The story unfolds in a series of letters between Estelita Rodriguez and her daughter Nina Lopez. The story begins in Cuba in 1936 with Estelita’s family struggling following the Cuban Revolution. Growing up with a group of sisters who loved to sing and dance, Estelita is discovered in a nightclub in Havana as a young girl and arrives in the U.S. at age 15 to sing at the Copacabana in New York City. Nina is the result of a marriage to actor Chu Chu Martinez, the first of her four husbands. As was the often the case during this time in history, Chu Chu forbade his wife from performing. Estelita leaves the marriage and is discovered in Hollywood, beginning an acting career and appearing in movies such as Rio Bravo with John Wayne and Dean Martin.

Nina’s relationship to her mother remained strong, despite many horrific events that fell upon the two. Upon her mother’s mysterious death in 1966, Nina finds her self on a journey, reflecting on memories of her mother’s life and all that she endured to find her American dream.

The story would not be complete without the mention of the one constant in both Estelita and Nina’s lives- Estelita’s mother. A strong woman herself, she encourages Estelita to follow her dreams to Hollywood and becomes a stabilizing figure for Nina. The book really shines to me in the depth and sacrifice of all three women to create a good life independent of having to be someone’s wife. Therefore, I find it interesting that Estelita married so often in her 37 years.

I found this book to be a very interesting read. It provides the reader with an immersion into the Cuban Revolution. It also is demonstrates the way women have historically experienced injustice and atrocities as they strived to be something more. As a warning to more sensitive readers, this book has elements of physical abuse, misogyny and rape. It is a difficult read at times because of this, but an important one to completely understand the story.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book which was narrated by Marisol Ramirez and Frankine Corzo. Their performances were very good, and provided a sense of realism to the story. Their voices were articulate and expressive. I listened to the book at my usual 1.25x which provided a comfortable experience. I would not hesitate to recommend the audiobook version of the book to those that enjoy this format.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Audio for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for the honest review provided here.

A well written look at the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. It is told in an alternating timeline & POV’s and is based on the true story that of Estelita Rodriguez.
We meet Estalita as a girl living in Cuba, prior to the revolution. Estelita is a talented singer, performing at local nightclubs with her sister. As she grows, her country becomes unstable and when she is offered a chance to work for Desi Arnez in the U.S. She and her mother leave their family to travel to the U.S. and do not see their family again for many years.
We get a look inside Hollywood in the time of studios owning contracts. Estelita has a daughter, Nina, with another Cuban entertainer. This book focuses mostly on the relationship between grandmother, mother, and daughter and all the things that impact that.
I liked the story. However, having read a similar story by another author, this didn’t quite hit the same mark. I didn’t know that it was based on a true story while I was reading.

I loved this book that is classified as historical fiction. I am not sure which parts are fiction. The characters are all real and most of the events did happen. It takes place in Cuba, New York, Los Angeles, Mexico and Big Sur. Certainly a lot of research went into the book and I loved it.

When I read the blurb for Find Me In Havana, I'll admit that I had to look up Estelita Rodriguez. Her name niggled at me, but her picture quickly put that niggle to rest. Her Hollywood career was before my time, but I've certainly heard of her, and it seems like I even remember seeing her on some of the classic movie channels on television. So, I suppose that realization along with the blurb piqued my interest, and I'm glad it did. This may be a fictionalized story, but it is based on truth. The story is told in letter form with chapters alternating between Estelita and her daughter, Nina. It's wonderfully written and totally compelling from the very first page to the last. It didn't take long for me to be pulled in to the lives of these women and their emotional journeys. I've seen this book listed as historical fiction and general fiction. I'd say that's accurate, but I would think this story would appeal to many more than just readers of those genres. I know I'd certainly recommend it.

“And what have I taught you about song?”

“That songs transport us.

“That’s right. If it has its voice, it is not trapped.”

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I don’t know what it is about stories in Havana, but I am enamored. I also really love stories about old Hollywood… So this one was right up my alley. We see our beautiful Estelita hob nob with Desi Arnaz, John Wayne, Angie Dickinson and more glamorous celebrities.

This is the story of a mother and daughter and the trauma which defined their lives. Estelita is brought to America by her mother when she is very young to become a star. They leave the rest of their family behind in politically charged Cuba. Her father is a Batista supporter and this has a huge impact on their lives as the story progresses. Estelita becomes a celebrity and offers her daughter very little attention and care. She’s focused on her career and her love life; the repercussions of those choices will shock you.

I’m not huge on giving trigger warnings but there are several scenes of sexual assault, rape and domestic abuse in this story. Those scenes are especially hard to read as they involve at times children. This novel is based on the true life of Estelita Rodriguez. If this were fiction I would say there is so much violence that it borders on gratuitous and the murder seemed kind of random and unresolved but it was sobering to read knowing that these events actually happened.

This is a powerful story of the survival and resilience of two women. It shows how powerless women were in Cuba and frankly, in America as well in the 50s and 60s. I will say I had a hard time not judging Estelita‘s behavior and its impact on her daughter. But these real stories of women are important deserve to be told.

I didn't realize until I finished listening to this audiobook that it was based on a true story and what a remarkable one it is!

Estelita Rodriguez lived a life that seems like it could have been the subject of one of the movies she starred in - leaving Cuba as a young girl to pursue a singing and acting career in the U.S., she found some success but also had to rescue her daughter who was kidnapped by her father and was imprisoned with her family by Fidel Castro when she returned to her home before dying mysteriously before she turned 40.

Each chapter alternates between the POV of Estelita and her daughter, Nina, and I loved both narrators. The author interviewed Nina and this access gives the story details that really bring the story to life. This is a unique take on historical fiction that mixes tales from old Hollywood with the Cuban Revolution and family drama - I highly recommend it.

I picked this book up off of a library shelf because I'd heard of it in passing on a podcast but I didn't expect to slip so easily into Estelita and Nina's story. The story is told in alternating chapters between Estelita and Nina as they almost narrate their lives as if it's letters to each other, The development of their relationship is mother and daughter the complicated relationship that Estelita has with her own mother, the insecurities and mistrust that bleed down from generation to generation, I really think this book captured something special and I'm so glad I grabbed it when I did.