This book represents why I love to read and why reading is so important, especially about experiences that are not your own. I was eager to read this because I love all of C.S. Lewis’ work and recently read the Meg Shaffer’s wonderful debut novel, The Wishing Game. This story takes the reader alongside archetypal fairy tale characters on their quest back to a magical land. A storyteller provides the reader with a bit of context or commentary every few chapters, which is absolutely brilliant; I love breaking the fourth wall and comic relief so much. That is an incredibly creative way to tell a story. The author, Meg Shaffer, writes remarkable descriptions throughout the book. For example, the descriptions of what sounds sound like impressed me so much. Those descriptions alone support a 5-star rating.

I thought the exposition was a bit long; perhaps I was just too excited to see what was waiting for the characters in the magical land. However, I was so pleased with the explanation behind the magic and the breadth of the resolution. I appreciated how the ending was not rushed so I could savor the next chapter, if you will, of the story. I am so glad the author showed how the world was built. And of course, I loved the grand finale of the postcard sent to someone who had a special influence in a character’s life. What a thoughtful inclusion.

Some readers may be uncomfortable with or challenged by part of the subject matter while others will hopefully feel seen. Both aspects are valuable, and that makes a book worth reading in my opinion. Of course, some readers may just appreciate the Stevie Nicks references. Also an excellent reason to read this book. Meg Shaffer’s creative writing talent is spectacular, and I cannot wait to read her future books. Perhaps something set in Engle-land?

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

In "The Lost Story," Meg Shaffer invites readers to wander into a world where the ordinary brushes shoulders with the extraordinary, and the line between reality and fantasy blurs into a captivating dance. From the very first sentences, there's a sense of whimsy and mystery that pervades the narrative (similar to "The Wishing Game"), drawing readers into the heart of the unknown.

In these preliminary chapters, we are introduced to the duo of Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, whose disappearance and sudden return set the stage for an unfolding adventure. Shrouded in layers of intrigue and unanswered questions, their story asks us to follow along on their journey—a journey that promises to reveal secrets buried deep within the tangled undergrowth of memory and magic. I loved this literary escape!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read!

As a lover of adult fairy tales and all works that call back to C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, The Lost Story description spoke to me! And in many ways, I really loved it, but much of the story and it’s writing fell flat for me and left me wondering if it was a “me” problem or not. Even so, I am very thankful for the chance to read and review this ARC.

The parts I loved:
- I loved the relationship portrayed between the two main protagonists (Jeremy and Rafe) and felt really emotionally connected to that story line
- Additionally, the story line that evolved between Rafe and his father really got to me as well. It felt very thought out and the emotional beats hit hard, as did the contrasting relationship between Rafe and his mom.

What didn’t work for me:
- the writing, both the structure and the prose was odd and came off as an early draft to me. While I liked the idea of the storyteller’s corner, the narration between those interludes and the actual chapters (especially in the first 50% of the novel) came off completely differently in terms of tone. It was quite jarring to switch between the two. Once the readers get past the 50% mark, and on-screen characters are becoming more ingratiated within the fairy tale world, the tones between the chapters and interludes are more similar.
- Another issue I had with the writing was the dialogue—it felt very stilted and more play-like than what I am used to reading in novels, but I accept that this may just be an issue with my own expectations.
- The found family aspect seemed very forced very quickly—as with much of my critiques, it felt more believable in the second half of the book. All the instant friendship and love among characters in the beginning of the book made me feel like I had missed something.
- On screen, these characters are mostly adults, and this is described as an adult fairy tale. However, much of the dialogue and thought processes felt very juvenile, though due to the circumstances presented in the book, I rationalized this as maybe Rafe and Jeremy (and another “lost” child character who comes into play) didn’t get to mature in the real world the way they might have if they’d never been “lost.” But it was still a bit unbelievable at times.

I have not read the Wishing Game, so many of my critiques may just be a misstep between my preferences and this author’s writing style. Because of that and how much I liked the characters’ relationships and internal journeys, I’d still suggest to book to anyone who is a fan of fairy tale realms and Narnia. But I am less inclined to recommend it to someone looking for a story strong in prose and consistent in its tone.

I just reviewed The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer. #TheLostStory #NetGalley I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) for my honest feedback.

Jeremy and Ralph are high school boys who go missing during a school field trip in a forested area of West Virginia. Six months later, they're found, but secrets abound. Where were they, how did they survive, why does one no longer remember anything of the time while they were gone?

I started and finished this book in one day as I was completely enthralled with the world that Meg Shaffer has created with her storytelling. In the genre of C.S. Lewis, one never knows what may be right in front of them.

A story of love, love lost, love found, fantasy, childhood, adulthood, and everything in between. The author expertly weaves it all together in a way that keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. Sometimes, home isn't a place.

Tricky figuring out how to rate this one. I LOVED the last 10% or so where it all came together. The beginning definitely drew me in. But somewhere in the middle I got really uninterested in the fantasy world. It all came together in the end and was really beautiful, but.. more cohesiveness between the two worlds was needed earlier. This is the second book I've read recently with this setup of going from quite a long build up in the real world into an entirely different world, and it's a plot device I think I really don't like. But the first one I read like this was Stephen King's Fairy Tale, and this one was done *much* better than freaking Stephen King, so there's that. :D

I will officially read anything Meg Shaffer writes! I absolutely loved The Wishing Game and her sophomore novel, The Lost Story, is equally as brilliant.

This story 100% fills the brief: give me a fairytale, but for adults. I loved the entire concept of the lost boys (Peter Pan), a magical world (Narnia), and The Lost Princess (The Wizard of Oz). The character development was superb and I was invested in all the relationships between the characters.

I really enjoyed the addition of the storyteller and the dissection of all the elements needed to create a fairytale. The villain was exactly who I guessed it’d be and thought that was the perfect choice to bring the story full circle. If you loved fairytale adventures as child, then I highly recommend picking up The Lost Story. This one’s for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fairy Tale, reality? who can say when you read "The Lost Story". This is a tale about found family, and about finding the family you lost. it's about reconnecting, overcoming your past, finding love worth loosing, and losing love worth having, and reclaiming both. it's about touching the lives of others, and knowing even when you've forgotten. This is a story about two boys in love, a two sisters searching for each other, and all of them coming together to find happiness. but happiness cannot always last, sometimes, you have to give up something, to gain what's truly important.

Jeremy can find anything, anyone, even. he's made a living of it, finding lost girls in the woods, kidnapped girls, missing girls... so when Emelie asks him to help her find her sister who went missing over twenty years ago, he's more than happy to try... except she needs him to go to Red Crow, the last place he's ever wanted to go back to. in order to get there, he has to convince his best friend to go with him. a friend who he hasn't spoken to in over fifteen years, all the while hiding a past that is nearly impossible to believe.

We begin the story with 2 lost boys being found by a woman and her date. There is a sense of magic within the boys. Fast forward 15 years later. a girl named Emily asks Jeremy one of the lost boys to help find her sister. To find her he needs Rafe, someone he hasn’t spoken to in 15 years. Rafe whose father has died recently. Rafe, who is bitter over Jermey’s absence. The story is a cozy fantasy, but with triggering elements, child abuse, kidnapping, and absentee or abusive parents. Though the world the characters enter is gentle the character’s emotional scars lead the tale. Rafe’s father an abusive man is a central point in Rafe’s story. The relationship between father and son shows just how demoralizing views on traditional masculinity are.
The ending felt fitting. A new beginning

This book was not for me. I enjoyed the premise but struggled to get into the writing style and story. I would still recommend it. It just was not my cup of tea.

This wasn't my cup of tea. I liked it enough to finish but not enough to give it more star. Thank you for the arc Netgalley

This book had all the feels, run don't walk to get a copy when this hits the shelves. If you enjoy fairy tales and found family this book is for you. I just love this author and her writing style and will read all her future books. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc.
4.5 stars

This book made my heart hurt so good. Shaffer is an expert storyteller and she knocked this out of the park, again! I was lucky enough to be preapproved for her new book because I read The Wishing Game early as well, and honestly I am so lucky. I read this in one sitting and I can tell you right now I have a book hangover that's going to last for a while. Five (million) stars. Like Narnia, but for grownups.

Thanks to Megan Whalen from Random House and Netgalley for this e-arc!

I really liked Shaffer's first book, "The Wishing Game", which was her take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Her new book, "The Lost Story", has been described as her take on "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" but I'd describe it as a cross between LWW and Lev Grossman's Magicians series. There are lots of things to like about this book: great characters, a beautifully imagined magical land, and a plot that kept me reading. Why only four stars? I think the story of Skya wasn't complete enough to make me understand motivations, and the character of Emilie (while I liked her A LOT) seemed just a bit too juvenile for her age. Overall, a book well worth your time to read.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC for this book.

I think I need to go back and read "The Chronicles of Narnia" after reading this book. Meg Shaffer is also the author of "The Wishing Game" which I also loved. Her writing is really good and she tells really interesting stories! They're definitely for adults, but they incorporate fairy tale elements that bring back the feelings of being a kid.

It's definitely an adventure type book and I was along for the whole ride. There was a lot of great character growth and the characters were really fleshed out.

The plot itself was intriguing and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!

Both of her books have been hits for me!

Thank you to NetGalley , Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and Meg Shaffer for the E-ARC!

What a well written book. It definitely took me on an adventure.
Read the trigger warnings, some may need to be aware of before reading this book.
The overall writing was fantastic. I enjoyed the storyteller portions as it plays well with the fairytale vibe. This is definitely a fairy tale for adults. Recommend 100%

I am a huge fan of the Chronicles of Narnia books, and when I read that the premise of this book was “what happens when those kids came back and grew up”, I was intrigued. This reflects the nostalgic ties to those classics while also aging it up to adults and modernizing a bit. While I found the storyline a bit simplistic, I think because it has such strong ties to childhood memories, it compensated well.

I saw the plot twist (I won’t mention because spoilers) coming pretty quickly, but this was a true fairytale, a quick read, and a very enjoyable story.

4.5 stars, rounded up

Read this if:
*you grew up loving the Narnia (or similar) books and are now an adult chasing that feeling
*enjoy found family
*like a intrusive (albeit helpful) narrator

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is a fairytale that takes place in West Virginia. Two boys, Jeremy and Rafe, go missing in a state forest and are found six months later with no recollection of what happened. The story fast forwards to present time with Jeremy, who is a renown missing person investigator. Emilie hires Jeremy to find her sister who went missing in the same forest many years ago. To find the missing girl and unlock the secrets of what really happened when they disappeared, Jeremy, Emilie, and Rafe must journey back to the forest deep in the hills of WV. Magic ensues and a whole new world is found. There’s heroes, villains, and sacrifices. Sword fights, unicorns,and royalty. It’s a tale unlike any I have read and yet, it feels like home. Shaffer has a lovely way with words and descriptions. The characters are charming, witty, and funny. You leave the book with hope for a sequel.

I love stories that take place in my home state of WV, especially fairytales which are rare for WV. This is a lovely story for people who wonder what it would be like to walk through the wardrobe in Narnia and end up in a magical forest. It includes LGBTQ+ characters and does a wonderful job describing how it is to discover who you are even when you don’t know the whole story.
Thank you Ballantine Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This book will be released July 16, 2024.

I received this ARC from the publisher Random House Publishing Group for an honest review.

This was a well written book that will definitely take you on an adventure. You will experience all the emotions and the growth in relationships. There will definitely be some trigger warnings that some may need to aware of before reading this book. There were some aspects of this book that just weren't my style, but overall the writing was fantastic. I really enjoyed the storyteller portions as it plays well with the fairytale vibe. The writing is 5 stars.

I want to thank the Random House Publishing for sending me this ARC.

The fans of Wishing Game, what are you waiting for? Don't risk going blind to the magic Meg Shaffer offers in another book inspired by C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. It makes us believe dreams can come true at any time in our lives, as long as we open our hearts to embrace them.

I truly wished to get lost in Shenandoah and spend more time there until I let go of my insecurities, fears, troubles, and stress, shedding my old whining self and returning to innocence, laughing like a child. The world-building, metaphors, and Easter eggs hidden in the book, with references to Gilmore Girls and Batman, made me giddy.

The romance, friendship, and self-exploration blended in magical realism perfectly to immerse you in the secret lands of your mind.

The story revolves around three unique, one-of-a-kind characters: two young teenage boys, Jeremy Cox, a privileged English boy, and Ralph Howell (known as Rafe to Jeremy), a middle-class small-town boy with artistic talents. Bound by pure friendship, maybe more, they get lost in Red Crow State Park for six months, presumed dead. When they return, physically stronger, well-fed, and taller, nobody can explain what happened to them. Were they kidnapped? If so, how did they appear healthier instead of malnourished? Unfortunately, neither of them remembers anything about their disappearance. Especially Rafe, who shows signs of PTSD, short-term memory loss, and sleepwalking issues. After their return, Jeremy leaves town to live with his grandmother in England, severing ties with Rafe when he needed his friend the most.

Fifteen years later, we witness Jeremy becoming a celebrity for finding lost women and young girls, mostly in the spotlight, while Rafe develops his art in seclusion, hiding in his cottage. When the young, quirky, eccentric woman Emilie enters their lives needing help finding her lost stepsister, the two friends reluctantly unite to assist her in returning to Red Crow. Jeremy is convinced that they met Emilie's sister during their time lost in the woods, and only Rafe can find the way to this secret place. As they delve into their memories, secrets begin to unravel, allowing Rafe and Jeremy to piece together their shared past and embrace their future. But this is just the beginning of the story, isn't it?

Overall, I was hooked from the first page, enjoying the characters, the sacred love story, and the reimagining of the Narnia world. I look forward to reading Meg Schaffer's next magical adventure.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

As I read The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer, I couldn't help but think how cinematic it is; I could easily believe that this book could be made into a movie. This story of two friends who get lost (or perhaps it should be said get found) in an alternate, fairy-like tale world is magical and thought-provoking. At times, I wondered why the author created the alternate world the way she did, but in the end it became clear exactly what she was doing. This book makes you question your ideas of what a home is and should be. A great read!