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.
Out September 30, 2025
Penguin/Berkley
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In print, ebook, and audiobook
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Praise for The Lost story of eva fuentes
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes has everything I love: suspense, adventure, heart, and gutsy heroines. Every night before bed, I would return to the three characters who revealed, layer by layer, the mystery of what happened to Eva. I delighted in the gradual unfolding until I couldn’t hold off any longer and raced through the final chapters, my pulse racing, my mind frantic, and breathed a sigh of relief. I dare you not to do that same!
Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes intertwines three strong women in different timelines, all linked through the connection of a cherished book. Chanel Cleeton expertly draws back the curtain on life in Cuba under Fidel Castro’s regime and demonstrates how a single book can impact lives. A moving tribute to the power and comfort of books, this is a must read for book lovers.
Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Booklover’s Library
A new novel by Chanel Cleeton is always a treat! THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES reminds us that books and stories have always been and will always be a shining light in our lives, which makes it the perfect tale for everyone right now. I was swept away by the interlocking stories of the three wonderful heroines. My only difficulty was that I was torn between savoring every page and racing ahead because I desperately needed to know how it would end! Suffice to say, there is the perfect blend of drama, intrigue and passion to make it a novel that will appeal to book lovers everywhere.
Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton is a spellbinding journey through time, where three women—separated by decades but bound across time by a single, forgotten story—unravel a literary mystery with dangerous implications. With her signature blend of rich historical detail and compelling mystery, Cleeton crafts a tale of resilience, love, and the power of the written word. As forgotten pages resurface and long-buried secrets come to light, the past refuses to stay hidden. With twists that keep you breathless and a haunting truth waiting to be uncovered, Cleeton masterfully blends history, suspense, and the enduring power of storytelling. A must-read for those who crave intrigue, resilience, and the undeniable magic of books.”
Eliza Knight, USA Today and international bestselling author of Confessions of a Grammar Queen
Chanel Cleeton’s The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes is a mesmerizing tale of courageous women irrevocably impacted by the far-reaching tentacles of on-going wars and a revolution in Cuba that spans oceans and ages. From the turn of the twentieth century to the present, three women bravely face betrayal, loss, love and murder to preserve and protect Eva Fuentes’ novel, a seemingly innocent story about first love, and it’s link in history.
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes is a love letter to the liberating and restorative power of the written word, books, and heroic teachers and librarians. From beginning to end, Cleeton’s beautifully written story with its undercurrent tension and sense of urgency sets a course for an exceptional and captivating reading experience.
Monica Chenault-Kilgore, author of The Jewel of the Blues