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The Perez Family #3
The Last Train to Key West
In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's captivating new novel.
Everyone journeys to Key West searching for something. For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler's legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic depression gripping the nation. But one person's paradise can be another's prison, and Key West-native Helen Berner yearns to escape.
The Cuban Revolution of 1933 left Mirta Perez's family in a precarious position. After an arranged wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can't deny the growing attraction to the stranger she's married, her new husband's illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.
Elizabeth Preston's trip from New York to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles as a result of the Wall Street crash. Her quest takes her to the camps occupied by veterans of the Great War and pairs her with an unlikely ally on a treacherous hunt of his own.
Over the course of the holiday weekend, the women's paths cross unexpectedly, and the danger swirling around them is matched only by the terrifying force of the deadly storm threatening the Keys.
Everyone journeys to Key West searching for something. For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler's legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic depression gripping the nation. But one person's paradise can be another's prison, and Key West-native Helen Berner yearns to escape.
The Cuban Revolution of 1933 left Mirta Perez's family in a precarious position. After an arranged wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can't deny the growing attraction to the stranger she's married, her new husband's illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.
Elizabeth Preston's trip from New York to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles as a result of the Wall Street crash. Her quest takes her to the camps occupied by veterans of the Great War and pairs her with an unlikely ally on a treacherous hunt of his own.
Over the course of the holiday weekend, the women's paths cross unexpectedly, and the danger swirling around them is matched only by the terrifying force of the deadly storm threatening the Keys.
303 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2020
About the author
Chanel Cleeton
23 books6,541 followersChanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, and The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba.
Originally from Florida, Chanel 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 & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Originally from Florida, Chanel 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 & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,406 reviews
January 25, 2021
***NOW AVAILABLE***
After thinking about this novel for a few days I am going to bump my rating up to a 5. When I am still feeling something for the characters and story after 3 days it’s a story that I can highly recommend!
This novel was a fantastic escape read and just what I wanted to read right now. I had read “Next Year In Havana” by Chanel Cleeton and really liked it, that setting was mainly in Cuba.
We have three main protagonists in this novel. The novel takes place in Key West and the other keys in Florida after WWI and during the Depression when so many had very little.
The story is told basically from three points of view. Mirta is a previously well off young Cuban woman whose family lost money, property, their power, to the rebel regime. She agreed to marry a man whom she barely knows who is willing to help her family out of their financial situation. Her viewpoint is a stormy one. I enjoyed this character and her determination to find a way out of this marriage. If I have to pick a favorite character, Mirta would be the one!!
Helen is a woman who has been through very tough and sometimes brutal times with her husband. She was a young, kind and happy young bride once but her husband has drastically changed. She is nine months pregnant and still working as a waitress in the local cafe. She is a favorite among many of the customers. There is a man who has been watching her, is he trouble or can he be her ticket out of Key West and her marriage. Helen is afraid for her life and her baby’s.
Elizabeth is a very unique character. She was part of a prominent New York family, her father and brother were stock traders and they lost most of their money in the crash. She is also searching for a man, but not a husband, her brother who has been lost to her for many, many years.
This book is well researched and documents “The Labor Day hurricane of 1935, that struck the Florida Keys and is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.” There were many veterans who were sent to work on the Railroad being built and were housed in tents and shacks. Many people were poor and even homeless after the crash.
The writing is fluid and this is a quick, page turner of a story. I think this is the strongest of Ms. Cleeton’s books. Her descriptions of the Florida landscape and ocean were beautiful. The characters were well defined and believable. These are characters that you can root for!
This book described a hurricane in a very sensory way, I could visualize the force of the winds as it tore through the small towns and then the Tidal Wave afterwards which hit whatever was left after the hurricane winds.
This was another fun read with my buddy DeAnn and we both enjoyed it.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
This novel is set to publish on June 16, 2020
After thinking about this novel for a few days I am going to bump my rating up to a 5. When I am still feeling something for the characters and story after 3 days it’s a story that I can highly recommend!
This novel was a fantastic escape read and just what I wanted to read right now. I had read “Next Year In Havana” by Chanel Cleeton and really liked it, that setting was mainly in Cuba.
We have three main protagonists in this novel. The novel takes place in Key West and the other keys in Florida after WWI and during the Depression when so many had very little.
The story is told basically from three points of view. Mirta is a previously well off young Cuban woman whose family lost money, property, their power, to the rebel regime. She agreed to marry a man whom she barely knows who is willing to help her family out of their financial situation. Her viewpoint is a stormy one. I enjoyed this character and her determination to find a way out of this marriage. If I have to pick a favorite character, Mirta would be the one!!
Helen is a woman who has been through very tough and sometimes brutal times with her husband. She was a young, kind and happy young bride once but her husband has drastically changed. She is nine months pregnant and still working as a waitress in the local cafe. She is a favorite among many of the customers. There is a man who has been watching her, is he trouble or can he be her ticket out of Key West and her marriage. Helen is afraid for her life and her baby’s.
Elizabeth is a very unique character. She was part of a prominent New York family, her father and brother were stock traders and they lost most of their money in the crash. She is also searching for a man, but not a husband, her brother who has been lost to her for many, many years.
This book is well researched and documents “The Labor Day hurricane of 1935, that struck the Florida Keys and is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.” There were many veterans who were sent to work on the Railroad being built and were housed in tents and shacks. Many people were poor and even homeless after the crash.
The writing is fluid and this is a quick, page turner of a story. I think this is the strongest of Ms. Cleeton’s books. Her descriptions of the Florida landscape and ocean were beautiful. The characters were well defined and believable. These are characters that you can root for!
This book described a hurricane in a very sensory way, I could visualize the force of the winds as it tore through the small towns and then the Tidal Wave afterwards which hit whatever was left after the hurricane winds.
This was another fun read with my buddy DeAnn and we both enjoyed it.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
This novel is set to publish on June 16, 2020
May 30, 2020
For our first trip away alone after becoming parents, my husband and I drove to Key West (in a sports car!) What can I say, we were younger then, ha. If I close my eyes I can still see the stunning beauty as we traveled the Overseas Highway. I can transport myself back in time and smell the frangipani and taste the key lime pie. It wasn’t the fanciest vacation we’ve ever been on, but I remember every detail of that trip. We have hesitated to go back for fear it couldn’t possibly live up to our memories.
When I saw this book was set in Key West and also featured a disaster I was eager to dig in. The chapters alternate between three main female characters: Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth.
Helen is a Key West native, poor and pregnant with an abusive husband, Mirta is Cuban and arrives for a honeymoon with her new husband from an arranged marriage, and the newly poor Elizabeth arrives from New York on a mysterious mission. Their stories appear to be unconnected but the author eventually brings them together in surprising (and some might say, unbelievable) ways.
I appreciated learning about the historic 1935 Category 5 hurricane, and the little-known history of the plan to connect the Keys via railroad using WWI vets for labor. The storm was a monster and the vets were treated deplorably. Unfortunately, the book lightly glossed over both of these events and I went to the internet to learn more. It was the romances of these 3 women that took center stage.
It’s not a bad book by any means, it just wasn’t for me. I expect to suspend some disbelief when reading but there’s a tipping point where my eyes start to roll.
Some readers will appreciate that it was light on history and realism, and heavy on fluff. Marialyce and I buddy read this together, anticipating a more complex story but were left disappointed.
Recommended for fans of historical romance. If you’re looking for an easy feel-good story with short chapters that propel the story along at a fast pace, this would be a great one to toss in the beach bag.
* I received a digital copy of this book from Edelweiss for review. All opinions are my own.
*For our duo reviews please visit https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
When I saw this book was set in Key West and also featured a disaster I was eager to dig in. The chapters alternate between three main female characters: Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth.
Helen is a Key West native, poor and pregnant with an abusive husband, Mirta is Cuban and arrives for a honeymoon with her new husband from an arranged marriage, and the newly poor Elizabeth arrives from New York on a mysterious mission. Their stories appear to be unconnected but the author eventually brings them together in surprising (and some might say, unbelievable) ways.
I appreciated learning about the historic 1935 Category 5 hurricane, and the little-known history of the plan to connect the Keys via railroad using WWI vets for labor. The storm was a monster and the vets were treated deplorably. Unfortunately, the book lightly glossed over both of these events and I went to the internet to learn more. It was the romances of these 3 women that took center stage.
It’s not a bad book by any means, it just wasn’t for me. I expect to suspend some disbelief when reading but there’s a tipping point where my eyes start to roll.
Some readers will appreciate that it was light on history and realism, and heavy on fluff. Marialyce and I buddy read this together, anticipating a more complex story but were left disappointed.
Recommended for fans of historical romance. If you’re looking for an easy feel-good story with short chapters that propel the story along at a fast pace, this would be a great one to toss in the beach bag.
* I received a digital copy of this book from Edelweiss for review. All opinions are my own.
*For our duo reviews please visit https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
May 10, 2021
“You’d be frustrated if your hands were tied. The running of this world is left to men, and quite frankly, I’m not impressed with what they’ve done with it.”
As always, Chanel Cleeton’s book are a treat to read. Her passion for politics and history and honouring the lives of the forgotten throughout history always seeps through her storytelling.
She has a way that makes you feel incredibly connected and invested in the characters, their world, their problems and joys.
I always respect and appreciate how much she focuses on women, politics and history (the backdrop of this book is The Great Depression) without making the reader feel bogged by the wealth of information. She’s incredibly skilled at balancing it and telling a story that’s nuanced and full of heart.
As always, Chanel Cleeton’s book are a treat to read. Her passion for politics and history and honouring the lives of the forgotten throughout history always seeps through her storytelling.
She has a way that makes you feel incredibly connected and invested in the characters, their world, their problems and joys.
I always respect and appreciate how much she focuses on women, politics and history (the backdrop of this book is The Great Depression) without making the reader feel bogged by the wealth of information. She’s incredibly skilled at balancing it and telling a story that’s nuanced and full of heart.
May 26, 2021
The Last Train to Key West was always on my radar, but it took me years to actually read it.
It is just a typical story of one with too many books and never-ending tbr.
What pulled me in immediately was three different voices of our three main characters. Each's chapter was written in first person, and they all sounded differently, which was mind blowing.
As I started the novel, I was sure I would read it in only few sittings, but then I got corona virus which really ruined my reading experience.
I wasn't able to really enjoy the book, to really get into the story.
Beside that, I also came to realization that I don't like to read about tragedies anymore, as they remind me of the earthquake and are triggering to me. I guess they hit home too close, at least at this point of my life.
Overall, I think The Last Train to Key West was a good book and I would recommend it to historical fiction lovers out there.
It is just a typical story of one with too many books and never-ending tbr.
What pulled me in immediately was three different voices of our three main characters. Each's chapter was written in first person, and they all sounded differently, which was mind blowing.
As I started the novel, I was sure I would read it in only few sittings, but then I got corona virus which really ruined my reading experience.
I wasn't able to really enjoy the book, to really get into the story.
Beside that, I also came to realization that I don't like to read about tragedies anymore, as they remind me of the earthquake and are triggering to me. I guess they hit home too close, at least at this point of my life.
Overall, I think The Last Train to Key West was a good book and I would recommend it to historical fiction lovers out there.
June 15, 2020
Chanel Cleeton has this way of writing characters I grow to care about, and I especially love how she writes strong women.
The three women meet unexpectedly on a holiday weekend, and not only are they each in precarious positions, there’s also a storm bearing down on the Florida Keys.
As someone who has experienced several hurricanes and tropical storms, I found Cleeton was on point with what it feels like through every sense to be on the ground during these storms, and the historical time period fascinated me. With this backdrop of danger, there is love and romance, too. If you enjoy historicals a smidge more on the romance spectrum, you have got to check out this book and author.
About the book: In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's captivating new novel.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The three women meet unexpectedly on a holiday weekend, and not only are they each in precarious positions, there’s also a storm bearing down on the Florida Keys.
As someone who has experienced several hurricanes and tropical storms, I found Cleeton was on point with what it feels like through every sense to be on the ground during these storms, and the historical time period fascinated me. With this backdrop of danger, there is love and romance, too. If you enjoy historicals a smidge more on the romance spectrum, you have got to check out this book and author.
About the book: In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's captivating new novel.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 30, 2020
Having read and really the first two books of Ms Cleeton, I was definitely looking forward to her new book. In her previous stories, she was able to mix a wonderful story line with just the right combination of the historical, making for me, a worthwhile and enticing read. When Jan and I decided on this book, I was anxious to dig in.
For the positives, the author did present us with some historical facts, the hurricane of 1935 bringing huge devastation to the area, plus the plight of the soldiers after World War 1 being reduced to living in disheveled camps with no one really caring, especially the government, about their predicament. Anything that sends me to the internet investigating something I never knew, is such an appealing concept. The story also had those short chapters which propelled the tale along making for a quick light read perfect for a day at the beach or backyard. The characters were presented well, the women seemed to be represented with their problems and issues, and the men, at least the good ones, were dashing, emotive, and provided support and a way out of the women's dilemmas.
However, being an historical fiction fan, I was a tad disappointed in the fact that this became a bit of an improbable love story involving three women who all were escaping from bad men who then ran right into the arms of good men. It just seemed too pat, too "Cinderellaish", too implausible for me. Having lived on the water for a good many years, I do know what a hurricane can do. I lived through Sandy's devastation, so when the author describes a number of incidents that occurred during this particular hurricane, I found myself rolling my eyes a bit.
I do wish that Ms Cleeton had concentrated a bit more on the circumstances of the veterans, men who had been promised that in defending their nation, they would be treated with respect and the gratefulness of a nation they defended. Surely, we all have even seen this today, although truth be told veterans today are treated better and they're more understood than in the 1930's setting of this book. Realizing this was during the Depression, however, I certainly can understand the veterans being pushed aside as the nation dealt with its devastation of worldwide economic obstacles and havoc. I believe she missed a chance though, to educate her readers more on this fascinating yet extremely sad occurrence.
This was a pleasant book, a fitting title, and certainly many will enjoy this tale. As always, expectation often can be the harbinger of how a book affects the reader. For Jan and I, we went in expecting more and found in this instance our expectations were not fully met. I do recommend this story to those who enjoy romantic stories with a smidgen of the historical thrown in on the side.
Thanks to Edelweiss for an advanced copy of this book due out on June 16, 2020.
For the positives, the author did present us with some historical facts, the hurricane of 1935 bringing huge devastation to the area, plus the plight of the soldiers after World War 1 being reduced to living in disheveled camps with no one really caring, especially the government, about their predicament. Anything that sends me to the internet investigating something I never knew, is such an appealing concept. The story also had those short chapters which propelled the tale along making for a quick light read perfect for a day at the beach or backyard. The characters were presented well, the women seemed to be represented with their problems and issues, and the men, at least the good ones, were dashing, emotive, and provided support and a way out of the women's dilemmas.
However, being an historical fiction fan, I was a tad disappointed in the fact that this became a bit of an improbable love story involving three women who all were escaping from bad men who then ran right into the arms of good men. It just seemed too pat, too "Cinderellaish", too implausible for me. Having lived on the water for a good many years, I do know what a hurricane can do. I lived through Sandy's devastation, so when the author describes a number of incidents that occurred during this particular hurricane, I found myself rolling my eyes a bit.
I do wish that Ms Cleeton had concentrated a bit more on the circumstances of the veterans, men who had been promised that in defending their nation, they would be treated with respect and the gratefulness of a nation they defended. Surely, we all have even seen this today, although truth be told veterans today are treated better and they're more understood than in the 1930's setting of this book. Realizing this was during the Depression, however, I certainly can understand the veterans being pushed aside as the nation dealt with its devastation of worldwide economic obstacles and havoc. I believe she missed a chance though, to educate her readers more on this fascinating yet extremely sad occurrence.
This was a pleasant book, a fitting title, and certainly many will enjoy this tale. As always, expectation often can be the harbinger of how a book affects the reader. For Jan and I, we went in expecting more and found in this instance our expectations were not fully met. I do recommend this story to those who enjoy romantic stories with a smidgen of the historical thrown in on the side.
Thanks to Edelweiss for an advanced copy of this book due out on June 16, 2020.
June 30, 2020
The Last Train to Key West makes for a gripping summer read that explores survival, love and courage.
The Last Train to Key West felt like I was watching a classic action-packed movie in my head with a stunning location, danger that kept me at the end of my seat, a romance that softens my heart and enough suspense to keep wanting to know what happens with the characters.
The story revolves around a historical tragedy that was used more of a backdrop to the storyline. The story follows three different women who paths cross and their compelling and complicated relationships with the men they have met. The men themselves each have their own conflicts and secrets that are weaved into the storyline. The drama to the story moves the story forward and never overshadows the tragedy instead, it gives hope in the worst of times, and we see the good in humanity.
The characters are likable and believable and I cared about them. Instead of eye-rolling over the romance between the characters, I was rooting for them. I was fearful of them with the danger that surrounded them not only from the tragedy but the secrets they were running from.
The story came together well for me in a refreshing way that is needed right now! I highly recommend!!
I received a copy from the publisher
The Last Train to Key West felt like I was watching a classic action-packed movie in my head with a stunning location, danger that kept me at the end of my seat, a romance that softens my heart and enough suspense to keep wanting to know what happens with the characters.
The story revolves around a historical tragedy that was used more of a backdrop to the storyline. The story follows three different women who paths cross and their compelling and complicated relationships with the men they have met. The men themselves each have their own conflicts and secrets that are weaved into the storyline. The drama to the story moves the story forward and never overshadows the tragedy instead, it gives hope in the worst of times, and we see the good in humanity.
The characters are likable and believable and I cared about them. Instead of eye-rolling over the romance between the characters, I was rooting for them. I was fearful of them with the danger that surrounded them not only from the tragedy but the secrets they were running from.
The story came together well for me in a refreshing way that is needed right now! I highly recommend!!
I received a copy from the publisher
June 21, 2020
The Last Train to Key West begins just days before the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The country is still feeling the impact of the Great Depression. The three main characters' paths first cross in Key West at Ruby’s Diner where we meet the young women whose lives will be changed by the horrific disaster about to occur.
Helen Berner is nine months pregnant and is still working at Ruby’s as a waitress. She is trapped in a marriage with an abusive husband. Mirta Perez has married a virtual stranger after her Cuban family has lost its social standing under the new Batista regime. The newlyweds have come to the Keys for their honeymoon before the wealthy American businessman takes Mirta back to New York. Elizabeth Preston’s family was ruined in the stock market crash and she is now engaged to man she does not love. She flees New York and heads to the Keys to find her brother, a war veteran, to escape her fiancé. The women’s lives intersect again when they each travel to Upper Matecumbe, where the hurricane lands creating catastrophic damage and tragic death.
In addition to the engaging stories of the three women, filled with love and determination, author Chanel Cleeton does an excellent job providing well-researched history which was rich in detail including Henry Flagler’s ambitious railroad project hoping to link New York with Havana and the veterans who were housed in deplorable camps to work on its construction.
This was such an enjoyable and interesting journey. I could not put the book down.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Berkley / Penguin Publishing Book and Ms. Cleeton for an advance copy of this riveting book which will be published on June 16, 2020.
Rated 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com
Helen Berner is nine months pregnant and is still working at Ruby’s as a waitress. She is trapped in a marriage with an abusive husband. Mirta Perez has married a virtual stranger after her Cuban family has lost its social standing under the new Batista regime. The newlyweds have come to the Keys for their honeymoon before the wealthy American businessman takes Mirta back to New York. Elizabeth Preston’s family was ruined in the stock market crash and she is now engaged to man she does not love. She flees New York and heads to the Keys to find her brother, a war veteran, to escape her fiancé. The women’s lives intersect again when they each travel to Upper Matecumbe, where the hurricane lands creating catastrophic damage and tragic death.
In addition to the engaging stories of the three women, filled with love and determination, author Chanel Cleeton does an excellent job providing well-researched history which was rich in detail including Henry Flagler’s ambitious railroad project hoping to link New York with Havana and the veterans who were housed in deplorable camps to work on its construction.
This was such an enjoyable and interesting journey. I could not put the book down.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Berkley / Penguin Publishing Book and Ms. Cleeton for an advance copy of this riveting book which will be published on June 16, 2020.
Rated 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com
July 6, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
The only things I’ve ever heard John say in addition to his name pertain to his order, as though God only gave him a certain number of words to use each day, and he’d already expended his quota before he sat in my section.
I envy men the freedom to choose their own spouses. They snap us up as though they are purchasing a piece of fruit at the market, and we are expected to have no say in the matter.
The running of this world is left to men, and quite frankly, I’m not impressed with what they’ve done with it.
It’s strange how your life can change so quickly, how one moment you can barely eke by, desperation filling your days, and suddenly, out of the unimaginably horrific, a glimmer of something beautiful can appear like a bud pushing through the hard-formed earth.
My Review:
I was relatively new to Chanel Cleeton when I started this series featuring a fascinating family of Cuban sisters and had generally avoided historical fiction prior to this as being a strong feminist, I bristle at the limitations placed on women and how poorly they were treated, even by their families. The Cuban sister featured in this installment was Mirta, who had been forced into marrying a man of questionable ethics and criminal ties and whom she did not personally know, to clear her father’s mistakes in judgment. Meanwhile, the same situation had also occurred to a former New York socialite named Elizabeth. Both women crossed paths in Key West during Mirta’s honeymoon and were served by the same heavily pregnant waitress who, for me, had the most compelling storylines featured in this dynamic tale. The three women could not have been more diverse yet they were sharing an overlapping experience during the most challenging period in their lives.
All of this drama happened to occur during hurricane season, and it got a bit breezy when the worst storm ever hit the area. The storylines were slowly and craftily constructed with a writing style that was stunningly emotive, compelling, and mesmerizingly immersive. I fell right into each woman’s anxious vortex and enjoyed their various journeys and travails as their lives briefly intersected.
I had no idea it wasn’t just women and minorities who were so devastatingly maltreated and was appalled by the shameful and horrific conduct and attitude of the US government toward the returning Veterans of WWI. I mean no slur to the brave souls currently serving but why anyone still bothers to join the military given their heinous history of atrocities boggles my tiny brain and scorches the little pea lying therein.
The only things I’ve ever heard John say in addition to his name pertain to his order, as though God only gave him a certain number of words to use each day, and he’d already expended his quota before he sat in my section.
I envy men the freedom to choose their own spouses. They snap us up as though they are purchasing a piece of fruit at the market, and we are expected to have no say in the matter.
The running of this world is left to men, and quite frankly, I’m not impressed with what they’ve done with it.
It’s strange how your life can change so quickly, how one moment you can barely eke by, desperation filling your days, and suddenly, out of the unimaginably horrific, a glimmer of something beautiful can appear like a bud pushing through the hard-formed earth.
My Review:
I was relatively new to Chanel Cleeton when I started this series featuring a fascinating family of Cuban sisters and had generally avoided historical fiction prior to this as being a strong feminist, I bristle at the limitations placed on women and how poorly they were treated, even by their families. The Cuban sister featured in this installment was Mirta, who had been forced into marrying a man of questionable ethics and criminal ties and whom she did not personally know, to clear her father’s mistakes in judgment. Meanwhile, the same situation had also occurred to a former New York socialite named Elizabeth. Both women crossed paths in Key West during Mirta’s honeymoon and were served by the same heavily pregnant waitress who, for me, had the most compelling storylines featured in this dynamic tale. The three women could not have been more diverse yet they were sharing an overlapping experience during the most challenging period in their lives.
All of this drama happened to occur during hurricane season, and it got a bit breezy when the worst storm ever hit the area. The storylines were slowly and craftily constructed with a writing style that was stunningly emotive, compelling, and mesmerizingly immersive. I fell right into each woman’s anxious vortex and enjoyed their various journeys and travails as their lives briefly intersected.
I had no idea it wasn’t just women and minorities who were so devastatingly maltreated and was appalled by the shameful and horrific conduct and attitude of the US government toward the returning Veterans of WWI. I mean no slur to the brave souls currently serving but why anyone still bothers to join the military given their heinous history of atrocities boggles my tiny brain and scorches the little pea lying therein.
June 22, 2020
The Last Train to Key West is a wonderful historical fiction split into 3 perspectives as one of the worst hurricanes in American history is about to touch down. We have:
• Helen, a waitress at a diner who is just about to give birth and is dreaming of leaving her abusive husband
• Eliza who travels down to the Keys to find someone from her past after her family is destroyed by the Great Depression
• Mirta, a Cuban woman who just recently married a man whom she barely knows and has a darker life than he lets on.
Together, we jump back and forth between these women’s lives before, during, and after this horrific hurricane that rocked their worlds. This is a story of resilience among women in the 1930s, what it means to stand up for one’s self, the bravery it takes to move onto a new chapter in one’s life, and the strength it takes to survive such dire circumstances.
While I do have to admit that this isn’t my favorite Chanel Cleeton book, due to its slow beginning and its ending that wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, it still had those classic, intelligent and tenacious women in fiction that always grace Cleeton’s stories which makes me fall for the way she transports us to the past, in her novels, but still gives us women with agency.
For fans of the musical Waitress, I would highly recommend this due to the musical’s similarities to Helen’s storyline, and for fans of Chanel Cleeton’s writing in general, I would recommend this story, as well. I just thought the solutions in this story to be found too easily, and, it did take me a while to find my footing when I first began this story. I did not connect with the women in this story as much as I did to those in Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba, but that isn’t to say, this isn’t a fascinating historical fiction about a time in history I haven’t heard about previously.
• Helen, a waitress at a diner who is just about to give birth and is dreaming of leaving her abusive husband
• Eliza who travels down to the Keys to find someone from her past after her family is destroyed by the Great Depression
• Mirta, a Cuban woman who just recently married a man whom she barely knows and has a darker life than he lets on.
Together, we jump back and forth between these women’s lives before, during, and after this horrific hurricane that rocked their worlds. This is a story of resilience among women in the 1930s, what it means to stand up for one’s self, the bravery it takes to move onto a new chapter in one’s life, and the strength it takes to survive such dire circumstances.
While I do have to admit that this isn’t my favorite Chanel Cleeton book, due to its slow beginning and its ending that wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, it still had those classic, intelligent and tenacious women in fiction that always grace Cleeton’s stories which makes me fall for the way she transports us to the past, in her novels, but still gives us women with agency.
For fans of the musical Waitress, I would highly recommend this due to the musical’s similarities to Helen’s storyline, and for fans of Chanel Cleeton’s writing in general, I would recommend this story, as well. I just thought the solutions in this story to be found too easily, and, it did take me a while to find my footing when I first began this story. I did not connect with the women in this story as much as I did to those in Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba, but that isn’t to say, this isn’t a fascinating historical fiction about a time in history I haven’t heard about previously.
September 17, 2021
This is a romance novel pretending to be historical fiction. I was curious to learn about the hurricane that hit Key West in 1935, but I would have liked more of the book to actually take place during it . And Cleeton did include some interesting tidbits about the Bonus Army of veterans. But mostly, this is chick lit about three women - an abused pregnant wife fleeing her husband, a Cuban newlywed whose father has married her off to an American mobster and a down on her heels young New Yorker who has come looking for her brother.
I really liked Ms. Cleeton’s previous books. But this one was short on history. I also hated the idea that each of the three women were reliant on men to escape their fates. They all came across as damsels in distress. And finally the end was one coincidence after another. This was a huge disappointment for me. I am definitely in the minority on this one. I can only hope Ms. Cleeton doesn’t disappoint the next time.
The three narrators all did fine jobs for the material they had to work with.
I really liked Ms. Cleeton’s previous books. But this one was short on history. I also hated the idea that each of the three women were reliant on men to escape their fates. They all came across as damsels in distress. And finally the end was one coincidence after another. This was a huge disappointment for me. I am definitely in the minority on this one. I can only hope Ms. Cleeton doesn’t disappoint the next time.
The three narrators all did fine jobs for the material they had to work with.
June 18, 2020
I loved this book!
A combination of mystery, historical, and three women’s stories tie this together with one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in 1935.
There’s even a killing and a dead body involved!
The three women; Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth are all resilient and resourceful with their perspectives told in alternating chapters but intersecting. I liked reading about each and was totally invested in finding out how everything fit together. All were likable and easy to pull for.
The research involving the end of war veterans and their fate was evident too. I applaud the author for casting light on the lack of support for their plight.
And that hurricane! Such a realistic interpretation! As someone who lived next to the ocean and experienced two hurricanes ten years apart, I really appreciated how it was brought it to life.
I finished this days ago and I’m still thinking about it. I highly recommend it.
I forgot to mention that the lovely front cover model was from a 1953 Vogue magazine with an artist’s rendition of Key West in the background.
A combination of mystery, historical, and three women’s stories tie this together with one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in 1935.
There’s even a killing and a dead body involved!
The three women; Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth are all resilient and resourceful with their perspectives told in alternating chapters but intersecting. I liked reading about each and was totally invested in finding out how everything fit together. All were likable and easy to pull for.
The research involving the end of war veterans and their fate was evident too. I applaud the author for casting light on the lack of support for their plight.
And that hurricane! Such a realistic interpretation! As someone who lived next to the ocean and experienced two hurricanes ten years apart, I really appreciated how it was brought it to life.
I finished this days ago and I’m still thinking about it. I highly recommend it.
I forgot to mention that the lovely front cover model was from a 1953 Vogue magazine with an artist’s rendition of Key West in the background.
June 16, 2020
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Train to Key West was such a quick read which really surprised me because it's a historical fiction and those usually take me quite a while to get through, but I only needed a bit more than a day to read this one.
I absolutely loved Chanel Cleeton's writing style and this was just such an enjoyable read. I also loved how the novel was written from the perspectives of three different women who for some reason or another happened to be in Key West at the beginning of the book. It was so interesting to see how their paths kept crossing and I also loved each of them so much. It was also very interesting to see how this book only covered a very short period of time, about ten days or so, but so much happened during those few days. Furthermore, I really enjoyed how the book also had a couple of darker aspects such as for example the connection of some characters to the American mafia.
One of my favorite things about The Last Train to Key West however, were all the smart little details Chanel Cleeton included. The paths of the three women did not only cross when they were actually meeting each other somewhere in the area of Key West but they were also kind of connected by many small details. For example through things one of the women was seeing that was then later on seen by a different woman or characters one of the women meets that are strongly connected to one of the other women. There were so many surprising connections between the three of them that I just never would have figured out myself.
So overall, this novel very pleasantly surprised me and I just loved it so much. The Last Train to Key West was such an entertaining, gripping and interesting story. I've never read a historical fiction set in this part of the world, but I would definitely be interested in reading more books like this one. I'm definitely going to check out some of Channel Cleeton’s other books now and have actually already ordered a copy of Next Year in Havana.
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The Last Train to Key West was such a quick read which really surprised me because it's a historical fiction and those usually take me quite a while to get through, but I only needed a bit more than a day to read this one.
I absolutely loved Chanel Cleeton's writing style and this was just such an enjoyable read. I also loved how the novel was written from the perspectives of three different women who for some reason or another happened to be in Key West at the beginning of the book. It was so interesting to see how their paths kept crossing and I also loved each of them so much. It was also very interesting to see how this book only covered a very short period of time, about ten days or so, but so much happened during those few days. Furthermore, I really enjoyed how the book also had a couple of darker aspects such as for example the connection of some characters to the American mafia.
One of my favorite things about The Last Train to Key West however, were all the smart little details Chanel Cleeton included. The paths of the three women did not only cross when they were actually meeting each other somewhere in the area of Key West but they were also kind of connected by many small details. For example through things one of the women was seeing that was then later on seen by a different woman or characters one of the women meets that are strongly connected to one of the other women. There were so many surprising connections between the three of them that I just never would have figured out myself.
So overall, this novel very pleasantly surprised me and I just loved it so much. The Last Train to Key West was such an entertaining, gripping and interesting story. I've never read a historical fiction set in this part of the world, but I would definitely be interested in reading more books like this one. I'm definitely going to check out some of Channel Cleeton’s other books now and have actually already ordered a copy of Next Year in Havana.
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June 16, 2020
*Happy pub day to Chanel Cleeton!
4.5 hurricane stars
I have become a big fan of Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction books, especially her two recent ones with Cuban roots. This one is a bit different, set in the Florida Keys, but one of the female characters is from Cuba.
There are three very different women whose lives all converge in the Keys in 1935 over Labor Day weekend just before and during a powerful hurricane. The book alternates with chapters from each character and each section is long enough to propel each story along. The connections come close to the end and one surprise in particular I did not see coming! There’s also the railroad which is being built with many laborers who were soldiers and have returned from WWI. They are housed in squalid government camps and not treated well – a piece of history I did not know at all!
My favorite character was Helen, a hardworking, pregnant waitress in Key West. Her husband is a scoundrel who leaves bruises behind. There’s a quiet railroad man who come to her café for key lime pie. He ends up playing an unexpected role in her life.
Elizabeth has traveled from New York in search of a man who is working on the railroad. She’s engaged to a man back in New York under mysterious circumstances. Her family has struggled after the crash as her father and brother were stockbrokers.
Mirta has just married and has left her family in Cuba to join her husband in New York. They are stopping at a house in the Keys to enjoy a honeymoon. This was an arranged marriage as her family has fallen on more difficult times with the change in the regime in Cuba.
The hurricane hits all of them a bit differently but their lives will never be the same. I really enjoyed this one! I’ve never been to the Keys, but Chanel Cleeton brought the rugged beauty of these islands to life. I also never knew how destructive this hurricane was and how our technology has helped this part of the world try to be more prepared for these weather events.
This was another fun buddy read with Dorie and we both liked it! I recommend it to those that enjoy historical fiction with some romance.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Chanel Cleeton, and Berkley for an early copy of this one to read.
4.5 hurricane stars
I have become a big fan of Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction books, especially her two recent ones with Cuban roots. This one is a bit different, set in the Florida Keys, but one of the female characters is from Cuba.
There are three very different women whose lives all converge in the Keys in 1935 over Labor Day weekend just before and during a powerful hurricane. The book alternates with chapters from each character and each section is long enough to propel each story along. The connections come close to the end and one surprise in particular I did not see coming! There’s also the railroad which is being built with many laborers who were soldiers and have returned from WWI. They are housed in squalid government camps and not treated well – a piece of history I did not know at all!
My favorite character was Helen, a hardworking, pregnant waitress in Key West. Her husband is a scoundrel who leaves bruises behind. There’s a quiet railroad man who come to her café for key lime pie. He ends up playing an unexpected role in her life.
Elizabeth has traveled from New York in search of a man who is working on the railroad. She’s engaged to a man back in New York under mysterious circumstances. Her family has struggled after the crash as her father and brother were stockbrokers.
Mirta has just married and has left her family in Cuba to join her husband in New York. They are stopping at a house in the Keys to enjoy a honeymoon. This was an arranged marriage as her family has fallen on more difficult times with the change in the regime in Cuba.
The hurricane hits all of them a bit differently but their lives will never be the same. I really enjoyed this one! I’ve never been to the Keys, but Chanel Cleeton brought the rugged beauty of these islands to life. I also never knew how destructive this hurricane was and how our technology has helped this part of the world try to be more prepared for these weather events.
This was another fun buddy read with Dorie and we both liked it! I recommend it to those that enjoy historical fiction with some romance.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Chanel Cleeton, and Berkley for an early copy of this one to read.
June 28, 2020
4.5 stars
Chanel Cleeton is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I read her two previous historical fiction novels ( Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba ) both of which revolved around the Perez family from Cuba, and absolutely loved both books! After finding out last year that Cleeton would have a new book out some time in 2020, I knew that I definitely had to get my hands on a copy as soon as it became available. Her newest work, The Last Train to Key West , is a bit of a departure from her previous works in that it isn’t connected (not directly anyway) to the same Perez family, plus the story is markedly different in its depiction of a specific historical event that occurred over Labor Day weekend in 1935 — the devastating hurricane that struck the Florida Keys, one of the deadliest in the history of the United States. With that said though, one similarity that threads through all 3 of Cleeton’s historical works is that they all feature strong female protagonists who rise above the restrictions placed upon them by society — not only that, but the characters are written in a non-stereotypical yet realistic way that makes them more relatable.
In this book, the story is told from the perspectives of 3 women whose backgrounds and personalities are very different, but who happen to cross paths when they are simultaneously impacted by the storm and its deadly aftermath. Helen, a pregnant waitress working at a local diner in the Key West area where she grew up, yearns to escape the abusive marriage she has been trapped in for 9 years. Mirta, who agreed to an arranged marriage in order to help out her family back in Cuba, is determined to know the man she married as she arrives in Key West with him for their honeymoon. Elizabeth, a once-wealthy debutante whose family fell from grace after the Wall Street crash, travels from her home in New York to the Great War veteran camps in Key West with the hope of finding the relative whom she believes can save her from her current predicament. Though the narrative was told from the alternating first person viewpoints of these 3 characters, their voices were distinctive, which is important because this type of structure is not easy to get right on a consistent basis. Chanel Cleeton is one of the authors who does this well — in addition, Cleeton writes in a way that captivates and draws the reader in, which is another reason why I enjoy her books.
I actually devoured this one in 2 sittings and even then, didn’t want the story to end. I definitely recommend picking this one up, whether for the absorbing story or the strong characters. Cleeton is an author who doesn’t disappoint and I truly look forward to what she has in store for us next!
Received ARC from Berkley via Edelweiss.
Chanel Cleeton is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I read her two previous historical fiction novels ( Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba ) both of which revolved around the Perez family from Cuba, and absolutely loved both books! After finding out last year that Cleeton would have a new book out some time in 2020, I knew that I definitely had to get my hands on a copy as soon as it became available. Her newest work, The Last Train to Key West , is a bit of a departure from her previous works in that it isn’t connected (not directly anyway) to the same Perez family, plus the story is markedly different in its depiction of a specific historical event that occurred over Labor Day weekend in 1935 — the devastating hurricane that struck the Florida Keys, one of the deadliest in the history of the United States. With that said though, one similarity that threads through all 3 of Cleeton’s historical works is that they all feature strong female protagonists who rise above the restrictions placed upon them by society — not only that, but the characters are written in a non-stereotypical yet realistic way that makes them more relatable.
In this book, the story is told from the perspectives of 3 women whose backgrounds and personalities are very different, but who happen to cross paths when they are simultaneously impacted by the storm and its deadly aftermath. Helen, a pregnant waitress working at a local diner in the Key West area where she grew up, yearns to escape the abusive marriage she has been trapped in for 9 years. Mirta, who agreed to an arranged marriage in order to help out her family back in Cuba, is determined to know the man she married as she arrives in Key West with him for their honeymoon. Elizabeth, a once-wealthy debutante whose family fell from grace after the Wall Street crash, travels from her home in New York to the Great War veteran camps in Key West with the hope of finding the relative whom she believes can save her from her current predicament. Though the narrative was told from the alternating first person viewpoints of these 3 characters, their voices were distinctive, which is important because this type of structure is not easy to get right on a consistent basis. Chanel Cleeton is one of the authors who does this well — in addition, Cleeton writes in a way that captivates and draws the reader in, which is another reason why I enjoy her books.
I actually devoured this one in 2 sittings and even then, didn’t want the story to end. I definitely recommend picking this one up, whether for the absorbing story or the strong characters. Cleeton is an author who doesn’t disappoint and I truly look forward to what she has in store for us next!
Received ARC from Berkley via Edelweiss.
June 21, 2020
This book definitely wants me to pick up more from this author. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this story.
December 1, 2019
The Last Train to Key West takes you on an incredible and emotion-charged journey through the lives of three women facing a catastrophic hurricane that changes them forever – and shows them how courageous they really are. This book has everything a reader could want: not one but three incredible love stories, page-turning drama and rich historical detail. I finished the last chapter with a sigh of satisfaction that only a great book can bring about
July 11, 2020
Overall: Suspenseful, romantic, thrilling historical novel featuring three interesting women whose stories are all tied together by a hurricane. Fast paced, engaging plot, likable characters, easy to get lost in this one. 4/5
Summary: This novel is focused on the 1935 Labor Day hurricane that hit the Florida keys. This storm was the strongest recorded hurricane to hit the United States. It destroyed property throughout all of the Keys, taking more than 400 lives, both civilians and the World War I veterans living in cheaply constructed work camps as they built a new rail line. Helen Berner is nine months pregnant, in an abusive marriage, and works as a waitress at Ruby's cafe. The other two characters dine at this restaurant and we learn more about their connections as the story progresses. Newlywed Mirta Cordero is visiting from Havana on her honeymoon. It is an arranged marriages and her wealthy husband is a casino owner in Havana but also has unknown business in New York, which is the new couple's new home. Elizabeth has come to Key West on her own looking for her brother. She is a young and beautiful socialite, with a fiancé in New York City. The novel follows all three of these women over the course of Labor Day weekend and the progression of the hurricane.
The Good: Very fast-paced and quick read though I still feel like I got to know and like the characters, especially Elizabeth. More than a simple romance with an interesting plot with equally engaging storylines for all three women made this difficult to put down. All three women were pushing the gender norms for the time period in their own way which helped them stand out to me. Read this in a day and it was a perfect pool side weekend read.
The Bad: Some parts were predicable and a bit unbelievable. A bit dialogue heavy at times for me and it could have benefited from a bit more depth.
Summary: This novel is focused on the 1935 Labor Day hurricane that hit the Florida keys. This storm was the strongest recorded hurricane to hit the United States. It destroyed property throughout all of the Keys, taking more than 400 lives, both civilians and the World War I veterans living in cheaply constructed work camps as they built a new rail line. Helen Berner is nine months pregnant, in an abusive marriage, and works as a waitress at Ruby's cafe. The other two characters dine at this restaurant and we learn more about their connections as the story progresses. Newlywed Mirta Cordero is visiting from Havana on her honeymoon. It is an arranged marriages and her wealthy husband is a casino owner in Havana but also has unknown business in New York, which is the new couple's new home. Elizabeth has come to Key West on her own looking for her brother. She is a young and beautiful socialite, with a fiancé in New York City. The novel follows all three of these women over the course of Labor Day weekend and the progression of the hurricane.
The Good: Very fast-paced and quick read though I still feel like I got to know and like the characters, especially Elizabeth. More than a simple romance with an interesting plot with equally engaging storylines for all three women made this difficult to put down. All three women were pushing the gender norms for the time period in their own way which helped them stand out to me. Read this in a day and it was a perfect pool side weekend read.
The Bad: Some parts were predicable and a bit unbelievable. A bit dialogue heavy at times for me and it could have benefited from a bit more depth.
June 28, 2020
Cleeton sets her new historical fiction novel against the backdrop of Key West during the Labor Day weekend of 1935 when the Keys were hit with a category 5 hurricane. Craftily weaving the stories of three young woman, this is an intricately plotted and well-written book. Elizabeth Preston is from a family of stockbrokers who have lost their fortune in the crash. She is escaping from her fiancé Frank, a brutal gangster, and is searching for the man whose letter she carries. Helen Berner is a waitress at a popular Key West diner; she is pregnant and married to Tom, an abusive man. Afraid for her life and the life of her unborn child, she takes advantage of her husband’s absence to escape to her aunt’s home in another part of Key West. Finally, Mirta Perez Cordero is from Cuba where her family’s fortunes have been lost during the recent political struggles. She agreed to marry Anthony, aware of his ties to the underworld in order to save her families’ fortunes.
The three women find themselves on the island of Islamorada; along with many WWI veterans who have been sent to the island to build a railroad connecting the Keys to the Florida Peninsula. When the hurricane slams into the island, no one is prepared for the intensity of the storm, the devastation it brings, or the effects it will have on all their futures.
This is an excellently plotted and moving story, with beautiful and anguishing descriptions of the landscape both before and after the storm. The women are spirited and sympathetic. Well-researched and an exciting story, this will be in demand for book clubs and lovers of historical fiction.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the e-ARC
The three women find themselves on the island of Islamorada; along with many WWI veterans who have been sent to the island to build a railroad connecting the Keys to the Florida Peninsula. When the hurricane slams into the island, no one is prepared for the intensity of the storm, the devastation it brings, or the effects it will have on all their futures.
This is an excellently plotted and moving story, with beautiful and anguishing descriptions of the landscape both before and after the storm. The women are spirited and sympathetic. Well-researched and an exciting story, this will be in demand for book clubs and lovers of historical fiction.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the e-ARC
July 9, 2020
It’s no secret that I’m not the greatest lover of women’s fiction, but taking into consideration Chanel Cleeton penned one of my all-time favourite series,Wild Aces, after reading the blurb for Last Train to Key West, the time felt right.
The storm is coming.”
Centralised around the 1935 Labor Day hurricane which slammed into Florida Keys amidst the Great Depression, Cleeton brings us the story of three very different women whose paths cross, totally unaware that what’s coming will change their lives forever. And through multi-POV she does an amazing job of placing focus on each woman’s journey whilst at the same time weaving the larger story around them creating a captivating read that was difficult to tear myself away from.
We women are made of stern stuff.”
So why have I only given this 3 stars? Depth and development is the answer of which there was, for me, a lack of as the story progressed. The foundations were phenomenal, the picture vividly painted and likeable characters whose journeys—individually and collectively—I was 100% invested in, but they deserved more. I wanted to see and feel their experiences of certain events rather than be quickly told and that took away the emotional pull I needed to feel which I know Cleeton is capable of creating as she’s one of only a handful of authors who have managed to shatter my cold black heart and piece it back together again throughout a series.
It’s strange how your life can change so quickly, how one moment you can barely eke by, desperation filling your days, and suddenly, out of the unimaginably horrific, a glimmer of something beautiful can appear like a bud pushing through the hard-formed earth.”
I certainly wouldn’t not recommend this: Chanel Cleeton has a wonderful writing voice and in terms of the genre it was one of the more enjoyable ones I’ve read with each of the characters bringing a little bit of everything to the table. I was simply hoping for more.
The storm is coming.”
Centralised around the 1935 Labor Day hurricane which slammed into Florida Keys amidst the Great Depression, Cleeton brings us the story of three very different women whose paths cross, totally unaware that what’s coming will change their lives forever. And through multi-POV she does an amazing job of placing focus on each woman’s journey whilst at the same time weaving the larger story around them creating a captivating read that was difficult to tear myself away from.
We women are made of stern stuff.”
So why have I only given this 3 stars? Depth and development is the answer of which there was, for me, a lack of as the story progressed. The foundations were phenomenal, the picture vividly painted and likeable characters whose journeys—individually and collectively—I was 100% invested in, but they deserved more. I wanted to see and feel their experiences of certain events rather than be quickly told and that took away the emotional pull I needed to feel which I know Cleeton is capable of creating as she’s one of only a handful of authors who have managed to shatter my cold black heart and piece it back together again throughout a series.
It’s strange how your life can change so quickly, how one moment you can barely eke by, desperation filling your days, and suddenly, out of the unimaginably horrific, a glimmer of something beautiful can appear like a bud pushing through the hard-formed earth.”
I certainly wouldn’t not recommend this: Chanel Cleeton has a wonderful writing voice and in terms of the genre it was one of the more enjoyable ones I’ve read with each of the characters bringing a little bit of everything to the table. I was simply hoping for more.
June 24, 2020
The Last Train to Key West has an incredibly fascinating premise. The book follows the lives of 3 different women chasing their own versions of freedom, in a world where "men behave as though the world is theirs to order and control". Nothing could be further from the truth. The 1935 Labor Day hurricane, causes catastrophic damage to the Florida Keys, ultimately upending and changing the course of all 3 women's lives. In addition, the book briefly touches upon Cuban politics, the New York mob, and the Veterans of The Great War who were sent to work on the railroad in the Florida Keys.
In my opinion, this book was heavy on trite romance, chock full of "padding" dialogue and lavished with coincidence and luck. The path was pretty straight forward and honestly was pretty boring. The only thing to perk my ears was the mention of key lime pie. Mmmmmm.
Ultimately, I think this book was just not for me. I am obviously in the minority, but I can see why others may enjoy this one. I just didn't connect with the characters and would have liked more of a backstory for each of them, more historical facts, and less trivial dialogue.
In my opinion, this book was heavy on trite romance, chock full of "padding" dialogue and lavished with coincidence and luck. The path was pretty straight forward and honestly was pretty boring. The only thing to perk my ears was the mention of key lime pie. Mmmmmm.
Ultimately, I think this book was just not for me. I am obviously in the minority, but I can see why others may enjoy this one. I just didn't connect with the characters and would have liked more of a backstory for each of them, more historical facts, and less trivial dialogue.
October 31, 2020
What a lovely story. Such a simple word, lovely is, but perfect for this book.
It's the 1930s in Key West. At the center of the story are 3 women:
Elizabeth, a New York socialite who has seen better days since the depression which has left her with nearly nothing. She comes to Key West on a mission to improve her position, locate a mysterious person who will restore her wealth.
Mirta, a Cuban woman who is on her honeymoon following an arranged marriage to Anthony, an American business man who seems to have some shady deals. Their time together is about new love, open minds and full hearts.
Helen, a Key West Native, nearly 9 months pregnant and married to fisherman Tom, a physically and verbally abusive man. She befriends a local man, who becomes a protector of sorts which only worsens her situation at home. Helen day dreams of the day her husband never returns from sea, but it is just that, a dream, as she is confronted with his abuse daily.
Their lives are thrown together in unexpected ways as they face one of the worst hurricanes to hit the Keys.
This is a story of courage, tenacity, sacrifice but most of all love. Historical fiction at its finest.
I also love the cover photo which is a photo of a model from a 1952 issue of Vogue superimposed on an image of Key West. Ahhhh, the magic of photo editing.
It's the 1930s in Key West. At the center of the story are 3 women:
Elizabeth, a New York socialite who has seen better days since the depression which has left her with nearly nothing. She comes to Key West on a mission to improve her position, locate a mysterious person who will restore her wealth.
Mirta, a Cuban woman who is on her honeymoon following an arranged marriage to Anthony, an American business man who seems to have some shady deals. Their time together is about new love, open minds and full hearts.
Helen, a Key West Native, nearly 9 months pregnant and married to fisherman Tom, a physically and verbally abusive man. She befriends a local man, who becomes a protector of sorts which only worsens her situation at home. Helen day dreams of the day her husband never returns from sea, but it is just that, a dream, as she is confronted with his abuse daily.
Their lives are thrown together in unexpected ways as they face one of the worst hurricanes to hit the Keys.
This is a story of courage, tenacity, sacrifice but most of all love. Historical fiction at its finest.
I also love the cover photo which is a photo of a model from a 1952 issue of Vogue superimposed on an image of Key West. Ahhhh, the magic of photo editing.
June 7, 2022
3.5 stars
Audiobook narrated by Kyla Garcia, Rachel L. Jacobs, Karissa Vacker. 9h 16m
In hot pursuit to continue catching up on series that I have missed. Heavy on the romance and light on the historical fiction, book 3 paled in comparison to the electrifying plot of book 2.
Centering around the hurricane that hit Key West in 1935 and narrated by three women- Helen, Elizabeth and Mirta all struggling with family, love and finding their own place in the world.
I did really enjoy the different narrators and was able to identify each character without looking at the table of contents.
Goodreads review published 07/06/22
Audiobook narrated by Kyla Garcia, Rachel L. Jacobs, Karissa Vacker. 9h 16m
In hot pursuit to continue catching up on series that I have missed. Heavy on the romance and light on the historical fiction, book 3 paled in comparison to the electrifying plot of book 2.
Centering around the hurricane that hit Key West in 1935 and narrated by three women- Helen, Elizabeth and Mirta all struggling with family, love and finding their own place in the world.
I did really enjoy the different narrators and was able to identify each character without looking at the table of contents.
Goodreads review published 07/06/22
December 3, 2019
The Last Train to Key West is another exceptional story by Cleeton, who has quickly become a favorite among historical fiction fans. When the lives of three women from vastly different circumstances intersect even as the winds from the ocean threaten devastation, secrets are exposed, love is questioned and new life emerges even as others are in danger. Cleeton has fashioned a story that is gripping, romantic, and packed with drama. Readers will be up late eager to find out what happens!
September 24, 2020
The lives of three women intersect as a deadly hurricane heads toward Key West, Florida in 1935. Mitza Perez's family had great losses during the Cuban Revolution of 1933, and she was on her honeymoon after an arranged marriage to a wealthy man. Times are hard for the families of Americans Helen Berner and Elizabeth Preston during the Great Depression.
As the powerful hurricane approaches the Keys, pregnant Helen has an opportunity to leave her abusive husband. Elizabeth is searching for a World War I veteran who is helping to build a railroad across the Keys, and is living in a flimsy tent in a work camp. Mitza has concerns that her new husband's business ventures involve some dangerous people. The tension builds as the hurricane draws nearer, and each woman has to trust someone she recently met.
Author Chanel Cleeton writes her novels with a good mix of historical events, love, and suspense. Although there were a few unlikely coincidences, the book is a real page-turner as the characters showed strength and courage during one of the worst hurricanes of the 20th Century.
As the powerful hurricane approaches the Keys, pregnant Helen has an opportunity to leave her abusive husband. Elizabeth is searching for a World War I veteran who is helping to build a railroad across the Keys, and is living in a flimsy tent in a work camp. Mitza has concerns that her new husband's business ventures involve some dangerous people. The tension builds as the hurricane draws nearer, and each woman has to trust someone she recently met.
Author Chanel Cleeton writes her novels with a good mix of historical events, love, and suspense. Although there were a few unlikely coincidences, the book is a real page-turner as the characters showed strength and courage during one of the worst hurricanes of the 20th Century.
July 1, 2020
SO GOOD!! This book takes place in Key West, and the other Keys during the the Great Depression, 1935! Told in 3 points of view told by 3 different women, Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth! Their lives are changed forever when they experience the most devastating hurricane in US history over Labor Day weekend! This was romance and history rolled up in a nice package. The descriptions of this hurricane in the Keys were so vivid in detail. I had never knew about this hurricane. I loved learning this piece of history, the drama, the love stories, and the mystery!! I can tell the author did her research writing this book!! I really enjoyed how she depicted Key West during the aftermath of the war and depression! I thought this one had quite a bit of action compared to some other historical fiction books I've read, it was pretty suspenseful!! I can't wait to read more books by Chanel Cleeton!! Definitely recommend for my historical fiction lovers!!.
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June 1, 2020
This author never ceases to blow me away with her amazing stories. Stories that transport you back in tome to another world, another place and another time. When women were still viewed as less than a world very much in turmoil.
Her endearing characters are so real, so raw, and so darn relatable. You want to know them, you feel like they are friends and most of all, you end up caring greatly for them by the time their story is over.
This time her story takes us to Key West in the lives of three very different woman and the story takes place over a long Labor Day weekend during a time in our history much of the world has forgotten about during a storm, many remember. A story about three woman who are even though they are different, are still very much the same. All struggling to make something of themselves and to be different, to be strong and independent and most of all, to be happy with their life and choices.
I adored all these women. Their heartache was my heartache and their joy, my joy. I became so invested in their future and I wanted only the best for them. I truly loved every single page of their stories and I couldn't of asked for a better ending for them all.
I love this author and she has quickly become a favorite and for good reason. She truly is talented at all that she writes and knows how to make a story, to make characters, come to life.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Her endearing characters are so real, so raw, and so darn relatable. You want to know them, you feel like they are friends and most of all, you end up caring greatly for them by the time their story is over.
This time her story takes us to Key West in the lives of three very different woman and the story takes place over a long Labor Day weekend during a time in our history much of the world has forgotten about during a storm, many remember. A story about three woman who are even though they are different, are still very much the same. All struggling to make something of themselves and to be different, to be strong and independent and most of all, to be happy with their life and choices.
I adored all these women. Their heartache was my heartache and their joy, my joy. I became so invested in their future and I wanted only the best for them. I truly loved every single page of their stories and I couldn't of asked for a better ending for them all.
I love this author and she has quickly become a favorite and for good reason. She truly is talented at all that she writes and knows how to make a story, to make characters, come to life.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
April 1, 2020
Really looking forward to this one!
Merged review:
It's 1935, and amid the Great Depression three very different women are headed to Matecumbe Key for different reasons. Mirta just got married to a stranger on behest of her father, Elizabeth is running from her struggles in New York, and Helen is desperately looking for a better life now that she is about to have a baby. Little do they know that their destinies are already entwined, or that one of the worst hurricanes in history is about to hit...
The Keys are a very unique place so when I learned they were the setting for Chanel Cleeton's latest, I scrambled to get my hands on it. I couldn't put this fabulously romantic, fast-paced, and tension-filled novel down and I enjoyed every page.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC.
Merged review:
It's 1935, and amid the Great Depression three very different women are headed to Matecumbe Key for different reasons. Mirta just got married to a stranger on behest of her father, Elizabeth is running from her struggles in New York, and Helen is desperately looking for a better life now that she is about to have a baby. Little do they know that their destinies are already entwined, or that one of the worst hurricanes in history is about to hit...
The Keys are a very unique place so when I learned they were the setting for Chanel Cleeton's latest, I scrambled to get my hands on it. I couldn't put this fabulously romantic, fast-paced, and tension-filled novel down and I enjoyed every page.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC.
June 22, 2020
A great novel filled with some amazing characters, both male and female. Some parts were hard to hear and very emotional, but overall I couldn't stop listening to it.
I was engrossed in listening to this audiobook. I just had to find out what would happen.
The pace was great, and the ending is very satisfying.
If you loved character-driven books and/or historical I highly recommend this author and this book.
CW; domestic abuse, loss of a loved one, PTSD
4,5 stars
I was engrossed in listening to this audiobook. I just had to find out what would happen.
The pace was great, and the ending is very satisfying.
If you loved character-driven books and/or historical I highly recommend this author and this book.
CW; domestic abuse, loss of a loved one, PTSD
4,5 stars
June 13, 2020
4.5 Stars
One holiday weekend + three women in danger + a hurricane ...
Thanks, #netgalley #berkleypub for a complimentary e ARC of #thelasttraintokeywest for review. All opinions in this review are my own. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.
Key West is a popular destination for tourists. In the 1930s, it is also an opportunity to forget the economic depression. The three women in The Last Train to Key West have very different reasons for finding themselves in Key West on Labor Day Weekend, 1935: Elizabeth travels to Key West from New York City and is desperately searching for a WW1 veteran who is rumored to have been sent to work on the railroad; Key West native, Helen, wants to escape an abusive marriage; Mirta comes to Key West from Cuba for her honeymoon. Rounding out the weekend is an FBI agent, a kind friend, an abusive husband, a secretive groom, and the destructive 1935 Labor Day Weekend hurricane.
One of the reasons historical fiction is my favorite genre is because of the knowledge gained. Three events that I know nothing about are featured in this story: the Overseas Railroad, the devastating hurricane of 1935, and the (WW1) veteran camps in Florida. Reading histfic usually sends me down Google research rabbit holes! I need to note, though, that I would categorize The Last Train to Key West as women’s fiction with a historical background. It’s my opinion that the focus is more on romance and relationships than historical events.
We have three complicated, complex, and believable characters. Two of the three female protagonists in The Last Train to Key West are definitely likable! The third is interesting but I’m not sure about likable. Elizabeth is impetuous, determined, and daring. Helen is brave, kind, and a survivor. These two characters connect meaningfully in the story. Mirta is naive and practical but I thought of her as an outlier in the relationships. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Helen because of her commitment to doing the right thing.
Despite some heavy themes, I consider The Last Train to Key West an escapist read. The story is told from three points of view in one timeline which includes a few flashbacks to build backstories. The narrative and plot are easy to follow which makes the reading fluid and quick. I read the story in one day. The first part of the story is character-driven as we are introduced to the three unique and intriguing protagonists. The last half of the story is plot-driven as Elizabeth’s search intensifies, Helen attempts a daring escape, Mirta realizes who she married, and the hurricane hits. Part of the reason I consider this an escapist read is that it engaged me from beginning to end, the plot is riveting, the ending is resolved in a meaningful way, there’s an emphasis on romance, and I feel satisfied with the read. Time well spent.
I appreciate the author’s vivid descriptions of Key West, the overseas railroad, the scenery, the plight of the soldiers, and the devastating hurricane.
Thoughtful themes include poverty and wealth, determination, bravery, survival, romance, and second chances.
Content Considerations: references to spousal abuse.
I’m enthusiastically recommending The Last Train to Key West for those who are looking for lighter romantic historical fiction, for fans of Chanel Cleeton, and for readers who love an engaging story with a historical setting and a side of suspense. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com
One holiday weekend + three women in danger + a hurricane ...
Thanks, #netgalley #berkleypub for a complimentary e ARC of #thelasttraintokeywest for review. All opinions in this review are my own. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.
Key West is a popular destination for tourists. In the 1930s, it is also an opportunity to forget the economic depression. The three women in The Last Train to Key West have very different reasons for finding themselves in Key West on Labor Day Weekend, 1935: Elizabeth travels to Key West from New York City and is desperately searching for a WW1 veteran who is rumored to have been sent to work on the railroad; Key West native, Helen, wants to escape an abusive marriage; Mirta comes to Key West from Cuba for her honeymoon. Rounding out the weekend is an FBI agent, a kind friend, an abusive husband, a secretive groom, and the destructive 1935 Labor Day Weekend hurricane.
One of the reasons historical fiction is my favorite genre is because of the knowledge gained. Three events that I know nothing about are featured in this story: the Overseas Railroad, the devastating hurricane of 1935, and the (WW1) veteran camps in Florida. Reading histfic usually sends me down Google research rabbit holes! I need to note, though, that I would categorize The Last Train to Key West as women’s fiction with a historical background. It’s my opinion that the focus is more on romance and relationships than historical events.
We have three complicated, complex, and believable characters. Two of the three female protagonists in The Last Train to Key West are definitely likable! The third is interesting but I’m not sure about likable. Elizabeth is impetuous, determined, and daring. Helen is brave, kind, and a survivor. These two characters connect meaningfully in the story. Mirta is naive and practical but I thought of her as an outlier in the relationships. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Helen because of her commitment to doing the right thing.
Despite some heavy themes, I consider The Last Train to Key West an escapist read. The story is told from three points of view in one timeline which includes a few flashbacks to build backstories. The narrative and plot are easy to follow which makes the reading fluid and quick. I read the story in one day. The first part of the story is character-driven as we are introduced to the three unique and intriguing protagonists. The last half of the story is plot-driven as Elizabeth’s search intensifies, Helen attempts a daring escape, Mirta realizes who she married, and the hurricane hits. Part of the reason I consider this an escapist read is that it engaged me from beginning to end, the plot is riveting, the ending is resolved in a meaningful way, there’s an emphasis on romance, and I feel satisfied with the read. Time well spent.
I appreciate the author’s vivid descriptions of Key West, the overseas railroad, the scenery, the plight of the soldiers, and the devastating hurricane.
Thoughtful themes include poverty and wealth, determination, bravery, survival, romance, and second chances.
Content Considerations: references to spousal abuse.
I’m enthusiastically recommending The Last Train to Key West for those who are looking for lighter romantic historical fiction, for fans of Chanel Cleeton, and for readers who love an engaging story with a historical setting and a side of suspense. Pub Date: June 16, 2020.
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com
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