Thank you Berkley for my free copy.

Set mainly in the 1960’s during the Kennedy presidency, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs, we follow Beatriz Perez and the Perez family after the Cuban Revolution. ‪The Perez family‬ was forced to leave Cuba, a country they love so dearly, because of the rise of Fidel Castro to power, so they sought refuge in Palm Beach, Florida. Beatriz, who has quite a spark about her, desperately wants to avenge her twin brother’s murder. So when the CIA called upon her to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s regime, she immediately jumped at the chance!

Cleeton’s writing is beautiful, brilliant, and easy to love. I admired Beatriz’s character as she’s independent, intelligent, charming, and brave. This story does focus a lot on politics and history but it’s very accessible and doesn’t lose sight of the story. Although I did miss the backdrop of Cuba, Cleeton executes an intricate plot with a top notch lead character. WHEN WE LEFT CUBA has everything from romance, glamour, to some intriguing spy action!

I liked it but as a fan of Chanel Cleeton's romance books, this wasn't my fave of hers. Still good but I still prefer her romances than her WFs.

If you saw my review for Next Year in Havana back in March, you'll know how deeply I fell in love with Chanel's first historical fiction novel. It was a switch for me, a pretty much solely romance reader, but it's still one of my favorite books of the year so far. And an all time favorite. The follow up, When We Left Cuba, also has a special place in my heart. It was beautiful, empowering and unforgettable.

Beatriz Perez was a force of nature. I knew this based on the little time she appeared in Next Year in Havana. But I also knew there was so much more to her than what I saw in that book. I couldn't wait to get the full story. I was utterly enamored with her from the first pages of When We Left Cuba, torn between wanting to devour the entire book and savor it. In case you're curious, I chose devour, reading it in one sitting. Beatriz's strength and determination was enviable and I found myself on the edge of my seat more than once, wondering what would happen. And the romance? Oh, my heart. It might never recover.

Beatriz's story — and When We Left Cuba overall — was everything I wanted and more. I lived for everything from the espionage to the romance (of course). My feels had feels during this book. I think I highlighted about a 1/3 of it because the words were just so gorgeous. I could feel Chanel's passion for Cuba and the Perez sisters in every single word. My own words just can't do justice to hers and to the things these books have done to me. I wasn't sure I would enjoy historical fiction, but hers fit oh-so-right for this romance-loving lady. I can't wait to see what she gives us next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Favorite Quotes:

The thing about collecting marriage proposals is that people assume you're a flirt, and perhaps I was, once, long ago, but now it feels unnatural to play the coquette. I am somewhere between the girl I was and the woman I want to be.

"You should try a little rebellion sometimes. It's really not so bad."

"Cuba is my home. It will always be home. I will always wish for it to be better, to be what I think it could be, but yes. It will always have my heart."

If I'm going to have regrets in this life, I'd rather them be for the chances I took and not the opportunities I let slip away.

"Will you dance with me, Beatriz Perez, kisser-of-revolutionaries and thief-of-hearts?"

Men come and go, revolutions rise and fall, and here we stand.

I loved this book. One part romance and one part spy story.

This book follows Beatriz Perez as she finds a way to continue to fight for Cuba after her family must flee to Palm Beach. She gets recruited by the CIA and finds herself deeper and deeper within the world of espionage. Set in the Cold War era, this book gives an interesting look at the clash of Cuban/American politics and the impact it has on those who never gave up fighting.

If you liked Next Year In Havana and didn’t get enough of Beatriz’ story, definitely pick this one up.

I thoroughly enjoyed Next Year in Havana, so I was excited to read When We Left Cuba. This novel picks up in Florida after the Perez family escapes Cuba. Rebuilding their lives and place in society hasn't been easy for the Perez girls. Beatriz Perez is focused on getting revenge, but she doesn't expect to fall in love.

I must say that I was disappointed in the content of this book. I thought it was going to be a historical fiction book but it read more like a romance novel. Just not my cuppa tea.

Thank you @netgalley and and @penguinrandomhouse for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It is a sequel to Next Year in Havana, but I think it may count as a separate novel. Yes, there are same characters involved in both novels but the stories stand alone and barely has any connections (except for sibling interaction).

Honestly, I was a little bit disappointed. Last chapter of Next Year in Havana provided a little glimpse on When We Left Cuba and I was super excited ... I expected adventures - going back to Cuba to retrieve family heirlooms, danger of Castro’s regime and occasional romance. I got independent-minded female lead who brags about Cuban patriotism and revenge comfortably living in the US. She brags about equality and feminism but accepts privileges her father and then lover provides for her. And then all of a sudden, she is a CIA agent on the mission to kill Fidel Castro.

It just felt to much and a little bit incoherent. I could not stand political discussions that are controversial. At first, they despised US for Batista’s dictatorship (totally fair), then they fled because Castro came to power and now they seek American help to get rid of Fidel. It is like, asking for a favor from an enemy.

Anyway, the novel has all good ingredients to be great - steaming romance, CIA involvement, strong minded female lead and historical events like American Cuban crisis of 1962 and Kennedy assassination. However, all these themes did not mixed well together for me.

I know many readers love it. I tried hard to like this novel, but we just did not click.

I loved this book. Couldn't put it down. Beatriz was such a refreshing character. Smart, witty, kind and independent. After being exiled from Cuba, her family is trying to start over in the US. She needs to make a good marital match to giver her family the boost it needs. However, she can't forget the devastation she saw in Cuba and the horrifying revolution that cost her brother's life. She wants Castro to fall so she and her family can go back to their home country. She wasn't expecting to meet anyone who might make her change her plans and then she meets US senator Nick Preston. Can he change her mind? Or is her desire for independence and revenge too strong? An excellent read, showcasing a piece of Cuban American history that many don't know about.

Next Year in Havana was one of my favorite books of 2018, and I have recommended it to everyone who would listen to me, so the bar was set pretty high for When We Left Cuba. I can’t honestly say I loved it quite as much as I did NYIH, but even so, WWLC is a fantastic read. It took a little more time for me to warm up to Beatriz, but I did grow to love her. The Beatriz we met in NYIH is not the same person we meet months later, now living in Palm Beach and still grieving over the loss of her twin brother, Alejandro. Her plan to avenge his death by participating in a plot to assassinate Fidel Castro seemed foolhardy, but understandable. Maybe one of the reasons I couldn’t get invested in her quest was the obvious–Fidel Castro passed away in 2016 at the age of 90, so I knew she wouldn’t be successful. I truly enjoyed her journey from a beautiful, sought after socialite to independent, educated woman and a force to be reckoned with. She made many difficult decisions along the way, and my heart hurt for her many times. There were snippets in NYIH that lead me to believe Beatriz had made her mark in the world, but I never imagined how that would come about. Set against the backdrop of the Kennedy Assassination, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the beginning of political turmoil in the U.S., Beatriz’ story reads like a spy thriller with a strong element of romance, and a dash of family drama. It took me a little bit to warm up to her and to fall into the story, but once I did, I was completely hooked and found myself wanting to get back to the book asap to see what would happen next. Much like NYIH, I was fascinated with the politics of the Cuban revolution and the aftermath–the changing relationships with both the United States and the Soviet Union, the pro-Castro factions in the U.S and around the world, made me think and gave me a new perspective on that particular time in history. With the Perez family, we are privy to the life changing– both good and bad–effects of revolution and exile. While the Perez sisters, Elisa and Beatriz, did not end up living the lives they had been raised to expect, I think they lead the lives that were perfect for the women they became after they left Cuba.

When I finished reading NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA last year I was left dying to read Beatriz’s story. She was so different from her sister Elisa and I knew her life would follow a much different path. While these two books stand alone very well, I highly recommend reading both and reading in the order of publication. I don’t think they are currently marketed as a series, but maybe a companion novel? WHEN WE LEFT CUBA delivered exactly what I was expecting.

WHEN WE LEFT CUBA opens up with 2016 Beatriz learning of the death of Fidel Castro. Her lifelong dream finally accomplished. And from there we get to go back to 1960s Florida after the Perez family had to flee Cuba and reinvent themselves in a different country and society. Their mother trying to marry off the Perez sisters in the most advantageous way possible. But Beatriz never conformed to rules. She has strong ideals and opinions and isn’t scared to fight for them. No matter what others will think of her, no matter what she has to risk.

We go on this journey with Beatriz learning about her life as a CIA operative, with the goal of killing Fidel but also being an asset during the Cold War. And we get to fall in love with her as well. While this book has a different kind of romance that Next Year in Havana, it felt deeper somehow for me. I fell in love with Nicholas hard and I admired both of them for pursuing their relationship any way they could. I also admired them for staying true to themselves the whole time. Beatriz in particular. Even when decisions where hard to make, she never compromised what she had set out to do with her life. What gave her life true meaning. And she lost so much for it. There is a strength in her character that really got to me.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster that will hook you from the very first page. It never lets you go. Chanel Cleeton is a master storyteller. The way she weaves these stories and consumes you with the story while you are reading it, it’s just vivid and beautiful. There’s a heartbeat to the words and I love how these story takes on a life of its own. I didn’t want to be away from this book even after it ended. And I won’t be mad if we ever get to read a novella length epilogue because honestly, I could always read a little more.

This is one of my favorite books this year and I definitely will be on the lookout for whatever Ms. Cleeton writes next. I literally can’t wait.

I was blown away by When We Left Cuba. It was beautifully written follow up to Next Year in Havana. I enjoyed learning more about The United States involvement with Cuba. This book was full of political intrigue.

Chanel Cleeton gives you romance and intrigue all rolled into one amazing book. I hope Cleeton writes more about the Perez family in the future. I love them and I feel like I know them after two books.


If you loved Next Year in Havana you will love When We Left Cuba. This book is for fans of historical fiction.

This was here than the first book. I absolutely loved this page Turner. I read it in two days. Beatriz's story brought me to the sixties and beautifully weaved in history.

Chanel Cleeton has written an excellent follow up to Next Year in Havana. I had never read anything by Chanel before and once I read MYIH I could not wait for this companion novel about Beatriz and her complex story.

After reading Next Year in Havana, I couldn't wait for Chanel Cleeton's next book. Her writing is absolutely enchanting and the characters leap off the page. I had high expectations after reading Next Year in Havana and this one absolutely met my expectations. When We Left Cuba was a wonderful companion novel that delved into Beatriz's story.

Beatriz was an incredible character. She was intelligent, charming, and determined to forge her own path. I loved that Beatriz was so nuanced and vibrant. Plus I loved how her affair unfolded, it was fascinating to see the careful dance between the two characters. When We Left Cuba also does a fantastic job of making the history of that time easily to understand. This book not only shows the events that happened but how they affected various individuals and communities. Cleeton also does a great job of making Beatriz's spying seem realistic. The entire plot was engaging, it was a struggle to put this book down.

When We Left Cuba is a fantastic historical fiction novel. I'd recommend reading Next Year in Havana first but this one can also be read as a stand-alone. If you're looking for captivating characters and an intriguing story, definitely pick this one up.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

After loving Next Year in Havana, I couldn’t wait for this book! I enjoyed that the story took place almost entirely in the past because I typically prefer that over dual timeline. Plus, Beatriz was a dynamic character to follow! Although knowing history means you know how one aspect of her story will turn out, I still felt drawn into her fight to get revenge and reclaim her home. Plus, I learned so much about Cuban history — and how the US played a role (or didn’t) in some aspects of it. But ugh... this romance. I can’t say what didn’t work without spoiling it, but it’s basically trope I strongly dislike + me asking myself repeatedly, “Why do these people even like each other?” So, sadly, I do have mixed feelings about the book. I definitely So Liked It, but I’m bummed that I didn’t love it the way I hoped I would!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Beatriz Perez wants more than anything to avenge her brother’s death in Cuba and her family’s lost legacy. She does not care about being a debutante and finding a husband. Indignation and revenge consume her, and she jumps at the opportunity to work for the CIA with grandiose hopes of killing Castro herself. Of course, nothing prepares her for Senator Nicholas Preston. Young, golden, and from a powerful family, his life, his marriage, and his ambition are all laid out for the taking. What he did not plan on was Beatriz. Author Cleeton takes readers on a suspenseful ride of political intrigue, Cuban history, and romance.

When We Left Cuba is the follow up to Next Year in Havana, but it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. I enjoyed getting to know Beatriz. Her spirit and independence make her a woman ahead of her time. I do not know if I think she is more brave or naïve, probably both, to dive head first in to the world of spy games, but she faces both successes and failures. Nick is debonair and his charm oozes off the page. I can see why Beatriz is so drawn to him. Their chemistry is electric and drives the story forward, and their relationship becomes complex. I am also drawn to Eduardo, feeling confident that there is much more to him than his handsome playboy façade. The romance receives heavy emphasis, but there is a nice balance between it and the political intrigue.

When We Left Cuba highlights an interesting time in American/Cuba history and is a satisfying read. Recommended for fans of author Chanel Cleeton, readers who appreciate complex politics, and those who enjoy romance and women’s fiction.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Next Year in Havana was one of my favorite books of 2018, and I have recommended it to everyone who would listen to me, so the bar was set pretty high for When We Left Cuba. I can’t honestly say I loved it quite as much as I did NYIH, but even so, WWLC is a fantastic read. It took a little more time for me to warm up to Beatriz, but I did grow to love her. The Beatriz we met in NYIH is not the same person we meet months later, now living in Palm Beach and still grieving over the loss of her twin brother, Alejandro. Her plan to avenge his death by participating in a plot to assassinate Fidel Castro seemed foolhardy, but understandable. Maybe one of the reasons I couldn’t get invested in her quest was the obvious–Fidel Castro passed away in 2016 at the age of 90, so I knew she wouldn’t be successful. I truly enjoyed her journey from a beautiful, sought after socialite to independent, educated woman and a force to be reckoned with. She made many difficult decisions along the way, and my heart hurt for her many times. There were snippets in NYIH that lead me to believe Beatriz had made her mark in the world, but I never imagined how that would come about. Set against the backdrop of the Kennedy Assassination, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the beginning of political turmoil in the U.S., Beatriz’ story reads like a spy thriller with a strong element of romance, and a dash of family drama. It took me a little bit to warm up to her and to fall into the story, but once I did, I was completely hooked and found myself wanting to get back to the book asap to see what would happen next. Much like NYIH, I was fascinated with the politics of the Cuban revolution and the aftermath–the changing relationships with both the United States and the Soviet Union, the pro-Castro factions in the U.S and around the world, made me think and gave me a new perspective on that particular time in history. With the Perez family, we are privy to the life changing– both good and bad–effects of revolution and exile. While the Perez sisters, Elisa and Beatriz, did not end up living the lives they had been raised to expect, I think they lead the lives that were perfect for the women they became after they left Cuba.

What a wonderful novel about love of country and love of man. Beatriz Perez has been exiled to the US after Fidel Castro takes control of Cuba. Since then she has vowed to get revenge for her brother's murder. As her father tries to build up his business again in South Florida, Beatriz and her sisters are introduced into society. Little does Beatriz know that this will change the course of her life. She will need to make choices she never guessed would be for her to make. Does she chose the love for her country or the love of a man she knows she can never really have?

Review will be posted on 5/13/19

In the 1960s, the infamous Fidel Castro took over Cuba leaving Beatriz and her family to flee to South Florida and essentially start over their lives with the possibility of never returning to their homeland. Beatriz always hoped they would return, but it is looking less and less likely. Beatriz's back story is very complicated. You see her twin brother was killed, thanks to Fidel, and she seeks revenge. The CIA has reached out to her as she would be the perfect spy to infiltrate Fidel's inner circle and there isn't a better way for Beatriz to get close to him and then, ultimately, kill him. Her very close friend, Eduardo, is also helping her accomplish this as he is also an exile and has many connections. Beatriz's plans get further complicated when she meets a U.S. Senator, Nicholas Preston, who turns her world upside down. They are instantly attracted to one another despite the obvious issues. Could she actually have a future with a powerful American who is involved in politics? What about her plans to take back her life and her plans to take down Fidel? When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton is a whirlwind of a beach read filled with espionage, political intrigue, and romance not to mention a gorgeous setting.

I immediately liked Beatriz in When We Left Cuba. She is exactly the type of heroine I enjoy when I read historical novels. She is driven, determined, independent despite the limitations place on women during the time period, she's strong, and beautiful. She reminded me of a female James Bond, but without all the military training. She is able to infiltrate high society, rub shoulders with just about anyone, and she holds her own dealing with Cuban-American politics. What isn't there to enjoy? While I wish she would let go of her revenge plot at times that is what ultimately drives her story and the hope to return to Cuba one day.

Beatriz's relationship with Nicholas in When We Left Cuba was well done. I really liked it despite the complications and the Jack Kennedy vibe he had going for him. I won't say too much about it, but their relationship is extremely complicated not to mention a major issue when it comes to her involvement with the CIA. Despite all this, I found myself still rooting for him.

My only issue with When We Left Cuba is the fact that I didn't read Cleeton's first book, Next Year in Havana. While this is a stand-alone novel, I think I would have benefited from reading Next Year in Havana first as many characters that are present in it are also in When We Left Cuba and their back stories would have been helpful to know. Nonetheless, this simple issue didn't deter my enjoyment of the novel.

If you love "historical beach reads," you must check out When We Left Cuba, especially if you enjoy the 1960s time period. It will surely keep you on your toes and who doesn't love a female spy protagonist? Have you read this novel or Cleeton's Next Year in Havana? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA was one of my favorite books last year. The promise of Beatriz being a fantastic heroine was the proverbial dangling carrot and I was looking forward to reading her story.
Alas, WHEN WE LEFT CUBA didn't work as well for me.

Not gonna lie, cheating isn't something I'm comfortable with. It's not necessarily a deal breaker if I can make sense of it. Nick and Beatriz meet at his engagement party and a while after that they start an affair. In my opinion it was unnecessary to give their relationship an illicit character. When Nick mentioned earlier affairs I had a bit of a rough time to summon understanding. So Beatriz was the last in a row of mistresses? At least that's what it felt like at first. Nick totally made up for it.

“Will you dance with me, Beatriz Perez, kisser-of-revolutionaries and thief-of-hearts?”

But here is my next dilemma and it's something that definitely brought my rating down. I always felt that their love was never balanced, that Nick loved Beatriz more than she loved him, that he made sacrifices for her but she always put her country first. Maybe an admirable feat for a young woman but I'm a romantic at heart and Nick loved her beyond reason - I just wished that she had made sacrifices too. Their fights in the last 20% of the book made her look like a defiant child who didn't get what she wanted: for the US to abandon all other issues to help Cuba.

Finally - Nick was 37 when they first met. So by the time Fidel died he was 93 and Beatriz 78. Honestly, I wasn't very thrilled with their reunion at that point. That is not to say that it wasn't emotional and beautiful...it was, and my throat closed up with tears on the last chapter...but seriously, he was already with one foot out of the door...it just felt a little too bitter to be sweet. It wasn't necessary to make him this old when they met.

One last niggle before I come to the good stuff: I loved the history in Next Year in Havana but this time there was a lot of excessive politics. Yes, the history was fascinating but the political events in that depth really slowed the first half down.

Now, I know this doesn't sound super promising but what you get in this book is a strong-willed, independent, charismatic, ambitious heroine who does everything for the country she loves and to avenge her brother's death.

“Why does everyone assume I want marriage? That if I’m not someone’s wife, I’m not worth anything.”
“It’s not about marriage. You shouldn’t be anyone’s second choice. Don’t you want to be someone’s first choice?”
“I don’t want to be anyone’s choice. I want them to be mine.”

She fights the constraints her family places on her, her mother's constant nagging to find a suitable husband. She breaks with convention, however, she doesn't need a husband to validate her and it's what makes her stand out as a heroine. She's a truly emancipated young woman. Beatriz loves Nick undeniably and although I felt that he loved her more I still felt that her love for him was one for the ages.

Nick turned out to be one of the typical Chanel Cleeton heroes: swoonworthy, sweet and completely devoted to Beatriz. His love had a desperation about it because he knew Beatriz loved her freedom above all else and who could blame her after what she and her family endured in Cuba?

“You asked me about the future I envision. What does your future look like?”
“You.”

I fell in love with Nick but this isn't romance and I had to keep reminding me of that fact. The timing for their relationship was just always off and their divergent ambitions in the way.

WHEN WE LEFT CUBA has a little of everything: glamour of high society in the 60s, a little bit romance, a history lesson that takes you through major events of the 60s, an espionage plot and, if you will, some sort of happy ending. I felt connected to Beatriz and Nick and felt the Zeitgeist of the era. It didn't leave me as satisfied as the first book but it still made for an intriguing read. If any of that sounds like something you enjoy, Chanel Cleeton is definitely a good choice.