the wishing game, meg shaffer's debut novel, was one of my favorite reads of last year. i loved it with all my heart and devoured it in only a couple hours. it was magical, so when i saw the premise of this book, i was not only intrigued but excited-and-happy-and hopeful that this one would be just as good as her first work. and i was right, i'm so glad i was right.

the lost story is indeed a fairy tale, but not your typical one. yes, we have a queen, a prince, a knight, a lost princess, unicorns, magic apples filled with light, a forest with a magic portal and so, so much more. now, for the why this isn't a typical fairy tale, you'll have to wait and see for yourself. you won't regret it, it will be just like entering a famous wardrobe and landing in narnia, but this time... you'll be welcomed into shanandoah.

Two 14 year old boys who’ve been lost in the woods for months suddenly return home unharmed but different. As an adult Jeremy has the gift of finding lost people. When he encounters a young woman, Emelie, who says her sister was also lost in the Crow he knows he has to help, and he has to get in touch with his old best friend Rafe, whom he hasn’t seen since they left the woods. Reality blurred with fairytale, combining the best of both worlds, this is a fun and original read.

I wanted to love this as much as I adored Shaffer’s The Wishing Game, but alas…this one just didn’t quite hit me the way her previous novel did.

This was very entertaining, a “grown up” version of a fairy tale where 2 teenage boys go missing and suddenly reappear 6 months later. Fast forward 15 years, a young woman’s sister is missing - in the same West Virginia state park that the boys were missing so long ago. Jeremy, one of the prior “lost boys of WV”, decides to help Emilie find her sister, convincing the other lost boy, Ralph aka Rafe, to come with.

While lots of parts of this novel were imaginative & the author credits CS Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, & The Wardrobe series as inspiration, by the end I felt like this was a cheesy, half-baked rip-off in which the world is oddly similar but the main characters are gay. Not that it bothered me from a moral perspective as I don’t care, I think everyone should be able to love who they love, but lately I feel like modern authors have been taking old concepts and giving them a “woke” twist. Maybe it’s because the characters all felt very flat and two dimensional, but I don’t think she did the romance particularly well.

All in all, this was entertaining, and I was lucky to receive a NetGalley copy, but I noticed a TON of bizarre errors as far as spelling, grammar, and punctuation were concerned (even more so than the hundreds of NetGalleys I’ve read), so that definitely took me out of the story frequently.

3.5 because the world she built was dreamy and I loved escaping to it, but unfortunately the characters never felt like real people to me/everything progressed in a rushed way, making it hard to stay invested.

I loved this book. Such a magical fun fairy tale, with hints of Narnia (and the Book of Lost Things by John Connolly). So of it was a little predictable (being a fairy tale and all), but there were enough twists and turns (especially the ending) that it kept me engaged to the very end. Quite frankly, I didn't want the story to end! Secretly hoping that maybe there's another story (or two) to tell in the Kingdom of Shanandoah! If so, I will definitely be reading it.

I do love me a plot about magical realms accessed via hidden portals, and this is no exception. Also, I agree that “Rafe” is a much better pronunciation of the name “Ralph”, and it’s certainly what I would choose if saddled with the latter moniker. 😆

Anyway…I loved many things contained in these pages. It does have everything you need for a good fairytale, including the horrors of the “real” world. The characters are well-developed and multidimensional, and you will root for them on their journeys.

However, and this is very much a personal preference, I immensely dislike when a character breaks the fourth wall, at least in a book. It’s just one of my pet peeves, and it makes me groan inwardly whenever I see it being done. Let the story speak for itself. I opine that this could have done without the narrator entirely. Also, I guessed a twist right away, so I would’ve liked that to be a little more hidden.

With that said, I still had a lot of fun reading this, and I would happily read about more adventures!

4.25 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eARC! All opinions are my own..

Thank you so much to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of “The Lost Story.” This book was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 and it did not disappoint. I loved the magical journey of Rafe, Jeremy and Emilie and was totally engrossed in this lovely story filled with likeable characters. If you enjoyed “The Wishing Game” you will love “The Lost Story.” Beautiful cover too.

3.5 stars.
Okay very cute. This was a whimsical “feel good” book that will call you back to the traditional fairy tales of your childhood. Wondrous lands, princes and knights, mermaids and unicorns. Also a great queer romantic plot line that you couldn’t help but root for.
The first half or so of the book felt a little rough- the writing was choppy, and it didn’t immediately grip me, but after that, it felt like a totally different book. This was an unfinished ARC and the author has already stated there have been significant edits, so hopefully that has changed and the beginning matches the middle and end by publication. Other downside: I also really didn’t like the FMC, and kept wanting to skip her chapters. She was just sort of annoying and kept saying cringey things like “Boop death”?? None of the other characters spoke like this, so it was odd.
Overall: simplistic world building and predictable plot, but cute and would recommend for a light read

Here is an adult fairytale with a spin. Intriguing beginning setting up the characters of the "lost boys" who went missing for six months, only to miraculously return unscathed, healthy, yet forever changed. As adults, one who remembers nothing of that time cloisters himself away from others, while the older sister who was lost four years before them in the same woods, they agree to help her and return to a place they never thought they'd visit again. But as they search, they enter into a magical land of unicorns, mermaids, kingdoms, and unknown dangers to a place that they've been before. It is a land created by a young girl, written as a fantasy dream where she longed to be. It is here they feel safe and have to decide whether they should leave to go back to the real world, never to be able to return again or to stay. But perhaps that is not the end of their story and another story has yet to be written. I love the element of an added "storyteller" who inserts bits here and there to the reader as the story unfolds and reminds us what makes a fairytale. Once again, Shaffer tells us a tale like no other. If you are a fan of Narnia, Wonderland, or all places magical, then you will certainly enjoy this book. Many thanks to #netgalley #megshaffer #theloststory for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Having been fortunate to read an early copy of The Wishing Game and adoring it, I was just as lucky to receive an invitation to read The Lost Story which I knew I had to read the second I could - growing up I absolutely loved the Narnia books (4th grade Scholastic book fair, ftw), have continued to love a good fairy tale and while I read the synopsis for this, I was immediately sold.

Once I started this, I read it over a day as it was pure magic. With each chapter, I fell more and more in love with this story; it just kept getting better, and I didn’t want to stop reading.

*The bit about fairy godmothers made me tear up.
*And the romance? omg, omg, OMG! Chef’s kiss.
*The secondary characters are vivid.

Gorgeous and perfect, I read The Lost Story with the utmost pleasure; it’s the best book I’ve read so far this year and has my highest recommendation, I hope you love it as much I did ❤️


*I’m going to pre-order this as an audiobook.

**I truly hope there will be more to this 😍

***Stevie Nicks is a goddess, the High Priestess, who really does transcend space and time

****I’m also going to add Tiffany Reisz’s books to my list.



Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the DRC

I have been wanting a Narnia-like adult book for so many years and could not believe when I heard about this beauty. Portal fantasy stories are some of my absolute favorites. I was ecstatic when I was given an ARC of The Lost Story. This was an absolute delight of a read! It felt like a fairy-tale for adults especially with the writing style. Meg Shaffer has created a world I wish I could travel to and I hope she will return to it eventually. This is a wonderful fantasy story with a focus on friendship, love, and the act of storytelling.

I loved the framing device for this book and how the narrator kept giving commentary. It’s enjoyable having a narrator who is a character in the story being told and finding out who they are eventually during the plot. Also, I enjoyed the LGBT representation.

I highly recommend this beauty to fans of portal fantasy or fantasy books in general. It is definitely a favorite of the year for me.

Meg Shaffer does it again! She has created another magical world that one can only wishes were to exist.
The Lost Story is a beautiful tale of love, friendship, fairytales, and things that are lost and found. Overall, this was such a feel good cozy book with sparkling moments of loss and forgiveness.

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.