The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes - by Chanel Cleeton

Book Synopsis

A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.

London, 2024 When American expat Margo Reynolds is hired to source a book that's more than one hundred and twenty years old, she thinks her greatest challenge is going to be that there's only one copy in existence. However, it quickly becomes clear that her client isn't the only person determined to procure the book at any cost. Thrust into a deadly quest, Margo teams up with an unlikely ally--the man she loved and lost--and is forced to confront the ghosts of her own past as the lingering feelings that simmer between them ignite.

Havana, 1966 Pilar Castillo's days are spent working as a librarian in Havana, her nights spent hoping for her husband's freedom after his unjust imprisonment. But Pilar has a secret that could jeopardize her life. She's fighting Fidel's regime in her own way, and when she comes into possession of a book that was published more than sixty years earlier, she must decide how much she's willing to risk to protect the literary works entrusted to her care.

Boston, 1900 For Cuban teacher Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to participate in the largest cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States is not only a chance to represent her country at a critical time in its bid for independence, but also an opportunity to work on the book she's writing. When a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger alters the course of Eva's summer at Harvard, and as secrets, lies, and forbidden love rise to the surface, Eva's life--and legacy--is irrevocably changed.

Review Quotes

"Chanel Cleeton never disappoints. Her books bring history to life with gorgeous prose, nuanced heroines and enough scandal, mystery and glamour to keep readers turning the pages."
--Cristina Alger, New York Times bestselling author of Girls Like Us

Praise for the novels of Chanel Cleeton

"A beautiful novel that's full of forbidden passions, family secrets and a lot of courage and sacrifice."
--Reese Witherspoon

"A sweeping love story and tale of courage and familial and patriotic legacy that spans generations."
--Entertainment Weekly

"Next Year in Havana reminds us that while love is complicated and occasionally heartbreaking, it's always worth the risk."
--NPR

"A thrilling story about love, loss, and what we will do to go home again. Utterly unputdownable."
--PopSugar

"A remarkable writer."
--The Washington Post

"You won't be able to put this one down."
--Cosmopolitan

"With rich historical detail, incisive dialogue and a firebrand heroine, Cleeton paints a vivid portrait of a woman caught in the currents of a turbulent time yet determined to make her own way."
--Shelf Awareness

"An exhilarating read with a fearless heroine."
--Woman's World

"Has sex, drama, suspense...and pairs perfectly with a mojito."
--People

"This Cuban-set historical novel is just what you need to get that extra-summery feeling"
--Bustle

"The Ultimate Beach Read"
--Real Simple

"Historical fiction fans will love this novel and its perfectly detailed descriptions of a long-gone era. This is another slam-dunk from Cleeton."
--Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The House on Biscayne Bay, The Cuban Heiress, Our Last Days in Barcelona, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, When We Left Cuba, and Reese's Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, she grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Richmond, the American International University in London, and a master's degree in global politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Cleeton also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.