A Favorite Quote: “Thunder growled. Rain clawed at the window. Joe held Ursa in her safe nest, and all the while fate sat watching.” Self-written Blurb: Two strangers who have both handled grief and trauma in completely different ways, must navigate through their colliding worlds to help a little girl through her own trauma. Jo is just trying to get her bird research done. Gabe is just stuck in a daily repetitive routine. Ursa is an alien living in an 8 year old’s body and was sent to Earth to witness 5 miracles. Faced with the impossible situation of trying to do the right thing by Ursa, Jo and Gabe wade their way through tough decision after tough decision. Who is Ursa, if not a lost and trauma ridden child? And what 5 miracles could send these three on an, at best, nontraditional and at worst, unethical journey? Perhaps love is the best miracle of all. What I enjoyed: Glendy Vanderah is a masterful storyteller. This book has the perfect blend of humor, heartache, mystery and life lessons. Ursa immediately captured my heart. The way I could relate to both Jo and Gabe was enigmatical. The author does a splendid job at making you feel as if you are right there with Jo, Gabe and Ursa. Told completely in the third person, this story has everything you want in literary fiction. It highlights how everyone handles grief and trauma differently but most importantly that sometimes friendship and a found family can give you the greatest power of healing. Such a heart-warming story that will likely stay with me through the years. Any struggles?: I didn’t have any struggles with this book. Will I recommend and to who: To everyone. To absolutely everyone. If you have triggers with thoughts surrounding child abuse though, I would recommend to proceed with caution.

An engaging, heartwarming story. Ursa is a character you won’t easily forget, and Jo has the strength and integrity to carry the story along. Hard to put down toward the end.

What an incredible read!! I can’t get over this book! So much happening and so intriguing I didn’t want to put it down! Ursa, Jo, & Gabe are incredible This story had more twists than I know how to handle but I loved it 😍 Be warned, there is an animal death Ursa believes she’s from another planet, but reality may not be exactly as it appears Jo is renting a cabin for the summer to work on a college project. She is also a breast cancer survivor who recently lost her mother to it. Gabe is a loner who lives with his mother as her caretaker and desperately wants to forget the rest of the world even exists. His life with anxiety has caused him to keep to himself. This trio comes together in the most unusual way and there is just so much happening it’s hard to tell what is reality, and what isn’t. Incredible journey filled with love, loss, horror, acceptance, & a little bit of magic

Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a breathtaking debut novel that effortlessly blends magic, mystery, and raw human emotion. The story pulls readers into an enchanting world where three unlikely souls—Ursa, Joanna, and Gabe—find each other and create an unbreakable bond. With its perfect balance of drama, heartache, and hope, this novel is a masterfully woven tale of love, loss, and healing. The story follows Joanna, a scientist conducting field research, who stumbles upon a mysterious little girl named Ursa. Claiming to be an alien from another galaxy, Ursa refuses to leave until she witnesses five miracles. As Joanna and her reclusive neighbor, Gabe, take her in, their lives become entwined in ways neither could have expected. The novel keeps readers engaged by slowly unraveling Ursa’s true origins, all while exploring deep themes of grief, trauma, mental illness, and resilience. The way Vanderah reveals the truth behind Ursa’s past is beautifully executed, holding back key revelations until the final act. This slow-burn storytelling ensures that readers remain emotionally invested, mirroring Joanna’s own journey of discovery. Each character is deeply layered, with personal struggles that make them feel real and relatable. Joanna is a strong yet vulnerable protagonist, carrying the weight of personal trauma, while Gabe’s battles with depression and isolation add further depth to the narrative. Ursa, with her whimsical and wise-beyond-her-years personality, is the heart of the novel—both a mystery to be solved and a beacon of hope. What makes this book truly special is how Vanderah uses these characters to highlight the power of human connection. Each of them carries significant pain, yet through love and trust, they find solace in one another. Vanderah’s writing is immersive and poetic, drawing readers into a world that feels both real and magical. She seamlessly weaves heavy themes like death, illness, and abuse into a story that ultimately feels uplifting. The novel’s emotional weight is balanced by moments of warmth, humor, and wonder, making it a deeply moving read. For a debut novel, Where the Forest Meets the Stars is astonishing in its depth and quality. It offers a Shakespearean-style comedy, delivering a profound message about love, resilience, and the unexpected ways in which people come into our lives. This is more than just a story—it’s an experience, one that lingers long after the final page. An absolute must-read.

What a wild ride this story was! And what a rare, stubborn, brilliant kid Ursa was! She deserved a story, both magic and tragic. Brava, Glendy! You gave it to her! Cancer and depression were handled like you knew them... I'm sorry for all of us who know.

Couple things… the “Jo said, Gabe said, Ursa said” in the dialogue of this book drive me insane. It was written from a narrator perspective and every conversation just annoyed me bc of the “ ‘name’ said” after every sentence. The end was rushed, I feel like it went from great to okay at the end (like so many other reviews say). The jump from absolutely not to okay fine in the foster family situation happened basically without the reader even knowing.. it was very confusing. The downplay on mental illness and depression was rough, I get the premise for the story line but damn, red flags all around for that relationship.

I bought this book for the title only, and it does the book justice. A wonderful tale of attachment and love weaved into a forest setting. No spoilers here, but do not miss the opportunity to benefit from the experience of this read.

At first, I thought the novel was pure fantasy, given the way Ursa enters into the life of Jo, claiming she came from the stars. However, nothing magic happens, but everything is so normal, such as things that happen among normal people. Ursa mingles into the lives of the neighbors so naturally, yet so intensively, that she changes everybody’s life, and, certainly, for the better. Ursa is the missing puzzle piece, the one that brings happiness and love to everyone she meets. Reality prevails over fantasy and long she was really an alien coming from the stars. I think it is a great book. An original story that moved me and reminded me of the importance of enjoying every minute of my life, while I have it.

“Where the Forest Meets the Stars” is a beautifully written, heartwarming tale that masterfully blends mystery, hope, and healing. Glendy Vanderah keeps readers on edge with unexpected twists while weaving an emotional journey of love, loss, and resilience. The characters feel raw and real, making this a powerful, unforgettable story that lingers long after the final page."

Its such a beautiful story full of love and compassion. I am usually a fan of thrillers n suspense novels but this one kept me hooked. The character of Ursa is such that till the end you want to believe that shes a soul from somewhere else.. shes lovely and exhurbiant and so much full of magic. Beautifully the writer has explored the delicate topics of depression and how one bounces back from a terminal illness. Simple yet so engrossing... the forests truly meet the stars ... loved it🤗

"Where the Forest Meets the Stars" by Glendy Vanderah is a captivating tale that seamlessly weaves together themes of grief, healing, and the magic of connection. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide. The story revolves around Jo Teale, an ornithologist who is grieving the loss of her mother to cancer, and Ursa, a mysterious young girl who claims to be an alien on a mission to witness five miracles. Their unlikely friendship forms the heart of the narrative, and it's impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey. Vanderah's writing is nothing short of exquisite. Her descriptions of nature are vivid and poetic, creating a rich backdrop for the story. The characters are beautifully developed, each harboring their own wounds and secrets, and their growth throughout the novel is both moving and believable. As the story unfolds, it explores the themes of love, loss, and the healing power of human connection. It also delves into the profound idea of finding wonder and miracles in the most unexpected places. Vanderah's storytelling skillfully tugs at the heartstrings, leaving you with a sense of hope and renewal by the end. "Where the Forest Meets the Stars" is a literary gem that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories that are both heartwarming and thought-provoking. It's a book that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found, and sometimes, that light is as extraordinary as the stars themselves. This novel is a testament to the magic that can be discovered where the forest truly meets the stars.