After her beloved grandmother passes away, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana. There, she uncovers her family’s roots and unveils a hidden secret from the time of the revolution.
In Havana, 1958, Elisa Perez is the daughter of a sugar baron and a member of Cuba’s elite society. Sheltered from the growing political unrest, her life takes a dramatic turn when she begins a secret romance with a passionate revolutionary.
In Miami, 2017, freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up listening to her late grandmother Elisa’s romantic tales of Cuba. Elisa had to flee with her family during the revolution, and her last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in her homeland.
When Marisol arrives in Havana, she is struck by the country’s beautiful yet politically tense environment. As she learns more about her family’s past and develops feelings for a man with his own secrets, Marisol realizes she needs her grandmother’s lessons to understand true courage.
Every once in a while, a book touches your heart deeply, and “Next Year in Havana” is one of those stories. Chanel Cleeton’s writing immediately draws you in with vivid imagery. Through her lush descriptions, you almost hear the ocean’s waves and feel the summer heat. Her intimate, engaging writing style makes you connect instantly with characters like Elisa and Marisol, who feel like friends or even family.
Cleeton’s portrayal of Cuban culture is almost like another character in the book. She skillfully blends Marisol’s romanticized vision of Cuba with the harsher realities, showing how her perceptions evolve as she spends more time in the country. Marisol learns that being Cuban in America and being Cuban in Cuba are very different experiences.
The romantic elements in “Next Year in Havana” are breathtaking. Elisa’s intense relationship with a revolutionary named Pablo opens her eyes to the world around her, forcing her to reconcile changes within herself and her country. She finds herself torn between her love for Pablo and her loyalty to her family.
Marisol’s connection with Luis mirrors Elisa’s romance. Luis combines intelligence, rebellion, and immediate affection for Marisol, making him captivating. Cleeton’s narrative delicately unfolds these romantic relationships, stirring deep emotions without becoming explicit. Marisol and Elisa’s experiences with love evoke strong feelings as they navigate complicated lives.
“Next Year in Havana” would make a fantastic movie, beautifully showcasing the contrasts between 1950s and modern-day Cuba. The romantic and political landscapes could be as compelling on screen as they are in the book. The casting, especially of Latino actors, would be crucial to capturing the essence of Cleeton’s characters and the Cuban experience.
In summary, “Next Year in Havana” is a poetic, hypnotic story that merges the past and present into a compelling tale of family, love, and sacrifice. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical romance.
You can find “Next Year in Havana” at your favorite bookstore or online retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, or Google Play Books.
