In 'Next Year in Havana,' Chanel Cleeton weaves a captivating dual narrative that transports readers between modern-day Miami and the vibrant, tumultuous world of 1950s Cuba. As a Cuban-American woman returns to her ancestral homeland after the death of her grandmother, she uncovers long-buried family secrets and the bittersweet legacy of a lost paradise. The story unfolds with passion, intrigue, and the haunting echoes of revolution, presenting a love letter to a country filled with beauty and tragedy. Against the backdrop of political upheaval, the protagonist grapples with her identity, making profound discoveries about love, loss, and resilience. This emotional journey will leave readers longing to explore the undeniable connection between past and present.
By Chanel Cleeton
Published: 2018
""We are all stories waiting to be told, and the pieces of our past are what shape us into who we are meant to become.""
A HELLO SUNSHINE x REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK “A beautiful novel that's full of forbidden passions, family secrets and a lot of courage and sacrifice.”—Reese Witherspoon After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity—and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution... Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba's high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country's growing political unrest—until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary... Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa's last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth. Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba's tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she'll need the lessons of her grandmother's past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.
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“"We are all stories waiting to be told, and the pieces of our past are what shape us into who we are meant to become."”
Next Year in Havana
By Chanel Cleeton
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Chanel Cleeton is a bestselling author known for her captivating novels that combine rich historical detail with contemporary themes. Cleeton's works often explore themes of family, identity, and women’s experiences, particularly against the backdrop of Cuban history and culture. Her notable titles include 'Next Year in Havana,' which received critical acclaim and was a Reese’s Book Club selection, and 'The Last Train to Key West,' a historical fiction that weaves together personal stories set during a pivotal moment in history. With a background in international relations and a flair for storytelling, Cleeton's writing is characterized by its emotional depth and well-researched settings, drawing readers into the world of her characters.
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