba in 1967) and her deep connection with Cuba is evident by her vivid descriptions of settings, culture, Cuba’s turbulent history and its people. The story is told with dual timelines and while both story lines have romantic elements, it was the political uncertainty and strength of the Cuban people that made the biggest impression on me. I found the romantic side of things sweet but less compelling (mainly due to a mild case of Insta-Love).

The descriptions of life in Cuba in both eras will be eye-opening for many readers. The actions of Batista and Castro were violent and merciless, and life was often harsh for Cubans - which included regular food shortages, strict governmental control and violent retribution for those who didn't follow the rules. Readers will also see that life continues to be a struggle for many Cubans today. There is a shocking dichotomy between the Cuba that tourists experience and daily life for Cuban citizens and I appreciate that this issue was addressed in this book.

Next Year in Havana is an impressive debut and a beautiful tribute to Cuba. Cleeton has blended historical facts within a compelling fictional story that is both atmospheric and evocative. This sweeping sage will engage readers with Cuban history, romance and a touch of suspense as it deals with issues of identity, family and sacrifice making it a perfect choice for fans of Historical Fiction.

Miami born Marisol knows that her grandparents fled Cuba as Castro came into power. After the death of Elisa, her grandmother, Marisol travels to Cuba fulfills a promise to scatter her ashes back home. Alternating with Marisol's journey, is Elisa's tale. Born into a wealthy family, Elisa's family is caught between a growing revolution determined to overthrow the status quo. When Elisa falls in love with a revolutionary, every belief and thought she grew up with is challenged.

This was a well written and engaging story. Both points of view were interesting and kept my attention. Marisol's love story was a bit predictable, but it mirrored Elisa's story nicely. I loved reading and learning about the Cuba revolution. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton is a well-researched novel of two interwoven stories set in Cuba of the 1950s, and contemporary Cuba. Marisol, a current-day Cuban-American woman, travels to Havana in search of a place to scatter the ashes of her grandmother, Elisa. Nineteen-year-old Elisa and her family were forced to flee Cuba by the Castro regime in the late 1950s and, like many families in that situation, settled in southern Florida. Romance is central to the plot of both Elisa's and Marisol's stories, but it is tasteful and the intimacy is off-scene. There is a twist at the end that I saw coming, but I was pleased with that resolution.

The author, who has degrees in the international relations and political science fields, did a fantastic job of weaving the facts of the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s and life in current-day Havana with the fictional stories of Elisa and Marisol. The evocative writing allowed me to see the vibrant colors of Cuba and smell the ropa vieja cooking in the kitchen.

Next Year in Havana is a beautifully written, passionate novel about friendship, love, loss, and hope that will be enjoyed by both historical fiction and women’s fiction readers. Thank you to Ms. Cleeton, Penguin RandomHouse/Berkley Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. This is one of the best books I have read in 2017.

Next Year in Havana really struck a chord with me. Several chords, really. My life parallels Marisol’s in many ways—some subtle, some nearly palpable. I love when I can sink into a book and become part of it.

This is a dual time-period story, alternating between Elisa Perez in the late 1950s war-torn Cuba, and her granddaughter, Marisol Ferrera, in 2017. After Elisa’s death, Marisol travels to Cuba to respect her grandmother’s wishes to have her remains restored to her beloved homeland. While Marisol learns firsthand of Havana’s decline since her grandmother lived there, she also unearths secrets that change her life and those she’s grown to care for, forever.

I feel a unique kinship with many of the characters in this story. My own grandmother was exiled from Cuba, and I grew up hearing many stories about Havana from my mother. She exposed memories of her homeland with a mixture of fondness and sadness, yet she embraced her new life in the United States with fearless passion.

As I turned through the pages of this book, it was as if I walked along the malecón in Havana with my mother. I learned the history of the Revolution and the struggles and heartbreaks of the Cuban people. And like Marisol, I learned a bit about myself, as I imagined myself in her difficult situations, and wondered if I would’ve carried her strength.

Next Year in Havana is an emotional story, filled with history, repression, and heartbreak, yet it is woven together with a thread of strength and hope, which makes it one of my most remarkable reads of 2017.


5 Stars!


Cover: LOVE
Title: LOVE
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 400
Pacing: Steady
First Line: “How long will we be gone?” my sister Maria asks.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.

Review will be posted and book featured on BookBrowse in Feb.

I have to admit that I know little to nothing about Cuba. I found this book to be very interesting as I learned about the history of the government and all the Cuban people have endured in the last 80 years. The writing is breathtaking. The story sucked me in from the very beginning. I enjoyed every minute of this book and hope that Cleeton writes more along this line.

Not to mention the cover is exquisite.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

Historical fiction introducing you to the Cuba of Old. Told from two perspectives: current day and past. Very descriptive.