Before I say anything properly substantial, I must sing my praises and express my utter adoration of June Hur’s writing. She truly never disappoints! The only disappointing thing here is me writing this review so long (2 weeks?) after I finished reading this masterpiece (due to being sick and needing to write long, long final essays…) Behind Five Willows is a beautiful retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in the Joseon dynasty. While the romance between Haewon and Seojun is written beautifully, so is the world of the novel: Hur’s writing is vivid as usual, bringing the historical world of the novel alive in all its beauty and dangers. Hur’s work is additionally well-researched as usual, so the reader is bound to learn a new fact or two about the realities of book bans and fears of fiction under the rule of King Jeongjo in the late 18th century. I went into the book with very high expectations; I am something of a self-proclaimed June Hur fan and have been waiting for Behind Five Willows for a long, long time. Actually, it was still titled Adoration when I fell in love with Hur’s previous novels last year. I think it’s been established by now that my expectations were absolutely met, if not exceeded. Going into the book, I was however curious how it differently it would read from those previous novels since this is the first June Hur romance novel. Of course, she’s shown her abilities in constructing romantic storylines in the past, but this is the first time it was the main focus. It definitely felt healing after chapter 42 of A Crane Among Wolves so that dedication for us who suffered through is very appreciated. Before this review drags on too long, I want to draw the focus quickly to Yeonhee’s character. I feel quite a personal connection to Lydia in the original Jane Austen novel, but she is not necessarily viewed very positively by most readers. Yeonhee, naturally, is still a contradictory character that may not be the easiest to love, yet I love how much grace she was given (won’t say more not to spoil too much haha). Moreover, she seems to be a blend of both Lydia and Mary, which I found genius. The way that worked in the story felt so seamless and balanced out the character very well. To end with, I want to reiterate how much I loved Behind Five Willows. Whatever angle you are coming to this novel from (Jane Austen girlie, June Hur girlie, you have an interest in historical Korea, you simply love romance…), please give this book a chance! I trust you will not regret it, if you do.

A gorgeous, atmospheric and stunning retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I loved the leads, their secret identities and that they slowly fall for each other through letters first and then on their own. I enjoyed the historical context, the high stakes and the warmth of the romance. Five stars. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC.

Thank you to the publisher Headline for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book was so much more than simply a Pride and Prejudice retelling, this was a beautifully written and exquisite love story between two kindred souls. After turning the last page and reading the epilogue I feel like I have read a most satisfying love story, as this book has exceeded all of my expectations and then some. If you only add one book to your to read pile in 2026 I would encourage you to add this one. Haewon clearly loves her sisters Jade and Yeonhee and they her but it’s clear she feels stifled in the society in which they live, as women have few freedoms and liberties if any. Reading and transcribing novels was her only escape from a very rigid society that had banned novels, there are some similarities to the world in which we live in as censorship and book banning is very much prevalent. One of life’s greatest pleasures is to be lost in the pages of a good book, Haewon and Seojun clearly think so too. Seojun is clearly a young man weighed down by the pressures heaped upon him, I really felt for him as he and Haewon had a series of misunderstandings and the road for them both was paved with obstacles. These two were made for each other and I loved it whenever they were on the page together as sparks literally fly. I loved this book it was well written, I loved all the characters and quite simply everything about it. I’ve had some disappointing reads recently but this book was not one of them.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this opportunity to read the book. First of all, I have to say that I love the cover. From the moment I saw it, I knew I had to read it, as a k-drama lover. Second of all, I am glad I got the opportunity to read it, as it became a 5 star read. The yearning, the teasing, the historical details sprinkled in their story. From the first page, I could see the world the author created, I could hear their voices like I was there, with them. They felt so life-like and driven by desire, by rules, by emotions, by the society around them. I loved the history lesson at the end, where I learned more about the ban on fiction, and it broke my heart to see it written in the story, entwined with the characters. As a reader, I understood their love to read, the fear for their lives and families if they were caught, the uncertainty and anxiety of what would happen. Their romance was catching fire on the pages in front of me, and just like watching a k-drama and squealing at the moment they hold hands, I cheered for the moments where the sparks flew, be it from their back and forth bantering, the yearning in their words and actions, and the final chapters where it all settled. I loved the dynamic of the three sisters, where you could see them as family. Even when the youngest did what she did, while I felt angry at her actions, I understood her. Honestly, I might have not made a different choice if I were living in those times and were her age. All in all, I loved reading this book, living alongside the characters and cheering for their happy ending. I can't stop recommending it to anyone who asks me for recommendations, and I can't wait to have it physically in my hands.