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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From Goodreads):
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...
Review:
Recently, I read Next Year In Havana, by Chanel Cleeton, in preparation for reviewing her newest release, When we left Havana. Although it is not billed as connected, I was delighted to find that they are! While the first book only hints at the life of Beatriz ("The Legend"), she is the entire focus of the second book. This had everything I love about historical fiction. There were fiery characters, and a tragic romance all set against the backdrop of sweeping historical events. I loved this book!
What I Liked:
Stand Alone Book:I appreciated that the reader needn't have read Next Year In Havana to understand what was happening in this book. The characters do not overlap all that much. That being said, I do think one would get a better appreciation of the Cuban revolution if they read Next Year in Havana first.
Historical Events:
The sixties were a volatile time, with so many established notions being challenged such as the kinds of roles women could have, and how much control the United States should have in the Western Hemisphere. This is showcased in the struggles that America had with Cuba. As American big business bemoans the nationalization of their assets by Fidel Castro, Cuban exiles wait for the U.S. to use their might to overthrow the new government.
This was the height of the cold war, and the tensions between the United States, the Soviet Union, and Cuba come to a head with the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The book really gave me a sense of how scary it must have been to have two super powers on the brink of nuclear war.
Characters:
Beatriz is a legendary beauty in Havana, and brings her considerable reputation with her to Palm Beach, Florida. But behind her notoriety as a heart breaker lies a young woman who is questioning the norms of her day. Why can't she get an education and take care of herself? Must she be delegated to be only someone's wife or mother? I loved Beatriz for her willingness to be in charge of her own destiny. She never waited to be taken care of or saved.
Nick's relationship with Beatriz parallels the relationship America has with Cuba. Just as America sees its Island neighbor as something to possess, he sees Beatriz as needing to be taken care of and protected. But he soon learns that if he is to win her heart, he needs to treat her as an equal. Cuba also demands to be seen as formidable (thus the Cuban Missal Crisis). I found Nick's character to be complex, and morally ambiguous.
Espionage:
Since this was the cold war, spying was a significant part of this book. I loved all the moments where we saw how this worked. How did spies communicated with their handlers? Why did they risk everything for their ideals? This was a thrilling part of the book. I liked how Beatriz gets slowly sucked in to becoming a spy, not realizing until it's too late that she is being used. By then, she doesn't have much of a choice but to proceed.
Romance:
The romance between Beatriz and Nick is epic with so much more than reputations at stake. Nick sees his work as a U.S. Senator in idealistic terms. He is out to change the world. Beatriz also feels her life work, overthrowing the Castro regime, is more important than her personal happiness. But their attraction cannot be ignored. I liked that while they knew they were a scandal waiting to happen, they couldn't quite walk away from each other.
Fantasy Cast:
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| Young Rita Moreno as Beatriz |
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| Current Armie Hammer as Nick |
Rating:
Release Date: April 9th, 2019
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 368 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this book. This would be a great book club selection.
