The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes

By: Chanel Cleeton

Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya, Frankie Corzo, Kyla Garcia

A 2025 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee

"This captivating story is an ode to book lovers!"—Woman's World

A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women—and their secrets—in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.

London, 2024: American expat Margo Reynolds is renowned for her talent at sourcing rare antiques for her clients, but she’s never had a request quite like this one. She’s been hired to find a mysterious book published over a century ago. With a single copy left in existence, it has a storied past shrouded in secrecy—and her client isn’t the only person determined to procure it at any cost.

Havana, 1966: Librarian Pilar Castillo has devoted her life to books, and in the chaotic days following her husband’s unjust imprisonment by Fidel Castro, reading is her only source of solace. So when a neighbor fleeing Cuba asks her to return a valuable book to its rightful owner, Pilar will risk everything to protect the literary work entrusted to her care. It’s a dangerous mission that reveals to her the power of one book to change a life.

Boston, 1900: For Cuban school teacher and aspiring author Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to study for the summer is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a whirlwind adventure that leaves her little time to write, but a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger changes everything. The story that pours out of her is one of forbidden love, secrets, and lies… and though Eva cannot yet see it, the book will be a danger and salvation for the lives it touches.

Critic reviews

"This captivating story is an ode to book lovers!"—Woman's World

“I was completely locked into the mysterious plot woven by Cleeton and the leading ladies."—Conde Nast Traveler

“The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes reminds us that books and stories have always been and will always be a shining light in our lives…. There is the perfect blend of drama, intrigue and passion to make it a novel that will appeal to book lovers everywhere.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan

"A moving tribute to the power and comfort of books, this is a must read for book lovers." —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Booklover's Library

"The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes has everything I love: suspense, adventure, heart, and gutsy heroines." —Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

"With twists that keep you breathless and a haunting truth waiting to be uncovered, Cleeton masterfully blends history, suspense, and the enduring power of storytelling. A must-read for those who crave intrigue, resilience, and the undeniable magic of books.” —Eliza Knight, USA Today and international bestselling author of Confessions of a Grammar Queen

"A love letter to the liberating and restorative power of the written word, books, and heroic teachers and librarians. From beginning to end, Cleeton’s beautifully written story with its undercurrent tension and sense of urgency sets a course for an exceptional and captivating reading experience." —Monica Chenault-Kilgore, author of The Jewel of the Blues

"Highly recommended for anyone who believes in the power of books!”—Historical Novels Review

Praise for the novels of 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

“Next Year in Havana reminds us that while love is complicated and occasionally heartbreaking, it's always worth the risk.” —NPR

“A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly unputdownable.” —PopSugar

“A remarkable writer.” —The Washington Post

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

Well written mystery

I throughly enjoyed the story. The author unraveled the mystery with just the right pacing. I enjoyed learning about a history that I don't know much about. The themes of redemption and recreation are strong.

a. captivating story

I love books that immerse me in another place in time. this book does that in so many ways, traveling back and forth between the past and the present, between Cuba and the US, with wonderful heroines along the way

Nostalgia

I’m Puerto Rican and proud of it. Like some Cleeton’s characters, I live in the USA where I trained and practice. Some of my closest friends in my teens were exiled Cubans. Cleeton’s novels evoke a time when my friends’ pain was mine too, hard not to empathize. She is a treasure trove of memories. As I listen and read the news, I pray we can find a way to save democracy- the accuracy of her stories reminds me of Fidel’s rise and the similitude of what Trump and his minions are doing.

Excellent book highly recommend

I have read several of this authors books and have fall in love with each and everyone of them I especially loved the character Pilar and everything that she went through. My favorite part of the book was when she found the officer in her apartment and she hit him in the head with the cast-iron skillet and made her escape from Cuba. All of the characters are really lovable. This book kept my attention and I would highly recommend.

Great storytelling, as always!

I LOVE Chanel Cleetons historical fiction books about Cuba, but the narration for Margot just fell flat this time. I don’t think these characters really held my attention as much as previous characters of Cleeton. However, I think it’s important for everyone to read books by her to truly understand socialism and fascism.

Couldn’t understand names

Couldn’t understand the Spanish pronunciations. Accent too thick. Hard to listen to. Detracted from the smooth listening.

My least favorite if her books

Narration was slow and depressing.
Story was ok but could have been tied together better.
Disappointed