Do you love Chanel Cleeton books about Cuba and the Perez family?
I am sharing a list of Chanel Cleeton’s books about Cuba that are perfect for fans of historical fiction.
Chanel Cleeton is a New York Times best-selling author. She writes historical fiction and contemporary romance books. She has authored nineteen books.
I am not a big romance reader, but I love historical fiction, so today we are focusing on Chanel Cleeton’s books about Cuba and her Perez family series.
Chanel Cleeton is from Florida, but grew up hearing her family’s story of leaving Cuba following the Cuban Revolution.
Chanel Cleeton combines her love of history and her family stories in her Perez Family books about Cuba. Her books are historical fiction, but her family and their Cuban roots inspired them.
I love Chanel Cleeeton’s writing. She does such a great job writing about the people of Cuba and Florida.
I learned so much about Cuba and South Florida by reading Chanel Cleeton’s books.
Do Chanel Cleeton’s books have to be read in order?
There are five books in the Perez family series. Each book features a different member of the Perez family.
You do not have to read the books in order. I have heard Chanel Cleeton say that in an interview, but I think they will make more sense if you read them in order. You will be able to understand the characters and the different family members better if you read them in order that she wrote them.
If you don’t read them in order, I would at least start with the first book, Next Year in Havana, before reading any of the others. The first book sets up the story of the Perez family and why they left Cuba, and their journey to the United States.
Perez Family Books
Next Year in Havana was published in 2018. It is a dual timeline book set in 1950s Cuba and 2017 Florida.
This book follows the Perez family from the time of Batista’s overthrow to Fidel Castro taking power, to their journey to America. I learned so much about Cuba in the 1950s from this book.
When We Left Cuba was published in 2019. This book follows Beatriz after her family left Cuba for Florida. Beatriz longs for her old life and an adventure, and gets caught between American and Cuban politics.
The Last Train to Key West was published in 2020. It is set in Florida, during a hurricane in 1935.
This book follows three women whose paths cross during the hurricane. One of the women is Mirta Perez, who left Cuba after her arranged marriage. The hurricane changes all three women’s lives.
The Most Beautiful Girl In Cuba was published in 2021. It is set in 1896 New York, which was during the Gilded Age.
This book is about America’s involvement during the fight for Cuban Independence and Mirta Perez’s involvement in that fight.
This is another book in the series that taught me so much about Cuba and its history.
Our Last Days in Barcelona was published in 2022. This book is set in 1964 Barcelona. It follows Isabel Perez, who was exiled from Cuba after the revolution.
This is the only book in the series that I have not read, and I hope to read it this summer.
Other Chanel Cleeton Books About Cuba
Chanel Cleeton has written three books on Cuba that are not part of the Perez family series. I have not read them all yet, but I own two of the three books and can’t wait to read them.
The Cuban Heiress was published in 2023. This book is set in 1934. It follows two women who are aboard the luxury ship Morro Castle as it makes its way from New York to Havana. I just finished reading this book and will have a full review coming soon.
The House on Biscayne Bay was published in 2024. This book is set in a Gothic mansion in Florida, where the past and present collide. This one sounds quite a bit different than Chanel Cleeton’s other books, but I love her writing, so I am willing to give it a try.
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes will be published in September 2025. This is Chanel Cleeton’s latest book. It follows three women during three timelines: 2024 London, 1966 Havana, and 1900 Boston. This book sounds like it has a lot of history packed into one book. I can’t wait to read it.