All Our Yesterdays

Velvet Records #1

by Eleanor Wells

An artistic free spirit must grapple with her sense of identity as the music she inspires her boyfriend to make propels him to stardom at the turn of the twenty-first century.

It's the summer of 1999 in rural Minnesota, and eighteen-year-old Marcy Lewis is at a crossroads. Having graduated high school without committing to college, she wonders about the meaning of her life and what she is meant to achieve. On a trip with her sister to New York City, she meets up-and-coming musician Cole Hargrove, and the spark between the two of them is instantaneous. After Cole is inspired to write songs about her, he becomes one of the biggest names in music. As Marcy is thrust into a world of wealth and fame unlike anything she’s ever known, she finds herself torn between her sense of identity and status as one of pop’s greatest muses.

Genres: Romance

354 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

Eleanor Wells is a writer, filmmaker, and actress, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Emerson College in 2017 with a BA in Media Arts Production and resides in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 3.75 ⭐️ This was a great find, the romance was definitely angsty and I felt a multitude of emotions while reading this rollercoaster. The story follows a budding young musician Cole, and his girlfriend/muse Marcy’s romance as they work to navigate through Cole’s sudden new found fame and wealth. I loved how it was set in the early 2000’s, giving it a nostalgic feeling. Nonetheless, I’d be lying if I said that I was 100% satisfied with the way the story wrapped up, as I definitely hoped to see more of Marcy growing into her confidence and gaining more independence. However, there’s something to be said for an ending that goes against the grain of the typical HEA of the romance genre.

[Cecily - MillennialBookGal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Thank you to Eleanor Wells for accepting my request to read All Our Yesterdays from Net Galley in advance.

Cole, the rising musician from New York, I had a hard time liking or trusting throughout the novel. However, despite his issues I believe his attitude and actions are pivotal to the story and the lessons people should learn from it.
I loved the connection of the title to Shakespeare and the deeper meaning within the story.
I think many of us find ourselves in an aspect Marcy's situation at least once in our lives and I think its important that we instill that Marcy strength.

Overall, the author demonstrates creative and skilled writing. The story has something important to say and characters are well developed.

Beautiful read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She helps her boyfriend become a star with the music she has written. She needs to decide where her life will now lead her. How will she deal with his new found fame? Will she stay with him? Will fame pull them apart? See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[jov · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think the main reason why i didn't really feel much about this book was because i didn't really feel connected with any of the characters, and i also was not really feeling the romance
The romance is pretty insta-love, which ig makes sense plotwise. Since Marcy was visiting NY and probably wasn't staying for long on her vacation, had cole and marcy not been attracted to each other right off the bat they'd not have given numbers and wanted to keep in touch and this story would not have existed lol. When they reunited again i wanted more in depth scenes and details between the two that shows their chemistry and shows why these two liked each other. It was a little hard for me to believe that these two liked each other TVT like there were just not enough about them pre-dating (aka the courting stage the flirting stage whatever you call it) And so i didn't feel the feels whenever anything happened whether it be their first kiss or their first fight or stuff

I think the writing style also led to the detachment that i felt towards the story and the characters. There were just not a lot of details when narrating scenes and the sentences just feel pretty passive and detached? again ig this also makes sense because this technically is the manuscript that marcy wrote about her life so it's bound to sound like a recounting way and maybe that's why it ot this detached vibe to it? Be that as it may, it did lead to me not feeling connected to the story even more
the writing style is pretty bingeable though!

the characters:
ngl Marcy and Cole kinda both pissed me off TVT
the character development that i wished to see seemed to have happened in the time skip at the very end. we never really got to see the journey where Marcy feels more confident in her own skin and less insecure of her own personality and of her relationship she shares, and where she finally feels like herself. and i mean this also makes sense ig because the r/s between cole and marcy unfortunately brought out the worst in the both of them so it overall just felt kind of unsatisfactory that we didn't get to see how she healed and grew as a person after the situation at the end (ifykyk)
throughout the book there were mentions of how marcy felt like "as though I was only there to be the sister" and "I’d left my family and everything I’d known for someone who was never around. I had no job, no income of my own, nothing I was involved with, and no sense of who I was as a person outside of Cole. I thought that art would help me find it, but I was destined to come up short." so i was really looking forward to seeing how she starts to build her own relationships and her own identity and yes it was touched upon when she started hanging out with the theatre ppl but it wasn't really fleshed out as much as i wanted

overall i think the themes that this book had are pretty solid themes (i resonated with marcy's fear of becoming an adult it is pretty frightening haha) (and like cherishing the moments because you never know what would happen next) but i wished there were a lot more details and fleshing out of scenes

[Paige A · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Spoilers Ahead)

Fame certainly comes at a price.
This is not a novel concept, and yet, its very premise invites the reader into a timeless discourse that has become increasingly more relevant in the digital age. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s and early 2000s, All Our Yesterdays serves as both a time capsule and a clever meta-commentary on nostalgia, certainly removing the rose-tinted glasses in this memoir-style fictional account of a young woman’s most formative years.

Enter Eleanor Well’s bold take on centering the love interest so often confined to the role of consolation prize for the hero’s grappling journey with fame. Here, we take a closer look into the life of the overlooked partner viewed by the public as an extension of the star and a means to an end. To frame this story as a trope reversal, however, would be a disservice to Wells’s seamless storytelling capturing a lifetime in the span of seven years—a gut-punch reveal that is so blatant and redundant it bears closer examination and reflection. One is forced to confront the author’s choice to depict this tumultuous rollercoaster only to gloss over the “happy years” that are not only longer, but punctuated with the standard “happily ever after.” Beyond the plot’s twists and turns, this framing allows the reader to see past the glitz and glamor and the public personas, for an unapologetic unpacking of the fairytale dream amidst the ever-choking pressures that is fame. It begs the question:

Is fame soul-sucking by nature or does it stand undefeated in unmasking one’s true nature?

Wells has two answers for this: Marcy Lewis, our flawed protagonist whose journey from innocent love to self-actualization is as crushing as it is rewarding; and Cole Hargrove, our even more flawed love interest that calls into question the boundaries we constantly redefine until we cross the line of no return. To watch their story unfold is to unpack a life of constant sacrifice and loss of innocence with little return beyond comfortable complacency, to peek into the validity of the famed Hollywood selling point for romance: “love conquers all.” It is not a morbid affair inasmuch it is a love story that is complicated, beautiful, and most of all, truthful. All Our Yesterdays’ sincere, unexacting depiction rises above sacralization and callous irony for a realistic examination.

The author’s film background shines with the narrative's restrained prose, allowing the characters to breathe between the lines. The consequence of fewer descriptions and dialogue is characters who may not jump off the page in every scene—a point that would normally be detrimental—but are cleverly traded for dreamlike montages of refreshingly cinematic events. This memoir style of pacing only calls attention to itself towards the end when successive plot beats would have benefited from more breathing room.

That being said, the story’s gut-punch ending lends itself to possibilities of deeper exploration in the time capsule Wells has created, and whether or not she chooses to expand this world, the reader is left with a conclusion to Marcy and Cole’s story. As much ire there is to be had for Cole, this reader cannot in good conscience condemn him to narcissism and villainy. As much frustration there is to feel for and towards Marcy, this reader also cannot understate the concussive nature of fame that she does not, and to some degree no one, asks for when thrust into the spotlight—its inescapable nature that follows your entire life, even into death. The most insidious consequence of fame is not running the risk of losing oneself; rather, a glamorous life gained that would disillusion one to believe they matter little without it.

TL;DR: Does love conquer all? Perhaps not, but that does not make our pursuits meaningless. Love of oneself, one’s partner, one’s family, and one’s dreams give meaning to a life worth living. Perhaps love does not define one’s entire life, but serves each chapter to one’s fulfillment, which can certainly be love in the end.

[Cassidy (blurbclurb) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an engaging premise. The plot itself had a lot of potential, and I was drawn to the fact that it was for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. The story follows Marcy, a small-town Minnesotan girl who serendipitously meets Cole, an aspiring songwriter, on a post-grad trip to New York City. The two are instantly attracted to each other, and we follow along on their eight-year love story as Cole becomes a star. Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations.

The book is told through Marcy’s point of view. In the first few chapters, after Marcy and Cole have met and are going through the will-they-won’t-they stage of their relationship, I found her to be quite trite and annoying. However, I put myself in her shoes and remembered that everything truly is that big of a deal at eighteen. Sadly, she shows little to no emotional growth and continues to be painfully trite and immature for the entirety of their relationship (and the novel).

Throughout the book, Marcy complains about the fact that Cole does not communicate well with her, and yet keeps things from him, such as her acting classes, meeting his ex, plans to see her pregnant sister, how she feels about literally anything, etc. She continually complains and obsesses over the fact that due to Cole’s fame, all his fans hate her because if it weren’t for her they could be with him. She never once acknowledges that if he had been dating someone else, that person would be under just as much scrutiny as she is. I understand the very real fear and discomfort of having irrational fans from a safety perspective, but with respect to her relationship, it is an extremely immature gripe to constantly bring up. I found it repetitive rather than compelling and tedious to trudge through. I do not have a problem with a character having a flaw, but she does not change at all, so I don’t understand the point of her insecurities since they are never meaningfully interrogated or resolved. I really wish the character had worked through these issues at least a little or talked about them in a way that did not seem like she was still in high school. The relationship dynamics and emotional stakes do not feel like those of a real relationship and remain superficial throughout.

There were also a few errors in the timeline of references that took me out of it. I was excited to read a book set in the early 2000s, as this is when I grew up. However, there were multiple continuity errors, such as a reference to the Cars movie in a 2003 scene, when the movie did not come out until 2006. I understand that the story is supposed to be told in hindsight, but the way it is written is as if you are in the present with the characters, so I found it quite distracting.

There was also a really weird moment where Marcy reveals that Taylor, Cole’s ex, is Black. She brings this up in Chapter 22, after never having mentioned it previously.

In Chapter 24, there is a moment where Marcy refers to a window in their house as “my bay window”, as if it has meant a lot to her. However, I don’t remember her ever bringing it up before or making much of it, except maybe once when they first moved in. This bay window should have been a more recurring motif if the author wanted this line to land harder.

Overall, I found this book to be extremely juvenile. I hope this book finds its audience, which I believe skews much younger than me.

[Chrys Anthem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want you to imagine you're waiting for a train (you can already guess where I'm heading with this) and you see the train coming into the station. You have a general idea of where you're going from the start, but before you board you see something's not quite right--it's shaking and rattling, and overall fairly ominous. Still though, you get on that train. And eventually, it crashes.

It's a really good metaphor for Cole's and Marcy's relationship, because despite all their arguments and tiffs, you sort of hope things work out despite knowing it won't make it to the end.

Wells's story of All Our Yesterdays is a meditation of identity, and the way relationships haunt someone--how a seven year relationship with a famous musician defines her life. The story doesn't truly begin till near the very end, and the story serves as the buildup for that moment (as most finales typically are). So someone wanting a more conventional plot structure may be a bit disappointed, because there is no central plot thread other than the relationship and observing it from her perspective.

What strengthens and is foundational to Wells's works is her authenticity while writing. Ever since I read Fairytale, I would not have been surprised if these were creative non-fictions that were well researched (her articles she wrote for Fairytale did genuinely have me wondering if Olive Sherman (who does appear in this story!) was a real person. Much like Shakespeare, her naturalistic dialogue and thoughts are rendered perfectly when listening to the audiobook version that is coming up.

The characters of Marcy and Cole are as wonderful as they are frustrating in their genuine feel. Marcy is a rather moody young woman who struggles to connect with others and be friendly, and is often frustrated with her own burgeoning jealousy from a self-ego that was starved from earnest communication and fed by her ardent self-loathing. Cole is a goal-oriented man who wants to fulfill his goals, and is narrow-minded enough to think only of it and neglects Marcy's emotional needs when he feels his financial support is sufficient for her to be what he wants.

Although people are often frustrated by miscommunication within stories to inflate and artificially create conflict, it is the purpose of this story: two stubborn fools who are selfish and unable to fully open to each other. Eleanor Wells's story here is a classic fable in which we are repeatedly shown their failures and the dreaded early end to a story, and a warning for the audience to be beholden to and take from the characters to think of themselves and reconsider their own trajectory.

This story is well worth it, so please give this one a chance.

[William Wassmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Our Yesterdays should resonate with romance readers who crave a little harsh reality, especially if you've been in the throes of showbiz and have seen how easily it can corrupt (Like I have).

Eleanor Wells takes us on a nostalgic journey focusing on Marcy Lewis, a fledgling actress and artist, and Cole Hargrove, the soon-to-be next big hit in the music industry. The narrative follows their romance throughout the years through highs and lows all of which feeling, at least to me, incredibly relatable, especially from young showbiz folks. I do want to acknowledge that if you haven't been around peers who have had "throngs of screaming fans," Cole's actions and attitude as the book progresses might not seem realistic. Unfortunately, he is painfully realistic as he reminds me of an ex-best friend who is still in showbiz who will go unnamed.

Marcy Lewis, the POV character is a shining example of Well's ability to capture realism, and to be clear, that doesn't always mean she's universally relatable. Marcy certainly does some things that if you weren't in her shoes, or couldn't put yourself in her shoes, might feel a bit weird. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who's actually been through dating a super star like Cole, and she's painfully realistic. But that aside, Marcy is a genuine, kind human being where distance is simply a number. I loved how even though years had passed and distance divided, she still stayed close to her high school friends. (I'm the same with some of mine)

Now, for what makes this book special, and know that it will be a spoiler but more a spoiler in essence rather than in what happens, so unless you want to go in completely blind, take a peek:

All Our Yesterdays is not a Romance. While it does have similar vibes to La La Land, two pained artists spiraling through love and pain together, I don't think that's how I see it. I believe this is closer to a tragedy than anything, more akin to A Star is Born. A profound look at showbusiness and how easy it is to collapse under our own weight, while also examining the harsh reality of something as simple as "life"

All Our Yesterdays is a complicated story that appears simple on the surface, and that's hard to pull off. There is passion here that must not go unacknowledged. Take a look. Give it time, it's a slow burn and it's one of those books that just gets better the more you read it, and rewards you for making it to the end, and DO NOT SKIP THE CORRESPONDENTS!

Happy reading!

[Noble Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Our Yesterdays is a stunning novel about a teenage girl, and her journey to self-discovery, throughout her lifespan. It depicts the story of 18 year old Marcy, who is fresh out of high school. She doesn't know what she wants to do with her life yet, but she's committed to carving a path for herself. At the same time, her sister Eileen is recovering from a bad breakup. Marcy and Eileen decide to take a fun trip to New York. While at The Blue Crane Lounge in New York, Marcy is enthralled by Cole, a performing musician.

Cole connects with Marcy after his performance, and their passion for music and kindred-spirits draw them together. Eventually, they start dating, and you can tell that they care deeply for one other the more their relationship grows. Marcy becomes Cole's musical muse and before long, Cole becomes a well-known musician, which is one of his life-long dreams. Together, this dynamic duo help, support, push and inspire each other.

Essentially, the book chronologies the crucial aspects of Marcy and Cole's relationship—including the high and low points of it. In the end, even though they took separate paths in life, and went on to meet (and eventually marry) different people, Cole played a vital part in helping Marcy to appreciate her talents and herself more. Even though the book has a sad ending, I believe that Marcy lived a full and all-embracing life, and she knew it.

This book is gripping and almost impossible to put down. From the start, Eleanor Wells pulls readers in with her eloquent prose. Readers will get a clear sense of the characters' physical and emotional worlds. The characters all have their own distinct personalities, which adds to the "realness" of Marcy's world. Overall, this is a gorgeous novel that addresses the importance of valuing yourself and knowing what you want (and don't want) out of life. It's about finding yourself and shaping your happiness and not settling for anything mediocre. It's also about making mistakes, embracing those mistakes, learning, growing, and appreciating the ones who are always there for you. I think fans of coming-of-age fiction, and memoir-styled novels will be drawn to this sensational read. It outshines the five stars that I bestow upon it.

[R. Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All Our Yesterdays" by Eleanor Wells, is a heartwarming novel that expertly incorporates well-crafted drama and romance in a way that appeals to the imagination and emotions of readers. The novel tells the tale of Marcy Lewis; a carefree, nonchalant eighteen year old who is still finding her way in life. It elegantly concludes Marcy's story at the age of forty, after she has experienced a life well-lived and well-loved. "All Our Yesterdays" portrays the significant encounters and exploits that Marcy shares with the significant people in her life.

The most significant relationship in her young adult years is with Cole Hargrove. Cole is an up-and-coming musician who Marcy falls in love with. She originally inspires most of his record breaking music. Marcy's relationship with Cole teaches her the value of love, but it also teaches her the value of finding her self-identity. Throughout the book, Marcy is always searching for her "sense of self", and she finds it in her later adult years, but occasionally reflects on her time spent with Cole because their relationship serves as a pivotal point of her coming-of-age experience. The book is about deep introspection, finding love, breakups, moving forward, forgiveness, new beginnings, self-identity and coming-of-age.

On the whole, the novel is extraordinarily written, and it will tug at your heartstrings from the very first chapter. It's a slow read. I think this was deliberately done so that readers can become fully emerged into Marcy's storyline. It's helps! The slow pace made it easier for me to understand Marcy's existential struggles even more. Overall, the novel is a thoroughly enjoyable, character-led drama, occupied by a protagonist determined to find herself and her place in life. It is a beautifully told story, written by an author who knows how to tell a moving tale. I recommend this read to fans of immersive literary fiction--especially one with lots of deep, character-based drama.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleanor Wells- All Our Yesterdays

Genre: F/Literary/Women

5 Stars

Eleanor Wells writes a magnificent tale with All Our Yesterdays

In All Our Yesterdays, the reader is introduced to Marcy Lewis. She's 18 and coming of age, and trying to figure out her purpose in life, and the direction she wants to go in. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look forward to this author writing more books, as this is her debut novel. And what a story it is. Marcy is young, and impressionable, and having grew up in Minnesota, she isn't sure what is out in the world for her, so she goes to New York City, with her sister. Her life changes, and the experience of the bright lights and big city, and falling for a musician. I loved this story, and remember being Marcy's age, with the world at her fingertips, but uncertain about who she is and where she wants to go, and who she wants to be. Marcy grows throughout the story, through a process of self discovery, and if she wants to just be a muse for a musician, or something more. A reader can get lost in the story. This story is amazing and outstanding. I really liked Marcy, and was a bit leery of Cole, and the end of the story just leaves you surprised, and satisfied. The characters are so real, it's like being with them within the story. The reader just embarks on a superb journey. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and pulls you in. This journey was very unpredictable. All Our Yesterdays is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Our Yesterday’s by Eleanore Wells is genuinely refreshing in both concept and execution. It’s rare to come across a story that balances originality with emotional depth so seamlessly, but Wells manages to do exactly that. The novel thoughtfully explores themes of memory, consequence, and how the past continues to echo into the present, all while maintaining a compelling and immersive narrative.

The story unfolds with a quiet intensity, gradually revealing the connections between characters and the weight of their shared histories. At its heart is a deeply human exploration of choices, what we regret, what we try to hold onto, and what we would change if given the chance.

The dynamic between the central characters, Marcy and Cole, adds a strong emotional core that keeps the story grounded. Their relationship feels authentic and layered, building naturally as the story progresses and adding real emotional stakes to every turning point.

Wells’ writing is polished and engaging, striking a perfect balance between introspection and forward momentum. The pacing allows the story to breathe without ever losing tension, and the emotional beats land in a way that feels both impactful and sincere.

The narrator captures the tone beautifully and enhances the overall experience. That said, having a male narrator voice Cole’s perspective could have elevated it even further by adding more distinction and depth to the character dynamics. Still, this is a minor point in what is otherwise an excellent performance.

Overall, All Our Yesterday’s is a standout novel. I found it original, emotionally resonant, and beautifully written. It’s an easy five stars.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Madi Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six and La La Land!

Wells' world is a beautiful vignette of the late 90s and early 2000s. The pop culture references feel natural and seamless with the author's writing style. The fast-paced plot really incorporates the feel of a whirlwind romance, and as a reader, I was easily swept away into the world of power, money, and fame.

Marcy and Cole are real people to me. They lived and breathed; they jumped off of the page and into my heart. I will carry them with me forever. Marcy's feelings of inadequacy and her harsh judgement of herself was heartbreaking, but extremely relevant, and her mental health and relationship with Cole provide one of the strongest guiding lights that hooked me in. I think this book will be very relatable to a lot of people who struggle with these same personal issues, and for that alone, the book stands out among its peers. I also liked that Cole was humanised to such a degree that I, like Marcy, couldn't bring myself to hate him (even when he did things that were... questionable). Every character is exquisitely human: flawed, fierce, and fantastic.

I loved the bittersweet nature of the writing style, with the ending revelation of what the book actually is; it is a simply excellent piece of work, and I'm so thrilled to have read this at this time. As a creator, as someone around Marcy's age (especially in the first half-ish of the book), and as a young woman navigating the world around me, I really appreciate this book and hold it close to my heart.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opens with Marcy Lewis in Minnesota in 1999, trying to grapple with life in the countryside. Her initial dream career dwindles as her boyfriend’s music career also rises. Her preoccupation with graduation, the new millennium, and the issues of growing up frame her new discoveries concerning herself.

Marcy’s sister Eileen and her friend Maura contribute to the development of the plot. Their scenes with Marcy contribute to developing her as a character and showing more of what she deals with. A touching scene is when Eileen shares her pregnancy news with Marcy: "It took me a moment to register what she’d said. 'Eileen!' She explained that she was having twins and was due at the end of August. 'I miss you,' she said. I felt tears welling in my eyes. 'I miss you, too.'"

The author successfully describes a small town in the late ‘90s in a way that captures the memories and makes the readers emotional and reflective. Marcy’s story will easily be connected to the people who are struggling to become adults. The story manages to remain relevant as it is about becoming oneself and navigating change.

I actually had a great time with "All Our Yesterdays." It is a good book to read if you like your books to be thought-provoking and evocative. It suits fans of books about adult youth and adults who are looking for answers to questions about identity and memories as well.

[Nick Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor Wells' debut novel, "All Our Yesterdays", is an incredibly resonant and nostalgic look at a romance locked in time, set against the backdrop of burgeoning fame and the music industry. The character writing is compelling, and the pacing is quick and well-maintained. I found myself engrossed in the stories of Marcy and Cole, especially as they spiral into and around each other's lives. Wells managed to weave together a story of love, art, loss, and legacy over the span of her novel, producing a work that is deeply nostalgic and yet refreshingly modern.

Marcy's journey over the course of the novel is presented in an intriguing fashion, and the pages kept turning, at least throughout my read. If you enjoy music, as a hobby or otherwise, the backdrop of the book will present a thrilling and intriguing journey - the meteoric rise of young artists, and those in their orbit.

I found the story to be full of relatable, interesting, and carefully wrought characters, and I was eager to learn more about every step of their journeys. Wells' does a very solid job at crafting the intricate web of relationships between the characters, and presenting the events of their tumultuous lives almost as carefully crafted vignettes, giving us just enough to know the characters deeply while not allowing the prose to overstay its welcome.

All in all, I can heartily recommend this book.

[Rahman Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book does a great job of showing the ups and downs of growing up and the importance of friendship. The writing is clear and descriptive, making it easy to picture the late '90s setting and more. Whether it is the excitement of graduation or the sadness of loss, the story pulls you in.

The Columbine High School shooting was such a cool event. It adds depth to the story and makes you think about bigger issues.

The argument between Marcy and Cole is actually a standout to me. Marcy gets upset and tells Cole to go be with someone else. The tension between them got me engaged, and their conversation shows the problems they are facing in their relationship as well.

Characters like the family and classmates make the story richer. Also, Marcy and her best friend Maura's friendship is at the heart of the story, and it's easy to care about what happens to them.

Recommended for anyone who likes heartfelt stories about friendship and growing up. From what I have read, it is actually a well-written story that captures the challenges and joys of growing up. It is a book that stays with you even after you have finished reading it. And I think it is best for readers 16 and older due to some mature themes.

[Ross Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "All Our Yesterdays" by Eleanor Wells chronicles the journey of Marcy Lewis, an 18-year-old who has just graduated from high school. The setting of this book is in rural Minnesota in the summer of 1999. After graduation,Marcy travels to New York City with her sister. There, she meets the gifted musician Cole Hargrove, and the two of them immediately click and start working together on creative projects. As Cole’s fame grows, Marcy finds herself in a world of wealth and fame, very different from her humble beginnings and as their relationship deepens, Marcy grapples with questions about her purpose in life and the impact of fame on their love. Eleanor Wells's writing is like a soft breeze, drawing readers into the world of Marcy Lewis. The book looks at creativity, identity, and the decisions we make as it shows Marcy's battle to strike a balance between her love of art and the demands of everyday life. At the end, as the spotlight overwhelms her face, and the music swells around her, she finds herself in a charged atmosphere, where she must decide her fate and choose what’s best for her.
I will rate this book a 4 for its excellent writing and it tells a story of fame and its consequences, and the relationship between art and muse.

[Michelle Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming-of-age story exploring romantic and family relationships and friendship.

"All our yesterdays" by "Eleanor Wells" is a coming-of-age story that explores the evolving relationships between Marcy and Cole, as well as their relationships with family and friends. While the themes are realistic and believable, I found myself yearning for a deeper connection with the characters.

The narrative is easy to read, which makes it accessible, but I was often frustrated by the lack of insight into the chemistry between Marcy and Cole. I found myself looking for more in their ‘why’ and insights on why they were drawn to each other and why they stayed together. The characters' behaviour sometimes lacked depth, leaving me wanting more understanding of their motivations.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story could have benefitted from an earlier resolution, allowing for a more detailed exploration of the aftermath.

Overall, while "This Book" has solid themes and a relatable premise, it fell a little short for me in delivering the depth and character development I was looking for.

[Hazel Clee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
I gave this a 3.5 star rating and enjoyed the love story between Cole and Marcy.
Cole and Marcy met in 1999 and immediately felt something magical between them.
The story then follows their coming of age, growing up together and navigating first love and all its complexities. Cole suddenly shoots to fame as a musician gaining lots of attention from female fans. Marcy is happy for Cole and is in fact his muse.
Marcy, however, slowly begins to lose herself in the world of the rich and famous and adoring fans. There are elements of early social media abuse aimed at Marcy which is a great topic right now as the world of social media is ever more prevalent.
I would have loved to have seen more of Marcy building her own life instead of the end that I didn’t particularly like. But then we can’t always have the happy ending we want. I distrusted Cole and on occasion found it frustrating that Marcy had so much faith in him despite all the red flags.
A good read and would recommend to people who appreciate this genre.

[Cris M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This an interesting story of how fame can impact a relationship but also how infatuation needs something more to grow into true love. Marcy and Cole's love story is the kind that starts as a roaring flame that gets tempered and whittled to nothing by the world around them, Marcy's inexperience and Cole's bad/selfish decisions. At its core, it's about how people misguidedly anchor themselves/their identity to their partner and fail to develop as stand-alone entities. This is pretty much what Marcy goes through as an insecure young adult who thinks she has found true love in Cole, while Cole finds his muse in her. They are both misguided in their own way and we get to watch them stumble through their relationship until it reaches its breaking point. The takeaway in my opinion is that she needed space to grow and discover herself outside of her relationship with Cole and I'm only sorry that evolution happened off page for her. I think I'd have given it 5 stars if there was more time dedicated to Marcy's life post-Cole and this could have been her posthumous message to her daughter.

[jen ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Often with audiobooks I end up not enjoying a book due to its narrator but with All Our Yesterdays I really enjoyed the narrator's voice - while I was anticipating the other narrators to have a more regular part in the story, Sydney Amanuel did a great job carrying the story as Marcy. Unfortunately despite Sydney's best efforts I just could not bring myself to care about the characters in this book. I'm not against unlikeable characters but I found these characters to be relatively lacklustre so I can't even call them unlikeable.

On a positive note, I enjoyed the last few chapters (about chapter 33 onwards) and I definitely see where the Daisy Jones and the Six comparison comes from when looking at this specific part of the book but unfortunately the ending could not save this book from the disappointment I felt throughout. I think had we heard more from Cole throughout the book I would have been more invested but alas, that was not to be the case.

Overall I gave this book 2.5 stars but have rounded up to 3 for Goodreads purposes.

[Sara Gaudet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I’m a sucker for emotional damage and a story set around musicians but I really struggled to relate or connect to these characters. The beginning was fun, focusing on their youth. At that point the lack of emotional depth made sense but unfortunately it never evolved past that and I was left wanting some sort of redeeming arc for either character or their romance story and got none of that. I also wanted to feel something for Marcie’s experience but her POV read very passive, telling us this happened then that happened but never getting to the heart of her feelings or turmoil at any point. She doubts herself and gaslights her own feelings. If the story was told with more emotions I could have really connected and empathized with those experiences but unfortunately it felt very surface level to me instead.

Thank you to Victory Editing & NetGalley for this ALC.

[Ananya Gupta · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Review of an advanced copy received from NetGalley*

I’m tired of constantly being disappointed by books I initially enjoy. The premise sounded right up my alley. The late 90s and early 2000s vibe is something I’m always drawn to.

The main characters seemed very interesting, and the romance felt authentic during the first 15% of the book. Unfortunately, it started going downhill after that. The FMC became increasingly whiny and frustrating, while the MMC turned arrogant. There was little to no growth between the characters as they got older. The FMC continued to rant and complain about the communication issues in her relationship, yet refused to actually communicate.

The plot got lost midway, and the whole story ended up reading like a Reddit post where the OP knows they should break up but still chooses to post for validation.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Our Yesterdays offers more than just a love story and the glitz of stardom; it delves into the depths of self-discovery and the pursuit of purpose. Set against the backdrop of the late '90s, the story evokes nostalgia, painting vivid portraits of rural Minnesota and bustling New York City. Throughout, heartfelt moments and gripping tension are perfectly balanced. The additional characters, such as Marcy’s sister, add complexity to the plot, enhancing Marcy’s journey and underscoring the significance of family and personal bonds. Ultimately, this is a poignant and powerful read that explores the quest for self-awareness, love's transformational nature, and the courage to follow one's heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ARC received from NetGalley : I listened to the audiobook version of All Our Yesterdays by Eleanor Wells. I did not realize it was a part of a series but it worked as a stand alone novel and I will go back and read the other pieces of the series. The plot was pretty familiar if you like reading about musicians but I still escaped into the plot and enjoyed it. The characters are at that age where you think you know everything but in hindsight you were at your most vulnerable and dumbest. It was frustrating to witness them make decisions and also deeply relatable. I wish the writing was more descriptive, I think it would have made the characters/the book as a whole more memorable. The narrators all did a fantastic job.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Pumpkin Carriage Press for the ALC. This book follows a young woman who falls in love with an amateur musician who’s stardom changes both their lives.

This book has a lot of back and forth between the two characters and the “will they, won’t they?” This book constantly has the reader questioning where they will end up.

The description of this book sounded great, but unfortunately lacked depth so I just found myself super frustrated with the main characters (specifically Cole). I really don’t know how these characters could be in love because they really didn’t know each other at all, they just were together a long time.

I kept expecting this book to wow me and that feeling unfortunately never came.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. Something about it compelled me to read it through. But maybe I was looking for the characters to grow or feel connected to any of them. The writing fell flat for me. I didn't feel the chemistry between Marcy and Cole. Little nuggets that could have been expanded upon to create some emotion were thrown out here and there. I wanted the story to show me the characters versus telling me about them.
It wasn't until the epilogue that Marcy felt like a real person. This book has so much potential.
Thank You to Netgalley for providing the e-book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the summer of 1999, Marcy meets Cole on a trip to New York. She's eighteen and just graduated from high school in Minnesota. Cole is in his early twenties and on his way to becoming a famous musician. They fall in love and begin a relationship. This is side one. Side two is the story of how fame affects their relationship.

Overall, this is an enjoyable novel. Think non-spicy, romantic literary fiction with Daisy Jones & the Six vibes rather than a typical romance novel. There's sadness and dysfunction, so know that before going in, but I do recommend this book. It's engaging and, despite the celebrity storyline, very relatable.

[Ryan Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

There haven't been many times in my life where I connected with a story as personally as I did with All Our Yesterdays. What a wonderful story of love and perseverance! Marcy is the type of protagonist who you can't help but root for. I can't recommend All Our Yesterdays enough - whether you're a child of the 2000s like me or someone who just loves classic, emotional storytelling. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll beg your BFF to read it too!

5/5 stars!

[mh · Rating 3 out of 5]

"All Our Yesterdays" follows Marcy, eighteen and just graduated high school as she navigates her relationship with Cole, who becomes a famous musician. I enjoyed reading this book and following Marcy and Cole through the ups and downs of their relationship. I felt that Eleanor Wells told a story I could easily get lost in. This book is a perfect summer read for for fans of the pop culture of early aughts. One thing I would have liked to see more of was more showing the characters emotions instead of telling. 3.5/5.