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Juli B. (Prosper, TX)
Master Class in Character Development
Full disclosure: I have read the first five books in the Cuba Saga series written by Chanel Cleeton beginning with "Next Year in Havana", then "When We Left Cuba", "The Last Train to Key West", "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" and "Our Last Days in Barcelona" and have thoroughly enjoyed each selection. I believe there is one more title to explore, "The Cuban Heiress", but the opportunity to review "The Story of Eva Fuentes" was too enticing to pass up! Chanel Cleeton is a master storyteller who is able to weave together historical references (after impressive amounts of research) with relatable characters that
…more capture readers attention without fail. In each selection there is much to learn about personal emotions through the author's characters, but also significant points of little known past details that have shaped national diplomacy between the United States and Cuba. Readers will be transported back in time to these real experiences and place themselves in moments of difficult decisions along with Eva and the cast of characters in Cleeton's latest offering to the historical fiction genre. Highly recommend pursuing these delightful books to explore the art of character development in the hands of this talented author. (less)Chanel Cleeton is one of my favorite authors! Her writing always draws me in, and I enjoy her characters and historical settings.
Three strong women live in different times, all connected by a book. The modern-day story features Londoner Margo. Her latest job is to find a rare book believed to be lost in Cuba. Pilar is a librarian living in 1960s Havana. Her husband is missing, and her activities might also put her in danger. Eva Fuentes is a Cuban teacher. In 1900, she was part of a historic mission to send a thousand teachers to Harvard for a summer of learning and cultural exchange.
As Margo searches for the
…more book, it becomes more dangerous than expected. What is the book about, and who is desperate to find it?
I liked the settings all across the globe, including Havana, London, Edinburgh, Boston, and Key West. The author brilliantly connects the three timelines and women together in a stunning conclusion. (less)The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes is an historical mystery that weaves through three time periods with the lost story being the thread connecting them. I've read other books by this author, but this is the first I've read that has characters living in Cuba during the 1960s Golden Exile. The history is fascinating, the characters are well-drawn, and the pacing of the mystery is perfect! This is a book about books showing the impact a story can have on all those whose lives it touches. This was truly a pleasure to read, and I look forward to getting lost in more stories from Chanel Cleeton.
A perfect read for fans of
…more Chanel Cleeton, those who enjoy historical fiction/historical mystery, and for those who enjoy books about books. (less)Three women - three different time periods.
1900 - Eva Fuentes - is asked to go to Harvard in the summer. It is an invitation to immerse herself in American culture. She is from Havana and attempting to write a novel.
1966 - Pilar Castillo, a librarian in Havana, is given that book for safekeeping as its owner flees Havana. Please return it to Eva Fuentes says Zenaida, her neighbor, as she prepares to leave.
2024 - Margo Reynolds is tasked with finding the book, A Time for Forgetting. Danger lurks around every corner. Someone is willing to kill for this book.
I LOVE books about books and Cleeton has outdone herself
…more on this one.
To be published July 1, 2025.
5 stars (less)This book made me want to read other books by the author and learn more about Cuban history. It follows 3 timelines involving 3 different women's stories. Margo in 2024 London; Pilar in 1966 Havana and Eva in 1900 Cuba and Boston. Each of their stories are captivating and I really enjoyed the book. Would highly recommend.
Lauri Z. (Washington, DC)
A book that weaves together three heroines' stories spanning 124 years
This is a book that is best described by the author's own words in the narrative of the story. "Funny how a book could transport you so, how the art of reading could conjure such vivid memories so you could remember with such crystal clarity the first time you ever picked up a beloved read, the emotions it evoked rushing back to you at once."
This is how I believe I will remember this beautiful story. The author introduces us to three different heroines in three different time periods moving smoothly between Cuba and the United States. One pivotal event early in story is of actual historical importance, that of
…more a Cuban-American summer cultural exchange of Cuban teachers and Harvard graduate students in the early 1900's.
I highly recommend this book written by Chanel Cleeton, born in Havana and raised in Florida after her family fled during the Cuban Revolution. She is a prolific author who has written many excellent books of historical fiction that take place in Cuba. (less)An excellently written novel. As someone who has a keen interest in history, antiques and collectibles, and untold stories, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the first page to the last, Cleeton grabs the reader's interest and holds it asking questions, inviting speculation, and satisfying curiosity. Her descriptions of scene and character are rich. The plot and narrative invite the reader into a story, which slowly untangles the past as it threads its way through the present. I would highly recommend it.
Ruth O. (Downingtown, PA)
History and Mystery
This book is fascinating look at Cuban history via a mystery that intertwines different time periods via the lives of Eva (early 1900s), Pilar (1960s) and Margo (present day). It is a story of love lost and found, betrayals and loyalties, set amid the search for a rare book written by Eva Fuentes. The history of Cuba is illuminated in the hopes for positive change after freedom is gained from Spain and then repression in the era of Fidel Castro. Character development of the three primary characters was very good. It is also a story about books having the power to change lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel,
…more both from learning more about Cuban history and the mystery involving the book search. It was easy to keep track of each chapter's time period as the chapter was labeled with the person's name and year—a welcome advantage in a book that bounces around time. This would be an interesting read for book clubs because of character development, history and love of books. (less)
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