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 $26.00

Buy Now for $26.00

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
    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
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this story!

I loved so much the focus on healing from various types of trauma rather than the trauma itself. And the Nature and the cats! This story spoke to me. Truly beautiful. Thank you Glendy, I look forward to more of your work.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

lots of twists and turns

loved it! kept me guessing. slow to start but got really good once it picked up.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Great book

The story of this book is not a sci-fi like I'd hoped, but instead is more of a family drama and also romance. it's fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a tear jerker, because I think this one would definitely fit the bill. The only thing I disliked was that the narrator didn't really do much accent on the characters' ways of speaking, even though in the story it is mentioned multiple times. The accents get mentioned, she brings on the accents for a bit, and then it's like they get forgotten, but you can still tell who is each character, it just takes you out of the story a little of you focus too much on it.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Amazing

Loved every minute of it! I really believed she was an alien as it was so well written and narrated! I listen on the way to and from work and I caught myself sitting in the car several times, unable to stop listening to the story. One of my favourites!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • 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
    5 out of 5 stars

great book

loved it. A great story. Recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming story. Cheers.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

A beautiful story!

I loved this book. Sweet, tender, evocative. Just a pleasure to listen to—Lauren Ezzo did an amazing job of the narration.
I miss the characters, I miss Lauren’s voice.
Thank you.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Beautiful

I listened to this book because I thought this was Science Fiction or Fantasy. It isn't. It was 5 star wonderful despite not being what I wanted. The narrator was perfect.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Great book!

The story is very interesting and uplifting, it is hard to put it away.
Warmly recommended.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!