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Cut Him Out in Little Stars: gorgeous 1940s YA teen romance from bestselling author Lucy Strange
Not yet published
Expected 27 Aug 26- GenresYoung Adult
334 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 27, 2026
About the author
Lucy Strange
20 books447 followersLucy Strange worked as an actor, singer and storyteller before becoming a secondary school English teacher. She now lives and writes in the heart of the Kent countryside with her partner James, their baby boy and a tortoiseshell cat known as Moo.
Our Castle by the Sea is Lucy’s second novel for children, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood.
Our Castle by the Sea is Lucy’s second novel for children, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a review copy from the publisher in preparation for a UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.
CUT HIM OUT IN LITTLE STARS is a stunning historical romance and mystery set on the Kentish coast around the Battle of Britain.
This book is part mystery, part romance. It's hard to pick which one is the bigger storyline (so I've decided to add it as a historical in my spreadsheet!) It's about grief and finding the strength to love again. It is just a gorgeous book that balances the mystery of what happened to the dead girl with a romance you fear is doomed because of the war.
There's such a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the book, that overwhelming feeling as a teen that means every emotion lands with such a punch. Then add in the existential dread of being in a war right in the place that will be the first place an army would land. All of this translates so well onto the page, sinking its claws into you.
As you might have guessed from the title, it takes some inspiration from Romeo and Juliet, but here Romeo may not be the person he claimed to be, and Juliet isn't dead either. It's more a stepping off point than anything else, and certainly not a retelling.
This is far from the only literary allusion in the book. It's full of poetry from the 18th and 19th centuries. Juliet finds great comfort in the emotions expressed by others as she goes through her own crises. I'm sure there was a lot of references I missed (if it wasn't explicit, I wasn't going to pick it up as I'm really not familiar with poetry!)
The book is set in a fictional place along the Kentish coast. This is the coast I know the best and I loved seeing it brought to life here. For me, Kent is one of the most magical places as I spent so much time there as a child (and still visit regularly) - particularly its historic places. This book manages to capture that history and magic, which made the "ghosts" of the house feel possible without breaking the realism of the setting.
CUT HIM OUT IN LITTLE STARS is a stunning historical romance and mystery set on the Kentish coast around the Battle of Britain.
This book is part mystery, part romance. It's hard to pick which one is the bigger storyline (so I've decided to add it as a historical in my spreadsheet!) It's about grief and finding the strength to love again. It is just a gorgeous book that balances the mystery of what happened to the dead girl with a romance you fear is doomed because of the war.
There's such a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the book, that overwhelming feeling as a teen that means every emotion lands with such a punch. Then add in the existential dread of being in a war right in the place that will be the first place an army would land. All of this translates so well onto the page, sinking its claws into you.
As you might have guessed from the title, it takes some inspiration from Romeo and Juliet, but here Romeo may not be the person he claimed to be, and Juliet isn't dead either. It's more a stepping off point than anything else, and certainly not a retelling.
This is far from the only literary allusion in the book. It's full of poetry from the 18th and 19th centuries. Juliet finds great comfort in the emotions expressed by others as she goes through her own crises. I'm sure there was a lot of references I missed (if it wasn't explicit, I wasn't going to pick it up as I'm really not familiar with poetry!)
The book is set in a fictional place along the Kentish coast. This is the coast I know the best and I loved seeing it brought to life here. For me, Kent is one of the most magical places as I spent so much time there as a child (and still visit regularly) - particularly its historic places. This book manages to capture that history and magic, which made the "ghosts" of the house feel possible without breaking the realism of the setting.
August 2, 2026
Set against the backdrop of wartime coastal Britain, Cut Him Out in Little Stars follows Juliet as she navigates love, loss, and a dark mystery following a sudden tragedy in her small seaside town. Highly recommended for fans of Elizabeth Wein’s WWII novels, as Lucy Strange writes with similar emotional depth, rich historical atmosphere, and compelling literary references.
I am always a sucker for a solid historical romance, and this one absolutely fit the bill. It strikes such a great balance between history, romance, and a tight mystery, while handling heavy themes like grief with a lot of care.
I would advise looking past the quick romance/insta love at the start. It serves as the main spark for the plot, and as things unravel, it completely makes sense, setting up some fantastic character growth as Juliet matures and comes into her own. The story does get a bit sappy in places, but it is YA, and the second half becomes very fast paced. I found myself listening to the audiobook every chance I got.
Lucy Strange thrives at creating an authentic setting, with a supporting cast that makes Fairlight Bay feel fully alive and immersive. I also loved the poetry excerpts woven throughout. Sparingly and wisely used, they add so much depth.
As for the audiobook, I would've never guessed the author narrated it herself! It was exceptionally well-delivered and beautifully performed from start to finish.
Thanks so much to the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I am always a sucker for a solid historical romance, and this one absolutely fit the bill. It strikes such a great balance between history, romance, and a tight mystery, while handling heavy themes like grief with a lot of care.
I would advise looking past the quick romance/insta love at the start. It serves as the main spark for the plot, and as things unravel, it completely makes sense, setting up some fantastic character growth as Juliet matures and comes into her own. The story does get a bit sappy in places, but it is YA, and the second half becomes very fast paced. I found myself listening to the audiobook every chance I got.
Lucy Strange thrives at creating an authentic setting, with a supporting cast that makes Fairlight Bay feel fully alive and immersive. I also loved the poetry excerpts woven throughout. Sparingly and wisely used, they add so much depth.
As for the audiobook, I would've never guessed the author narrated it herself! It was exceptionally well-delivered and beautifully performed from start to finish.
Thanks so much to the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this. Perfect blend of history and romance
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews