The Cuban Heiress

This novel was a complete slog for me. On the surface the topics interested me—an ocean liner, the 1930s, a revenge plot, false identities—but it felt like the author couldn't make up her mind about what she wanted the book to be so she made it everything and nothing all at once.

There were many mysterious circumstances revolving around the Morro Castle in real life, and yet none of them were really explored in the book. Instead she forced her own plot on top of the true story and they never really meshed. As soon as the climax began it felt out of place, because it wasn't really foreshadowed at all. I began skimming, ready to be done... not my typical reaction to what's supposed to be the most exciting part of the book.

As for the writing, the dialogue felt unnatural and there were places that could've used tighter editing. I usually prefer sparse writing but there should've been more detail in this one to establish a sense of place and to make you care about the characters. The whole novel felt a touch lazy to be honest, rushed to the publisher because of a deadline. I won't read another of this author's books.

Chanel Cleeton doesn't disappoint. My second book by her has been just as good, full of colour and fully fleshed out characters. On top of the fabulous story, this has also got a dreamy setting on a cruise ship during Prohibition era. It even felt like a sweet indulgence I the middle of such craziness.