From the New York Times bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves and The Red Palace comes a historical romance set in the Joseon dynasty about forbidden books and those willing to risk their lives for their craft and each other. Behind Five Willows is a Jane Austen reimagining set during the Joseon dynasty following the story of Haewon, a young woman transcribing forbidden books and Seojun, an aloof and wealthy young man hiding his own literary secret. Their budding romance and different backgrounds force them to wrestle with questions of class, respectability, and the idea of carving out one's own destiny. Tensions are heightened when a literary censor at the Ministry of Justice uncovers Haewon's illicit transcribing, as well as the duo's connection and this threatens to expose Seojun's secret, which could have potentially fatal ramifications.