Fireflies in a Jar

by Beka Wueste, Liz Pipher (Editor)

"Who are you, Sam?" Unfortunately for Sam, the answer a lonely, single, closeted, mid-thirties woman with no close friends and no romantic prospects who feels stalled in her own life. Entirely convinced that she is unworthy of love or happiness after surviving decades of emotional neglect and bullying, Sam knows she needs to make changes, but is held hostage by her own history, which complicates her attempts to take control and start her second act.



For most people it's the 2010's, but for Sam, it's 1991, 1997, 2004, or any other painful moment from her past. At any given moment, her memories rear up and seize her, paralyze her, force her to relive an endless loop of the worst times of her life. Sam's inability to come to terms with her past immobilizes her, leaving her isolated, unfulfilled and desperate for change while navigating past traumas and current family crises.



As Sam tries to change her own life for the better, her actions have unintended consequences across her family. 

Genres: Fiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

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) and “an explosive fictional debut… an emotional rollercoaster,” (-Reader Views) and whose second novel, “Fireflies in a Jar,” was welcomed as, “warm, funny, and quietly heartbreaking.” (-Midwest Book Review).

Her short story collection, “My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death,” received advance praise as, “An inherently fascinating and memorable read from cover to cover.” (-Midwest Book Review) and “lyrical and thoughtful… moving, imaginative, and unforgettable.” (- Readers’ Favorite)

She is also an award-winning visual artist who exhibits her visual work frequently in regional and national shows.


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.


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.

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is in a rut; she never expected life to be so lonely, but here she is in her mid-thirties, a closeted lesbian with no close relationships. After coming out to one of her college friends and embarrassingly revealing a crush on a woman who’s already married, her friends vow to help Sam with a life makeover. But before she can move forward, she has to go back to some agonizing memories of youth—being bullied, excluded, and feeling unloved by her parents. Will revisiting the past provide her with the answers Sam needs to end her loneliness and stagnancy?

Fireflies in a Jar by Beka Wueste is an engaging novel that explores Sam’s quest for fulfillment. Wueste’s writing is raw and honest, and it interweaves flashbacks into the plot, providing readers with Sam’s backstory that sheds light on why she has difficulty connecting with others. Themes of self-discovery, complicated family dynamics, and friendship pepper the pages.

While it was heartbreaking to be transported to Sam’s past, where she often felt emotionally neglected by her parents and excluded from her peers, it highlighted how negativity begets more negativity. Anyone who makes it a habit to practice gratitude and positivity knows that their thoughts can significantly impact how events unfold. By allowing past hurts to dictate her future, Sam was subconsciously sabotaging her happiness. Wueste shows that we always have a chance to change our trajectory, but it requires inner work and forcing ourselves out of our comfort zone.

We all know that you can’t pour from an empty cup, and it’s true. Because Sam spent most of her life worrying about what others thought of her, she neglected her own happiness. Without any hobbies or interests, Sam had nothing to motivate her. She was one-dimensional, so how could she possibly attract a partner when she had no idea what lit her up inside? I enjoyed experiencing her evolution as she explored diverse activities. It was a true testament to the fact that you can’t love others unless you first love yourself.

Beka Wueste’s Fireflies in a Jar will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven novels about embracing your truth. Much of Sam’s life has been about repressing her attraction to women and trying to fit the mold of what she thinks everyone expects of her, so much so that she has no sense of identity. If you love gritty books that prompt transformation, you don’t want to miss out on this one.