Find Me in Havana by Serena Burdick

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

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Serena Burdick is a new author to me. One I  was excited to get to know. Reading her book was rather joyful and as you know I am all about things that bring me joy. 

Book Description

Cuba, 1936: When Estelita Rodriguez sings in a hazy Havana nightclub for the very first time, she is nine years old. From then on, that spotlight of adoration--from Havana to New York’s Copacabana and then Hollywood--becomes the one true accomplishment no one can take from her. Not the 1933 Cuban Revolution that drove her family into poverty. Not the revolving door of husbands or the fickle world of film.

Thirty years later, her young adult daughter, Nina, is blindsided by her mother’s mysterious death. Seeking answers, the grieving Nina navigates the troubling, opulent memories of their life together and discovers how much Estelita sacrificed to live the American dream on her own terms.

Based on true events and exclusive interviews with Nina Lopez, Estelita’s daughter, Find Me in Havana weaves two unforgettable voices into one extraordinary story that explores the unbreakable bond between mother and child, and the ever-changing landscape of self-discovery.

About Serena Burdick

Serena Burdick is the author of the novels GIRL IN THE AFTERNOON (St. Martin’s Press, 2016) and THE GIRLS WITH NO NAMES, (Park Row Books 2020.) She is the 2017 International Book Award Winner for Historical Fiction. She studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence, holds a Bachelors of Arts from Brooklyn College in English literature and an Associates of Arts from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in theater. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.

My Thoughts

Before reading Find Me in Havana, I had never heard of Cuban-born singer and actress Estelita Rodriguez. So reading this book was very interesting to me. I love discovering new people and places.

I was also intrigued Cuban history is rarely written about so learning about it was really a blessing.

I enjoyed how the book was written from two different points of view so you were able to get the full scope of emotions and what was happening. The writing was phenomenal and I truly got caught up in this story about a real person and true events.

Overall a wonderful read I could not put down.