In Little Stars by Linda Green is published with Quercus Books. It is described as a ‘powerful and emotional’ read and was inspired by real-life events of far-right activism and hate that left a huge impact on Linda Green.

In Little Stars is a very emotional and heart wrenching tale about young love, hope, racism and hate that will make every reader stop for a moment and consider their action, or lack of, on a daily basis. Globally, society is in chaos, with vehemence and vitriol being part of what we all are exposed to regularly across all media platforms. Pre & Post Brexit in Britain has had its own issues and this is what Linda Green has chosen to be the central vehicle for this heart-breaking tale.

Donna and Sylvie live very different lives. Sylvie is French. She teaches at the School of Healthcare and is married to Bilal, a Muslim doctor. They have two children Rachid and Amina. Sylvie moved country for Bilal’s job. She has always been quite flexible with how their children were reared within the Muslim faith but now as teenagers, Rachid and Amina are looking for independence and the family dynamic is beginning to shift.

Donna works for the council in Leeds and lives with her husband, Neil and their two children, Sam and Jodie. Times are tough for Donna. Sam is a troubled teen and is causing her multiple headaches. His views on immigrants are veering very close to blatant racism but Neil sees it all as harmless fun. Donna does not agree with the comments forthcoming from both her husband and son, and her daughter, Jodie, is extremely outspoken about their nasty and venomous ‘jokes’. Jodie is embarrassed by her father and disgusted with her younger brother’s intolerance and overall attitude.

Jodie gets the train to college everyday where she studies fashion design. Rachid gets the train to college everyday where he is starting his studies in music production. Sylvie gets the train everyday to work, as does Donna. Two sets of complete strangers whose paths are about to get tangled up in the most unexpected and life-changing way.

The day Rachid first sees Jodie he is instantly smitten by her. The colour of her hair, her skin, the way she wears her clothes, all immediately sear into his heart and mind. This is a girl he needs to know.

“I can’t help but notice because she’s so different from all the other girls I know. And I like different.”

Jodie and Rachid develop a friendship that quickly becomes more. Both know that neither’s family will readily accept their relationship so initially they keep it a secret, which in many ways adds to the excitement. But as their love deepens, Rachid’s circumstances change and decisions need to be made with neither foreseeing what awaits them.

The love between Jodie and Rachid is a sweet and innocent one, set against an increasingly divided society, where hatred and violence are nurtured. Sylvie and Donna struggle to keep their families together but are both faced with many challenging obstacles that keep pulling on their resources and resolve.

In Little Stars takes the reader on a poignant and bittersweet journey with a very authentic cast of characters that will pull at every heartstring. The sweet innocence of young love is beautifully depicted against an undercurrent of violence that is always throbbing gently throughout. Linda Green has captured the struggles of people from different walks of life, painting a truthful picture of modern day living with all the horrors that it can bring but she also imbues hope for a better future.

Emotional and extremely impactful, In Little Stars is rightfully described as ‘a modern day Romeo and Juliet’.

I will leave you with these sage words from Linda Green –

“What we can all do is be better allies, to listen to, give space to and amplify the voices of those people affected. To ensure everyone in our country feels welcome. To call out racial abuse and hostility to immigrants, refugees and those born in different countries. In short, to stand up and step forward.”