This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
An attorney and award-winning journalist, Randy Richardson is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Chicago Writers Association. He is the first male recipient of the National Federation of Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement Award and was named to NewCity’s 2019 and 2022 “Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago” list. His essays have been published in the anthologies Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul, Humor for a Boomer’s Heart, The Big Book of Christmas Joy, Storytellers’ True Stories About Love, and Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting Till Next Year, as well as in numerous literary journals including Hypertext and Memory House. He is the author of three novels, Havana Hangover, Cheeseland and Lost in the Ivy, and coauthor of Cubsessions: Famous Fans of Chicago’s North Side Baseball Team.
Reviewed by Giselle Rivera for Readers' Favorite
When Tanner Ford gets asked by his ex-best friend Jackson Swift to take a trip to Cuba, Tanner is hesitant to say yes. He has not talked to Jackson for 5 years because he found out that his girlfriend, Anabel Dubois, was cheating on him with his best friend. Tanner was heartbroken by the betrayal. So why is Jackson reaching out to him after all this time? Tanner ends up saying yes to the invite because of his love for Ernest Hemingway. One of Hemingway’s favorite places was Havana, Cuba. But once they get to their destination, a drunken night turns into something dark and sinister. Did Tanner just make the worst decision by going on this trip with Jackson? Randy Richardson’s Havana Hangover is a story full of plot twists and a web of lies. Hang on to your seat because this novel will have you biting your nails every time you turn the page.
Randy Richardson’s Havana Hangover gave me an emotional response. I cried on two different occasions while reading this novel. The first time was at the beginning when Randy described the setting and history of Cuba, and the second time was when he mentioned the characters were loosely based on friends he had met when he traveled to Cuba. This story is relatable to me because both my parents are Cuban. This novel was full of intense suspense and action around every corner. It also had a little bit of a psychological thriller feel to it. I loved seeing Tanner's character development; how much he had changed from when he was in college till his experience in Cuba. Amazing story! I loved it. Randy touched my heart by talking about the history of Cuba and the people of this country. I would love to read a second installment of this story to find out where Tanner Ford’s life takes him. I can imagine how great the next book will be since I found this one so intriguing and thought-provoking. Thank you so much, Randy, for a spectacular read!
