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 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. Where the Forest Meets the Stars is her debut novel.

Reviews for Where the Forest Meets the Stars

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Cheri Davis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story but maybe better read than listened to on audio. The “he/she said” repeated after each short line got quite annoying and it distracted from the story. The female narrator also made every male voice sound incredibly dorky which was in stark contrast to the description of the character.

[todd paulsmeyer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing plot with a realistic twist of mystery and suspense that served to keep me captivated. The characters and they development was sublime. Definitely awesome narration too!

[Lara Hanna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a great listen. It really was a delightful listen from the beginning to the end! I was sad when it ended.

[Deb Krsnich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Poignant, mysterious and heartwarming. A girl from the stars made me earthly heart smile.

[celia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lovely book easy read about dealing with adversity and risking love

[dtony · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A sweet, intriguing and magical story. The reader was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it

[renee b · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent read. I stumbled upon this book by accident and I am so glad I did. I am obsessed with the story very well written.

[lydiakim222 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Cannot listen to a narrator who has to take loud deep breaths before each sentence. It is so utterly distracting.

[Mary Cook · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Tend to agree that the “he said” “she said” felt very excessive. Minimally curious to see how it ends based on other reviews but I’m really not a fan overall. Not of the story or narration.

[Melissa Chavez · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There were really compelling moments, but sometimes the plot seemed to stall for a bit. Would probably recommend but wouldn’t read twice.

[nicoleoaks1124 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised how much I liked this book. It was well written and very believable. The narrator used different voice inflections for the different characters which made the story an easy one to listen to and comprehend who said what. Throughout the book I was at times sure the girl was indeed an alien, at other times I was sure she was not. In the end I’m glad I read it all the way through. Definitely recommend this book for a quick weekend read/listen.

[Melissa Marie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I loved the story and the characters. The imagery was charming and it was well-read. I am a little taken aback by the author’s kindergarten level use of “said”. At first I thought the repetition was an unorthodox convention but I struggled to believe that as the novel continued. I desperately hope she comes across a thesaurus at some point because it did distract tremendously. I understand it’s a novel and she didn’t write it with the audiobook in mind but I would have torn out my hair reading it on paper as well.

[Kimberly Tucker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful story! If only all children could get the happy ending!

[Jessica Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the beauty of this book. About healing, and how everyone deals with their history in their own individual ways. Characters were brilliant and brought the story to life.

[Heather Cook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book with enough twist and surprises to keep your interest. I love a great ending too!

[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.

[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.

[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!!!