I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton Published by Berkley Publishing Group on May 24, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Hispanic & Latino
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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When Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's new novel.
Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel's sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister's dangerous world of espionage, but it's an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel's life.
Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia's past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.
Alicia and Isabel's lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family's expectations and following their hearts.
I loved this book! I have been a fan of Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction books featuring Cuban characters since she started writing them. I was really excited to learn that this book would feature one of the Perez sisters but once I started reading and found in addition to a Perez sister we also get to read about their mother, Alicia, and their aunt, Rosa. I was pulled into this story from the first page and hated to put the book down until I had reached the very end.
Isabel is the oldest of the Perez sisters. When she learns that her sister, Beatriz, is missing in Barcelona, she travels to Spain hoping to find her. She soon meets Diego and the pair set off to track her down. Years earlier, Alicia also traveled to Spain with her young daughter, Isabel. While Alicia is in Spain, the county is filled with violence with war on the horizon. Rosa is a new wife back in Cuba who must say goodbye to her husband and he leaves to go to Spain to fight.
I was swept away by the stories of these women and the choices that they had to make. All three tried to balance the needs of their family against the things that they really want out of life. These women were loyal and passionate while trying to do the best they could in incredibly difficult situations. I was glued to the pages as they struggled to find the best future possible. I really liked the dynamics between the Perez sisters and liked that we got to see Alicia in both of the timelines.
I would highly recommend this book to others. It was hard not to fall in love with this group of characters and the story was filled with the perfect combination of passion and excitement. I cannot wait to read future works by this talented author.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Oh I’ve seen this novel reviewed around and was very tempted when her last book came out. Thanks Carole I am definitely putting her on my wish list
This was such a well done book, Debbie! I do recommend it.
I read very little historical fiction but I think I would enjoy this author. I have a signed copy of one of her books from RT 2017.
She does such a great job with these books, Anne. They are definitely worth a read.
You’ve summed it up so well. I loved this one, too.
She does such a great job in bringing these characters to life.
I haven’t read any books by this author before. This is the second review I read about this book and I’m definitely intriqued now. Great review! I’m glad you enjoyed this book so much.
She is a great author and these historical fiction books are really hard to put down!
Sounds so interesting! I don’t think I’ve read any books set in Cuba.
The setting is one of the things that really appealed to me.
I had to check Goodreads to see if I read the first book to this series because it sounds so familiar. It sounds very interesting–and i’m a fan of family saga, so consider me convinced!
The books have some connections but they all read well as stand alones.
I am happy to see more of the family will be featured in this book as they are a huge reason why I enjoy them so much. Sounds like the series is still going strong.
It was great to see so much of the family in this one. Beatriz plays a rather big part in the story.
This author has been on my TBR since her first book set in Cuba. This sounds absolutely fantastic and I love when I can really connect and admire characters.
Not the best time to arrive in Spain