Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Written by Glendy Vanderah

Narrated by Lauren Ezzo

An Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post bestseller, and a Goodreads Choice Award finalist.

In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.

After the loss of her mother and her own battle with breast cancer, Joanna Teale returns to her graduate research on nesting birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove that her recent hardships have not broken her. She throws herself into her work from dusk to dawn, until her solitary routine is disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious child who shows up at her cabin barefoot and covered in bruises.

The girl calls herself Ursa, and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles. With concerns about the child’s home situation, Jo reluctantly agrees to let her stay—just until she learns more about Ursa’s past.

Jo enlists the help of her reclusive neighbor, Gabriel Nash, to solve the mystery of the charming child. But the more time they spend together, the more questions they have. How does a young girl not only read but understand Shakespeare? Why do good things keep happening in her presence? And why aren’t Jo and Gabe checking the missing children’s website anymore?

Though the three have formed an incredible bond, they know difficult choices must be made. As the summer nears an end and Ursa gets closer to her fifth miracle, her dangerous past closes in. When it finally catches up to them, all of their painful secrets will be forced into the open, and their fates will be left to the stars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Mar 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781978644106

Glendy Vanderah

Glendy Vanderah is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of Where the Forest Meets the Stars and The Light Through the Leaves. Glendy worked as an endangered-bird specialist in Illinois before she became a writer. Originally from Chicago, she now lives in rural Florida with her husband and as many birds, butterflies, and wildflowers as she can lure to her land. For more information, visit www.glendyvanderah.com.

Reviews for Where the Forest Meets the Stars

[Danielle Booty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow this was such a lovely, heartrenching story. Not what is as expecting at all but so glad I've listened to this.

[Marina · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This entire book hinges on you finding the little girl endearing. I didn't. I'm really tired of authors using children saying and doing profound and meaningful things completely out of character for children (particularly traumatised children) as a way of driving plot. I also found Gabe to be a very very self centred person. The real problem with the book, though, was that it was JUST. SO. SLOW. Honestly listened to about half of it at triple speed because NOTHING happened except the child was saying heart warming things about love. I would have liked if they had woven in really difficult behaviour by this child, she was traumatised and that rarely exhibits itself as quirky little charming stories about other planets. The happy families they all lived happily ever after ending was just... it annoyed me honestly.

[Pat Parisi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the long slow build of this story. And the growing love and attachment of the child and adults. Half way through I was believing the child's story of herself as it started making more sense to me.

[Rachel Stacy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was hesitant with the whole alien thing but I absolutely love how this story played out! It’s beautifully written and performed. I finished it in a day! Definitely recommend for a long drive listen.

[Rainbow01 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is such a wonderful and wholesome story! You would cry, laugh, be sad and happy! The plot and twist is well written! I couldn't recommend this enough!

[patti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was an unusual well woven imaginative story with a lot of twists and turns and colorful description that brought you into the world of the characters.

[Maureen Sorrells Radighieri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book! The storyline was a little different from my normal selections yet I loved it. Highly recommend as a little mysterious and sweet story.

[Yoli Catalán · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t love it. The story kept me engaged, so I finished it, but there were some key elements that I didn’t agree with; like how Gabe’s depression was handled (as someone who has dealt with depression first hand and has had a significant other suffer from it, I feel there was a lot of overstepping and minimising). Still, I believe it was a fun-light read (or listen?).

[Charlie Shervheim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Slow being, unexpected ending. Great book in all. I didn’t get emotionally attached to the characters though

[Cherrie Ignacio Platon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

But I hate the reader! I am halfway into the book and I am debating between continuing to find out what happens and stopping now because the reader’s tone is irritating when she adds after a few lines .... “she said” or “he said”. The sing-song tone is almost driving me nuts. I think I’ll just fast forward to find out how this ends.

[Sakunthala Sambanthan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing story. Very well written. I loved how Ursa taught Jo and Gabe how to trust and love. Its such a magical book with loads of realism thrown in. The second half was more griping and more of a page turner for me personally.

[Sandra · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found the constant “.... said” extremely annoying! I almost gave up listening the audiobook and gave a lower rating than I might have, because of it.

[Nadia Toubasy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice, light read. The accent of the little girl was just unbelievably annoying..I think I would have enjoyed it better, if it wasn’t for that accent.

[Angela Joy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasnt expecting to get so drawn into this book but I was! I liked every one of the characters and found them believably flawed. It really kept me wondering whether Ursa was telling the truth or not.
I connected with Jo going through her struggles with body image because I recently went through something similar. The weakest part was perhaps the narrator's version of "man voice" lol but it wasn't terribly off-putting. I'm sure that I could do worse.

[Ipek Erdalli Buchanan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The writing is rather amateur with the "he said" "she said" becoming very abrasive after some time. The story itself is cute but a develops a bit slowly.

[Cassidy Perreault · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the best story I've read in years. It's very lovely and well written. A beautiful book for mature hearts who understand the love of someone who needs love and grace. Complicated relationship and all.

[GMunro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent read. I was listening to this with the sleep timer on, ready to fall asleep... oops. The book got exciting, unexpectedly, and I've been awake all night.
I really enjoyed the 'otherworldliness' of the story in the first half of the book where it seemed almost ethereal fantasy. Then the book picked up pace and became quite hard-hitting and gritty.
The author skillfully melded both parts together, still maintaining a slight supernatural aura throughout the story.
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. I would recommend this book. (But don't start it at bedtime!)

[info · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lauren Ezzo does a wonderful job as the narrator of this story.

[mary Shaw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was an enjoyable read. It holds a lovely reverence towards nature. Nice character development. Ursa is such a spunky kid! Has elements of mystery, action and romance. Enjoyable.

[Cernè Couzis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unique storyline and brilliant writing. I cannot wait to listen to more of her books !!

[Mahsana Sadegh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Definitely worth my time to listen
Story is pleasant and creative

[storageroom707 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book was a ride, the emotions it gave , the writing. My first 5 star Book of the 2024!❤️ No I wanna read everything author has ever written.

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was certainly kept engaged while reading this book. I couldn't figure out where the author was going with the story for a while, which intrigued me. A strange little girl, Ursa, wanders out of the woods while Jo is doing bird research. For Jo and neighbor Gabe, Ursa's presence signals many changes to come. I found this book to be charming and well-written.

[Celia Klassen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story is great about healing physically and mentally. The reading of it was great at first but then I realized there's a lot of "he said" and the reader says that in the same monotone way pausing as if it's done automated thing at the end of every paragraph and that got super annoying

[Fana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written and drew me in the entire time. The narrator did a great job!

[Kathryn Kiser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely hated finishing this book! I had grown to love the characters so very much, and wanted to hear more of how their lives were going to unfold!
Such wonderful character development, beautiful details in description of the landscape, wildlife, and appearance of the characters, I could picture them in my minds eye and felt as though each of the main characters were an old friend!!! Thank you so much for penning such a wonderful story for the rest of us to enjoy!!!

[Shelby Bourne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 so beautiful! And one of my very favorite narrators!

[van Zyl Lynette · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was ful of magic and expectations. I bonded with the characters and fell in love with the “alien “. Great book!

[Melissa Samal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful book, lovely storyline that keeps your interest till the very end.

[learnculturedr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great re-read. I can't believe how many things I didn't remember and how much I enjoyed it.