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Member Reviews

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book, while it is greatly appreciated, it does not impact the content of my review.

Second. This is exactly my kind of book. Honestly, I started reading it by accident. I was totally planning on reading something else, but clicked on this book instead, and suddenly I was very much enraptured. I do not think this book is for everyone. It has flowery prose and atmospheric writing. I love that in books, but I know it isn’t for everyone.

Blurb: Two boys walked into the forest 15 years ago and went missing. 6 months later, and the boys walked out in better health than ever. Emilie is desperate to find out what happened to the sister she didn’t know she had. Her sister became lost in the woods 20 years ago, and Emilie is going to ask the once lost boys how to find her. Together, the three embark on a mission to find Emilie’s sister and answers to where the boys were lost all that time ago.

The first half of this book I was utterly in love. I thought it was spectacular. I had such a phenomenal time. Then about halfway hit, and it was still good, but not as great.

A lot of the emotional impact of this story revolves around character relationships, but the vast vast majority of any and all relationship development happens off page. I think this book could have easily been spread into a trilogy that was character focused. A lot of things just happened too easily, and I wish that there had been more of a journey from one point to the next.

Overall, this is lovely. The prose is beautiful. I deeply appreciate the fairytale atmosphere. I wish more character development had happened, but I do not at all regret reading this.

4/5 stars

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Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC of The Lost Story!

Given the premise, I was immediately intrigued. I loved the idea that one boy would remember all while the other would remember nothing. And I was invested in Emilie's search for her missing sister. About halfway through the book, I felt that a lot of the mystery had been taken away. But Shaffer kept me turning pages! The things we learn about our characters and their history became new creators of intrigue, and I had to get to the happy ending. Because it is a fairy tale after all, right?

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This book takes you on a magical journey that you won't want to leave.

I did keep thinking of Narnia while reading this, which isn't a bad thing. Magical realms accessed by hidden portals, great cast of characters, wonderful writing - The story flowed flawlessly and I didn't want it to ever end.

Jeremy and Rafe get lost for six months and are presumed dead. However, they do return home, but something is different about them and neither of them have a memory of what occurred. They reconnect years later to search for a lost girl and find themselves remembering what happened years before.

This book goes tic for tac up against The Wishing Game. Fans of this book should definitely dive into her newest novel. Do not hesitate to pick this one up as it will for sure be a huge hitter of 2024.

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Meg Shaffer weaves magic into her words. Her books are a complete shift from my usual reads but I adore them. The descriptions in this book are second to none. I think this book was the perfect blend of magic and fairy tales with mystery. I love when books span multiple genres and Meg Shaffer achieves that here.

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While I’m not totally sure how to classify this book, it certainly isn’t one I’d normally reach for. Much to my dad’s dismay, I never loved The Chronicles of Narnia but I loved The Wishing Game so deeply I was ready to make the leap. While magic isn't my thing, Meg Shaffer crafted something beautiful! This book completely swept me up and into the Forrest with the characters and I so pleased I went along for the journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for the advance copy.

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I loved The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer so I was very excited to read this book. I LOVED this book. I didn't ever really think that I was a fantasy/sci-fi fan but I am beginning to think I don't know myself very well. This book was amazing. So far I have wanted to go and be apart of the stories that Meg writes. I wanted to go to Clock Island and now I was to got to Red Crow.

The characters in this book were so easy to love. Jeremy finder of lost souls, specifically women and children. Ralph the lost boy that doesn't remember what happened when he was lost. Emilie, the newly orphaned young woman searching for her lost sister. This story was magical. I laughed, I cried and I hope that there will be more stories that take place in this magical world.

Jeremy and Rafe are friends that go missing on a school field trip only to return mysteriously six months later. Jeremy leaves after a few days and doesn't see Rafe for 15 years. Rafe can't remember anything that happened prior to the night before their disappearance. Rafe is lost and spends his time in a cabin in the woods, painting and sculpting. Emilie loses her adopted mother to cancer. Searching for family she finds that she has a sister that was kidnapped 20 years ago. Jeremy has spent the last 15 years looking for lost women and children. Emilie reaches out to Jeremy to find her sister. The sister that went missing in the same forest as Jeremy and Rafe. This story is heart warming. There is hope, magic, love, forgiveness, and family.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.


Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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As boys Rafe and Jeremy went missing in Red Crow park. They mysteriously showed back up six months later. Rafe has no memory of what happened and Jeremy's refusal to explain drives a wedge between the two. They are brought back together fifteen years later by Emilie who is searching for her missing sister. They set off together into a magical world. This book was such a lovely surprise. I flew through it. The world set up by Meg Shaffer was so interesting. I really loved following Rafe and Jeremy's relationship and the story of Emilie finding her missing half sister. It deals with some really difficult topics in a very touching way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I liked Meg Shaffer’s whimsical previous book, The Wishing Game, a lot. So I was really excited to get a digital ARC of THE LOST STORY. While The Wishing Game felt magical like a children’s book, it was clearly aimed at adults. THE LOST STORY, unfortunately, read too YA for me to enjoy it.

The first few chapters about Emilie had me hooked. But once the story transitioned into Rafe and Jeremy’s story, things started to fall apart.

Emilie was adopted, and after her beloved mother dies, she discovers she has an older half sister who went missing when she was young. Everyone assumes Shannon was abducted and murdered, but her body has never been found. Emilie feels terrible that she’s had such a wonderful life, while Shannon got the short end of the stick. So Emilie goes looking for Jeremy, who is known for his uncanny ability to find lost girls.

Jeremy himself was a lost boy: he and his best friend, Rafe, went missing in the vast West Virginia State Forest and reappeared six months later. Although Jeremy can remember what happened during that time, he refused to tell Rafe, and their relationship ended. That is, until Jeremy asks Rafe to help him find Shannon, who they once knew in an enchanted land.

I know the point of this book is to be a fairy tale for adults, but it fell flat for me. The dialogue was rough and the conversations were forced and it felt too silly. I did like all the references to magical literature and I thought the “Storyteller Corner” was a cute touch but overall this book was a miss for me. Not many people can compete with Stephen King, but Fairy Tale was much more my speed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the early digital copy of THE LOST STORY in exchange for my honest feedback.

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I really enjoyed The Wishing Game, so I was very excited to be able to read this new book. This one did fall a little flat for me, but I don't think it was any fault of the author or the story. I just don't think this book was for me personally.
The writing was really good, and there was great character development. I really enjoyed the whimsy and the nostalgia of the book. I also really enjoyed The Storyteller Corner section.
I appreciate the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

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The Lost Story is about teenage best friends traveling between worlds. It’s marketed as a fairy tale for grown ups and while there is an exploration of adult themes, it reads as if the teenage best friends never got past 14years old. But for splashes of profanity, this book could have been a very solid YA fantasy.

That being said, Meg Shaffer has the most interesting and creative concept for exploring and healing from childhood trauma into adulthood. I don’t know that anything less than 500 pages would do the world or the characters justice- and I’d have read every one of them. This story sat with me long after I finished it, it was one I immediately wanted to discuss with a friend. As a survivor of similar traumatic experiences as described in The Lost Story, this is a story that needs telling, and I’m glad to have found a part of it in this book.

I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e-arc of The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer.

This is a fantasy novel. 5+*; a fairy tale for grown-ups.

Synopsis: "The Lost Story" by Meg Shaffer follows the journey of childhood friends Jeremy and Rafe, who vanished in a West Virginia forest only to return six months later with no memory of their ordeal. Now, Jeremy is a renowned missing person investigator, while Rafe is a reclusive artist still haunted by the past. When vet tech Emilie seeks Jeremy's help finding her missing sister, who disappeared in the same forest, Jeremy realizes the truth during their absence. With Emilie's determination, they embark on a quest to uncover the secrets of their past and find Emilie's sister, facing both beauty and danger in the enchanted world they once called home.

Things I loved: "The Lost Story" is an enchanting novel that intricately weaves together various life themes, such as family dynamics, socioeconomic struggles, abuse, LGBTQ+ themes, and the importance of inner knowing and self-discovery. It evokes a similar feeling to reading Stephen King's fairytale or diving into the magical realms of "The Chronicles of Narnia," but with the whimsical charm reminiscent of T.J. Klune's "The House in the Cerulean Sea". What sets "The Lost Story" apart is its ability to tug at the heartstrings while delving into complex themes. From family bonds to the exploration of identity and attraction, the novel offers a tapestry of emotions and experiences. Its magical elements add an extra layer of intrigue and wonder, making it a captivating read for fans of both fantasy and fiction. Ultimately, "The Lost Story" is a compelling tale that invites readers to confront their past, embrace their inner truths, and embark on a journey of self-discovery alongside unforgettable characters. With its blend of heartwarming moments, gripping mystery, and fantastical elements, this book is sure to captivate and leave a lasting impression on anyone who dives into its pages.
• Rich Exploration of Life Themes
• Engaging Blend of Fantasy and Fiction
• Compelling Characters and Emotional Depth
This was a story about friendship, family, love, found family, and forgiveness.

Things I disliked: I loved this and will not list dislikes, only that I did not hook in chapter one, but a few chapters later. I highly recommend this book. It will be in my top 10 books of the year no doubt.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer.
This is a book I wanted to love. I loved the premise, and I loved the author's previous novel. Unfortunately, the book didn't work for me. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making the interactions between characters seem juvenile. At times, I found myself questioning if the book was intended for a younger audience due to its simplistic tone. While the premise held promise, the execution left much to be desired. Ultimately, "The Lost Story" fell short of my expectations, failing to capture the magic I had hoped for.

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Two friends go missing in West Virginia, only to reappear six months later. Jeremy remembers everything about their time "lost" but claims to remember nothing. Rafe remembers nothing and doesn't understand why Jeremy left without saying goodbye after they were found. As an adult Jeremy finds lost girls and women and Rafe is a loner artist living in the woods. What brings them back together is a women searching for her half sister who went missing 25 years ago in the same forest they were lost in.

This was a fun story and I liked the way it was written. I was immediately interested in what was happening and kept turning pages. Some of the twists weren't surprises at all but it was still enjoyable to read. I hope there is a sequel.

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The Lost Story was a quick, quirky read, though I did feel comparing it to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia was misleading for me personally. I enjoyed the narrator’s commentary interruptions in between chapters and the banter between the MCs that gave this story life and color. I also appreciated how this book touched on the trickier aspects of childhood trauma, family dynamics, and the way friends can become chosen family. However, I did feel like the world building and some of the main plot lines fell short and didn’t quite connect by the ending. Overall, this story was an endearing, fast-paced read.

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This was quite fascinating, although I didn’t expect it to turn into such an adventurous fantasy. Some of the more vile t fighting scenes were ones I skimmed through as they were not to my taste. However, I found it to be very well written, and kept me turning the pages to find out what happened to everyone and if they decided to go back or not. (I’m not telling!).

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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What a beautifully written and whimsical story. I want there to be another book because I’m not finished with the story. I loved every character and I want them to be my friend. This story is about hope and love and everything you could imagine it to be.
Thank you NetGally for allowing me to review this book.

#TheLostStory #NetGalley

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This was inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia, which I never read but know about. Two boys go missing for six months. Years later, only one of them remembers where they were, and they have to go back to the magical realm that changed them forever.

The ending makes me wonder if the author plans a sequel. I do have some questions about how the magic works. An enjoyable read.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Lost Story
By: Meg Shaffer
ARC - Publication Date: July 16, 2024
Genre: Fantasy

✨ I loved this book. It gave me great delight and it was one of those books that you put down and think about and get mad because you have a job and a family and things that take you away from the story you are dying to finish. (Sorry job and family people) 🤣

✨ I started this book one night when I was up with what we believe was food poisoning. It was the only light in my night. I was so glad I had started this exact book to reduce the pain of that night. I read all night while I was up.

✨ I loved the Storyteller narrator. Every so many chapters came Storyteller’s Corner - it really added a lot to the whimsical way the “fairy tale” was told. I also had a fun time trying to guess who the storyteller was! (I had it pretty figured out by the reveal ♥️)

✨ I loved the direct references to the components of a classic fairy tale and how this book fulfills them - it’s a great fairytale for adults.

✨ Even though she’s a small character, my heart held a special place for Rafe’s Mom - the “godmother” of the story.

✨ In some ways, this reminds me of Stephen King’s Fairy Tale although much shorter and less scary or jarring moments. (I liked both books though!)

✨ I don’t want to spoil much on the romance side but I appreciated this aspect of the story and the LGBTQia+ representation 🏳️‍🌈

✨ The ending was suspenseful and I almost wish it had gone on a little longer! If anything, I wanted more of this book and I honestly really hope there’s a sequel (the ending seemed to point in that direction or at least leave it as an open option!) I wrote down that “I got chills during the end ending.”

✨ I have so many favorite quotes I’d love to share but fear most have spoilers embedded!

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As young boys, Jeremy and Rafe went missing for six months, upon their return they could tell no one where they had been. Fifteen years later Emilie goes to Jeremy to have him help her find a long lost sister she didn't even know she had. They have to journey to the enchanted land that the lost boys called home for six months to get back what they have lost.

I was so happy to get on ARC for The lost story. It was a Chronicles of Narnia inspired story which I happen to love. But sadly this book fell short for me. I struggled with the pacing and the dialogue. The world building was lacking. I wanted so much to know about this magic world and we are giving nothing. The dialogue is hard to read too. It feels like a kid writing how adults sound like.

The relationships are tricky as well. Jeffrey and Rafe started a relationship while they were missing and when they came back Rafe has forgotten everything. Then when they get back they start the relationship back up like Rafe hadn't forgotten anything. I don't know it just didn't feel natural to me.
I really wanted to like this book but there was just too much that I struggked with. I appreciate what Meg Shaffer was doing with the story but it just didnt work for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher's for an Arc of Meg Shaffer's The Lost Story.

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The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer, a good read that has all kinds of twists and turns. If you are a fan of nonstandard fairy tales. I would recommend this book.

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