Chanel Cleeton had written mostly romance novels before she broke out with Next Year in Havana, the first book of several that focuses on Cuban families. A Goodreads Choice award nominee, it was chosen as the Reese's Book Club pick in July of 2018. In this book, we deal with death, pregnancy, violence, war, murder, police brutality, classism, torture, gun violence, injury detail, and kidnapping.
When Fidel Castro came to power, Elisa Perez and her family quietly left their home in Havana to find safety in the United States. They took a suitcase each and left their valuables and loved ones behind, planning to return when Castro was ousted. As time went on, they created a new life in Miami but they never lost hope that they could one day return to Cuba. When Cuba opens its borders to allow travel for American journalists, Elisa's granddaughter Marisol applies for permission to visit. Officially, she's there to compile a list of things that must not be missed when visiting Cuba for a travel article she's writing. Unofficially, she's there to scatter her grandmother's ashes in the country she always yearned to return to. While there, Marisol meets the family of Elisa's childhood best friend and uncovers secrets that Elisa had kept for her whole life.
The first novel that I've read by Chanel Cleeton, I ended up enjoying this book by the end. The beginning was a bit slow but it finally caught me about a third of the way through. I enjoyed the older generation of characters quite a bit, I thought Elisa in particular was well thought out, but the newer characters were somewhat one-dimensional. I did enjoy the historical aspect, I'm not sure how much I learned from the book itself but it did spur me to do some independent research and learn about Cuba before Fidel Castro. There is a very small amount of romance, the sweet kind like when you're on a first date with someone you really like and the air is heavy with anticipation, but nothing more than a few kisses and some hand holding. I did like the ending of this book and I thought it seemed realistic, it was happy while being quite bittersweet and fraught with second guessing and questions about the future.
Overall, I'm giving Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton 3.75 stars out of 5. It tried to showcase the plight of contemporary Cubans as well as those in the 1950s while continuing to entertain and it mostly succeeds. There are several follow up books to Next Year in Havana, including one focusing on another Perez sister, that I will possibly read. While I'm not clamoring for them, I enjoyed myself enough to pick one up if I get the chance.
For more from Chanel Cleeton, check out her website at http://www.chanelcleeton.com/
Pairs well with a plate of ropa vieja followed by a slow walk along the boardwalk.
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