What do you think?
Rate this book
Lucy's Last Honeymoon in Havana: A Novel
A marriage on the rocks. A country in transition. A trip to Cuba is about to change Lucille Ball’s life…
Hollywood, 1959. The world of comedian Lucille Ball is turning tragic. With Desi’s alcoholism and relentless cheating taking center stage, she worries the end of her marriage could snatch her career as well. When upstart dictator Fidel Castro invites “America’s Sweethearts” to Cuba, she wants to say no, until the dark secrets held by the CIA force her hand…
Surrounded by wanted men and resistance fighters, Lucy learns she’s to star in a propaganda film to smooth over American relations. As she learns more about Castro’s true intentions, she can’t help but figure out some things about herself too. In the midst of a revolution, Lucy starts to script her own evolving future without Desi by her side…
As Lucy seeks a way home, will she also discover her true strength?
Lucy’s Last Honeymoon in Havana is a fictional biographical novel based on historical events. If you like high-stakes action, vivid portrayals of 1960s Cuba, and imaginative takes on Lucille Ball’s life and times, then you’ll love Scott Jarol’s cinematic story.
Buy Lucy’s Last Honeymoon in Havana to witness a star’s revolution today!
Hollywood, 1959. The world of comedian Lucille Ball is turning tragic. With Desi’s alcoholism and relentless cheating taking center stage, she worries the end of her marriage could snatch her career as well. When upstart dictator Fidel Castro invites “America’s Sweethearts” to Cuba, she wants to say no, until the dark secrets held by the CIA force her hand…
Surrounded by wanted men and resistance fighters, Lucy learns she’s to star in a propaganda film to smooth over American relations. As she learns more about Castro’s true intentions, she can’t help but figure out some things about herself too. In the midst of a revolution, Lucy starts to script her own evolving future without Desi by her side…
As Lucy seeks a way home, will she also discover her true strength?
Lucy’s Last Honeymoon in Havana is a fictional biographical novel based on historical events. If you like high-stakes action, vivid portrayals of 1960s Cuba, and imaginative takes on Lucille Ball’s life and times, then you’ll love Scott Jarol’s cinematic story.
Buy Lucy’s Last Honeymoon in Havana to witness a star’s revolution today!
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2019
207 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 16, 2019
Lucy and Ricky are Real People
This fictional take on America’s sweethearts: Ricky and Lucy This was a sad, realistic look at a marriage gone sour as opposites in culture, but partners in business long after the marriage is dissolved. It was interesting to get the different takes on Castro, Ricky, and the left side of Lucy. I read it straight through and really like yep this book. I look forward to another story by this author.
This fictional take on America’s sweethearts: Ricky and Lucy This was a sad, realistic look at a marriage gone sour as opposites in culture, but partners in business long after the marriage is dissolved. It was interesting to get the different takes on Castro, Ricky, and the left side of Lucy. I read it straight through and really like yep this book. I look forward to another story by this author.
February 2, 2020
I love Lucy but I did not love this book. I struggled to finish it. It just wasn’t plausible to me the plot or the dialogue.
June 29, 2023
It took me forever to complete this torturous book. I understand that it is fiction but it’s BEYOND fiction. Completely implausible! I never DNF a book even if I don’t like it. This was almost my first DNF. One of the worst I’ve ever read.
August 31, 2020
I love Lucy and she loves me....
The minute I started reading this I had to put down my audiobooks, because I was enthralled. At the time, I was also watching Amazon Prime TV Sweetbitter...and all I can say to you is...my heart was full. Don’t let any of this precious moments end whee you love your book and show.
Hollywood, 1959. Lucy and Desi are on the brink of divorce. They can no longer reconcile. Desi’s alcoholism is spiraling, and his cheating can longer be excused.
The CIA holding secrets of Lucy’s red grandfather, and Cuban Socialist Fidel Castro invite the pair to Cuba.
Arriving in Cuba, Lucy takes nothing with her but her non prized garments which she actually loves, her Hollywood approved skincare, makeup, scarves, and cigarettes in a gold case.
Lucy and Desi arrive, and realize they needs to star in a film practically handwritten by Fidel Castro alone, and it’s a Bible of a script. Desi and Lucy sense that Fidel’s penchant to talk too much is the reason for the lengthy film project. Will they be going home soon to Desi Jr, and Little Lucie?
Cuba is practically at war, in the midst of the aftermath of Batista being overthrown by Castro, and sense the tension among Cubans. America isn’t considered a democracy in the same way many Fidelista’s perceive a democracy to be, after all socialism and a democratic republican nation ran by banks and profits made from the hands of the hard working man isn’t peas and carrots.
In this book you will see the good, bad, and ugly of representation and lack there of for decades, good: (Havana, kids finally being educated in Cuba, a promise of equality, night clubs, and possibly a charismatic misrepresentation of a man) the bad: (children hired as sex workers, starving Cubans, Fidel’s intensity about his revolution, and seeing life only in political format, and still working to change what Batista did to Cuba), the ugly: (prisoners of war being held without jury or trial, and importantly Cubans who need to make America understand the purpose of different nations policies, without agreement or settling on a common notion).
When all is said and done when will Lucy and Desi get home, with empathy, understanding, and their careers in tact? Fidel shuts down the airports leaving the duo captive until the project and resolve are completed.
That is really all I can say without killing the book for you. Enjoy.
The minute I started reading this I had to put down my audiobooks, because I was enthralled. At the time, I was also watching Amazon Prime TV Sweetbitter...and all I can say to you is...my heart was full. Don’t let any of this precious moments end whee you love your book and show.
Hollywood, 1959. Lucy and Desi are on the brink of divorce. They can no longer reconcile. Desi’s alcoholism is spiraling, and his cheating can longer be excused.
The CIA holding secrets of Lucy’s red grandfather, and Cuban Socialist Fidel Castro invite the pair to Cuba.
Arriving in Cuba, Lucy takes nothing with her but her non prized garments which she actually loves, her Hollywood approved skincare, makeup, scarves, and cigarettes in a gold case.
Lucy and Desi arrive, and realize they needs to star in a film practically handwritten by Fidel Castro alone, and it’s a Bible of a script. Desi and Lucy sense that Fidel’s penchant to talk too much is the reason for the lengthy film project. Will they be going home soon to Desi Jr, and Little Lucie?
Cuba is practically at war, in the midst of the aftermath of Batista being overthrown by Castro, and sense the tension among Cubans. America isn’t considered a democracy in the same way many Fidelista’s perceive a democracy to be, after all socialism and a democratic republican nation ran by banks and profits made from the hands of the hard working man isn’t peas and carrots.
In this book you will see the good, bad, and ugly of representation and lack there of for decades, good: (Havana, kids finally being educated in Cuba, a promise of equality, night clubs, and possibly a charismatic misrepresentation of a man) the bad: (children hired as sex workers, starving Cubans, Fidel’s intensity about his revolution, and seeing life only in political format, and still working to change what Batista did to Cuba), the ugly: (prisoners of war being held without jury or trial, and importantly Cubans who need to make America understand the purpose of different nations policies, without agreement or settling on a common notion).
When all is said and done when will Lucy and Desi get home, with empathy, understanding, and their careers in tact? Fidel shuts down the airports leaving the duo captive until the project and resolve are completed.
That is really all I can say without killing the book for you. Enjoy.
January 25, 2019
Entertaining storybased in 1960s Cuba
I honestly bought this book because the kindle version was on 99 cents.
It turned into a great deal for me.
It's a very entertaining story based in 60s era Cuba. Take a chance on it and I think you'll end up happy too.
I honestly bought this book because the kindle version was on 99 cents.
It turned into a great deal for me.
It's a very entertaining story based in 60s era Cuba. Take a chance on it and I think you'll end up happy too.
July 3, 2019
A fun read
I enjoyed this piece of historic fiction. Slow in spots, preachy in others I read a dry word and was finally glad I did. The characters built and refined their identities beautifully. A little semi intellectual reading to class up your summer reading list!
I enjoyed this piece of historic fiction. Slow in spots, preachy in others I read a dry word and was finally glad I did. The characters built and refined their identities beautifully. A little semi intellectual reading to class up your summer reading list!
April 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. Growing up with Lucy and Desi I was excited to read it! I started to wonder why their experience in Cuba was never in the news. The story seemed so real and I was happy to see it was just that, a story. It was interesting reading.
April 7, 2020
This book was dry and boring for much of it. I thought it would be more interesting, but I had trouble finishing it. I only did because I wanted to see how they got out of it. Too many fake conversations with Castro. It could have been a lot shorter.
November 9, 2023
One would think a book about Lucy and Desi visiting Cuba and encountering Fidel Castro, Benny More, Meyer Lansky and Ernest Hemingway would be an exciting, slam-dunk, five star read. One would be wrong. Unfortunately, it was just...meh.
September 4, 2019
Dull, boring. Quit reading. Did not finish.
April 5, 2020
Had to force myself to finish reading it. Not a believable plot. Could have been a lot shorter.
Dragged on and on.
Dragged on and on.
Read
December 9, 2020Interesting take on post revolution Cuba
January 19, 2021
I knew if was a fictional book about real folks. Did not care for it
March 15, 2021
Opinion
Well written ,but really ridiculous to use Lucy and Desi as the characters . Unless there is truth to this story ,far fetched.
Well written ,but really ridiculous to use Lucy and Desi as the characters . Unless there is truth to this story ,far fetched.
February 2, 2022
ridiculous
This is neither probable nor palatable. It is not an enjoyable read. I finished it in hopes that I would find some redeeming value. I did not.
This is neither probable nor palatable. It is not an enjoyable read. I finished it in hopes that I would find some redeeming value. I did not.
February 15, 2022
I did not like it! Unfortunately I read Lucille Ball’s autobiography first. This book didn’t make any sense at all.
March 22, 2022
I thought this was a pathetically stupid book. Not at all plausible in plot or dialogue. Glad I only paid $1.99 for it on the Kindle discount book site.
March 1, 2020
I loved reading about Lucy and Desi's adventure. I also liked reading about what happened to Cuba. It was a very interesting read.
October 3, 2019
Did not enjoy
Maybe if the main characters were other people, it might have been readable. It was too far fetched for Lucy and Desi. Plot was everywhere. I finally just have to and did not finish it.
Maybe if the main characters were other people, it might have been readable. It was too far fetched for Lucy and Desi. Plot was everywhere. I finally just have to and did not finish it.
January 30, 2020
Decent read.
While it was a decent read, would have given story a higher rating had the author prepared the reader for the names of the characters that seem to pop up out of no where.
While it was a decent read, would have given story a higher rating had the author prepared the reader for the names of the characters that seem to pop up out of no where.
February 1, 2020
The parts about Lucy and Ricky were interesting and well done, but all the political speeches and and discussions about Fidel Castro were tedious. I just gave up.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews