We propose that the reported dearth of Kepler Objects of Interest ( KOIs ) with orbital periods P _ { orb } \lesssim 2 - 3 days around stars with rotation periods P _ { rot } \lesssim 5 - 10 days can be attributed to tidal ingestion of close-in planets by their host stars . We show that the planet distribution in this region of the \log { P _ { orb } } - \log { P _ { rot } } plane is qualitatively reproduced with a model that incorporates tidal interaction and magnetic braking as well as the dependence on the stellar core–envelope coupling timescale . We demonstrate the consistency of this scenario with the inferred break in the P _ { orb } distribution of close-in KOIs and point out a potentially testable prediction of this interpretation .