It's been a while since I've read a YA book. When the characters blushed, I blushed along with them too. The storyline was very cute as well as giving us some historical facts about the book ban of fiction and Catholicism in the Joseon period. It also describes some prejudice of North Koreans at the time, and distinction between classes - the rich, the middle and working classes. In this book, we follow Mistress Shin Haewon (Magpie) and Lord Yu Seojun (Black Lotus) who start off with a hateful relationship into a loving one. Haewon is a transcriber of books, and makes as many copies of books while she can. Seojun in a writer of fiction and soon decides to stop writing in case his family discovers and that they'll receive humiliation and disgrace from the Royal Kingdom. As both try to discover each-other and recognise both their strengths and weaknesses, they also try to protect each-other from their family's potential ruin by not revealing each-other's identity while an investigation is underway... Wished it was a tiny bit longer with the ending to talk about what happened to the Shin Sisters and Haewon's parents as well as Seojun's Sister... This is the first time I've read a K-drama like historical / romance, and it's also the first time I've read one of June Hur's books. I will definitely be reading the rest of her books! If you love K-dramas, you will definitely love this book! Thanks to Netgalley and Headline | Wildfire for this ARC!

Once again, it's been proven why i love reading books written by June. Her writing flows so easily and sucks me in straight away. I get transported back in time and get so lost in the storyline and characters that the real world fades away. This story was perfect for us book lovers. I found myself connecting with it in so many ways. Can we talk about the YEARNING?! Ugh. I'm a sucker for accidental touches and longing gazes. Hur always has us screaming for the interaction between her characters and this one didn't disappoint. Haewon is caring and not afraid to do what she loves. She will always protect her own and be understanding. Seojun has walls up and sticks to what society expects of him/what he's been taught but over the course of the book, we get to see those walls break down. Overall, i enjoyed this book and i'm so glad i got to read an early copy. Thank you so much June and netgalley for the opportunity.

Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own 'Behind Five Willows' is a historical romance by June Hur. First of all, I love how this author takes real historical events and turns them into novels, and this one was no exception. The story was intriguing, the characters lovable, and it was fresh and cute at the same time. My only let down was the ending that cut off the plot suddenly. Still, the writing style was enjoyable and the author managed to keep things thrilling till the very end.

I will do my best to not scream in caps lock, but I have to say that this is my book for the year 2026. I am a born and fully formed Jane Austen fan, and have read (and seen!) a lot of things connected to Jane Austen. A lot of books have tried to write their own version of «Pride and Prejudice», and many have done a good job. But. June Hur is hereby the queen. I have read and adored her previous books, but this one…WOW. She has done what every 30-something-k-drama-holic-girl has wanted and needed in her life since the beginning of k-drama. This book is the best tribute, re-telling (and still making it its own story) of an Austen novel. It's funny, it's heartbreaking, it's swoonworthy and just wonderful to read. I ate it all up, and I could feel June Hur loved Jane Austen as well. She has written something that stands on its own, and should be awarded as many awards as possible. I loved it and will read it again and again and again. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me give my honest feedback.

A beautiful and quiet reimagining of Pride and Prejudice set in Joseon-era Korea. The story follows Haewon, a poor girl who secretly copies books to survive, and Seojun, a wealthy noble who writes under a hidden name. Their relationship starts with the classic "enemies-to-lovers" tension as they chaperone their siblings, but it deepens through secret letters they write to each other as "Magpie" and "Black Lotus." It’s a lovely tribute to the power of stories and the courage it takes to write them during a time of strict censorship. The romance is a very slow burn, full of longing and small, meaningful moments that feel high-stakes because of the time period's strict social rules. Hur does a wonderful job of blending Austen’s wit with Korean history, making the setting feel both authentic and magical. The bond between Haewon and her sisters adds a lot of warmth, making the book feel just as much about family loyalty as it is about romantic love. The reason this is a four-star review rather than five is that the pacing is quite gentle and slow. If you are used to June Hur’s darker, fast-paced mysteries, this story might feel a bit too still at times. However, for readers who enjoy deep pining and historical atmosphere, it is a very charming and healing read. It’s a perfect pick for anyone who loves a "he falls first" trope mixed with a lush, historical setting. Thanks for the arc!