Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Preordered this book on a whim. It arrived this past Tuesday and I devoured it. The novel opens with a day in the life of Natalie, a successful tradwife influencer running a ranch in rural Idaho, before quickly dumping her into a mind-bending quandary: she wakes up with a family and a house that looks almost like hers but isn’t, and on her doorframe is carved the year “1855”.
Yesteryear is told through a wobbly, flashback-heavy meander. This takes some getting used to, but ultimately reveals itself as a well-used literary device. Natalie, the main character, is unlikable but compulsively readable. The plot gripped me. As I neared the last few chapters, I had no idea how the book could possibly wrap itself up well - but oh boy, it did.
I think Burke has achieved a canny, plugged-in take on the power of social media and the tensely interwoven domestic and financial responsibilities of modern women. I’m desperate to talk to someone about this novel! Anyone else read it yet?