Yesterday's Tides

Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: January 24, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

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.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

"Because she'd always known that 'safety' was an illusion. And 'steady' too often meant stagnant. Neither was what brought life, with all its abundant, chaotic beauty."
 
Absolutely stunning dual-timeline historical fiction. Once again, Roseanna M White masterfully and beautifully combines history, intrigue, romance, and faith to weave an unforgettable tale of secrets, loss, grief, strength, and love. The setting of Ocracoke Island is lovely, and the plot that takes us from the Outer Banks to England to France is riveting.
 
Louisa and Rem from WWI stole my heart completely from the beginning. Their romance and steadfast love were delightful and heartbreaking at the same time. Evie and Sterling from WWII took their time to get to know each other, and I truly enjoyed that journey. Plenty of gasp-worthy surprises and plot twists kept the book moving at a good pace. Revisiting Room 40 from The Codebreakers series was quite fun, as were cameo appearances by characters from the author's other books.
 
It's a must-read for all historical fiction lovers. I received the book from the publisher and was not obligated to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

This is a dual-timeline novel with four POVs. I loved that it dealt with two different couples that were linked through a short span of time. My only complaint was that it switched timelines when I was intrigued about what would happen next with the timeline I was reading. However, I liked that it was linked beautifully to where it was easy to understand and keep track of most of the time. But I just wanted to read more of Louisa and Remington. 

I liked how the characters trusted in God through their own trials. It showed that He was in control of everything and that they trusted Him. 

My favorite characters were Rem and Louisa. I loved them from the beginning. I liked how well they connected when they first met, and I really enjoyed their story. I wanted to cry as I read it. You will not regret it. 

I liked Roseanna White’s style of writing. It flowed very nicely. I liked how the mystery was pieced together. I also liked the history that was infused in the book. I normally don’t like books from this period because of the wars, but how it was written made me forget my dislike for this period. Amazing job. 

It was a clean read with just kisses. There are mentions of verbal and sexual abuse. 

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All the opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Ms. White has ventured into the dual timeline genre and has come up with a fresh way to tie the two World Wars together. She has done extensive research about the wars and the setting. Additionally, she has woven favorite characters from previous books into the fabric of the story. She meshed the two stories so well that the hinge was a complete surprise.

Historical fiction is a favorite genre, and this novel was so interesting. I enjoyed learning about Ocracoke Island and its inhabitants and seeing what was going on in the Admiralty in England at the time.

Ms. White always depicts fascinating characters with real-life problems to overcome through faith. I connected with Evie and her jewelry making because I dabble in that too. She took sea glass and shells and used them as prayer tools to make something significant. “Holding on to something helped remind her that they were real things, those prayers- things with substance, just like faith.”

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip back in time to the East Coast of North Carolina. Highly recommended for fans of historical Christian Fiction.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House on behalf of the author and through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Conny Withay

“The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today,” states the back cover of Roseanna M. White’s novel, Yesterday’s Tides.

This four-hundred-and-sixteen-page paperback targets those interested in a historical romance set mainly in the Outer Banks during two wars. With no profanity, topics of verbal abuse, pregnancy, injury, war, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. As an advance reader copy, the book’s ending includes an author’s note, a dozen discussion questions, and a biography with advertisements.

In this tale of the power of love that covers almost thirty years between the two world wars, twenty-seven-year-old Evie Farrow has forged on with her life on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina, always wondering what could have been. When a special agent washes ashore, and she helps him search for a German hiding in the area, Evie must uncover her family’s secrets to move on from the past.

I enjoy novels where I learn about history, especially if it is about World War II. The decoding, sign language, Coasties, German takeovers, and survival during rough times in history were interesting. I appreciated the details the author attended to the island, the norms of the day, and how love lasted or began anew with the characters. Having chapter titles of Yesterday and Today with dates kept the eras apart.

Those who do not like stories of the ravages of war and how they affect many may pass on this book. Some may get bogged down with all the characters and how they relate to each other, especially when jumping between the wars or when other characters’ pasts are examined toward the end of the story. With a few religious tones of Catholic touches and prayers, there is little depth to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Since I often got lost between so many characters (I read it over several days), I wish a list of characters divided by the two periods were at the beginning of the book. Adding a map of the island might be helpful. As the book has Christian and Catholic beliefs, adding the true eternal plan of salvation would be encouraged.

If you like a historical novel about the love and commitment between families and what they had to go through during the war, this is engaging but confusing due to so many characters and subplots.

I received a review copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Charity Henico

This book had me from the very first line and didn't let go. You know those books that you read as quickly as possible because you HAVE to know what happens, but then you slow down at the end because you don't want it to be over? That's this book. I was literally sweating while I was reading it. Trying to catch my breath in some places. I was SO tempted to peek ahead to the ending but knew I'd regret it if I did. Ironically enough, I had to take breaks a few times because it was so intense, and I needed to wrap my mind around things. Not gonna lie. There was some ugly crying at times, too.

I love how the author also intertwined different characters from The Codebreakers series in this book. It's always wonderful to revisit old friends from other stories. Also, after reading the Author's Note at the end, all her other series apparently come into play in this book. So now I HAVE to read some more stories written by Roseanna M. White! I think it's a law or something.

What a great book to start the year out with!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews. No positive review was required.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Roseanna M. White once again delivers a novel that will sweep you up and away as you journey into the lives of her characters.

In 1914 Louisa Adair met Remington Culbreth, who had come to stay at her family's inn for the summer. Neither one expected to fall in love, nor did they expect the backlash to that love from Remington's friends and family. 

While Louisa questions everything she holds dear, in 1942, Evie Farrow questions the man who has washed up on her beach during wartime. Sterling is on the hunt for an SS agent, but does he trust Evie with that information when she seems to have so many secrets? It takes a growing attraction between the two before they let their guard down and trust each other.

I will admit I was confused early on. There were so many grandmothers/aunts in this story I couldn't figure them all out. But everything became apparent as the story progressed.

I enjoyed both timeline stories and how they related to each other. I was delighted to see characters from Roseanna's other novels incorporated into this one. I hadn't realized how many of Roseanna's books I'd read until I saw all these beloved characters again. I loved how the intrepid group in room 40 banded together to help bring a satisfying end to this story.

If you like time-slip novels, romance, danger and intrigue, you will enjoy Yesterday's Tides.

I received a copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

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