Instant New York Times bestsellerOne of Bustle’s Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2020 “The perfect riveting summer read!”—BookBub In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys. For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler’s legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic … 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.
After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.
Elizabeth Preston’s trip to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles after 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.
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Love love loved this book. From beginning to end enjoyed every moment of this read.
This book didn’t live up to the reviews. Some of the historical details were interesting, but the characters were over simplified and the plot lacked depth.
Interesting setting and time period. The writing reflects the research that went into the descriptions of 1935 Florida and of the desperation of its people as they grappled with the depression. All of that was realistic and effectively placed the reader there. Unfortunately, of the the six major characters only two were unique and well realized. The other characters were either not as believable, not as well drawn or were stereotypes. The plot, which started out with promise, lost its way as the writing teetered between devolving into a steamy romance novel and an implausible detective story. The coincidences are ludicrous as the six characters who were initially strangers end up being intimately connected in unlikely scenarios. So, bottom line, a mixed bag.
Set in the aftermath of the WW1 Bonus Army protests and subsequent veteran’s encampments in the Florida Keys, this novel is based on actual historical events.
Told from the perspectives of three very diverse women, the alternating chapters reveal their stories of personal crises. As their paths cross, tension mounts while the impending hurricane looms off the coast. Within an instant they are forced to make life altering decisions for their own survival.
A little bit reminiscent of the 1948 movie “Key Largo”. Fast paced, tense, full of emotion – the author did an excellent job of interweaving all the right elements into a realistic storyline. I really enjoyed the writing style, character development and dialogue. This vivid story is a fantastic blend of suspense, love, and history.
A mix of women’s fiction, historical & romance. Very enjoyable! Would make a great mini-series. . . . 5 Stars . . . (my stars keep disappearing when I submit reviews )
I read this book for NetGalley and was not sure it would be something I would like. I lived in Florida for 20 years and this was a historical book that takes place in 1935 way before I was born. It was at a time before Florida became as popular as it is now and follows the story of three women on different paths who are in Key West for different reasons.
During the telling of this story all of the woman meet at one time or another but do not realize it until later after they have started to deal with their issues. The main point of the story is that there is a Hurricane that takes place in the Florida Keys. It is way before they have the weather planes and they just get reports from the national weather service which is using way outdated techniques. They are told that the storm will miss them but as luck has it they are in the direct path.
One of the things I found interesting was that upon evacuation after the storm they took them to Homestead Florida which later in the 90’s was wiped out by its own storm with nothing left after the storm hit.
This story is about a woman from Cuba who is married to a New York Mobster, A woman from New York who is supposed to marry a mobster and a woman from Key West who is pregnant and an abused wife. The way the story intertwines these woman is fascinating.
Good book I read it in one day.
Love this authors stories , wonderful strong characters , rich in history .
I had never heard of this devastating hurricane that occurred on Labor Day in 1935. This story is told from the alternating perspectives of 3 women whose lives initially intersected in a cafe. Each woman left that area for varying reasons and were all caught in the hurricane. Although this book is fiction, there are aspects of the story that are part of history and I found it interesting and will recommend to some friends that I think will enjoy it.
I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t wait to read more from this author. I’ve already finished two more and they were even better !
Not nearly as good a read as Next Year in Havana.
This author is sporting a 4.6 out of a 5.0 scale for this novel with almost 1800 reviews. Yes, it is that good. Let me clarify. It’s 1930s Key West, and a hurricane is coming. Three women, unknown to each other, are caught up in their lives and in the storm. Each of them is well-drawn and tells a compelling story. I’m a big fan of the Key West-Havana connection, Henry Flagler and the East Coast railroad and Seven Mile Bridge, the 1910 and 1935 hurricanes, and Hemingway, who lived in Key West when the 1935 storm hit. He wrote a fascinating piece in the Saturday Evening Post about the storm, also worth a look. So, this book checks a lot of my boxes. It’s suspenseful, has a few surprising twists, and is just a great read, if any of the above interests you. Don’t miss it!
I loved this book!!!!
I enjoyed this book and how the author brought together the characters. I was sorry to read about our treAtment of our veterans.
This author does a good job capturing life in Cuba and Havana at a particular time. Informative and engaging!
Enjoyed learning about Key West during the time setting of the book, about the train going through the keys, and about Veterans’ issues in that time. Otherwise, it was a light romance.
A soap opera with predictable outcomes.
Loved the series! I don’t understand why this story isn’t liked more. It had great and realistic characters and plot line. True, I didn’t really like the changing p.o.v’s but the three main protagonists were very relatable I will definitely read more of this author!
Intriguing story of a 1935 hurricane and three women caught in the storm and in their personal dramas.
A new and exciting look at 1935 in Florida, the lost years between WWI and WWII. In the framework of probation ending and the ongoing struggles of the Great Depression.
Characters were too predictable. However it was educational to learn a bit about the 35 Hurricane and the veterans impacted.