This is an absolutely heartbreaking read which admittedly took me a little to get into but I’m so very glad I did as this must be one of my all time top books ever. To say this is thought provoking is an utter understatement but it’s equally terrifying to consider how authentic this story is and how even in supposed enlightened times there’s still so much bigotry, hate and fear. The characters are brilliant and there’s no punches pulled in highlighting the ingrained attitudes of some. I was horrified how long term citizens were treated in the aftermath of Brexit and it’s easy to appreciate why many would turn their backs on the UK in light of such treatment. This is a painstakingly honest read whose characters I took to heart and it seriously left me questioning how I would have reacted in some of the circumstances raised in this.

I always enjoy this author’s books and this one was no exception.

Caught in the aftermath of Brexit, two families are struggling to comprehend what has happened. Sylvie and her family, the “supposed foreigners” on one side with Donna and her family on the other. But their teenage children, Rachid and Jody are about to fall in love which will have far-reaching consequences for both families.

This is a heartbreaking and emotional story which makes for a difficult but compelling read.

A different sort of read from this author and I found it a well written, sensitive read with interesting characters following two families.

To be honest it did take me a while to get into this storyline but I thoroughly enjoyed it overall and I can recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Milly Reid at Quercus Books for allowing me to read this ARC.

Wow this book. Everyone needs to read this book. It is beautiful, moving important, covering many topics, wonderfully and sensitivly written and just such a powerful read.

🚂 IN LITTLE STARS ✨ Two families divided by hate, A love that will not die...

I was delighted to be sent @lindagreenbooks latest novel, having enjoyed all of the Linda Green books I’ve read previously, I expected to like this one. In fact, I loved it 💜.

The story reimagines Romeo & Juliet, but setting the star crossed lovers tale in West Yorkshire & part of families strained by the effects of Brexit, racial tensions and generational prejudice. The themes and imagery from Shakespeare are cleverly weaved into our modern protagonists, Rachid & Jodie’s, story however this is so much more than a retelling of a Shakespearean tragedy 🎭 It’s a story about families, parents & their children, husbands & wives, mothers, division, belonging, sliding doors moments, romantic love, society, identity - it’s a story about humanity - and it’s one that you really must read.

Post Brexit life is all our life now, this book is a Sign of the Times. Behind all the headlines, sound bites and propaganda are human stories and we must never stop listening to them.

This book is important, it is powerful and compelling, tense and jarring, difficult at times. I cried big tears reading it, big sad tears, big angry tears, I couldn’t put it down.
I’d usually end with a quote from the book but instead, for reasons that will become clear when you read it, I’m going to end with a quote from Prince ☔️ who says it better than I ever could
“It’s just around the corner,
It’s just around the block,
This love that I’ve been waiting for
a love solid as rock,
a love that reaffirms that we are not alone,
a love so bright inside you, it glows.
And night and day would run together all things would be fine,
Still would stand all hate around us,
Still would stand all time”

Thank you to @quercusbooks for the ARC of In Little Stars ✨

Omg what am absolutely amazing book really touch my heart and will stay with me for a long time. Linda is one of my favorite authors of all times and have had the pleasure of meeting her.

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.