Review of ‘Yesteryear’ by Caro Claire Burke. Discover the gripping psychological story that combines an unreliable narrator, emotional complexity, and a steadily building plot that keeps you turning the pages. With Natalie at the center of the story, Yesteryear explores how our environment can shape who we become while constantly making you question what you can truly trust. If you’re looking for a compelling standalone read with a fascinatingly flawed narrator and a conclusion that still hits even when you see it coming, this is one I’d definitely recommend.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is a a gripping story with an unreliable narrator
Synopsis
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.
Review
Yesteryear is a gripping and emotionally complicated story about memory, perspective, and the ways our environment can shape who we become. With an unreliable narrator at the heart of the story and a plot that slowly builds toward its inevitable conclusion, this was the kind of book that completely pulled me in. I flew through it, and by the time I reached the end, I was already wishing there was more.
I had such a great time reading Yesteryear. The story immediately drew me in, and I found myself flying through the pages because I just had to know what was going to happen next. There was something about the way the story unfolded that made it incredibly difficult to put down.
And then there’s Natalie. I disliked her. So much. There were definitely moments where I was frustrated with her and wondering how she could possibly make some of the choices she did. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel compassion for her. At the end of the day, Natalie is also a product of her environment, and I really appreciated that the story allowed me to hold both of those feelings at once. I could dislike her actions while still understanding that there was more to her than simply being a bad person.
I also absolutely love an unreliable narrator, and Natalie was such a perfect fit for that role. I was constantly questioning what I could trust and how much of what I was being told was actually the full picture. That uncertainty added so much to the reading experience and made me pay attention to all the little details.
What I especially loved was the buildup. You can feel the story progressing and the pieces slowly falling into place. There were moments where I had a pretty good idea of where things were heading, but even when I could sense what was coming, it still hit me when it happened. I think that’s a sign of really effective storytelling. Knowing that something is coming doesn’t necessarily make it any less impactful.
The story also left me wanting more. Yesteryear works really well as a standalone, and I’m completely happy with where it leaves things, but if a sequel were ever announced, I would absolutely be there. There are still aspects of the story and its characters that I’d love to explore further.
Final thoughts? Overall, I absolutely loved Yesteryear. It was gripping, emotionally complicated, and so easy to fly through. Natalie is a frustrating but fascinating narrator, and I loved the way the story made me question her perspective while still allowing me to feel compassion for her. Even when I could see certain things coming, the payoff still landed.
I would definitely recommend this one, especially if you enjoy unreliable narrators, morally complicated characters, and stories that slowly build toward a conclusion you can feel coming but still aren’t fully prepared for.
Rating
10/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Child abuse, domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse, sexual violence, rape, pregnancy and miscarriage, suicidal thoughts, mental illness, religious bigotry, misogyny, sexism, racism, homophobia, animal death and cruelty, violence, confinement, gaslighting, infidelity, sexual content, substance use, and cursing
- Pages: 391
- Publication date: April 7, 2026
- Publisher: Fourth Estate
- About the author:
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.
