Yesteryear is a darkly funny and gripping debut novel about tradition, social media, identity, and the performance of modern womanhood. The story follows Natalie Heller Mills, a successful “tradwife” influencer whose carefully curated life has made her an online sensation with millions of followers.
Natalie appears to have everything she needs for her picture-perfect traditional lifestyle: a charming farmhouse, a handsome husband, six children, and a growing personal empire. Behind the scenes, however, her seemingly effortless life is carefully managed by producers, staff, and modern conveniences that her followers never see.
Everything changes when Natalie suddenly wakes up in what appears to be the same life—but in 1855. Her familiar home is without electricity, her children are suddenly unfamiliar, and her husband has become a capable farmer. Instead of creating polished social media content, Natalie is expected to perform exhausting household and farm work by hand.
As Natalie struggles to understand what has happened, she begins questioning whether she is trapped in an elaborate reality show, experiencing time travel, or facing something far more sinister. After a terrifying injury in the woods, she realizes that this new reality is dangerous and that escaping may be her only option.
With its blend of suspense, satire, humor, and social commentary, Yesteryear explores the contrast between curated ideals and harsh reality. It is an engaging choice for readers who enjoy thought-provoking contemporary fiction with a dark and unexpected twist.
