Fans of the Wishing Game will enjoy this, although it's not as engrossing. Will look forward to Meg Shaffer's next effort.

I’ve been looking forward to this follow-up to The Wishing Game. While it was an enjoyable enough read, the story overall felt a little disjointed to me, almost like the first and second half were from entirely different books.

“The Lost Story” by Meg Shaffer is a captivating and emotionally rich novel that weaves together the themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of storytelling. The narrative centers around a woman named Iris, who, after receiving a mysterious letter, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind a hidden manuscript. The novel explores the intersection of family secrets, literary legacy, and personal healing, drawing readers into its heartfelt narrative.

Shaffer’s writing is lyrical and immersive, with vivid descriptions and a nuanced portrayal of the characters’ emotional landscapes. Iris is a compelling protagonist, her journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with her past resonating deeply. The novel’s pacing is steady, allowing for moments of reflection that deepen the reader’s connection to the story’s themes.

One of the most engaging aspects of *The Lost Story* is its exploration of the role stories play in shaping our lives and identities. Shaffer deftly shows how the past, particularly through the lens of a forgotten manuscript, can inform and even transform the present. There’s a poignant message about the importance of preserving personal history and the ways in which stories—whether written, passed down, or rediscovered—can provide the answers we seek about ourselves and those we love.

While some plot twists may feel predictable, the emotional payoff is undeniably strong. *The Lost Story* is a tale about healing, reconciling with loss, and understanding the impact of those who came before us. Meg Shaffer has created a heartfelt, literary exploration of memory, legacy, and the stories that bind us all.

For fans of books that explore the intersection of mystery, emotional depth, and the beauty of storytelling, *The Lost Story* is a rewarding read.

*The Lost Story* by Meg Shaffer is a heartwarming, magical journey that feels like a big gay hug. The blend of whimsical storytelling, deep emotional resonance, and complex, lovable characters makes it impossible not to be fully immersed in the world Shaffer creates. With its mix of tender moments and heartfelt romance, this novel is a perfect escape that earns every one of its five stars—truly an enchanting read for anyone seeking warmth, love, and a sense of belonging.

I was excited to read this one as Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game was one of my favorite reads of last year. I didn't love this one as much (my expectations might have been too high), but it was a fun fantasy and I love the way she brings magic to the everyday world. The romance was sweet! Recommend for those looking for an adult, but sweet standalone fantasy!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was an absolutely delightful grown-up gay Narnia-style story with just the right balance of lightheartedness and exploration of trauma.

A cute story that felt a lot like a modern retelling of Narnia. Geared more toward young adult than what I typically like but a good book that my teenage daughter would enjoy

Lost Story had that magical nostalgia of all the books I loved as a kid! I can see this book becoming an instant classic, right up there with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe! This book was very fun and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Magical!

I absolutely loved this book, and now Meg Shaffer is on my automatic buy list. I can go ahead and tell you the background, or you can read it from everyone else who has summarized. Instead, I will tell you how this book made me feel.

I felt love. I felt warmth. Not a cozy mystery warmth but an embrace from true love warmth.

I loved the background and how the story started out, giving us details of Jeremy, how he meets Emilie, and then Rafe, who is the quiet, caring, artistic type. I love how the author got them together and set them on an adventure. If I could have one tiny wish, it would be that there was a bit more to the adventure. Maybe in a follow-up book?

All-in-all, I really enjoyed the characters and the magic. Hoping we see more of everyone soon...

This story was like a portal to a magical realm. It reminded me a lot of stories I read as a child growing up with an adult twist. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I absolutely loved The Wishing Game and it was one of my favorite reads of 2024, however The Lost Story fell flat for me. I found it to be much more YA than TWG, had undeveloped characters, and some plot holes. I love a coming of age romance, but found the love story between the two boys to be uncomfortable and under developed. I look forward to reading what else Meg comes out with, bieber, this one just wasn’t for me!

I love how Meg Shaffer manages to make a cold case story feel whimsical. Loved the dynamic between the characters and how the story turned mid-way. Such a fun read and definitely a book for readers who loves stories.

I recently finished The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer, and it was an enchanting journey that resonated deeply with me. Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, this novel masterfully blends fantasy with real-world challenges, creating a narrative that’s both whimsical and profound.

The story follows best friends Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, who, as teenagers, vanished into West Virginia’s Red Crow State Forest, only to reappear six months later with no memory of their time away. Fifteen years on, Jeremy has become a renowned investigator with an uncanny ability to find missing persons, while Rafe lives as a reclusive artist, haunted by fragmented memories and unexplained scars. Their lives intertwine once more when Emilie Wendell seeks Jeremy’s help to find her missing sister, Shannon, leading them back to the enigmatic forest and the secrets it holds. 

Shaffer’s writing is both evocative and immersive, painting vivid landscapes that transport readers into the heart of a magical realm. The characters are richly developed, each grappling with personal demons and past traumas that add depth to their interactions. I was particularly moved by the exploration of friendship, love, and the enduring impact of childhood experiences on adult lives.

The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, with suspenseful moments that kept me eagerly turning pages, interspersed with reflective passages that invite contemplation. Shaffer’s ability to weave together elements of fantasy with poignant human experiences makes this book a standout in contemporary literature.

For anyone who has ever yearned for the magic of hidden worlds or the solace of understanding one’s own story, this novel is a must-read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meg Shaffer's books are fabulous, and I adored this Chronicles of Narnia-esque story. The Lost Story is a powerful novel of friendship and magic.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Rating: 1.5/5 ⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh how I WANTED to love this one. I LOVED the wishing game. I raved about it.

It’s hard for me to believe this is the same author. I know the author was a YA writer and debuted with adult content with the wishing game. I think they fell back into YA land because this writing was so juvenile. The dialogue was atrocious to follow.

I think the story itself could have been written better and more interesting/entertaining. This was not it.

I felt like I was reading a middle school children’s book.

I’m hoping for more from this author in the future.

Gorgeous writing, beautiful and entrancing! I loved being transported to the lush and vivid realm in this book. The characters and their relationships were enhanced by the trademark humor and vulnerability with which Shaffer paints her characters.

Wow this book was such an amazing mixture of some of the most classic fantasy stories, Narnia and Tolkien. Meg Shaffer has brought to life a magical world where kids call the shots and women rule!

One part of this book that I absolutely loved was the Storyteller chapters! Not only did the Storyteller break down the fourth wall they also brought the readers into the story by enhancing the magical world!

I really enjoyed Jeremy and Rafe's story and how they depend on each other and adventured together. I also found both Jeremy and Rafe's magical gift to fit their personality perfectly and helped bring the story together.

Emilie's character was a little annoying but overall her character was not really front and center of this story.

While I really enjoyed this story I felt that the last quarter of the book kind of dragged and didn't really give much to the story overall.

I LOVED the premise. However this fell flat. The depth was not there for me. The world building just wasn’t quite up to par and left me wanting more, along with the main characters.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but alas, I couldn’t quite get into it and that was a little disappointing for me.

I wanted to love this book, unfortunately it wasn't for me. While I loved the premise for the book, the rest fell flat for me. The female protagonist felt one dimensional and was constantly making decisions that didn't make sense. I also really struggled with the dialogue and the world building felt lacking.

This was a cute story but fell a little flat for me. Now I may have brought this on myself I loved this authors last book so I was expecting a lot. This book felt more YA then I usually enjoy, I started out really enjoying this book but about 30 percent in I just lost interest, while they were in the other world. To me it felt like the fantasy world felt surface level and as a big fantasy fan this is something that drives me crazy. I enjoyed the characters and the writing but don’t think this one was for me. I did really enjoy the narrator cutting in and breaking the fourth wall. Even though this wasn’t my favorite I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future! I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.