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In Little Stars
The powerful and emotional new novel from the million-copy bestselling author Linda Green
Two families divided by hate
A love that will not die.
Sylvie and Donna travel on the same train to work each day but have never spoken. Their families are on different sides of the bitter Brexit divide, although the tensions and arguments at home give them much in common.
What they don't know is that their eldest children, Rachid and Jodie, are about to meet for the first time and fall in love. Aware that neither family will approve, the teenagers vow to keep their romance a secret.
But as Sylvie's family feel increasingly unwelcome in England, a desire for a better life threatens Rachid and Jodie's relationship. Can their love unite their families - or will it end in tragedy?
Two families divided by hate
A love that will not die.
Sylvie and Donna travel on the same train to work each day but have never spoken. Their families are on different sides of the bitter Brexit divide, although the tensions and arguments at home give them much in common.
What they don't know is that their eldest children, Rachid and Jodie, are about to meet for the first time and fall in love. Aware that neither family will approve, the teenagers vow to keep their romance a secret.
But as Sylvie's family feel increasingly unwelcome in England, a desire for a better life threatens Rachid and Jodie's relationship. Can their love unite their families - or will it end in tragedy?
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2022
74 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Linda Green
81 books623 followersI was born in North London in 1970 and brought up in Hertfordshire. I wrote my first novella, the Time Machine, aged eight, shortly after which I declared that my ambition was to have a novel published (I could have been easy on myself and just said ‘to write a novel’ but no, I had to consign myself to years of torture and rejections). I was frequently asked to copy out my stories for the classroom wall (probably because my handwriting was so awful no one could read my first draft), and received lots of encouragement from my teachers Mr Roberts, Mrs Chandler (who added yet more pressure by writing in my autograph book when I left primary school that she looked forward to reading my first published novel!) and Mr Bird.
My first publication came when I was thirteen and my Ode to Gary Mabbutt won second prize in the Tottenham Weekly Herald ‘My Favourite Player’ competition. At fifteen I won the Junior Spurs Football Reporter of the Year Competition and got to report on a first division football match from the press box at White Hart Lane (I got lots of funny looks and none of the journalists spoke to me.)
At sixteen I embarked on ‘A’ levels and a journalism course at De Havilland College, Hertfordshire, and my college magazine interview about football hooliganism with local MP and football club chairman David Evans made a double page spread in Shoot! magazine (they never paid me) and back page headlines in several national newspapers (only a nice man at the Daily Star bothered to check the story with me).
I joined my local newspaper, the Enfield Gazette, as a trainee reporter at eighteen. During a ten year career in regional journalism I worked as a reporter on the Birmingham Daily News, news editor on the Birmingham Metro News and Chief Feature Writer on the Coventry Evening Telegraph, winning Highly Commended in the Feature Writer of the Year category of the 1997 Press Gazette Regional Press Awards.
I loved working on regional newspapers but by 1998 my features were getting too long and the urge to write a novel had become too great so I left my staff job to write my first novel and work as a freelance journalist. I have written for The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, The Times Educational Supplement, The Big Issue, Wanderlust and Community Care Magazine. I’ve also had a short story published in Best magazine
I found the writing and working from home a very solitary process so also worked as co-ordinator of the Birmingham Bureau of Children’s Express, a national charity which runs a learning through journalism programme for young people and taught journalism to schoolchildren for the National Academy of Writing. After I moved north in 2001 I qualified as an adult education tutor and taught creative writing classes to students aged between 18 and 82 for the Workers Educational Association across Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
After more than a hundred rejections from agents for my first novel (and more rewrites than I care to remember) I finally got an agent but still couldn’t get a publisher. I started work on my second novel I DID A BAD THING in 2003, finished the first draft and gave birth to my son Rohan in 2004, rewrote the novel and got a new agent in 2005, obtained a two-book deal with Headline Review in 2006.
I Did a Bad Thing was published in paperback in October 2007, made the top thirty official fiction bestsellers list (and number 3 in Tesco!) and has so far sold more than 77,000 copies. 10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love was published in paperback in March 2009, reached no 22 in the official fiction bestseller charts (and no 4 in Tesco) and has so far sold more than 80,000 copies. Both novels were also long-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Following the success of my first two novels I got another two-book deal from Headline Review, with Things I Wish I'd Known being the first of these. I am currently working on my fourth novel.
I enjoy travelling.
My first publication came when I was thirteen and my Ode to Gary Mabbutt won second prize in the Tottenham Weekly Herald ‘My Favourite Player’ competition. At fifteen I won the Junior Spurs Football Reporter of the Year Competition and got to report on a first division football match from the press box at White Hart Lane (I got lots of funny looks and none of the journalists spoke to me.)
At sixteen I embarked on ‘A’ levels and a journalism course at De Havilland College, Hertfordshire, and my college magazine interview about football hooliganism with local MP and football club chairman David Evans made a double page spread in Shoot! magazine (they never paid me) and back page headlines in several national newspapers (only a nice man at the Daily Star bothered to check the story with me).
I joined my local newspaper, the Enfield Gazette, as a trainee reporter at eighteen. During a ten year career in regional journalism I worked as a reporter on the Birmingham Daily News, news editor on the Birmingham Metro News and Chief Feature Writer on the Coventry Evening Telegraph, winning Highly Commended in the Feature Writer of the Year category of the 1997 Press Gazette Regional Press Awards.
I loved working on regional newspapers but by 1998 my features were getting too long and the urge to write a novel had become too great so I left my staff job to write my first novel and work as a freelance journalist. I have written for The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, The Times Educational Supplement, The Big Issue, Wanderlust and Community Care Magazine. I’ve also had a short story published in Best magazine
I found the writing and working from home a very solitary process so also worked as co-ordinator of the Birmingham Bureau of Children’s Express, a national charity which runs a learning through journalism programme for young people and taught journalism to schoolchildren for the National Academy of Writing. After I moved north in 2001 I qualified as an adult education tutor and taught creative writing classes to students aged between 18 and 82 for the Workers Educational Association across Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
After more than a hundred rejections from agents for my first novel (and more rewrites than I care to remember) I finally got an agent but still couldn’t get a publisher. I started work on my second novel I DID A BAD THING in 2003, finished the first draft and gave birth to my son Rohan in 2004, rewrote the novel and got a new agent in 2005, obtained a two-book deal with Headline Review in 2006.
I Did a Bad Thing was published in paperback in October 2007, made the top thirty official fiction bestsellers list (and number 3 in Tesco!) and has so far sold more than 77,000 copies. 10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love was published in paperback in March 2009, reached no 22 in the official fiction bestseller charts (and no 4 in Tesco) and has so far sold more than 80,000 copies. Both novels were also long-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Following the success of my first two novels I got another two-book deal from Headline Review, with Things I Wish I'd Known being the first of these. I am currently working on my fourth novel.
I enjoy travelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
December 10, 2023
It's rare that I don't write my review straight after finishing a book, as I like to get my thoughts out quickly and then move on to the next book.
However, this book needed some serious consideration.
I have loved Linda Green's books before, I don't even need to read the blurb. Her characters are wonderfully written, but she writes a compelling plot to combine them with.
That said, she has reached a whole new level in In Little Stars. I finished it on Friday night (early hours of Saturday) and still has me grabbed by the shoulders and consumed my waking thoughts ever since.
This has been dubbed a 'modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet', and whilst there are several similarities, this book deserves to be praised on its own merit. I did love the R and J names of Rachid and Jodie though. Cute.
The plot is so cleverly constructed- the families whose lives, unbeknownst to them, cross several times, and become forever linked. The reader has an incredible sense of foreboding and dread as the book progresses as it reaches the main event, and this is through the multiple POVs. The narrative and the text message conversations keep it flowing and keep the reader gripped and reading well into the night. I also loved the Yorkshire accents of the characters- made them so much more real.
The ending is incredible. I cried. No, I BAWLED. Whenever I stopped crying, the next page would set me off again. My heart has been blasted into a million pieces. The role of all the characters and the parts they play in the story shook me to my core. I was reading it in bed and had to leave the bedroom in case my sobs woke my sleeping fiance!
Aside from the wonderful characters and clever plot, are the real themes addressed by Green. It is set in the time of Brexit in Britain, and the racism that runs on the undercurrent of the book is brutally conveyed. It is painful to read, written to shock readers and highlight the attitudes of some people in Britain today. Green messaged me herself to say it 'pretty much destroyed her while writing it', and I can see why.
I would give it 100 stars if I could.
I have not been this affected by a book in years. It is one of my books of the year and will be difficult to beat. I genuinely feel like it has changed me as a person.
However, this book needed some serious consideration.
I have loved Linda Green's books before, I don't even need to read the blurb. Her characters are wonderfully written, but she writes a compelling plot to combine them with.
That said, she has reached a whole new level in In Little Stars. I finished it on Friday night (early hours of Saturday) and still has me grabbed by the shoulders and consumed my waking thoughts ever since.
This has been dubbed a 'modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet', and whilst there are several similarities, this book deserves to be praised on its own merit. I did love the R and J names of Rachid and Jodie though. Cute.
The plot is so cleverly constructed- the families whose lives, unbeknownst to them, cross several times, and become forever linked. The reader has an incredible sense of foreboding and dread as the book progresses as it reaches the main event, and this is through the multiple POVs. The narrative and the text message conversations keep it flowing and keep the reader gripped and reading well into the night. I also loved the Yorkshire accents of the characters- made them so much more real.
The ending is incredible. I cried. No, I BAWLED. Whenever I stopped crying, the next page would set me off again. My heart has been blasted into a million pieces. The role of all the characters and the parts they play in the story shook me to my core. I was reading it in bed and had to leave the bedroom in case my sobs woke my sleeping fiance!
Aside from the wonderful characters and clever plot, are the real themes addressed by Green. It is set in the time of Brexit in Britain, and the racism that runs on the undercurrent of the book is brutally conveyed. It is painful to read, written to shock readers and highlight the attitudes of some people in Britain today. Green messaged me herself to say it 'pretty much destroyed her while writing it', and I can see why.
I would give it 100 stars if I could.
I have not been this affected by a book in years. It is one of my books of the year and will be difficult to beat. I genuinely feel like it has changed me as a person.
November 11, 2022
This has all the stars and more from me.
If there was ever a book that had a moral to a story, this is it!
If there was ever a book that held a message for us all, this is it!
Two families.
Both sides of Brexit and how that affected certain people.
A Muslim family and a white family.
The differences couldn’t have been any clearer than this.
Each morning both Mothers are on the same train to work each day. Neither know each other.
Their lives unknowingly become intertwined.
This is a love story. A story within a story.
A love story like no other.
These are two Mothers with parental deep heartfelt love.
Yet, some people in this world love to hate. Some hate to love.
Some like to protest quietly, others just join in for the provocation they can stir up.
Some parents do not realise how their examples or words they use or reactions behind closed doors can be replicated through offspring, then reap the un rewards that brings and the trouble.
Which made me think, why do some think that because we look different, sound different or not of the same faith or skin have the right to harm others? We are all human.
Flowers grow in many colours, give off many scents, they are beautiful and so are we in any form, in any colour in any faith etc
Seeing this book was based on events and the authors thoughts and realism of facts I think this hit home to me more.
It’s hard to Stand Up.
It’s harder to carry guilt if you see someone being attacked. Our instinct is to not get involved for many reasons, our own safety, our fear, our “turning a blind eye”. Then, it’s on the news.
You did nothing.
What then?
An absolutely stunning gut wrenching tear breaker. I dare you not to cry somewhere in this book.
I dare you not to be completely compelled to Stand Up.
If there was ever a book that had a moral to a story, this is it!
If there was ever a book that held a message for us all, this is it!
Two families.
Both sides of Brexit and how that affected certain people.
A Muslim family and a white family.
The differences couldn’t have been any clearer than this.
Each morning both Mothers are on the same train to work each day. Neither know each other.
Their lives unknowingly become intertwined.
This is a love story. A story within a story.
A love story like no other.
These are two Mothers with parental deep heartfelt love.
Yet, some people in this world love to hate. Some hate to love.
Some like to protest quietly, others just join in for the provocation they can stir up.
Some parents do not realise how their examples or words they use or reactions behind closed doors can be replicated through offspring, then reap the un rewards that brings and the trouble.
Which made me think, why do some think that because we look different, sound different or not of the same faith or skin have the right to harm others? We are all human.
Flowers grow in many colours, give off many scents, they are beautiful and so are we in any form, in any colour in any faith etc
Seeing this book was based on events and the authors thoughts and realism of facts I think this hit home to me more.
It’s hard to Stand Up.
It’s harder to carry guilt if you see someone being attacked. Our instinct is to not get involved for many reasons, our own safety, our fear, our “turning a blind eye”. Then, it’s on the news.
You did nothing.
What then?
An absolutely stunning gut wrenching tear breaker. I dare you not to cry somewhere in this book.
I dare you not to be completely compelled to Stand Up.
August 29, 2022
Sylvie and Donna travel on the same train to work each day but have never spoken. Their families are on different sides of the Brexit divide, although the tension and arguments at home give them much in common. /what they don't know is that their eldest children, Rachid and Jodie, are about to meet for the first time and fall in love. Aware that neither family will approve, the teenagers vow to keep their romance a secret. But as Sylvie's family feel increasingly unwelcome in England, a desire for a better life threatens Rachid and Jodie's relationship.
This story is thought provoking, raises some difficult issues, and it had me shedding big fat tears. The story is centered around Brexit, relationships and politics. It's told from multiple points of view and loosely mirroring /romeo and Juliet but with racism, prejudice, love and tragedy. This is an emotional and beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time. In the authors note we learn of the inspiration for this story, This is one of the best books that I've read this year.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #QuercusBooks and the author #LindaGreen for my ARC of #InLittleStars in exchange for an honest review.
This story is thought provoking, raises some difficult issues, and it had me shedding big fat tears. The story is centered around Brexit, relationships and politics. It's told from multiple points of view and loosely mirroring /romeo and Juliet but with racism, prejudice, love and tragedy. This is an emotional and beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time. In the authors note we learn of the inspiration for this story, This is one of the best books that I've read this year.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #QuercusBooks and the author #LindaGreen for my ARC of #InLittleStars in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2025
Told mainly from the perspectives of four key characters – Jodie, Donna, Rachid and Sylvie – this story is about love and hate, a modern-day take on Romeo and Juliet.
Rachid is part of a Muslim family - his father is strict Muslim and his mother French. His father wants his children to be reared as Muslims but becomes very disillusioned with the UK when despite living and working here for many years, Brexit threatens to heap problems upon them all. Rachid is determined to follow his love of music and resents that his sister is so strictly contained within the family, unable to mix as her peers do.
Jodie is opinionated and independent. She wants to follow a fashion course - she is supported by her Mum, but not so much her Dad who she considers to be a racist, along with her grandfather and her brother Sam whose attitudes to race and religion are verging on xenophobic.
Rachid and Jodie meet on the train on the way to college one morning and the attraction is immediate. Their relationship has to be a secret as their families would both disapprove.
Rachid is part of a Muslim family - his father is strict Muslim and his mother French. His father wants his children to be reared as Muslims but becomes very disillusioned with the UK when despite living and working here for many years, Brexit threatens to heap problems upon them all. Rachid is determined to follow his love of music and resents that his sister is so strictly contained within the family, unable to mix as her peers do.
Jodie is opinionated and independent. She wants to follow a fashion course - she is supported by her Mum, but not so much her Dad who she considers to be a racist, along with her grandfather and her brother Sam whose attitudes to race and religion are verging on xenophobic.
Rachid and Jodie meet on the train on the way to college one morning and the attraction is immediate. Their relationship has to be a secret as their families would both disapprove.
February 14, 2023
Linda Green's In Little Stars is a contemporary novel that focuses on two families who are on separate ends of the Brexit divide.
It reads like a typical bittersweet family drama, reminiscent of the classics tropes from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' and heightened by the political turmoil of Brexit.
There are multiple plots happening—a teenage love story, an aching tale on immigration, the struggles of motherhood, female marginalization, but among all of that, what I found most interesting is the plotline of a young boy actively being groomed into far-right extremism. It's a very jarring and heavy topic to gradually occur in the background of two teenagers falling in love and two mothers holding their families together, but it's a realistic point Linda Green makes—this happens all the time, and people around these children think it's just a child having fun, until it isn't.
The book does bring up interesting and valid points on what it is like to be an immigrant, especially if you are a POC. In dealing with these issues, it shows the more personal side of the political, focusing on familial dynamics rather than large-scale events.
As a Filipino who literally has Marcos-supporting relatives and/or OFWs in the family (which let's be real, every Filipino does), some parts of the book hit too close to home. Having family members who avidly go against your own values and feeling like you don't belong because of how you talk or look are the two main problems the two mothers in the story, Sylvie and Donna, respectively face. Both are painful and heartbreakingly difficult situations to be in, and the novel portrays that quite well.
The last one-third of the novel really elevates the entire thing. It's a full confrontation on the griefs and terrors of this world. I don't want to explain too much as I believe coming into that section unspoiled is the most powerful way to experience Linda Green's story.
That being said, I wish it held a stronger critique against all of the sociopolitical issues it deals with. I understand that it's a part of the storyline for the characters to be so subservient to the society around them, but there was so much more that it could have touched on, which would have made a more effective impact. The story felt like it was holding back, especially with the gravity of the last pages. There was a lot left unfulfilled for me.
It reads like a typical bittersweet family drama, reminiscent of the classics tropes from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' and heightened by the political turmoil of Brexit.
There are multiple plots happening—a teenage love story, an aching tale on immigration, the struggles of motherhood, female marginalization, but among all of that, what I found most interesting is the plotline of a young boy actively being groomed into far-right extremism. It's a very jarring and heavy topic to gradually occur in the background of two teenagers falling in love and two mothers holding their families together, but it's a realistic point Linda Green makes—this happens all the time, and people around these children think it's just a child having fun, until it isn't.
The book does bring up interesting and valid points on what it is like to be an immigrant, especially if you are a POC. In dealing with these issues, it shows the more personal side of the political, focusing on familial dynamics rather than large-scale events.
As a Filipino who literally has Marcos-supporting relatives and/or OFWs in the family (which let's be real, every Filipino does), some parts of the book hit too close to home. Having family members who avidly go against your own values and feeling like you don't belong because of how you talk or look are the two main problems the two mothers in the story, Sylvie and Donna, respectively face. Both are painful and heartbreakingly difficult situations to be in, and the novel portrays that quite well.
The last one-third of the novel really elevates the entire thing. It's a full confrontation on the griefs and terrors of this world. I don't want to explain too much as I believe coming into that section unspoiled is the most powerful way to experience Linda Green's story.
That being said, I wish it held a stronger critique against all of the sociopolitical issues it deals with. I understand that it's a part of the storyline for the characters to be so subservient to the society around them, but there was so much more that it could have touched on, which would have made a more effective impact. The story felt like it was holding back, especially with the gravity of the last pages. There was a lot left unfulfilled for me.
September 22, 2022
In Little Stars is a poignant story about love and hate.
It's so real it's scary, it's set in Englad but it could have been set wherever in the World because unfortunately the far-right and racist are raising their sh*tty heads everywhere.
Jodie and Rachid meets on the train to college and they fall in love. Their love is the one of the fairy tales, they are sweet and attentive, but they have to keep their relationship a secret because they come from families that wouldn't support their love. Jodie's father and brother are racist, while Rachid's father is muslim. Everything goes well until Rachid's family decides to go back to France, because after Brexit England doesn't let them feel welcome anymore, will they find a way to stay together? Or will they be separated for ever?
Linda Green beautifully told the story of these two different families at times of Brexit, her writing was so gripping I couldn't put the book down until the end.
I liked to read the two young lovers pov and also their mothers’, the four of them give a deeper feel to the story, that result in a more compelling read.
I especially appreciated how the author depicted Sylvie and Donna, these two mothers that do everything they can to protect their families, they even overlook their dear ones flaws in order to keep their families together.
I recommend to read this book because it's a must read but I also want to warn you that at the end of the novel my eyes hurt because I have cried too much.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
February 8, 2023
I received a gifted ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Quercus Books.
In Little Stars is one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking reads I think I've ever read. This is so beautifully written and is a modern day Romeo and Juliet story that is hard to put down. We follow Donna and Sylvie, two women from different families who travel on the same train to work daily but have never spoken to one another. These two women have a lot in common in the sense of arguments at home, family problems etc. Yet they have very differing views on the brexit divide. Sylvie and her family are Muslims and feel more and more unwelcome living in the UK. Donna and Sylvies two eldest children meet and fall in love but they have to hide it and keep it a secret as both are very aware that their families will not understand or approve of their relationship. There are some difficult but current topics within this book (racism and prejudice being two main ones) and some heartwarming moments too. I definitely suggest having a box of tissues at the ready. The story is told from multiple POV and is very cleverly woven together. I felt for each character I different ways and it's really opened my mind on so many levels. Definitely give this book a read, you won't be disappointed!
In Little Stars is one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking reads I think I've ever read. This is so beautifully written and is a modern day Romeo and Juliet story that is hard to put down. We follow Donna and Sylvie, two women from different families who travel on the same train to work daily but have never spoken to one another. These two women have a lot in common in the sense of arguments at home, family problems etc. Yet they have very differing views on the brexit divide. Sylvie and her family are Muslims and feel more and more unwelcome living in the UK. Donna and Sylvies two eldest children meet and fall in love but they have to hide it and keep it a secret as both are very aware that their families will not understand or approve of their relationship. There are some difficult but current topics within this book (racism and prejudice being two main ones) and some heartwarming moments too. I definitely suggest having a box of tissues at the ready. The story is told from multiple POV and is very cleverly woven together. I felt for each character I different ways and it's really opened my mind on so many levels. Definitely give this book a read, you won't be disappointed!
February 6, 2023
Tragic, beautiful, and incredibly heart-wrenching!
In Little Stars is a poignant, pensive, emotionally-charged novel that takes you into the lives of a handful of people, including the families of eighteen-year-old Jodi and seventeen-year-old Rachid, as their worlds become irrevocably changed and shattered one fall day when a violent, fatal attack driven by ignorance leaves some devastated by loss, some overwhelmingly consumed with guilt, and some haunted and struggling to understand how to prevent these horrifying seeds of hatred from being able to blossom.
The prose is sobering and expressive. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are complex, consumed, and authentic. And the plot is an exceptionally absorbing tale of life, loss, family, friendship, grief, guilt, denial, secrets, heartache, parenthood, prejudice, violence, and interracial teenage love.
Overall, In Little Stars made me think, made me cry, and resonated with me long after I turned the final page. It’s an enthralling, impactful, hopeful story by Green that interwove exceptional character development with a bittersweet, immersive, heartbreaking love story, all steeped in an abundance of pain and tragedy.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In Little Stars is a poignant, pensive, emotionally-charged novel that takes you into the lives of a handful of people, including the families of eighteen-year-old Jodi and seventeen-year-old Rachid, as their worlds become irrevocably changed and shattered one fall day when a violent, fatal attack driven by ignorance leaves some devastated by loss, some overwhelmingly consumed with guilt, and some haunted and struggling to understand how to prevent these horrifying seeds of hatred from being able to blossom.
The prose is sobering and expressive. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are complex, consumed, and authentic. And the plot is an exceptionally absorbing tale of life, loss, family, friendship, grief, guilt, denial, secrets, heartache, parenthood, prejudice, violence, and interracial teenage love.
Overall, In Little Stars made me think, made me cry, and resonated with me long after I turned the final page. It’s an enthralling, impactful, hopeful story by Green that interwove exceptional character development with a bittersweet, immersive, heartbreaking love story, all steeped in an abundance of pain and tragedy.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2023
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
This book was definitely be hit or miss for most that read it. And that's not to say the book isn't well-written - because it most definitely is.. I think the subject matter may be difficult for some.
The author did an amazing job with the world building and character development in this book. Regardless to whether you end up hating or loving each character, you'll truly feel like you know them after reading this book - based on the character development alone.
This is a love story between Rachid and Jodie.. Rachid is muslim, Jodie is not. Jodie's father and brothers have pretty strong feelings about this relationship .... because they are racist.. From that alone, I'm sure you can gather the struggles Rachid and Jodie are to face if they want their relationship to last.
I will say this book was raw and emotional. I'll definitely check out others by this author as well.
This book was definitely be hit or miss for most that read it. And that's not to say the book isn't well-written - because it most definitely is.. I think the subject matter may be difficult for some.
The author did an amazing job with the world building and character development in this book. Regardless to whether you end up hating or loving each character, you'll truly feel like you know them after reading this book - based on the character development alone.
This is a love story between Rachid and Jodie.. Rachid is muslim, Jodie is not. Jodie's father and brothers have pretty strong feelings about this relationship .... because they are racist.. From that alone, I'm sure you can gather the struggles Rachid and Jodie are to face if they want their relationship to last.
I will say this book was raw and emotional. I'll definitely check out others by this author as well.
September 7, 2022
First of all thank you to Quercus Books and Linda Green for kindly gifting me this eARC through NetGalley.
This book was incredible, it affected me on emotional level. I loved how it was a modern day Romeo and Juliet story and how it was written around Brexit which was an incredible concept. It was meaningful, it was eye opening and although, it touched some difficult and rather hard matters to digest, it was balanced with British humour and things I could most certainly envisage in every day life. I 100% recommend this book to anybody! I'm a Teenager and although, this might not be targeted at my age group, I loved it regardless.
This book was incredible, it affected me on emotional level. I loved how it was a modern day Romeo and Juliet story and how it was written around Brexit which was an incredible concept. It was meaningful, it was eye opening and although, it touched some difficult and rather hard matters to digest, it was balanced with British humour and things I could most certainly envisage in every day life. I 100% recommend this book to anybody! I'm a Teenager and although, this might not be targeted at my age group, I loved it regardless.
February 10, 2023
Nothing prepared me for the emotional punch this extraordinary novel delivered. A stunning portrayal of two families in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. Normally, I would shy away from any stories written around this subject but the blurb on this one drew me in somehow. Linda Green has captured the humanity around the fallout of such a tumultuous moment in British history, by following the ordinary days of two families and their random intersection with each other. In Little Stars is a story of family, of heartbreak, of love, of first love, of differences that can tear people apart if allowed; but essentially this is a story about humanity, how we can make a difference by doing little things to change attitudes, to help a fellow human out in times of trouble. In Little Stars and its message will remain with me for a very long time. I have learned valuable lessons from this story. Honestly, I would give this six stars if I could. My tissue box is empty. So emotional. An essential read.
August 19, 2023
Sadly this one isn't for me at all.....I wasn't aware it was a wokey type tale at all when I bought it. Then when I saw the quote from Jo Cox at the start I just rolled my eyes......I don't go along with slinging open our borders to half the world, I'm afraid, and I was a fervent Brexiteer !! However, I still considered giving it a chance. But as I've referred to before she sets her stories up north and persists in writing "northern" and how they speak constantly dropping the from sentences.....so we get 'in street' or 'on safe' or 'down pit.' There's really no need for it and it just detracts and distracts from the story for me altogether. I finally packed it in at only 11%.
Authors set books from all over the place but don't write in the particular accents so nobody has a clue what they mean. Only one I can think of in recent years I've picked up. I think it was Brian McGilloway, who set his in Northern Ireland, I believe...(it's been a while)......and I had to pack that set of stories in for the same reason.
I have read 3 by this author before this one. Two were 5* but one 3* so she's a little bit hot and cold for me, anyway. I think I will call it a day with this one, however.
Authors set books from all over the place but don't write in the particular accents so nobody has a clue what they mean. Only one I can think of in recent years I've picked up. I think it was Brian McGilloway, who set his in Northern Ireland, I believe...(it's been a while)......and I had to pack that set of stories in for the same reason.
I have read 3 by this author before this one. Two were 5* but one 3* so she's a little bit hot and cold for me, anyway. I think I will call it a day with this one, however.
March 19, 2023
Such a compelling read. Poignant and thought provoking.
February 10, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'In Little Stars' by Linda Green
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Linda Green and Quercus
Publication date 6th September 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its interesting cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A modern day Romeo and Juliet, set against a divided northern England, In Little Stars is a brave and poignant story about love and hope, loss and hate and how the smallest choices we make can change everything.' I am a fan of Romeo and Julietso am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Quercus. I have yet to read a book published by Quercus that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a 49 chapters and an epilogue set over 5 parts. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Leeds, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.I have actually holidayed in England many time so am intrigued to see if I recognise places based on anywhere I visited while there.
This book is written in first person perspective and the protagonists are Sylvie Mastour, Rachid Mastour, Jodie Cuthbert and Donna Cuthbert. The benefits of books written in first person perspective with multiple protagonists are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
'In Little Stars' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Linda discusses/includes racial abuse and racially motivated violence.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heart-breaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with love, hate, romance, heartbreak, anger, racism, hate crime, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship and so much more. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read and I was questioning myself and thinking throughout this heart-breaking storyline. The saddest thing about this book is that the storyline is realistic and in fact based on something that tragically did happen. The fact that there is so much hate crime and racial abuse happening daily is absolutely sickening. I used to volunteer with victim support and it was absolutely disgraceful how much hate crime was being reported. It is one of the things that disgust me about the UK and everything that happened during, before and after Brexit was horrendous. So many people used it as an excuse to abuse and threaten anyone that didn't have the same colour skin or religion or race as them and the saddest thing is that it was not even that surprising and as if that is what the government wanted to happen when everything Brexit started. The only time I have seen anything like this happen is when I was having a date night in Gloucester and seen a drunk verbal man telling a family I believed to be Muslim to go home and I told him they had more right to be there than people like him. The fact that this family has small children and yet this person still felt the need to verbally abuse them just makes me so annoyed and sickened. There is absolutely no excuse for racism of any kind for any reason. This book does make you consider what you or others would do in Donna's position? Personally, I know I would have done something as I could not stand by and let it happen. However, if I had had my children with me and seen something similar happen I would seriously not know as it would be putting my children in harms way but I would have told the guard and phoned the police. The storyline is stunning and a book that I genuinely should be in every educational environment and put on the curriculum as it definitely a modern day Romeo and Juliet but one with a more important message and with more merit. I thought the similarities with the names Jodie and Rachid (R & J) was a cute idea! Linda has done an absolutely amazing job of weaving these modern day issues into a modern day storyline and I think Brexit is a perfect situation/example to use. This book is one of those that will stay with me for a very long time, if not forever! The fact that Linda has done her research absolutely shines through so a huge congratulations Linda! One of my pet hates is when authors don't research their topics and then the book is littered with unnecessary mistakes which can spoil the story for me. Linda has done an absolutely fantastic job of creating this storyline where the characters in both families cross lives on several occasion unbeknownst to them. The multiple narrative brings the story to life along with the descriptions and ensures the reader can see everything that is going on and what the characters are thinking and feeling. The fact that it is told not just from Jodie and Rachid's perspectives but also their mother's was a very clever idea and it shows us that one person's actions can affect so many people and for so many different reasons. I will talk about the characters more shortly. When I was reading this book I could feel my heartbeat speeding up as I was getting a dark sense of foreboding the deeper into the book I got and I ended up with tears streaming down my face so make sure you get those tissues ready!! It is one of those books that I just simply could not put down and I walked around everywhere with my kindle and the book. Every chapter ended in a way that I had to know what was going to happen next and then it would move on to the next character and do the same so i blew through this in one sitting. The way Linda has written the character's narrative made me hear their accents through the book as she had written it with their accents (hopefully that makes sense)! Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and anger and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it in kindle every chance that I got. I was completely mind blown at the end. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down. There are some tough topics are explored with realism and sensitivity, that all culminated in a very gripping and powerful page turner. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and although it could be a difficult read at times with emotions running high I would seriously recommend it to anyone and everyone!!
This may be the first book I have read by Linda but I cannot wait to get hold of more books by this extremely talented author. It is one of the most stunning and thought provoking book that I have ever read and one that will stay with me for years if not forever! This book teaches us all that we can be better people and help others. AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!
The characters were all very strong and realistic and Linda's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. My heart went out to each of the main protagonists for different reasons. The first protagonist that we meet is Sylvie. Sylvie is French and is married to Bilal who is Muslim along with their children Rachid and Amina. Bilal is very strict when it comes to his Muslim religion and what his children can and cannot do and who they should and should not see. Bilal believes that Rachid should only have a relationship with another Muslim so when Rachid falls in love with Jodie who is white and not a Muslim Rachid and Jodie keep it secret. Rachid and Amina think their father is a hypocrite as their mum is French and not a Muslim and that he has another secret that means Rachid does not think he should be able to criticise what he does. Sylvie can see her children's points of view and tries to get Bilal to change some of the things that he originally stopped them doing such as parties. My heart went out to Sylvie who feels she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. She feels that she cannot help her children as she is not of the same faith as them and has been told my Amina that she would not understand. Sylvie is a lovely woman who is so loving and forgiving and try's to please her husband and children. This family feels unwelcome in the place they have lived for many years and start considering leaving to go back to France. The next character we meet is Donna. Donna is married to Neil and their children are Jodie and Sam. Jodie and Sam are like chalk and cheese and have completely different morals. Sam follows in the footsteps of his farther Nail and Neil's father who are both racist and make derogatory comments towards anyone who is not like them throughout the book. Sam gets suspended from school along with his cousin Tyler who seems to go along with everything Sam does. Jodie is the complete opposite and absolutely hates how her father and brother speaks to and about others and goes to anti-Brexit marches where she gets abused for being a "traitor". Donna is constantly in the middle of both Jodie and Sam and Jodie and Neill who constantly argue and fight. My heart goes out to her as she disagrees with what her husband, father in law and son think and is stuck in the middle of them all. Donna and Sylvie have so much in common with the same family problems and both their children keeping secrets and hiding their romance. My heart also went out to Amina who was completely innocent in everything that happened and is stuck between keeping her brother's secrets and helping after everything that happens. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but Linda has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Linda!!!
Congratulations Linda in an absolutely gorgeous, heart-breaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! Welcome to my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heart-breaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Women's Friendship Fiction, Women's Contemporary Fiction, Women's Writers & Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Modern Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Romance Fiction, amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Romeo and Juliet, Jodi Picoult, Nicolas Sparks, you, your friends, your family, your neighbours and absolutely everybody and anybody!!!!! What are you waiting for??? Grab your copy now!!!
464 pages.
This book is just £6.99 to purchase and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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Review for 'In Little Stars' by Linda Green
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Linda Green and Quercus
Publication date 6th September 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its interesting cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A modern day Romeo and Juliet, set against a divided northern England, In Little Stars is a brave and poignant story about love and hope, loss and hate and how the smallest choices we make can change everything.' I am a fan of Romeo and Julietso am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Quercus. I have yet to read a book published by Quercus that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a 49 chapters and an epilogue set over 5 parts. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Leeds, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.I have actually holidayed in England many time so am intrigued to see if I recognise places based on anywhere I visited while there.
This book is written in first person perspective and the protagonists are Sylvie Mastour, Rachid Mastour, Jodie Cuthbert and Donna Cuthbert. The benefits of books written in first person perspective with multiple protagonists are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
'In Little Stars' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Linda discusses/includes racial abuse and racially motivated violence.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heart-breaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with love, hate, romance, heartbreak, anger, racism, hate crime, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship and so much more. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read and I was questioning myself and thinking throughout this heart-breaking storyline. The saddest thing about this book is that the storyline is realistic and in fact based on something that tragically did happen. The fact that there is so much hate crime and racial abuse happening daily is absolutely sickening. I used to volunteer with victim support and it was absolutely disgraceful how much hate crime was being reported. It is one of the things that disgust me about the UK and everything that happened during, before and after Brexit was horrendous. So many people used it as an excuse to abuse and threaten anyone that didn't have the same colour skin or religion or race as them and the saddest thing is that it was not even that surprising and as if that is what the government wanted to happen when everything Brexit started. The only time I have seen anything like this happen is when I was having a date night in Gloucester and seen a drunk verbal man telling a family I believed to be Muslim to go home and I told him they had more right to be there than people like him. The fact that this family has small children and yet this person still felt the need to verbally abuse them just makes me so annoyed and sickened. There is absolutely no excuse for racism of any kind for any reason. This book does make you consider what you or others would do in Donna's position? Personally, I know I would have done something as I could not stand by and let it happen. However, if I had had my children with me and seen something similar happen I would seriously not know as it would be putting my children in harms way but I would have told the guard and phoned the police. The storyline is stunning and a book that I genuinely should be in every educational environment and put on the curriculum as it definitely a modern day Romeo and Juliet but one with a more important message and with more merit. I thought the similarities with the names Jodie and Rachid (R & J) was a cute idea! Linda has done an absolutely amazing job of weaving these modern day issues into a modern day storyline and I think Brexit is a perfect situation/example to use. This book is one of those that will stay with me for a very long time, if not forever! The fact that Linda has done her research absolutely shines through so a huge congratulations Linda! One of my pet hates is when authors don't research their topics and then the book is littered with unnecessary mistakes which can spoil the story for me. Linda has done an absolutely fantastic job of creating this storyline where the characters in both families cross lives on several occasion unbeknownst to them. The multiple narrative brings the story to life along with the descriptions and ensures the reader can see everything that is going on and what the characters are thinking and feeling. The fact that it is told not just from Jodie and Rachid's perspectives but also their mother's was a very clever idea and it shows us that one person's actions can affect so many people and for so many different reasons. I will talk about the characters more shortly. When I was reading this book I could feel my heartbeat speeding up as I was getting a dark sense of foreboding the deeper into the book I got and I ended up with tears streaming down my face so make sure you get those tissues ready!! It is one of those books that I just simply could not put down and I walked around everywhere with my kindle and the book. Every chapter ended in a way that I had to know what was going to happen next and then it would move on to the next character and do the same so i blew through this in one sitting. The way Linda has written the character's narrative made me hear their accents through the book as she had written it with their accents (hopefully that makes sense)! Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and anger and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it in kindle every chance that I got. I was completely mind blown at the end. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down. There are some tough topics are explored with realism and sensitivity, that all culminated in a very gripping and powerful page turner. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and although it could be a difficult read at times with emotions running high I would seriously recommend it to anyone and everyone!!
This may be the first book I have read by Linda but I cannot wait to get hold of more books by this extremely talented author. It is one of the most stunning and thought provoking book that I have ever read and one that will stay with me for years if not forever! This book teaches us all that we can be better people and help others. AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!
The characters were all very strong and realistic and Linda's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. My heart went out to each of the main protagonists for different reasons. The first protagonist that we meet is Sylvie. Sylvie is French and is married to Bilal who is Muslim along with their children Rachid and Amina. Bilal is very strict when it comes to his Muslim religion and what his children can and cannot do and who they should and should not see. Bilal believes that Rachid should only have a relationship with another Muslim so when Rachid falls in love with Jodie who is white and not a Muslim Rachid and Jodie keep it secret. Rachid and Amina think their father is a hypocrite as their mum is French and not a Muslim and that he has another secret that means Rachid does not think he should be able to criticise what he does. Sylvie can see her children's points of view and tries to get Bilal to change some of the things that he originally stopped them doing such as parties. My heart went out to Sylvie who feels she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. She feels that she cannot help her children as she is not of the same faith as them and has been told my Amina that she would not understand. Sylvie is a lovely woman who is so loving and forgiving and try's to please her husband and children. This family feels unwelcome in the place they have lived for many years and start considering leaving to go back to France. The next character we meet is Donna. Donna is married to Neil and their children are Jodie and Sam. Jodie and Sam are like chalk and cheese and have completely different morals. Sam follows in the footsteps of his farther Nail and Neil's father who are both racist and make derogatory comments towards anyone who is not like them throughout the book. Sam gets suspended from school along with his cousin Tyler who seems to go along with everything Sam does. Jodie is the complete opposite and absolutely hates how her father and brother speaks to and about others and goes to anti-Brexit marches where she gets abused for being a "traitor". Donna is constantly in the middle of both Jodie and Sam and Jodie and Neill who constantly argue and fight. My heart goes out to her as she disagrees with what her husband, father in law and son think and is stuck in the middle of them all. Donna and Sylvie have so much in common with the same family problems and both their children keeping secrets and hiding their romance. My heart also went out to Amina who was completely innocent in everything that happened and is stuck between keeping her brother's secrets and helping after everything that happens. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but Linda has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Linda!!!
Congratulations Linda in an absolutely gorgeous, heart-breaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! Welcome to my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heart-breaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Women's Friendship Fiction, Women's Contemporary Fiction, Women's Writers & Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Modern Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Romance Fiction, amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Romeo and Juliet, Jodi Picoult, Nicolas Sparks, you, your friends, your family, your neighbours and absolutely everybody and anybody!!!!! What are you waiting for??? Grab your copy now!!!
464 pages.
This book is just £6.99 to purchase and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#InLittleStars #LindaGreen #Quercus #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #NetGalley #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger
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January 19, 2023
This was so tragic and powerful
August 20, 2022
Right, soooo not to be dramatic, but get this on your TBRs immediately! WHAT. A. BOOK.
This story follows two families, residing in Northern England, each on either side of the brexit divide. Two mothers, Sylvia and Donna, are both struggling to keep their respective families unified and as tensions rise at home, both miss the signs that their children Rachid and Jodie are falling in love. Due to their differences and the knowledge that their families would disapprove, the two lovers decide to keep their feelings a secret. When the family’s paths eventually cross, it’s not in a way that anyone would ever have expected...
When I tell you I sobbed... and I don’t cry at books easily.
This was such a powerful and poignant love story that was so much more than just a tale of devotion. It covered racism, marginalisation as well as the complexities of motherhood and familial relationships. It’s a worryingly accurate depiction of modern society and the aftermath of Brexit in Britain and it didn’t hold back, serving up a dose of stark reality.
Linda Green’s writing was captivating and I was engrossed from start to finish. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout, from endearment and warmth when reading about young love, to feeling enraged and frustrated when uncovering certain characters far right views, blatant disrespect and micro aggressions. However, whilst I bawled my eyes out at the end, it wasn’t all doom and gloom - there were hopeful and funny moments too.
It’s a multi POV book (my fave) and I felt all of the characters were credible and well developed. At no point did I ever wish I could skip a chapter to get back to another POV (they all felt as equally important and likeable).
It’s also set in Leeds which is my home city and I think this added to my reading experience enormously, as I could picture certain descriptions and I felt fully immersed in the action.
Overall, it was enlightening and thought-provoking and not just in a ‘it made me think way’, (which it undeniably did) but in a “I will remember this book forever” way (and if that doesn’t persuade you to pick it up, then I don’t know what will!).
5/5 stars for me and 100% will be recommending to all my friends!
Thank you to Linda Green, Quercus books and Netgalley for the ARC.
This story follows two families, residing in Northern England, each on either side of the brexit divide. Two mothers, Sylvia and Donna, are both struggling to keep their respective families unified and as tensions rise at home, both miss the signs that their children Rachid and Jodie are falling in love. Due to their differences and the knowledge that their families would disapprove, the two lovers decide to keep their feelings a secret. When the family’s paths eventually cross, it’s not in a way that anyone would ever have expected...
When I tell you I sobbed... and I don’t cry at books easily.
This was such a powerful and poignant love story that was so much more than just a tale of devotion. It covered racism, marginalisation as well as the complexities of motherhood and familial relationships. It’s a worryingly accurate depiction of modern society and the aftermath of Brexit in Britain and it didn’t hold back, serving up a dose of stark reality.
Linda Green’s writing was captivating and I was engrossed from start to finish. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout, from endearment and warmth when reading about young love, to feeling enraged and frustrated when uncovering certain characters far right views, blatant disrespect and micro aggressions. However, whilst I bawled my eyes out at the end, it wasn’t all doom and gloom - there were hopeful and funny moments too.
It’s a multi POV book (my fave) and I felt all of the characters were credible and well developed. At no point did I ever wish I could skip a chapter to get back to another POV (they all felt as equally important and likeable).
It’s also set in Leeds which is my home city and I think this added to my reading experience enormously, as I could picture certain descriptions and I felt fully immersed in the action.
Overall, it was enlightening and thought-provoking and not just in a ‘it made me think way’, (which it undeniably did) but in a “I will remember this book forever” way (and if that doesn’t persuade you to pick it up, then I don’t know what will!).
5/5 stars for me and 100% will be recommending to all my friends!
Thank you to Linda Green, Quercus books and Netgalley for the ARC.
July 15, 2022
What an original and powerful novel, though I'd expect no less from Linda Green. Set in Yorkshire during the difficult post-Brexit years, it tells the story of two families living on what would appear opposite sides of the divide, but of course nothing is ever quite as it seems. With her very real characters, who drive the story forward with their mistakes and passion, Green pulls you into her world. As well as the topical issues of race and immigration, there's a tender love story (very West Side Story, which is referenced throughout), family trauma, even a mention of the menopause, just for good measure. And Prince. Yes, Prince. Brilliant. Green strips back the layers we all build and bares the prejudices we hide beneath. This is sad, thought-provoking, funny, and beautifully written.
September 7, 2022
I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was beautifully written and reduced me to tears, and I will be recommending it to everyone I know.
January 21, 2023
Sylvie and Donna are both mums, unknowingly commuting on the same train each day. But that is where the similarities end; Sylvie and Donna’s families come from totally different backgrounds and are on opposite sides of the Brexit fence.
What neither of the families know is that their eldest children Rachid and Jodie have met at university and fallen head over heels in love. The teenagers keep their relationship a secret knowing that both families will disapprove. As Sylvie’s family start to feel less and less welcome in England they decide to relocate to Paris, sending the young couple in to free fall. As the Brexit tension in the country escalates, so does that in each of the family households. The teenagers decide to take things into their own hands with consequences that shatter both families.
This is more than a book, it’s a lesson about morals and doing the right thing. A bittersweet yet shocking story, showing how well and how poorly people can behave and treat each other.
What neither of the families know is that their eldest children Rachid and Jodie have met at university and fallen head over heels in love. The teenagers keep their relationship a secret knowing that both families will disapprove. As Sylvie’s family start to feel less and less welcome in England they decide to relocate to Paris, sending the young couple in to free fall. As the Brexit tension in the country escalates, so does that in each of the family households. The teenagers decide to take things into their own hands with consequences that shatter both families.
This is more than a book, it’s a lesson about morals and doing the right thing. A bittersweet yet shocking story, showing how well and how poorly people can behave and treat each other.
October 7, 2023
Absolutely gorgeous read, but so heartbreaking
August 24, 2022
This is a beautifully written book which made me cry. I cried for the characters but also for the sad state the UK is in that this books centres on. I’m sure many reading it will see a reflection of conversations/arguments they’ve had with family, neighbours, colleagues, random people etc. Hopefully few have had to experience the extreme actions and consequences the book covers.
Told primarily through the voice of the two mothers it demonstrates that often there are far more similarities than differences between people. An unapologetic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set against Brexit, it is a story we all know over and sadly we all know how that one ended. Have the tissues at the ready.
Told primarily through the voice of the two mothers it demonstrates that often there are far more similarities than differences between people. An unapologetic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set against Brexit, it is a story we all know over and sadly we all know how that one ended. Have the tissues at the ready.
August 23, 2022
This was such an amazing read. It was powerful and a real eye opener. Everyone should read this book.
That is all I am going to say, apart from I know this book is going to stay with me for a very long time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
That is all I am going to say, apart from I know this book is going to stay with me for a very long time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
August 5, 2022
This book is everything and more than I wanted to read, after reading so many soppy romances in a row, I needed that extra aspect in a romance. Very much so a romeo and juliet retelling but with stricter sides. We meet our two main characters Jodie and Rachid, where one comes from a very racist, rude and disgusting family who are vile to anyone who isnt white english, whereas Rachid comes from a family who dont feel that the UK is their home anymore even after working extremely hard for the country they should be able to call home. Rachids family plan to move back to france to feel more supported and to be with Sylivies mother. The unlikely two come together and form a beautiful hidden relationship. I absolutely love a rachid and jodie together, both characters are loving, funny and such a powerful pair. I laughed, i cried, and i smiled throughout the whole book and found the ending whilst sad but extremely heartwarming. I would say everyone needs to read this as soon as it comes out! I can't wait for the release date to get a physical copy.
August 7, 2022
This was a brilliant book
On so many levels and so hard to
Review and do it justice. This book will stay with me for a long time and still thinking about it now a few days after finishing it.
I love this author as she has a real knack of getting into the heart of the human condition and writes about real life and real events.
This book is a thought provoking and very topical for todays society and highlights a lot of very difficult and profound issues that are unfortunately part of our society today and focuses around brexit and the cultural divide of two families and the struggles they face.
This book highlights these issues which are often not talked about or discussed and brings them into the fore in a very sensitive and well thought out way. The authors note at the end pulls it all together as gives background as to where the idea for this book came from.
On so many levels and so hard to
Review and do it justice. This book will stay with me for a long time and still thinking about it now a few days after finishing it.
I love this author as she has a real knack of getting into the heart of the human condition and writes about real life and real events.
This book is a thought provoking and very topical for todays society and highlights a lot of very difficult and profound issues that are unfortunately part of our society today and focuses around brexit and the cultural divide of two families and the struggles they face.
This book highlights these issues which are often not talked about or discussed and brings them into the fore in a very sensitive and well thought out way. The authors note at the end pulls it all together as gives background as to where the idea for this book came from.
March 26, 2023
"And whilst I wanted to tell them to lower their voices and mind their language, I was aware that doing so in a somewhat muted but still undeniably French accent was asking for trouble these days. And on my first Monday back a work after the summer break, I did not want to risk that. So, I sat there, pursing my lips, trying to pretend it wasn't happening like everyone else, and hating myself for being complicit in the process.
In a deceptively simple novel, Green presents a society split in two and the repercussions of the bystander effect on those without a voice. Set in Leeds, in the north of England just after the well-known referendum that led to the UK leaving the European Union, we meet two very different families battling with two sides of the same coin.
The reader is introduced to the vitriol released post results, the politicisation of globalisation and the hatred fanned online with very damning real world implications. The reader is also exposed to the international citizens who have continued to build up the UK in spite of these results and the growing negative sentiment they are exposed to. The book is political, and it's necessary in a world becoming increasingly polarised.
"Love is stronger than hate. You know that. I want them to know it too".
I loved the West Side Story / Romeo and Juliet references - what could be more apt when talking about an event that divided an entire society where for many, they were split past the point of return. Life is political, and this story emphasises how the actions of those who actively partake in hate, and those who standby without stepping in are both complicit in fuelling the problem. This story could honestly be true and it breaks my heart, but as I teared up reading the end, I loved the end message, that love can prevail when we are willing to try and move forward together.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
In a deceptively simple novel, Green presents a society split in two and the repercussions of the bystander effect on those without a voice. Set in Leeds, in the north of England just after the well-known referendum that led to the UK leaving the European Union, we meet two very different families battling with two sides of the same coin.
The reader is introduced to the vitriol released post results, the politicisation of globalisation and the hatred fanned online with very damning real world implications. The reader is also exposed to the international citizens who have continued to build up the UK in spite of these results and the growing negative sentiment they are exposed to. The book is political, and it's necessary in a world becoming increasingly polarised.
"Love is stronger than hate. You know that. I want them to know it too".
I loved the West Side Story / Romeo and Juliet references - what could be more apt when talking about an event that divided an entire society where for many, they were split past the point of return. Life is political, and this story emphasises how the actions of those who actively partake in hate, and those who standby without stepping in are both complicit in fuelling the problem. This story could honestly be true and it breaks my heart, but as I teared up reading the end, I loved the end message, that love can prevail when we are willing to try and move forward together.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
July 18, 2022
I love Linda Green's books - she excels at weaving hugely personal, affecting stories which often delineate the effects of social and political issues on people, without ever being heavy handed. In Little Stars is a love story and a family drama, set against the backdrop of Brexit Britain and its newly emboldened racists.
The plot revolves around two very different families and their teenage children - Sylvie and Bilal with Rachid and Amina; Donna and Neil with Jodie and Sam. It's no coincidence that Rachid and Jodie's initials echo Romeo and Juliet - nor that the title is a quote from the play. (Stars are a motif throughout, echoing perhaps the EU flag, as Brexit is also a recurring theme.) This is indeed the story of a pair of star-crossed lovers, thoroughly updated and set in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
I don't want to say too much, because I knew very little about the plot going into the book, and it affected me hugely. All I'll say is that I loved and felt for these characters - some of them - and was rooting for their happy ending. There are some big subjects here - bigotry and discrimination, the grooming of young men into far-right extremism, the humiliation of having to jump through insulting hoops to win the right to stay in a country to which you've given many years of your life and labour, the dilemma of whether to step forward or stand back in certain situations - and Linda Green doesn't pull her punches. The scene on the train will stay in my mind for a long time.
An author's note at the end discusses the inspiration for the story and is definitely worth reading (after reading the book, because spoilers).
Thank you so much to Milly Reid at Quercus for the opportunity to read an advance copy via NetGalley. I loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough.
The plot revolves around two very different families and their teenage children - Sylvie and Bilal with Rachid and Amina; Donna and Neil with Jodie and Sam. It's no coincidence that Rachid and Jodie's initials echo Romeo and Juliet - nor that the title is a quote from the play. (Stars are a motif throughout, echoing perhaps the EU flag, as Brexit is also a recurring theme.) This is indeed the story of a pair of star-crossed lovers, thoroughly updated and set in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
I don't want to say too much, because I knew very little about the plot going into the book, and it affected me hugely. All I'll say is that I loved and felt for these characters - some of them - and was rooting for their happy ending. There are some big subjects here - bigotry and discrimination, the grooming of young men into far-right extremism, the humiliation of having to jump through insulting hoops to win the right to stay in a country to which you've given many years of your life and labour, the dilemma of whether to step forward or stand back in certain situations - and Linda Green doesn't pull her punches. The scene on the train will stay in my mind for a long time.
An author's note at the end discusses the inspiration for the story and is definitely worth reading (after reading the book, because spoilers).
Thank you so much to Milly Reid at Quercus for the opportunity to read an advance copy via NetGalley. I loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough.
September 9, 2022
Oh my goodness. I love Linda Green's books but this one tops the list - her best ever and I honestly could not tear myself away from it. What an emotional, thought provoking and amazing read it was. I won't repeat the synopsis as the blurb says it all but it really affected me and I felt so emotional as I took in the stories of the young man, Rachid who is Muslim and his deep love for a non-Muslim girl. Both families hold some racist views, i.e. his father doesn't want him involved with a non-Muslim girl and some of her family are against the two young people's relationship also due to their own racial opinions. Set against a backdrop of Brexit Britain where division is already rampant throughout the country, this is an additional divisive situation. I loved the characters of Rachid and Jodie who are clearly very much in love but was frustrated with the behaviour of Rachid's father as well as the father and brother of Jodie who all sought to keep the lovers apart for their own selfish reasons, the outcome of which has far reaching and heart breaking conclusions. Oh, I did shed tears over this book. I felt sadness and despair at how Rachid especially was treated by his peers and the typically British attitude to 'not get involved' when they witness injustice happening. The final words will stay with me always. Stand up and step forward. It's a mantra that, if adopted, could make a difference in the fight against racism. A massive 5 stars from me for this book that I shall be recommending everywhere. . My thanks to Netgalley and Quercus books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 8, 2024
The book was well written with short chapters which I personally like. The story was something different to what I had read before. An easy book to read, Defiently would recommend!
August 10, 2022
A love story about two young people trying to overcome the obstacle of their family’s dislike of each other.
I liked parts of this book but the constant use of swearing really put me off.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I liked parts of this book but the constant use of swearing really put me off.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2022
Rating: 4.2/5
Linda Green has a real talent for writing family dramas. She can always be relied upon to create credible characters, with authentic voices in relatable scenarios. Her latest offering, "In Little Stars" is no exception.
As you may have picked up from the official synopsis and and other early reviews, the core of the story is essentially a reimagined version of Romeo & Juliet, but set in West Yorkshire in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. (The title, "In Little Stars" is taken from a line spoken by Juliet in Shakespeare's play) The ill-fated young lovers here are Rachid & Jodie. Rachid is a Muslim, whose parents are career professionals who moved to the UK from France, while Jodie is from a working-class white family, where her male relatives are not only keen supporters of Brexit, but who also display strong racist leanings.
The narrative is provided from four viewpoints: Those of Rachid and Jodie, as you would expect, but also of the two mothers, Sylvie and Donna. Linda Green manages to give each of the four distinct and credible voices, which adds to the overall impact of the book. Although the tragedy of Romeo & Juliet has been used to provide the central story arc, there are other significant plot themes that run throughout the novel: Brexit, racism, intolerance and radicalisation feature prominently with the likes of marital disharmony, education and social class being referenced to a lesser extent.
Clearly, with these kind of topics there is the potential for matters to become both emotive and emotional - and they certainly do. Not everyone will like the content of this book - even if they have read and enjoyed Linda Green's work previously. I say that, because there is the distinct possibility that some people may take umbrage, depending on their individual stance on certain issues raised in this novel. However, Linda Green does state in her "Afterword" that this "is not a political book. It's simply about humanity." And that quotation brings me onto what, for me, is clearly the strongest and most important message of this book: To quote the English philosopher, John Stuart Mill, "Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing."
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review
Linda Green has a real talent for writing family dramas. She can always be relied upon to create credible characters, with authentic voices in relatable scenarios. Her latest offering, "In Little Stars" is no exception.
As you may have picked up from the official synopsis and and other early reviews, the core of the story is essentially a reimagined version of Romeo & Juliet, but set in West Yorkshire in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. (The title, "In Little Stars" is taken from a line spoken by Juliet in Shakespeare's play) The ill-fated young lovers here are Rachid & Jodie. Rachid is a Muslim, whose parents are career professionals who moved to the UK from France, while Jodie is from a working-class white family, where her male relatives are not only keen supporters of Brexit, but who also display strong racist leanings.
The narrative is provided from four viewpoints: Those of Rachid and Jodie, as you would expect, but also of the two mothers, Sylvie and Donna. Linda Green manages to give each of the four distinct and credible voices, which adds to the overall impact of the book. Although the tragedy of Romeo & Juliet has been used to provide the central story arc, there are other significant plot themes that run throughout the novel: Brexit, racism, intolerance and radicalisation feature prominently with the likes of marital disharmony, education and social class being referenced to a lesser extent.
Clearly, with these kind of topics there is the potential for matters to become both emotive and emotional - and they certainly do. Not everyone will like the content of this book - even if they have read and enjoyed Linda Green's work previously. I say that, because there is the distinct possibility that some people may take umbrage, depending on their individual stance on certain issues raised in this novel. However, Linda Green does state in her "Afterword" that this "is not a political book. It's simply about humanity." And that quotation brings me onto what, for me, is clearly the strongest and most important message of this book: To quote the English philosopher, John Stuart Mill, "Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing."
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review
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