About the Book After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity--and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution-- Book Synopsis A HELLO SUNSHINE x REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK A beautiful novel thats full of forbidden passions, family secrets and a lot of courage and sacrifice.--Reese Witherspoon After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity--and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution... Havana, 1958 . The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cubas high society, where she is largely sheltered from the countrys growing political unrest--until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary... Miami, 2017 . Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisas last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth. Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cubas tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, shell need the lessons of her grandmothers past to help her understand the true meaning of courage. Review Quotes A beautiful novel thats full of forbidden passions, family secrets and a lot of courage and sacrifice. -- Reese Witherspoon , (Reeses Book Club x Hello Sunshine book pick) A sweeping love story and tale of courage and familial and patriotic legacy that spans generations. -- Entertainment Weekly This Cuban-set historical novel is just what you need to get that extra-summery feeling. -- Bustle The Ultimate Beach Read -- Real Simple Next Year in Havana reminds us that while love is complicated and occasionally heartbreaking, its always worth the risk. -- NPR A flat-out stunner of a book, at once a dual-timeline mystery, a passionate romance, and paean to the tragedy and beauty of war-torn Cuba. Simply wonderful! -- Kate Quinn , New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress Cleeton has penned an atmospheric, politically insightful, and highly hopeful homage to a lost world. Devour Next Year in Havana and you, too, will smell the perfumed groves, taste the ropa vieja, and feel the sun on your face. -- Stephanie Dray , New York Times bestselling coauthor of Americas First Daughter Dont miss this smart, moving, and romantic story. -- HelloGiggles.com A vivid, transporting novel. Next Year in Havana is about journeys--into exile, into history, and into questions of home and identity. Its an engrossing read. -- David Ebershoff , author of The Danish Girl and The 19th Wife An evocative, passionate story of family loyalty and forbidden love that moves seamlessly between the past and present of Cubas turbulent history... Next Year in Havana kept me enthralled and savoring every word. -- Shelley Noble , New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Beach Chanel Cleetons prose is as beautiful as Cuba itself, and the story she weaves--of exile and loss, memory and myth, forbidden love and enduring friendship--is at once sweeping and beautifully intimate. -- Jennifer Robson , USA Today bestselling author of Somewhere in France A poignant tale of aristocracy, subterfuge, tyranny, conflict, corruption and courage during the Cuban Revolution... Next Year In Havana is an extraordinary journey that connects the past and present and will enthrall readers until the very end. -- RT Book Review (starred review) An enticing and wonderful read for lovers of historical fiction and soul-searching journeys. -- Library Journal (starred review) An undeniably personal and intimate look at Cuba then and now, wrapped around the gripping story of two women torn between love and country. -- Rene Rosen , bestselling author of Park Avenue Summer Chanel Cleeton delivers an amazing and captivating read! -- Alix Rickloff , author of On the Way to London With graceful prose, Cleeton evokes the former grandeur of 1950s Cuba, and contrasts it with modern day Miami in this sweeping family saga of loss and love. -- Heather Webb , author of Last Christmas in Paris A compelling, un-put-downable page-turner told from two equally powerful female narratives...A must read. -- Lia Riley , author of It Happened on Love Street Next Year in Havana is a ravishing jewel of romance, hope, family, and the history in Cuba. -- Weina Dai Randel , author of The Moon in the Palace This gritty tale pulls back the curtain on revolutionary and modern Cuba, allowing us a glimpse of the courage, heartache, and sacrifices of those who left their country in exile, and also those who stayed behind. -- Stephanie Marie Thornton , USA Today bestselling author of Clever Girl Next Year in Havana is a riveting, moving novel that explores the ever-relevant themes of love and sacrifice, family and duty, patriotism and resistance. Cleeton describes Havana so vividly that I felt I was there. I could not put this book down! -- Alyssa Palombo , author of The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence About The Author Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of When We Left Cuba and the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana . Originally from Florida, she grew up on stories of her familys 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 bachelors degree in international relations from Richmond, the American International University in London, and a masters degree in global politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.