I grew up on The Chronicles of Narnia, so this book had me from the premise. By the time I finished the prologue, I knew that I loved how this author wrote. My one quibble is that I really hate direct address to the reader in books, so the Storyteller’s Corner took me out of the story where I’d rather stay in it.

I have 2 siblings— my brother went to college in Kansas (hello, Dorothy Gale!) and my sister went to college in Morgantown, West Virginia. Also, as I live in Ohio and lost my mother to breast cancer, aspects of this book felt crafted for (or by?) me.

The parallels to Narnia are obvious (and pointed out in the book), but also other stories of other worlds (some also mentioned by name) including Wonderland, Oz, and Neverland.

This book reminded me, of course, of Narnia but also of more contemporary magical realism/ fantasy, including Stephanie Garber’s Caraval and TJ Klune’s House in the Cerulean Sea.

It was a beautiful story and I loved it with all my heart. It is a fairy tale, as the synopsis notes, but it was also so much more. It was deep and about sad things, hard things, but also good things. It was about love and adventure, friendship and family, imagination and healing.

I struggle with reading about some of the hard issues it addressed, but it was dealt with in a way that I was able to handle. I loved the love story, I’ll leave it at that so as not to ruin it.

This book was my first ever NetGalley approval and to say I was thrilled when I got the email would be an understatement. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the ARC copy provided through NetGalley.

Ordinarily I raise a couple of eyebrows and side-eye any reference to Narnia as inspiration for a fairy tale, as I'm pretty much over C.S. Lewis being constantly bashed over the head with the Susan Stick (as if she couldn't find her way to Heaven via another route besides Narnia, if she wanted to), but I'm so glad I took a chance.

This is a lovely, generous, unpredictable fairy tale, gay-friendly, human-and-magical-animal friendly, complete with a queen, knight, magic, and a Storyteller. I loved the voice, the pacing, the characters. This isn't coming out until July, and almost anything I say would be a spoiler, so I'll leave this review short and unsatisfactory, and perhaps return to it after the book comes out.

Because I'm sure I will read it again; the surprises were a delight, but I relished the writing so much that knowing what is to come will just give me that delicious sense of anticipation of a good reread.

📚🪄✨ "All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by a stranger and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to you? Loving and hating people made out of ink and paper, not flesh and blood? Yes, books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is." 📚🪄✨

꧁•⊹٭𝙰𝙻𝙻. 𝚃𝙷𝙴. 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚂.٭⊹•꧂


I mean... can we just take a min- THIS COVER!!! 🥹😍...k...moving along...


╰┈➤ 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓵𝓾𝓻𝓫

As young boys, best friends Jeremy and Rafe go missing in Virginia State Park. Mysteriously reappearing six months later with no explanation as to where they were or how they managed to survive.

Fifteen years later, Jeremy is a missing persons investigator with an almost magical ability to find find the lost, while Rafe is now a reclusive artist living in a cabin in the woods. He bears scars from the time of their disappearance both inside and out but has no memory of what happened.

Jeremy alone knows the fantastical truth behind their time in the woods. While the rest of the world was searching for them, the two missing boys were in a magical realm filled with impossible beauty and terrible danger. However, Jeremy has not filled Rafe in on what happened... he's avoided him pretty much since they returned from being lost and they're not exactly on speaking terms.

But these two will have to learn to get along again, because a young woman named Emilie needs help from the both of them to locate her sister who disappeared in the same area they did…

╰┈➤ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼

This was such a good story! I mean- SO GOOD! I loved each and every one of these characters!

This world came alive in my mind and completely whisked me away from my day to day stress! I needed to savor this story! I want to live there!!

Such a cozy feel good fairytale! This book made my heart sinnggggg!!! 🎤🎼

This book has it all- a queen 👑, a princess 👸🏻, a knight ⚔️🛡️, a prince 🤴🏻, unicorns 🦄, sword fighting 🤺, mermaids 🧜🏻‍♀️, a red crow ❤️🐦‍⬛ and a magical land ✨🏰.

I was immediately pulled into the story and it kept it's grip on me from page one until the end. It's so whimsical ✨, magical ✨ and reminiscent of stories I loved to read as a child- wink 😉. Specifically, Narnia and The Wizard of Oz. There's just something so captivating and mesmerizing about the idea of walking through a door and into another world.

With all of the fun and magic going on Shaffer also tackles some tough issues such as suicide, adoption, death, abuse, family drama.

I'm telling ya'll, by the time I got to the last few chapters I couldn't hold back the tears- I just loved this so much that I couldn't even contain them!

I also really enjoyed the interludes where the Story Teller steps in and gives us helpful information. Normally, I'm not a fan of breaking the fourth wall but this was done masterfully!

I'm such a die hard Meg Shaffer aka Tiffany Reisz fan and she just continues to solidify all the reasons why with yet another banger!! 💖🌷

Instantly a forever favorite! 💖

Already on pre-order! If you enjoyed The Wishing Game- you will LOVE this one!!

╰┈➤ 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓔𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽

🐀 LGBTQ Rep
🐀 Found Family
🐀 Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac references
🐀 A pet fancy rat



Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Meg Shaffer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🥰💘💐

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