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Yesterday's Gone
CHRISTY Award - Finalist 2023 (print)!!
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and are determined to marry, despite the belief of their Amish community and respective families that there’s a hidden curse―one that only shows up when an Ebersol and Bontrager marry.
Before the ceremony on the day of the wedding, Eliza’s great-aunt Rose gives her a family heirloom quilt and tells her that she may use it to change one event in the past. Eliza appreciates the woman’s heart, but she dismisses the strange conversation while keeping the beautiful quilt.
Several years later, mourning the loss of their third child, Eliza discovers her inability to deliver a healthy baby is genetic. Remembering her great-aunt’s strange words, she decides that if she can go back in time and reject Jesse’s proposal, she can save him the heartache of a childless marriage. Her sacrifice will allow him to marry someone else and raise a family. But once she puts her plan into action, she discovers the true impact of her decision―on Jesse and so many others within their community.
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and are determined to marry, despite the belief of their Amish community and respective families that there’s a hidden curse―one that only shows up when an Ebersol and Bontrager marry.
Before the ceremony on the day of the wedding, Eliza’s great-aunt Rose gives her a family heirloom quilt and tells her that she may use it to change one event in the past. Eliza appreciates the woman’s heart, but she dismisses the strange conversation while keeping the beautiful quilt.
Several years later, mourning the loss of their third child, Eliza discovers her inability to deliver a healthy baby is genetic. Remembering her great-aunt’s strange words, she decides that if she can go back in time and reject Jesse’s proposal, she can save him the heartache of a childless marriage. Her sacrifice will allow him to marry someone else and raise a family. But once she puts her plan into action, she discovers the true impact of her decision―on Jesse and so many others within their community.
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Published August 30, 2022
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About the author
Cindy Woodsmall
69 books1,120 followersCINDY WOODSMALL is an award-winning, New York Times, and CBA best-selling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Coverage of Cindy’s Amish connections and her novels has been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
September 14, 2025
This is a beautifully written, entertaining romance novel. It captivated me from beginning to end with its likable and engaging characters, heartbreak, hope, faith, heartwarming romance, touch of magic and gratifying conclusion. The riddle was enjoyable and clever. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Ms. Sarah Zimmerman, who has a lovely voice, does an outstanding job voicing the characters.
August 15, 2022
A time travel in amish fiction, wow that was something new. I really enjoyed this book, it raised important and serious what if questions. I liked the Main characters, they were strong and relatable. And most of all love conquers everything. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
August 30, 2022
This novel reminds me of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Where George Bailey gets his wish of seeing life as if he had never been born. In this story, the main character, Eliza, wishes to erase one event. She recalls her aunt giving her a magical quilt on her wedding day. She then remembers it had powers to change one event in her life. It could only be used once. Eliza is in the throes of grief and makes the decision that changes everything. But changing one event has a ripple effect on other events she hadn’t realized would change.
This is a fabulous, thought-provoking, page turner from beginning to end. It’s also a fun escape and one that would work well for your next book club pick. If you haven’t read these author’s books yet, treat yourself to this one. It’s a must-read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
This is a fabulous, thought-provoking, page turner from beginning to end. It’s also a fun escape and one that would work well for your next book club pick. If you haven’t read these author’s books yet, treat yourself to this one. It’s a must-read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
August 27, 2022
A Hatfield & McCoy’s kind of Amish story except the tale concerns a curse. The Amish community believes marriage between a Bontrager and an Ebersol is cursed. Yet no one seems to know what the curse is.
Just before the ceremony, Eliza’s great-aunt gifts her with a family heirloom quilt. AND … and … tells her that the quilt can be used to change one event in the past. Eliza thanks her but doesn’t buy the strange story.
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol do not believe in the curse and marry anyway. And a few years later, mourning again the loss of their third baby, Eliza learns there is a genetic issue with her delivering a living child. Distraught she uses the quilt to go back in time and “fix” the problem. But does her action resolve the problem? Or just create more?
My review …
Drat! It’s ALL my fault. I requested to review Yesterday’s Gone from NetGalley based on the author alone and didn’t read the description. My bad. And something I will never ever do again. Why? I guess I’m a “Let’s keep it normal” type of Amish reader. Paranormal mixed with Amish? Not for me.
I wish I had read “A Note from the Authors” *before* I read the book although it would have divulged one of the key elements of the plot. In the “note” the authors tell more about how the book came to be. And I am so sorry for their loss.
The story is well-written and while I didn’t like it — remember I like “normal” and no mix of paranormal and Amish — it did keep me engaged. Just know Yesterday’s Gone is unlike any Amish book I’ve ever read and I have 585 Amish books on Goodreads just since 2013.
My rating is three (3) stars. Apology to the publisher and the authors. From now on, I will be reading that description. All of it!
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of Yesterday’s Gone via NetGalley from the publisher, Tyndale House Publisher. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#YesterdaysGone #NetGalley
Just before the ceremony, Eliza’s great-aunt gifts her with a family heirloom quilt. AND … and … tells her that the quilt can be used to change one event in the past. Eliza thanks her but doesn’t buy the strange story.
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol do not believe in the curse and marry anyway. And a few years later, mourning again the loss of their third baby, Eliza learns there is a genetic issue with her delivering a living child. Distraught she uses the quilt to go back in time and “fix” the problem. But does her action resolve the problem? Or just create more?
My review …
Drat! It’s ALL my fault. I requested to review Yesterday’s Gone from NetGalley based on the author alone and didn’t read the description. My bad. And something I will never ever do again. Why? I guess I’m a “Let’s keep it normal” type of Amish reader. Paranormal mixed with Amish? Not for me.
I wish I had read “A Note from the Authors” *before* I read the book although it would have divulged one of the key elements of the plot. In the “note” the authors tell more about how the book came to be. And I am so sorry for their loss.
The story is well-written and while I didn’t like it — remember I like “normal” and no mix of paranormal and Amish — it did keep me engaged. Just know Yesterday’s Gone is unlike any Amish book I’ve ever read and I have 585 Amish books on Goodreads just since 2013.
My rating is three (3) stars. Apology to the publisher and the authors. From now on, I will be reading that description. All of it!
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of Yesterday’s Gone via NetGalley from the publisher, Tyndale House Publisher. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#YesterdaysGone #NetGalley
January 8, 2023
This Amish book was very different from other Amish books, because it involved time travel. It is a love story between two people whose families have been at odds for many generations. There is time travel involved, which I am not a fan of but it was a good book and I enjoyed it.
September 28, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars-unforgettable read
What if you could go back in time, and undo one mistake you feel like you made? Would you take the opportunity? In this incredibly unique story, Eliza takes that opportunity. And in her undoing one decision, she not only changes her life, but the lives of so many around her.
I definitely know what it’s like to walk through grief and wish I could go back and change decisions or events so outcomes could be different. So this book was very thought provoking. Although it involved time travel and traveling back to the past to undo a decision, it didn’t feel unrealistic or far out there at all. It’s richly faith based, and I absolutely loved how the characters faith and dedication to God tied into this story.
It’s about grief, how interconnected our lives are, and loving people so much you’d choose them in any lifetime no matter the pain. Very unique and well written read!
Five stars-unforgettable read
What if you could go back in time, and undo one mistake you feel like you made? Would you take the opportunity? In this incredibly unique story, Eliza takes that opportunity. And in her undoing one decision, she not only changes her life, but the lives of so many around her.
I definitely know what it’s like to walk through grief and wish I could go back and change decisions or events so outcomes could be different. So this book was very thought provoking. Although it involved time travel and traveling back to the past to undo a decision, it didn’t feel unrealistic or far out there at all. It’s richly faith based, and I absolutely loved how the characters faith and dedication to God tied into this story.
It’s about grief, how interconnected our lives are, and loving people so much you’d choose them in any lifetime no matter the pain. Very unique and well written read!
October 25, 2022
4.5 Stars
It’s strange to have such a large dose of magical realism in an Amish romance, but I really enjoyed it. Aside from the fantastical time travel element, there was much realism in the depiction of the characters’ lives. My biggest obstacle when reading Amish fiction is dealing with the patriarchal society in this community. When a scene went in that direction, I enjoyed how it was addressed. Overall, an entertaining story with some fabulous writing.
September 17, 2022
I enjoyed the first 150 pages very much but after that the storyline became quite tedious and repetitive! Eliza and her sister Ruth begin living in another time and basically the story is about the two sisters trying to repair the poor choices that Eliza made by choosing life altering decision’s that effected many in the community. Way too long and i felt somewhat boring. Woodsmall has always written and celebrated everything untraditional when it comes to the Amish and I’m afraid this book was no different.
August 23, 2022
I have waited for a long time for a new Cindy Woodsmall book and I was not disappointed! She and Erin bring us a tale of hope and love and faith and trust. I admit, I was a little bit leery at first, since this was about time-traveling Amish. I had to wrap my head around the concept for a minute so that I could enjoy the lessons in it. In the story, Eliza and Jesse are married and have just lost their third child due to a genetic disorder. She wants to spare him the pain being married to her has caused, so she travels back in time via an old family quilt and changes history from the moment he proposed. However, her actions have consequences on everyone around them. Her sister loses her boyfriend; Jesse loses his business. Her brother is wallowing in alcohol and unable to fight the addiction. So many other changes are present and in this new reality, Eliza still remembers the pain of loss. Only now, it is two-fold. She has loss and she also doesn't have Jesse to help her with it.
Can the two find a way back to each other? Can they rewrite time again to make things right? If they do try to change time, what else may go wrong?
Find the answers in the story, Yesterday's Gone. You will be touched by the wisdom and love that pours from the pages. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of the story. All opinions are my own.
Can the two find a way back to each other? Can they rewrite time again to make things right? If they do try to change time, what else may go wrong?
Find the answers in the story, Yesterday's Gone. You will be touched by the wisdom and love that pours from the pages. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of the story. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2023
Yesterday's Gone by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall
422-page Paperback story ends on page 409
Genre: Christian Romance, Amish Fiction, Domestic Fiction
Featuring: Amish & Mennonite, Time Travel, Childlessness, Quilts, Curses, Marriage, Butterfly Effect, Note From the Authors, Discussion Questions
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⏳️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 39 of 409/422 Ch. 4 - An Amish Fiction with Magical Realism, that's different.
📖183 Ch. 17 - Honestly, I'm mad at Eliza, too. I don't know how to fix this. I'm hoping it's undone somehow.
📖 307 Ch. 28 - This is surprisingly very good although I'll admit if it doesn't end the way I want it to I will be very upset.
This was an amazing experience. I think it would make a good movie. My heart was invested in this story and I was pleased with the results. The only issue I have with this book is there is an advertisement for a new book this year but no title, the cover is a buggy on a paved road. So, now I have to look that up. In case anyone is wondering it's another "time-slip" novel titled Until Then and the cover is completely different from the advertisement, it's a woman in a snowy field, due in September.
Recommend to others: Yes. This was such a good ride.
422-page Paperback story ends on page 409
Genre: Christian Romance, Amish Fiction, Domestic Fiction
Featuring: Amish & Mennonite, Time Travel, Childlessness, Quilts, Curses, Marriage, Butterfly Effect, Note From the Authors, Discussion Questions
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⏳️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 39 of 409/422 Ch. 4 - An Amish Fiction with Magical Realism, that's different.
📖183 Ch. 17 - Honestly, I'm mad at Eliza, too. I don't know how to fix this. I'm hoping it's undone somehow.
📖 307 Ch. 28 - This is surprisingly very good although I'll admit if it doesn't end the way I want it to I will be very upset.
This was an amazing experience. I think it would make a good movie. My heart was invested in this story and I was pleased with the results. The only issue I have with this book is there is an advertisement for a new book this year but no title, the cover is a buggy on a paved road. So, now I have to look that up. In case anyone is wondering it's another "time-slip" novel titled Until Then and the cover is completely different from the advertisement, it's a woman in a snowy field, due in September.
Recommend to others: Yes. This was such a good ride.
June 19, 2024
As the movie It’s a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite ( probably seen 100x no exaggeration) l was very interested to read this book. Did not disappoint.
September 15, 2024
To quote Dance Moms: “You were good, I’m waiting for you to be great.”
For my first Amish fiction, I think I picked a decent one. The overall premise and storyline were great, an intriguing plot with a likable cast of characters. However, the writing was mediocre at best. I found myself only finishing the book to find out what happened, with no real connection to any of the characters involved. They were very flatly written, getting over their issues too quickly or not at all. The plot moves too quickly once the potential challenges arise, and the stakes are then seen to be meaningless and not actually stakes at all. The conclusion was rushed, and the story felt as though it was fighting itself to hurry up and be done when it should have taken a bit longer.
And no, I don’t think I’ll be reading any more Amish fiction anytime soon.
✨SPOILERS BELOW✨
The first half of the story is excellent. It sets up the conflict Eliza is dealing with, her child loss, very well. I appreciated the characters, though they seemed quite…one note. Then she loses her third child and understandably spirals. Despite being raised in a strongly religious town and community, she ignores all their teachings and advice, rather retreating so deep into herself that she won’t even speak to her husband. Then she remembers the Plot Devise, oh, sorry, I meant the random magic quilt made from tears and prayer…(?)
She goes on a walk with her younger sister, ignoring all efforts to try and comfort her, and instead listens to a spooky old ghost lady in a cabin in the woods and goes back to undo the decision to marry her husband. With unexpected consequences.
When Eliza first goes back, her sister is furious, thinking she’s just lost her love. However this is quickly resolved when in the span of little more than what seemed to be a week, she has found this man and brought him back to their hometown. Despite him being on track to become a skilled lawyer, he believes her story about time travel and helps her.
Eliza’s stakes are seemingly the highest, but she is making no effort to ease the problems she has caused, as she is too busy having a (admittedly valid) pity party over her own decision. She sees her former(?) husband with another woman and keeps trying to convince herself he’s better off. Then puts herself around him at every possible chance so they can…both suffer more?? Naturally he falls in love with her again and breaks up with his fiancé to come running back to Eliza, believing her instantly about the time travel since when they touch he sees glimpses of their other life.
Once the time travel itself is revealed to be the issue, it seems that it will be the next impossible challenge, but the very person who tells them this…goes on to say essentially “eh it might be fine.”
The challenge of Eliza being shunned due to her and Jesse being seen together (which was odd circumstances in and of itself…) is immediately negated by a simple “trust me” to her family, who for all intents and purposes have NO reason to trust her after how she’s been acting.
Overall I think it was a strong premise; the concept of getting to change one decision and seeing how it affects everyone around you and make you realize you can’t “play God” was excellent and not something I see approached well in much fiction, especially not Christian fiction. However, where the promise was a strong foundation, the remainder of the story simply couldn’t live up to it. From one-note characters to meaningless stakes, it felt like the latter half of the book was a rush to wrap up what the first half spent a good amount of time setting up.
I enjoyed the read, but wouldn’t likely read it again. Three stars for a good premise and strong attempt.
For my first Amish fiction, I think I picked a decent one. The overall premise and storyline were great, an intriguing plot with a likable cast of characters. However, the writing was mediocre at best. I found myself only finishing the book to find out what happened, with no real connection to any of the characters involved. They were very flatly written, getting over their issues too quickly or not at all. The plot moves too quickly once the potential challenges arise, and the stakes are then seen to be meaningless and not actually stakes at all. The conclusion was rushed, and the story felt as though it was fighting itself to hurry up and be done when it should have taken a bit longer.
And no, I don’t think I’ll be reading any more Amish fiction anytime soon.
✨SPOILERS BELOW✨
The first half of the story is excellent. It sets up the conflict Eliza is dealing with, her child loss, very well. I appreciated the characters, though they seemed quite…one note. Then she loses her third child and understandably spirals. Despite being raised in a strongly religious town and community, she ignores all their teachings and advice, rather retreating so deep into herself that she won’t even speak to her husband. Then she remembers the Plot Devise, oh, sorry, I meant the random magic quilt made from tears and prayer…(?)
She goes on a walk with her younger sister, ignoring all efforts to try and comfort her, and instead listens to a spooky old ghost lady in a cabin in the woods and goes back to undo the decision to marry her husband. With unexpected consequences.
When Eliza first goes back, her sister is furious, thinking she’s just lost her love. However this is quickly resolved when in the span of little more than what seemed to be a week, she has found this man and brought him back to their hometown. Despite him being on track to become a skilled lawyer, he believes her story about time travel and helps her.
Eliza’s stakes are seemingly the highest, but she is making no effort to ease the problems she has caused, as she is too busy having a (admittedly valid) pity party over her own decision. She sees her former(?) husband with another woman and keeps trying to convince herself he’s better off. Then puts herself around him at every possible chance so they can…both suffer more?? Naturally he falls in love with her again and breaks up with his fiancé to come running back to Eliza, believing her instantly about the time travel since when they touch he sees glimpses of their other life.
Once the time travel itself is revealed to be the issue, it seems that it will be the next impossible challenge, but the very person who tells them this…goes on to say essentially “eh it might be fine.”
The challenge of Eliza being shunned due to her and Jesse being seen together (which was odd circumstances in and of itself…) is immediately negated by a simple “trust me” to her family, who for all intents and purposes have NO reason to trust her after how she’s been acting.
Overall I think it was a strong premise; the concept of getting to change one decision and seeing how it affects everyone around you and make you realize you can’t “play God” was excellent and not something I see approached well in much fiction, especially not Christian fiction. However, where the promise was a strong foundation, the remainder of the story simply couldn’t live up to it. From one-note characters to meaningless stakes, it felt like the latter half of the book was a rush to wrap up what the first half spent a good amount of time setting up.
I enjoyed the read, but wouldn’t likely read it again. Three stars for a good premise and strong attempt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2022
Well this definitely was an interesting read and premise. I mean a time travel Amish fiction book who knew it could happen?! Obviously the Woodsmall's did and they did an amazing job with the story. While it kept with the traditional Amish quirks you would see and expect from an Amish novel it definitely morphed into something completely unexpected. I must admit the beginning of the story moved very slow for me and I almost gave up on it but then it all changed and became a book you had to find out what happened next!
The main characters Eliza and Jesse were well written and they definitely do things that are out of the norm for their community. They ignore the supposed curse they have within their families and marry pretty much against all odds. Of course this brings forth a series of events that leave them in devastating emotional struggles. This is when the "What if's" come into play in the story and the authors take you into twists and turns I definitely was not expecting. It truly was fascinating!
Overall if you enjoy the unexpected and can endure a slow beginning I definitely suggest this read! You may just enjoy Amish Fiction all over again!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
The main characters Eliza and Jesse were well written and they definitely do things that are out of the norm for their community. They ignore the supposed curse they have within their families and marry pretty much against all odds. Of course this brings forth a series of events that leave them in devastating emotional struggles. This is when the "What if's" come into play in the story and the authors take you into twists and turns I definitely was not expecting. It truly was fascinating!
Overall if you enjoy the unexpected and can endure a slow beginning I definitely suggest this read! You may just enjoy Amish Fiction all over again!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
November 29, 2022
Amish time travel. That was all I had to hear to be intrigued.
After the loss of their third child, Eliza begins to wonder if the whispers about a family curse that she and Jesse ignored when they wed have some truth to them. In a moment of weakness, she takes the opportunity to change the past and must live with the consequences.
An engrossing genre bending read that follows two sisters as they fight for their futures after a changed choice in the past has more impact than they anticipated. My favorite character was Ruth, she is a fighter determined and a good friend to her sister, and Andrew. I liked that she takes the initiative to make things right and is a problem solver.
Overall, an engaging read with a riveting plot, about enduring love through the ups and downs of marriage. Strong themes of faith and family run throughout, definitely a very unique read and not my typical read, but still enjoyable!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
After the loss of their third child, Eliza begins to wonder if the whispers about a family curse that she and Jesse ignored when they wed have some truth to them. In a moment of weakness, she takes the opportunity to change the past and must live with the consequences.
An engrossing genre bending read that follows two sisters as they fight for their futures after a changed choice in the past has more impact than they anticipated. My favorite character was Ruth, she is a fighter determined and a good friend to her sister, and Andrew. I liked that she takes the initiative to make things right and is a problem solver.
Overall, an engaging read with a riveting plot, about enduring love through the ups and downs of marriage. Strong themes of faith and family run throughout, definitely a very unique read and not my typical read, but still enjoyable!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 18, 2022
I thought I'd do a throwback to my teenage years and read some Christian fiction in the sub-genre of Amish romance-- this time with a little magical realism thrown in for good measure. (But don't worry! It's not actual magic. It's just mysterious magic-like acts that are actually just the results of lots of prayer. No, not miraculous workings of God... just magic-like happenings that all coincide with God's sovereignty and in no way ever contract the Bible or promote witchcraft. The instrument used is a quilt, so you know it's permissable.) That said, I do love a good "I would love you in any timeline" story, and when it wasn't trying too hard, it was a sweet story.
June 6, 2022
Wonderful story! I guess all of us look back at some event in life, that if we could we would have liked to have changed the event. This gave me something to think about, if we change one event, then it would have a ripple effect on a lot of other events in our lives. Kudos to the author for a great story!
October 9, 2023
Ich hatte die Freude, hier eine ARC, eine „Advance Reader Copy“ via Netgalley.com zu erhalten. Und es war wirklich eine Freude, das hier ist ein Roman, der mich tief berührt hat und mir eine ganze Menge „food for thought“ beschert hat. Ich kannte bislang weder die Autorin, bzw. das Mutter-Tochter-Autorenduo Woodsmall, noch sagte mir der Verlag etwas, aber ich werde mir beide vormerken für die Zukunft 😉. Ich fand das Cover interessant mit der jungen Amishfrau, und die Kurzbeschreibung machte mich neugierig:
„Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and are determined to marry, despite the belief of their Amish community and respective families that there's a hidden curse--one that only shows up when an Ebersol and Bontrager marry.
Before the ceremony on the day of the wedding, Eliza's great-aunt Rose gives her a family heirloom quilt and tells her that she may use it to change one event in the past. Eliza appreciates the woman's heart, but she dismisses the strange conversation while keeping the beautiful quilt.
Several years later, mourning the loss of their third child, Eliza discovers her inability to deliver a healthy baby is genetic. Remembering her great-aunt's strange words, she decides that if she can go back in time and reject Jesse's proposal, she can save him the heartache of a childless marriage. Her sacrifice will allow him to marry someone else and raise a family. But once she puts her plan into action, she discovers the true impact of her decision--on Jesse and so many others within their community.“
Und da ich auf deutsch rezensiere, hierum geht’s (auf deutsch): Eliza Bontrager und Jesse Ebersol sind sehr verliebt und wollen heiraten – und zwar gegen alle Widerstände: ein alter Fluch besagt, dass die Ebersols und die Bontragers nicht untereinander heiraten dürfen, da sonst unaussprechliche Dinge passieren. Die beiden setzen sich aber durch, die Liebe siegt. Auf der Hochzeit nun erscheint eine ältere Grosstante und macht Eliza ein merkwürdiges Geschenk in Form eines Quilts, der angeblich magische Kräfte hat. Die Besitzerin hat mit dem Quilt die Macht, in die Vergangenheit zu reisen, und einen Fehler zu korrigieren. Soweit, so gut, bzw. so egal, denn Eliza nimmt diese Ankündigung natürlich nicht ernst, freut sich aber nichtsdestotrotz über den wunderschönen alten Quilt.
5 Jahre später ist Elizas Welt zerbrochen. Nach 2 Fehlgeburten stirbt ihre dritte Tochter kurz nach der Geburt, und da für die Amish der Kindersegen enorm grossgeschrieben wird, ist Eliza völlig fertig. Die Trauer ist enorm, und es zeigt sich, dass Jesse und sie einen seltenen Gendefekt haben, der ihnen eine grosse Kinderschar vorenthalten wird. (Anmerkung; diesen Gendefekt, das Ellis Van Creveld Syndrom, gibt es tatsächlich, und der tritt bei den Amish People auch gehäuft auf). In ihrer Verzweiflung beschliesst Eliza, ihrem Mann aus Liebe diese Zukunft vorzuenthalten und nimmt den Quilt, um damit in die Vergangenheit zu reisen und ihre ganze Ehe zu verhindern…..was wäre, wenn sie Jesses Antrag damals einfach nicht angenommen hätte?
Ja, und ab hier wird es richtig faszinierend. Die Autorin spielt dieses Was-wäre-wenn nämlich komplett und mit allen Konsequenzen durch. Und es zeigt sich, dass eben nicht einfach nur diese eine Ehe nicht stattfinden wird, sondern dass ganz viele andere Dinge eben auch komplett anders ablaufen werden. Wir erfahren gemeinsam mit Eliza und ihrer Schwester Ruth und mit Jesse und Andrew und all den anderen Protagonisten der Amish-Gemeinde, dass das Leben komplett eine andere Richtung nehmen kann, wenn auch nur ein Ding in der Vergangenheit anders läuft. Und wir sind mit Eliza und Ruth vollkommen irritiert, in welcher Welt man nach derlei Experimenten aufwacht und sich dann darin zurecht finden muss. Und Elza wird auf sehr schmerzliche Weise bewusst, dass sie komplett über andere Menschen und deren freien Willen entschieden hat, denn so löblich es auch ist, dem geliebten Mann den Schmerz einer kinderlosen Ehe vorzuenthalten – vielleicht hätte sich dieser ja auch für diese Ehe entschieden? Trotz allem?
Ah, mehr spoilern geht nicht 😉, auf jeden Fall ist das ein extrem spannendes Gedankenspiel, dass die Autoren hier für uns durchexerzieren. Und kann man das dann wieder gut machen? Wenn ja, wie? Auch das wird faszinierend!
Ein bisschen erinnerte mich dieser Roman an Matt Haigs Mitternachtsbibliothek, wo die Protagonistin sich in -zig verschiedenen Leben ausprobiert, aber hier gibt es nur dieses eine Ausprobieren, und das wird in allen Facetten beleuchtet. Teilweise ganz pragmatisch, teils auch sehr philosophisch wird dieses Was-wäre-wenn betrachtet, und ich fand es unglaublich interessant.
Extrem interessant finde ich auch die Amish People; diese Glaubensgemeinschaft, die noch heute (und das Buch spielt heute im hier und jetzt) leben wie ihre Vorfahren und auf jegliche technische Erneuerungen verzichten und noch eine ganz andere Wertegemeinschaft verkörpern. Die beiden Autorinnen kennen sich in dieser Welt auch sehr gut aus, im Anhang des Buches gibt es eine Mini-Bio, aus der hervorgeht, dass Cindy Woodsmall, die Mutter des Duos, zeitlebens enge Freundinnen aus der Amish-Gemeinschaft hatte, und das merkt man. Ich kam mir vor wie ein Hausgast in der Gemeinde, und das war, ich wiederhole mich, super interessant.
Und noch was: der Roman war soooo romantisch. Richtig, richtig schön. Die Liebe ist teils übergeflossen, ohne das es kitschig wurde 😊. Mein Herz war voll.
Das Buch liess sich für mich als nicht-Muttersprachlerin sehr schön und flüssig lesen. Ich musste anfangs tatsächlich ein paar mal mein Wörterbuch zurate ziehen, denn einige Begriffe aus Natur und Landwirtschaft waren mir nicht wirklich geläufig, aber das verbuche ich dann unter wieder-was-dazugelernt.
Ich hoffe, der Roman wird auch in Deutschland veröffentlicht, ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass die Amish gerade auch auf deutsche Leser eine Faszination ausüben, denn schliesslich sind die Amish ursprünglich aus Deutschland geflohen, bis sie in Pennsylvania ankamen und dort ihre Siedlungen gründeten.
Mein Fazit: es war toll!!!!! Hat mich abgeholt, war ein echtes Lesehighlight.
„Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and are determined to marry, despite the belief of their Amish community and respective families that there's a hidden curse--one that only shows up when an Ebersol and Bontrager marry.
Before the ceremony on the day of the wedding, Eliza's great-aunt Rose gives her a family heirloom quilt and tells her that she may use it to change one event in the past. Eliza appreciates the woman's heart, but she dismisses the strange conversation while keeping the beautiful quilt.
Several years later, mourning the loss of their third child, Eliza discovers her inability to deliver a healthy baby is genetic. Remembering her great-aunt's strange words, she decides that if she can go back in time and reject Jesse's proposal, she can save him the heartache of a childless marriage. Her sacrifice will allow him to marry someone else and raise a family. But once she puts her plan into action, she discovers the true impact of her decision--on Jesse and so many others within their community.“
Und da ich auf deutsch rezensiere, hierum geht’s (auf deutsch): Eliza Bontrager und Jesse Ebersol sind sehr verliebt und wollen heiraten – und zwar gegen alle Widerstände: ein alter Fluch besagt, dass die Ebersols und die Bontragers nicht untereinander heiraten dürfen, da sonst unaussprechliche Dinge passieren. Die beiden setzen sich aber durch, die Liebe siegt. Auf der Hochzeit nun erscheint eine ältere Grosstante und macht Eliza ein merkwürdiges Geschenk in Form eines Quilts, der angeblich magische Kräfte hat. Die Besitzerin hat mit dem Quilt die Macht, in die Vergangenheit zu reisen, und einen Fehler zu korrigieren. Soweit, so gut, bzw. so egal, denn Eliza nimmt diese Ankündigung natürlich nicht ernst, freut sich aber nichtsdestotrotz über den wunderschönen alten Quilt.
5 Jahre später ist Elizas Welt zerbrochen. Nach 2 Fehlgeburten stirbt ihre dritte Tochter kurz nach der Geburt, und da für die Amish der Kindersegen enorm grossgeschrieben wird, ist Eliza völlig fertig. Die Trauer ist enorm, und es zeigt sich, dass Jesse und sie einen seltenen Gendefekt haben, der ihnen eine grosse Kinderschar vorenthalten wird. (Anmerkung; diesen Gendefekt, das Ellis Van Creveld Syndrom, gibt es tatsächlich, und der tritt bei den Amish People auch gehäuft auf). In ihrer Verzweiflung beschliesst Eliza, ihrem Mann aus Liebe diese Zukunft vorzuenthalten und nimmt den Quilt, um damit in die Vergangenheit zu reisen und ihre ganze Ehe zu verhindern…..was wäre, wenn sie Jesses Antrag damals einfach nicht angenommen hätte?
Ja, und ab hier wird es richtig faszinierend. Die Autorin spielt dieses Was-wäre-wenn nämlich komplett und mit allen Konsequenzen durch. Und es zeigt sich, dass eben nicht einfach nur diese eine Ehe nicht stattfinden wird, sondern dass ganz viele andere Dinge eben auch komplett anders ablaufen werden. Wir erfahren gemeinsam mit Eliza und ihrer Schwester Ruth und mit Jesse und Andrew und all den anderen Protagonisten der Amish-Gemeinde, dass das Leben komplett eine andere Richtung nehmen kann, wenn auch nur ein Ding in der Vergangenheit anders läuft. Und wir sind mit Eliza und Ruth vollkommen irritiert, in welcher Welt man nach derlei Experimenten aufwacht und sich dann darin zurecht finden muss. Und Elza wird auf sehr schmerzliche Weise bewusst, dass sie komplett über andere Menschen und deren freien Willen entschieden hat, denn so löblich es auch ist, dem geliebten Mann den Schmerz einer kinderlosen Ehe vorzuenthalten – vielleicht hätte sich dieser ja auch für diese Ehe entschieden? Trotz allem?
Ah, mehr spoilern geht nicht 😉, auf jeden Fall ist das ein extrem spannendes Gedankenspiel, dass die Autoren hier für uns durchexerzieren. Und kann man das dann wieder gut machen? Wenn ja, wie? Auch das wird faszinierend!
Ein bisschen erinnerte mich dieser Roman an Matt Haigs Mitternachtsbibliothek, wo die Protagonistin sich in -zig verschiedenen Leben ausprobiert, aber hier gibt es nur dieses eine Ausprobieren, und das wird in allen Facetten beleuchtet. Teilweise ganz pragmatisch, teils auch sehr philosophisch wird dieses Was-wäre-wenn betrachtet, und ich fand es unglaublich interessant.
Extrem interessant finde ich auch die Amish People; diese Glaubensgemeinschaft, die noch heute (und das Buch spielt heute im hier und jetzt) leben wie ihre Vorfahren und auf jegliche technische Erneuerungen verzichten und noch eine ganz andere Wertegemeinschaft verkörpern. Die beiden Autorinnen kennen sich in dieser Welt auch sehr gut aus, im Anhang des Buches gibt es eine Mini-Bio, aus der hervorgeht, dass Cindy Woodsmall, die Mutter des Duos, zeitlebens enge Freundinnen aus der Amish-Gemeinschaft hatte, und das merkt man. Ich kam mir vor wie ein Hausgast in der Gemeinde, und das war, ich wiederhole mich, super interessant.
Und noch was: der Roman war soooo romantisch. Richtig, richtig schön. Die Liebe ist teils übergeflossen, ohne das es kitschig wurde 😊. Mein Herz war voll.
Das Buch liess sich für mich als nicht-Muttersprachlerin sehr schön und flüssig lesen. Ich musste anfangs tatsächlich ein paar mal mein Wörterbuch zurate ziehen, denn einige Begriffe aus Natur und Landwirtschaft waren mir nicht wirklich geläufig, aber das verbuche ich dann unter wieder-was-dazugelernt.
Ich hoffe, der Roman wird auch in Deutschland veröffentlicht, ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass die Amish gerade auch auf deutsche Leser eine Faszination ausüben, denn schliesslich sind die Amish ursprünglich aus Deutschland geflohen, bis sie in Pennsylvania ankamen und dort ihre Siedlungen gründeten.
Mein Fazit: es war toll!!!!! Hat mich abgeholt, war ein echtes Lesehighlight.
September 19, 2025
Amish time travel fiction, not what you’d expect. I haven’t read a ton of Amish themed books, but I think they’re generally romances rather than scifi. Don’t worry, there’s still romance here, as well as dealing with infertility/child loss/genetic disorders. The characters were fine if not terribly exciting. Eliza was a bit upsetting, but did try to fix what she broke. I did end up listening at 3x speed just to get through it all. I don’t think the Amish setup was important to the overall story, it could’ve been any families in a small town in need of a “It’s a Wonderful Life” treatment. The Amish-ness did affect some of what happened, but I don’t know that it improved the story to have that flavor to the story; other people leave for school, other people start businesses and take care of their family, other people lose their faith when life gets hard, etc.
October 15, 2025
This was somewhat different for an Amish story but I liked it. At first, I was afraid it was only going to be sad, and while there were sad parts of the story, there were happy parts also.
A heartfelt story following Eliza and Jessie, along with his cousin Andrew and her sister, Ruth. They have their share of challenges, and then some. Unfortunately when Eliza sets something in motion, she doesn't realize the ripple effect this action caused to more lives than just her and Jessie. What has she done and can she undo it?
A heartfelt story following Eliza and Jessie, along with his cousin Andrew and her sister, Ruth. They have their share of challenges, and then some. Unfortunately when Eliza sets something in motion, she doesn't realize the ripple effect this action caused to more lives than just her and Jessie. What has she done and can she undo it?
September 3, 2025
Agreat story it makes you think what if I could change time.
August 12, 2022
Definitely a bold, but fascinating departure from the typical Amish novel. Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall’s latest, Yesterday’s Gone began as a classic Amish story—which unfortunately was as slow-moving as a lame-horse pulling a rickety buggy—however, once the fantastical came into play, the plot became a combination of It’s a Wonderful Life and Men in Black #3. Yes, really.
Authors are always looking for the “what if” to build a unique plot, the Woosdmalls’ unexpected “what if” was a question most souls have asked themselves: If they had a chance to change a decision, would they do it?
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and decide to marry against the longstanding warning that there is a curse should the union happen. A curse that dates back to the 1700s. Even though the families are good friends, the decree draws the line on marriage.
So, you guessed it. Eliza and Jesse ignore the superstition and marry. Within a few years they have a series of devastating events occurring in succession. Enough that Eliza is weary of the pain and questions the wisdom of her saying “yes” to Jesse’s proposal. What if she could travel back in time and say “no” to the love of her life.
There is a way and that’s when this story had me swiping my Kindle until the wee hours. While there are similarities between It’s a Wonderful Life and Men in Black #3, the Woodsmalls take unexpected and fascinating twists to their book.
If you enjoy unique and unpredictable stories with a not-so-plain cast of characters, you will love Yesterday’s Gone. I would have given this book a 5-star, however, I almost didn’t continue reading after the first couple chapters. I’m so glad I did which is why this is a strong 4-star—even a 4.5-star.
An eBook copy was provided by Tyndale Publishing through #NetGalley for my honest review.
Authors are always looking for the “what if” to build a unique plot, the Woosdmalls’ unexpected “what if” was a question most souls have asked themselves: If they had a chance to change a decision, would they do it?
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and decide to marry against the longstanding warning that there is a curse should the union happen. A curse that dates back to the 1700s. Even though the families are good friends, the decree draws the line on marriage.
So, you guessed it. Eliza and Jesse ignore the superstition and marry. Within a few years they have a series of devastating events occurring in succession. Enough that Eliza is weary of the pain and questions the wisdom of her saying “yes” to Jesse’s proposal. What if she could travel back in time and say “no” to the love of her life.
There is a way and that’s when this story had me swiping my Kindle until the wee hours. While there are similarities between It’s a Wonderful Life and Men in Black #3, the Woodsmalls take unexpected and fascinating twists to their book.
If you enjoy unique and unpredictable stories with a not-so-plain cast of characters, you will love Yesterday’s Gone. I would have given this book a 5-star, however, I almost didn’t continue reading after the first couple chapters. I’m so glad I did which is why this is a strong 4-star—even a 4.5-star.
An eBook copy was provided by Tyndale Publishing through #NetGalley for my honest review.
May 6, 2022
Yesterday’s Gone by Cindy and Erin Woodsmall is a paranormal Amish story.
The belief is that no Bontrager can marry an Ebersol because there is reported to be a hidden curse that occurs when anyone in these two families. Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have decided to override their parents’ objections because of the curse and marry. Eliza’s great-aunt gives her an heirloom quilt and explains that she may use it to change one event in her life.
Eliza and Jesse’s desire to have children was not fulfilled because of miscarriages and something in their DNA which may cause their babies not to survive after birth. Eliza decided in her grief that she would release Jesse from this marriage so that he can marry someone who can give him children, so decides to use the quilt to go back in time to prevent their marriage.
The characters in the story got on my nerves. Not one of the main characters was happy after this occurred and the story tells about their search to reverse the event. I guess that I was not fond of this book because I am not into paranormal activities of any kind. Although the story was interesting and well-written, I just had a hard time reading it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for my honest review.
The belief is that no Bontrager can marry an Ebersol because there is reported to be a hidden curse that occurs when anyone in these two families. Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have decided to override their parents’ objections because of the curse and marry. Eliza’s great-aunt gives her an heirloom quilt and explains that she may use it to change one event in her life.
Eliza and Jesse’s desire to have children was not fulfilled because of miscarriages and something in their DNA which may cause their babies not to survive after birth. Eliza decided in her grief that she would release Jesse from this marriage so that he can marry someone who can give him children, so decides to use the quilt to go back in time to prevent their marriage.
The characters in the story got on my nerves. Not one of the main characters was happy after this occurred and the story tells about their search to reverse the event. I guess that I was not fond of this book because I am not into paranormal activities of any kind. Although the story was interesting and well-written, I just had a hard time reading it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for my honest review.
December 27, 2023
Yesterdays Gone is an interesting and unique take on time travelling using an Amish setting. Eliza was given a quilt by her aunt Rosie when she got married with a special ability given that you take out a stitch out, it would allow you to change one thing in your past, but what Eliza doesn't anticipate is it won't just affect her, it will ripple through to those she loves and it isn't for the good necessarily.
She is grieving the loss of her third baby, and she thinks if she can go back and not accept Jesse's marriage proposal that will take away her pain, but she finds out that it does the exact opposite. Eliza makes a choice that she had no idea would ripple and affect so many around her. It affected her community and family in ways she would never fully comprehend. I liked this distinctive way of showing how we think we are isolated in the choices we make every day when we aren't.
She is grieving the loss of her third baby, and she thinks if she can go back and not accept Jesse's marriage proposal that will take away her pain, but she finds out that it does the exact opposite. Eliza makes a choice that she had no idea would ripple and affect so many around her. It affected her community and family in ways she would never fully comprehend. I liked this distinctive way of showing how we think we are isolated in the choices we make every day when we aren't.
October 1, 2022
My thoughts: YESTERDAY'S GONE is a unique sort of Amish book More women's fiction than romance, it also dabbles in time-travel and fantasy. Fans of Amish fiction who like to think outside the box will love this book. There are some good points such as decisions you make often tie into other people's lives in ways you don't always realize, I enjoyed reading this book though parts of it was skim-worthy and parts were too weird for me. I couldn't help but hurt for the main characters. Available now. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.
September 12, 2022
Even though they trusted God. How could they not feel angst. Trust and faith do not erase human emotion. Jesus wept even when He knew He'd raise Lazarus from the grave. Overwhelming emotions were not a reflection of whether someone had faith or not.
As I was into the reading of Yesterday's Gone, I became a little wary of the direction this Amish romance was going. It was a sweet romance of two neighbors Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol. Growing up together, they knew each other well and their friendship turned into something special. However, the Bontragers and Ebersols were not allowed to marry each other. Eliza and Jesse did not know why but when Jesse asked for Eliza's hand, they decided to to prove to the community that their marriage would be blessing to all. The wedding came and the community realized that it was a bad superstition and the wedding would be a blessing. So here is where it get's a little on the paranormal side. An elder aunt of Eliza gave her a quilt for a wedding present. The aunt was worried that if this wedding failed or the community suffered, Eliza could go back in time by undoing the stitching on the quilt, and change course. Several years into the marriage, Eliza and Jesse did suffer unthinkable sorrow that Eliza did not want her husband to suffer so she took her sister to the old cabin where she undid the stitching and along with her sister went back in time to where Jesse asked her to marry. However, instead of saying yes, she said no and her sister and her went away to another community. They both came back to years later (the same year that they left) to a different community, a different family, a different Jesse.
So why did I take to this when everything in me told me not to. We are blinded by our emotions and we cannot always walk in faith. It took Eliza to go back in time to see that and that she was not God to change anything. A time traveler, she was able to see how God worked into the lives of those that she loved the most when she decided to marry Jesse. We can go thru life without regrets but sometimes we do not know the implications that God is there. We do not have to be believers or want to follow God for this to be true. However, when the time comes and God is not in our midst, we will know.
A special thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
As I was into the reading of Yesterday's Gone, I became a little wary of the direction this Amish romance was going. It was a sweet romance of two neighbors Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol. Growing up together, they knew each other well and their friendship turned into something special. However, the Bontragers and Ebersols were not allowed to marry each other. Eliza and Jesse did not know why but when Jesse asked for Eliza's hand, they decided to to prove to the community that their marriage would be blessing to all. The wedding came and the community realized that it was a bad superstition and the wedding would be a blessing. So here is where it get's a little on the paranormal side. An elder aunt of Eliza gave her a quilt for a wedding present. The aunt was worried that if this wedding failed or the community suffered, Eliza could go back in time by undoing the stitching on the quilt, and change course. Several years into the marriage, Eliza and Jesse did suffer unthinkable sorrow that Eliza did not want her husband to suffer so she took her sister to the old cabin where she undid the stitching and along with her sister went back in time to where Jesse asked her to marry. However, instead of saying yes, she said no and her sister and her went away to another community. They both came back to years later (the same year that they left) to a different community, a different family, a different Jesse.
So why did I take to this when everything in me told me not to. We are blinded by our emotions and we cannot always walk in faith. It took Eliza to go back in time to see that and that she was not God to change anything. A time traveler, she was able to see how God worked into the lives of those that she loved the most when she decided to marry Jesse. We can go thru life without regrets but sometimes we do not know the implications that God is there. We do not have to be believers or want to follow God for this to be true. However, when the time comes and God is not in our midst, we will know.
A special thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
August 1, 2022
Yesterday’s Gone by talented authors Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall is a captivating Amish time travel novel. Yes, you read that correctly. Amish time travel. It is a fabulous book that had me turning pages from the beginning. I was engaged with the characters and invested in their lives.
The story flashes back all of the way to where a particular group of Amish travel via sea to come to America. Things happen between two families to cause what is believed to be a curse if a member of the Bontrager family marries an Ebersol. Parents of those families will not allow their children to court let alone marry.
This is the most unusual yet interesting and emotional Amish novel that I have read. There are so many spiritual and life lessons packed into this lovely tale. Even though I finished it days ago, I am still pondering different parts of it.
The authors did a phenomenal job researching for portions of the story. The writing is exquisite and flows at a perfect pace. Characters are believable. They have both good and bad qualities. Descriptions are such that I felt transported to the Amish community. The emotions transferred from the characters to me. At times I read through tears.
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and decide to marry against the advice of their families. Things go smoothly for a while, and then they wonder if the curse is real. What would you do is you could go back in time and choose differently to avoid hurting someone you love? There are so many delightful characters this book. I am hoping there will be another book so that we may visit them again.
I highly recommend this book. It is so good. A book club could have lively discussions over this book. Be sure to read the author’s notes, too. I rated it 5 out of stars. A copy was provided by Tyndale Publishing and Net Galley, but these are my honest words.
The story flashes back all of the way to where a particular group of Amish travel via sea to come to America. Things happen between two families to cause what is believed to be a curse if a member of the Bontrager family marries an Ebersol. Parents of those families will not allow their children to court let alone marry.
This is the most unusual yet interesting and emotional Amish novel that I have read. There are so many spiritual and life lessons packed into this lovely tale. Even though I finished it days ago, I am still pondering different parts of it.
The authors did a phenomenal job researching for portions of the story. The writing is exquisite and flows at a perfect pace. Characters are believable. They have both good and bad qualities. Descriptions are such that I felt transported to the Amish community. The emotions transferred from the characters to me. At times I read through tears.
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and decide to marry against the advice of their families. Things go smoothly for a while, and then they wonder if the curse is real. What would you do is you could go back in time and choose differently to avoid hurting someone you love? There are so many delightful characters this book. I am hoping there will be another book so that we may visit them again.
I highly recommend this book. It is so good. A book club could have lively discussions over this book. Be sure to read the author’s notes, too. I rated it 5 out of stars. A copy was provided by Tyndale Publishing and Net Galley, but these are my honest words.
September 25, 2025
First sentence: Sweat rolled down Eliza Bontrager's neck as she carried her youngest sibling on one hip and a plate of sliced bread in her hand. Stale bread, and the last of it. The mountain air hung thick with the familiar July aromas.
Premise/plot: TIME TRAVEL. AMISH ROMANCE. Who knew these two could blend so well?!?!?!
Eliza Bontrager loves, loves, loves Jesse Ebersol despite the opposition of their families and the community. There have been marriages between the Ebersols and the Bontragers in the past that were less than ideal. There's even rumors of a 'curse' if these two families marry into one another. Jesse and Eliza do not believe in 'the curse.' Love conquers all. On their wedding day, Eliza is given a quilt--passed down through the generations--and told a family story. The story is almost too incredible to believe. If she takes the quilt to an old cabin in the woods--place names escape me--and she undoes a single stitch in the quilt and restitches it, she can travel back in time to one particular moment in her past. Supposedly, once done it is DONE. No going back to the way things used to be. And no do-overs. Five or six years later, Eliza faces strong temptation after burying her third child. She is convinced that life would be better for everyone if she'd never married Jesse. But is that true?
My thoughts: This one has IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE vibes and time travel. It also has quite a lot to say about grief, love, loss, and healing. I really LOVED this one. I loved getting to know Eliza, Jesse, Ruth, and Andrew. I loved seeing both realities. I highly recommend this one.
Premise/plot: TIME TRAVEL. AMISH ROMANCE. Who knew these two could blend so well?!?!?!
Eliza Bontrager loves, loves, loves Jesse Ebersol despite the opposition of their families and the community. There have been marriages between the Ebersols and the Bontragers in the past that were less than ideal. There's even rumors of a 'curse' if these two families marry into one another. Jesse and Eliza do not believe in 'the curse.' Love conquers all. On their wedding day, Eliza is given a quilt--passed down through the generations--and told a family story. The story is almost too incredible to believe. If she takes the quilt to an old cabin in the woods--place names escape me--and she undoes a single stitch in the quilt and restitches it, she can travel back in time to one particular moment in her past. Supposedly, once done it is DONE. No going back to the way things used to be. And no do-overs. Five or six years later, Eliza faces strong temptation after burying her third child. She is convinced that life would be better for everyone if she'd never married Jesse. But is that true?
My thoughts: This one has IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE vibes and time travel. It also has quite a lot to say about grief, love, loss, and healing. I really LOVED this one. I loved getting to know Eliza, Jesse, Ruth, and Andrew. I loved seeing both realities. I highly recommend this one.
May 11, 2022
Thank you Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read Yesterday’s Gone by Cindy and Erin Woodsmall. Opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.
I have read Amish fiction for many years, and I have read many books by Cindy, but I must admit this is the most unusual Amish book I have ever read. Time travel, of all things! Who would have thought!
Although I kept thinking Eliza would wake up from a dream at anytime, there were so many important lessons to learn fro Eliza, Jesse, Ruth, and Andrew’s experiences. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.
Jesse and Eliza weren’t encouraged to be friends and certainly they were not to date and marry. According to Ebersol and Bontrager hidden curse, there should be no permanent contact between the families.
When the marriage was going to happen anyway, Eliza’s great aunt gave her a heirloom quilt that was said to allow a one-time travel back in time. Although forgotten for a time, when Eliza and. Jesse suffered the loss of a daughter, the idea of changing events came to Eliz’s mind. Could she make thing better by not marrying Jesse?
She fins out the hard way that. Every decision you make has a real impact on friends, family, and community.
If you enjoy unique and unpredictable events in a story, this one is for you.
Like the story or not, the Woodsmall’s do a good job telling the story.
September 6, 2022, is release day for this 4-star book.
I have read Amish fiction for many years, and I have read many books by Cindy, but I must admit this is the most unusual Amish book I have ever read. Time travel, of all things! Who would have thought!
Although I kept thinking Eliza would wake up from a dream at anytime, there were so many important lessons to learn fro Eliza, Jesse, Ruth, and Andrew’s experiences. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.
Jesse and Eliza weren’t encouraged to be friends and certainly they were not to date and marry. According to Ebersol and Bontrager hidden curse, there should be no permanent contact between the families.
When the marriage was going to happen anyway, Eliza’s great aunt gave her a heirloom quilt that was said to allow a one-time travel back in time. Although forgotten for a time, when Eliza and. Jesse suffered the loss of a daughter, the idea of changing events came to Eliz’s mind. Could she make thing better by not marrying Jesse?
She fins out the hard way that. Every decision you make has a real impact on friends, family, and community.
If you enjoy unique and unpredictable events in a story, this one is for you.
Like the story or not, the Woodsmall’s do a good job telling the story.
September 6, 2022, is release day for this 4-star book.
December 5, 2025
4 stars
Completed: Dec. 04/25
Format: audiobook borrow (Everand)
Narrator: Sarah Zimmerman
Book #167 of 2025: Erin Woodsmall is a new author for me but not Cindy.
This certainly was an unusual book. Amish, yet more modern than any Amish book I’ve read before. Then there was the time slip aspect to boot.
I enjoyed the characters and the “fit” in both timelines. The four main characters are all so different and distinct; yet, the couples make sense at the same time.
I enjoyed it for the most part but sometimes found the certain words, phrases, etc off from all of the other Amish books I’ve read. The time slip is somewhat confusing and I didn’t really understand how they got back. That part isn’t as flushed out as I would personally prefer. The time travel also seems to be a dark thing and that bothered me. Mercy seems to be a dark force as well, which is rather ironic, considering her name. I’m having trouble reconciling that darkness with this being a book of faith.
The best part of this book was the message of being content in life because everyone experiences difficulties. Don’t look for a way other than the path God gave you. Life has pain in it and we need to accept it and learn from it. The loss of children is an unspeakable tragedy - any loss of life is. Remember the joys rather than getting stuck in the sorrows. Trust God through it all rather than trying to do it yourself or turning elsewhere.
Completed: Dec. 04/25
Format: audiobook borrow (Everand)
Narrator: Sarah Zimmerman
Book #167 of 2025: Erin Woodsmall is a new author for me but not Cindy.
This certainly was an unusual book. Amish, yet more modern than any Amish book I’ve read before. Then there was the time slip aspect to boot.
I enjoyed the characters and the “fit” in both timelines. The four main characters are all so different and distinct; yet, the couples make sense at the same time.
I enjoyed it for the most part but sometimes found the certain words, phrases, etc off from all of the other Amish books I’ve read. The time slip is somewhat confusing and I didn’t really understand how they got back. That part isn’t as flushed out as I would personally prefer. The time travel also seems to be a dark thing and that bothered me. Mercy seems to be a dark force as well, which is rather ironic, considering her name. I’m having trouble reconciling that darkness with this being a book of faith.
The best part of this book was the message of being content in life because everyone experiences difficulties. Don’t look for a way other than the path God gave you. Life has pain in it and we need to accept it and learn from it. The loss of children is an unspeakable tragedy - any loss of life is. Remember the joys rather than getting stuck in the sorrows. Trust God through it all rather than trying to do it yourself or turning elsewhere.
June 22, 2022
What a beautifully written story. What would you do if you could go back in time a change one thing? Eliza has everything a loving husband Jesse, a home and they are well liked in the Amish community. But she has just lost her three baby a little girl and this has broken her and she wishes that she had said no to Jesse all those years ago.
She was told a story but her great aunt Rose about the quilt and she just has to believe that it is true but everything doesn't go right. Her sister Ruth has been taken back with her and she isn't too happy as her life has all changed. Can they fix the mistake before it is too late? Will anyone believe their story? What does the future hold for them now?
Eliza is a good woman that only wants everyone to be happy, she is generous & loving. Jesse is a good protector, husband and provider that always is willing to help anyone. Yes they are both destroyed by the loss of their daughter but I think that Eliza needed to speak to Jesse before doing what she did.
Ruth is a fierce woman that will do anything for her family even following her heartbroken sister to another time.
Andrew is a hard working man that has found the woman that he loves but now he has to find his way back to her again.
A lovely read made me cry.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC copy. This is my voluntary review.
She was told a story but her great aunt Rose about the quilt and she just has to believe that it is true but everything doesn't go right. Her sister Ruth has been taken back with her and she isn't too happy as her life has all changed. Can they fix the mistake before it is too late? Will anyone believe their story? What does the future hold for them now?
Eliza is a good woman that only wants everyone to be happy, she is generous & loving. Jesse is a good protector, husband and provider that always is willing to help anyone. Yes they are both destroyed by the loss of their daughter but I think that Eliza needed to speak to Jesse before doing what she did.
Ruth is a fierce woman that will do anything for her family even following her heartbroken sister to another time.
Andrew is a hard working man that has found the woman that he loves but now he has to find his way back to her again.
A lovely read made me cry.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC copy. This is my voluntary review.
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