Francie Tillman receives a diary for her fifteenth birthday in 1924. Over the next four years she chronicles her life as she runs away from home, leaving her parent's farm in rural Wisconsin and heading for Chicago. Francie writes of the fascinating and fearful life of bootlegging and organized crime in which she finds herself involved.

Dani Gallagher just won a national award for an article she wrote for the Kenosha Times. A phone call from one of the teens she interviewed quashes the celebration in her office. Dani rushes to the scene where China's boyfriend has just shot and killed himself. This isn't the best part of town, and Dani is met with hostility as China blames Dani for the act. Dani encouraged China to leave Miguel because of the abuse she was receiving from him.

Across the street from the suicide scene is Bracciano's Restaurant. Nicky Fiorini manages the restaurant owned by his grandfather where his sister, Renata, waits tables. The restaurant has belonged to the Fiorini family for generations. When Dani goes back to see China at the apartment where Miguel died, she discovers a diary in the trash. As she begins reading the diary, she learns that Francie lived here and had a connection to Bracciano's.

Over the next several weeks, Dani investigates the teens in this neighborhood and the gangs in which they are involved. She wants to write another article that may help to pull some of these teens out of this life and channel their talents into something better. In the process, she finds herself in some precarious situations as she infiltrates one of the gangs. She also meets Nicky, who tries to persuade her to leave well enough alone. He tells her she doesn't have the street smarts to deal with what is happening in that neighborhood. Dani isn't listening to Nicky.

YESTERDAY'S STARDUST follows Nicky and Dani as they read through the diary together, trying to assemble the puzzle pieces and learn the connection between Francie and Nicky's family. Where will this lead them, not only for the story's sake, but romantically as well? This story toggles from present day back to the past where Francie is living a fascinating life, although deeply involved with organized crime, not of her own choosing. It was a way to leave her mundane life on the farm, fulfill her dreams of becoming a dress designer and help her sister. As the story unfolds, inspirational truths are discovered by the characters that will warm your heart. And there is a little "stardust" sprinkled throughout the pages for everyone. This is the second in Becky Melby's Lost Sanctuary series and it's just as good as the first. YESTERDAY'S STARDUST is a great read -- don't miss it!