Review of Yesterday
Posted: 29 Jun 2021, 04:52
[Following is a volunteer review of "Yesterday" by Samyann.]
Yesterday by Samyann is a historical romantic drama about reincarnation. It is about Amanda Parker and Mark Callahan who meet by accident, literally and realize that though they have never met in this life they somehow knew each other and their connection spans lifetimes. Amanda’s grandmom, Mary is a psychiatrist and uses regression on Amanda to unfold mysteries of their past lives. We relive the time of the American civil war and the Great Chicago Fire of the mid 19th century through Bonnie, who is Amanda in the previous life. This story is about the trials and tribulations of living during that era and also about coming to terms with immense loss and finding the strength to move forward and live life without fear.
This is an extensively researched book as any historical book should be. The way the times of the American civil war and the Great Chicago Fire are described is palpable. We can feel and smell the air of that time. The research on St. Michaels Church, St. Michaels chimes, Angel Bells, and other small details is fascinating. There is a grandfather clock central to the story. Its description is vivid and its connection to past life is intricately woven with the history of Amanda and Mark’s past life and the history of that time.
Where the book falls short is in the romance department. The relationship between Mark and Amanda seems hurried in the first half of the book. Also, reincarnation doesn’t mean that you relive the same life repeatedly. Mark is a medical student in both lives. Bonnie and Amanda both have the same kind of black cat, they both suffer the same kind of loss, even a few of the phrases used are the same. This makes the story very repetitive and hence, boring at times. Also, Mark’s regression hints upon a third lifetime where they could have been together but it is not explored at all and I think it would have made an interesting read. The mystery and intrigue that the author has tried to create at the end are already quite apparent to the reader.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I hate to take away 1 star because the book is positioned as a tender romance and the story is more about Bonnie and Amanda and parallels in both their lives. It uses romance as a backdrop instead of using history as a backdrop for romance.
I highly recommend this book to history buffs. Not so much for readers who are looking to immerse themselves in a sweet tender romance of the days gone by as the second half of the book is more heavy on history.
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Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Yesterday by Samyann is a historical romantic drama about reincarnation. It is about Amanda Parker and Mark Callahan who meet by accident, literally and realize that though they have never met in this life they somehow knew each other and their connection spans lifetimes. Amanda’s grandmom, Mary is a psychiatrist and uses regression on Amanda to unfold mysteries of their past lives. We relive the time of the American civil war and the Great Chicago Fire of the mid 19th century through Bonnie, who is Amanda in the previous life. This story is about the trials and tribulations of living during that era and also about coming to terms with immense loss and finding the strength to move forward and live life without fear.
This is an extensively researched book as any historical book should be. The way the times of the American civil war and the Great Chicago Fire are described is palpable. We can feel and smell the air of that time. The research on St. Michaels Church, St. Michaels chimes, Angel Bells, and other small details is fascinating. There is a grandfather clock central to the story. Its description is vivid and its connection to past life is intricately woven with the history of Amanda and Mark’s past life and the history of that time.
Where the book falls short is in the romance department. The relationship between Mark and Amanda seems hurried in the first half of the book. Also, reincarnation doesn’t mean that you relive the same life repeatedly. Mark is a medical student in both lives. Bonnie and Amanda both have the same kind of black cat, they both suffer the same kind of loss, even a few of the phrases used are the same. This makes the story very repetitive and hence, boring at times. Also, Mark’s regression hints upon a third lifetime where they could have been together but it is not explored at all and I think it would have made an interesting read. The mystery and intrigue that the author has tried to create at the end are already quite apparent to the reader.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I hate to take away 1 star because the book is positioned as a tender romance and the story is more about Bonnie and Amanda and parallels in both their lives. It uses romance as a backdrop instead of using history as a backdrop for romance.
I highly recommend this book to history buffs. Not so much for readers who are looking to immerse themselves in a sweet tender romance of the days gone by as the second half of the book is more heavy on history.
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon