Every now and then, a book completely splits the crew right down the middle. Yesteryear did exactly that. Half the club bumbled through it, rating it a harsh 4 to 5, while the other half really enjoyed it and ranked it a solid 7 to 8. But whether you loved it or wanted to chuck it across the room, it sparked an absolute powerhouse of a conversation. That’s exactly what makes it a killer book club pick.

For the ones who dug it, the narrative hook is an immediate ride. The story dives headfirst into a "time-swapping trad-wife" concept, flashing back and forth through the main character's multiple lives. The author drops a trail of fun clues and sharp, clever phrasing that makes the central mystery genuinely thought-provoking if you enjoy trying to outsmart a plot twist.

The crew who bounced off the book, however, felt it left too much on the table. The execution occasionally felt random and inartful. Instead of capitalizing on the heavy psychological stakes built into time-swapping, the narrative sometimes veers into the aggressively mundane—including shockingly raw descriptions of childbirth and an almost obsessive focus on raw milk. To the critics, it felt obvious where it should have leveled up.

Ultimately, Yesteryear isn't a flawless masterpiece, but it’s a wicked entertaining, fast-paced experiment. If you want a book that guarantees your crew actually has something to debate at the next meetup instead of just nodding in agreement, put this one on the schedule.

BUY THIS BOOK