I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

I think my hopes were just too high for this book... I can see the elements inspired by The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe... But that comparison maybe set the bar too high.
I expected some religious subtext with it being inspired by the work of CS Lewis but yikes. The religious overtones were loud and did not resonate with me at all. It felt very forced and not what I signed up for.
I wish this had been Jeremy and Rafe's first experience in Shannandoah. Maybe the magic would have felt a bit more accessible.
I didnt have a bad time, but with this being my most anticipated book of the year... Im left a little disappointed.

Oh goodness, this book was everything and more! Magically and mysterious. I adored the characters and the world. I loved the bits of action and romance. Please oh please let there be more to this lost story!!

A whimsical fairy tale that has a mystery inside! Themes of found family, deep friendships and enduring love!

My second Meg Shaffer book - and I loved it! There is beautiful imagery, great characters and plot twists enough to keep you on your toes.

I will say that the first part of the book starts slow but hang in there and you will soon enter a wonder fantastical world that sweeps you away!


My heartfelt thanks to Net Galley and Quercus Books | Arcadia for the arc in exchange for an honest review. This book has been published and is available to read now.

I loved Meg Shaffer's THE WISHING GAME, so I was very excited to pick up THE LOST STORY! Described as a "Narnia for adults," THE LOST STORY was truly magical and imaginative.

4.5 stars. I really loved this book. I didn’t give it 5 stars given minor elements about the narration that weren’t for me (I don’t particularly like the narrator breaking the fourth wall AND commenting on story structure). But The Lost Story gives me fairy tale warm and fuzzies. It declares outright that it’s inspired by C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia (which I loved), but it also has Wendy, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys vibes, and also feels referential to TJ Klune’s magical island world, and even gives a little Snow White and Cinderella nod with all the magical creatures of the forest providing much needed assistance and information. Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is a beautifully written blend of mystery, fantasy, and emotional depth. With echoes of classic storytelling adventures, Shaffer weaves a tale of lost friendships, hidden truths, and the magic of stories themselves. The dual timelines add richness, slowly unraveling the mystery while deepening the emotional stakes.

While some plot points feel a bit predictable, the lyrical writing and heartfelt characters make it a captivating and memorable read.

A charming, bittersweet tale perfect for fans of books about books and the enduring power of stories.

I absolutely LOVED Meg Shaffer’s novel the Wishing Game. I could not wait to dive into The Lost Story. The story is reminiscent of the Narnia but is a unique story unto itself. For adults that love fairy and fantasy as a child this story feels like a nostalgic throwback. Meg Shaffer’s writing reminds me of how much I loved reading as a child and why I have been a life long lover of magical stories.
I could not put this book down, a portal fantasy that tells a powerful story of love, friendship and forgiveness.

This was a sweet and fun story. It reminded me a bit of the Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoyed it and Meg Shaffer is an author I will keep in mind when I'm looking for a feel good read

Thought provoking and an easy page turner. This book sucked you in to the plot and left you wanting to continue reading. Relatable characters, well written. Although I liked their first book better- this author has a unique way of retelling fractured common day stories.

This was such an enchanting read! The world I felt transported to while reading it was just pure magic and reminded me so much of Narnia! I’ll be looking for more from this author because the writing is top notch!

2.5 ⭐️. I felt like this book/story had so much promise but fell short. Rather than being whimsical, magical, and nostalgic…it felt juvenile and immature. I can see the author’s intentions (which would have been outstanding had they been realized), but it didn’t quite work for me.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for providing me with the arc. This was a brand new to me author and I loved the story. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

This is my 2nd book by Meg Shaffer and she is becoming a favorite author. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the story and the magical land. There were a few things that I wasn't a big fan of but it wasn't enough to make me not enjoy the story. I look forward to reading more from Meg in the future.

I got lost in this beautiful, magical, fairytale world! I loved being in this place that was filled with danger, adventure, action, secrets, love, friendships, and amazing creatures - unicorns, dragons, and a bright red cow. The vivid descriptions made the story come alive! Meg Shaffer is an amazing storyteller!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance copy of The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer. This was my first time reading a book by Meg Shaffer, and I’m already excited to read more from her! Her writing is truly magical, evoking the wonder of discovering a favorite fairy tale for the first time. From the very first page, I was hooked and transported to an enchanting world.

The story follows two lost boys whose journey leads them to the faraway, enchanted land of Shenandoah—but there’s so much more to this tale! Shaffer weaves a beautifully immersive narrative, blending adventure, mystery, and a touch of Chronicles of Narnia nostalgia, making this a truly unforgettable read that I can't wait to recommend to others.

This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed this one. I thought the story and writing were wonderful! I look forward to more from this author!

Best friends Jeremy and Rafe go missing in a forest near their homes in West Virginia when they are teenagers and reappear six months later with no explanation of what had happened to them. There are things that don't add up, like them being in remarkably good health for people who were apparently living in the woods for that long, but mostly their parents are so pleased to have them back that they don't ask questions. Years later, Jeremy and Rafe are no longer friends and have lived wildly different lives. Rafe is now a recluse and Jeremy finds missing people for a living.

When Jeremy is approached by a young woman named Emilie whose older sister went missing in that same forest many years ago, the last thing he wants to do is return. And yet, it isn't for the reasons you would expect. In fact, he'd love nothing more than to return to the other world they had lived in for those six months, but doing so means opening up some old wounds and inflicting even more pain on his childhood best friend.

This is a great book. There is fantasy and knights and a queen and all sorts of make-believe things come to life - like red crows. unicorns, and mermaids. The main characters are all flawed and likable at the same time and they make an interesting team when they set out on their quest to reunite Emilie with her sister.

For anyone who might like content warnings, there is mention of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and depression.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved Shaffers writing in The Wishing Game and based on all the reviews for this current book The Lost Story, I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, I found the story to have a lackluster plot and characters that fell short.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

4 stars! I loved the Wishing Game, so I was really excited for this book. It didn’t disappoint. It was a fun magical realism story.