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.

This was an excellent read, I enjoyed the story telling, the characters, where the story was set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It is a nicely put together book that I enjoyed reading! The read is rich in development, beautiful descriptions, great storytelling simply that good. Dr Carver Livingston has a really busy life and needs to go home and take care of family matters. The main character has to do what is expected of him and deal with the past. Having been away for a very long time, and dreading what awaits him he at first doesn't want to leave. In life there are things that one simply has to do. Going home he will end up in situations that he didn't really want or expect. The story takes us back in time and then the now, it helps us understand why Dr Carver Livingston didn't want to go back home.

It is an emotional voyage in life, happenings from the past and a way to find it possible to deal with what happened all those years ago. Overcome the fright that he once ran away from.
Getting back, meeting up with that special person from his past who will help him see the purpose in life and that he's good enough. This is also how Carver reconnects with his friends and people from his home town. It is so nice how the author focuses on how that one special person from the childhood, his teacher can help Carver again. This book is really well written and it's truly a nice feeling when reading the book. I was just a little sad when the book ended too soon!
I can definitely recommend this book I loved it a lot. I'm grateful to have gotten the opportunity to read this book and wouldn't mind if a sequel comes along later.
Thank you
Charlotte N

The Stars Don’t Lie by Boo Walker

Boo Walker does it again!

The Stars Don’t Lie gives us his most introspective and earnest story yet. Dr. Livingston (love the character name) left the small Vermont town of his youth to distance himself from a tragic decision during his junior high school year that left him significantly shaken, shattered, and shamed. When the story opens, we are introduced to Dr. Livingston in the present time, which is twenty years after his high school years. He has relocated to North Carolina and is a veterinarian with a thriving business, a successful patent, a devoted staff, and a bright future planning expansions of his businesses into multiple cities. Invitations to his twenty-year high school reunion arrive, bringing with them shame-filled memories that Dr. Livingston has kept tamped down by continual hard work and a strong focus on the future. Having politely declined the invitations to attend and the invitation to speak at the reunion, Dr. Livingston feels secure on his current path. However, a phone call from his mother changes everything, and he finds himself on a plane headed back to the home he has not seen in two decades.

As the story unfolds, Mr. Walker handles the reckoning, reconciliation, and redemption with a deft style that readers of his work have come to recognize and appreciate. He writes of the human condition and human spirit in such a way that we can see ourselves and our friends in his characters. The heartfelt moments are written with clarity and acknowledgement, and without apology or too much sentimentality. He sprinkles in moments of humor that we can all recognize as believable (the red thong and the dog chase come to mind) and poignant moments that made me catch my breath, smile, and pat my chest (the torches scene comes to mind).

The beautiful thing about Mr. Walker’s writing is that he writes characters that are readily identifiable to us. Because of this we may incorrectly believe it to be an effortless and simple act. However, as most people know, it is in the mastery of the thing that allows the execution to appear effortless and simple. The more I read books written by Mr. Walker, the more impressed I have become. There is an actor that has become a favorite of mine because no matter what role he takes on, he becomes that character. Whether in a play or in film, I no longer see the actor; I see the character he has created. The same is true with the characters in Mr. Walker’s books. Each book he writes opens another door for his talent to deepen his characters so that you never see the author’s hand in the writing of them.

The first book I read was The Singing Trees. I was entranced by it because it was so believable. I enjoyed the book, but I was also frustrated at the part of the book that created an unfair burden on one of the main characters. I was frustrated because it was true – true to human nature, and true to life that many of us experience. Next, I absorbed all four of the Red Mountain Chronicles and was in love with it all. Though I have never been to the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Walker’s writing about the place and the characters made me see everything so clearly it was as if there was a film showing in my mind. Those books are brilliant, and I recommend them often. People will fall in love (or hate) with the characters and laugh (or sometimes cry) at all the adventures found in them.

After the Pacific Northwest, I went to the Florida Keys with Mr. Walker’s An Unfinished Novel. Having gone through a life experience like the one listed in the book, I found it a thoroughly believable and delightful read. It was a great adventure, and I only wish I had spent time in the café that was listed in the book. It seems like a great place. Then, Mr. Walker brought us A Spanish Sunrise, taking us all with him to Spain to meet all the wonderful characters and learn all the interwoven stories there. I believe he really shined in the interplay of the characters, location, emotions, and energy of all involved in this book, and I thought he had reached the top. But The Stars Don’t Lie prove that he has even more depth and storytelling mastery to share. Check it out today…and then consider the others too. You’ll be glad you did.

This book will stay with you long after you finish the last page. Each character could be your family, your neighbor, your best friend...you! The story is so well written and you will figure out....the stars don't lie.

I love Boo Walker. His books have such emotion. I was excited to see this one! This was a really sweet story with some dark parts. It really had quite a few stories that intertwined the main character and the ending made me cry.

I like this one it was heartwarming and engaging and speaks to the hardness of life but also the hope when we allow it in . Her writing is evocative of Sue Monk Kidd . Loved this one
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher .