When We Left Cuba: A Novel

Praise for When We Left Cuba

You won't be able to put this one down. Cosmopolitan

A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly un-put-down-able. PopSugar

Both a hard-earned love story and a visceral account of history. Cleeton s writing pulsates with passion and intimacy . She s long since established herself as a remarkable writer, but with When We Left Cuba, she s written with a sublime force that keeps us tethered to her words. The Washington Post

A beautiful and utterly transporting novel. Publisher s Weekly

With rich historical detail, incisive dialogue and a firebrand heroine, Cleeton paints a vivid portrait of a woman caught in the currents of a turbulent time yet determined to make her own way. Shelf Awareness 

An exhilarating read with a fearless heroine. Woman s World 

Has sex, drama, suspense and pairs perfectly with a mojito. People

When We Left Cuba is chock full of espionage, murder, romance, politics, family drama, and themes of national identity...If you loved Next Year in Havana, read this straightaway! Key Womans World

Bold, unconventional Beatriz makes a heroine for the ages...A thrilling, thought-provoking read! Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress

A gorgeously atmospheric homage to a country and a past that vibrates with emotion on every page.  Historic events, espionage, and a Kennedy-esque romance make this novel a rich read, but the addition of a formidable heroine truly makes it unputdownable.  This is not just historical fiction, but also an unrequited love story for a country and a way of life, as well as a journey of self-discovery for a woman torn between love and the two countries she calls home. Karen White, New York Times bestselling author  

Cleeton once again delivers a masterful tale of political intrigue tinged with personal heartbreak. Her ferocity and fearlessness can be found on every page, and Beatriz s story one of vengeance, betrayal, and bravery astonishes and thrills. Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Masterpiece

Atmospheric and evocative, When We Left Cuba captivates with its compelling portrayals of the glamorous Cuban exile community and powerful forbidden love set against the dangerous intrigue of the Cold War. Unforgettable and unputdownable! Laura Kamoie, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Dear Hamilton

By turns a captivating historical novel, a sweeping love story, and a daring tale of espionage I absolutely adored this gem of a novel. Jillian Cantor, author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time

Oozing with atmosphere and intrigue, When We Left Cuba is an evocative, powerful and beautifully written historical novel which had me completely captivated from the first page to the last. Take a bow, Chanel Cleeton! Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper s Daughter

With a sure hand for historical detail, an impeccable eye for setting, and a heroine who grasps hold of your heart and never lets go, Chanel Cleeton has created another dazzlingly atmospheric and absorbing story of Cuba and its exiles. A beautiful and profoundly affecting novel from a writer whose work belongs on the shelves of every lover of historical fiction. Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown

Powerful, emotional and oh so real. One woman's fight to reclaim her own country, against all odds and no matter what the cost is intertwined with the real history of our lifetime and creates an unforgettable story. Rhys Bowen, New York Times and #1 Kindle bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and the Royal Spyness mysteries.

Scintillating....An intriguing dive into the turbulent Cuban-American history of the 1960s, and the unorthodox choices made by a strong historical woman. Marie Benedict, author of The Only Woman in the Room

Rich in historic detail, When We Left Cuba has it all the excitement of a page-turning thriller, the sizzle of a steamy romance and the elegant prose of a master storyteller. Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer

Cleeton draws you into the glamour, intrigue, and uncertainty of the Cuban exile community just after Castro's coup through a heroine who could give Mata Hari a run for her money....You'll be rooting for Beatriz to change the course of history and find her own hard-won happily ever after. Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The English Wife

With a richly imagined setting and a heroine worth rooting for from the start, When We Left Cuba is thrilling and romantic, and timely to boot. Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Met Jack

A compelling unputdownable story of love for a man, for a country, for a past ripped away, and a future s tenuous promise. When We Left Cuba swept me away. Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Lighthouse Beach.

Electric and fierce. Beatriz Perez s romance with a handsome, important senator will sweep you away, but it s her profound loyalty to Cuba and her formidable determination to be her own woman despite life-and-death odds that will really hold you in thrall. Kerri Maher, author of The Kennedy Debutante

In a tale as tempestuous as Cuba itself, When We Left Cuba is the revolutionary story of one woman s bold courage and her many sacrifices for her beloved country. An absolutely spectacular read! Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of American Princess

Beatriz Perez s brand of vintage-Havana glamour dazzles with equal parts intrigue, rebellion, and romance to make for an unforgettable story. Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott

When We Left Cuba is a breathtaking book, and it captures what I love best about historical fiction. Camille Di Maio, author of The Way of Beauty

More Praise for Chanel Cleeton

A beautiful novel that's full of forbidden passions, family secrets and a lot of courage and sacrifice. Reese Witherspoon

A sweeping love story and tale of courage and familial and patriotic legacy that spans generations. Entertainment Weekly

This Cuban-set historical novel is just what you need to get that ~extra-summery~ feeling. Bustle

The Ultimate Beach Read Real Simple
 
Next Year in Havana reminds us that while love is complicated and occasionally heartbreaking, it's always worth the risk. NPR

A flat-out stunner of a book, at once a dual-timeline mystery, a passionate romance, and paean to the tragedy and beauty of war-torn Cuba. Simply wonderful! Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network 

Cleeton has penned an atmospheric, politically insightful, and highly hopeful homage to a lost world. Devour Next Year in Havana and you, too, will smell the perfumed groves, taste the ropa vieja, and feel the sun on your face. Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of America's First Daughter

Don t miss this smart, moving, and romantic story. HelloGiggles.com