Book details
- Author: June Hur
- Release date: May 19, 2026
- Language: English
- Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Young Adult
About Behind Five Willows
From the New York Times-bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves comes a warm and romantic homage to Jane Austen set in historical Korea, about a reader and a writer who secretly fight against government book banning and find themselves irresistibly drawn together.
As the dutiful second-eldest daughter of a poor family, society would have Haewon believe that her only hope of a decent life is to marry well. But during a time of rampant government censorship and book banning, she instead works as an illegal book transcriber to make a little extra money. It’s dangerous work, but she loves it—especially when she gets to transcribe the work of her favorite author, known as Black Lotus.
When her older sister becomes smitten with a wealthy young gentleman, Haewon is roped into chaperoning them during their courtship. Which wouldn’t be so terrible... if it weren’t for the young man’s uptight and annoying best friend who also accompanies them.
As the only son of a noble, Seojun has a lot expected of him. Wealth. Status. Respectability. Certainly not frivolous and often illicit activities such as reading fiction. But Seojun loves to do something even more scandalous: writing. He’s kept his work secret from his father and friends, but with each passing day, the pressure of being his father’s son and the dispiriting actions of the government make Seojun question the purpose of it all. The only thing keeping him going are the encouraging letters he receives from his transcriber, known only as Magpie.
When his best friend falls hard for a girl of lower social status, Seojun finds himself forced to act as chaperone to the infatuated couple—along with the girl's younger sister, who is as irritating as she is judgmental. But as Haewon and Seojun spend more time together, they begin to suspect they may have judged each other too quickly...
Behind Five Willows FAQ
When is Behind Five Willows by June Hur coming out?
Behind Five Willows by June Hur is scheduled to be released on May 19, 2026.
What is the release date for Behind Five Willows?
The release date for Behind Five Willows is May 19, 2026.
What genre is Behind Five Willows?
Behind Five Willows is categorised as Contemporary, Fantasy, Young Adult.
How can I track Behind Five Willows?
Track Behind Five Willows on Next Chapter to get a reminder when it releases.
Release details last updated July 1, 2026.