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Title: Yesteryear
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Caro Claire Burke
Genre: psychological suspense, speculative fiction
Tropes: tradwife illusion, romanization of the past, reality distortion, dual timelines
“Whenever I was reaching my wits end I would pause for a moment… I would imagine I was being watched.”
WOW. I was not expecting this. I feel like I stepped out of my “safe” genres. This book was multi layered and made me THINK THINK THINK. I didn’t think it was possible to empathize and hate a character at the same time. Our FMC, Natalie, was able to understand the woes of motherhood, being burnout, the unpaid labor that it feels like no one sees.. but also had this bat sh*t crazy element to her because she attempted to maintain this “good ole Christian keep sweet trad wife who lived like the pioneer days” fantasy. This is what she showed to the world even when she KNEW it was in fact not a fantasy and it was just one big fat lie… This book gripped my interest in such a way because I feel like the ideologies that SHE was taught growing up shaped her behavior.. THE CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WATCHING. ALWAYS. This book shared a light on the problem with social media.. the sacrifices and lengths that one will go to achieve this viral and aesthetic lifestyle, pure idolization of social media influencers, and realization that every one has their own perception of how something happened.
I highly recommend this book. You may hate every single character in this book.. but it’s addictive.
#yesteryearbook #yesteryearbookreview #caroclaireburkebookreview
Reading 'Yesteryear' left a lasting impression, particularly in how it deftly blends psychological suspense with speculative fiction. What stands out to me is how the author uses the trope of the tradwife illusion not just as a backdrop but as a critical lens to examine societal expectations and personal identity. The protagonist Natalie's struggle with the facade of a 'good ole Christian keep sweet trad wife' life really resonated, as it unveils the conflict between appearance and reality. What I found particularly insightful was the commentary on motherhood burnout and the invisibility of unpaid labor. These themes felt deeply authentic and relatable, illustrating how societal pressures often force individuals to hide their true struggles behind curated images—something that ties directly into the novel’s critique of social media culture. The obsession with viral, aesthetic lifestyles and idolization of influencers is portrayed with nuance, highlighting the sacrifices people make for online validation. The dual timelines and reality distortion elements kept me on edge, constantly questioning what is real and what is constructed. It’s not just a story about one character’s mental state but a broader reflection on how perception shapes our understanding of truth, particularly when every character’s perspective conflicts. The phrase 'THE CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WATCHING. ALWAYS.' echoes throughout the book, underscoring the lasting impact of learned ideologies. For readers who enjoy stories that make them think and challenge their biases, 'Yesteryear' is addictive despite its flawed characters. It’s a powerful reminder of the complexity of human behavior and the social dynamics that mold it. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in psychological suspense that tackles contemporary issues through a speculative fiction lens.
