Special thanks to Amazon Original Stories for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Night at the Tropicana
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Pub Date: 20 September 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Panda Rating:
(4 pandas)
📖 SYNOPSIS
Cuba in the 1930s is the backdrop for a vibrant short story about the rhythms of the heart and the twists of fate that echo through time by the New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana.
Havana, 1939: It’s opening night at the famed Tropicana nightclub. Cuban American college student Natalie Trainer, on vacation from Miami, is watching from the sidelines—as usual. Then comes an invitation to dance from a handsome stranger named Antonio. Normally cautious and reserved, Natalie somehow finds herself saying yes. A tiny thrill of rebellion, of taking a chance, and Natalie’s in heaven. Will her first step into this unfamiliar realm set a new course for her life, or only tonight?
[This review was originally posted to Goodreads in April 2024]
Chanel Cleeton is a new-to-me author that I’ve been meaning to read for a while now so I jumped at the chance to read a novella from her. I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and I would love to read a longer story by her in the future.
In 40 pages, Cleeton manages to evoke a deep sense of longing, pain, and hope through Natalie’s perspective. I’m not always a fan of flashbacks it was well done in this story and I enjoyed both the present-day Natalie who is a successful doctor, and the teenage Natalie in Havana. It was easy to picture the glitz and glamour of the Tropicana‘s opening night all those years ago, as well as the magic—the thrilling excitement and rush of feelings—of meeting someone who gets you on a level no one has before. I have to admit that the picture was made more vivid as it reminded me a bit of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, which was one of my favourite movies from when I was in high school, but it also made me love this story more.
I like that despite the brevity of the story, Cleeton was still able to touch upon issues faced by immigrants and how important a strong and supportive community is for those who come to a new country. Overall, while the story was not unpredictable, and perhaps a bit cheesy (for some), I loved the ending and I think other hopeless romantics who enjoy a story about star-crossed lovers and intertwined fate will love it too!
Have you read A Night at the Tropicana or is it on your TBR?
dinipandareads 
Cleeton is an author I’ve been wanting to try for quite a while now, too. Glad you enjoyed this one even with it being a novella.
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Same here! I’m glad that I’ve tried her novella at least so I know what her writing is like. I think I’d enjoy her full length novels 🙂
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Sounds like Cleeton accomplished a lot in 40 pages. I am behind on the Cuba books, but I have loved the ones I read.
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[…] ARC Mini Review: One Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton […]
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Nice review, Dini. I enjoy Cleeton’s books, although I have several to read on my kindle yet. I also enjoyed this one and agree, she packed a lot into just a few pages.
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