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Beka Wueste is an author whose debut novel, “The Unsent Letters of Lucy Prior,” earned praise as a “deeply introspective and emotionally resonant novel” (-Kirkus Reviews), a “captivating novel that explores a lifetime of love and emotional trauma… a poignant, heartfelt, and provocative read,” (BlueInk Review) and “an intricate and colorful tapestry of Lucy's life, using an unconventional narrative that invites readers to delve into her most profound feelings and emotions.” (Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews).
Born in Texas and raised in Virginia, Beka earned a B.A. in art history from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, and an M.A. in art history from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She is also an award-winning visual artist who exhibits her work frequently in regional and national shows.
An enthusiastic traveler, avid reader, nature lover, lifelong cinephile, and collector of music on vinyl, Beka
lives with her husband and their rescue Shiba Inu in Northern Virginia.
Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite
Is there any hope for a woman who thinks she is oatmeal in human form? Sam might not think so, but Em and Tali, the woman she was not-so-secretly crushing on, think so, and they are determined to help her see the best version of herself. That’s the jumping off point for Fireflies in a Jar. Sam has no idea who she is or what she wants from her life. She’s hard to get to know, in the closet and deeply insecure, which sounds like a tough read, but Beka Wueste has done a good job of making Sam relatable and likable. She’s earned her scars, thanks to neglectful parents and a bully of a sister who set the stage for how she saw herself and how she interacted with the world. Witnessing Sam’s journey to becoming the most authentic version of herself was a treat.
While reading Fireflies in a Jar, I genuinely felt really bad for Sam. She got a raw deal from her parents and her siblings, though in different ways, and it was the foundation for the withdrawn, closeted woman she became. Even though there is a lot of backstory, it paints an agonizing picture of her life before the Guy Fawkes celebration. Sam’s growth was slow, but Beka Wueste wrote it in a very realistic way that made me smile while I read her new adventures and experiences. Finding oneself isn’t easy, and I found myself rooting for Sam with every step forward she took, reclaiming her truth and herself.
