Book Review: Yesterday’s Tides

Book Review: Yesterday’s Tides

About the Book:

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations
In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same–until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.

As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling’s lives in World War II, it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

My Thoughts:

This was a great book. I generally like Roseanna White’s novels and Yesterday’s Tides did not disappoint.

The way the author wove together multiple generations and cultural challenges was superbly done. Layers upon layers of thought and emotion, rejection and acceptance, challenge and triumph, past and present gave the story richness without bogging it down. I also enjoyed the way the story touched on Roseanna’s previously novels. If you haven’t read any of them you won’t miss anything, but if you have read them then there are delightful connections that will catch your attention throughout.

There were some adult themes regarding women under oppression, both in slavery and in war, included in the book. They were very carefully presented, but still present. I was actually extremely moved by the way redemption wove into this tale and impressed by the author’s ability to navigate sensitive subjects with honesty, compassion and hope.

Yesterday’s Tides pulls together a variety of stories from across time and weaves them into a seamless and captivating tale. This books gets five stars.

I was provided with a free, unedited, digital copy of this novel with the understanding that I would share my honest opinion with my readers. I do recommend this book.