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Where the Forest Meets the Stars
Where the Forest Meets the Stars | Glendy Vanderah
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.
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Eggs
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#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

1~ Captain America 🤣🤣

2~ tagged

TheSpineView Great answers! Thanks for playing 3w
Read4life #1 💙💙🤓 3w
CBee Great book!! 3w
See All 7 Comments
AnnCrystal 👏🤩👍. 3w
DebinHawaii Great book pick! 💜 Thanks for the tag! 3w
Eggs @TheSpineView 🙏🏻🙏🏻 3w
45 likes7 comments
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Lesliereadsalot
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Mehso-so

9 year old Ursa appears at the summer rental home of Jo, and claims to be an alien. Is she? She‘s very smart and does succeed in getting Jo together with her neighbor Gabe. It was all a little too hokey for me, although I read to the end to find out if Ursa really was an alien!

10 likes1 stack add
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BeeMagical
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Pickpick

Book 218📚 4.2⭐️

Took a deviation from my typical genres and went with a heartwarming story instead.

This was a recommendation after I finished “The Loneliness Girl in the Universe” and I can see why. It is just so sweet and you absolutely fall in love with Ursa.

A star child comes to Earth to learn about humans and bring back 5 miracles she witnessed to her people. That is when she meets Jo and Gabe❤️

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averil
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Panpan

I read this for my aunt‘s book club because I love her deeply, but holy shit, this was truly terrible. This novel is somehow a Hallmark movie in print masquerading as a deep exploration of trauma. Gag. Horrible dialogue, unrealistic plot movement, one-dimensional characters… Some jaw-dropping moments when these three strikes come together.

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TheLudicReader
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Mehso-so

This is a so-so mostly because I finished it... begrudgingly. This wasn't a book I would have ever chosen on my own. It was a gift from a student. It's overly sentimental, mostly dialogue and all tell. Jo, a grad student recovering from her double mastectomy & her mother's death meets Ursa, a 9 yr old who claims she's from outer space. Then there's Gabe, the hunky farmer. #foundfamily

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Em_ily-23
Pickpick

I'm so glad I chose this book at my library. The synopsis implied it may have been a sci-fi book, which generally speaking isn't for me. Instead this a hear warming story about a girl who needed to start a new life and did it on her own terms.

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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

It‘s been a long time since I‘ve loved a book like I‘ve loved this one. Jo is recovering from the death of her mother and her own illness while doing grad work in rural Illinois. It all seems simple until a little girl claiming to be an alien shows up.

magyklyXdelish One of my favorite books ever. Ursa forever has my heart ♥️ 9mo
76 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Not-My-Cat is here again tonight for reading and bird watching.

AmyG Ha! Your new bff. 9mo
Aims42 Haha! She knows good company when she sees it 😊😉 9mo
KathyWheeler I love your rug! 9mo
See All 7 Comments
Soubhiville She‘s hoping you‘ll read her a story. 💕 9mo
dabbe Hello, Nifty Not-My-Cat! 🖤🐾🖤 9mo
peanutnine Well that's adorable 9mo
LiseWorks Love the name lol 9mo
76 likes7 comments
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Eggs
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Happy Canada 🇨🇦 Day! Though there are soooo many books set in Canada, I chose this one. It‘s not famous but it was an unforgettable story!

#CanadaDay #SummerSpecial

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

DebinHawaii Love this one and all her books! 💙💙💙 9mo
Eggs Me too 🙌🏻🙌🏻 @DebinHawaii 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙💙💙 9mo
59 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Jenken1998
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Pickpick

Scientist Joanna is working in the field when she comes upon a child in need of help. Joanna and her reclusive neighbor try to help the child, but first, they must determine if she really is from the stars like she claims. The bonds are formed, but hard decisions must be made. It was a sweet magical read. There are some triggers for parent loss, child injury, and cancer survival. Im being vague so i dont spoil anything. 4 stars.

IuliaC I liked this one! Great review! 11mo
50 likes1 comment
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Coleen
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Pickpick

I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. A bit of a mystery that kept me on the fence about what to believe.

Crazeedi I really liked this book!! 13mo
22 likes1 comment
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JacqMac
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Pickpick

I really liked this one. There are a lot of dark topics in this one. I can‘t list them all, because spoilers. But it‘s not a dark story. It‘s a story about love overcoming all the darkness. And it‘s a unique and beautiful take on all of it.
#WinterReadathon
@DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Looks a great read. 1y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
44 likes2 comments
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JacqMac
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Current read and my winter beverage of choice. I have fallen in love with this tea. The book is really good so far, too.
#WinterReadathonDailyChallenge #WinterReadathon
@DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader ♥️♥️♥️ 1y
Andrew65 Sounds lovely. 🫖🫖🫖 1y
LeahBergen I like that tea, too! 1y
51 likes3 comments
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TheSpineView
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This looks good!! 1y
Eggs It‘s a beautiful story Lisa and @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 1y
TheSpineView @Eggs I need to add this one to my TBR list. 1y
64 likes4 comments
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erickahhh
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Pickpick

This was such a cute book! I really adored the little girl who was an alien and the unlikely match between the PhD student and farmer. I was slightly disappointed by aspects of the story. The story was whimsical, inspiring, and makes us think about what matters most to us. It was very sweet and thoughtful.

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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

Completely unexpected hidden-in-my-Kindle gem. I needed a book set in a rural area for a challenge, so gave it a shot. I absolutely devoured this book.

Very well-written story dealing with a lot of heavy themes that still manages be sweet and almost whimsical at times. I adored all of the characters, and wasn‘t even mad that some tears were forced from my jaded eyes by the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

sprainedbrain This book has been living on my Kindle for years, but I‘m trying to read 8 books per month from my #MtTBR while trying to manage my ridiculous library holds and KU/#Booktok problem.😂 2y
Prairiegirl_reading I‘ve had this one for quite some time too. Maybe this year will be the year!! 🤣 2y
sprainedbrain @Prairiegirl_reading I think I got it as a Prime first reads the month before it came out. 😳 2y
ericarobynreads I loved this book!! Glad you enjoyed it as well! 2y
MoonWitch94 I really enjoyed this one myself. It was a slow burn & loved the ending. 2y
77 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Gryffleclaw95
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)

“Where the Forest Meets the Stars” was a great read that I flew through. I found the plot very interesting, the characters unique, and the ending made my bleeding heart happy. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, plot, and its flawed characters.

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BeeMagical
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Fantaaaaaastic thrift finds today!!! I was so excited to find the tagged book and Heidi! My Oma used to braid my hair like Heidi from the movie💕

And another amazing King haul! The institute is my favourite King book to date so I felt like I needed to own a copy!

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Crazeedi
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#Two4Tuesday
1 I really don't have a preference, a card would just be lovely❤️
2 The tagged book is a love story in a very different way. It's beautiful
Tagging everyone!!

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! ❤📘❤ 2y
Eggs You‘re in luck Diane 🤗 one is on the way to you from me💞 @Crazeedi 2y
Crazeedi @Eggs you are so special to me😍❤️ 2y
Eggs @Crazeedi 😘🥰🌹 2y
47 likes4 comments
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ProudBookNerd
Pickpick

Reading this story was a little bittersweet for me. It is a story about survivors - cancer, mental health, abuse. I picked up this book and was reading it as I have been helping a family member fight cancer so it is safe to say that my opinion about it is a bit skewed. I ended up really enjoying the story about a woman, man, and child who find and start to heal each other. I can't say that I loved this book but I did really like it.

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Crazeedi
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Andrew65 This looks a good choice. 2y
Eggs Thanks for the tag 💞 2y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 it was very different and good 2y
See All 9 Comments
robinb Thanks for the tag! Stacked! 2y
kspenmoll Thanks for the tag- will post in the morning! 2y
julesG Thanks for the tag. Posted mine already. 2y
Cathythoughts Beautiful cover and title ❤️ 2y
KarenUK I‘m in! Thanks for the tag x 2y
64 likes9 comments
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Eggs
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4 books I‘ve read with #star theme.
#star @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

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Eggs
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57 likes1 comment
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Crazeedi
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#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain
Thanks for the tag @wanderinglynn 🧡
1 Finishing Of Irish Blood and News of the World
2 stuffing and pumpkin roll, also potato bacon soup!
3 the tagged book is mostly set in autumn and it was excellent
Wanna play @Jari-chan @LapReader @squirrelbrain @AmyK1 @JoyBlue @sharread ?

wanderinglynn The tagged sounds like a fascinating read! 2y
Crazeedi @wanderinglynn it is really good 2y
squirrelbrain Thanks for the tag Diane! I loved the tagged book too…. 2y
50 likes3 comments
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peanutnine
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Day 1 of #LitsySummerCamp
1. I can do a tent or a cabin. When my boyfriend and I go camping we take his little tent camper so we're off the ground a bit. 🏕️
2. Camp Starlight and Frog Songs 🌌🎶
3. The tagged is the first one that comes to mind, set in an outdoorsy setting
4. My #LitsySummerCampReadathon goal is to read a little from a physical book each day, at least when I am home in the evenings
@ImperfectCJ

ImperfectCJ Being off the ground is a BIG help! Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a new one for me. I'm intrigued by the mixed reviews...it seems like a love-or-hate, which always gets me wondering. Thanks for joining in! 3y
25 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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#LitsySummerCamp

1️⃣ Nice cabins or Yurts-I camped in younger days & even stayed in “covered wagons” once in Girl Scout Camp, but I‘m much more a “glamper” now.🤷🏻‍♀️

2️⃣ I took this as my name at camp. In Outdoor School I was “Rainbow”🌈 (It was the 80s!) but if it‘s meant to be naming the camp itself, I‘ll go with Camp Read-n-Relax.

3️⃣ The tagged book is a favorite-the author makes the outdoor & rural/forest settings come to life.💫

⬇️

DebinHawaii 4️⃣ Hit the daily prompts & keep up with my other daily/weekly challenges & buddy reads which is a challenge with work. Finish one book for pleasure + one for a book tour. 📚Thanks for hosting camp! 🤗 3y
29 likes1 comment
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apoisedquill
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Panpan

Well...no :( This book bored me enough to make me want to finish it immediately so that I can be done with it and move on to a better book. The characters were utterly unrelatable. The dialogue from start to finish were childish and inane, especially considering Ursa was supposed to be "highly intelligent for her age." The conversation went around were just pointless. Another turn-off: the glaring lack of empathy exhibited by the characters.

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readingjedi
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Mehso-so

From the reviews I was expecting to be blown away but I find this bland & a little twee for my taste. The writing is 'first novel' at times, flows nicely at others. The parts that I find mawkish are probably the parts that people without a heart of stone find touching. Ursa is initially intriguing but gets annoying. The romance is ... why I don't read romance. The ending is too tidy - was gutted she wasn't an alien! Pleasant but just too 'nice'.

apoisedquill I agree! The ending was too "fairy tale"-ish. ? 3y
80 likes1 stack add1 comment
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GeethuBabu
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this read!!

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readingjedi
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Was wracking my mind trying to think what the cover of this book reminded me of .... it's only one of my most favourite Yankee Candles ever!

FelinesAndFelonies You're right! As soon as you suggested it looked like a book cover this book immediately popped into my head! 3y
LoverOfLearning Ha I love this!! I want this candle 3y
58 likes2 comments
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readingjedi
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Starting this one tonight. Need distracting, my tinnitus is bad tonight.

With thanks to #netgalley for this book 😊

CBee My mom struggled with tinnitus - it‘s awful! On a positive note, I absolutely loved this book ♥️ 3y
Libby1 ❤️ I hope you feel better soon. 3y
magyklyXdelish I LOVED this one. Hope you enjoy it ♥️ 3y
72 likes1 stack add3 comments
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CBee
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Pickpick

I am so glad I finally read this! I‘m equal parts wrecked and joyful. Ursa will be in my heart forever ♥️
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks have you read this? You‘d love it!

magyklyXdelish Ughhhhhh one of my FAVES. This book is so special and I needed lots of Kleenex by the end lol 3y
CBee @magyklyXdelish yesssss me too!!! Anytime I wasn‘t reading it, I wanted to be reading it. Especially getting to the end of it and finding out the real story, omg 😳😭 3y
70 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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IuliaC
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Pickpick

A sweet story about friendship and healing

johncadams Love the backdrop! 3y
IuliaC @johncadams thank you 😊 3y
50 likes2 comments
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JulietReads
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I'm trading in. 😁

DebinHawaii I really enjoyed this one! 💙💙💙 3y
JulietReads @DebinHawaii Me too. I miss Ursa 3y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AmyReadsAlot
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Pickpick

There absolutely was a magical quality to this story that lends itself more to science fiction than fantasy but it was magical regardless. What a delightful feeling to vacillate between wondering if Ursa was truly from the stars, as she proclaimed herself to be, or if she was a child who had lost her way. I really think that together Joanna and Gabriel were a magic all their own and Ursa was just the cherry on top. I highly recommend this book!

Lsmoore43 I loved this book. 3y
AmyReadsAlot @Lsmoore43 Have you read The Light Through the Leaves? I am wondering if it is just as good 🙂 3y
Lsmoore43 @GenreMinxReviews I have not read that one yet. I have it and have heard good things. I just haven't had time between ARCs to read it. 3y
See All 6 Comments
AmyReadsAlot @Lsmoore43 Same! Also, this book was so good I am almost afraid of The Light Through the Leaves book being a disappointment 🤣 3y
Lsmoore43 @GenreMinxReviews I know. But I have heard it was a very good book. We can hope right. lol 3y
8 likes6 comments
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peanutnine
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Day 30 #MayCharacters
Prompt: Mysterious

Ursa shows up out of nowhere into Joanna's life, claiming she was sent from the stars to witness five miracles on Earth. The little girl's past is a mystery.

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs I read that a few months ago 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
Hhhjjjnsjehdhwjd That book cover is beautiful.💛🖤 3y
peanutnine @Eggs it was one of my top reads last year ❤️ 3y
See All 7 Comments
peanutnine @ilanakeukake right?? 🌌💫🤩 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds awesome 💙 3y
peanutnine @Eggs yes, it sounds amazing also! I want to read it soon 3y
32 likes7 comments
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Sharpeipup
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Thanks @RamsFan1963 @AmyK1 for the tags!
1. Only Harry Potter
2. More than it should
3. See above
#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 📚☺️🌿 3y
21 likes1 comment
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AC4ever17
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Pickpick

This book was so good! It was such an emotional ride and I was crying sad and happy tears especially towards the ending. This book will definitely be going down as one of my all time favorites. Definitely recommend this book. Give this book ♾/5 ⭐️‘s! I loved it so much!

42 likes3 stack adds
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Allthebookclubs
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Pickpick

I love love loved this book, I read it in only a day because i could not put it down!! What a great story. I figured out the ending but still loved it. The writing and character development was great, the concept was great, and I‘m so glad the ending was not rushed. Book 19 in 2021

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kelli7990
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Pickpick

I read this book for #bookishbingo and this counts for the prompt Published In March. I also got a bingo on my bingo board for this month.

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Eggs
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TheKidUpstairs ❤📚🌳🌲 3y
magyklyXdelish Amazing book and I could not say enough good things about it ♥️ 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🌳❤️ 3y
65 likes1 stack add4 comments
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suvata
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magyklyXdelish Oh I‘m glad you loved Where the forest meets the stars. That book touched my soul. It was so beautiful and Ursa will always have a special place in my heart ♥️ 3y
suvata @magyklyXdelish Ursa is definitely a character I will never forget. 3y
48 likes2 comments
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SeaToSkyes
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My #BookCupidSwap gifts! Thank you so much @Mccall0113 !! This book sounds really good and I can't wait to read it! #HappyValentinesDay everyone! 💖💖💖 @candority

Mccall0113 Enjoy! (Sorry about the tape 🙄😬) ❤️ 3y
candority Yay! Happy Valentine‘s Day! 💖 3y
SeaToSkyes @Mccall0113 it's totally fine! I didn't even have to use the scissors lol!! 🤣 3y
34 likes3 comments
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suvata
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Pickpick

Jo is an ornithologist doing summer research in rural Illinois. Returning to her cabin she sees a young girl hiding in the woods. The girl says her name is Ursa and claims to be an alien who has inhabited the body of a dead girl. Her mission is to witness five miracles. Jo and Gabe (romantic interest) try to find out who she really is but, when they summon he police, the girl runs and hides in the forest. Soon the three of them form a strong bond.

magyklyXdelish This book (and Ursa) will forever hold a special place in my heart ♥️ 3y
suvata @magyklyXdelish oh, absolutely 3y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sharpeipup
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Starting the last of my #newyearwhodis books. @MoonWitch94 @monalyisha

monalyisha Wow! Look at your progress! 😍 3y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Crazeedi
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Pickpick

#Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks #4
#TBRCrew @AkashaVampie
What a beautiful story. A little girl shows up to the cottage where Jo is conducting her research. Ursa claims she's from a faraway galaxy and is on earth to work for her degree. She has to witness 5 miracles and she can return home. Jo realizes Ursa is special and she tries to find what home she's run away from . This book will touch your heart

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Jody3
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Pickpick

Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a story of friendship and the power of healing through friends. The writing is straight forward, not a spare word, easy-to-read, and so full of heart, all you are left with is hope in the end, and who doesn‘t want to be left with that?

12 likes1 stack add
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swishandflick
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Mehso-so

I liked this overall, but it got really repetitive in the middle. It starts strong and the ending was great, but I wish bits of that had been incorporated more throughout. I guess I was mostly just antsy for tidbits of Ursa's backstory earlier on, rather than all dumped in at the very end. 3.5 ⭐️

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monkeygirlsmama
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hehe ♥️

Victoriahoperose One of my favorite books. I recommend it to everyone since I read it!! 3y
monkeygirlsmama @Victoriahoperose Yay! I was saddened to see some really harsh reviews online. I'm glad to see others who agree with me. 3y
11 likes2 comments
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monkeygirlsmama
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Pickpick

I have been very lucky to have stumbled across some really incredible books lately, and Where the Forest Meets the Stars most definitely fits the bill. Such a delightful story that made me wish it would never end. Well done, Ms Vanderah, on this your debut novel. It is with much anticipation that I say I hope you will not let this be both your first and your last attempt at storytelling. To keep such magic all to yourself would be a crime!

16 likes1 comment