THE LOST STORY by Meg Shaffer is a bit of a genre-bending story mixing the magical with a romance.

I know you know how I feel about romance.

That said, let's continue.

I paired my digital copy from @randomhouse Ballantine from @netgalley, with the audio from @prhaudio, narrated by Jeorgeana Marie which was a really helpful duo.

I enjoyed Shafer's previous story which felt like a mix of middle-grade and adult fiction. This is a similar mixed adventure with the characters of Rafe and Jeremy. These two go missing for 6 months as kids, only to return with no explanation of what happened. Instead of drawing them closer, the experience seems to create an estrangement between Rafe and Jeremy. When Emilie comes to Jeremy to help her search for her sister who also disappeared in the same woods, the now young men are forced to confront their past to help find the truth.

I loved the premise of the magic world and even the magic rules of this story. I loved how it brought the magic that I felt as a middle-grade kid into my middle-aged reading. I wanted it to go into deep friendship and the bonds within instead of moving into a romance, but it didn't. Often I can get past these little dislikes for love of the story, but this one had a pretty heavy romance theme, so it was hard to escape.

I think this is one to read reviews of before jumping in. If you enjoyed The Wishing Game, be prepared for the similar youthful feel with adult themes in this one. And make sure romance is your thing.

Thank you to the publishers for access to this story that published on July 16th.

Review published in the Charleston Gazette Mail, Saturday/Sunday, August 10-11, 2024.

The Lost Story - Meg Shaffer, July 16, 2024, Random House, Ballantine, 290 pages.

“Once upon a time in West Virginia two boys went missing…” So begins the new book by the author of the very popular THE WISHING GAME (one of my favorites from 2023 and well worth reading.).

Two young teenage boys, best friends Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, vanish in a West Virginia state forest. They reappear six months later with no recollection of where they had been or how they had survived while gone.

Fifteen years later, Rafe is an artist and a recluse an. Jeremy is a missing person investigator who searches exclusively for women and girls and he has unbelievable abilities.

Jeremy takes a case back in West Virginia and begins a search in the same woods where he and Rafe disappeared; he is searching for Shannon Katherine Yates, who was believed to have been kidnapped 20 years ago. He has been hired by her sister Emilie Wendell, a vet tech.

While Rafe still has no memory of the boys’ time away, Jeremy now knows they were in a magical realm filled with delight and danger. Jeremy believes Emilie’s sister is there now. And to find her, he’s going to have to make Rafe remember, and they, along with the scrappy Emilie, will have to confront their past, reenter the magic world and search for Shanandoah.

I promise this is a book for adults. Really.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again,” and this fairytale is meant for you, the grown up you, and it’s absolutely lovely.

As with THE WISHING GAME, Shaffer has an optimistic world view, which is perfect here.

One important aspect in any story is the narrator, and here we don’t know the identity, but he/she does a fantastic job of leading us through the story with some witty asides, such as “But that’s what you get when you let a 13-year-old name a kingdom.”

The narrator is also careful to provide us with the rules that this fairytale must follow. That is, there must be one princess in some sort of trouble, one magician, wizard and/or wise woman, one hero, one to three villains (don’t skimp on the evil deeds), a member of a royal family disguised as a nobody and “a pinch of unusual animals.”

In addition, this book is a love letter to the Mountain State. “Wild West Virginia. Beautiful and dangerous and dark and strange West Virginia.” Despite the assertion that “they [don’t] have fairytales in West Virginia. They were lucky to have a Target.,” the characters marvel at the glorious scenery, “and the beauty…if she’d known how beautiful these mountains were, the endless rolling hills all shades of October…It didn’t even look real. It was almost too beautiful to be trusted, too breathtaking to be safe,” and “she saw the gold and silver fingers of dawn climbing over the tops of the mountains and stretching into the sky. If Ohio had mountains, she thought, she would have gotten up a lot earlier every morning.”

There’s reference to the Mothman, Tudor’s Egg and Cheese biscuit and an R-rated version of “Country Roads” (these are 14-year-old boys, after all.). There’s a nod to our church-going ways, “as many churches as you have in this bloody state you’d think you would know a miracle when you saw one.”

One of the most frightening scenes in the book takes place in a dead-but-recognizable version of Morgantown, complete with a somewhat alternative Don Knotts statue.

And all that local color is just a bonus to this absolutely delightful story that ends in tears, but happy ones. You will not regret spending some of your remaining summer days with this charming book.

🚪The Lost Story - Meg Shaffer

4.25 ⭐️ - Listen to me. This book is magical. Let it be magical, let it be nostalgic, feel like a kid again. Don’t think too hard and just let yourself be absorbed by this story. Please, promise me that if you read this book. Your inner child will thank you for being a fairytale reading adult.

Best friends, Jeremy Cox and Ralph Howell, went missing in a West Virginia state forest only to return six months later with no explanation of where they’d gone or how they survived. Now, fifteen years later, Rafe is a reclusive artist still bearing scars from the forest and Jeremy is a well known missing persons investigator. When Emilie Wendell finds Jeremy and asks for help looking for her missing sister, Jeremy knows right where to go…

Think Narnia for adults, sprinkle in some Wizard of Oz, and you’ve got this magical tale. There’s wonderful worlds and stories to get lost in. There’s mystery and thrill. There’s friendships and romance. There is a narrator that is mixed in and brings the story to life by sprinkling in some rules about fairytales and storytelling, keeping us engaging with what could happen next, and making sure we as readers follow along. A couple bumps for me along the way, but nothing to turn me off! I highly recommend this one, especially if you enjoyed Shaffer’s The Wishing Game (a 5 ⭐️ for me!). I often get nervous about author’s sophomore books, but this one is just as magical and lovely as the first.

If you enjoy adventure, excitement, and mystery, with some magic and romance thrown in -- you’ll love this one!

The story begins with two missing boys who’ve been lost in the Red Crow Forest for six months. When, one day one of the boys, Jeremy, walks out of the woods carrying the other one, Rafe, everyone wonders “Where have they been? And why do they look older than they should for only six months having passed?” They won’t tell (you’ll have to read the book to find out!)

Fifteen years go by, and Emilie hears of a famous “finder of missing persons” whose name is “Jeremy” (yes, THE Jeremy).
She asks him to find her lost sister. Jeremy agrees, under certain conditions. Since her sister was lost in the Red Crow Forest, he insists that Rafe must come with them -- however, Rafe isn’t speaking to him. Can Jeremy convince Rafe to come along (since Rafe is the only one who can take them where they need to go!)?

And “where they need to go” is magical (and, yes, you’re going to have to read this book to find out about it!). It is exciting, adventurous, sometimes dangerous, and it is romantic.

This was a fun and mysterious adventure that leads the reader to unexpected places. And I’ll have to say, I’ve never read a book exactly like this one. There are many surprises!

Just read the book! And Enjoy! ;)

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Meg Shaffer, and Random House/Ballantine Books for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

a really interesting story that kept me entertained and somewhat entranced.

The lost story follows two boys who disappeared when they were younger. Now, they are men and when someone needs their help to find their loved one, they go back to where they were lost.

The book started strongly and the writing was very whimsical, the plot was quite unique and refreshing for me. Overall, the whole thing was setting out to be great until the end where I was disappointed.

I do believe many people will be enamored with this novel and I would recommend if you have some time to try something fun and fairytale-isc, then read this!

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an e-arc copy of this book. All opinions are mine!

Emilie is looking for her lost sister and enlists the help Jeremy and Rafe, the two boys who also got lost in the same forest as Emilie's sister. When Jeremy agrees to help, he knows it means he'll have to reconnect with Rafe and convince him to go along as he's part of the puzzle. All three of them travel to the forest and manage to end up in the magical realm of Emilie's sister where she is the Queen. Then they must make the tough choice of deciding to stay and fight the darker element of the realm or make the final decision to leave the realm forever. Overall, a magical second book by Shaffer that leans into the elements of a fairytale. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater will like this one.

“The Lost Story" is an absolute gem that whisks you away into a captivating adult fairytale. From the moment I started reading, I was completely absorbed in the enchanting world the author has created. The characters felt incredibly real, and I found myself deeply connected to their journeys. The narrative is beautifully crafted, with just the right mix of magic, emotion, and intrigue—I truly couldn't put it down. I was hooked from the first chapter. Having narrator chapters in the book added an additional type of whimsy for readers.

One thing to be aware of is that the book includes a trigger related to parental abuse. The author handles this topic with care, but I strongly recommend that readers take note of the trigger warnings before diving in.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-told story that lingers with you long after you've turned the last page. My only question now is: When can we expect book 2? I can't wait to return to this world!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for a copy of this arc for my honest review.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book was not for me unfortunately. I was hoping for a magical world but instead it was mostly just a gay romance (which is fine, I just thought this book was something else.) The writing felt very young and YA and just hard to get into.

I feel like the world building was lacking. If you're comparing a book to Narnia, the world building and fantasy world needs to be strong but this was not it.

I hope others love this one but it wasn't for me.

3 Stars
This one was just OK for me. It was a little confusing at times and very drawn out but not in a good way. I didn't hate it and didn't love it. I would recommend it if you like the more lyrical deeper meaning books. I can't say it was bad it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

👑 What a perfect review to post for National Book Lovers Day! This is the perfect fantasy story for lovers of books and stories— a modern-day Narnia. Thank you to @randomhouse for the early look at this. It’s out now!

👑 In this book there are—
- queens, knights, princes and princesses, loyal followers and evil villains
- unicorns and magical birds and spiders
- an unseen realm

👑 And there are also—
- explorations of abusive parents
- LGBTQ issues
- poverty
- feelings of not belonging
- expression through creative arts

👑 This is a fantastic story if you want to escape and pretend for a little while. I really enjoyed it and would certainly recommend to book lovers, story lovers, or anyone who wants to dip their toes in fantasy.

Meg Shaffer, I ADORE YOU and your work.
**Book Review: *The Lost Story* by Meg Shaffer**

Meg Shaffer's *The Lost Story* is a magical and heartfelt journey into the world of storytelling and imagination. This enchanting follow-up to Shaffer's acclaimed *The Truth Pixie* once again showcases her talent for weaving a tale that's both whimsical and deeply moving.

The novel follows the adventures of a young protagonist, who embarks on a quest to recover a lost story that holds the key to restoring magic and wonder to a world that has become all too ordinary. Shaffer’s storytelling shines as she creates a vibrant, imaginative universe that captivates readers of all ages. The narrative is rich with creative detail and imbued with a sense of wonder that will resonate particularly well with fans of fantasy and adventure.

Shaffer’s characters are endearing and well-developed, each adding depth to the story’s rich tapestry. The protagonist’s journey is filled with trials and tribulations that challenge their courage and creativity. Shaffer’s ability to craft characters who are both relatable and aspirational ensures that readers are emotionally invested in their journey.

The book’s themes of storytelling and imagination are handled with sensitivity and insight. Shaffer explores the idea that stories have the power to shape our lives and our perceptions, a theme that is particularly poignant in a world that often feels mundane and disconnected. The way in which the protagonist discovers the importance of their own story and the stories of others is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

The pacing of *The Lost Story* is well-executed, keeping readers engaged with a blend of suspense, adventure, and emotional depth. Shaffer's prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of the fantastical world she has created while also grounding the narrative in relatable human experiences.

However, some readers might find that the story’s emphasis on the importance of storytelling and imagination could feel a bit heavy-handed at times. While the message is certainly meaningful, there are moments when the narrative could benefit from a lighter touch or a more nuanced exploration of its themes.

Overall, *The Lost Story* is a delightful and inspiring read that reinforces Meg Shaffer’s reputation as a master of imaginative storytelling. With its blend of adventure, emotional depth, and celebration of the power of stories, this book is sure to captivate both young readers and adults alike. Shaffer's ability to create a world where stories come to life makes *The Lost Story* a memorable and enchanting addition to her literary repertoire.

Unfortunately I didn’t love this one. The overall idea was really unique, but it was honestly really hard to follow at times because there were so many different plot points going on. I also didn’t particularly like the “storyteller corner” sections sprinkled throughout because those parts felt like they were just used for info dumping. The writing was fine, minus the stilted dialogue, *and* I was super disappointed that there was a Harry Potter reference. The love story was really sweet and I did enjoy that part, but overall I just don’t think this was for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An adult spin on C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lost Story is simply magical and heartwarming.

"“Gay? Bi? Pan? Fun at parties?”
“....And I prefer the term unisex.”
“Unisex?”
“Like a T-shirt. Fits both men and women. Plus, T-shirts are tops.”

"Brave and stupid felt good on her. A good fit. This fake king of a dead world was not going to win, not without a fight."


"That’s not why. I wasn’t lost because I wasn’t here. I was lost because I’m lost without you. All this time, I’ve been lost without you, and you were the only one who could ever find me. And if you die, I will be lost forever.”
Brothers. Lovers. Best friends. Partners in crime. Cellmates. Soul mates. There was no bond that bound hearts that did not bind theirs."

A very entertaining sophomore novel from the author of one of my favorite reads of 2023. Bonus points for the LGBTQ+ representation. If you enjoy magic and fairy tales, give this a read.

I can’t remember the last time I felt so conflicted over a book.

I immediately liked the fairytale style in which the story began. The presence of the Storyteller was a fun addition, one that broke up the tone in an interesting way. And this was an excellent way to provide meaningful asides without hindering the pacing. I really enjoyed the poetry penned by in-world characters. There’s something fairytale-esque about Appalachia, so West Virginia was almost as wonderful a setting as the more fantastical world in this portal fantasy. There were portions of the story that harkened to others, be they Narnia or Coraline. I can see fans of The Raven Boys and the Wayward Children series being especially fond of this book.

But there was something about the entire story that made me sad. I felt entrapped by the synopsis, which wasn’t a wholly accurate representation of the tale being told, in my opinion. I mentioned Narnia and Coraline above. This felt like the Other World version of Narnia. Because Narnia divorced of Aslan is no true Narnia.

The writing was wonderful. The settings were beautifully drawn. The characters had depth and charm. I should have loved this. I can still recognize the merit. This is a wonderful book. But I felt that it promised something it didn’t even try to deliver, and forced into my hands a story I wouldn’t have chosen.

So many people are going to love this book. I can see it being healing for some, while for others it will just be a new friend. I just wish I had known more what I was getting into, so I could have tempered my expectations appropriately.

The Lost Story captivated me from start to finish with its enchanting blend of magical realism and real-world intrigue. The way magical elements are seamlessly woven into our everyday world is simply mesmerizing. The mystery of the missing boys, who reappear to hikers looking healthier than when they vanished, adds an eerie and compelling twist that kept me hooked.

The relationship between the main characters is deeply complex and beautifully tortured, adding layers of emotional depth to the narrative. The "stray" friend in need of help adds another dimension to the story, making it even more engaging.

One of the standout elements for me was the rat who weaves the story together—such a unique and magical touch! The storytelling is pure magic, leaving me eager for more.

Overall, The Lost Story is a spellbinding read that blends mystery, magic, and rich character dynamics. I can't wait to see what comes next in this captivating world.

After surviving in a forest for six months, best friends/teens Jeremy and Rafe, suddenly reappear... unable to provide details. Is their "amnesia" real or fake?

Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, The Lost Story picks up 15 years after the 14 year old boys went missing. Rafe is a reclusive artist and still doesn't remember anything while Jeremy is a missing persons' investigator and remembers everything but refuses to tell Rafe; why? And, will Jeremy agree to help Emilie find her older sister, Shannon, who went missing in the very same forest decades ago?

After loving this author's debut, I was very excited to read this one. The premise and the way the story was presented was unique and felt very much like a fairy tale (as the author intended). Just like Jeremy and Rafe, I was enchanted by the magical realm of Shanandoah and was eager to find our more about their adventures while lost. My only complaint is that the story felt a bit short and some scenes could have been longer and more descriptive. With that being said, one part near the end made me tear up, and I loved the overall message of love, redemption, and forgiveness.

On a side note, and oddly enough, memories were bound into a book similar to The Binding (3 stars) which I just listened to on audiobook. But, in my opinion, it was executed much more effectively in this one.

Lastly, The Wishing Game (5 stars) remains my favorite by this author!

Location: West Virginia and Ohio

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Chronicles. of Narnia was my most favorite series growing up, so I was excited to read a fairy tale for adults. This story did not disappoint. Meg Shaffer really outdid herself, I loved the characters, I loved Shenandoah, and I loved the writing. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story!

Meg Shaffer is so back with an incredibly heartwarming story for those of us who still hold out hope that we might stumble upon our own kind of Narnia.

I love how both of her books explore different types of relationships, from love to friendship to found family.

While it’s definitely adult (and with some difficult adult themes), it also feels YA at times? Just something to keep in mind if that’s not typically your cup of tea! Not a bad thing for me.

Someone else said it suffered from a bit too much telling vs. showing and I have to agree. I initially gave five stars but took one away because there were a number of events I reallly wanted to experience as a reader. It just left me a tad unsatisfied.

Overall, though, a really sweet book and a super quick read.

An adult fairy tale about two boys that go missing in the forest and return months later
in good shape but not remembering what happened to them. Years later an encounter
leads them back to the forest.

This is a charming story with a nice little twist that would lead me to hope that there
is a sequel.