Book Review of
When We Left Cuba

Lynn's Review

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton was published in 2019. It is historical fiction.

I have read that you do not need to read Chanel Cleeton’s books based on her Cuban family’s stories, in order, but I think they will be more enjoyable if read in order. 

I read Next Year In Havana earlier this year. As soon as I finished it I knew that I wanted to read more about the Perez family. 

This book is set in Florida and it follows the life of Beatriz after her family left Cuba for Florida. 

Beatriz remembers Cuba and life before Fidel Castro came to power. In many ways, she longs for her old life and an adventure. 

Beatriz is caught between Cuban and American politics. A chance to work with the CIA is hard to resist, but she ends up giving up more than she realizes she will have to. 

I loved both this book and Next Year In Havana because they took me to a time and place I don’t know a lot about. They are both great books to read in summer because of their Florida/Cuba setting. 

I will say that this book is PG-13. I skimmed a few scenes. And I think the book would have been just as good without those scenes. I can’t wait to read more about the Perez family.