Listen free for 30 days

  • Where the Forest Meets the Stars

  • Written by: Glendy Vanderah
  • Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo
  • Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (363 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars cover art

Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Written by: Glendy Vanderah
Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $31.57

Buy Now for $31.57

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2019 by Glendy Vanderah. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

What the critics say

“A heartwarming, magical story about love, loss, and finding family where you least expect it. This touching novel will remind readers of a modern-day The Snow Child.” (Christopher Meades, award-winning author of Hanna Who Fell from the Sky)

“In Where the Forest Meets the Stars, Glendy Vanderah weaves a deft and poignant story with well-drawn characters, including clever Ursa. With an unexpected and heart-racing climax, readers will wait breathlessly to find out what happens. A beautiful story of love, resilience, and the power of second chances.” (Susie Orman Schnall, award-winning author of The Subway Girls)

“A powerful story of the way in which hearts are mended by love, compassion, and everyday miracles. Cleverly plotted and building to an intense crescendo in the final chapters, Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a beautiful and unforgettable debut.” (Julianne MacLean, USA Today best-selling author)

What listeners say about Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    174
  • 4 Stars
    107
  • 3 Stars
    63
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    164
  • 4 Stars
    82
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    10
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    163
  • 4 Stars
    90
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Forest and the Stars Enchanted me

At first, I thought that this was a young adult book and that I might probably return it but then I got enchanted by this lovely story and finished it very quickly.

However, it was throughly difficult to listen once I tuned in to the mechanically inserted 10 000+ She said, he said, Jo said, Gabe said, Ursa said, everybody said and etc. saids. Extremely annoying and so not necessary to follow the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good story, poor recording

Way too many “he said”, “she said” throughout the book; it distracted from the story. The audio itself had a lot of really poor splicing which was also very distracting, too bad as the story line was interesting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Enjoyable

I found the narration to be excellent. The story line - was engaging as well. The only aspect I didn't particularly enjoy were the romance 'details'. I could have done without those descriptions. I actually enjoyed the book much more than I had expected to.I did not find the story to be unrealistic - in fact, I thought it all came together very nicely,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book.

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. Once I started it I didn't want to stop.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

“Said”

I enjoyed this book but I swear every 5-10 words is the word “said” and at points it really got on my nerves

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceeded Expectations

This was a magical book! I expected it to be more sci-fi but it also kept wavering back & forth- is it sci-fi or isn’t it? I loved Ursa, smart little star child! Some reviews said she was whiny, but what 9 year olds aren’t from time to time? I liked Jo’s strong independent personality, Tabby’s quirky confidence, & Gabe’s hard working & dedicated caregiving.
The storyline was well written and I enjoyed the description of nature & birds, and for the most part, it was unpredictable. The parts that were, I was ok with because the synopsis kind of gives some away.
I didn’t find the “ursa said”, “Jo said”, “Gabe said” bothered me at all (as it did other reviewers).
Overall would absolutely recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Warm Story with Warm Narration

I really enjoyed this story and I let it unfold for me, without thinking too deeply. I look forward to reading/listening to more from this author. She managed to weave together some pretty intense and emotional situations, while conveying strength, courage, hope, resilience, and unconditional love.

I was a bit ticked at another reviewer for pointing out the "he said" "she said" bit, when I started noticing it about midway through the book. But once it starts, its hard to overlook and, perhaps, its best to prepare other listeners. I feel that I should also say something. I doesn't start until midway through the book, so I believe the author and editor could have avoided this almost entirely. At first I thought that if that reviewer hadn't have pointed it out, I wouldn't have noticed, but I would have. I've listened to other books where this hasn't been as apparent, so it can be done. This book is worth the listen, regardless, and I would recommend this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful story!

Sadness, horror, love, humour. This story had it all!! A very interesting and unusual premise and an absolutely unforgettable little girl and a woman who refused to give up!
I was initially a little put off by the narrator but I ended up being a fan.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Distracted by performance

I struggled to finish this due to the performance. The whininess of the girl's voice was grating and the adult voices felt unnatural. It completely pulled me out of the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

A beautiful, heartwarming story of healing and an exceptional performance by the narrator. I will always think of this story whenever anyone ever mentions the Ursa Major constellation.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!