Review by sdeerfield82 -- Yesterday by Samyann
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sdeerfield82
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- Latest Review: "Yesterday" by Samyann
Review by sdeerfield82 -- Yesterday by Samyann
[Following is a volunteer review of "Yesterday" by Samyann.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Yesterday by Samyann, is a book of historical fiction taking place, by turns, in current day and the late 1800s. The author does a remarkable job of bringing the past to life in beautiful detail. From her descriptions of both Charleston, SC and Chicago, as well as a few stops in between, it is clear she has done her research. As the story unfolds, the reader is treated to picturesque glimpses of the antebellum South and Chicago at the time of the Great Fire of 1871.
In the opening sequence, the book’s heroine, Amanda, meets handsome stranger, Mark. An unsteady relationship develops that might reveal they have, in fact, known and loved each other in another life. Hesitant to feel anything for Mark, Amanda tries to push him away. She has a fear of commitment which stems from the many losses she has faced, beginning with the death of her parents and a sibling when she was younger, and culminating a few months before meeting Mark with the loss of her fiancé in a plane crash. Mark is not to be deterred and doggedly pursues her, encouraging Amanda to face the possibility that she has existed in a previous life. Both Amanda and Mark want to know the source of the connection between them and embark on a mental journey through time to uncover the truth.
Yesterday will appeal to a few different audiences. It should be an entertaining read for those who love history as well as those who enjoy travel, due to the detail with which Samyann explores the cities in which the story is set. It is a subtler love story than the typical romance novel but there is certainly a romantic element which will be of interest for readers of that genre, as well.
While I didn’t fall head over heels for the storyline taking place during present day, I was completely drawn in by the drama Amanda encountered during her trips to the past. In my opinion, Amanda and Mark both felt too shallow. I couldn’t connect with their plight or even sympathize for them. Amanda, specifically, seemed resigned to let the outcomes of the past determine her fate instead of taking control of her own future. At the same time, those characters who appear during the part of the book that takes place in the 1800s, I found to be more substantial and have greater depth. Those characters kept me reading when I otherwise might have found myself losing interest. They faced conflict and rose to the occasion.
I give Yesterday 3 out of 4 stars. It came across as well-written and well-researched. I didn’t notice any typos or grammatical errors so if any existed, they did nothing to diminish the reader’s experience. I would have given it 4 stars but I found the story a bit predictable, with very few surprises. This, coupled with my lack of interest in the outcome of the main characters, solidified the 3-star rating. Likewise, the author’s attention to detail in the historical setting and the casual elegance with which she transports the reader to another time ensured that 2 stars was never a consideration.
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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3 out of 4 stars
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Yesterday by Samyann, is a book of historical fiction taking place, by turns, in current day and the late 1800s. The author does a remarkable job of bringing the past to life in beautiful detail. From her descriptions of both Charleston, SC and Chicago, as well as a few stops in between, it is clear she has done her research. As the story unfolds, the reader is treated to picturesque glimpses of the antebellum South and Chicago at the time of the Great Fire of 1871.
In the opening sequence, the book’s heroine, Amanda, meets handsome stranger, Mark. An unsteady relationship develops that might reveal they have, in fact, known and loved each other in another life. Hesitant to feel anything for Mark, Amanda tries to push him away. She has a fear of commitment which stems from the many losses she has faced, beginning with the death of her parents and a sibling when she was younger, and culminating a few months before meeting Mark with the loss of her fiancé in a plane crash. Mark is not to be deterred and doggedly pursues her, encouraging Amanda to face the possibility that she has existed in a previous life. Both Amanda and Mark want to know the source of the connection between them and embark on a mental journey through time to uncover the truth.
Yesterday will appeal to a few different audiences. It should be an entertaining read for those who love history as well as those who enjoy travel, due to the detail with which Samyann explores the cities in which the story is set. It is a subtler love story than the typical romance novel but there is certainly a romantic element which will be of interest for readers of that genre, as well.
While I didn’t fall head over heels for the storyline taking place during present day, I was completely drawn in by the drama Amanda encountered during her trips to the past. In my opinion, Amanda and Mark both felt too shallow. I couldn’t connect with their plight or even sympathize for them. Amanda, specifically, seemed resigned to let the outcomes of the past determine her fate instead of taking control of her own future. At the same time, those characters who appear during the part of the book that takes place in the 1800s, I found to be more substantial and have greater depth. Those characters kept me reading when I otherwise might have found myself losing interest. They faced conflict and rose to the occasion.
I give Yesterday 3 out of 4 stars. It came across as well-written and well-researched. I didn’t notice any typos or grammatical errors so if any existed, they did nothing to diminish the reader’s experience. I would have given it 4 stars but I found the story a bit predictable, with very few surprises. This, coupled with my lack of interest in the outcome of the main characters, solidified the 3-star rating. Likewise, the author’s attention to detail in the historical setting and the casual elegance with which she transports the reader to another time ensured that 2 stars was never a consideration.
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: "Yesterday" by Samyann
