Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke #yesteryear @caroclaireburke @4thestatebooks #bookreview #tradwife #ranchlife

 

'My name is Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive…'

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle – and her followers are sick with envy. Her charming farmhouse on her working ranch is artfully cluttered, her husband is a handsome cowboy, her homemade sourdough boules are each more beautiful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers and industrial-grade ovens behind the scenes? What her followers don’t know won’t hurt them.

Then, one morning, Natalie wakes up in a strange, horrible version of reality. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Is this a hoax? A reality show? A test from God? Natalie knows just two things for sure: this isn't her perfect life, and she must escape, by any means possible.

As darkly funny as it is shocking and gripping, Yesteryear is an electrifying examination of tradition, fame, faith and the grand performance of womanhood, from a thrilling new talent in fiction.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke was published on 7 April 2026 by Fourth Estate. I bought my copy from Waterstones

My usual MO when reviewing books is that I have the books, I know I'm going to read them and I avoid all reviews before I've read and written my review.  With Yesteryear, it was different. I didn't own the book and it was EVERYWHERE. The varying reviews fascinated me and I knew that I had to get a copy. Duly purchased and taken on holiday with me, I began reading on the plane and was totally sucked in. I devoured it, I adored it. There is so much to talk about, so much to discuss. I thought it was incredibly clever. 

I'm a people watcher and a comment reader. Online lifestyle influencers fascinate me. I've always been like this; people intrigue me. However the 'tradwife' movement has passed me by, as has the 'ranch life' stuff - I guess that's more prevalent in the US than here in the UK. 

So, basically, we follow Natalie in her perfect life, we see what her online followers see, but we are also privy to what goes on behind the scenes. It is slightly uncomfortable, it pokes fun at the online community but it is so thought provoking too. And then, it turns and the latter part is where we really see reality .... but do we? Is life through a lens ever real? 

Women are almost always performers, and it has become easier for those women who wish to, to live their lives online. Whilst this can be hugely financial rewarding, it's also really likely that they, and their families can become exploited and abused. Yesteryear does more than explore that space between real life and performing. It also questions us, the viewers, the commenters, the followers. It is as much about us as it is about them. As Natalie's life appears to unravel, we see her desperation, we see her try to hold on to what she's created, and we see those around her exposed too.  Yet, let's not forget the men, and Natalie's husband Caleb, whilst male is also a victim of intense scrutiny, he appears burdened and unhappy at all times. 

This is a book that was made for discussion. There is so much to consider. It is clever, yet frightening and the narrative is blissful; Natalie's internal monologue feels desperate, a little crazed, yet so observant of performative culture.

This is a novel that will be talked about and debated constantly. It will split readers. Those are the best type of books in my view. After all, who wants books that are just 'nice'? 

I'm really eager to find out where this clever, talented author will go next. Highly recommended 

Caro Claire Burke received her Master’s in Fine Arts from the Bennington Writing Seminars. 

She is the co-host of Diabolical Lies, a politics and culture podcast. 

Yesteryear is her first novel.