This is not a book that was on my radar at all, but I kept seeing all these rave reviews so I thought I would make some room and take a chance. I'm really glad I did because I normally would have skipped right by it had it not been for friends reviews on Goodreads.

Within the first page I was hooked on the lives of these characters. Jo is an ornithologist renting a house in the woods when a young girl, Ursa, appears and claims to be an alien from the Pinwheel Galaxy. Her mission is to witness five miracles on Earth. Jo believes she is a missing child and tries to find out where she is really from. During the time that Ursa stays with Jo, the aloof man who lives next store gets caught in Ursa's spell and soon the three of them are far beyond returning things to as they were before her arrival.

It's best to go in as blind as possible because there are a lot of special moments in this story. There was a plot point I didn't see coming that I thought really kicked this up to another level. Without it, I am not sure I would have given it such a strong rating. If the descriptions of "magical", "fantasy" and "alien" scare you off - don't let them. This is a really special book that should be read by everyone. I can't believe it's a debut!!

Thanks to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Glendy Vanderah for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

Review Posted: 4/11/19
Book Publication Date: 03/01/19

I wanted to love this book so badly. The premise was so intriguing to me and with all the overwhelmingly positive reviews, I thought for sure I would be swept away.

It's a very easy read - but almost too easy. The resolutions come way way too easily at the end. It was all just wrapped up way to prettily with a bow. Also, Gabe's sister suddenly becoming so warm and loving at the end came out of nowhere.

That said, if you want a quick read that will keep you engaged, this is a good option.

I initially struggled with this book - I found that the plot was a little slow to gather pace, that some of the writing was a little heavy on unnecessary description and unwieldy dialogue between characters. However, the fact that I simply couldn't fathom where the plot was going, pushed me to continue and I'm glad I did!

After the halfway point, the book began to become more engaging - the characters were vivid and relatable, and I wanted to find out more. The last third of the book was so gripping and heartbreaking, which was much needed - as at some points I felt the story was a little cliché. This was, however, a beautiful study of unexpected love, and finding happiness in the strangest places - I would highly recommend, you just need to move past the first couple of chapters and suddenly it really gets going!

Thank you to @netgalley @glendyvanderah for the free ARC in exchange for a review. ⁣
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I heard about this book because @bookish_nel posted about it and it was being compared to The Snow Child. I loved The Snow Child so much and was immediately intrigued. ⁣
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I can see why many have drawn comparisons to The Snow Child in the sense that Ursa, an eight year old girl turns up unexpectedly near where Jo, an ornithology student lives. There is magical realistic aspects to this novel but this novel sets itself apart in different ways.⁣
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This novel explores issues of identity, especially after experiencing medical issues, concepts of family and what home is, romantic relationships, and coping with trauma.⁣
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Recommended if you are interested in any of these topics with a lush natural landscape. This is a sweet read that also doesn't shy away from difficult themes but is eternally optimistic.

In rural Illinois, while during her research on birds for her doctorate after going through the loss of her mother and breast cancer treatment, Joanna Teale encounters a mysterious girl called Ursa, who claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles.

"Where the forest meets the stars" is a stunning debut- it has been a long time that I haven't been so deeply connected with a story and this novel totally resonated with me. Ursa is a remarkable and mysterious nine-year-old girl that I desired to discover more throughout the story. Her unique reasoning and maturity left me thinking of the current kids in this world- I felt mesmerized and actually inspired by this character, liking her even in her stubbornness. I enjoyed Jo - she is a well-crafted character that made me hopeful after feeling her protective instinct and love toward Ursa. Also, her struggles following the battle with breast cancer are so realistically written - I could learn more about cancer survivor's thoughts. Furthermore, the interaction between Joanna and Gabe was genuine and down-to-earth. I can say that all the characters were essential and captivating in their own way.

The miracles that we witness are truly thoughtful and, even though being small in our eyes, they are beautiful and somehow magical. The plot is well-developed and in perfect pace. Glendy Vanderah writes in a engaging way themes like friendship, love, power of healing and family relationship. Lastly, I wish there was more to tell at the ending. This novel is a heart warming/fantastic gem that you must read!

This is a wonderful story, beautifully written. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, where each significant character has a well rounded backstory that draws us into their lives. Ursa's displacement and her fantasy life brings us to an emotional impasse where metaphor mingles with reality. Relationships are made and broken and fear of intimacy is everywhere. It's a feel good story with enough twists and turns and dramas to keep your interest and makes sure you stay reading.

This forsure isn’t a book I’d normally read. The storyline seemed unique and different. So why not try it rigjtt?

The book is well written for sure. The boook is well written. Just not my favorite topic/storyline.

Totally enjoyable and so unique, I enjoyed this book for so many reasons: Good character development, intriguing plot, birds, etc. The interactions and frailties of each character endear them to you...brave Joanna, cancer survivor; Ursa Major, a girl claiming to be an alien; Gabriel, the egg man. Charming and poignant, one of the best books for me thus far in 2019.

This is such a beautiful and unusual book. It came recommended by a few people and I decided to read it without knowing too much about it. It immediately sucked me in with the writing and the story. Jo is in southern Illinois doing some bird research for her PhD. She has a reclusive neighbor, Gabe, who sells eggs on the side of the road. One day a mysterious girl appears on her doorstep, covered in bruises and dirt.. She tells Jo she came from the stars and is named Ursa Major. She says she was sent to live on Earth until she witnessed five miracles. The author weaves a story of Jo, Gabe and Ursa and how they all connect while she is witnessing her miracles. Eventually, she only has one miracle left and summer comes to an end, With that, their lives are transformed. Heartbreaking beautiful, very imaginative and like nothing I have read before. I highly recommend it.

I started this book one day and finished it the next. It held me captive like no other. The author has a bestseller here no doubt. Congratultations to Glendy Vanderah on her first novel and it’s success. I have no doubt it will be loved.

Joanna Teale is a college student learning about nesting birds. She’s working on her PhD after the loss of her mother and her battle with cancer. She’s a very hard working young woman. When a child appears. She says her name is Ursa and she’s from the stars. Jo feels bad for the child and is afraid she is being abused so lets her stay against her better judgement.

Then there it Gabriel, the handsome neighbor who has problems of his own but helps Jo and Ursa along the way. Jo and Gabriel are attracted to each other though they know she will be leaving at the end of the summer.

This book was one that pulls you in and won’t let go. It’s a love story, magical, sad, a learning experience, a mystery and a thriller that will keep you on the edge. You will have lots of ideas as to why Ursa is there but when it comes out it’s not what you was expecting. She’s a very intellegent child with a high IQ. She surprises Jo and Gabe with so much of what she says and does. Try as they may though she won’t talk about her “real” life. She sticks to her alien story.

This was one of the best books I have read and I have read some very good books this year. It’s one that I didn’t want to put down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC of this wonderful book. The opinions are mine and have no reflection on either.

A huge 5 stars from me. I highly recommend this book to my reading friends and everyone who loves a great book. It’s definitely a great one. I can’t wait for more from this author.

I loved how this book entangled me within the first few chapters. You’re left wondering who is this alien and where is this story going. A tale of love and loss and love and finding more.

Thank you to Lake Union and Netgalley for the preview.

When The Forest Meets The Stars
Glendy Vanerah

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

The girl calls herself Ursa Major ,and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles.

A heartwarming story about loss and Love, and the ties that from when you least expect them. A curious and fast read. A little too predictable storyline, but all in all a memorable creative story.
I am looking forward to more of the authors writing in the future .

I don’t like sci-fi books. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again. When I first started reading this book, I thought oh, no, here we go a weird sci-fi story that I will have to struggle to finish. But boy, was I fooled! Yes, the story is about a little girl who says she is from the “Pinwheel Galaxy” by the “big bear’s tail”. She says her name is Earpood but lets Jo (the other female main character) call her Ursa. The storyline is very interesting and the characters are well developed. I would definitely read another book from this author and will recommend her to others. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Pick any great, wonderful, endearing word and it won’t equal how you will feel after you have read this book. Ursa is not just a child, she is the glue that helps heal the other characters in this story. Very quickly you realize she has experienced something so horrific she has created extraordinary defenses to protect herself. She grabs your heart and never lets go. She makes you invest your energy in caring so deeply that you are amazed when you look up and have to acknowledge that you are reading, not living her story.

Glendy Vanderah has not only written an emotionally challenging book but she has laid importance to the dilemma of trying to help a runaway child without running into dire legal consequences. The characters in this book are believable and so mired in problems, uncertainties and difficulties that it is understandable that they question their actions or lack thereof. When their feet are held to the fire they manage to delay for yet another day allowing a child to control the situation, finding excuses instead of solutions.

The story is woven with threads of intelligence and humor, and deals with subjects of physical societal, and mental health. As I was reading I kept meaning to take notes and highlight so many salient points but I was so invested in the story that I never wanted to look away. For me that defines better than great writing.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review**
I already know that this will be one of my favourite books of the year! I absolutely loved it! I found it had some similar themes as Where the Crawdads sing, one of my favourites from last year-nature, family, love..
If you loved Crawdads, you should definitely give this one a go! Lovely story!

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I was not sure this was going to be my kind of book, but I was so wrong.

What would you do if a random little girl showed up at your house in dirty Pj’s, bruises, and would run away if the cops showed up? What would you do if she said her name was Ursa and she came from the stars?

I loved this heartfelt journey we get to go on with Jo, Gabriel, and Ursa.

I loved that these characters felt so real. With big, real life struggles, and problems. They will all pull on your heartstrings. This one will stay with me for a while.

This book was very disappointing. Actually, I did like the first half of it. There was less cursing, and the story flowed nicely. But then it flew downhill. When different romances came into play, they were so hokey it almost seemed like the characters eere aware of that fact. Spoilers
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The implication that mental illness was incredibly offensive, as were the references to extra-marital affairs being cobsidered good things.

I loved this book! It was unique and creative. The sense of magical realism lingered throughout the book to the twist at the end.

A woman who just lost her mother to breast cancer and is herself a breast cancer survivor. A man who suffers from depression and anxiety and difficult family history. A precocious young girl who claims to be an alien from the stars, but appears to be homeless and abused. I loved this story of how these three characters meet, bond, and gradually learn to support and trust each other. Whether she's from another planet or not, the little girl, Ursa, is truly magical and is the catalyst for all the good things that happen--which she is quick to take credit for! Loved the role of nature, birds, and animals in this book. There are humor, drama, great characters, a unique storyline, and a dog named Little Bear--one miracle for me!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

Where the Forest Meets the Stars is an excellent tale told very well and bodes well for the future - this is the debut offering of Glendy Vanderah. I can't wait for number two.

This tale is tight, the protagonists well rounded and empathetic, and the plot heartbreaking at times and always compelling. Taking place in farm country not far from the small town of Vienna, Illinois, we follow our heroine Jo as she wanders the country roads and wild woods charting the nesting habits, failures, and successes of Indigo Buntings and assorted other birds throughout the summer. Mourning the recent cancer death of her mother, from whom she inherited the BRCA1 mutant gene, Jo is herself, at 25, a recent cancer survivor recovering from several surgeries and chemo after testing caught her own cancer in the early stages. She is grateful to be working on her own this summer after a two-year break in her studies, working out of a small primitive cabin owned by one of the professors at her college in Champaign. But she isn't alone for long. The first invasion into her private summer of mourning her mother, her boobs, and the children she can never have is a small hungry pup. Followed closely by the young bruised alien from the pinwheel galaxy. Things only get more complicated from that point on. And then we add in the Egg Man.

This is a novel I am pleased to refer to friends and family. I literally couldn't put it down. I received a free electronic copy of this exceptional novel from Netgalley, Glendy Vanderah, and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.