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Cubana
A man's quest to escape his past life is an uphill battle. After seeking a Cuban voodoo doctor to receive a spiritual advantage on his upcoming court case, Saint opens up Pandora's box. The Santeria voodoo seemed to work, but at what cost?
Saint's dangerous visit to Cuba comes with much more than he anticipated as he enters an underground secret society of high stakes gambling. He gets tangled in a web of heinous crimes, money games, and backstabbing. Torn between a woman he meets in Cuba and his wife at home, Saint finds himself embroiled in an intricate plan, which threatens his freedom and everything that he has worked for. Lines are crossed, both internationally and morally.
This dark, suspenseful tale by New York Times bestseller JaQuavis Coleman is an urban love story with an unforgettable conclusion.
Saint's dangerous visit to Cuba comes with much more than he anticipated as he enters an underground secret society of high stakes gambling. He gets tangled in a web of heinous crimes, money games, and backstabbing. Torn between a woman he meets in Cuba and his wife at home, Saint finds himself embroiled in an intricate plan, which threatens his freedom and everything that he has worked for. Lines are crossed, both internationally and morally.
This dark, suspenseful tale by New York Times bestseller JaQuavis Coleman is an urban love story with an unforgettable conclusion.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2020
160 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
JaQuavis Coleman
61 books1,924 followersJaQuavis Coleman also writes (with Ashley Antoinette) as "Ashley & JaQuavis".
JaQUAVIS COLEMAN, the New York Times best-selling author of Dopeman’s Trilogy, first burst onto the scene at the age of eighteen and quickly became a nationwide literary phenomenon. He and his wife Ashley Antoinette have coauthored numerous “street fiction” classics. With the birth of the Cartel series, the “Ashley and JaQuavis” brand took off. In 2013, twenty-seven-year-old Coleman was honored by Ebony magazine as being one of the Top 100 most influential African Americans in the country.
JaQUAVIS COLEMAN, the New York Times best-selling author of Dopeman’s Trilogy, first burst onto the scene at the age of eighteen and quickly became a nationwide literary phenomenon. He and his wife Ashley Antoinette have coauthored numerous “street fiction” classics. With the birth of the Cartel series, the “Ashley and JaQuavis” brand took off. In 2013, twenty-seven-year-old Coleman was honored by Ebony magazine as being one of the Top 100 most influential African Americans in the country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 27, 2023
This book was trash and I want my credit back! Cubana was all over the place with no real plot. The ending left me with more questions than answers. The sex scenes were extremely boring. Having read sex scenes from CCJ and Alexandria House, Mr. Coleman needs to step his sex scene game up. I’ve been reading JaQuavis Coleman’s books for a good while now but, he has not evolved as an author. He literally writes the same storyline with different characters in every single one of his books and they all end the same. No happy ending. It's like reading the same book over and over again. Urban characters need a HEA too! It's really time to start giving your readers something different.
December 2, 2019
This ain’t it
I’ve been a fan of jaquavis for many years I read every book he’s every written , however this book is all over the place and ends with confusion . I’m sorry this wasn’t your best work . It seemed rushed . It was a waste of money . I’m very disappointed.
I’ve been a fan of jaquavis for many years I read every book he’s every written , however this book is all over the place and ends with confusion . I’m sorry this wasn’t your best work . It seemed rushed . It was a waste of money . I’m very disappointed.
January 9, 2021
Wasn’t impressed
Usually I’m a big fan of A&J and their solo works but ... this wasn’t it. It was rushed, unclear if we were present day or in a flash back and had too many loose ends. Wouldn’t recommend.
Usually I’m a big fan of A&J and their solo works but ... this wasn’t it. It was rushed, unclear if we were present day or in a flash back and had too many loose ends. Wouldn’t recommend.
December 9, 2019
The end was a doozy!
I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because although the story was good it didn't quite hold my attention until the very end. It kinda was all over the place. And I honestly feel like I need to read it again in the hopes that I can fully grasp it. I'm from Louisiana and nothing about this book said Louisiana or New Orleans in my opinion. I just didn't feel like I was at home especially considering all the stories I would tell my husband about how when I was little we didn't go to the doctor we went to a voodoo pharmacy. Like I legit have voodoo dolls 😂😂😂 Tay and Ramina were both interesting characters I just need more of their backstory. I need to know about Tay's childhood cuz whew chile...that ending! I need to know where Ramina's story goes from here. But with all that said I gave this book 3 stars because the editing was not good. Like there were words in there I had never even heard of like compacity instead of capacity.
I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because although the story was good it didn't quite hold my attention until the very end. It kinda was all over the place. And I honestly feel like I need to read it again in the hopes that I can fully grasp it. I'm from Louisiana and nothing about this book said Louisiana or New Orleans in my opinion. I just didn't feel like I was at home especially considering all the stories I would tell my husband about how when I was little we didn't go to the doctor we went to a voodoo pharmacy. Like I legit have voodoo dolls 😂😂😂 Tay and Ramina were both interesting characters I just need more of their backstory. I need to know about Tay's childhood cuz whew chile...that ending! I need to know where Ramina's story goes from here. But with all that said I gave this book 3 stars because the editing was not good. Like there were words in there I had never even heard of like compacity instead of capacity.
July 24, 2020
I really liked this book and screamed on the last sentence lol. I would've like to hear more from Pandora and the connect. I wouldn't mind a second installment- fingers crossed.
November 14, 2020
Duality contrast between two concepts. Example used of the graffiti on the houses was ugly but also stunning and at its finest.
“Sometimes to build a firm foundation, you have to play on the devil’s playground.” “The first blocks of your foundation should be the only ones that should have to touch the dirt.” “At some point, you have to have an exit strategy and turn the dirty money clean.”
The key to making a woman happy is making sure she has something to look forward to.
March 17, 2021
This story is completely not what I expected. I thought I would be reading about some voodoo or some type of witch craft especially when Pandora was introduced but I was completely wrong. There was really no need for her character at all to me. The story was more of a man rescuing a lost little girl and catching feelings for her. Then it moved so slow, and it gives u a lot of the back story on Saint & Tay’s history. I did have to laugh at the twist at the end but other than that the story was okay
April 13, 2021
This was a slight departure from Jaquavis Colemans usual work. Mostly because of the incorporation of Santeria, Voodoo and that ending.
The rest of more of the same. It was an engaging, quick read.
We are inching closer to Black Latinos becoming more of a thing (hopefully) in his books. But sentences like "She was full Cuban with olive skin". When... Nevermind.
With the last two books I read from this duo, the ending was somewhat of a question mark. This can clearly be continued in a part 2. What is Ramina's fate? What exactly happened to Saint? More on Tay's backstory?
3.5 stars
The rest of more of the same. It was an engaging, quick read.
We are inching closer to Black Latinos becoming more of a thing (hopefully) in his books. But sentences like "She was full Cuban with olive skin". When... Nevermind.
With the last two books I read from this duo, the ending was somewhat of a question mark. This can clearly be continued in a part 2. What is Ramina's fate? What exactly happened to Saint? More on Tay's backstory?
3.5 stars
March 20, 2023
JaQuavis!!!!!!!
Peace Beloved! This book was so good until I got to the end! I'm ready to fight. Lol! Mr. Coleman your storytelling is like no other! I can't believe you left that cliffhanger like that at the end! I have so many questions! Good book overall but goodness! Readers get ready and beware, everything isn't what it seems.
2nd Read- This book was so good especially revisiting it after reading Cartel Queen!
Peace Beloved! This book was so good until I got to the end! I'm ready to fight. Lol! Mr. Coleman your storytelling is like no other! I can't believe you left that cliffhanger like that at the end! I have so many questions! Good book overall but goodness! Readers get ready and beware, everything isn't what it seems.
2nd Read- This book was so good especially revisiting it after reading Cartel Queen!
April 7, 2021
Interesting, but not fulfilling. It seems like this story had so much potential for an enthralling plot, but never made it. I read this via audiobook and was shocked when the credits started rolling. I thought there was more story that needed telling.
September 1, 2021
Shocking ending! This author hasn't let me down yet.
August 2, 2023
Didn't expect the ending!!
March 21, 2022
*** Possible Spoilers***
So this is a rounded up 4 stars. I’d give the book a solid 3.5 stars only because I feel like there was more to the story that I wanted to know and that could have been replaced with information that served no purpose. The poly was a little weak. Like what was the conflict in the story? It was a lot of events that happened and put together but don’t really formulate a complete story. I really wanted to know what happened with his fiancé. Also maybe I missed it but what was the significance of her vomiting up the frog or seeing the animals before she passed out after the accident. Also what was the significance of the sexual act with the voodoo lady in Cuba.
The ending was definitely a “woah what!?“ moment. Looking back there were plenty of clues. The fact that she was in a “dog fight” with all boys and the fact that her body wasn’t developed at 17. Like not even nubs. So it’s like yeah I can see that. But I also have to ask myself what was the significance of the ending. 🤷🏽♀️
I wonder if he would have felt as connected to stay had he know the secret from jump. Like I know he had a soft spot for little Lucas but I’m sure the boundaries wouldn’t have been crossed had he known. Ughhhh I wish there was more to the story.
So this is a rounded up 4 stars. I’d give the book a solid 3.5 stars only because I feel like there was more to the story that I wanted to know and that could have been replaced with information that served no purpose. The poly was a little weak. Like what was the conflict in the story? It was a lot of events that happened and put together but don’t really formulate a complete story. I really wanted to know what happened with his fiancé. Also maybe I missed it but what was the significance of her vomiting up the frog or seeing the animals before she passed out after the accident. Also what was the significance of the sexual act with the voodoo lady in Cuba.
The ending was definitely a “woah what!?“ moment. Looking back there were plenty of clues. The fact that she was in a “dog fight” with all boys and the fact that her body wasn’t developed at 17. Like not even nubs. So it’s like yeah I can see that. But I also have to ask myself what was the significance of the ending. 🤷🏽♀️
I wonder if he would have felt as connected to stay had he know the secret from jump. Like I know he had a soft spot for little Lucas but I’m sure the boundaries wouldn’t have been crossed had he known. Ughhhh I wish there was more to the story.
May 22, 2023
Whew! This was a crazy ass ride. This book tossed so much stuff at me but I’m not mad at it. I was thoroughly entertained. I just wished certain things were explained better. I still have questions, sir!!! The ending took me tf out😅🤦🏽♀️😂😂 Oh and it’s time to start giving HEA. Come on now!😩
February 10, 2024
Okay… 2.75⭐️ i honestly don’t know how i feel.. i was intrigued in the beginning, but then it just seemed to go in so many different directions… i do feel like the plot had really good potential, but there was a lot of plot holes. The ending was crazy, but I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS?!?!?!?!?
Read
September 29, 2025Boring and I didn’t understand the ending.
June 16, 2021
I hope there is a part 2 to this because there were so many things that were never touched upon towards the end. What was going on with all the Voodoo (Witch Doctor) stuff? Why did Saint's girlfriend seem like she was cursed at the accident? Was there a monkey there? And is she going to live? Why would someone as prestigious as Epstein offer for someone like Saint to even come to that island, not knowing if he was into what everyone else was. Saint didn't even seem THAT big time in his city if Fat Boy didn't even know who he was, no matter if he was in jail or not. WALLS TALK, ESPECIALLY IN PRISON, and almost always about who is running the streets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2023
This book was shorter than what I had wanted it to be. I wanted to learn more about Tay and her background. The ending was like "huh?" Saint went through some things. He was introduced in Cartel Queen. Not sure if this book was before or after it. But, I can't wait to learn more about Saint. And about this Pandora person. She made sure his business was good but could help his relationships and the people he loved?
March 5, 2022
Saint goes to Cuba frequently for "work". During his visits he never misses out on seeing this local woman for protection over him & his crew. During this particular visit he forms some sort of an alliance with a circle of billionaires & comes into contact with a minor who is being used for underground street fights & sexual favors. Saint feels terrible about it & buys a way out for this young lady.
Back in the states she has become family to Saint, his wife & their crew of friends until one night she crosses the line. Kicked out with nowhere to turn, she is left homeless & then betrays the only people who ever cared for her.
The pieces of the puzzle start to fit together and one thing after another happens in Saints life that he doesn't see happening but as the reader you already know where he went wrong.
This author will have you thinking you missed some small detail only to get to the very end to find out you might've missed more than you first thought. Then you start thinking about those little hints here & there that told you exactly what was happening but you overlooked it.
Oohhh! The ending will have your mouth hanging open!!
Back in the states she has become family to Saint, his wife & their crew of friends until one night she crosses the line. Kicked out with nowhere to turn, she is left homeless & then betrays the only people who ever cared for her.
The pieces of the puzzle start to fit together and one thing after another happens in Saints life that he doesn't see happening but as the reader you already know where he went wrong.
This author will have you thinking you missed some small detail only to get to the very end to find out you might've missed more than you first thought. Then you start thinking about those little hints here & there that told you exactly what was happening but you overlooked it.
Oohhh! The ending will have your mouth hanging open!!
November 1, 2021
Confused
Reading a small excerpt from Christmas with the Okafors, I thought this book was going to be great. Turns out I am more confused. I would have liked to see the back story first prior to the way the book was written. I did see a couple of spelling errors, however I think this book was a waste of a read. It’s actually my first time reading from this author and I’m not impressed. This book was definitely all over the place but it would be interesting to see more of Saint and how he grew up and turned into who he is. It was also be great to see Tays story and how Saint didn’t see she was a whole he. I guess he really didn’t care he just didn’t like what he saw. I would also be interested to see how saint and ramina made out. If it was a happy ending. Characters were good it’s just that the book was not well written.
Reading a small excerpt from Christmas with the Okafors, I thought this book was going to be great. Turns out I am more confused. I would have liked to see the back story first prior to the way the book was written. I did see a couple of spelling errors, however I think this book was a waste of a read. It’s actually my first time reading from this author and I’m not impressed. This book was definitely all over the place but it would be interesting to see more of Saint and how he grew up and turned into who he is. It was also be great to see Tays story and how Saint didn’t see she was a whole he. I guess he really didn’t care he just didn’t like what he saw. I would also be interested to see how saint and ramina made out. If it was a happy ending. Characters were good it’s just that the book was not well written.
August 9, 2023
CONFUSED!!!
I'm at a loss as to how Ramina (MI) is selfish when all she did was be very good to her/him! I need for Ramina to recover from her injuries. This book was all over the place! What happened to Saint giving Zoo the plug? I need Mi to get her happy ending with Saint. She wasn't a bad person at all, she was just an extremely hurt person. Saint was straddling the fence. Pull it together JaQuavis and give us book 2 to put it all together!
I'm at a loss as to how Ramina (MI) is selfish when all she did was be very good to her/him! I need for Ramina to recover from her injuries. This book was all over the place! What happened to Saint giving Zoo the plug? I need Mi to get her happy ending with Saint. She wasn't a bad person at all, she was just an extremely hurt person. Saint was straddling the fence. Pull it together JaQuavis and give us book 2 to put it all together!
July 5, 2020
I’ve been a loyal fan for yrs and this is CLEARLY NOT HIS BEST WORK!!! It could have been a good book but lacked any really story. Just several ideas here and there. What was the purpose of bringing the part about sleeping with the plug sister? What about the wife? What’s the story on Tay? Like I said just a bunch of undeveloped story lines.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2022
Being a Louisiana resident I felt like the author really didn't know the State like that. First of all people in New Orleans don't say "ya hear me" it's "ya heard me" and secondly Zoo went to Louisiana Tech which is in Ruston, La 5-6 hrs away from New Orleans. I really didn't get why Pandora is in the book and the ending was kinda weird.
December 13, 2019
As usual Mr. Coleman did not disappoint me!!! Loved it from the cover to the back cover!!!
Read
June 17, 2020I figured it out early but... I STILL can't believe how it ended.
Read
March 26, 2023(HEAVILY SIGHS)......I'm not at all feeling this book.
I hate when people who may not be of a specific race and/or culture write about someone else's culture, language, & mannerisms.
I remember when A & J wrote that scene in "THE CARTEL 4-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER" where CARTER & MIAMOR MET LUCY in RIO & LUCY had been written to constantly refer to CARTER as 'papi", which isn't Brazilian language; it's Puerto Rican or Dominican language. Brazilians refer to PAI when referencing their papas/fathers-NOT PAPI.
It just showed that the authors wanted to use the word "papi", probably because JAY-Z had a song out with the word in the title, so badly that they must have thought that ALL Latin communities/Countries say Papi, but they didn't seem to do their homework before hand.
Bottom line is I said that to say that JQC spoke on cultures & their practices WITHOUT being fully knowledgeable on what he was speaking of in this book.
I just wish that the authors would stop delaying Money Devils 2 & Long Live The Cartel 2 by releasing books that may not be on the level of what their fans are supportive of.
I hate when people who may not be of a specific race and/or culture write about someone else's culture, language, & mannerisms.
I remember when A & J wrote that scene in "THE CARTEL 4-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER" where CARTER & MIAMOR MET LUCY in RIO & LUCY had been written to constantly refer to CARTER as 'papi", which isn't Brazilian language; it's Puerto Rican or Dominican language. Brazilians refer to PAI when referencing their papas/fathers-NOT PAPI.
It just showed that the authors wanted to use the word "papi", probably because JAY-Z had a song out with the word in the title, so badly that they must have thought that ALL Latin communities/Countries say Papi, but they didn't seem to do their homework before hand.
Bottom line is I said that to say that JQC spoke on cultures & their practices WITHOUT being fully knowledgeable on what he was speaking of in this book.
I just wish that the authors would stop delaying Money Devils 2 & Long Live The Cartel 2 by releasing books that may not be on the level of what their fans are supportive of.
December 10, 2023
1.5 stars
The only reason I'm giving this any stars is because I could not stop laughing while reading it. This book is laughably bad. The editing seems to have been nonexistent. There are typos galore in the Kindle Unlimited edition of the book. Paragraphs change indentations in the middle of a chapter. Commas are added, randomly to a sentence. You see how fucking annoying that is?! It's sloppy work.
There is the opposite of a plot to follow and the epilogue leaves me with more questions than ever. Everyone is barely a character, including Saint. He's so boring and dull. I was confused on why Ramina and Tay were so in love with him. Even the sex scenes were boring! I will be so happy to never read the words "love box" ever again in my life.
Pandora and her magic were what I was most interested in and then the story does nothing with it. Did Saint even open Pandora's box so to speak?! The reader will never know. This book is just a big mess. Like I said, I was laughing at this book and found the ridiculousness entertaining. But to be clear, I am not recommending this and will never read a sequel if one ever gets written.
The only reason I'm giving this any stars is because I could not stop laughing while reading it. This book is laughably bad. The editing seems to have been nonexistent. There are typos galore in the Kindle Unlimited edition of the book. Paragraphs change indentations in the middle of a chapter. Commas are added, randomly to a sentence. You see how fucking annoying that is?! It's sloppy work.
There is the opposite of a plot to follow and the epilogue leaves me with more questions than ever. Everyone is barely a character, including Saint. He's so boring and dull. I was confused on why Ramina and Tay were so in love with him. Even the sex scenes were boring! I will be so happy to never read the words "love box" ever again in my life.
Pandora and her magic were what I was most interested in and then the story does nothing with it. Did Saint even open Pandora's box so to speak?! The reader will never know. This book is just a big mess. Like I said, I was laughing at this book and found the ridiculousness entertaining. But to be clear, I am not recommending this and will never read a sequel if one ever gets written.
January 24, 2026
😵💫🫤
Wtf 😵💫… I’m a fan of Jaquavis books, but I gotta admit I don’t understand what the hell I just read.
I was genuinely confused for a good portion of this book. Some parts just didn’t make sense to me, and a lot of things felt repetitive.
Now, Tay’s part did surprise me. I wasn’t expecting that at all. But once I sat with it and thought back, I kinda understood why she preferred to do that specific act only.
Overall the story was interesting but felt rushed. Like the ideas were there, but the execution just wasn’t fully developed. I’m left with way too many unanswered questions, and that’s frustrating because this book really could’ve had so much potential. 😩 I just needed more. This wasn’t a terrible read, but it definitely wasn’t what I expected from Jaquavis. I finished it more confused than satisfied, and that’s disappointing coming from an author I usually enjoy.
Wtf 😵💫… I’m a fan of Jaquavis books, but I gotta admit I don’t understand what the hell I just read.
I was genuinely confused for a good portion of this book. Some parts just didn’t make sense to me, and a lot of things felt repetitive.
Now, Tay’s part did surprise me. I wasn’t expecting that at all. But once I sat with it and thought back, I kinda understood why she preferred to do that specific act only.
Overall the story was interesting but felt rushed. Like the ideas were there, but the execution just wasn’t fully developed. I’m left with way too many unanswered questions, and that’s frustrating because this book really could’ve had so much potential. 😩 I just needed more. This wasn’t a terrible read, but it definitely wasn’t what I expected from Jaquavis. I finished it more confused than satisfied, and that’s disappointing coming from an author I usually enjoy.
April 27, 2020
I know the books are a little grimy and underworld but have a great storyline.
I enjoyed this selection, it ebbed and flowed. I was startled by many different things in the book, treating humans like dogs, wow, that was weird! I will say you must be in the mindset to receive this book. It started slow for me until I could concentrate.
A drug dealer on a kingpin platform falls into the upper echelon situation with the opportunity to go somewhat legitimate. He also meets young-ins on his journey, with which he tends to have a bit of influence. The characters evolve. I won’t spoil the book with the review, so I will end here.
This author is a - “You can’t miss with one of his books, especially if you like his genre” Nevada Steele
I’m recommending.
I enjoyed this selection, it ebbed and flowed. I was startled by many different things in the book, treating humans like dogs, wow, that was weird! I will say you must be in the mindset to receive this book. It started slow for me until I could concentrate.
A drug dealer on a kingpin platform falls into the upper echelon situation with the opportunity to go somewhat legitimate. He also meets young-ins on his journey, with which he tends to have a bit of influence. The characters evolve. I won’t spoil the book with the review, so I will end here.
This author is a - “You can’t miss with one of his books, especially if you like his genre” Nevada Steele
I’m recommending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews