An Evening with Chanel Cleeton

A century-old book connects three women across time in Chanel Cleeton’s latest historical novel, weaving together themes of identity, legacy and resilience.

An Evening with Chanel Cleeton takes place Tuesday, September 30 at Books & Books in Coral Gables. The New York Times bestselling author will discuss The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes, a sweeping narrative that spans Havana, Boston and London. The novel follows three women—a Cuban schoolteacher in 1900 Boston, a Havana librarian in 1966 and an American expat in present-day London—each linked by a single rare book and the secrets it holds.

Eva Fuentes, a young writer studying at Harvard during the summer of 1900, pens a novel born from a forbidden love, unaware of its future impact. Decades later, librarian Pilar Castillo risks her safety during the Cuban Revolution to protect Eva’s manuscript. In the present day, rare book dealer Margo Reynolds is hired to track down the only known copy, uncovering a layered history of resistance, passion and survival.

Cleeton, a Florida native, draws inspiration from her own Cuban heritage and family history. A graduate of the London School of Economics and the University of South Carolina School of Law, she brings a deep understanding of politics and identity to her novels. Admission to the event is free, and books will be available for purchase on site.