Okay, Vacitos! I just finished When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton, and let me tell you—it’s an absolute ride. Listening to the audiobook, I found myself completely absorbed by Beatriz Perez’s journey as a Cuban exile, recruited by the CIA and tasked with infiltrating Fidel Castro’s inner circle. It’s the second book after Next Year in Havana, and honestly, I think I loved this one even more!

Beatriz is a badass. She takes life by the horns, unapologetic and fierce, which immediately hooked me. She’s not your typical romance heroine; she’s got spy missions to run and political plots to navigate. Her internal struggle is fascinating, especially when she observes the U.S. public’s response to Castro. The way Americans romanticized him as a revolutionary figure, without digging deeper into his impact, mirrors how today we sometimes get swept away by charismatic figures. Often, we fall into the trap of idolizing people who claim to be different from the establishment but end up embodying it in their own ways. It’s like we’d rather hold onto our beliefs than question them critically—something When We Left Cuba makes you think about in the context of both history and the present day.

Beatriz’s love story also captivated me. It’s not just about romance but tension—the unspoken desires, the what-ifs. Between the senator and her childhood friend, Beatriz is torn, and honestly, so was I! When her old flame confessed his love for her, I practically melted. That’s the beauty of this book: it makes you feel everything. The romance is a slow burn, with just the right amount of tension, leaving you on edge. And when Beatriz questions whether she made the wrong choice, I felt that deeply. I became her, completely immersed in her world and decisions.

I also have to shout out the way the author balances the romance with Beatriz’s incredible tenacity. While the love story simmers, we also see her making bold moves, working with the CIA, getting a law degree, and owning her independence. She’s not just a love interest—she’s a fully fleshed-out woman, surviving and thriving in a complicated world.

Oh, and that ending? Spoiler alert: she and Nick reconnect after 50 years! It’s romantic in the best way possible, without hitting you over the head with it. The tension, the reunion, the quiet acknowledgment of all those years lost—it’s beautifully done.

I’m already gearing up for the third book. If you’re into historical fiction with depth, romance, and characters who practically leap off the page, this is a series you need to check out.

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