Review by Yemurai -- Yesterday by Samyann

[Yemurai]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Yesterday" by Samyann.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Yesterday by Samyann, is a historical fiction merged with a compelling love story that conquers the true obstacle to love, time. The story is one that makes the reader question the notion of reincarnation and the fact that history is bound to repeat itself. The author did much research in order to write a book that was true to the events of that time. It tells a chilling and heart-wrenching account of the events of that time.

The story is centered on Amanda Parker and Mark Callahan, who meet in the most unusual way. When Amanda saves Mark’s life during an accident. They both instantly feel like they have met before but can’t quite finger when or where. Mark falls for Amanda, but she is reluctant to enter into a relationship with him because she believes she is cursed and everyone she loves is marked for death. Amanda then feels drawn to an old grandfather clock, to its chimes and everything about it. She buys the clock and eventually finds out that Mark feels drawn to her and to the clock as well.

Amanda decides to do regression sessions with her psychiatrist godmother Mary. There she finds out that in a past life she was Bonnie living in South Carolina during the Civil War. Amanda discovers many devastating events in Bonnie’s life in her quest to find out who Mark was to her.

I really liked the book because it was partly set in a time when great historical events took place. It gives the reader a glimpse of what it might have been like for the people who were actually alive during that time. The characters in the book were wonderfully created. Amanda was a deeply flawed, troubled and emotionally damaged person who had long given up on love claiming it was not for her due to the many misfortunes she had suffered from an early age. I found the resilience in Mark quite admirable in that he
does not give up on her even though she wants him to.

The story had some interesting highlights that made my heart ache for Amanda and Bonnie but, also kept me reading hoping that their fortunes would change. I enjoyed the notion of reincarnation and past lives, which made me really question the reality of it all. The events that occurred in the past (to Bonnie) affected what happened to Amanda in a way which I think reinforced the idea of history repeating itself.

However, the story was a bit predictable virtually from the start. Amanda’s reluctance to enter into a relationship with Mark, intensifies her need to know the outcome of their past lives’ relationship. Also the fact that the love story between Mark and Amanda was being dragged on to facilitate the telling of Bonnie’s story.

I would like to give this book 3 out of 4 stars, it was well written and the characters were constructed and integrated perfectly. I do not believe in reincarnation but, it’s always nice to keep an open mind when reading a book, you’ll be surprised. If you are just a person who enjoys a little fiction mingled with history and love then this is the book for you.

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Yesterday
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