3.5⭐️

Such a lovely and cute story, I really felt the romantic K-drama vibes. I loved the time travel aspect as well; it really emphasized the repetition of "where the fireflies dwell". I wish it was longer to develop more of the relationships between the characters and some aspects didn't feel fully completed and the different timelines were a little hard to follow, but I appreciated the story for what it is. Wooju and Yunho were great to follow with the third person multiple point of views.

Where Fireflies Dwell by Samantha J. Won is totally an amazing book. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic and the storyline is immaculate.

Harry potter references in a book published in 2025 is not ok. DNF’d as soon as that reference came up in the first 10%. Especially in queer books it’s upsetting seeing this remain in a book after editing.

I really liked the concept for this book, but the storytelling just didn't really work for me so I DNFed it

Where Fireflies Dwell is a poignant and imaginative time-travel drama that blends K-drama flair with emotional depth and a touch of the fantastical. Samantha J. Won delivers a compelling story centered on Ri Yunho, a fallen Hallyu star who’s given a second chance to rewrite his past and uncover the truth behind his best friend’s betrayal.

The novel shines in its emotional resonance—exploring themes of friendship, regret, and redemption with sincerity. Yunho’s journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and the narrative does a great job of peeling back the layers of his trauma and growth. The time-travel element is handled with a light touch, serving more as a vehicle for character development than a complex sci-fi mechanism, which works well for the story’s tone.

Won’s writing is lyrical and cinematic, clearly influenced by her love for K-dramas and Studio Ghibli. The pacing is mostly strong, though the middle section drags slightly as the plot builds toward its climax. Some secondary characters could have used more depth, but the emotional payoff in the final chapters makes up for it.

Overall, Where Fireflies Dwell is a heartfelt and beautifully written debut that will resonate with fans of character-driven stories and Asian-inspired contemporary fantasy. A strong recommendation for readers who enjoy introspective journeys with a magical twist.