When the Stars Answer: A Novel

by Harper Ross

When a journalist acquires the power to hear lies, the real test isn't exposing the truth, but living with it in the next striking novel from Harper Ross, author of The Unwritten Rules of Magic.

Rowan Winslow built her career exposing liars, no matter the consequences. That conviction cost her a job at a prestigious Boston paper, as well as her reputation. At 28, she's back in her hometown of Pinebridge, Vermont, navigating the wreckage of her relationship with her sister and trying not to suffocate in a town where everyone knows her past. Then a birthday wish during a meteor shower grants her what seems like the perfect the power to hear when people lie.

At first, it’s intoxicating. Seductive, even, as she uses her ability to uncover secrets for stories that could relaunch her career. But the deeper she leans into her power, the more her choices begin to strain the fragile relationships she has been trying to rebuild.

When a shocking family secret comes to light, Rowan's world grinds to a halt, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about the people she loves and the truths she has built her life around. The truth has always been Rowan's creed, but now it's demanding a sacrifice she's not sure she can make. Because not all truths set you free. Some leave you trapped in an impossible choice.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 30, 2027

Reviews

[Harper Ross]

Dear Reader,

This story grew out of a question that has been troubling me in this time of tech bots and artificial intelligence: How do we know what is true?

We are living through a period of overwhelming noise, in which information arrives faster than we can evaluate it. Some of what we consume is obviously false, but other falsehoods are nearly impossible to detect. Artificial intelligence is accelerating the problem of telling truth from lies on a scale we are only beginning to understand, if at all. Beneath all the confusion runs the human pull toward stories that confirm what we already believe, and the resistance to stories that challenge our beliefs.

But as I began to sketch out this story, I realized it wasn’t just about journalism, technology, or public life. It turns out that for most of us, the hardest truths we will ever face happen behind closed doors. They exist in the secrets our families kept, in the versions of ourselves we perform for others, and in the difference between our perception of someone and who they actually are. Rowan Winslow is a woman who built her entire identity around her intolerance for lies, only to find herself becoming someone who tells them. That is the truest and sharpest thing I could write about any of us.

Going there forced me to dig into the deeper questions beneath my initial question. Not only what is true, but who gets to say so? Who is doing the work of finding truth, with integrity? What do we owe each other when we get it wrong? And we all get it wrong, because we are human and fallible and sometimes afraid. Is a quick, honest acknowledgment of error something we are still capable of, as individuals and as a culture?

Despite the speculation and division that fill my screen on any given day, I maintain an unshakable belief that most people in the world want the same basic things: to be treated fairly, to speak honestly, and to be able to build a life, loving the people they love, without fear. Such a life includes the grace to forgive, and the courage to ask for forgiveness.

If this book encourages you to pause over a headline, or sit with a complicated piece of information a little longer before deciding what to do with it, or think about what you owe the people in your own life when you've gotten something wrong, then I've done what I set out to do. That felt worth writing about. I hope it feels worth reading.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of When the Stars Answer by Harper Ross from St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

⭐ 3.5 ⭐

If I actually had any cuticles left, I would’ve chewed ’em all off while reading this book—it was that anxious-making.

But good, both in terms of storylines and in terms of how the author depicted journalism, both at a major outlet and at a small-town paper (very definitely been there, done that when it comes to the latter).

I would term this very serious chick lit with a mostly unlikeable main protagonist whose motives I could completely grasp. I do kind of wonder if somebody who is not A Recovering Journalist might enjoy it more if they read the Author’s Note first instead of after finishing the story. It raises a lot of very good questions and offers some important thoughts to consider.

PS
I’m glad I gave the author, Harper Ross, a second chance. Wasn’t much of a fan of her debut novel. So, note to Future Kristi: Definitely read her next book, if she publishes one.

PPS
This is kind of a spoiler, so don’t read it if you want to be completely and totally surprised by the events in the book.

If you do want to read it, scroll down……





Keep scrolling………




Keep scrolling……..




There, that should be enough not to harsh anybody’s Zen.

In Chapter 4 the author writes about Ann Elizabeth Fowler Hodges of Sylacauga, Alabama, getting hit by a meteorite on November 30, 1945.

Y’all?

I have had my picture made with that meteorite!!! It is housed in the Alabama Natural History Museum in Smith Hall on The University of Alabama campus.

Also, a dear friend of mine portrays Mrs. Hodges in a funny video about the event, which can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRAO0...

Roll Tide!

DESCRIPTION
When a journalist acquires the power to hear lies, the real test isn't exposing the truth, but living with it in the next striking novel from Harper Ross, author of The Unwritten Rules of Magic.

Rowan Winslow built her career exposing liars, no matter the consequences. That conviction cost her a job at a prestigious Boston paper, as well as her reputation. At 28, she's back in her hometown of Pinebridge, Vermont, navigating the wreckage of her relationship with her sister and trying not to suffocate in a town where everyone knows her past. Then a birthday wish during a meteor shower grants her what seems like the perfect gift: the power to hear when people lie.

At first, it’s intoxicating. Seductive, even, as she uses her ability to uncover secrets for stories that could relaunch her career. But the deeper she leans into her power, the more her choices begin to strain the fragile relationships she has been trying to rebuild.

When a shocking family secret comes to light, Rowan's world grinds to a halt, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about the people she loves and the truths she has built her life around. The truth has always been Rowan's creed, but now it's demanding a sacrifice she's not sure she can make. Because not all truths set you free. Some leave you trapped in an impossible choice.

[Marissa C · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

When you wish upon a star (or meteorite) takes a whole new meaning in Harper Ross’ book “When The Stars Answer”. Morals and ethics are questioned when a wish grants Rowan the ability to hear contradicting thoughts. Not all thoughts, just brief ones of which contradicts what the person said, or ones of her own that end up on a social media platform. That’s a big yikes for a journalist!
A big theme of this books is relationships. Rowan has to come to terms with the relationship with her sister, her estranged mother, her father, her ex, and her new possible love interest amongst her new telepathy. Of course, secrets come to light including secrets of both the family and town and the story follows the reveal and falling out.
Whilst a very intriguing premise, this didn’t really work for me. I didn’t relate to or really like many of the characters. While the characters did take responsibility for their actions, consequences seemed slight and unrealistic and everything ends up fairly pretty. In addition, I personally didn’t like the romance, it didn’t feel genuine and I just had trouble relating to the actions taken encompassing the romantic encounters.
Also the marketing is a bit confusing on the cover where it says “she hears every lie but her own”. That’s not really true. It seemed what she heard was sporadic and her lies published themselves via social media, so whilst not heard technically I suppose, they were made evident.
A thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the Stars Answer was an okay read for me overall. It started off quite well, and there were definitely elements I enjoyed, but unfortunately it went downhill for me as the story progressed.

I really enjoyed the peaceful, cosy moments and settings peppered throughout the book. I also loved Diana and her relationship with the main character.

Going into this, I expected something a little more serious based on the cover and premise, so I was surprised by how much it read like a romcom. Early on, we learn about the main character's "powers" (for lack of a better word), and I actually appreciated that she was already beginning to understand what was happening. It meant we didn't spend too much time stuck in the usual "what is happening to me?" stage, which I liked. At the same time, I found it a little difficult to believe how quickly she adjusted to everything. I almost think I would have preferred meeting her slightly later, once she had already been living with these abilities for a while.

My main issue was that the book felt like it was trying to be a lot of different things at once. There are cosy moments, romance, humour, paranormal elements and some heavier challenges, but for me they didn't always come together as well as I hoped. As more things were added to the story, I found myself enjoying it less rather than becoming more invested.

At its heart, I think this is ultimately a story about acceptance, navigating life's challenges and learning to move forward. There are some lovely moments within that journey, and I can definitely see other readers enjoying this much more than I did.

Unfortunately, it just didn't quite work for me in the end, but I'm glad I gave it a chance and there were still several aspects of it that I enjoyed.

[J.C. Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan Winslow is a reporter for a prominent Boston paper. She's built her whole career on bringing the truth to light, and she does this no matter the outcome. When she uncovers a huge story, she gets fired from her job and quickly realizes that she has become too risky for any other editor to hire her. Unable to find work, Rowan goes back to Pinebridge, Vermont, where the editor of the weekly paper gives her another chance. In many instances, going back home might provide comfort, but Pinebridge is not a particularly happy place for Rowan.

Rowan and her sister, Piper, were abandoned by their mother as young children. Their father, a popular pediatrician, raised them on his own. When Rowan gets older, she and a boy named Liam fall in love. The two of them are together for many years, and both of them seem to be completely committed to the relationship. At least that's what Rowan believes until she finds out that Liam and Piper have been seeing each other behind her back. Going home means living in the same town where the now married Liam and Piper are now raising their son, Jacob. Piper is pregnant with a little girl, and even though the sisters do see one another, the relationship is very strained. Things get worse when Rowan begins to suspect the company Liam works for isn't operating entirely on the up and up.

On her birthday, Rowan goes outside to watch a meteor shower. She makes a wish, and when she's struck and injured by a meteor fragment, she realizes her wish—to hear when people lie—has come true. She's excited about this at first, but she soon realizes that this power can do more harm than good.

This was such an interesting premise, and I really liked the way Harper Ross told this story. This was a great read.

[KBeansbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper Ross has written a unique and philosophical book based on the truth. Who decides what the truth is, who is responsible for researching the facts? Who’s discovering what is right and wrong and who’s right is it to hold those that are untrustworthy and untruthful accountable? Who do we, as individuals owe our truths to? Do we have the right to hold those who’ve been untruthful to face their consequences? If we don’t, then who does? And how do we even know if those we trust are even remotely trustworthy? How do we hold ourselves accountable to being trusted, honest and responsible for our decisions when we choose to act or behave dishonestly? This book will make you question all these extremely sensitive and difficult decisions and weigh our own integrity and internal conflict with the truth and our relationship with it.
The main character Rowan Winslow is an investigative journalist whose job at a highly respected newspaper has been her whole life. She’s won awards for her articles and investigative journalism, she’s given up so many personal relationships and her time for this career that it had become her identity. Due to an investigation she was writing about and her refusal to to step down when ordered to she was basically fired for insubordination and her old boss had basically burnt her in the field resulting in nearly all reputable publications to even interview with her let alone consider hiring her. She was seen as a rogue reporter who didn’t follow the ethics that journalists particularly investigative journalists were expected to follow to an esteemed standard. However untrue and unfair it was, she was still blacklisted from major outlets and was grateful to be given a job in her old hometown that was extremely small and was assigned fluff pieces which was a far cry to her award winning performances at in her past. As she struggles with this enormous life change, moving back to her fathers farmhouse in a small guesthouse on the property as well as career change, now working with the editor, Pete from her hometowns paper, she has also been estranged from her sister, Piper, for more than a handful of years due to the fact that years back when Rowan moved away for her schooling and internship, Liam, her boyfriend of six years and her younger sister and best friend, Piper “just fell in love”. Now Liam and Piper are married and have a son Jack and Piper is also pregnant with a baby girl, whom they name Lucy. Diana, Liam’s mother was like a mother for Piper, they were extremely close and she filled that profound void her own mother’s absence had created. Her mother Neva, left when Rowan was 13 and Piper was 10 with a mere letter that told them she was leaving to find herself and she hoped they’d never blame themselves because it wasn’t her girls or their father Doug. She expressed her love for all 3 of them and her feeling of no longer knowing who she was or what she needed but in order to find it she was leaving and didn’t plan on coming back.
Naturally, this leaves an enormous impact on Rowan, mainly her absolute belief and extreme relationship with the truth and her near obsessive need to reveal it in in those who were harming others with their dishonest and corrupt ways and practices especially public figures and those who used public opinions and their popularity with the public for their personal monetary gain and egotistical power grabs.
While writing a report for her new hometown newspaper on the meteor showers one night she sees a shooting star, makes a wish and feels extreme pain as it breaks off and heads straight towards her. Pieces of the meteorite are all around her and she looks down at thigh where the pain is, she sees she’s got a really good gash on her leg and is bleeding profusely. Suffering from a severe fear of blood since she was child, she barely makes it across the yard into her father’s house before she passes out crashing into his table awakening her father. She comes around to hearing her name being called and is confused at first then remembers what happened. She tells him and he jokes with her that this isn’t the way she should be spending her birthday. Fortunately, he is a doctor and grabs his medical bag and begins to clean out her wound and numb it so he can suture it. Then she hears his thoughts clear as if he spoke them yet she knows he didn’t because she didn’t see his mouth move and she thinks she may have a concussion or is dreaming.
From there, Rowan’s life begins to unravel to degrees she isn’t prepared for and doesn’t know how to cope with this unethical ability as a reporter because she is finding out the all the lies those she is interviewing and without revealing her newfound ability and sounding insane she cannot just make up a name as source she sites in her reporting leaving her so conflicted because much of what she’s learning is imperative to several people in the community and will harm them if she doesn’t reveal the knowledge. She also discovers that her mind can automatically make technology work in her favor such as turn on and write an article from the thoughts she’s thinking without lifting a hand to type or move the mouse. She’s shocked and out of what she feels is her only option, she allows her mind to override the firewall in the community comments on the newspapers website and reveal several facts and misdeeds done by prominent people in the community some of which will cost her own loved ones their livelihood and reputations. Thank you so very much #StMartinsPress and #HarperRoss for this masterful think piece and phenomenal book #WhenTheStarsAnswer for this #Netgalley Advanced Reading Copy.

[Metaphorosis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews

Summary
A commitment to truth at all costs lost Rowan her job as a big city journalist, and she's come home to lick her wounds and reconnect with her loving father and the sister who betrayed her. But when a freak event gives her the power to tell when people are lying, life gets complicated.

Review
When the Stars Answer has, like many good speculative stories, latched onto SFF as a way to explore a philosophical question. In this case, when is truth more important than compassion? Unfortunately, it answers the question in well written but very predictable increments.

The protagonist, Rowan, is, to my eye, incredibly whiny. Her only saving grace as a character is that she will so transparently undergo a transformation. Ross seems to see that whininess as an essential element of Rowan’s commitment to truth at all costs, or at least of the traumatic process that led her to value truth. It makes for some interesting drama, but I found Rowan to be consistently unlikeable, even allowing for what’s intended to be some pretty fierce self-righteousness. She herself acknowledges being “the least likable character in this drama”, but she didn’t have to be.

More troubling is that every element of the story proceeds on a predictable, almost formulaic path, with a thin veneer of SFF and romance to give it some color. The other characters are generally engaging, but every one of them felt fresh from Central Casting as a generic Type A, B, C, or D. The only real surprise is when, very late in the book, Rowan suddenly claims not to remember her childhood. Thankfully, it’s more throwaway line than sudden plot shift.

Formula aside, the book is generally well written. There are some awkward or clumsy moments, and occasional descent into worn-out tropes and trite phrases, but generally the story moves well.

With respect to the philosophical question, the answer Rowan finds is the one we expect from early on. There’s the occasional hiccup and inconsistency in its application, but nothing that can’t be skipped over.

Overall, interesting but disappointing. The concept is interesting, but it’s addressed through a predictable assembly of familiar pieces, which robs it of most of its impact.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the universe granted your birthday wish—and it ruined your life?

In the forthcoming book, *When the Stars Answer*, 28-year-old disgraced journalist Rowan Winslow returns to Pinebridge, Vermont, makes a wish during a meteor shower, and gains the unsettling ability to hear when people lie. What seems like a journalist's dream quickly becomes a moral and emotional trap.

The novel echoes a feeling many of us know—reminiscent of Fiona Apple wishing on a star in "Paper Bag," that quiet, half-hopeful gesture of looking up and asking the sky for something you can't get any other way. Rowan does just that—wishes on a star, and her wish comes true. But the book asks: are we really looking for a wish, or for absolution?

One line from the book is stuck in my mind on a loop: "In a world full of liars, greatness doesn't protect you from getting played." Rowan's power lets her publish facts without personal consequences, yet the real cost shows up at home: hearing contradictions fractures relationships and forces her to face her own self-deceptions. The book asks you to look at who says what's true—and why. As Rowan puts it: "Maybe the fix will come if you dig into your own truths and start owning those consequences."

Taut, emotionally sharp, and morally complicated, *When the Stars Answer* is about the seduction of certainty and the human messiness that truth can't fix. Rowan's gift is the best party trick for a journalist—and the worst thing for a daughter, sister, and friend.

Fiona Apple's song has its own reckoning with wishing, too—what she hopes for turns out to be something else entirely, a small deflation that lands harder than disappointment. Rowan learns the same lesson the hard way: the thing you wish for and the thing you actually get are rarely the same shape.

If you've ever wished on a star and wondered what it would cost if the sky actually answered, this is the book to read next.

[Portia Citlali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly have mixed feelings about this one. I’m not the biggest fan of the cheating trope, and since it played such a significant role in the storyline, I found myself wishing the FMC had a little more rage in her. 😂 Like, Ma'am, I needed you to be a little *less* forgiving!

Rowan returns home after what feels like a failed career in journalism, hoping to heal some old familial wounds. But things take a turn when she’s struck by a shard of a meteor and develops powers that put her morality to the test. 🌠 What follows is a messy journey filled with complicated family dynamics, difficult choices, and questions about how much of yourself you’re willing to sacrifice for your personal goals.

One of my biggest issues was Rowan’s family relationships. There was so much hurt and tension, but I didn’t feel like there was enough **accountability or genuine remorse** from the family members who contributed to that pain. Instead, it often felt like Rowan was the one expected to bend, compromise, and accommodate everyone else. And honestly, that got frustrating.

Granted, Rowan wasn’t always the best at using her abilities, and some of her choices definitely left me questioning her judgment. 😅 But that also made me feel like there was so much more potential to explore when it came to her growth, her morality, and the consequences of her actions. This was a mixed read for me. There were some interesting ideas here, especially the supernatural element and the moral dilemmas surrounding Rowan’s powers, but the family dynamics and certain relationship choices left me wanting more. I needed more accountability from her family. I just felt like there was so much build up for things to end up the way they did.

Tropes

💔 Cheating trope (previous partner)
🏡 Complicated family dynamics
⚖️ Morality and difficult choices
✨ Healing old wounds
🤷🏻‍♀️ Supernatural Aspects

I wanted to thank Netgalley for this ARC

[Anne Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second novel by Harper Ross I have read and again I find myself wondering whether they are inaccurately described as fantasy fiction. In the Unwritten rules of magic her father’s typewriter could be used to compose fiction with the price being losing parts of her memory.

In this novel, Rowan is hit by debris from a meteor shower as she wishes for a successful career as an investigative reporter. Strange things happen as Rowan can read thoughts when they differ from people are saying verbally. She can also post anonymous comments online. Things begin to fall apart as these secrets affect her life. Her relationships with her father, her younger sister and a new love interest are complicated by her telepathic talents.

Ross has an annoying habit of describing tics like eye rolling or shaking out hands or neck-rolling and shoulder shrugging that do not move the story forward. As a matter of fact, the entire plot seems contrived and the characters two-dimensional. It was a disappointment that this novel was not up to the level of her previous book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for an early copy in exchange for my review. The opinions are my honest ones.

[Olivia Lanier · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

Unfortunately, I really struggled to get into this book which was disappointing for me as I loved Harper Ross’s debut novel.
Maybe it was the fact that I grew up in the part of Vermont where the book is set, and had a hard time disassociating from that. Maybe it was the fact that as a Vermont native, I’d literally never in my life heard someone talk about their “grandpappy” until moving to the Southeast and seeing it used in dialogue gave me a book “ick.”

Either way, this one just didn’t live up to my expectations. I felt that Rowan was on a justice crusade for both her town and her lack of relationship with her mom. Did she have reasons to be upset with both her sister and her mom? Absolutely. But I think it interfered with character development because she was just so focused on the past and refusing to move on. I also wish that there had been more development of the different storylines that Rowan was pursuing. I felt like the teacher and pastor storylines didn’t get enough detail. It left me wondering more about them without really giving enough details to feel satisfying.

I think the premise of this book had real potential. But unfortunately for me, this just didn’t hit the mark.

[Lise · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I did like was the very cozy small New England hometown setting, taking place during my favorite season, Fall. Without giving specifics that would be spoilers, what I really did not like is the black and white treatment of the truth and I had hoped that part of what the main character, Rowan, was going to learn was nuance and that the truth is not always possible to categorize so simply. Obviously, she would have to come clean about her newfound power to someone, and face some consequences, but everything she spills willy-nilly to everyone in the last few chapters ends up needlessly hurting her family and actually, the town itself. She literally blows up several lives by the notion that she was in the wrong for exposing corruption and lies with her power, so therefore has to atone by even reporting on a family member (who was not actually corrupt and falls into a morally grey area). This strains credulity for me, and especially when everything was pretty much perfectly fixed in the epilogue as well. Too much moral absolutism and the main character not being able to make peace with some ambiguity like we all do.

[*Sarah * · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I was gifted the ARC of When the Stars Answer by Harper Ross from NetGalley & St. Martins Press in exchange for my honest review.
While this novel wasn't exactly what I call Sci-Fi the magical elements were just right and took you on an emotional journey.
Rowen is a Journalist with a difficult past, personally and professionally. When a birthday wish gives her the magical ability to know when someone is lying to her, it changes her life in ways she can't fathom. Be careful what you wish for!! It brings perspective to the reader that their are 2 sides to every story and sometimes our decisions can affect people in ways we couldn't have imagined. This story is interesting and driven with love and good intentions at it's core. It is an excellent reminder that without accountability the road to hell can certainly be paved with good intentions! I would recommend this novel to anyone! I enjoyed it very much and found that it kept calling me back to it's pages with anticipation and curiosity!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for granting me this ARC and Thank you to Harper Ross for a beautiful and well written novel!!
#WhentheStarsAnswer #NetGalley #HarperRoss

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this was like a small town Hallmark style story with a twist and some light mystery. The storyline dives more into the personal relationships between the people in the town than I expected. I personally prefer more speculative elements, but this is a good choice for someone looking for a lighter modern story with quality writing and a speculative element, especially in December as the story leads toward Christmastime. I liked the descriptions of the town, especially places like the coffee shop and the father’s house. I did feel frustrated with the characters because, while the main character is flawed in her extreme need for the truth, almost everyone around her seemed judgmental in the opposite direction, at times expecting her to accept harmful behavior in the name of keeping the peace.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Harper Ross for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of When the Stars Answer.

Rowan returns home after her once-thriving journalism career takes a dramatic turn. Back home, she’ll have to confront past regrets, painful experiences, and strained relationships. This was a delightful, straightforward read with a subtle reminder to be mindful of your desires.

Rowan takes a job as a journalist for the local paper. Her first assignment is to write about the upcoming meteor shower. On the night of the meteor shower, Rowan makes a wish and is unexpectedly struck by a meteor fragment. Rowan’s dad, the local pediatrician, tends to her wound, but Rowan soon suspects the meteor might have left her with more than just stitches in her leg.

I really enjoyed this story, the characters, family drama, and romance kept me hooked from beginning to end.

[Maggie Mulloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan Winslow, a journalist who believes in exposing the truth no matter the cost, loses her job and returns home to write for the local paper. During a meteor shower, she makes a wish and acquires the power to hear when people lie. When Rowan uncovers local misdeeds and posts about them anonymously online, she sets off a chain of events that ultimately affects those she loves most.

Rowan’s choices may not sit well with all readers. She’s messy and not always likable, but what drives her internal conflict is relatable. The supporting characters are also realistically flawed, and Rowan must decide how much dishonesty she can or should overlook.

The novel explores the meaning of truth and who should be allowed to reveal it. The themes of forgiveness and understanding are well balanced alongside nuanced ethical questions regarding accountability and integrity. This is a thought-provoking read with an intriguing premise.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rowan is a journalist who has built her career around exposing the truth, even when it comes at a personal cost. After returning to her hometown with her career in pieces, she makes a wish during a meteor shower and gains the ability to tell when people are lying. What first seems like the perfect gift soon becomes much more complicated as she uncovers secrets that threaten the relationships she's trying to repair.

I did have mixed feelings about this book because Rowan was so be frustrating at times, and I wanted a little more nuance in how some of the conflicts and relationships played out. I also would have liked the story to dig a bit deeper into some of its ethics / morality ideas rather than taking the more predictable route in places. There was a lot of potential in the premise, and I think the moral dilemmas were the most interesting part of the book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Harper Ross for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kristen C · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting premise and I appreciate what the author was trying to do, but it didn’t come together too smoothly for me.

I found much of the words of wisdom given to Rowan before her confession to be rather dismissive of her experiences. The way it’s told, Piper and Liam never properly apologized, so they can’t really hold Rowan’s distrust against her. When Rowan made her confession to Travis, his reaction was disappointing given how his character had been developed thus far and later he came across really patronizing.

The theme of this book according to the author is about not using truth as a weapon because no one is infallible and people rarely have the whole story. Perhaps unintentionally, there was also the theme of forgiveness from understanding/empathy. However, I wasn’t left appreciating either of those themes because pretty much everyone in the book—save for the dad, Diana, and little Jake—came across as hypocrites.

This one just wasn’t for me.

[Abby Horsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️
Arc read expected to be released March 2027

Rowan is a journalist who faced trouble at work for discovering and unvailing corruption within a powerful company. Rowan has always valued the truth over everything. Back in her hometown where she struggles with personal problems from her past, she makes a wish on a star for the ability to know the truth. Throughout the book you see her struggle with the idea that maybe the truth isn’t always what you think.

I really enjoyed the underlying themes of this book including forgiveness, ethics in journalism, and wrestling with truth versus lie. However, the book felt very long and some of the magic elements (and how the characters reacted to them) seemed very unrealistic to me. Overall, I would recommend this book to fiction readers with realistic themes!

[Melanie Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Stars Answer gives a journalist what sounds like the perfect supernatural gift and then shows exactly why it would be awful. After Rowan wishes on a meteor shower, she can suddenly hear when people lie. At first that seems like a career advantage. Then she starts hearing lies from the people she loves.

As someone who has spent much of my career asking questions and working with information, I found that premise irresistible. Truth sounds uncomplicated until you think about how many relationships depend on tact, privacy, omission, and choosing the right moment to say something. Rowan’s damaged relationship with her sister makes that problem much more personal than simply catching dishonest strangers.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Kim L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Stars Answer was such a unique and thought-provoking read! Rowan wishes on a shooting star and suddenly gains the ability to know when someone is lying, but knowing the truth doesn’t always make life easier. I loved how this story explored honesty, consequences, forgiveness, and the gray areas between truth and compassion. The magical realism felt fresh, and Rowan’s journey gave me so much to think about. Having loved The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross, this is another win in my book! I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her. 4.5⭐

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!

[G Shadx · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Rowan’s journey to discover the truth made for a very interesting read. To see her struggle with finding the truth, while also discovering that sometimes the truth can make life more difficult. While the beginning of the book was difficult to get into, about halfway through it has me hooked and engaged. I really enjoyed the concept of this book and its exploration of how we determine what is true and what to do with that truth.

[Shayna Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. I found I wasn't super engaged in any aspect. I didn't love the main character, the plot was honestly a bit boring, and the writing was very straightforward. I loved the premise, and was excited to read this book, but unfortunately it just didn't hit for me.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Matthew Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Very original storyline, and is lighthearted while also causing self reflection and gets you to think about life in ways that you may not have normally thought about before. Loved the hint of romance, with the main focus being on building better family relationships. No spice.

[Leisa Back Porch Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and was tearing through it until about the three quarter mark. At that point, many things began to feel not at all believable and just over the top frustrating. I’m going to chalk this up to a me thing because this book does have good bones. It just wasn’t for me.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I really struggled to connect with the main character, which made it difficult to get invested in the story. The premise was interesting, and there were a few humorous moments that I enjoyed, but overall, the pacing was just too slow to hold my attention. I kept hoping it would pick up, but ultimately, this one just wasn’t for me.

[Jessica Ahmann · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Was good. Some of the repeating thoughts gave me anxiety.