Grace Harrington, a white American woman, wants to excel in the newspaper world, which in 1896 belongs almost exclusively to men. Grace is lucky to be offered a job at one of William Randolph Hearst's papers, where she begins reporting a story about an 18-year-old Cuban woman named Evangelina Cisneros that will change her life. Evangelina is being held as a political prisoner in Havana because of her fight against the Spanish colonialists. Grace and her Hearst colleagues seek to win Evangelina's freedom by positioning her, in their articles, as "the most beautiful girl in Cuba" and a symbol of the United States' obligation to go to war with Spain. Grace gets help in her investigation from Marina Perez, a Cuban courier willing to endanger her life for the sake of a free Havana. Marina, Evangelina, and Grace form a formidable team of courageous, strong women fighting for freedom and their rights. VERDICT Historical fiction fans will love this novel and its perfectly detailed descriptions of a long-gone era. This is another slam-dunk from Cleeton (Next Year in Havana).--Adriana Delgado, West Palm Beach, FL

Cleeton's latest historical novel in her dazzling Cuba series, following The Last Train to Key West (2020), features another member of the Pérez family, Marina, and her struggles during the Spanish American War as she is disowned by her well-to-do family and separated from her beloved rebel husband. The "Beautiful Girl" of the title is based on the real-life Evangelina Cisneros, whose daring escape from a Havana prison was orchestrated by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst as part of his campaign to convince the U.S. to declare war on Spain. Hearst reporter Grace Harrington, a spunky Nelly Bly type, also pushes against the sexist constrictions of the time. These three women tell their stories in alternating sections set during 1896--98. Although raised in privilege, they lose status because of their integrity and refusal to bow to the expectations of their class. Ultimately, they find themselves struggling for survival while fighting for their country's independence and, in Grace's case, for her own. With a splash of romance and a healthy helping of history, this novel will be a hit for all collections.

Cleeton (The Last Train to Key West) spins an enchanting historical novel based on the story of Cuban rebel Evangelina Cisneros. In 1896 New York City, journalist Grace Harrington, aspiring to be the next Nellie Bly, wangles a job with William Randolph Hearst's publication, the New York Journal. As Grace is settling in as a "stunt girl" reporter, a parallel narrative follows Evangelina in Cuba, where she is imprisoned for refusing the advances of an enemy Spanish soldier. The incident prompts Hearst to turn Evangelina's story into a plea for American involvement in Cuba's fight for independence, and he gives Grace the assignment. The Journal's go-between is Marina Perez, disowned by her wealthy family after marrying a farmer turned revolutionary and trying to make ends meet for her and her daughter by taking in laundry, which provides the perfect cover for covert messaging between Evangelina and Grace. Further intrigue emerges when Grace turns out to be a spy for Hearst's rival Joseph Pulitzer, an allegiance she gives up after Hearst entrusts her with the story. Cleeton skillfully brings off the three strong women's heartbreaking stories with intriguing twists and turns and a delightful finale. With impeccable research and perfect pacing, Cleeton makes the most of her subject. (May)