A review by foreverinastory
Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson

adventurous tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

After a liver transplant, Andre Cobb finds out he can time travel. After returning from his surprise trip to 1969, Andre is contacted by the donor family. They take him in and explain about time traveling, and they've tasked their youngest son, Blake, to teach him about his new gift. Andre is torn between past and present, between Michael and Blake and he has no idea what he's doing.

I enjoyed this book. It was such a fun time romp. Andre was an easy character to love. He's been through a lot and had low expectations of things working out for him. Then this liver transplant changes his whole life. Now he can plan a future and he's finding that the future he wants is not the dream his parents have coached him on. I loved seeing Andre get to grow and live. His adventures show him just some of the experiences he can continue to have.

I wasn't super invested in either of the romance candidates. Michael was from 1969 so like that would never work? But then I never really felt the connection with Blake until super late in the book. Regardless, I did really enjoy this book and Andre's character.
Rep: Black gay male who has liver cancer (in remission), two gay white male love interests.

CWs: Grief, homophobia (someone is kicked out of their parents house for being gay), alcohol consumption (underage) , alcoholism, drug use/abuse, cancer (MC had liver cancer, in remission, book opens with liver transplant), medical content, death/death of child (love interest's brother), car accident (cause of death), grief, racism, outing. 

 

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