Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White
This story is set in Ocracoke, North Carolina, and time slips between World War I/1914 and World War II/1942. It is filled with families joined together by love and torn apart by war and society’s norms.
Rem, a wealthy aristocratic
vacationing from England, and Louise, part of the innkeepers’s daughter, meet and fall in love in Ocracoke in 1914.
Evie and Sterling meet in 1942 as Sterling washes to shore after a mysterious fire and U-boat sinkng.
The pieces of each storyline become intertwined, the details weaving together towards a satisfying conclusion, answering many of the questions that come up through the story.
I enjoyed discovering how the characters fit together in this puzzle and how the consequences of separation and prejudice shaped all of the characters’ futures.
#netgalley

What a journey!
I think I have a bit of a book hangover right now. Yesterday’s Tides is an adventure in love and war. Set to back drop of to world changing periods of time, two couples traverse the waters of serving their country in a foreign land while battling their own hearts desires.
This story was beautiful in writing and in the telling. Roseanna M. White and Pilar Witherspoon make a great team in the world of storytelling for the Audible version.

Oh my gosh. Where to begin.
First. I LOVE the Outer Banks. They are probably my favorite vacation spot in the US. I first went in college, around the time White mentions she got the idea for this novel(I did not realize she’s about the same age as me). Read the Authors note when you’re done for all the inspiration.
So the book began slow for me, but I was completely interested in everything WW1 and 2 happening. And the setting. If you like southern fiction you’ll like that aspect.
But then the WW1 story takes off and rips out your heart and I wanted to stop reading but I had to continue. So I sped through the rest of the novel tonight. And soon the WW2 storyline came together with the past and I calmed down. (It did not help that I was waiting to bring my roommate home from the ER so I may have been more stressed than normal anyhow).
I don’t want to spoil anything so…I’m just gonna say it’s the best one by her that I’ve read. But also the most maddening for a while. (Almost as maddening as those Liz Curtis Higgs Jacob Leah and Rachel retellings in Scotland).
If you ever get a chance visit the Outer Banks, there’s something special about those barrier islands. God spoke to me the last time I went in 2018. I’d been chronically ill for a year at that point and living with my parents and I felt God say I’d be living on the beach one day ,and then a huge rainbow showed up in the sky. It felt so impossible, but I prayed into that dream. And just two years later I bought a house near the beach in Florida and God sent rainbows that whole month I was buying. I of course had to take this book to that beach.God may seem slow to answer sometimes, especially in the middle of long term unexplained illness, but He hears and remembers and shows up in random places. I’m still waiting and hopefully I won’t have to wait years like Evie or Celeste in this book, but I try to cling to hope and remember God’s promise that He will never forsake us.

I was engrossed by this WW1/WW2 time slip novel. The twists and turns kept me turning pages. I was interested in the history taking place in North Carolina during both times of war as I didn’t know very much about it. The use of intelligence and spies added to the suspense. Through the generations, the families and friends on this island in the Outer Banks became quite the community and their struggles and triumphs provide a hefty backbone for the book. To add to that, it was great fun as characters from White’s previous books appeared! I thoroughly enjoyed as the worlds of those books were represented. You don’t have to have read any of her previous books to like this one though. Fans of White’s writing will find this book such a joy. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same. Then, the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, and Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, he is even more anxious about the SS officer he's tracking, and 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, and when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them. 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.

This is a very well written historical fiction about WWI and how it affects those in WWII. The author ties the two stories together quickly, and the reader sees how the past can and does affect the future. This is my first book I've read by this author but thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, I will be looking for more! For fans of historical fiction, I highly recommend.

A beautiful and historically rich story that will carry you to the Outer Banks Islands during WW1 and WW2. This book is a time slip historical romance that has the duel perspective of two women living on the same island and connected to each other through mysterious family secrets.

I felt like this book was well written, and thoroughly researched. I enjoyed the stories of Evie and Louisa, learning about what brought them to the island and trying to untangle the web of family relations that have been kept hidden from them both. You know they are tied together somehow, but it will take a good portion of the book to figure out exactly how.

My only complaint about the story would be because of the time slip and multiple characters, I had a hard time keeping track of them all and how they connected to one another and to the main characters. A lot of them are the same people but being referenced in different ways due to the different time periods, it took me a good portion of the book to get them all straight. I almost wished it was two separate books as a prequel and a sequel because I did enjoy the characters, it was just a lot of people to keep straight for one book.

This was my first time reading anything by Roseanna M White. I appreciated her writing style and would love to try more of her books. I really enjoy stories based in this time period and if you do as well, I think you would like this book. The way it all ties up at the end is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for the early copy, all thoughts are my own.

Pretty sure I've said this in every review I've ever written of a Roseanna M. White book, but I'll say it again: I will read anything and everything she writes. I love her writing voice, I love her character depth, and I love her intricate plots and historical detail. I was equally invested in both storylines/time periods in Yesterday's Tides and as usual, she's got a way of writing romance that feels so genuine. All in all, a captivating novel!

What a unique and beautiful book set in both world wars! It’s got mystery and intrigue, racial injustice and prejudice. But it’s also a love story between two people and also about the depth of friendship between life long friends. If you live inspirational historical fiction you should definitely pick this one up!

Yesterday's Tides is a historical novel set on Oracoke Island, North Carolina. In 1942 Evie Farrow meets agent Sterling Bertrand when he washes ashore. She works with him to find a dangerous missing man, and romance begins. In 1914, Louisa Adair is working at her family's inn when she meets a visiting British man, Remington Culbreth. They also become romantically involved, but her racially diverse family may cause issues for a marriage.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction set during World War II. I also am interested in the World War I period. The southern setting was a nice plus!

This is a sensitively told book, rich in descriptions and characters I cared about. It's a dual timeline story with a very large cast of characters. I wish that there had been a list of characters included; several characters had similar names or nicknames and I found it hard to keep up with them at times.

Despite my love of 1940's settings, Louisa's story in the 1910's is the one that really kept me up late at night reading. Both timelines had a number of unexpected twists and turns.

I recommend Yesterday's Tides for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys dual timelines or who has an interest in the WWI or WWII time period.

With stellar characters and a love story that spans the depths of the Atlantic ocean, author Roseanna M. White moved me with her newest historical drama, Yesterday’s Tides. Set primarily on the barrier island of Ocracoke, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, this story delivered heart, depth and a fascinating sense of intrigue. Absolutely absorbed in White’s story-world, I simply could not put this book down!

HIGHLIGHTS:
-Quiet Island Life
-Romance & Lost Love
-WWI and WWII Crossover
-A Family of Strong Women
-Characters of Mixed Race
-Faith Passed Down Through Generations

WHAT I LIKED:
This deeply beautiful story touched my heart in so many ways! I was captivated from the first chapter, visiting life on the quaint island of Ocracoke, as the world was entering the Great War. The island holds a special piece of my heart and because of that, I found this story a joy to read. White expertly brings the Outer Banks to life with her narrative and depiction of life there during the early twentieth century.

The author drew me into this story with her fantastic characters, a family of strong-minded women of grit, integrity and faith. They were intelligent, insightful and spectacularly lovable. I adored them all so very much! Early on in the story, White offers a delectable hint of romance brewing and as time slips from the era of the Great War to the days of WWII, I found myself captivated by the story, the suspense and the promise of love.

I found Louisa and Remington’s story to be the very heart of this novel… Their love was rich, deep and profound. It was a beautiful picture of unconditional love and the emotion tied to their story was felt deeply. It was rewarding to me to discover characters of mixed race, something that’s not often found in stories of this kind.

Evie and Sterling’s story brought life and excitement to novel, with a touch of flirtation and suspense. The ending pleasantly surprised me and was not what I had anticipated at all. Instead, it was a delightful thread that united to the two stories and warmed my heart.

Throughout this novel, White offers elements of faith, family, drama and mystery. There was romance, tension, fear and forgiveness. With a focus on the rich prayer life of several characters, I found their faith and time spent walking and talking to God inspiring.

To my added pleasure, I also found little nuggets of historical significance that enhanced the story line and were tucked away in the narrative, charming historical fiction lovers like myself.

SUMMARY:
A very well-done, must-read! Readers who enjoy stories by Sarah Sundin, Melanie Dobson and Kate Breslin will likely love Yesterday’s Tides as well. In my opinion, this story will appeal to historical fiction fans, women’s fiction fans and romance readers. I will definitely be returning to read more from this author, and soon!

P.S. For fans of White’s, they’ll be excited to find that she’s laced this story with appearances from her other beloved characters!

Content and Trigger Warnings: Death of a spouse

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

This book is a true beauty, inside and out. Two young women living on a small island off the North Carolina coast - one coming of age during the First World War, the other during the Second - each encounter an unexpected visitor who changes the course of their lives. As both stories unfold, the reader discovers how deep the connection between the two women is. How will Yesterday’s Tides shape the outcome of today?
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This book is hard do describe, other than with adjectives like “lovely”, “elegant”, “touching”, and “emotional.” It transcends genres and touches on many important topics without feeling overly heavy.
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Highlights include:
💕 Sweet romances
🔎 Intrugue and conspiracy
😢 Grief and loss
🖤 Discussions on class, race and racism
🤟 Deaf characters and ASL inclusion
🌊 Gorgeous beach scenes
⏰ Dual timelines
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A huge thanks to @bethanyhousefiction for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. This one is available now!

YESTERDAY’S TIDES was a beautiful multigenerational story. Taking place during the first World War and the last few months of the second, White touched racism in the early 20th century, the harshness of the upper class, and the power of love—even across ocean and time.

It has a little bit of slow start, but it was necessary to build the foundation for Louisa and Rem and their complicated romance. And boy, was it complicated. However, it was just as beautiful. I found myself skipping ahead because I could not handle the suspense. Their love faced many challenges, and you’ll be itching to know whether or not they find their way back to one another.

In 1942, Evie fights her own battles. The threat of German U-Boats in the harbor and a newcomer on the island has everyone on edge, but it also paves the way for a fascinating search and a new ally. I loved watching her grow as a character and discover new things about herself. And when her story connects with Louisa’s, it was even better.

4/5 ✨✨✨✨ and the perfect cozy, fast-paced historical fiction on the coast of North Carolina.

This story was enjoyable and the plot kept me interested, however I do struggle with multiple POV’s. I have trouble keep up with more than a few and this author has started to do this on a regular basis. The story is still great, but sometimes it takes me out of the plot a bit to have all POV’s to keep up with.

Another Amazing Book!

First, I love how ASL was included in this story! It is very rare! Second, that some of the Codebreaker book characters were incorporated into this story.

The story weaved brought you through many emotions. Roseanna has a way of allowing you to feel fear, anticipation, worry, sadness, all the feelings in her book! Can’t wait to read her next book!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I have been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s books ever since I read The Lost Heiress several years ago. Yesterday’s Tides is a dual-time with a World War I story and a World War II story, and this was the first book by this author I haven’t loved.

It wasn’t a bad read but, for me, there were a few areas I thought White could have examined more. There is very little action in the book, especially while two of the characters hunt down a spy. This is a character-driven story, which are usually my favorite, but in this case, the characters are too similar. They all tend to run together after a while. And then White brings in several characters from previous books. I enjoyed seeing Barclay and Margot again, but I’m not sure they added much to the overall story.

In a nutshell, this book had the potential to be a favorite read but fell short and instead is a middle-of-the-road story. Not bad, not great. Just somewhere in between.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

Yesterday's Tides was actually an early work by the author which has been revisited, rewritten andd republished. I am glad it did.
It is a complex story about social prejudice, love and loss over the course of two world wars. The unlikely setting of a small strip of land off the Carolina coast called Okracoke Island. The island was indeed the site of a British warship sinking in WW2, and around this Roseanna White has woven a story of spies, intrigue, and a family of strong women at the height of the two worst conflicts in of the last century.

I love how the author wove characters from all her other series into this dual timeline story, connecting the past (and its mistakes) with the present in a tale of how the choices and actions others can impact us, with and overarching theme of Providence and love.

Thanks to Bethany House and Joyce Perez for allowing me to read an ARC of this title via Netgalley. I was not required to write a postitive review. All opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

I love just about all of White's books, and this is no exception!

The dual-time element was a (pleasant!) surprise, and I was super curious to see how the two timelines would ultimately converge. White kept me guessing to the very-satisfying climax, that's for sure!

Perhaps my favorite part of the read was all the one-off references to White's other books. :) Margot de Wilde, especially, was wonderful to see and catch up with (as was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to Lord Sheridan and a book he wrote); I think I'm ready to re-read the corresponding books now. :) Hah!

Very well done, as ever.

4.5/5 stars.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Emotional. Poignant. Riveting. “Yesterday's Tides” is a sweeping historical drama, brimming with espionage and romance! Thoroughly researched and beautifully crafted, this novel is one to be savored. One enlivened by a cast of diverse characters who move the heart and enriched by profound spiritual themes that uplift the soul.

For the longtime fan of Roseanna M. White, “Yesterday's Tides” is a must read, filled with delightful cameos by beloved characters from series past. For the reader who’s yet to pick up one of White’s novels, “Yesterday's Tides” serves as a marvelous introduction to her work, sure to result in the binge-reading of her phenomenal backlist.

If you enjoy period dramas set in the First and Second World Wars, “Yesterday's Tides” is sure to be your cup of tea!

With a delightful cast of characters you’re sure to fall in love with, an idyllic backdrop on North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island, and a riveting plot full of spies and codes and secrets, Yesterday’s Tide is a deeply compelling read that will keep you turning pages for hours. You’ll find yourself laughing and crying alongside Evie, Sterling, Remington, and Louisa as they live and love and learn to find their courage in spite of the growing darkness.

Roseanna never fails to disappoint me with her cast of diverse characters, who spring to life on the page with their gripping backstories and rich character voices. I learn something new and intriguing every time I read a book by her!

While I adored each of the four main characters, I think Evie might be my favorite. Her quiet strength despite enduring such loss and her generous selflessness toward others was deeply admirable. I found Sterling both entertaining and adorable—I loved his dry sarcasm. And their romance was so sweet!

While I find dual timelines confusing sometimes, I thought Roseanna did an excellent job pulling this one off. I loved watching Remington and Louisa’s love story unfold alongside Evie and Sterling’s and putting the pieces of the puzzle together. My heart ached for their loss, but their reunion brought tears to my eyes—literally. This story was more bittersweet and heartbreaking than I was expecting, but it was no less soulful and inspiring for the deep losses endured.

I always appreciate the decided taste of adventure pulsing through each of Roseanna’s stories. Somehow, she manages to perfectly balance thoughtful character development with a dash of adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some of the twists definitely caught me by surprise!

Many of the themes Roseanna explored in this deeply complex and imaginative story were anything but easy, but she handled them in a tasteful and sensitive way. It was an educational glimpse into the vestiges of racism that still clung to American society even in the early 20th century and the implications that had on the characters.

Heartbreak, loss, and hope are all tangled up in this deeply compelling story that explores the complexities of war, family, and love. You’ll come away deeply stirred by this beautiful story of faith in the face of great darkness, equipped with renewed courage and strength to face your own life’s battles.

*I received a complimentary e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Yesterday’s Tides is a captivating dual-timeline story of love, sacrifice, and reconciliation. Longtime readers of Roseanna M. White will be delighted to see glimpses of characters and scenes from her previous books! Both timelines were fascinating, with the truth and connections between them unfurling at the steady pace of the tide going out, revealing a little more with each chapter.

While both heroines were compelling characters, Evie was my favorite character with her smarts, loyalty, and dedication to serving and loving the people around her. The plot was layered with espionage, adventure, and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I was totally surprised by the way the two storylines came together in the end! Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction by authors like Sarah Sundin and Elizabeth Camden.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.