⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chanel Cleeton swings big with The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes, and for the most part, it works. This globe-trotting novel moves from Havana to London, Edinburgh, Boston, and Key West, weaving together three timelines and three women connected by a single, dangerous book. It’s an ambitious, intriguing premise—and one I enjoyed far more than Next Year in Havana.
The strongest thread, for me, was Pilar’s story in 1960s Cuba. Her quiet courage as a librarian risking everything to protect forbidden books adds real emotional weight. Margo’s present-day hunt for the last surviving copy brings a sense of urgency—especially after an early murder raises the stakes—but the suspense never fully delivers on that promise. This is less a thriller and more a love letter to the power of literature.
The structure is impressive, with timelines that mostly knit together smoothly. That said, Eva herself—the woman at the center of it all—feels oddly distant, never quite as developed as I wanted. And while Margo’s rekindled feelings for her ex add depth, they occasionally slow the narrative momentum.
Still, there’s a lot to admire here: rich settings, layered history, and a genuine reverence for books and the risks people take to protect them. Not perfect—but definitely worth the journey.
** Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Berkley for a comp of the eBook. Opinions are my own.