TLTTKW is a bit different than her previous two, but still a five star, can’t put down read. This book covers the lives of three women who all meet in Key West in 1935 over Labor Day weekend before, during, and after a powerful hurricane. Y’all know I love a book that follows multiple characters’ story lines who all eventually meet and find that their stories intertwine. As a native Floridian, the hurricane storyline hit home for me. I kept feeling for the characters and the lack of preparations they had for this monstrous storm. Heads up, you will need tissues with this one. Packed with page turning drama and rich historical detail, this book will take you on a journey that will expose secrets and question love.

I've read Chanel Cleeton's last two books and have loved them and this one was no exception. I always learn something I didn't know before with her books. This one was unique as it has three female perspectives, all from different backgrounds, all centered around the Labor Day hurricane of 1935. And you know what? It worked beautifully. I usually tend to be drawn to one perspective over the others, but this one had me equally engaged in them all. It was historical romance perfection. 4.5/5⭐️

As I finished the last sentence I let out a contented sigh... ALL the stars for The Last Train to Key West! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chanel Cleeton is a wonderful storyteller and delivers a well-researched & fascinating story rich with historic detail, culture and plenty of feels. I devoured this book in a day and I’m still thinking about her characters, especially her three strong female protagonists who are all so intriguing and had such distinctive voices.

There is so much to enjoy in The Last Train to Key West with a heady mix of drama, romance, mystery, action and suspense. Cleeton easily transports you to another era & exotic location with her vivid imagery and imparts interesting historical facts in a seamless way. I haven’t experienced a hurricane before, but the terror and devastation that Cleeton depicts is palpable, as well as the amazing chemistry between Elizabeth, Helen and Mirta and their love interests.

I loved how the story unfolded at a fantastic pace to reveal how these women’s lives intersected and I was so invested in how Elizabeth, Helen and Mirta’s stories would end. I learned something new about the veterans’ camps in Florida after WWI and it was so refreshing to be reading about another period of history that I knew little of - I felt like I was experiencing it all from such an intimate perspective.

The Last Train to Key West is a must read that I believe would appeal to many readers, not just historical fiction lovers. I’ll definitely be buying myself a paperback copy to add to my collection and I can’t wait to read Chanel Cleeton’s other novels.

Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing for providing this copy via Netgalley for review

This story is told by three different narrators, Helen, Mirta and Elizabeth. Their lives are intertwined but they do not know it. It takes a hurricane to bring these three together.

Helen is in an abusive marriage and she is expecting. She must get away from her husband now! Mirta is a newlywed. And she does not know her husband well…at all. Elizabeth is running away from her fiancé to find her lost brother.

These three ladies are strong and resilient. They each tackle their problems differently. I connected with each of their stories immediately. The author uses a powerful, historical hurricane to unite these three into a very unique and compelling tale.

This is the best book by this author…hands down. I loved everything about it. The setting, the characters, the intensity…fantastic from start to finish.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

6 stars!!!

I was pulled into the stories of these characters from the beginning. Narrated by 3 women from different circumstances whose paths cross in the Florida Keys just before the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, this was an engaging historical setting.

Mirta is on her honeymoon, having married a virtual stranger in Cuba and traveling to her new home in New York. Elizabeth is a New York socialite trying to help her remaining family survive, but needs to find someone she thinks may be staying in the work camps in the Keys. Helen is a Key West local waiting tables, going home each night wondering what mood she will find her husband in.

Each woman has an entirely different story to tell, and their voices are clear and distinct. Though they have an endless number of differences between them, they have many threads in common as they each go about their business in the days leading up to the storm. Their stories weave together brilliantly. I had sorted out a few of the more surprising connections prior to their big reveals, but I was still caught up in the drama in the face of the storm and recovery.

Speaking of the storm, I wasn’t altogether familiar with this specific hurricane prior to reading the book, but the details described by the characters made it clear that this was a unique storm approaching. During and after, the descriptions were almost visceral, with the desolation evident throughout the area.

I loved all three women for their courage and grit, as well as the people who helped each on their way. I wasn’t sure I liked Anthony (Mirta’s new husband) at the beginning, but it was mostly the reputation that preceded him that caused me caution. Elizabeth’s helper had his own air of mystery about him, and Helen’s helper had a softness that belied his experiences.

The character growth over the course of this short time period is yet another reason I loved this book. I think of the three recent books from the author set in Cuba & South Florida this is the strongest. (And that’s saying a lot because I loved the other two as well.) The lessons each woman takes away from the storm drastically change the directions of their lives.

I loved every moment of this book and found myself thinking about talking about it even after I was finished. The storms, both literal and figurative, developing in this story made for great background tension as Mirta, Elizabeth, and Helen navigated the unknowns in their lives.

My most anticipated book of the year and it did not disappoint! I love how characters we have met previously are intertwined in this 1930s historical fiction. Chanel Cleeton is an amazing writer who paints the historical backdrop of the Florida Keys in an enticing way! This is the absolute perfect summer read!

All of the characters are well written and each woman has her own fantastic story that you just cannot put down! I personally loved learning about the aunt, Mirta, and her journey from Havana a few decades before her family. Elizabeth Preston was also so intriguing as we were introduced to her in the last book.

I am not sure if there will be another, but I do hope so! I do not want to leave this family yet!

Chanel Cleeton has become a must-read author for me with her incredible story-telling abilities. The way she is able to combine history, family, heartbreak and love into a story has amazed me. The Last Train to Key West focuses on three different young women (Mirta, Helen, and Elizabeth) who are living different lives, but will be hit by the same disaster. They all come in contact and are also in a way connected to each other without knowing. I was able to connect to all three of them, and was invested in their lives. They are all uncertain about their future, and I loved seeing the similarities between them even if they were from different walks of life.

Chanel's writing style is so easy to follow and has a very nice flow, the pages flew by without me even noticing. I will not go into the plot because I think the blurb is more than enough information. I think readers who have read and enjoyed Next Year in Havana and/or When We Left Cuba will also enjoy this book. The romance was subtle but very powerful, and fit the story perfectly. However, I do wish the book was longer, because we are focusing on three main characters. The book was finished before I even knew it, and it left me wanting more to be honest. I wanted to see the characters grow even more, and I wanted to spend more time with them. Thankfully, we got a little snippet into the future which I loved. I already look forward to what the author has in store for us next.

Em The Last Train To Key West vamos conhecer a história de três mulheres: Elizabeth, Mirta e Helen. Três histórias que carregam a força da mulher. Helen, que está em seu nono mês de gestação convive com um marido abusivo. Elizabeth chega a Key West em busca do irmão, que após a Primeira Guerra sumiu e a última vez que falou com ela foi de uma carta postada de Meu West. Mira está recém-casada com um homem perigoso, ela não sabe bem o que acontecerá na sua nova vida. Enquanto essas mulheres se ajustam a uma vida difícil, uma tempestade se aproxima de Islamorada.
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Essa foi a minha primeira experiência com a escrita da autora e eu gostaria de agradecer a @prhinternacional pelo envio do ARC, já que o livro só lança dia 16/06 nos EUA.
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Com uma narrativa fluida e emocionante Chanel Cleeton nos leva a uma cidade pequena que está sofrendo as consequencias da Grande Depressão, que aconteceu no ano de 1929, e nos mostra que anos depois as pessoas ainda estão se afogando.
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Helen lida diariamente com as marcas do que pode acontecer quando um homem violento acaba perdendo tudo. Seu marido, Tom, bate nela mesmo que ela esteja grávida de nove meses. Quando ela conhece, John, um dos veteranos que se mostra disposto a ajudá-la, Helen vê uma saída. A autora conseguiu lidar muito bem com a violência doméstica na década de 30, de maneira esperta e muito tocante com essa personagem que mostra força e coragem.
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Mirta, por sua vez, é uma garota que teve que casar para tirar a família de uma enrascada. Cubana, provinda de uma família que apoiava o antigo ditador Cubano, ela teve que ceder a Antony, um homem perigoso, um mafioso que está a levando para uma vida de violência. Mirta é uma mulher que fará de tudo para ter uma vida satisfatória e construir uma família, inclusive ser a rainha da máfia de NY,se for preciso.
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Elizabeth é minha personagem favorita, não satisfeita com as circunstâncias da vida que tem, ela vai até Key West para encontrar o irmão, a única família que ela ainda tem. Ela é impetuosa e livre e isso para uma personagem que vive em uma sociedade completamente conservadora.
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São três histórias incríveis e esse com certeza é um livro que eu torço para que chegue aqui.

One holiday weekend + three women in danger + a hurricane ...

Thanks, #netgalley #berkleypub for a complimentary e ARC of #thelasttraintokeywest for review. All opinions in this review are my own. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.

Key West is a popular destination for tourists. In the 1930s, it is also an opportunity to forget the economic depression. The three women in The Last Train to Key West have very different reasons for finding themselves in Key West on Labor Day Weekend, 1935: Elizabeth travels to Key West from New York City and is desperately searching for a WW1 veteran who is rumored to have been sent to work on the railroad; Key West native, Helen, wants to escape an abusive marriage; Mirta comes to Key West from Cuba for her honeymoon. Rounding out the weekend is an FBI agent, a kind friend, an abusive husband, a secretive groom. and the destructive 1935 Labor Day Weekend hurricane.

One of the reasons historical fiction is my favorite genre is because of the knowledge gained. Three events that I know nothing about are featured in this story: the Overseas Railroad, the devastating hurricane of 1935, and the (WW1) veteran camps in Florida. Reading histfic usually sends me down Google research rabbit holes! I need to note, though, that I would categorize The Last Train to Key West as women’s fiction with a historical background. It’s my opinion that the focus is more on romance and relationships than historical events.

We have three complicated, complex, and believable characters. Two of the three female protagonists in The Last Train to Key West are definitely likable! The third is interesting but I’m not sure about likable. Elizabeth is impetuous, determined, and daring. Helen is brave, kind, and a survivor. These two characters connect meaningfully in the story. Mirta is naive and practical but I thought of her as an outlier in the relationships. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Helen because of her commitment to doing the right thing.

Despite some heavy themes, I consider The Last Train to Key West an escapist read. The story is told from three points of view in one timeline which includes a few flashbacks to build backstories. The narrative and plot are easy to follow which makes the reading fluid and quick. I read the story in one day. The first part of the story is character-driven as we are introduced to the three unique and intriguing protagonists. The last half of the story is plot-driven as Elizabeth’s search intensifies, Helen attempts a daring escape, Mirta realizes who she married, and the hurricane hits. Part of the reason I consider this an escapist read is that it engaged me from beginning to end, the plot is riveting, the ending is resolved in a meaningful way, there’s an emphasis on romance, and I feel satisfied with the read. Time well spent.

I appreciate the author’s vivid descriptions of Key West, the overseas railroad, the scenery, the plight of the soldiers, and the devastating hurricane.

Thoughtful themes include poverty and wealth, determination, bravery, survival, romance, and second chances.

Content Considerations: references to spousal abuse.

I’m enthusiastically recommending The Last Train to Key West for those who are looking for lighter romantic historical fiction, for fans of Chanel Cleeton, and for readers who love an engaging story with a historical setting and a side of suspense. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.

4.5 Stars

The Last Train To Key West; a powerful portrayal of a weekend in history

I love historic fiction. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again – one of the main reasons why I love good historic fiction is because it educates me as well as engages me. And The Last Train To Key West, due to be published on 16th June 2020 has done just that.

Over the past two years Chanel Cleeton has become one of my favourite authors. Her previous two novels Next Year in Havana (a Reese Witherspoon book club pick) and When We Left Cuba are powerful portrayals of the impact 1959 Cuban revolution that still affects lives today. As well as being an amazing storyteller, one of the reasons why I love Chanel Cleeton’s books so much is because they are packed with history and political intrigue.

Cuban political history is a factor in the story of The Last Train To Key West as it touches on the impact of the 1933 Cuban Revolution. This is explored through the character of Cuban newlywed Mirta Perez.

However The Last Train To Key West is a slight departure for Cleeton as the crux of the novel focuses on the 1935 Labor Day hurricane that hit the Florida Keys. For me what makes this new novel so powerful is that yet again Chanel Cleeton refuses to shy away from politics and social justice issues. The hurricane was one of the deadliest storms to devastate the United States. However its impact is tragically linked to the camps occupied by World War I veterans who were sent to the Keys to work on a new highway.

They didn’t want us in Washington, causing trouble, reminding the American public – the voting public – that we weren’t taken care of, that the government hadn’t exactly lived up to its promises. They probably thought the Keys were far enough away to send us so everyone would forget about us.

The historic weekend is told from the point of view of Mirta, as well as pregnant Helen Berner, a native to Key West and Elizabeth Preston, a New Yorker on a very personal quest to the veteran camps. Each of these women have their own dramatic back story and narrative which portray the social justice challenges of the time. Some of these challenges have sadly proved to be timeless.

All three of Chanel Cleeton’s novels revolving around the Perez women are unique, powerful and gripping. When I was offered an advance copy of The Last Train To Key West I couldn’t believe my luck. I’m very happy to say it didn’t disappoint. 🙂

Thank you yet again Chanel Cleeton for engaging and educating me with your fantastic storytelling. Thank you also to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my advance copy.

The Last Train To Key West is published on 16th June 2020.

Happy reading everyone! 🙂

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton is an enjoyable summer read. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The story centers around three female characters during the 1930's depression era. Readers are transported to the lush, paradise location of Key West and the surrounding Keys as we learn a little bit of history of that part of the United States. Also, the historical Labor Day hurricane of 1935 features as somewhat of a character as well. This book has it all: mystery, intrigue, romance, history and suspense. I recommend it for people who enjoy Jojo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.

The Last Train to Key West was such a quick read which really surprised me because it's a historical fiction and those usually take me quite a while to get through, but I only needed a bit more than a day to read this one.

I absolutely loved Chanel Cleeton's writing style and this was just such an enjoyable read. I also loved how the novel was written from the perspectives of three different women who for some reason or another happened to be in Key West at the beginning of the book. It was so interesting to see how their paths kept crossing and I also loved each of them so much. It was also very interesting to see how this book only covered a very short period of time, about ten days or so, but so much happened during those few days. Furthermore, I really enjoyed how the book also had a couple of darker aspects such as for example the connection of some characters to the American mafia.

One of my favorite things about The Last Train to Key West however, were all the smart little details Chanel Cleeton included. The paths of the three women did not only cross when they were actually meeting each other somewhere in the area of Key West but they were also kind of connected by many small details. For example through things one of the women was seeing that was then later on seen by a different woman or characters one of the women meets that are strongly connected to one of the other women. There were so many surprising connections between the three of them that I just never would have figured out myself.

So overall, this novel very pleasantly surprised me and I just loved it so much. The Last Train to Key West was such an entertaining, gripping and interesting story. I've never read a historical fiction set in this part of the world, but I would definitely be interested in reading more books like this one. I'm definitely going to check out some of Channel Cleeton’s other books now and have actually already ordered a copy of Next Year in Havana.

FOREVER A CLEETON FAN.

This is the third historical fiction book I’ve read of Cleeton’s and I am HOOKED. I love the story set-up and strength of the women in her books. It’s all captivating and I have a hard time putting them down.

I initially wasn’t sure where this book was going with the length + three different women’s stories together. While I still felt like a direct plot was missing, the three women’s stories moved me each in their own way.

What’s incredible impressive to me is how easy I fall for the romance plot lines in Cleeton’s works. Her writing makes the love story seem magical and real all together. This book literally happens over 3 days (with some increased time differences towards the end) and I was shipping every single couple with all that I was worth. I wanted their happiness, and their choices to matter. I wanted Helen, Mirta and Elizabeth to get the ending they wanted and it was delivered.

I love the way each women’s story also had connections between them. It’s an interesting thought to consider how small interactions with those around us may influence and effect our entire lives. I was also smitten with the men of this book too. How could I not mention them? I just love how each character stood out. I was never confused as to what chapter I was reading and who was speaking. Everything flowed and wove together beautifully and I will sit here and impatiently wait for Cleeton’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

Historical fiction + romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses, some closed door scenes with little detail
Violence: guns, murder, hurricane, physical
Trigger warnings: a physically abusive husband, an incredibly destructive hurricane, attempted assault and robbery, brief mentions of a characters two family members committing suicide

My gosh! The saga of Mirta, Helen, and Elizabeth have been with me for days after finishing The Last Train to Key West. Written with such emotional and griping details I have placed Chanel Cleeton firmly in place as one of my most favorite authors. Taking place in 1935 in the Florida Keys, a hurricane is headed their way. With the weather being only part of the turbulent atmosphere, each of these women does their best to craft their individual situations into something better.

It is truly historical fiction at its finest.
~Tanja

As a devastating hurricane barrels it's way towards Key West, the lives of three women intersect after chance meetings at a local diner. Elizabeth is on the run from something or someone in New York, Mirta has just married a man she barely knows and pregnant Helen lives with an abusive husband.

The impending storm and the trajectory of each woman's story makes this a page-turner. Cleeton does a fantastic job of alternating between POVs and maintaining the fluidity of the story.

I had never heard of the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 or of the veteran camps. Both so devastating but also fascinating to learn about.

I'm quickly becoming a fan of Cleeton's work! A wonderful historical fiction author!

I became a huge fan of Chanel Cleeton's writing in late 2018 when I picked up a copy of Next Year in Havana. Ever since then, I've kept an eye out for her new releases and even purchased a few of her backlist titles. Her writing is deep and affecting, never shying away from tough topics but also managing to infuse some moments of joy into even the bleakest of stories. Her latest novel, The Last Train to Key West, serves as a prime example of everything I've come to love about this author's work.

This is the story of three very different women whose lives intersect on Labor Day weekend in in 1935 as a hurricane is bearing down on Key West. Each of them is grappling with an enormous change in her life, and I loved watching them come to a deeper understanding of how they fit into the world. Their stories have little in common with one another, but their struggles are so easy to relate to, even if you've never walked in their shoes.

Helen has lived her whole life in Key West, and though she sometimes dreams of something more than waiting tables in a diner and doing her best to stave off her husband's volatile rages, she has never really thought she could do much to affect her own existence. But after a particularly brutal beating, Helen knows she has to make a change, if not for herself, then for the safety of her unborn child. So, with the help of a veteran of the Great War, a man with a kind and gentle spirit with secrets of his own to hide, Helen sets off on a journey that will change her life in unimaginable ways.

For Mirta, a young bride on her honeymoon, life has been a series of upheavals. The Cuban Revolution of 1933 left her once wealthy family in difficult circumstances, and Mirta consented to marry a stranger in hopes of offering those she loves a better life. Unfortunately, her new husband seems to be involved in some rather shady business dealings, and Mirta has begun to once again fear for her safety. She hopes her honeymoon will provide her the opportunity to really get to know the stranger she's just married, but it soon becomes clear some of his business associates mean the newlyweds harm.

Elizabeth is a disgraced socialite, desperate to locate the brother who went missing after World War I ended. She's heard rumors of the horrible living conditions many veterans are forced to endure in the camps not far from Key West, so she boards a train and travels across the country to find him. What she finds when she sets foot in the first of the three camps she learns about will forever change her views of the United States government and those whom the system has turned its back on.

The lives of Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth collide as people up and down the Florida coast do their best to prepare for the massive hurricane that will soon be upon them. Survival isn't a sure thing, but our three heroines are unwilling to give up in the face of hardship. Each is fighting for someone or something she loves deeply, and this novel is a testament to the true power of love in all its many forms.

I had no idea how horribly soldiers were treated after returning home from fighting overseas at the end of the First World War. Many men weren't paid the money they were owed, and the government sent them to Key West in an attempt to keep them out of the public eye. This is not a piece of history I was taught in school, so this novel opened my eyes, prompting me to do more research into this topic. This is what I love most about historical fiction, the ability to learn things I never knew in an enjoyable and meaningful way.

I wouldn't classify this novel as a romance. Each woman does find love at the end, but the romantic elements of the plot take a bit of a back seat to the social and political turmoil of the day, not to mention the impending danger of the hurricane. Even so, I think romance lovers will find quite a bit of fulfillment here as long as quieter, more understated love stories aren't a problem for you.

To say this novel was sometimes hard to read would be a massive understatement. There's so much pain and heartache contained in these pages, but it's a book I want everyone to pick up just the same. It's a story that will transport you to another time and place, a story that will teach you some difficult truths even as it delights and entertains you. The characters feel incredibly authentic and their stories are compelling enough to keep you reading even though the subject matter will sometimes make you uncomfortable.

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I loved Chanel Cleeton’s last two books and her newest didn’t disappoint. I was quickly swept up into the stories of three different women in the Florida Keys, each searching for different things, with a hurricane looming ominously on the horizon.

Cleeton’s plucky heroines each struggled against challenges that faced women back in the 1930s (and sadly still today). We follow Helen who is nine months pregnant and fearful of her abusive husband, Mirta who is newly wed to a stranger and on her honeymoon, and Elizabeth who has run away from New York City in search of someone who may be able to help her and her family. As the hurricane comes closer, the stakes are raised for the women.

I didn’t know anything about the 1935 Labor Day hurricane prior to reading this book. It was eye-opening to hear how the US government treated the World War I veterans after the war and to read about the horrible conditions at the work camps in the Florida Keys. These men fought for their country and were rewarded by being shipped off to the ends of the country, where they would be out of sight of voters. And then they were not evacuated in time and hundreds of these men died in the hurricane.

Cleeton’s descriptions of the Keys and the storm are so evocative. I could see it all so clearing in my head while reading it. Also this cover is gorgeous! *swoons*

Review posted on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3375881271
Review posted on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBOFAtbAczj/
Publishing Day post will be posted on Instagram @ablondebooknerd on 6/16

I have been a fan of Chanel Cleeton’s ever since reading Next Year in Havana. It is one of my most recommended books, even now, and I am so happy to say that The Last Train to Key West not only lives up to that book, it is now my favourite of all her stories.

The story is based on real-life events, taking place over a week before and after Labour Day in 1935, when a catastrophic hurricane strikes the Keys. It follows 3 very different women as they prepare for, battle and then recover from the storm. Their stories are woven together so beautifully and the story is tied together perfectly at the end. I loved all three women, the men alongside them and the rich history and culture that Chanel included throughout. The amount of research done for this novel is apparent and she delivers facts about that time in history without them feeling stale or boring.

This is a beautiful story with incredible characters, an interesting storyline and the added layer of being based on true events. You definitely do NOT need to read her previous books before reading Key West, but I highly recommend all three.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and Chanel Cleeton for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Last Train to Key West will be released June 16th, 2020.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I was really excited to get this one because I loved Next Year in Havana and enjoyed When We Left Cuba. This book, The Last Train to Key West, did not disappoint. It was a perfect read for me at this time. It's a feel-good book that I would classify as a historical romance.

A little on expectations: Do not go into this book expecting a deep history about the veterans from this time. They are a part of the book but they are not at the center of it. This book is about three women who are in Key West for different reasons and their love stories. I thought the three women's lives were going to connect in a bigger way but they stayed pretty separate. They came in contact with each other but they didn't become part of one story in the end - they had separate stories the entire time, just set in mainly the same place. But I still enjoyed how they connected at the end.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical romances! It was a page turner for me.

What a beautiful cover. What a beautiful story. I love these 3 women. So strong and such a great story