When We Left Cuba

A Novel

By: Chanel Cleeton

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life - and heart - to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez - her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro's inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost. 

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban-American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future - but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything - not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart.

©2019 Chanel Cleeton (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Disappointing sequel

The first book was tremendous and I eagerly awaited the next developments . Alas, the second book was a flat, predictable storyline that left interesting characters to wilt.

3 ish stars?!

Perhaps it was my love of the 1st book in this series and my high expectations for this book that did not allow me to enjoy it near as much as I thought I would. I felt as though the story line and characters' stories were shallow and slow, never quite reaching a moment that left me feeling attached , drawn in, or wanting to quickly read to see what happens next...

A definite bummer in my opinion, unfortunately...

Not as good as Next Year in Havana

this review contains spoilers.

I like the premise of the story but I did not like the execution. One thing that bothered me was how much I rooted for Nick and Beatrice but I never really got to see why they were really in love with each other. We know more about their physical attraction to each other than any emotional attraction to each other. I wish to have heard more details regarding Beatrice's involvement in the CIA. The story was still engaging and I still enjoyed it however I wish there were more details.

Not as good as the first book

I was excited for the follow up to Chanel Cleeton’s first book based in revolutionary Cuba. I was relatively uninterested until the last few chapters. Those were the ones that were as good as book one. I feel much of the chapters in Florida could have been edited.

Weak story line and long dialogues

The story was prolonged in places and undeveloped in others. Long redundant dialogues. Had to make an effort to finish the book

LOVED this book!!

There are already so many excellent reviews of this book, so I won’t repeat their comments. As to the negative ones: I agree with their sediments that it is not a true historical fiction, but centers more on the romantic relationships she has. However, it actually is woven with ALL of her family interactions & her unbreakable need to right the wrongs those in Cuba suffered under the political landscape there. When everything your family has worked so hard for, is taken from you, and your life is forever altered, it changes & challenges you. I truly enjoyed the honest dialog between the people Beatriz has in her life, from the senator, her childhood friends, the CIA and even Castro. I’m now going to “reread”, “Last Year in Havana”!!
I loved them both. I’ll probably do a bit of study on the actual history of Cuba as well!

This is a love story above all else

If you’re looking for a romance novel, this is very good. The historical notes add depth and reality to the melodrama. I found myself much more interested in the historical fiction aspect than the romance, as that felt like what made this story unique, versus the actual romantic relationship.

Disappointed just a little

I didn’t get right into this as the first book
The last part is better - leaves a lot out

trash

save yourself the credit and pick up an old danielle steele novel instead. narration was lovely though.

Robot-Like Narration

Don’t bother with this one. Especially if you are looking for a Cuban story of yesteryear. I think I’ll try the book but the robotic-type narration was awful. Didn’t make past 20 minutes.