We’re halfway through the year already, and our Book Club pick on Booksmart this month is Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. This debut fiction novel draws on our growing cultural fascination with “tradwife” influencers, the alarming rise of conservative values among young women, and the “angry women” who can’t bring themselves to look away from them – no matter how hard they try.
It’s not only one of the most talked-about books of 2026, but one that has sparked further conversation after Booksmart hosts Sunny Adcock and Allie Daisy King sat down to discuss the boo in their latest podcast ep. Let’s just say, the comments section is divided as Sunny and Allie delve into the characterisation of Natalie, the protagonist (and villain), who has been compared to Gone Girl’s Amy Dunne and American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman.
To set the scene, Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle that her followers very much envy. Think: a handsome cowboy husband, homemade sourdough boules… you get the gist. Unbeknownst to her followers, not all is actually as it seems.
So, what happens when Natalie wakes up one morning in a very strange, horrible version of reality? From her house to her husband and children… everything looks familiar. Yet, something also feels quite wrong. Is it a scam, a reality show, or some kind of experiment? Is she being tested by a god? Ultimately, she’s certain of two things: this isn’t the perfect life she’s meant to have, and she has to get out, no matter what it takes to escape.
During this podcast episode, Sunny comments on Natalie’s sense of entitlement throughout.
“She’s somebody who holds so strongly onto whatever control she has over her life, despite ultimately thinking she’s relinquished or controlled to God, and she plans her life out to a tee,” Sunny tells Allie. “And according to her beliefs, she makes multiple perfect decisions and whenever they blow up in her face, and she’s at risk of losing this perfect life, she feels she’s owed.
Sunny says she “found it really intriguing” to see how Natalie reacts in these instances, as readers observe “her wrestle with that power and try and save this probably harmful and counterproductive version of life she’s chasing”.
“The way she wrestles with that and snaps into gear and will not let herself be victimised by life – despite the fact that she victimises others and can be victim to certain things herself – I found that interesting.”
When it comes to the way in which the book presents itself and its exploration of complex themes, Allie discusses whether Yesteryear is smart or rather heavy-handed in the mirror it holds up to our modern world. Afterall, it hones in on society’s fascination with “tradwife” influencers like Nara Smith and Ballerina Farm, and the alarming rise of conservatism with figures like RFK coming to mind.
“A lot of the times it did feel quite heavy-handed. It wasn’t subtle in the RFK references. It wasn’t subtle in the references to Ballerina Farm and Ruby Frankie and 8 Passengers… like it wasn’t subtle in any of these ways,” says Allie.
“It’s not a book that’s saying it’s going to be subtle… you know, not every book has to be, and it’s not that it’s some sort of demerit. But I just think this book almost requires a certain amount of screen time.”
As is the case with any book, there’ll be fans and critics. And as we mentioned earlier, the conversation around Yesteryear has had some of our listeners fired up in the comments (especially in this Instagram post) – and we’re always here for a thoughtful debrief!
“It was my first DNF [did not finish] in five years and I feel like I’ve been gaslit by the world,” reads one comment.
On the other end, another comment is in utmost support of the book: “I really enjoy the discourse it’s created. I flew this book and found the writing and pace really worked for me (understand it didn’t for others) but I just really loved how much it made me think about my own reactions.
“It made me feel conflicted at times and personally that’s a more interesting and richer thing to explore in myself than just reading something that reaffirms all my thoughts and feelings? I did really like how it explored that the system will spit out any woman and no woman is safe (even one who exploits the system, acts for it, acts only in her self interest, leans into and exploits bigotry etc). Didn’t love the second twist but once a book has dug itself into a premise like that, I often find the way out unsatisfying.”
And speaking of that twist? Well, there’s understandably some readers out there who don’t dig the concept of Natalie’s character, but are very much invested in knowing where the narrative turns.
“I don’t even want to read the book because I hate characters like Amy Dunne and Patrick Bateman but I do want to know the plot twist ending,” reads another comment.
We’d love to hear what you think! Listen to this episode to be a part of a conversation that has taken the internet by storm. You can purchase Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke online with QBD Books using this link.