The Moon and Stars

Loosely inspired by The Phantom of the Opera and Cyrano de Bergerac, this warm and witty debut novel is the perfect read for fans of David Nicholls.

Matthew Capes, struggling with chronic stage fright, has not sung in front of an audience for eight years. A classical tenor with a magnificent voice, he only dares sing late at night on the empty stage of the Moon and Stars theatre.

When Matthew’s old singing partner Angela – who just so happens to be the woman of his dreams – gets back in touch and offers him the chance to perform in a nationwide tour, his low self-esteem and anxiety stand in the way. But Matthew has a plan: he will sing in the shadows while his handsome and charismatic friend Ralph takes to the stage with Angela. What could go wrong?

‘Read in one sitting! A thoroughly uplifting story, full of light, shade, and lots of great music. As pleasurable as a good adagio or rock ballad.’ — Matson Taylor, author of 'The Miseducation of Evie Epworth'

‘The Moon and Stars is a brilliant, beautiful, and funny story about having a dream and the pitfalls of trying to live it. This book is a treasured reminder of the true happiness that comes from being gloriously imperfect.’ — Carmen Marcus, author of 'How Saints Die'

‘An absolute delight. The Moon and Stars is an antidote which transported me straight into the heart of the musical theatre world.’ — Louise Walters, author of 'Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase'


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Jenna was born in Middlesbrough and grew up in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. She studied Theatre at the University of Hull, and completed an MA in Creative Writing at Teesside University. Her stories have featured in the anthologies Whitby Abbey: Pure Inspiration and Through the Cracks: The Teesside Literary Society’s Inaugural Anthology. After she worked for several years as an assistant in an art gallery, her passion for books led her to open Book Corner, an independent bookshop in Saltburn. The Moon and Stars is her debut novel.