Our Last Days in Barcelona

By: Chanel Cleeton

Narrated by: Almarie Guerra, Elena Rey, Victoria Villarreal

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

An NPR Best Book of 2022

“A master class in family and political drama, in star-crossed love stories and in capturing the enormity of what home is.”—NPR

When Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister, Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times best-selling author Chanel Cleeton’s new novel.

Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister, Beatriz, disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.

Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter, Isabel, in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.

Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts.

©2022 Chanel Cleeton (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"There's no one better than Cleeton at intertwining tales of mothers and daughters with war and revolution… a riveting tale."—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

“Cleeton is a master at weaving together stories across dual timelines, and this is no exception. The novel pulses with her signature blend of intrigue, betrayal, and the redemptive power of unleashing family secrets.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Cleeton vividly describes Barcelona through the eyes of her protagonists; the city, and its mixture of art and tragedy, is the perfect backdrop for Alicia's struggle and Isabel's soul-searching…. The Perez women display their strength in very different ways, and Cleeton celebrates each for their fortitude…[and] sensitively explores the multiple factors that affect her characters' decisions. Their lives are shaped not only by political events at home and abroad, but by their family's expectations and their precarious social status as immigrants to the U.S. Full of rich historical detail and vibrant characters, Our Last Days in Barcelona stands on its own, but also gives readers another glimpse into the continuing story of the Perez family.”—Shelf Awareness

WOW‼️‼️‼️

What a powerful story with real world connections. Having seen Picasso’s Guernica, the end of this book pulled at my heart and brought forth my rage related to war especially as the war in Ukraine causes such sorrow and destruction in 2022.

To be truthful it was difficult to follow the ladies in the story as the time and setting changed. To my untrained ear the voices were not “different” enough to help me.

I am so excited to see where this author will take me next?????😍

Wonderful story of love, history and life

I am obsessed with Ms.Cleeton’s books .
What wonderful stories about love, history and life . Can’t wait for your next book

Another great read by the author

I enjoyed the book. Would welcome a tree connecting the characters on authors web site. Some confusion as time before each reading.

Not just another sequel

It’s not too often that a writer can keep readers engaged through several sequels. Ms. Cleeton has kept me captivated throughout each of these.

Read her other novels about Cubs first.

Cleeton is a very talented and interesting writer. However I don’t think this novel can be read as a standalone piece and be truly appreciated. There are too many dangling parts from her other novels about the Cuban Perez sisters.
This was not the best of her novels but was still quite good.

Even better than the second!

Wowowow, I LOVED this book. Cleeton
never ceases to amaze me and hook me right from the beginning! I love these women so much!

Ms Cleeton does it again

This book has to be my favorite of all the Perez family and the saga of their Cuban exile, a subject near and dear to my heart. All the books have been so entertaining and I can so easily loose myself in the stories of all the amazing female characters. I can especially relate to Isabel and I’m so pleased that Ms Cleeton gave her a voice in the spotlight.

Well done

I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this series. The historical background is on point and gives a different perspective to this time in history from people that lived through it.

Good overall

I loved the history, culture and heritage of the story overall . I do think that cities like Barcelona and Havana should be pronounced with authentic accents as they are cities in Spanish speaking countries and the book directly references the language and heritage of each place.

Love this series

Another beautifully written story with historic details woven throughout. Love that this sister was an artist, loved that the mother’s story was shared, love everything about it. Great 3rd book in a wonderful series. Wish audible would include the family tree that is in the back of the book somehow. When only listening, it’s hard to keep up with all the family connections. Tried unsuccessfully to find the family tree online.