Ok… I loved this!! I was literally hooked from the prologue! This story just flows. I loved the way the author wrote this, it really felt like a fairytale. The story keeps you guessing and interested.

The map in the front of this book made me squeal with delight!! I love a good fairy tale and this book was organized so well into chapters while also throwing in “storyteller corners,” where we get insight from a narrator.

This is the story of two men who were once lost boys. Jeremy and Rafe had disappeared 15 years ago and presumed dead. Only to return with many unanswered questions about where they had been and how they stayed alive and looked so healthy upon return. The boys went their separate ways as adults for many reasons and in present day reconnect to help Emilie search for her long lost sister. It is now we travel through the forest into the magical town of Shanandoah. I wanted to live there. We have magical creatures, princesses, princes, knights and a beloved Queen along with many more fantastical characters. There was friendship, love and magic in all of the best ways. I smiled so much throughout this book.

This book was so well written. It is the second book from this author and I have loved both. I really adored this book! This was a 4.5 for me!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful story.

This is my second Meg Shaffer book and I really enjoyed it, almost as much as The Wishing Game! It definitely feels like a fantasy book where the other felt more realistic. The Lost Story was a wonderful blend of several fairytale, fantasy type books. It always feels like Meg's books are a love story to books and reading. They help remind me why I love reading and how books can transport us. I couldn't wait to see where this story went and if the characters would get their HEA. They did in a way, but I'm hoping for a sequel!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the advance copy of The Lost Story in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is magical. Best friends Jeremy and Rafe went missing when they were boys. They were gone six months and came back changed. Fifteen years later, they haven’t spoken since their return. Rafe is a reclusive artist and Jeremy is a missing persons investigator. Jeremy’s newest client, Emilie Wendell, is trying to find her sister, who went missing in the same forest as the boys. Rafe and Jeremy have to work together again to reunite Emilie and her sister. The boys will have to face their past, no matter how traumatic. This book is beautiful and ripped my heart out. I loved every second of it. The world they travel to is so delightful. I was hooked from the first page. The love story is endearing. No notes. I adored this journey. I laughed and cried. Perfectly written. There is room for this story to continue but it is wrapped up enough that we don’t have to have a sequel. This does a wonderful job of exploring family relationships and how they affect us. 5/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me access to an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Publication date July 16th, 2024. This review will be found on Instagram and Goodreads indefinitely.
Instagram book reviews @CandaceOnline

I really enjoyed this story. The author has a way to weave a story that is real yet adds a little bit of "magic".

2 teenage boys go missing for 6 months & when they return, there's no explanation as to where they were, who they were with & how they just reappeared.

Story moves ahead 15 years & Emilie is a young woman who is on a search for a missing sister she has never met & she turns to a man who has way with finding missing people. He happens to be one of teenage boys who went missing 15 years before.

There's 2 parts to this story & I hate to give too much away but one part is current & the other part is also current but in a magical, fairy tale like land.

The book moved along quickly but at times I had to make sure I was totally focused. It wasn't all sweet & sugary nice, but it was a delightful story about people finding themselves, looking for lost love & accepting who they are.

God I love Meg Shaffers books. I didn’t think it was possible but I think I even prefer this to the wishing game (but don’t hold me to that). I have never read anything like this book. So filled with magic and whimsy and humor and fairytales so uniquely told. Highly highly recommend if you like stories with magical realism,wit, heart, humor, queer rep and a story that will make you feel everything.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
Rating: ⭐️

When they were teenagers Jeremy and Rafe got lost in the woods and reappeared 6 months later. No one knows what happened to them or where they went but once they return the once inseparable duo go their separate ways.
Years later Jeremy, who now helps find missing people around the world, is approached by Emilie who wants his help finding her sister who went missing in the same forest as Jeremy and Rafe. Soon enough the three of them come together to go back to that forest and maybe even to another world.

Yeah I don’t know what to say about this book, it seems like a lot of people are liking it so take what I say with a grain of salt haha. The first half of this book I enjoyed well enough. While the writing style wasn’t completely working for me, I was intrigued by the story and was excited to get to the more “fantasy” section of the book. However that is the section that things really started to fall apart for me.
Once we hit the half way point it suddenly felt like the pace was all over the place and things were just randomly happening. I also felt like instead of creating a unique fantasy world, the author just threw in every fantasy element you would normally find in a kids fairy tale. Which leads me one of the big things I struggled with. This book is labeled as Adult Fiction but it very much reads as middle grade if you were to just take out some of the adult language and topics. This really took me out of it and for me made the characters feel juvenile. These characters are meant to be late twenties to mid thirties yet sometime feel like they are acting like children.
Overall this book just didn’t work for me but if the plot sounds interesting I still recommend giving it a try yourself, as I said I feel like I’m a bit of an outlier in my opinion of it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this arc in return for my honest review!

Check out The Lost Story on July 16th!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication! Since the book didn't hit the spot for me, I will not post my review on my blog, review sites (Goodreads, etc), and Instagram until 7/24/24.

Review:

Have you ever wondered what stepping through a doorway and into a magical world would be like? When I was a kid, I used to crawl into my grandmother's very small wardrobe, close the door, and wait, certain that eventually, the back would reveal a magical world for me to explore. Those dreams may have died out as I grew older, but Meg Shaffer's "The Lost Story" takes a similar concept and spins it into a tale of mystery, adventure, and friendship, focusing on three adults who find their way into a magical world.

The story follows best friends Jeremy and Rafe, who disappeared for six months as children in a West Virginia state forest. Mysteriously enough, Rafe has no memory of his time away, and Jeremy claims to have no memory but remembers more than he lets on. Fifteen years later, Jeremy and Rafe aren't on speaking terms. Rafe prefers solitude while Jeremy spends his time assisting with missing persons cases, but when a young woman named Emilie enlists Jeremy's help in finding her missing sister, who vanished in the same forest years earlier, the two will be forced back together to aid Emilie in her cause.

What follows is an unbelievable journey through a magical realm filled with beauty and danger as Jeremy, Rafe, and Emilie uncover the truth behind the disappearances and confront the traumas of their shared past. As they navigate the twists and turns of the enchanted world, they must also confront their inner demons and face the secrets they have buried for so long.

The characters were the best part of the book. They are richly developed, each with individual flaws and strengths that make them feel like real, relatable people. Jeremy's mysterious past and uncanny abilities, Rafe's struggles with his scars and memories, and Emilie's determination and vulnerability all combine to create a dynamic trio you can't help but root for.

I enjoyed the exploration of friendship and the bonds that tie us together. Jeremy and Rafe's deep connection, tempered by years of silence and secrets, adds a layer of complexity to the story that elevates it beyond a simple fantasy adventure. I loved learning about their history and special relationship as all the pieces fell into place. As they come to terms with their past and rediscover the magic they once knew, their journey becomes not just a quest for answers but a journey of self-discovery, healing, and reconnection.

While I really liked the characters, I struggled with the story as a whole. I was fully invested initially, but then I felt like there was a lot of setup, and it took too long to get to Shanandoah. Once the characters got to Shanandoah, it was easy to settle into the world, and I really liked the concept of the villainous "Bright Boys," but the story tried to be too many things and lacked direction. A side quest kicked off the adventure in Shanandoah, but it went by very quickly and didn't have as much of an emotional impact as it could have. After that wrapped up, several more minor things transpired, but again, none were fleshed out enough to have a real impact, nor did they offer the sense of adventure that I had expected. I honestly felt like I was reading the Cliff Notes version of a fantasy series. I also felt the interjections by the "storyteller" between chapters offered little value to the story as a whole and could have been cut.

Overall, this had a great premise, and I really liked the characters; I just wasn't invested in the story. The author had a lot of great ideas, but the execution was lacking in that too many things were crammed into the pages that were only briefly touched on when they should have been fleshed out more. I never felt a sense of adventure. A more focused and detailed approach would have offered a more engaging story.

Enjoyed. It was entertaining and magical and a fun mix of unique and familiar. I did find the tone a little hard to put my finger on though. At times it felt juvenile an cutesy, then it would abruptly shift to serious and rather dark. This didn't feel like a creative decision, but more like an inconsistent vision/execution. The plot was stilted at times and the dialogue didn't flow well for me. Perhaps I'm being a little harsh here, it was overall an enjoyable read, I just feel like it could have been so much better!

Wow. I truly have no idea how I received this ARC, and I feel incredibly grateful! My only thought is maybe sharing a last name with a main character helped a little? :)

If you are a lover of The Chronicles of Narnia, you have found your next great read! As children, best friends Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell go missing in a West Virginia state forest, mysteriously reappearing six months later with no explanation for where they had been or how they survived. Fifteen years later, Jeremy has become a famous missing person investigator. Enter Emilie Wendell, who is determined to find her sister who vanished in the same forest as Jeremy and Rafe.

I have not read the authors first novel, The Wishing Game (even though it is on my ever growing TBR). Other readers are saying reading The Wishing Game first set up some unmet expectations, so I am glad I went in "blind". This book made me feel like fairy tales are real again without seeming like a childrens book, a hard balance to strike.

The LGBTQ love story was unexpected and so lovely.

My fave quote from the book: "Scared is a feeling, not an excuse".

Wish I could give half stars, 4.5 stars from me!

As teenagers, Jeremy and Rafe were best friends who told each other everything.. until they got lost in the woods and mysteriously found 6 months later. On their return, Jeremy moved away with his family, while Rafe stayed in the same town and hated how infamous he had become as one of the former “lost boys”. 

15 years later Jeremy has become famous for finding lost girls, while Rafe has secluded himself in a cabin in the woods. They only speak again after Emilie approaches Jeremy for help finding her sister, who was lost in the same woods as he had been. Emilie and Jeremy need Rafe’s help to find her.

I loved this story and finished it in a day. You could see the worlds being built and imagine the pain the characters felt. There is enough action and twists in the story that really moved it along quickly.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and fell in love with the characters created.

4⭐️

I love Meg Schaffer's writing style so much. She does an amazing job writing flawed but loveable characters. She knows also how to pull on the heart strings in the most beautiful of ways.

This story follows three main characters. There is Jeremy and Rafe that went missing for 6 months as teens to mysteriously show up in the woods that they went missing in. Then 15 a years Jeremy and Rafe are no longer friends. Rafe doesn't remember any of their time missing and Jeremy won't tell him anything. Then enters Emelie and their story starts there.

I really enjoyed character interactions. They were sweet and funny at times. The first half was an easy engaging read. I did find however the middle dragged some and I some of my interest in the story.

I will continue to read anything Meg Shaffer writes. The Wishing Game continues to be one of my favorite books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

The writing in The Lost Story is expressive and passionate and the world-building is quite creative as Meg Shaffer describes a magical land and the characters who are transformed by that magic. However, the uneven pacing, the stilted dialogue, and the interruptions to the action by the storyteller’s commentary detracted from the narrative. Not as good as The Wishing Game by this author, but enjoyable escapist reading nonetheless.

4.5 🌟

This book is a fairytale for adults.

Listen, if I could escape to the world Meg creates in A Lost Story, I would. This book was such a delight and I am declaring myself an official fan of Meg's. I loved the mystery, forbidden love and world creation in this story. If you liked The Wishing Game, run to pick up this book.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

A Lost Story by Meg Shaffer - eBook ARC
4 Stars!

Prepare to be swept away on a whimsical journey through time and imagination with Meg Shaffer's enchanting novel, "A Lost Story." This delightful tale weaves together elements of mystery, adventure, and a touch of magic, creating a captivating narrative that will leave readers spellbound from start to finish.

Set in a quaint English village nestled amidst rolling hills and ancient woods, "A Lost Story" introduces us to Emma, a bookish young woman with a penchant for uncovering forgotten tales. When she stumbles upon an old manuscript hidden in the dusty attic of her ancestral home, Emma embarks on a quest to unravel its secrets—a quest that leads her on a journey through time and across generations.

Shaffer's storytelling is reminiscent of a cozy afternoon spent curled up by the fire, where each turn of the page reveals new wonders and discoveries. The prose is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid landscapes that transport readers effortlessly between past and present. Whether it's the bustling streets of Victorian London or the quiet tranquility of a rural English garden, Shaffer's attention to detail brings each setting to life with warmth and charm.

Central to the novel's allure is its cast of endearing characters, each with their own dreams, fears, and hopes. Emma's determination to unearth the truth behind the lost story is matched only by her deep-rooted connection to her family's history, making her journey not just a quest for knowledge, but a personal odyssey of self-discovery.

At its heart, "A Lost Story" is a celebration of the power of storytelling itself—a reminder that within every forgotten tale lies a world waiting to be rediscovered. Shaffer seamlessly intertwines themes of love, loss, and the enduring legacy of the past, crafting a narrative that resonates long after the final chapter.

For fans of magical realism and historical fiction alike, "A Lost Story" is a gem waiting to be discovered. Meg Shaffer's ability to blend enchanting prose with a compelling plot makes this novel a joyous exploration of imagination and wonder. Whether you're seeking an escape into a bygone era or simply craving a heartwarming story that leaves you believing in magic, "A Lost Story" is sure to leave you enchanted. Pick up a copy today and lose yourself in its spellbinding charm.

⭐️⭐️💫

I enjoyed reading The Wishing Game and was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. The writing felt juvenile, as if I was stuck in a young adult novel with unicorns and rainbows and some leftover Dementors from the Harry Potter series. The author seemed undecided about whether the book was a fantasy romantic comedy or a serious story of violence and abuse. Usually, authors blend these different tones seamlessly, but the transitions felt abrupt and out of place in this case.

While I understand that many readers found this book to their liking, I found myself on a solitary island of disappointment. It simply didn’t resonate with me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC. I had high hopes for this book and I was left feeling very disappointed. The Wishing Game was one of my favorite reads last year, so I was very excited for The Lost Story — maybe too excited. I went into this with high expectations and they weren’t met. Had I read this with normal expectations maybe I would have enjoyed it more, if that makes sense. I’m not sure.

I had a lot of issues with this story as I was reading it. The biggest being that nothing happened until nearly 45% in. The main characters don’t enter the magical world, Shanandoah, until the reader is nearly halfway through the book. Once they finally enter Shanandoah, the place the reader has been anticipating for half the novel, it falls extremely flat. The world building was minimal and sorely lacking. You are introduced to this new magical world only to quickly be skirted away to the darker parts of it, making you feel like you’re not even in a magical world at all.

I also feel this novel lacked cohesiveness. I’m not sure it’s something I can explain in words, but if you read it, I think you’ll feel it too. It just didn’t flow at times, and it left me feeling frustrated. The characters were quite annoying as well (they’d say the strangest things), and I didn’t love any of them.

I did like how there were “storyteller” chapters where you have a storyteller narrating the story, but you don’t know who it is until the end. I also liked that the book was written in the format of a fairy tale. I enjoyed the Kentucky references, such as Bernheim Forest and Ale-8, since I’m a Kentuckian. But overall, I think this book tried to do too much in the second half, without doing near enough in the first. I can’t say I’d recommend this one. Read The Wishing Game instead.

4.5 ⭐️ magical and unforgettable! This was a nostalgic, well-written, and easy read! Devoured in 2 days! Recommend to any lover of fairytales who’s looking to escape into another world :)

In the dark, deep wood of Red Crow Forest in rural West Virginia, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell vanished for six long months seemingly without a trace. Upon their mysterious reappearance, neither of the so-called "Lost Boys" could recall what happened in the woods. And for fifteen years, life for Jeremy and Rafe continued that way as they drifted apart--joined only by the shadow of a memory of their disappearance.

When Emilie Wendell's sister Shannon disappears into the same woods, Emilie seeks out Jeremy because maybe, just maybe, one of the Lost Boys of West Virginia can help find her missing sister.

Without divulging too much of this magical plot, I'll say that I held high hopes for "The Lost Story" after Meg Shaffer's debut novel "The Wishing Game" landed in my top 10 books of 2023 list. In a similar manner, "The Lost Story" is a magical realism novel woven with threads of mystery and fantasy--all the pieces of what should be a Gaiman-like venture into far-off lands of missing children. What I struggled with the most in this novel was its YA-like, unrefined structure, characters, and dialogue. What set "The Wishing Game" apart for me last year was Shaffer's impressive ability to craft a very much adult story that still paid beautiful tribute to the inner child of readers everywhere. Unlike that, "The Lost Story" felt overly-fantastical, wrought with cliched elements untethered to each other, a self-aware storyteller appearing in interludes, and characters that simultaneously acted like adults and young children from one page to the next.

There are some authors that get adult magical realism down perfectly, and while Meg Shaffer has done it before, "The Lost Story" (while a quick and breezy enough read) could have connected so much more for me had it tried to do much less with its characters and concept. To readers new to her, skip this one and read her debut instead.

If you’ve ever sunk down into a book about a magical place people in great need are able to step into and find themselves, you’ll love this story.

Jeremy and Rafe were the best of friends who went missing in a forest only to reappear months later as different people.

Rafe can remember nothing but is haunted by wild dreams. Jeremy remembers everything but can’t tell Rafe and thus spends the next 15 years avoiding him as he instead focuses on helping find the missing.

Then he meets a girl looking for someone who went missing in the same forest he did and he has to reconnect to Rafe to find them.

And this a whole new story begins.

There’s romance, friendship, longing, belonging, family drama, magic, humor and more. Hugely recommend this one!