What is the title of your latest release?
THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES is the story of three incredible women spread across multiple countries and time periods whose lives are connected by the powerful legacy of one unforgettable book.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
As a Cuban American, I love exploring the interactions throughout history between Cuba and the United States, so I wanted the book to take place in both settings. I also had the opportunity to live and study in London for four years and it’s one of my favorite cities, so I was excited to incorporate it into the book.
Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I would love to hang out with my protagonists in real life! I get very attached to my characters when I’m working on a book, and I really start to think of them as friends.
What are three words that describe your protagonist?
I have three protagonists (Eva, Pilar, and Margo) in the novel, and even though they live in different time periods, they share many similarities. They’re each brave, adventurous, and resourceful.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I first came across mention of the Cuban summer school at Harvard while I was researching one of my previous novels—THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA. It was fascinating to learn more about the cultural exchange between the two countries at the beginning of the twentieth century when Cuban teachers travelled to Harvard to study for the summer. It was the largest cultural exchange of its kind at the time and was a massive diplomatic effort during a pivotal time in relations between Cuba and the United States.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I wait to edit until I have a fully finished first draft.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a favorite, but I’m definitely a foodie and love trying new things and enjoying favorites.
Describe your writing space/office!
I have a desk with a pink Mac that I write on. I also have framed covers of all my books on the walls. My office is pretty minimalist in an effort to reduce writing distractions!
Who is an author you admire?
There are SO many authors that have changed my life with their incredible books. Some of my current favorite authors include Megan Miranda, Denny S. Bryce, Jessica Knoll, Fredrik Backman, Jane Harper, Elle Cosimano, Evie Dunmore, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Elizabeth Acevedo.
Is there a book that changed your life?
WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA by Carlos Eire was a memorable read for me because it was the first time I felt like I saw my family’s experiences during the Cuban Revolution reflected in a book.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Answer: My “call” came in the form of a very exciting email twelve years ago from my agent Kevan Lyon telling me that my debut novel, I See London, was going to be published. It definitely felt like a “pinch me” moment after years of rejection.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love to read pretty much any genre, but right now I’ve been reading a lot of mysteries.
What’s your favorite movie?
I have too many to list, but some of my favorites include While You Were Sleeping, Sabrina, and Only You.
What is your favorite season?
Fall is my absolute favorite season.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I usually like to spend a quiet day with my family.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently read the second Vera Wong book (VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN) by Jesse Q. Sutanto) and really loved it. Both books in the Vera Wong series are fabulous and I can’t wait for the next one.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite, but Cuban food is always a comfort meal for me.
What do you do when you have free time?
I love to read, do Pilates, and binge watch a good TV show. I also love to travel.
What can readers expect from you next?
My next book will be coming out in 2026. It’s a bit of a new adventure for me and I can’t wait to share more about it!
THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton
A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.
London, 2024: When American expat Margo Reynolds is hired to source a book that’s more than one hundred and twenty years old, she thinks her greatest challenge is going to be that there’s only one copy in existence. However, it quickly becomes clear that her client isn’t the only person determined to procure the book at any cost. Thrust into a deadly quest, Margo teams up with an unlikely ally—the man she loved and lost—and is forced to confront the ghosts of her own past as the lingering feelings that simmer between them ignite.
Havana, 1966: Pilar Castillo’s days are spent working as a librarian in Havana, her nights spent hoping for her husband’s freedom after his unjust imprisonment. But Pilar has a secret that could jeopardize her life. She’s fighting Fidel’s regime in her own way, and when she comes into possession of a book that was published more than sixty years earlier, she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to protect the literary works entrusted to her care.
Boston, 1900: For Cuban teacher Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to participate in the largest cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States is not only a chance to represent her country at a critical time in its bid for independence, but also an opportunity to work on the book she’s writing. When a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger alters the course of Eva’s summer at Harvard, and as secrets, lies, and forbidden love rise to the surface, Eva’s life—and legacy—is irrevocably changed.
Fantasy Magical Realism | Literature and Fiction Literary [Berkley, On Sale: September 30, 2025, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593816905 / eISBN: 9780593816912]
Buy THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Walmart.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Chanel Cleeton
Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, and The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba.
Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family’s 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 bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
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