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bookwadreads's review against another edition
5.0
Like the reviews of this novel say, it’s absolutely stunning. I’ve found a new favorite novel, a breathtaking read that takes me to a place I’ve never been. Not only is Next Year in Havana an incredible read, Chanel Cleeton doesn’t shy away from the horrors that come in a county post-war, and it’s a story that will stick with me.
kristyloves2read's review against another edition
4.0
Enchanting and loving, Next Year in Havana gives us a glimpse at a world that most of us will never understand. Havana in the late 1950s and Havana of now. The causes, the reasons, the struggles of living under Batista, fighting for or against him, living under Fidel, fighting for him, then against him, and living under such a regime's as both of those men. Elisa’s life and struggles as she falls for a revolutionary for Fidel against her family's beliefs. Marisol’s life and struggles with her grandmother’s death as she discovers the secrets of her grandmother and her family in Cuba even as she too falls for a revolutionary against Fidel. It was a beautifully written story.
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
2.5
I enjoyed learning more about life in Cuba from the perspective of those who stayed versus those who left. However, the romances fell a bit flat for me.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
5.0
I decided to give this book a shot because due to the high reviews it got, the time period and. well, it's something normally outside my normal realm of reads.
I'm glad I did - it was a book that was beautiful, heartbreaking, touching, and powerful all in one. I like that the author who wrote the book was inspired by her own heritage and the current standing of Cuba and the US.
The men - the men of the book are handsome and I can't be the only person who was thinking that the narrator's man reminded me of a scruffy Josh Groban (only Cuban!). The narrator's grandmother, man, she had a dish of a guy who was tall, with longer than normal hair and gorgeous hands. I'll hush before I start turning this review into a gush about the pretty boys.
Anyway. I was thrilled to find out this book had a sequel. I will totally give it a read.
I recommend for anybody who enjoys historical reads, romances, chic lit fiction.
melissewithanereads's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely enjoyed hearing the story and history of Cuba. The political parts became repetitive but overall enjoyed how the whole story wrapped up.
carly_duckett's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
445696ilz's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
gainessm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lilbanne's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading Next Year in Havana! I enjoy reading a good travel book to learn about another culture's history from the pages of a book. I enjoyed learning about the Cuban Revolution and the history behind Cuba. I had no in-depth knowledge about how hard life is in Cuba, so it was a vastly enjoyable read. The characterization and unrealistic insta-love are present in the story, but you need to suspend some belief when reading the book.
The story unfolds in two distinct timelines, each with its emotional and romantic love interest journey. The first timeline, set in the late 1950s in Havana, follows the life of Elisa Perez, a young woman from a wealthy family deeply affected by the Cuban revolution. Elisa falls in love with a rebel named Pablo. The two are separated when her family flees to Florida.
The second timeline is from the perspective of Marisol, Elisa's granddaughter in the present timeline. Marisol returns to Cuba to scatter her grandmother's ashes after she passes away suddenly. Marisol, who has grown up in the US, is eager to learn more about her heritage. It is through her budding relationship with Luis, the grandson of her mother's old friend, that Marisol uncovers the long-held secrets about her grandmother's life in Cuba.
Always wondering where she fits, an American or a Cuban, Marisol learns about her Cuban heritage and how she fits into the world. The author's heritage inspires the story, and I enjoyed a historical-fictionalized version of her history.
The story unfolds in two distinct timelines, each with its emotional and romantic love interest journey. The first timeline, set in the late 1950s in Havana, follows the life of Elisa Perez, a young woman from a wealthy family deeply affected by the Cuban revolution. Elisa falls in love with a rebel named Pablo. The two are separated when her family flees to Florida.
The second timeline is from the perspective of Marisol, Elisa's granddaughter in the present timeline. Marisol returns to Cuba to scatter her grandmother's ashes after she passes away suddenly. Marisol, who has grown up in the US, is eager to learn more about her heritage. It is through her budding relationship with Luis, the grandson of her mother's old friend, that Marisol uncovers the long-held secrets about her grandmother's life in Cuba.
Always wondering where she fits, an American or a Cuban, Marisol learns about her Cuban heritage and how she fits into the world. The author's heritage inspires the story, and I enjoyed a historical-fictionalized version of her history.