The Stars Don't Lie: A Novel

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 14,654 ratings

Price: 2.49

Last update: 09-06-2024


About this item

A man who thought he put his shattered past behind him embarks on a reflective journey home in a heartfelt novel by the bestselling author of The Singing Trees and A Spanish Sunrise.

Haunted by a tragic decision he made twenty years ago, veterinarian Dr. Carver Livingston has not once returned to his Vermont hometown. Now his parents’ impending divorce and his mother’s plea for support lure Carver to a reluctant homecoming. His mission: sweep into Teterbury, save a marriage, and get out before anyone else from his past knows he was even there. Fate has other plans.

It’s hard to hide from former friends. Harder still to fight old feelings for the crushing and beautiful high school soulmate whom he dreams of pursuing again. And Mrs. Cartwright, his fragile English teacher, who once pulled Carver out of sadness. She taught him to always look up and to see life’s grander perspective in the stars. Now it’s Carver’s turn to help Mrs. Cartwright find those bright lights in the dark.

Against his need to leave, Carver decides to stay longer, as he, his mother and father, and Mrs. Cartwright are all at turning points in their lives. Hope is not lost. If they look up, they’ll see that tonight, the stars still shine.


From the Publisher

The sky is full of hope

Top reviews from the United States

Bobbi Staup
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024
This book made me laugh and made me cry. I also experienced some periods of deep thinking. The characters draw you in to the point you feel as if you are a part of the story. Amazing read. I will say it was slow for me at first but then I was deeply drawn into the story.
Grateful Gal
4.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Cartwright should have addressed profanity more than cliches
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
Would have been better without the overuse of God’s name in vain. Didn’t fit with the rest of this very good story.
Toby Henehan
5.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
Emotionally draining but ultimately rewarding. Reminds us that our perspective and other’s memories don’t always align.
Dumpling
3.0 out of 5 stars Actually 3.5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023
This was a pretty good book. There were some profound insights on heartbreak, loneliness, disconnection, disengagement, family life, parent-child relations, and the potential impact of caring adults on adolescents. These resonated with me and some of these passages were almost lyrical in their beauty. However, there were some ploys that were too obvious such as going on and on about a terrible tragedy that happened to the protagonist without revealing exactly what it was for several chapters. This irritated rather than held my interest. Also after a while, the protagonist came off as whiny and obsessed in his persistence with holding on to past sadness, particularly when it became clear he had no reason to do so. Finally, I felt the recurring image of the stars was over emphasized. At one point I wanted to scream at the author, "I get it. Can we move on?" But despite these flaws, the book was quite enjoyable and I think would make a great movie.
Sandi D. Ceremuga
5.0 out of 5 stars A heart warming and beautiful story!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
I loved everything about this story. Beautifully written with wonderful characters and can’t wait to read another book by Boo Walker! This was my first but won’t be my last!
Book Bug!
4.0 out of 5 stars Ok Story
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the general concept of it, and how the characters had issues that they had to work through which is typical for anyone walking through life. But the main character I was getting very frustrated with him. He identified his whole life around his suicide attempt and the whole world and those in it he felt he affected. He was under the illusion that he held so much space in other peoples heads. He believed he had ruined his parents lives. He was a coward for not coming home to his home town all those years. Thank God for the teacher that he loved and worshiped, needing some encouraging her self. It helped him get his eyes off of his own perceived, problems. The rest once things started to fall in place I enjoyed. But this negativities of his almost carried on too long for my liking. If I wasn’t so fond of the author, I may have given up on in the earlier chapters. It’s worth the read, there is inspiration to be found in it.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars positive values
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024
Uplifting and positive novel that teaches the power of forgiveness . Wonderful character development . May we all remember that one teacher who changed our life .
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! What a fabulous read
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024
Anyone who has ever lived through high school, lost love, anger, trying to get away, or looking at the stars will love this book. I read it in a day and a half - practically snarling at anyone who tried to interrupt. This is Boo Walker’s best and that’s saying a lot as I have loved all his other books.

A few yeas ago, I was honored to give the homily at my favorite teacher’s memorial service. Last summer nearly the entire class attended a momentous anniversary of our graduation from high school. I won’t say which, except to say we besties have a picture lovingly entitled, “The Golden Girls”. We’ve maintained and renewed relationships over the years, cried and laughed and loved together. We’ve suffered “the one that got away”, rejoiced at weddings and new births, and grieved at the loss of our friends.

Learning these lessons is the theme that poignantly runs through, “ The Stars Don’t Lie”. Read it, love it, share it with your BFFs!

PS. I know I was Mrs W’s favorite student.

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