𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
Successful veterinarian Carver Livingston left his home town in Vermont 20 years ago and never returned. He’s felt like the town has been judging him ever since a traumatic time in high school. But when his mom begs him to come home since his father and her are getting divorced, he returns. Confronted by his demons, he ends up seizing back his own life.

𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Boo Walker’s story brings a high school reunion angst into focus and while Carver has been successful professionally, his emotional life and home is barren. Not returning home is a symptom of the problem. I appreciated how this successful man was in fact filled with self doubt, insecurities but when forced to face the very people he’s been hiding from, really rises to the occasion. Forgiveness allows him the opportunity to fill his life with love.

This book is just BURSTING with potential!

Dr. Carver Livingstone has made a huge success of his work life, but is unable to connect with other people, emotionally, due to something that happened when he was at school, 20 years ago and which has prevented him ever returning to his home town.

I was expecting something huge, but it was just a short teenage romance! When Carver's parents announce they are divorcing, he returns home to support his mother, hoping to stay under the radar and be able to avoid facing anyone from his past. It transpired that he blames himself for his parent's break up and has not dealt with the broken heart that drove him to leave 20 years ago.

The saving grace for this story was Mrs Cartwright, Carver's old school teacher. She was a wonderful character and I would like to think we all had a teacher like her, whose influence stays with us throughout our lives.

I feel that more character development is needed with several of the characters and perhaps reduce the number of plot lines and develop the others fully to ensure a more fully engaging read.

3 star. Thanks to Netgalley, Boo Walker and Lake Union for an ARC in return for my honest review.

This is Carver Livingston's story. He banished himself from his hometown in Vermont in self-acclaimed shame that he felt he brought on himself and his family. He felt he was damaged goods. He left after high school, and vowed never, ever to return. Twenty years later he received a phone call from his mother, pleading with him to come home.

The book is about Carver's journey, not just the trip back to Vermont. But, the journey of acceptance, forgiveness and self-redemption. He is learning that his 40-year-old self is not who he was when he left Vermont 20 years earlier. Perception and reality evolve as he matures. The author really takes us into his mind and thoughts. The reader gets to know how he feels about himself, his insecurities, his accomplishments. It is very interesting.

Throughout Carver's journey of healing and rediscovering himself, he also deals with the problems of his parent's marriage.

I especially enjoyed Carver's relationship with a former teacher, Mrs Cartwright. She was someone who supported him during his youth and that support continued as if there had not been a 20-year break. There is a bit of role reversal also.

My favourite quote from the book: It was okay that I wasn't perfect, because I was so far from perfect. Just like everyone else.

There's a saying: You can't go home again. (apologies to Mrs. Cartwright)
But, sometimes you can!

The ending might have been a bit too tidy but it made me happy. And, at one point, there might have been a few tears.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

I have read several of Walker’s books and have enjoyed them. However, I had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book. They were all obsessed with past pains and not going on with life. That was obviously the point of the book, as it developed in the end. I was still irritated with the main character who focused on his teenaged failure and didn’t engage in life for twenty years.
The book is written in honor of a teacher who mentored the author. Mrs. Cartwright is a symbol of all the great teachers who have poured their lives into the minds and hearts of their students. That theme was well received as teachers are under attack in our society.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Boo Walker charmed me immediately with the rugged, loner vet in Asheville, NC who struggled so hard not to ever go back to his native Vermont. But I confess that I was a tiny bit frustrated that all through the early chapters I was teased with hints that he’d done something so terrible he couldn’t show his face in his hometown, but I was left wondering.

I’m not going to tell you now what it is, because that would be a spoiler. But I will say I think this brilliant, handsome vet has maybe overreacted a tad. In his favor, he seems to genuinely care about his parents and about people, a teacher, a friend, and others, he left and didn’t see or talk with for twenty years. I can’t help wonder if it really would be that simple to slip back in and pick up the strings after not wanting to do so for such a long time.

After his dad takes off in a classic travel trailer, Carver decides to stay in town a little longer. He has (miraculously) reconnected with his former girlfriend, and his favorite teacher has been in an accident. So he is wanted and needed. I think the book gets better as Carver begins to be more reflective and less reactive.

In fact, that’s exactly where the book gets really interesting. It’s when he and his teacher Mrs. Cartwright have it out. By that time, I really care about both of them. And so I really want to,know what’s going to happen next. That’s the sign of a good book.

Boo Walker is a great argument for giving up the moniker “women’s fiction”. I haven’t read his other books, but The Stars Don’t Lie is family fiction, it’s human fiction. There’s a revelation, of course. There’s an epiphany. And you’ll enjoy rooting for Carver Livingston to get sorted out, and become the brilliant, smart vet who learned to care and forgive. Is this a romance? Yes, of course it is. But it’s insightful, and I liked it.

I have enjoyed Boo Walker’s books for a while now, so I was delighted to find this book available on NetGalley. I am sorry to say I didn’t care for this book, most of it at least. The main character really annoyed me. He was totally self-absorbed, and he was a 38 year old man that couldn’t get beyond getting dumped by the “ love of his life” after a summer fling in high school. He was devastated at the time and unsuccessfully tried to kill himself. After graduation he left his small Vermont home town and stayed away for twenty years. He left his best friends, his parents, and the teacher whom he loved and who tried to help him at the time. He became a successful veterinarian and inventor, but he never stopped feeling sorry for himself and only returned to the small town to try to help his parents who were facing a divorce. I won’t go into any more details, but I’ll just say that I really didn’t like this character. Most of the book was just a big pity party he was throwing for himself.

If I hadn’t felt obligated to finish the book and give a review,, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. The book turned out to have some very redeeming qualities, however, most specifically the relationship our character had with his beloved ex-teacher. That relationship was what really saved him and saved the book, for me. The ending was quite touching, and I’m glad I finished the book.

A heartwarming, pleasurable read that will resonate with many on different levels. Can we ever really leave our past behind us? As Carver discovers when he returns home after a 20 year hiatus to try and help his parents through their divorce, it's not as easy as one hopes. Upon returning home, former people and feelings surface from his past. Will Carver stay longer than intended to help sort out the lives of the ones who he still holds dear, and in the process learn more about his own true heart's desires? While reading this book, I easily envisioned it some day becoming adapted and added into the Hallmark channel movie mix. The character development is strong and relatable, and the writing was solid. I highly recommend this one and now want to go read some others by this author!

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review,

Carver Livingston is a veterinarian who has not returned home in 20 years, despite his parents requests, and invitations to class reunions. When he is shocked to learn of his parents divorce, he makes himself return home so that he can provide appropriate support. The visit uncovers past decisions, relationships and challenges, and helps him work through events that he has kept bottled up for far too long. A best friend, a high school crush, and an English teacher all play key roles in Carver's visit.

Can you go home again? Carver has not been home for 20 years- since his senior year of high school- for reasons that I won't spoil but he's back now because his parents are divorcing after 43 years of marriage, He reconnects with Mrs. Cartwright, the one teacher who had his back, and begins a journey of reconnecting. This is a familiar theme and how much you enjoy this will depend on how you feel about Carver. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Lake Union Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of The Stars Don't Lie by Boo Walker. This book reminded me of a Hallmark movie.. The main character a Dr returns home after a long hiatus to help him parents. However, when he returns home he is facing other obstacles that were unexpected. This story does involves a teacher in a small town, who helps to foster relationships.

This was a heartwarming story. A great tribute to teachers everywhere. I really enjoyed the story and found myself sending a few tears at the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Carver let one decision, when he was a teenager, keep him from connecting with friends, because he thought that was what they were focused on. When he finally went back to his small hometown, after staying away for 20 years, he went to see his English teacher, Mrs. Cartwright. She was still the same person, she was 20 years ago, in the connection they had. But he soon learned how lonely she was since her husband passed away.
The two of them would remind each other of the past, and lift each other up, and they both needed to start moving forward in their lives. They both found their way, and the surprise that Carver did was amazing. Even he didn't expect the outcome it had, but it did. We see the changes they each made, the things they learned, and the life they stepped into, moving on. It is a well written book, and the author brings the people together, and tell their story, the story of the class reunion, and seeing the difference one teacher had on so many people lives.
I received an ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley.

This is an absolutely beautiful book. A wonderful story, which I have come to expect from Boo Walker. Well developed characters that I came to love, with their human frailties and struggles. The love that Veterinarian Carver felt for his high school teacher, Mrs Cartwright lingers, as he comes to his childhood home for his 20th class reunion. He hasn’t been back home in all that time, and has avoided the problems that sent him off to the university, and a Veterinarian in another town, only communicated with his parents.
This is a story of self hate, insecurities, and reconnection. The descriptions of his adolescence are heartbreaking and impacted his success as a Vet and the attention he got for his invention of a procedure and techniques to improve the quality of life, for the many dogs, both his and his colleagues. The time spent with Mrs Cartwright brings her back to her old self. The lingering ghosts of his past are dealt with. This is definitely a five star effort.
My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Boo Walker, for a most enjoyable read. All opinions are my own.

Every child needs at least one adult to be their champion.

Boo Walker explores the complex relationships of Carter Livingston and just about everyone else in his life. Carter's life is that complex. He has intentionally exiled himself from his family, childhood friends, his champion Mrs. Cartwright, and even most of his employees for twenty years.

After so many years of neglect Carter finds himself back "home" and fails at hiding from his past. Carter faces the memories of his past as he painfully works through multiple relationships to heal himself and those relationships. Carter finally learns to cherish the gifts of family, friends, and his champion, Mrs. Cartwright. Eventually, he even learns to love himself.

Every child needs at least one Mrs. Cartwright in their lives.

I loved this book! This story is not one that you can easily forget. A successful veternarian returns to his small town after 20 years to help his parents and their failing. His plans for a quick in and out trip soon unravel. He begins to heal and face his problems head on with the help of his delightful old teacher, old and new friends. He finds that he is holding onto the past a lot more than many others. This novel sheds light on grief, friendship, suicide, foregiveness and hope. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel. I will be checking out other books by this author.

To be honest it was the cover of the book that drew me in. My is it gorgeous!
My favorite thing was Carvers story from his POV. Kind of different and interesting that it's told from a man's pov. I like that. It gives us a different perspective on what might or how a man sees things.
I loved the theme of this; family dynamics, 2nd chances and whatnot. That's what really kept me turning the pages. I wanted to see if Dr. Livingston finally made peace with himself.
That's a long time to carry guilt. But it’s what life's journey is about. Forgiveness is a major deal. It's to give yourself peace if nothing else.
Here's a quote that I liked. It might be a long one.
“You and I had a totally different read on what was going on between us. All this time I thought what we’d had was one of a kind. Seeing you, hearing that you were single . . . I thought it meant that it was finally our time. But you made me realize we can’t jump back into what we had . .which, as you said, was nothing special. Maybe I got it all wrong.”
Seems to me that this sounds about right cause people change with time.
You can’t just jump in from where you left off because maybe because people mature through time or (supposed) to and experience different things to make them grow and hopefully learn that life's not all about them? Believe me, I know a thing or two about that. Some men never grow up I guess.
From Carver's dad to Carver and one that kind of made tear up a little.
“Carver, I’d never give up on you. You can’t know how great love is until you’re in it, and you can’t know the heartache either. We all hit a rough patch and dealt with it the best we could. Nobody is perfect, and that especially includes me."
Wow! I wish more people would wake up and really see Love for what it truly is. Love is Kind Love is Patient.
We are all a work in progress.
Nowhere in this book did I see perfect characters especially Carver. Yes, he's a big goof just trying to find his way in the world and yes, he's made big time mistakes but then, don't we all?
Such a heartwarming story that I very much enjoyed once I got into it. I just now finished this novel.
I want to add one more thing
love is worth the risk, because a life without love isn’t a life at all.
The moral of the story along with teaching you about how to learn to love yourself. Because then people can really see you for who you are.
Sometimes it takes going home to rediscover yourself and that's my favorite thing about this novel.
I was kind of sad when this novel ended but even I learned some life's lessons along the way.
Thank you for a beautiful story
5 stars for a wonderful novel. I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review The Stars Don't Lie by Boo Walker. I am primarily a fan of suspense and thrillers so this book was a delightful change of pace for me. Dr. Carver Livingston is a 38year old, highly successful veterinary surgeon and inventor haunted by his senior year of high school. As a result he has not returned to his hometown for 20 years, and has no intention of doing so- not ever. That changes when he receives a call from his parents announcing that after 43 years of marriage they are divorcing.
He is devastated by the news, and wants to help them, yet going home was not part of his plan until his Mother pleads with him does he finally acquiesce. The story, sweetly and rather simply told, is about how Carver's absence affected him, his parents, closest friends and his teacer, mentor and friend, Mrs. Carpenter. It is a story about first love, family, friendship, loss, anger, forgiveness and redemption. Who knows, perhaps Thomas Wolfe was wrong, and you can indeed go home again. 3,5 Stars.

Loved parts of this book but struggled with other parts. What could have been a sweet story of love, redemption, and moving forward turned into a repetitive wallowing in twenty years of misery for several of the characters.

As another reviewer said, the inconsistencies and errors about the Asheville, North Carolina setting were also distracting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I absolutely loved this story and if will staywith me for a long time.

Walker's writing, characters and descriptions made this story come to life. A definite recommend

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this story.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

4.5/10. I received this ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I really struggled with this book, I think the point of being a good reader is to able to find empathy for characters you don’t like, and I barely could make that happen for Dr. Carver Livingston. He was incredibly narcissistic, thought he had the answer to everything related to other people’s problems, and also insecure. I kept waiting for his character evolution and while it seemed like it was on the horizon he never quite got there. I did enjoy his relationship with his former teacher, and while he was trying to help her it seemed like ti was coming more from a selfish place, rather than an altruistic one.

Also, I’m from Asheville, where the book is partially set, and there were a lot of inconsistencies. It seems to me like he could’ve done a bit more research into a town instead of using it as a prop because it’s a popular tourist destination.

Trigger warning—themes of depression and suicide.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book.