I think Yesteryear has supremely benefited from being the first, in what I suspect will end up being something of a wave, of books exploring the tradwife trend. I feel as though it's definitely been marketed as more than it is. I found it entertaining, but very surface level. I also think this is the rare case where a screen adaptation might end up being better than the book--we'll see!
(Spoiler Warning) Great review, Kelly! I was very disappointed that there was no "real" time-travelling involved. I think the cover art is also slightly misleading – I was genuinely expecting Natalie to fall through some sort of wormhole and land in a different timeline.
I was perfectly prepared for it to not be explained, like a speculative twist but was hoping it was because she had to do a reality TV show bc they were desperate for money.
I agree that her character was all over the place and I found the explanation of the twist farfetched. But it was definitely a page turner. Not one I’d ever re-read. Thanks for the great book suggestions.
I really liked your review of Yesteryear! I also appreciated the list of books with a similar premise.
I wanted to ask about Julie Chan Is Dead because I’ve heard about it before, but I still haven’t decided if I’d like it or not. Is it good? What should we expect from it?
The premise sounds really interesting, and I feel like it could have a mix of drama and dark comedy maybe? I’d love to know your thoughts on whether it’s worth the read!
Thank you for the review. The premise of Yesteryear sounds so intriguing. However, I keep reading reviews similar to yours. I appreciate the alternative suggestions.
Thanks for this review! I've been hearing so many conflicting opinions about this book. But your thoughts on it match what I've heard about the book as of lately.
I'm wondering if the shift has to do with people being asked to promote the book (for whatever reason), and now impartial readers getting their hands on it. It's too bad it doesn't deliver on its premise!
Yes, the difference between the initial promotional reviews and when actual readers started reviewing it is clear. That’s beyond Burke’s control but she’ll probably get backlash for it. I think people will be less likely to read her next book.
I completely agree with you! I also think the book didn't deliver on any of its promises. I still don't know what the protagonist actually wanted. It could have gone in so many exciting directions -I initially thought of "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler, then the Truman Show… but the development was much weaker. The ending - I don't even want to talk about it.
Spoiler alert:
How can a woman not notice that she's aged eighteen years and had four more children? This thought never even crossed her mind. You can feel it, even without a mirror or anything.
So, yes - it was really difficult. But thank you so much for your article, and especially for your recommendations—I'll check them all out!
So many things that it would have been easy to improve. There’s exactly one trap on that enormous property and she manages to step on it? Just say there are multiple traps.
There was no reason for them to renovate an already renovated house to hide the modern appliances if she doesn’t decide to try to make money as an influencer until three years later. She could have had that in mind from the beginning.
I think Yesteryear has supremely benefited from being the first, in what I suspect will end up being something of a wave, of books exploring the tradwife trend. I feel as though it's definitely been marketed as more than it is. I found it entertaining, but very surface level. I also think this is the rare case where a screen adaptation might end up being better than the book--we'll see!
It isn’t really the first. It was the first to get a major signing deal with big publicity.
(Spoiler Warning) Great review, Kelly! I was very disappointed that there was no "real" time-travelling involved. I think the cover art is also slightly misleading – I was genuinely expecting Natalie to fall through some sort of wormhole and land in a different timeline.
I was perfectly prepared for it to not be explained, like a speculative twist but was hoping it was because she had to do a reality TV show bc they were desperate for money.
I agree that her character was all over the place and I found the explanation of the twist farfetched. But it was definitely a page turner. Not one I’d ever re-read. Thanks for the great book suggestions.
It really was a page turner! I felt it starting to lose steam as it went on but the first half especially I couldn’t read fast enough.
I have too many other things going on to pay attention to tradwife anything, so appreciate your review and suggestions of other books! 📚
I really liked your review of Yesteryear! I also appreciated the list of books with a similar premise.
I wanted to ask about Julie Chan Is Dead because I’ve heard about it before, but I still haven’t decided if I’d like it or not. Is it good? What should we expect from it?
The premise sounds really interesting, and I feel like it could have a mix of drama and dark comedy maybe? I’d love to know your thoughts on whether it’s worth the read!
I liked it. Definitely drama and dark comedy. Things get over the top crazy once she goes to the private island retreat.
Been looking for this list! Thank you
I couldn’t agree more Kelly!
Thanks for the review and the additional suggestions. This book was a huge bummer for me.
Thank you for the review. The premise of Yesteryear sounds so intriguing. However, I keep reading reviews similar to yours. I appreciate the alternative suggestions.
This is a well thought out review and I enjoyed reading it. I’m really on the fence about this book as it’s become so marmite-y so quick!
Thanks for this review! I've been hearing so many conflicting opinions about this book. But your thoughts on it match what I've heard about the book as of lately.
I'm wondering if the shift has to do with people being asked to promote the book (for whatever reason), and now impartial readers getting their hands on it. It's too bad it doesn't deliver on its premise!
Yes, the difference between the initial promotional reviews and when actual readers started reviewing it is clear. That’s beyond Burke’s control but she’ll probably get backlash for it. I think people will be less likely to read her next book.
Saved this post because I am planning to read it in a couple weeks.
I completely agree with you! I also think the book didn't deliver on any of its promises. I still don't know what the protagonist actually wanted. It could have gone in so many exciting directions -I initially thought of "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler, then the Truman Show… but the development was much weaker. The ending - I don't even want to talk about it.
Spoiler alert:
How can a woman not notice that she's aged eighteen years and had four more children? This thought never even crossed her mind. You can feel it, even without a mirror or anything.
So, yes - it was really difficult. But thank you so much for your article, and especially for your recommendations—I'll check them all out!
So many things that it would have been easy to improve. There’s exactly one trap on that enormous property and she manages to step on it? Just say there are multiple traps.
There was no reason for them to renovate an already renovated house to hide the modern appliances if she doesn’t decide to try to make money as an influencer until three years later. She could have had that in mind from the beginning.
Yes, exactly. And there are so many other things... but oh well.