Cut Him Out in Little Stars is a story that will stay with me for a long time. As Lucy Strange’s first steps into Young Adult romance, it is a wonderful mix of a tender coming of age story, intriguing historical fiction and thrilling mystery. Readers hardly have time to catch their breath as one captivating moment leads to another until the heart-pounding conclusion. I had the great pleasure of listening to Lucy read it herself on audiobook. What a wonderful way to spend time – I was sad when it ended.
It’s right in the thick of World War II when Juliet is sent to stay with her sister at Samphire House on the English coast. Heartbroken by the death of her fiancé, she’s not sure how to carry on. Samphire House was her mother’s safe place before she died and Juliet finds the ghosts that reside there both comforting and a source of guidance. Juliet’s sister, Frances, who lives in the house, welcomes Juliet into this life of freedom by the sea, providing her with opportunities to find herself again. A nearby RAF base and lifeboat station makes the war incredibly real with danger on their doorstep. When the body of a local girl is found in the waves, Juliet realises there isn’t an easy explanation. She throws herself into solving the mystery as the Battle of Britain roars overhead.
Lucy Strange has an incredible talent for injecting life into difficult moments in history. Readers find themselves right in the heart of this small village, experiencing the impact of war right along with the authentic characters. From Frances and Alex, talented artists hoping to make their big break, to the lady launchers at the lifeboat station to the young pilots at the base, there is a heartbeat in this story that transcends the pages. Juliet is such a likeable girl – full of hope for adventure and a future where her dreams of love come true. She’s just not sure how she’s going to get there. Living in the moment, her summer at Samphire House teaches her more about life and relationships than she ever could have imagined. She’ll never be the same again.
The language of this book is completely enchanting. Descriptions of the sea and village create the most beautiful paintings in the mind’s eye. References to literature and poetry lift the story beyond the ordinary to something unforgettable. Connections to Romeo and Juliet, as well as numerous lines of poetry by Christina Rossetti, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Emily Dickinson and others will inspire readers to seek them out and allow them to seep into their souls just as they do for the characters in the story.
The power and symbolism of the sea alongside Juliet’s growth in character, experience, life and love combine to create a novel that not only highlights a testing time in Britain’s past but challenges modern readers to consider their own perspective and the preciousness of life. I will be recommending this book not only to young people (age 12+) but to adult readers as well. It will definitely be featuring on my Christmas shopping list this year.
Out now from Chicken House.
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