Yesteryear: A GMA Book Club Pick Audiobook Review

What it's about

Natalie Heller Mills was perfect at being alive, or at least, she was perfect at performing it. As a "tradwife" influencer with eight million followers, she curated an idyllic existence in a rustic farmhouse alongside her handsome cowboy husband and six delightful children. Her life was a meticulously constructed empire, built on the perception of traditional values while hiding industrial-grade appliances and behind-the-scenes producers. To her audience, and particularly to the "Angry Women"—the Ivy League coastal elites who labeled her an antifeminist iconoclast—Natalie represented the ideal woman. She believed her followers didn't need to know about the political dynasty her husband headed or the artificial nature of her domestic bliss, trusting that ignorance would not hurt the image she had so carefully sold.

That illusion shatters when Natalie awakens one morning in a life that is eerily familiar yet fundamentally wrong. The electric warmth of her kitchen is replaced by a sputtering fire, and her soft-handed husband has transformed into a competent, rugged farmer. Her children are dirty and strange, far removed from the polished personas she showcased online. Suddenly, the curated photos of homemade jam are gone, replaced by the brutal reality of hauling firewood and handwashing clothes until her fingers bleed. The comfortable distance between her public persona and private reality collapses, forcing her to confront a world that offers no producers, no cameras, and no escape from physical labor.

As Natalie grapples with this disorienting shift, she is left to unravel the nature of her predicament. Is she the unwitting star of a ruthless reality show designed to test her? Has she been thrown back in time? Or is she being tested by divine or demonic forces? The ambiguity of her situation turns her existence into a living nightmare. When she suffers a brutal injury in the woods, the fantasy of a hoax or game dissolves, replaced by the stark realization that this is not her beautiful life. Faced with genuine danger and physical suffering, Natalie understands that she must escape by any means possible, launching her into a desperate fight for survival in 1855.

Why the audiobook

Narrated by Rebecca Lowman, this audio edition brings Caro Claire Burke’s biting satire to life with a performance that likely mirrors the novel’s tonal shifts. For a story that balances dark humor with genuine fright, the audiobook format allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in Natalie’s internal panic and the jarring contrast between her former digital ease and her current physical desperation. The narration helps bridge the gap between the absurdity of the influencer world and the gritty reality of the past, making the psychological unraveling feel immediate and visceral.

Who it's for

This book is ideal for listeners who enjoy sharp, satirical commentary on modern fame, social media culture, and the performance of womanhood. It will land well with fans of darkly funny thrillers who appreciate a protagonist who is flawed, privileged, and forced to confront the consequences of her own curated image. However, it may not be for those seeking a traditional historical romance or a straightforward survival story without heavy doses of irony and social critique. Readers who prefer gentle, uplifting narratives might find the biting tone and the protagonist’s initial arrogance difficult to engage with.

The verdict

"Yesteryear" is a gripping, electrifying debut that serves as a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood. By blending elements of a psychological thriller with a sharp satire of influencer culture, Caro Claire Burke creates a narrative that is as darkly funny as it is frightening. It is a compelling choice for your next Audible credit, particularly if you are looking for a story that challenges societal norms while delivering a suspenseful, high-stakes plot. The novel’s ability to make you cackle and gasp in equal measure ensures it remains a memorable and provocative listening experience.