The Wishing Game was one of my favorite books in 2023 and it was hard to believe it was a debut novel for Meg Shaffer. When I saw she had a new book coming out, I couldn't wait to read it. The Lost Story solidifies Shaffer as a must-read author for me. The world she created in this book was magical and beautiful, as were her characters. I was so invested in what was going to happen with all of them. This book is part adventure, part fairy tale, part love story and I am here for all of it! Readers should run, not walk, to the bookstore to pick this book up when it hits the shelves - especially fans of Narnia. Can't wait to read whatever Shaffer writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I honestly walked into the novel not expecting to love it as much as I did. And I LOOOOOOVE this book. Slight spoiler, but every time I read something that turns into a Queer love story, I immediately get scared that the author will resort to the "bury your gays" trope. I was so, so, so pleased that that didn't happen in this case, even if it did look like it was going to for awhile. The world that the author created was so rich and beautiful, and the characters were sooooo well-written and compelling. I'm BEGGING the author to write a sequel to this amazing, beautiful novel. I want to see everyone get their happy ending! I need it!! Lovers of Queer stories, strong female characters, and magical worlds should run, not walk, not pick up this book when it releases in July! Thank you, Meg Shaffer for creating this beautiful work!

It's official, if Meg Shaffer writes it, I'll read it. The Wishing Game was a top read for me last year, and without question The Lost Story will be a top read for me this year.

I loved so much about this book, the character development was spectacular, the love was so endearing, the Storyteller chapters were perfect, and just to seal the deal, the Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks references were the best added bonus.

If you are looking for a magical read that reminds us of the fairy tales/fantasy stories we read when young, this ones for you. You'll get a queen, a knight, a prince and a princess that all have such a great amount of depth within themself and with each other it's magic.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

A cute and heartwarming story. Read a bit young for an adult novel, but still a good story all around. The characters are well developed and grab your heartstrings.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced ebook. This was my second book I read from Meg Shaffer. I really enjoyed this book. And the cover is beautiful.

First off that you to the Author & publisher for this ARC! This book was an absolute masterpiece. I almost read it in one sitting but you know, life.

Meg Shaffer did such an amazing job with this book. The use of a magical realm in order to tackle some heavy topics. Where you may think this is a book about two missing boys, who are later found, then walk their own journeys apart for 15 years!!! It’s not! It’s about love and walking through our trauma. It’s about how many times the lives we experience and people we are entrusted to can sometimes be the people who hurt us the most.
I enjoyed that all of the plots intertwine. It’s that kind of book that makes you want to walk through your own trauma.

The missing boys having been found where another girl went missing. The missing girls sister wants closure with finding her sister who she has never met. Yet, there was such an interesting outcome from what a thought was a pretty basic plot. Definitely not basic at all!

You know how you finish a book and certain characters stick with you. Well, Jeremy and Rafe have a special place in my heart. As well as their moms💗
Definitely a must read.

While they were elements of this book I enjoyed such as the relationship between Rafe & Jeremy, some of the more fantastical/narniaesque moments, this book suffered from planning issues, and character development, especially in the case of overly quirky Emilie and flat Skya. It doesn't get to the fairy tale world until 50% of the book and while the whimsy is worth the wait, the story feels disconnected and the ending an unnecessary cliffhanger.

There is nothing better than becoming caught up in a story you can't envision the ending. Such is the case with "The Lost Story." I couldn't read fast enough. There's a lot to be said for the story and one must be careful not to give away the fascinating ending by siting particular incidents.. Magical twists and turns kept the story fascinating. This book would make a great movie.

Thank you to net galley for the E-ARC of this book!

What a cozy book to snuggle up and read on a rainy day.
The characters and their personalities are just so cute. Their back stories and the mystery of what happened to them in the woods had glued to this book.
Her writing is easy to read and fun. The storyteller in the book reminds me of the Disney narrators in princess movies and I love it.

“All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room?”

Wow. Just, wow. I thought I had found my favorite book of the year in The Wishing Game. Then I was provided this eARC of The Lost Story. And it might just take top spot. I could not put it down!
The story hooked me from the very beginning. When I first read the synopsis, I was skeptical. It sounded so different from The Wishing Game, I thought, how could I love it as much? Well, challenge accepted.
The Lost Story is just so delightful. I laughed, I cried. I fell in love with every character. I did not want the story to end. It is such a unique fairy tale story. I loved the Storyteller chapters. It was such a fun way to break up the story and give added context to certain aspects of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review. You definitely need to read this book when it comes out in July!

I recently had the pleasure of diving into Meg Shaffer's latest novel, and let me tell you, it was a journey like no other. From the very first page, I found myself captivated by the enchanting world she had crafted. This story is so magically whimsical. Meg Shaffer was able to weave myth and present it flawlessly. Each character had strong ties to one another, even the more minor characters. Each had their own personality, and it is shown through the pages. I was able to connect with each one of them. With their colorful personality, Rafe, Jeremy, and Emilie brought life to the story. The beauty and struggle of the quest were the transcendence of this world. There are no words to describe how unique this story is. It's a must-read. I can't wait for Meg's next novel. Every time I read one of her novels, it takes me to a place like Narnia. It brings me back to the simpler times as a kid. Meg Shaffer's ability to transport readers to such vivid and imaginative realms is truly remarkable. This is a book that will stay with me long after I've turned the final page, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in search of a captivating and unforgettable adventure.

I would like to express my gratitude to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! Oh how much did this book took my breath away. The way I connected to this book needs be studied because I cannot stop thinking about this. Literally. Magical is one way to describe this book. Need I say more when I say this book has been inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis? Exactly, that should say everything about this. Simultaneously, it was much more than just a magical story. It was steeped in well executed depth and emotion and beautiful storytelling that managed to move me, touching my heart so deeply.

The story explores the idea that dreams can come true at any stage of life if one is open to embracing them. I longed to lose myself in Shenandoah; letting go of all my troubles and distress, losing myself into the story. And I really did. This reminded me why I am a reader in the first place, I love to get immersed into stories and escapism gives me immese happiness. And this book truly excelled in making me feel like that!

And can I also mention how this book references Gilmore Girls, and Batman, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac??? Because that made me so happy!!! This book also felt so nostalgic at times. And at times, healed my inner child.

The story revolves around Jeremy and his friend, Ralph, who disappear in Red Crow State Park for six months. When they mysteriously return, physically stronger and well-fed, they have no recollection of what happened. Jeremy, now a missing persons investigator, knows the truth behind their time in the woods, but has avoided reconnecting with Ralph. However, they must come together again when a woman named Emilie asks for their help in finding her missing sister.

What truly made me appreciate about the story was how well executed was the world building, How immersive was the world! Again, providing great escapism. The characters captivated me, they were steeped in such complexities that I couldn't help but instantly fall in love with them! One way to win me over is focusing on topics like self-exploration because how much they have the power to touch my heart if done well. And well it was done perfectly! The way the friendships and romance were explored was truly exquisite! Big props to the author!

It encompasses elements of a cozy fairytale--with a queen, princess, knights, unicorns, sword fighting, mermaids, and a magical land. The book's whimsical and magical elements, reminiscent of Narnia and The Wizard of Oz, are particularly enchanting.

Despite the fantastical elements, the book also tackles important and challenging issues such as suicide, adoption, death, abuse, and family drama. These themes add depth and emotional resonance to the story. The inclusion of LGBTQ representation, and the presence of a pet fancy rat contribute to the diverse and intriguing aspects add to the amazing narration.

The writing style is had the ability to keep me hooked from the first page until the end. The author skillfully incorporates interludes where a storyteller provides helpful information, breaking the fourth wall in a masterful way.

Overall, the book is lauded for its engaging characters, heartfelt love story, and imaginative reimagining of Narnia. I am left eagerly anticipating Meg Schaffer's next book!

Immense thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for providing me with an arc of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 actually, but that's just semantics. I was HOOKED from the first page. I reached out to the author on Instagram and told her I would read anything she ever writes forever and I mean it. This was so beautifully written. There were times when it felt like too much of a fairytale to me, but that didn't stop me from reading. My logical brain just likes to cause trouble sometimes.

I have to confess to never having read any CS Lewis. If I had read it while growing up, I might have enjoyed it slightly more. I LOVED the breaks in between chapters from the story teller and how we were filled in on some backstory and only given what information was necessary. Brilliant! My only complaint is that it felt like the "adventure" part of the story could have played out a little bit longer. So I guess I'm saying, I needed (or wanted!) more.

I famously never look up what a book is about before reading. I just go, hey, today is the day for this book. But it felt like a fairy tale intervention that guided me to read The Lost Story while on a weekend getaway to the mountains of West Virginia - a story entangled in those very same mountains and forests and that even mentioned a town down the street from where I was staying. It felt like a little magical guidance that I picked it up to read and thank you to that fairy godmother, because it was the perfect read for my weekend.

What a magical, heartwarming, just what I needed story. If you loved The Wishing Game, you are going to love this one.

This is a fairy tale for adults - not adults as in it's racy, but as in the protagonists are in their 30s. It's like if the Narnia kids grew up and decided they wanted to try to go back.

Jeremy and Rafe, best friends, got lost hiking in the West Virginia woods at 14/15. They were found 6 months later. Flash forward 15 years, Rafe still remembers nothing of what happened after he went missing, and Jeremy now spends his time finding missing girls and women.

Enter Emilie, whose half sister went missing 20 years ago and she needs both Jeremy and Rafe, and their magical world they went to, to find her.

This is so just lovely. Everyone loves each other. There is dealing with parents and resentment and working through things as an adult. But there's also much love. And a lot of cute fairy tale winks from our narrator. Yes, there's a narrator.

I had a wonderful time and I think you will too.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley who provided the ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Lost Story is out July 16, 2024.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Fans of Meg Shaffer (Wishing Game) will certainly want to pick up The Lost Story. The story grabs the reader from the beginning. Since their mysterious emergence after being lost for 6 months in the West Virginia woods, teenagers Jeremy Cox and Ralph Howell have trouble re-entering the real world.
They spend 15 years separated from each other, never discussing what happened. Ralph, troubled by dreams and PTSD-type symptoms becomes a recluse artist. Jeremy uses his super-natural talent for finding things to rescue people lost in the wilderness. When Jeremy is hired by Emily to help her find her long-lost sister in the same woods where Ralph and Jeremy were found, the story takes off.
This Narnia-inspired story for the YA reader is well thought out and expertly written.

After falling head over feet for The Wishing Game, I was giddy to be invited to read an advance copy of Shaffer’s follow-up: The Lost Story.

The Lost Story, largely inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia, is a fairytale for grownups. Jeremy and Rafe disappear into the woods as boys and emerge unharmed and healthy 6 months later. Rafe has no memory of their time away, while Jeremy is left with a mysterious ability to locate missing women and children. Jeremy makes a living off this gift, and introverted Rafe hides away in a cabin, carving mystical creatures into furniture, with no real understanding of where these fantastical beings came from.

When Jeremy crosses paths with Emilie who is searching for the half sister she never met, the two meet up with Rafe - the only one who knows the way back to the magical land that was their home as boys, the land that will lead them to Emilie’s sister and to memories long forgotten.

While I didn’t connect with this story the same way I did with The Wishing Game, I adored getting lost in a fairytale again. The storyteller chapters were charming. The Stevie Nicks references were perfection. The Lost Story is a tale for those who need a little magic in their lives.

Thank you to @netgalley and @meg_shaffer for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The lost story
[contains some spoilers] The lost story is a great modern fairytale with compelling characters. I found myself thinking about it throughout the day wondering what was going to happen next and where they would wind up. I love the concept of a young girls fantasy coming to life and saving not only her but others that come into her orbit. While it was a fantasy, it tackled some difficult subjects well and did not feel super childish. My one big complaint is the “storytellers corner”. I felt the story stood on its own and did not need this aspect. I found the storyteller corner to actually be pulling me out of the story and world the author was creating. It seems this was done to achieve the “royal disguised as a nobody” ingredient, however, I feel this was fulfilled with Emilie being an unexpected Princess. Overall I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to others but would enjoy it more if it did not include the storytellers corner aspect.

This book was delightful. I loved the magic and the fairytale aspect. I loved the characters . It was fantastical and not grounded at al in reality but I loved that.

My one complaint is that the ending left me wanting more. Will there be a sequel?

Content warning for child abuse.

Having read (and loved!) the Wishing Game, my expectations for this follow-up were high…and they were met! The book opens with a premise that would be characteristic of a low-key thriller, but quickly opens up into a different world altogether. The evolving friendship between Rafe and Jeremy, what happened in the time they disappeared, and how Emilie fits into their story is just part of the tale. The novel also dives into found-family, abuse, and first love in a way that is authentic and beautiful.

I gifted several copies of The Wishing Game last year, and this will make my list of recommended books this year as well! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.