A review by amandalorianxo
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I didn’t care about the romances that were sort of a subplot in this book. I think my feelings about this mirror exactly how I felt about The Lost Apothecary when it came to dual timelines. I enjoyed the past Cuban storyline, the explanations of Batista / Che & Castro in addition to  the privileged Perez’s realizing that they weren’t safe once Castro was in power. I didn’t care that much for Marisol / her pov because… as much as she claims Cuba is home, it really isn’t. She is an American through and through & grew up with a lot of privilege. I feel like a lot of the side characters called her out but as someone whose age matches my own, I’m not sure if Marisol ever fully understood that. 
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