well this book was freaking DELIGHTFUL. Meg Shaffer is one incredible story teller. The Lost Story was an absolute joy to read. The characters are all so lovable, it’s hard to pick a favorite (Fritz). The descriptions of the magical land of Shanandoah make me wanna move there. I found myself smiling through most of the book. Please let there be a sequel!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Lost Story. It releases in July of 2024 and you’re gonna wanna get your hands on a copy ASAP.

Review posted on Goodreads 2/22/24.
Review on TikTok expected to be posted approx. May 2024 (~1 mo prior to release date).

If Bridge to Terabithia matured and borrowed magic from Narnia, it would be The Lost Story.

The narrative unfolds around Jeremy and Rafe, two teenagers who vanish in the forest and mysteriously reappear after six months, without any explanation for their whereabouts during their absence or how they managed to survive on their own.

Fast forward fifteen years, they lead separate lives: Jeremy has become a renowned investigator with an almost supernatural knack for finding missing people, while Rafe resides in seclusion, immersed in painting and sculpting, with no memory of the time they were gone.

Their paths cross again when Emilie enlists Jeremy to search for her sister, who disappeared in the same woods five years before Jeremy and Rafe's own disappearance. As they set out for Shanandoah to unravel this mystery, they are forced to confront their past, dredging up memories filled with fear, love, and loss.

Set against an LGBTQIA-friendly backdrop, this enchanting tale weaves together romance, mythical beings, and a hidden magical realm at its heart.

The Writing
I am so impressed with Meg Shaffer's ability to instantly hook the reader with such compelling storytelling. Shaffer manages to tackle difficult topics in a way that's digestible, all while maintaining the magical essence that's key to any good fantasy, and sprinkling just the right amount of humor throughout. What truly sets the writing apart are the "storyteller" chapters that break the fourth wall, with the narrator directly addressing the reader, which I found incredibly enjoyable. It adds an extra layer that gives the narrative a fairytale vibe, reminiscent of movies from the 2000s (think Ella Enchanted and Brandy's Cinderella).

The World Building
We don't actually make it to Shanandoah until about halfway through the book, which was a lot later than I had anticipated. The glimpses of the world we do get are undeniably magical, including details like hundreds of steps carved into a tree that allow you to climb to the upper branches where firemoths light up the sky and magical apples that are made of light. However, I felt that some aspects were lacking, leaving me wishing for more. The build-up promises this incredible magical world, yet we don't fully experience it most of the time. I was also expecting a more formidable villain, considering this is a fairytale, and felt a bit let down by how the conflict unfolded.

The Characters
The story focuses mainly on Jeremy and Rafe, beautifully narrating their journey. However, the character development for Emilie and Skya falls short. I was hoping for more from their stories or some larger conflict. (marked as spoiler on Goodreads: It felt too convenient that after being separated for so long, and Emilie not even remembering her sister, their reunion ends up being perfect and everything is right in the world. But I guess that is possible in a fairytale...)

Overall, I really loved this story. It offers a unique plot that's ultimately a celebration of both romantic and platonic love. However, with the narrative so heavily focused on Jeremy and Rafe's story, the magical elements sometimes feel a bit neglected, leaving me wishing I could immerse myself in the world as the characters do.

My rating: 4.5⭐️
Thank you for the ARC - it was truly magical and a wonderful reading experience!

Oh, Boy, was I excited to get offered Meg Shaffer's new book! It was a lot of fun, very creative, but not as absolutely wonderful as The Wishing Game. Yes, it was charming and engrossing, but somehow, I felt that her theme of Gay male love was a little over-the-top for the genre. Still, It is Meg Shaffer and even less than her best is better than most. That, plus that I am a sucker for fairy tales.

This one has an intermittent character called The Storyteller. who gives you the rules of the genre and foreshadows events. Early on, we meet a hiker and a nurse who find and rescue two young boys who had been lost in a forest in West Virginia. They have been missing for six months and one of them is very ill, being carried by the other one. They have grown much more than they could have in the six months that they were missing. Hmmm.

The tale continues with Jeremy, now a famed finder of lost females. He does not search for males. Rafe, the other boy who returned, has forgotten everything that happened to the two 15 years ago. Jeremy has stayed away from Rafe in order to not tell him about where they were when they were missing.

Being Meg Shaffer, you can be assured that you are in for a wild ride. There are pet rats and mermaids, unicorns and Valkyries, golden apples, rainberries and almost human horses. There are bad fathers and good mothers, a Queen and a princess, a prince and a knight. There is bow and arrow hunting, birds and art. It's chock full of magical scenery and events. It is an escape into make-believe with adventures galore. And if you like LGBTQ, etc. fiction, that's a bonus.

Thank you much to Net Galley and Ballantine for the chance to escape into this tale.

One cannot read this story without a good imagination and the love of fairy tales.

Two teenage boys, Rafe and Jeremy, went missing in the Red Crow State Forest near Morgantown, WV. Six months later, they were unexpectedly found in pretty good health. This news was the talk of the town. Were they abducted by aliens?

Fifteen years later, Jeremy, was working as a missing person’s investigator for girls and women. One person that watched the shows of the missing cases tracked him down. He had just finished a job. Emilie asked if he could find her lost sister, Shannon, who disappeared 20 years ago. He listened to her proposition and quickly said no thanks. Before leaving, she handed him her sister’s photo and begged him to reconsider.

Emilie left feeling distressed but then, he surprised her. She had returned to her home more than two hours away and he found her at a place where she often went. He told her he would take this case and of course, she was overjoyed. Her sister had gone missing after being kidnapped and when he saw the photo of Shannon, it brought back memories. He remembered seeing her at the same place where he had been with Rafe years ago.

Rafe and Jeremy were socioeconomic opposites. And yet, both were very close. Jeremy needed Rafe’s help with the search that Emilie desperately wanted. She was adopted and had a good life but had the long desire to find her sister. And off the three went with their gear into the wild forest in hopes of locating her.

Just like Meg Shaffer’s prior book, “The Wishing Game,” this one is full of adventure and suspense. I loved the dialogue with a handful of characters. It’s cleverly written with magic, challenges and romance.

The beauty of this story was with the transition of the real-life scenario between Rafe, Jeremy and Emilie into a fairy-tale adventure. At the end of most chapters, there was an interruption with a “storyteller” who gave tips on what was happening. It was like someone was poking their head into the story to give you extra hints. I’m not sure if it was helpful or annoying at times.

It was easy to read, a little slow in places but of course with fantasy, it required the illusion of another existence with all the makings of a magnificent fairy tale. However, the dragons were not around and who knows…they might be waiting for the sequel…perhaps.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of July 16, 2024.

This a lovely character driven fairy take for grown-ups. It has everything you'd expect (princesses in need of rescue, knight in shining armor, unicorns, monsters and magic) but quite a few things you didn't know you needed. This is the story for anyone who has felt lost, desperate for that childish belief in magic-those who see fairies in the forest or knock on wardrobes.

Another great read from Meg Shaffer. I loved all the characters in this beautiful tale and especially the LGBTQIA+ representation.

This was a wonderfully modern fairy tale! While there were a few stylistic choices I didn’t particularly care for, this is a beautiful story of love and perseverance that I found myself unable to put down! This book provokes so many emotions through a wonderfully whimsical overstory and a powerful, moving understory. I’m hoping for another installment, Meg Shaffer!

In Meg Shaffer's "The Lost Story," readers are transported into a world where the bonds of friendship are tested by secrets, sacrifice, and the allure of a hidden realm filled with enchantment. Shaffer masterfully crafts a narrative that is equal parts poignant and mesmerizing, drawing readers into a web of mystery and emotion that lingers long after the final page is turned.

At the heart of the story are Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, childhood friends whose inexplicable disappearance and subsequent return leave them forever changed. While Jeremy possesses the knowledge of their time spent in a magical realm, he is burdened with the weighty responsibility of keeping this truth hidden from Rafe. It is a sacrifice born out of love and necessity, for revealing the truth would mean losing the chance to return to the enchanting world they once knew.

Shaffer's exploration of Jeremy's internal struggle is both gripping and heartfelt as he grapples with the conflicting desires to protect his friend and reclaim the lost paradise they left behind. Through Jeremy's eyes, readers are given glimpses into the fantastical realm that holds the key to their shared past, tantalizing them with its beauty and danger.

But it is not just Jeremy's journey that captivates; Shaffer expertly weaves together the stories of Emilie Wendel and her quest to find her long-lost sister, intertwining their fates with those of Jeremy and Rafe. As Emilie joins forces with Jeremy, the trio embarks on a daring adventure that will test the limits of their courage and resilience.

What sets "The Lost Story" apart is its exploration of themes such as sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring power of love. Through Jeremy and Rafe's bond, Shaffer delves into the depths of friendship and loyalty, highlighting the lengths to which one will go to protect those they hold dear. It is a testament to Shaffer's skill as a storyteller that she is able to infuse such weighty themes with moments of whimsy and magic, creating a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting.

Thank you to Netgalley!

I am in love. This author has cemented herself as an insta-buy for me. She writes it, I’m reading it. I loved loved The Wishing Game and was thrilled (rightfully so) to get my hands on this.

This book has everything. I laughed, I cried, I got nervous, all that stuff. The idea of it possibly being the start - meaning more books - YES PLEASE!

The characters were lovable, the world was created was magical, and the story was unputdownable. It managed to touch on some difficult subjects without revolving around them too heavily. The balance between the dark and light was perfect.

I did guess the big plot reveals, but it didn’t take away from the story for me.

The stories that inspired this did shine through but it was still somehow utterly unique.

I am so sad to leave this world. February and I’ve already got a contender favorite read of the year.

Meg Shaffer’s second novel is a delightful journey filled with magic, whimsy, and wonderful twists on classic fairy tales. The character development in the book is incredible; I fell in love with Emilie, Jeremy, and Rafe almost instantly and was rooting for them until the end. Although the novel is inspired by familiar stories like The Chronicles of Narnia and Wizard of Oz, through her storytelling Shaffer has created a beautiful and unique world in which the reader is truly immersed. As I was reading, I felt like I was embarking on this grand adventure with close friends. While The Lost Story touches on some heavy topics, Shaffer balances the difficult subjects with lightheartedness and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and recommend it to anyone who loves feel-good, cozy stories with found family and fairy tale elements.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballentine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I adored The Wishing Game when I read it last year and knew I wanted to read more from this author. The Lost Story did not disappoint! Meg Shaffer is so talented at crafting a vivid world that you are drawn to. I love how both of her books have been like reading books I enjoyed as a kid but for adults. A sense of adventure and curiosity shines through these books that we often lose as adults. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the main characters of this book at first, but they all grew on me quickly especially once they began to interact with each other and their connection was showcased. Shanandoah was such a lovely world and I would love if Meg Shaffer wrote a follow-up to this book (the ending kind of made it seem like she might). There were heavy themes of grief and healing throughout the book, but it also showcased the beauty of life and being with people who truly love us.

We’ve all wished at some point to be immersed in a fairy tale story. But for two boys - Rafe and Jeremy - they got to experience this firsthand. For six months, these boys went missing, to suddenly reappear in the woods as if nothing had happened. Fast forward 15 years - Jeremy helps to find lost girls and Rafe lives as recluse, spending his days painting and drawing otherworldly things he has no recollection of. When Emilie reaches out to Jeremy for his help to find her own lost girl - her sister - both boys get sucked back in to face what happened as teenagers in those missing six months.

In my opinion, Meg Shaffer can do no wrong. She has created another wonderful world that I could hardly bear to be away from, and I devoured her latest novel. The story was very whimsical at times, but still did not hesitate to present tough issues through her characters, their backgrounds, and experiences.

I highly recommend to dive right into this novel if you enjoy fantasy… or ever found yourself wishing you could experience your own fantastical world.

No sophomore slump for author Meg Shaffer. This is another fantastical book by the author. A love letter to the forests of West Virginia, Stevie Nicks, fancy rat pets, magical kingdoms, magic unicorn pencils, sisters, partners and golden apples. It doesn’t get any better than this!

The Wishing Game was one of my favorite reads of 2023, so I was excited to grab an ARC of The Lost Story as soon as it became available. The plot involves two young men who were teenagers when they disappeared 15 years earlier into a forest and didn't emerge for six months. Rafe doesn't remember anything about their time away from home, and Jeremy--who was carrying an ailing Rafe when they were discovered--can't or won't tell him.

Rafe becomes a loner and puts his artistic talent to use, while Jeremy forges a career using his uncanny ability to find lost persons, and even lost objects. They have almost lost touch with each other when Emilie appears and pleads with Jeremy to find the big sister she never knew she had. And when it seems that her sister disappeared in the same forest that had claimed Rafe and Jeremy, all three--with varying degrees of excitement or reluctance--agree to venture back on a rescue mission.

I particularly enjoyed the first 40% or so of the book, as the three main characters come together and reveal their fraught family history, their personalities, and their skills and abilities. The rest of the book, however, feels like a familiar, fantastical adventure in a magical realm, which is reminiscent (perhaps too much) of the Narnia books. There are unicorns, of course, and mermaids, members of royalty and their would-be assailants, enchanted animals, and the like. But where the depiction of Clock Island in The Wishing Game is creative and unpredictable, the trio's quest and the magical land of Shanandoah don't feel as special, and even their dialogue falls somewhat flat for me. I also found Emilie to be an underdeveloped and unrealistic character.

Meg Shaffer is undeniably a wonderful storyteller, and her handling of family relationships is deeply emotional and resonant. So perhaps my expectations were too high. It is an entertaining book, but I wanted it to feel unique. That doesn't mean I won't seek out the author's next book--I'll be first in line. Please keep writing, Meg!

My sincere thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This reads very YA. It’s a light fantasy fiction with a m-m love storyline and family drama within a “fairytale,” which sounds interesting, but everything felt superficial. I’m sure this will have an interested audience, however after the first few chapters, it I didn’t feel really drawn in the way I expected after The Wishing Game.

The Lost Story is a Fairy tale that takes you to a make belief world written in the imagination of a young girl. The story takes you into two worlds, one is the real world and the other is a world that gives you an escape into fantasy. The characters were brought to life in a forest and the only escape back to reality is their a secret passage. The fantasy life isn't without wars between animals and humans. If it wasn't an interesting book to follow in the writers imagination I don't think.I would of read it to the end. I've never read a book like this and I don't think I would have sought this out, in however it was light and entertaining.

What a fun, magical story. This definitely had me reminiscing of Narnia. I absolutely loved the prologue of this. Right off the bat this story held my attention and I actually read the book in two days. I would definitely be interested in reading a prequel of Jeremy, Rafe and Skya's time before the boys went back to West Virginia.

Things I loved:

The characters Jeremy and Rafe and the whole mystery hanging over the two. I loved slowly piecing together their story of what had happened. I loved all the woodsy settings, fantastical animals and magical landscapes and descriptions in this book. I so badly want to visit Shanandoah. I also really enjoyed the interlude narrator chapters and the map!

Things I didn't love:

The beginning felt a tad clunky and "insta" with our characters. Their relationships developed too fast for my liking. While there were times the author did really well in dialogue, I felt other times it lacked, to where it felt like random filler.

Overall, this was a fun read and has left me dreaming of magical doors that lead to magical lands. :)

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House publishing for a digital arc copy.

From the first couple of pages I was intrigued. Boys who have been lost for months suddenly appear out of the woods. Flash forward 15 years and now one of those lost boys finds lost girls. Emilie, wants to find her sister that she has never met. She wants Jeremy to find her but it means he must go back into the woods where he was lost. To do that he is going to need his best friend and former lost boy, Rafe. However there is so much more to this story.

I loved how the book was set up. The world building was impressive and I felt like I was transported to the woods. This story is a fairy tale but it is also about friendship, love, and family. What I liked most was that the characters had to overcome their own personal demons in order to succeed on their journey. A great version of an adult fairy tale. It just needs a sequel.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Lost Story makes all your childhood and if you’re like me, adulthood dreams come true in this fairytale. Its inspired by Narnia where two best friends, when boys, disappeared for 6 months in a state park in West Virginia. Fifteen years later, Ralph (Rafe) has no memory of his time during those 6 months and Jeremy is now a missing persons investigator famous for always finding the missing person. One day, a woman (Emilie) seeks Jeremy out to help find her missing sister in those same woods. It brings Jeremy and Rafe, along with Emilie, back into the enchanted world they lived in for 6 months. The Lost Story is beautifully written and as a reader, I felt like I was in a fairytale world with Jeremy and Rafe. I felt immersed in the story and can’t wait to read more by Meg Shaffer.

Read this if you love Chronicles of Narnia, adventure, and a touch of magic.

I have to say that as I’m writing this review and thinking back on the reading experience, I’m sitting here with a smile on my face. Thinking back on their story takes me right back in to the world where Jeremy, Rafe and Emilie live and it’s a world that I really enjoyed being a part of while I read this really delightful book.

It started out as a bit of a mystery and then became a lovely walk in a beautiful world that I kind of wish I could live in. The setting descriptions were so perfect, I truly could see myself in Queen Skya’s kingdom and I so didn’t want to leave. The characters were well written and I became quite attached, especially to Rafe and Jeremy.

I recommend this book to lovers of mystery and fantasy and who enjoy new lands that don’t exist but oh you will so wish they did. This is a good one

I received an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own