Publisher: Berkley Publishing, May 24th, 2022

Format: ebook

Pages: 320

Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

When Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s new novel.

Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.

Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.

Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts.

My Review:

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: Next Year in Havana, Cuban/Spanish history.
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This book follows Isabel Perez. When her sister Beatriz goes missing in Barcelona, she leaves her safe life in Palm Beach to go to Spain to look for her sister. The book also follows their mother Alicia and her experiences in Spain during the Spanish civil war. This part was my favourite timeline/perspective and I found myself wanting to get back to her part.
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I loved the characters, the story, and the strong connection to family. Plot was fast paced and I wanted to keep reading!
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CW: adultery, war, violence, pregnancy, sexism and misogyny.