This was an emotional read for me. Beautifully done . It was realistic and I had a huge connection with all the characters. I will always remember this book.

What a brilliant book..A tough read at times but what an emotional and heartbreaking story of two teenagers who fall in love but have to keep it secret as they come from different backgrounds and cultures. The author has written about such an important subject of how racism and hatred can impact on lives and how somehow you have to forgive to so you can begin to move forward. I have never cried so much at a story but this one really hit me hard and it's one everyone should read .Well done Linda Green

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I love Linda's books, so I was grateful to Netgalley and Quercus books for this opportunity to review her latest book!
This romantic modern day Romeo and Juliet tale about a couple from two different cultures and the problems they faced such as racism, prejudice and loss which was all based around the time of brexit.
The book pulled me in and at times I felt such extreme sadness for the characters. This book was impactful yet hopeful, shining a light on the issues surrounding couples of mixed race or religion but there was also a good balance of humour too.
This was a fabulous book and I noticed the audiobook is read by Sarah Durham, one of the best narrators in my opinion, so if you love audiobooks you won't regret buying that option either!

5⭐️

Contemporary fiction about two very different families with very opposing views politely described as being opposing voters in Brexit.

Sylvia and Donna the mothers travel on the same train each day but never speak. Their eldest offspring Rachid and Jodie fall in love. Much of the story is told by the mothers, who as said by the author have far more in common that that which divides them.

A very modern Northern Romeo and Juliet star crossed lovers vibe going on here, to add into the mix there’s social class differences between the families. We see the different fractured family relationships. I really enjoyed the northern dialect.

It’s very powerful at times a very difficult read and very emotional, it really feels like a ‘real life’ story. I was in tears. This is a book that will stay with me for some time! I like that the author has included some book club discussion questions.
I loved it, and can’t rave about it enough.

I really love Linda Green’s novels and this one was no exception. The subject matter of racism and different family backgrounds was a thought provoking read.

This turned out to be a more difficult read than I initially anticipated, but I liked it. I felt very connected to the characters and cared about them all. There were some heartwarming moments, some moments that I found funny, and some moments that made me tearful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I would have given ‘In Little Stars’ by Linda Green a 6 star rating if I could! Written to the backdrop of music by Prince and set in Yorkshire, the book explores the impact of the Brexit vote on two families. Sylvie and her family are saddened at the way they are treated by friends, neighbours and bureaucracy, whilst Donna’s husband and son consider their racism to be banter and acceptable. Then, their children, Rachid and Jodie fall in love…how will this impact on them?
I couldn’t put this book down as I needed to know what happened next yet it also left me feeling very uncomfortable about what Britain has become. Buy this book!!

I really enjoyed this book - it was hard to put down and put me through the emotional wringer!

it is set during the Brexit debate and deals with the theme of racism. I found it shocking how hateful people can be.

Both families - on different sides of the Brexit debate - meet at various points unknown to each other. Then their oldest children meet in college and fall in love - secretly so as to not hurt their families. They plan to be together but events in Leeds change their lives forever in such a shocking way.

However Sylvia - Rachid’s mother - is determined to bring something positive from the loss of her son - and reaches out to Jodie and her family hoping for understanding and reconciliation.

This will be one of my books of the year - it has deeply affected me and will continue to do so.

One to be recommended.

Having just finished this beautiful, devastatingly powerful book this morning. I’m now sitting here, desperately hoping I can do this book justice. As the author, Linda Green, has said herself, this is a modern re-imagining of a very old love story, Romeo and Juliet.
As a teenager, I loved studying this Shakespeare play, and as an adult I have come to love Linda’s writing. This book therefore felt like a natural fit for me. What I didn’t know was the depth, and breadth of emotions that it would bring from me.

The story is based around the EU Referendum, and focuses on the stories of those who that 52/48 split impacted on the most.
Rachid is 17, loves the music of Prince, and is so excited to be starting his college course.
Jodie is 17, knows nothing of Prince, and is heading back to college for her second year.
Sylvie is a lecturer, a job she loves, a wife and mother of two.
Donna works in the One Stop Shop, a job she hates, a wife and mother of two.
On Rachid’s first morning of college, his eyes meet Jodie’s on the train, and our story begins.

When I started reading this book, I wanted to hug half the characters, and give the other half a stern talking to. The further I got into the book, the tension rising, I became increasingly uneasy, then absolutely furious. For the last quarter of the book, I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

I found the story and characters so compelling, that I didn’t want to stop reading. Rachid and Jodie, Sylvie and Donna were constantly on my mind, and they will be for a long time.
There is so much more that unites these characters than divides them, especially the two mothers. They are almost mirrors of each other, on opposing sides of a self imposed divide; or maybe a husband imposed divide is a better term.

Linda writes with such a strong social conscience, her books are always thought provoking, and touch me profoundly. Her characterisation is deep, vivid, alive, the characters evoking so much empathy. The book is extremely well written, the story flows, and the pages turn quickly.

This is not a comfortable, easy read. There are scenes, with dialogue and behaviour from characters that made me so uncomfortable, so angry, and completely devastated by the conclusion.
The author’s writing has the ability to reach right into you, to draw you in to the heart of the story, and touch you more than you thought a book could.
I didn’t think Linda could move me more than she did in One Moment, I was wrong.
This book is a remarkable 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read, you must read it.

This is a story told from different characters - two mothers and their children - who are from different backgrounds, who meet and fall in love but have to keep their relationship a secret due to their fathers strong cultural views. The book discusses Brexit and also how different far right and left wing views can have a terrifying affect on those involved. The book is sad but sadly true and real issues are discussed. I enjoyed reading this and thought the author did a good job of discussing relevant topics in detail from all different sides.

As other have said this story has a real Romeo & Juliet feel to it.
A powerful story that really makes you think about the events going on in the world just now.

Wow just wow, really don't know what to say about this book, a beautiful read about love, loss and coming together in an awful world where the subject matter still happens, took me 24 hours to read this and now I need a little time to process it

Well, what a read, up-to-date Romeo and Juliette story. I could not put this book down once started, very late night it turned out to be.

The book brings home the world we live in today and how social media can influence people, not always for the good. Jodie was described very well you felt as if you were by her side throughout.

Have the tissues ready as this is a tear-jerker in multiple places.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this excellent novel.

Billed as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story, this book examines the depths of irrational hatred, as well as the enduring nature of love - both romantic and familial.

Sylvie and Donna are fellow passengers on the daily commuter train but have no idea how closely their lives are intertwined. In addition to the other crossings of their invisible paths, their children Rachid and Jodie will fall in love.

But with their two families on opposite sides of the Brexit divide - and as British society becomes increasingly fragmented, revealing an ugly underbelly of racism - it is worth questioning whether there is any chance for Rachid and Jodie to find a way to be together.

Because the odds are certainly stacked against them as far as their families are concerned. There is no doubt that both their mothers love them deeply. But do they love them enough to accept their choice of life partner?

This is a moving story and one that will stir profound emotion in most readers. The fundamental themes of love, tolerance, judgement, hatred, endurance, and redemption are as relatable as they are in some instances inexplicable, depending on where a reader's beliefs lie on the political spectrum. But it is undoubtedly a story that asks pertinent questions about modern Britain and lingers in the mind long after the last page has been read.

In Little Stars by Linda Green was another excellent book and I was gripped again from the very first few pages till the very end. Linda always has away of bringing you into the story and was beautifully written and so powerful.

Two women Travel on the same train every day to work. They have never spoken to each other. Sylvie and Donna live on different sides of this bitter Brexit divide - Which has divided many families and friends in the UK. 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. Sadly Sylvie's family is increasingly unwelcome in England, and all she wants is a better life for her family. This will
threatens Rachid and Jodie's relationship with each other.

Can their love unite their families - or will it end in tragedy?

Wow, this book is so good I could not put it down once I started it. Then, again I am like this with all her books.
I highly recommend this book. I loved it. Plus, it was so true to what happened and is happening in the UK at the moment.

Big Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Linda Green for my ARC of In Little Stars in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this beautiful Romeo & Juliet esque read! I am so excited to acquire, share, and post my full thoughts and review on the beautiful book. A great choice for a book club. Very thought provoking and page turning.

Sorry, I read the name of the author and was so happy that I didn't read the title. This was my review:
This is a story set in UK post Brexit but it could be set all over Europe as the hate and the prejudice are similar all over the continent.
Love can ignore hate and prejudice but it will not always win. You can be young and in love but you will have to face hate and fear.
Linda Green wrote an emotionally charged, poignant, and thought provoking book that force you to choose between love and hate.
Well written, tightly knitted, and compelling. It is an important story and I hope a lot of people wil read it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Linda Green is never afraid to shy away from difficult subject matter. She writes with poise and depth, I have beloved all her books and this one is no different.

Seeing the world through the, eyes of Jodie and Rachid as well as Sylvia, it’s hard not to care for all their plights.