Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

A Strange, Smart, Suspenseful Read

This was one crazy book. Yesteryear received a lot of hype leading up to its early April publication date, so when it came up on my Book of the Month list, I thought I would give it a try. This book did not disappoint. It is probably one of the most thought-provoking and unusual books I have read this year.

The story follows Natalie, a social media influencer living the tradwife lifestyle while documenting it all for millions of followers. Then she is whisked back to 1855, where she is forced to live a true traditional life. The book moves through several shifting timelines that help us unravel how Natalie got where she is and whether she is going to get out of this deeply unsettling situation.

This book is part psychological thriller, part domestic thriller, part social commentary, with a whole lot of suspense.

What Worked for Me

As Burke’s first book, I was very impressed. I thought she did a great job with both character and plot. The book is written in a way that makes you instantly dislike the main character, but you still have to read on to figure out what is going to happen to her.

Eventually, I did feel for the people around Natalie, especially her children, and I hoped for the best for them. But I kept reading because I wanted to know how things would turn out for Natalie and whether she was going to get the reckoning she deserved.

As far as plot and setting go, I loved the way the book shifts between timelines to add suspense and help the reader unravel the details of the story. Burke is a co-host of a political and social podcast, and that background seems to come through in how sharply the book mirrors recent political and cultural shifts in America.

Most of the book is set in rural Idaho, and Burke does a good job giving us a real picture of both its beauty and the pitfalls of being so far away from civilization.

Where It Fell Short

This is a book with a lot to say. That worked for me, but it may not work for every reader. If you are not interested in social commentary, you may want to steer away from Yesteryear because it is full of it.

Natalie is also not an easy character to like. I think that is part of the point, and it is one of the reasons the book kept me reading, but readers who need to root for the main character may have a harder time with this one.

Who Should Read It

If you are looking for a surprising read and a book that will keep you guessing and engaged, this is the book for you. It is suspenseful, strange, sharp, and full of ideas that make you think after you put it down.

I would recommend it to readers who like psychological thrillers, domestic thrillers, social commentary, shifting timelines, and books that are willing to make their main character complicated and uncomfortable.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thought Yesteryear was one of the best books published so far this year. My rating is 4.8 stars. It was unusual, engaging, and very hard to stop thinking about.

I also look forward to seeing a movie adaptation in the future because this story feels like it would translate really well on screen.