The Wishing Game was my favorite read of 2023… and The Lost Story might just take the title for 2024. Pure Magic and I loved every minute of it. ✨✨✨

4 out of 5 Stars

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer was yet another hit be the author. A fun, good, read with same whimsy, the Chronicles of Narnia as child. Highly Recommend.

The Lost Story is one part portal fantasy, one part coming of age story, one part sisterly love story, one part friends to lovers, and about seven parts storybook fantasy. It's original yet nostalgic and cozy.

This is the second book by Meg Shaffer that I've read and loved and I doubt it's my last.

This isn't my usual type of story, but I did enjoy Meg Shaffer's last book so much that I would give this a try too. It definitely wasn't my usual beach read, but I zipped through reading this in less than one day. I couldn't put it down! What a magical story

While I did enjoy this book quite a bit, I think my expectations were too high going in. I loved this author's first book, and while this one was good I think I wanted it to feel as good as the first one. I like the idea of a fairytale geared for adults, but I think the author could have done more to flesh out the characters and their interpersonal relationships. I wanted to see more of Emily and her sister. I also wanted to see more of the two other main characters, both in back story and present. I'll continue to read this authors work, and look forward to whatever she does next.

“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.” 📚✨

I absolutely adored THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer, so when her second novel came out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Now, I did enjoy THE LOST STORY - but I don’t think it quite captured the magic of her first novel. However, similarly, THE LOST STORY was still an ode to art and our wondrous imagination.

Writing wise, this was magical realism…or maybe light fantasy if that’s a thing. For me, this was a bit slower in pacing, and there were definitely certain characters that I was more invested in than others. I loved the first half of the book - the world building and the backstory - but the second half, where most of the action was…it all felt rushed and too convenient.

However, it was still a magical, uplifting read that I think many would enjoy.

"The Lost Story" by Meg Shaffer - 4 Stars (Out Now!) blends fantasy and reality, making it a must-read with it's being set in West Virginia, particularly Morgantown. The world-building is accessible and engaging without overwhelming the reader with excessive details, making it an enjoyable escape. The characters feel familiar, and the love story is heartfelt, capturing the everyday charm of people you might know.

Good Things: The fantasy elements are imaginative yet approachable, and Shaffer’s focus on West Virginia adds a refreshing layer of authenticity. The story balances lightness with deeper themes, like child abuse, without getting bogged down. It’s a love story that feels fairy-tale-like, with dialogue and settings that bring joy.

Opportunities: While the simplicity makes it approachable, it sometimes feels a bit contrived and leans toward a Young Adult vibe. This may come off as a little cheesy for some, but it’s still a highly enjoyable read with meaningful undertones.

Final Thoughts: The Lost Story is a charming, accessible fantasy with relatable characters and a strong sense of place. It’s an easy recommendation for those who enjoy a lighter read that still packs emotional weight. For my WV Peeps, make sure you read this before you take your next hike at Cooper's Rock and look for likely trees.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #theloststory #megshaffer #countryroads #letsgomountaineers #wv #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

Meg Shaffer is a master at creating magical realism for adults. Last summer I enjoyed her debut, The Wishing Game and her second novel, The Lost Story, has same immersive settings and addictive breadcrumbs of clues. In The Lost Story, two young men who disappeared for six months when they were teenagers. What happened while they were missing remains a mystery and the once best friends have never spoken to each other after. It was such a fun ride and I highly enjoyed it.

I never read The Chronicles of Narnia so I did not pick up on the homage to the children's classic.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this. #TheLostStory #NetGalley

I really liked this one although I was undecided on the writing style, it felt a little like a YA novel with adult characters which I actually kind of liked because it was nostalgic but it also felt too basic. When I got to the end I understood but it made me feel a little unsure of the book while I was reading. Knowing earlier in the book would have solved that but it would have eliminated a twist. Anyway I love the characters the romance was fun and cute the book was lighthearted and fun even with the but of darkness and there was great humor. Kind of hoping for a sequel

The past and present merge in this fanciful and sometimes frightening story from Meg Shaffer. People disappear in Red Crow Forest and it's time that someone figures out why. Years ago, Jeremy and Rafe went missing for six months, but don't remember a thing about it. Fifteen years later, their friend Emilie is asking for help to find her missing sister Shannon. What is going on here? One of the three knows.

This is a whimsical fairy-tale like story with adult themes relating to PTSD, homophobia, abuses, and family dynamics. There is a mystery element as well as the team searches for Shannon while trying to resolve some past issues.

This book has quite a few magical and fantastical elements that made for an interesting story and kept things lively. This is an easy read. I wasn't always invested in the characters though and that's why I'm giving this four stars. In some respects it felt like a storytelling experiment with how the story is told, but that was one of the more interesting aspects of the book. It didn't always work for me.

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I started, I was completely hooked about the adventure I thought I was about to head on. It wasn’t terrible, but I do feel it could have been so much more. A narnia like retelling, a narrator pulling the strings, and a gay romance as the best plot point? But it was missing so much. There was so much potential for me that fell short. The characters felt not very dimensional, the world didn’t really make sense, and often I felt like I didn’t even care to guess what was happening because I would lose interest trying to get to what really happened there. It really did drag on and although this type of book may not have been written for me it with the Narnia fantasy world it still fell short.

Thank you @NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC!

I found myself captivated by the intricate weaving of narrative and emotion. The protagonist's journey through loss and discovery is beautifully portrayed, and Shaffer's lyrical prose draws you in from the very first page. I particularly appreciated the depth of the characters; they felt real and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles.
However, there were moments where the pacing lagged, especially in the middle sections, which made it a bit challenging to maintain my momentum. Despite this, the rich themes of resilience and the power of storytelling ultimately shine through, making it a rewarding read.
Overall, it is a poignant exploration of the human experience that left a lasting impression on me.

3.5 stars rounded up! I went into this book having seen a LOT of verrrrry mixed reviews, so I was a little nervous, but I LOVED The Wishing Game, so I was hopeful. This one is a magical realism about two boys who get lost in a Narnia-esque world and then try to get back to their lives in our world as adults. They are drawn back into the world of Shanandoah and then have to make a lot of decisions about their future. I liked the concept, but I felt like the execution was lacking. I didn’t really love the characters, and the writing almost felt like a middle-grade fantasy (not that there’s anything wrong with middle-grade fantasy, just not what I was looking for in an adult work). I also did not understand the point of the rat (IYKYK lol). The ending was very open-ended, and I can’t decide if I liked that or not; it felt like it could be a series, but I probably wouldn’t continue if it was. 🤷🏼‍♀️ This one just felt like a let-down after The Wishing Game. 😬
TW: child abuse, domestic abuse

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read before pub day! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. THE LOST STORY is out now!

The Lost Story was another excellent novel by Meg Shaffer. I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

I really liked the premise of this one, the characters and the writing. It felt really similar to The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I’m a big fan of portal fantasy, but this one didn’t work as well for me. The pacing throughout the whole book felt very one note with no real stakes. The ending also felt very rushed. I still enjoyed my reading experience and it was a quick read, but it was just ok.

I really liked this. It is definitely more magic than her first book. The descriptions were incredibly vivid and I could easily picture the complex and mystical world.

While I was a huge fan of Meg Shaffer's last book, The Wishing Game, this one was just a little too much into the fantasy genre for my tastes. It started out strong for me, once Jeremy, Rafe, and Emilie jump almost completely into a fantasy story, I just wasn't as invested. So take my review with a grain of salt because my average review is not because of the writing, but just because I like a little fantasy mixed in with realism, and this book was a little realism mixed with a ton of fantasy. It was romantic and sweet. My expectations were clearly off because I was thinking the story would have more magical realism like the author's previous book. Worth a read for anyone, but would probably be a big hit with someone who enjoys fantasy.

I haven’t had a chance to read The Wishing Game but have had it on my TBR for a while. That being said I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the writing style of this author. I did end up really enjoying it. I’m not huge on fantasy but do have the nostalgia of the Chronicles of Narnia. I also really loved the romance in the book..

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This book was a fun, whimsical and feel-good read that explored many more mature themes as well. Jeremy and Rafe went missing in the woods and returned after six months. One of them had no memory and the other refused to talk about it. Fifteen years later Emilie seeks out Jeremy, who is now a prolific missing persons investigator, for help finding her sister, who was lost in the same woods many years ago.

I enjoyed the characters quite a bit, and I was happy that they didn't really follow any of the stereotypical roles that characters in these types of stories tend to fall into, despite having a knight, prince and princess.
The love story was very sweet and heartwarming, and I was definitely rooting for those two from the beginning.

Their interactions and banter were great.
The fictional world of Shanandoah was a bit lackluster for me, and while we did get the backstory of how Shanandoah came to be, I would've liked more insight into the world itself, the people there, their culture, and things like that. It seemed very surface-level and shallow. The story started off pretty slow and didn't really pick up until about halfway through. Also, the conflicts that happened were far too easily resolved and didn't have much emotional impact.

Overall, The Lost Story was a fun read! I do think it was a bit too shallow to be compared with the Chronicles of Narnia, b the series it was apparently inspired by, but I did enjoy my time reading it quite a bit and will recommend it to others.

Synopsis: Two young boys disappear and eventually are found. This story follows their lives afterwards and the fairytale life they led while missing.

Thoughts: I had such high hopes. I adored Meg Shaffers debut novel “The Wishing Game”, but this one fell short. There were a lot of great and promoting started but felt as they fell through the cracks. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the third-person chapters were confusing. This book took me way too long to finish and I really had to force myself to push through. I haven’t given up hopes on Meg Shaffer, I look forward to what she puts out next, but this just didn’t do much for me.

Thank you to Meg Shaffer, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy!