A Night at the Tropicana

A Short Story

By: Chanel Cleeton

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

Cuba in the 1930s is the backdrop for a vibrant short story about the rhythms of the heart and the twists of fate that echo through time by the New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana.

Havana, 1939: It’s opening night at the famed Tropicana nightclub. Cuban American college student Natalie Trainer, on vacation from Miami, is watching from the sidelines—as usual. Then comes an invitation to dance from a handsome stranger named Antonio. Normally cautious and reserved, Natalie somehow finds herself saying yes. A tiny thrill of rebellion, of taking a chance, and Natalie’s in heaven. Will her first step into this unfamiliar realm set a new course for her life, or only tonight?

©2023 Chanel Cleeton. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Romantic and lovely!

Swept right away in the romance and brilliance of Havana! Once again, Cleeton transports her readers to Cuba!

Enjoyable but predictable

I enjoyed this short story by Cleeton, one of my favorite authors--I've read her entire Cuba series of books--and a terrific writer. For me, at least, I knew what was going to happen very early on, but that didn't lessen the pleasure of hearing this story. The narrator did a good job although it would have been nice to have a male do Antonio's part.

Enchanting

Loved everything about this! Short and sweet yet leaves you wanting more! Would love a follow up novel telling what happens next.

A little romance in Havana

A lovely short story romance to read before bed. Set mostly in 1939 in Havana, this could have been turned into a full length novel. Love comes when we least expect it and sometimes we're right the first time.

52BookClub 2025 Reading Challenge
Prompt # 15: Includes Latin American history

Cute read!

This was such a quick cute read. I definitely love love and this displayed all of that and it’s not too late.