Book review - Yesterday by Samyann

Yesterday is a book about romance and reincarnation by Samyann. The book begins with a train derailment where the main characters, Amanda and Mark, meet for the first time in present-day Chicago. They help each other get to safety from the flying debris. Mark is knocked out for a while, but Amanda has a broken arm and other injuries and is kept in the hospital overnight. They both feel strongly that they have met before. Leaving Amanda in hospital, Mark, a policeman, heads back to the station to check records and see if he can find anything about her. Having found nothing, he visits Amanda in hospital. He writes his cell phone number on her cast, desperate to see her again. Mark is persistent, but having had many traumas in life, losing her elder brother, her parents, and her fiancee Amanda does not want to get hurt again. Amanda buys a grandfather clock in an antique store because this is another thing she feels in some way has a connection to her past. Mark and Amanda search for answers about their past and the clock. In the end, they turn to Amanda's godmother Mary who is a successful psychologist. 

I found myself disliking Mark. He came across as arrogant and pushy, especially when they went out for their first meal together, and he told Amanda that he would choose for both of them. His behavior bordered on harassment as he would not take "No" for an answer and constantly pushed himself on Amanda. Also, I did not particularly appreciate how Mark kept dropping Irish Gaelic into conversations. It would start a new discussion between him and Amanda that seemed totally pointless to the storyline. Additionally, I found the way Mark took the samples from the grandfather clock and said he would get them analyzed at the police station unbelievable. Why would the forensic team give up police time to analyze Mark's private samples on a whim?

I loved how the author kept you wondering what all the connections were between Mark, Amanda, and the grandfather clock. It was incredible how the present started to mingle and intertwine with the past. I also thought the characters developed well. I particularly liked Amanda, who, despite losing most of her close family in tragic accidents, is still stoic and striving to move along with her life. 

I particularly liked when Amanda underwent regression therapy and returned to South Carolina in 1862. The author has a great way of using speech so the reader can feel the style of talking. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will be looking out for more books by this author. I will undoubtedly be cooking the Idiots Delight recipe, which is included in the book and was fed to Confederate soldiers; this was an excellent addition.

Lastly, I give Yesterday by Samyann 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, it is a well-written and well-edited book; I only found minor errors. I am dropping a point because of the excessive use of Irish Gaelic. It was an enjoyable and fast read that I highly recommend to older teenagers and adults who enjoy romance and reincarnation.

Thank you to Samyann for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.