Review of “The Far Reach of Yesterday” from BOOKLIFE!

Bender (author of Aboard Cabrillo’s Galleon) sweeps readers into 1864 Idaho in this time-traveling historical fiction. In present day Chicago, 32-year-old attorney Rachel Winston is reeling from the death of her beloved grandfather when she’s caught in a shootout with a deadly crime family. She wakes up from her injuries physically healed but in a stranger’s home, in mid-19th century Idaho territory, with no memories of how she arrived—though everyone seems to know who she is, as the eldest daughter of the large Milford family. While Rachel works to regain her identity, she confronts the demons from her real-life past, against a backdrop of a country battling with itself, as the Civil War looms and the American government fights Indigenous peoples to take over their land.

Identity serves as a connective theme throughout, as Rachel tries to make sense of her place among family members in 1864 and her very real life in present-day Chicago. She wonders if she died during the shootout, though her experiences in Idaho are evocative and intense, surrounding her with a closeknit, extensive support system that quickly becomes central to her journey, such as her youngest brother, Charlie—who insists that “’I know’d you was still my Rachel… They all said you forgot me but I know’d you didn’t.” As she grows more comfortable with her surroundings and starts to gain a sense of place, Rachel balances those weighty emotions with the feeling that she is a fraud and undeserving of her newfound family.

Bender’s passion for history is evident, and Rachel’s story is rooted in vivid historical detail. Every character plays an important role, immersing readers in the setting, and, as Rachel discovers not just family heritage but also true love, she must reconcile her past and present, leading to a touching ending that demonstrates the power of true belonging.

Takeaway: Heartwarming blast-to-the-past story of identity and love.

Comparable Titles: Susanna Kearsley’s The Rose Garden, Amy Harmon’s What the Wind Knows.

Many thanks to all who made the Launch Party for “The Far Reach of Yesterday” such a huge success!