The Last Train to Key West
Ratings7
Average rating4.4
Instant New York Times bestseller One 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 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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4 primary booksThe Perez Family
The Perez Family is a 4-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2018 with contributions by Chanel Cleeton.
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Disappointing. Was expecting it to be about 3 women who became empowered as a group while hunkering down during a hurricane in Key West. Instead, it is about 3 women who meet early on in the novel (1930's) and then meet again after the storm. In between, each of them deals with a difficult relationship with a man but their lives intersect at the end when they all live happily ever after. Trite. Also, did not think it was very well written.
Great story about a part of history I didn't know anything about. Books like this remind me of the power of story to help us understand what happened in our history with context and in a way that we will remember. This author approaches historical fiction with the intent to honor history and will re-tool the plot when her research uncovers information that require it. It's impressive. This book centers around three women who are all in different types of trouble and whose lives intersect during the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 that hit the Florida keys. There were many influences on people living in the keys during this time that are demonstrated through the story: The depression, the veterans from WWI that have come home and the government has given them jobs working on Flagler's railroad through the keys, a large criminal element tied to NY mob activity in the keys at this time; the end of prohibition a few years prior during which the keys played a large part in smuggling, the 1933 Cuban revolution and changes in society happening during this time. The author somehow was able to weave all these things together into a story that felt like anything but a history lesson. The characters may not all be likeable, but they are believable and there is a lot to discuss here. This would be a good book club pick, particularly during hurricane season!
I've mostly read fluff and rereads for the last 6 months. There were circumstances and I needed that. Now I'm slowly getting ready to read more substantial things.
I really liked this book. I connected with Helen and Mirta from the start, Elizabeth took a little longer. The book takes place during the depression and the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. It doesn't shy away from the problems and difficulties, but it's not too graphic.
I was a little unsure about the star rating, but I think I'll go with 5 stars.
