I’ve read 5 of Cleeton’s books so far and while I enjoyed some of them more than others, I’ve never been disappointed in her ability to deliver the goods (a solid, satisfying read with compelling characters that are easy to root for). Glancing through my options (amongst the list of April “upcoming” reads I hope to get to), I saw Chanel Cleeton’s latest historical novel The Cuban Heiress and I knew that would be the perfect choice. After finishing a book last week that left a bad taste in my mouth, I needed a palette cleanser, a book that I knew I would likely enjoy. This book was given to me by the publisher for an honest review. Historical fiction fans, women’s fiction fans, and fans of books set on a ship that may historically be unknown to the reader will enjoy this book. THE CUBAN HEIRESS has a great setting, a few surprises, and unsavory characters that make the book one you won’t want to put down. Will Catherine be able to carry on her pretense?Īre any of the characters presenting themselves as the person they really are? Will Elena be able to stay hidden? Will she get her revenge?

They both come aboard anticipating a break from their lives and completing their plans, but their plans change.Ĭatherine meets a jewel thief, and Elena knows the man who wronged her is on the ship - how will she keep him from seeing her?

Two women with plans and two women who are not portraying who they really are as they board the infamous SS Morro Castle.Ĭatherine Dohan and Elena Palacio board the ship pretending they are someone they really aren’t. My thanks to netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book. This would translate easily into a movie. It reminded me often of the movie Titantic, and not just because of the disaster at sea. But if the characters felt two dimensional at times, there were romance and cons, revenge and hoodwinking to keep me engaged. In fact, most of the characters are cliches. The book is fast paced, often at the expense of character development. And it’s not the kind of historic fiction that teaches you anything about the period.

It’s more romantic entertainment set in a historic period than historical fiction. A journey that ends with the ship on fire. They are all aboard the Morro Castle on its cruise to Havana in 1934. Harry is a thief and Julio is smuggling guns and political exiles. Catherine is pretending to be rich, when she’s anything but. In The Cuban Heiress, no one is who they seem.

Chanelcleeton