Beth Jordan’s Thank You for the Kiss is a memoir that traces her journeys to Cuba, woven with heartbreak, longing, and the allure of escape. The book opens with vivid portraits of Havana’s plazas and rhythms, then slowly moves inward, unraveling her grief after a broken marriage and her mother’s death. The narrative swings between travel writing and raw confession, filled with moments of recklessness, desire, and attempts at healing through adventure and connection.

Jordan’s writing sings with detail. Her Havana is alive with colors, smells, and sounds, and the way she describes cars, streets, and people almost made me feel the heat on my own skin. Yet at times, her honesty about loneliness and her hunger for love hit harder than the travelogue parts. It was messy, even uncomfortable, but that’s also what made it gripping. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was sitting beside her in those plazas, watching her chase something that might not have existed.

At the same time, I caught myself admiring and questioning her choices. I admired the courage to lay bare such vulnerability, to admit vanity and mistakes, to talk openly about being fooled by charm and youth. I felt she often judged herself so harshly, and it hurt to watch. Still, I think that sharp self-awareness is what gives the book its bite. Without it, the book might have been just another glossy travel diary. Instead, it’s something rawer and more relatable.

I’d say Thank You for the Kiss is best suited for readers who enjoy memoirs about loss, travel, and the messy ways we search for healing. If you’ve ever made a questionable choice in the name of love or tried to outrun your own grief, this book will strike a chord. It’s not a light read, but it’s one that you will remember.

Pages: 350 | ASIN : B0BTXCTG86