I absolutely loved this book. It was a mix of fact and fiction and brought you completely into the story. A must-read for any Lewis/Narnia fans. The narration was beautiful and I would definitely recommend the audio.

I am not sure what I expected when I opened this book. But I was pleasantly surprised that it pulled me so quickly. I fell in love with Megs and her brother, George. The interactions with C. S. Lewis and his brother, Warnie, were delightful. You will find yourself cheering Megs on as she works to provide the best gift she could possibly give her brother … the answer to where did Narnia come from.” You will shed a few tears as you journey through the pages and discover what happened once upon a wardrobe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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Historical Fiction

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you finish it. I absolutely loved it. While the story carries a thread of sadness, it’s also filled with so much hope, tenderness, and quiet magic. The writing is beautiful, the narration equally so, and the entire experience is a loving tribute to C.S. Lewis and the world of Narnia.

An easy 5/5 from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC!

For anyone who is a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia series, this book is for you! I love the interactions with C.S. Lewis and his brother along with Megs and her brother George! It's a nice balance as a historical fiction where the author has creative license of blending in the fact vs fiction aspects of the story. It's cozy, heartwarming and yet heartbreaking, with a touch of the holiday spirit. Just perfect to read on a cold winter's night and get all comfy. I absolutely love the narrator's telling of this story as well! It just brings everything together in a mellow, soothing cohesive way.

I would love to thank the author, narrator, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

“Once Upon a Wardrobe,” by Patti Callahan Henry was absolutely fantastic! It’s rare for a writer to evoke such deep emotions in me—making me feel so connected to the characters that they feel like lifelong friends, yet Patti Callahan manages to do this every single time. Her lyrical, evocative writing captured my heart immediately. She is a magnificent storyteller.

The story she tells through the Devonshire siblings is full of love, grief, hardship, hope, friendship, and above all, love. Set in the 1950s, 17-year-old Meg Devonshire sets out on a heartfelt quest to answer the question her 7-year-old brother George asks her to uncover from Mr. C. S. Lewis himself:
“Where did Narnia come from?”

Meg loves her brother fiercely, and she would do anything for him. I adored the relationship she forms with Jack (Lewis) and his brother Warnie, and the quiet, beautiful parallels between their sibling bond and her own with George. The depth and tenderness of these sibling relationships were some of the most gut-wrenchingly beautiful portrayals I’ve ever read.

Meg’s heart, her determination to find answers, and her ultimate realization that not everything has a logical explanation and that sometimes “that is—enough,”moved me deeply. I can’t say enough good things about this book.

The audiobook narration by Fiona Hardingham was stunning—captivating, tender, and absolutely elevating Patti’s storytelling to another level.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves stories about storytelling, fans of Narnia and the man behind “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” and readers who crave narratives full of wonder, heart, and quiet magic. It’s a story I know I’ll come back to again and again throughout my life.

“Sometimes fairy stories may say best what needs to be said.” — C. S. Lewis

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Tropes: reluctant quest, inspirational sibling, logic vs. imagination
Spice: None — completely clean and wholesome
Content warnings: terminal illness, death, grief, bullying, mentions of war, death of a parent

This was a delightful tale of magic and love, weaving together fact and fiction to share a possible origin story of CS Lewis’ beloved Narnia books.

Callahan is a fantastic writer, with a poetic way of storytelling (although some sentences used the same word twice… Hopefully this has been caught in the final version). Many of the phrases were so beautiful that they made me stop and reflect upon them for a moment; this also made it credible that Megs became an author later on in life. She and George were such relatable characters and their bond came across so well that his death - although expected - still hit me hard.

I actually hadn’t realised the Lewis brothers were Irish, but the audiobook made that abundantly clear! There were also a few little nods to the Narnia series throughout, like a neighbour called Mrs Mcready. Oxford felt real, although it would have been nice to have a little more about how she found studying there to set the scene; presumably the author did not want to dwell on the lack of equality in this book.

Bittersweet in its nature, this book will stay with me for a long time, and has also inspired me to read Becoming Mrs Lewis to find out more about CS Lewis and his life as I clearly know very little about him!

Seven-year old George is dying and his seventeen-year old sister, Megs cannot save him. She loves him immensely and would do anything for him. So when George asks Megs to find the answer to ‘where did Narnia come from?’ (the setting of his most beloved book), she sets off to find out.

Once Upon A Wardrobe really brings C.S. Lewis to life. I feel I know so much more about him as a person, his life, his experiences and his possible inspirations for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

The dialogue between Megs and George is wonderful and frequently made me smile. The audio narration is superb; every character just shines.

Once Upon A Wardrobe is a story about a story. An enchanting and beautiful reminder that life is full of stories; and it is stories that make us see, imagine and feel.
“The way stories change us can’t be explained. It can only be felt. Like love.”

There are books that I read slowly because I’m dreading them. There are books I read quickly because I just want to be done with them. Once Upon a Wardrobe is a book to read slowly to savor each chapter, but also quickly because it is so scrumptious, you want to devour it quickly.

Highly recommend to anyone who has read anything by C. S. Lewis, but especially The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Really fantastic story. It is often a very sad story, but that is where you find the Beauty!

I’m not sure how this audiobook ended up on NetGalley, but what a treat to have an opportunity to listen to it! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for giving me the chance to enjoy this wonderful audiobook!!

I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’m keeping this brief, but oh how I adored this book. I love C.S. Lewis and Narnia and historical fiction, so it was right up my alley.

A masterful weaving of fact with fiction. Oh the way this story carried me along and left me crying in the end!

Perfect winter read (setting is crisp & snowy Oxford… among other dreamy locales).

Thank you to netgalley for the audiobook- I mixed listened and eyeball read. Excellent narration from Fiona Hardingham.

I need to go read more Patti Callahan immediately.

This book is such a delight! This was the second time I've listened to it and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. It's a heartwarming story of family love, history, and the beauty of storytelling.

George and Megs had such a special relationship. I loved how much Megs adored her brother and was willing to do anything for him. She was very mature for her age in many ways, but still so young in others. It was fun to see her learn to open up and let herself explore new things.

Jack and Warny were such sweet characters. I liked how they took the time to befriend Megs and answer her endless questions. I also appreciated the note from Jack's stepson in the book. I need to read Becoming Mrs. Lewis next!

Thanks to Net Galley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for ALC.

"Once Upon a Wardrobe" is a historical novel that weaves fact and fiction together to cobble together a possible origin story for C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia stories.

Megs Davonshire is a university student who has a very sick younger brother, George. When he finds out that Lewis teaches at the school she attends, he presses her to ask Lewis where Narnia came from. Given George's fragile health and her desire to do anything he asks, she sets out to learn from Lewis the answer to her brother's question.

Yet, as with all great stories, it is hard to pinpoint its specific origin. There were a large number of factors that set the stage for what would eventually become The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

As Lewis shares stories of these various influences, Megs does her best to relay them to George with as much detail as she can remember. And over time, Megs starts to learn how stories shape us in many different ways.

Overall, I found this to be a highly enjoyable and heartwarming story suitable for anyone who relishes the power of books to change our lives.

Thank you to Patti Callahan, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57099601-once-upon-a-wardrobe" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Once Upon a Wardrobe" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616161736l/57099601._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57099601-once-upon-a-wardrobe">Once Upon a Wardrobe</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21936835.Patti_Callahan_Henry">Patti Callahan Henry</a><br/>

For decades The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe became an instant classic for readers of all ages. Patti Callahan, author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis builds her novel around one central question: Where did Narnia come from? She explores this through the story of Megs Devonshire, a brilliant Oxford student whose seven-year-old brother George has become enchanted by Lewis’s tale of Narnia and longs to understand its origins. Hoping to give him an answer, Megs seeks out C. S. Lewis himself, who lives with his brother Warnie in Oxford. Rather than offer a direct explanation, Lewis—known as Jack—invites her for tea and over the weeks leading up to to Christmas shares stories from his own life. Meg in turn brings these stories home to George, who absorbs them with delight. Lewis reveals a childhood shaped by trauma, imagination, and a rigorous classical education that laid the groundwork for his future as a brilliant scholar and storyteller. This novel has a distinctly magical, fairy-tale quality. It weaves together the experiences that shaped Lewis as a writer with a moving contemporary story of hope and heartache. For adults who cherish the Narnia books and for young adult readers who recently discovered them, the novel has broad appeal. Like Meg, rooted in logic and mathematics, readers are invited to set logic aside and rejoice in Jack’s childhood, experience Meg’s devotion to her brother, and connect to Narnia's message with an open heart. The audio narration was outstanding and brought the story to life.

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

This book officially released in October 2021, but the audio version was added as an option on Netgalley, and I am so glad. The narrator is wonderful, and this story itself is written so wonderfully that it allows the reader to experience the characters and their emotions. There is so much nostalgia within the pages of this novel, especially for readers that love The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. There is a deep seated love between college-aged Megs and her little brother George, who is terminally ill. There is biographic intrigue that comes from diving into the life of author C.S. Lewis and the story behind his best-selling novel. Lastly, there is a theme of self-discovery. Each character has a beautiful character arc that depicts discovery in a unique way, and points the way to the God of love.

I highly recommend this book, but especially the audiobook. It drew me into the story and set the atmosphere perfectly. While it isn’t filled with faith, there are many elements that point to God and the need for Him.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio as well as Netgalley for a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review

Patti Callahan’s Once Upon a Wardrobe beautifully blends fact and fiction, following Margaret Devonshire as she discovers the inspiration behind the stories she loves and the power they have to shape our lives. Rich with historical detail, emotional depth, and a love of storytelling, it’s a touching exploration of imagination, sibling bonds, and the life-changing impact of books. Warm, uplifting, and full of wonder, it’s a perfect read for this time of year. A truly unforgettable, 5-star read.

I found Once Upon A Wardrobe to be a warm hug of a book. What a lovely way to tell the story of the life of C.S. Lewis. Lewis, being one of my favorite authors (fiction and non-fiction), it was wonderful to follow how Patti Callahan weaved Lewis's life into the story of little George and his love for Narnia (which I also share).

Narnia fans, this is a must read! Captivating, nostalgic, touching, & a new Christmas favorite, Once Upon a Wardrobe completely captured my heart. I’ve wanted to read this story for a long time, so when I saw the audiobook was available on NetGalley, I grabbed it! Patti Callihan weaves a beautiful, heart-felt tribute to C.S. Lewis, siblings, storytelling, & the magical world of Narnia in this inspiring story.

In 1950, seventeen year old Margaret “Megs” Devonshire’s studying mathematics & physics at Oxford. During a visit home, her eight year old brother, George, after finishing The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, begs Megs to ask C.S. Lewis if Narnia is real when she returns to school. Though Megs tries to convince him Narnia’s just a child’s story, she wants to please her sweet brother whose life threatening heart condition confines him to home, so she agrees to ask the Oxford professor.

What follows is an unexpected, imaginative journey as Megs becomes acquainted with C.S. Lewis & his brother, who share snippets of his life from his childhood to writing the Chronicles of Narnia. Megs in turn shares their conversations with George & while she doesn’t quite understand the meaning behind “Jack’s” stories, George does & his imagination flows. The more Megs visits with the Lewises, the more her desire to immerse herself in fairytales & see beyond logic blossoms. Along the way, she meets a thoughtful, handsome Irishman who assists her in her quest.

This story was particularly poignant because I have a daughter & son who are nine years apart & even closer than Megs & George. I couldn’t help but see my children’s sweet brother/sister relationship echoed in this lovely story. Megs’ desire to do anything to help George touched my heart. While I knew George’s life was precarious, I still enjoyed every moment he & Megs share. Loved learning more about C.S. Lewis & his remarkable life through this story.

The audiobook is fantastic! Loved the narrator & how she brought each character to life. Her charming narration made it easy to listen to.

Highly recommend this amazing, profoundly touching story! I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

Spellbinding, heartbreaking and heartmending.

This is my second time reading this story and thanks to Netgalley, I got to listen to the wondrous Fiona Hardingham, who brings to life this tale. I can't even sau how exactly she pulls off the old timey accents, but it feels like listening to people from back in the day or even old BBC productions from that era.

I can't add anything more about the story than to say that this is perfect if you like C. S Lewis, Bărbia, historical novels, sad and nostalgic ones that immerse you I a time long gone.

This is a other million stars from me, Mrs Patti Callahan Henry.

Meg is a student of mathematics at Oxford. When her terminally ill brother, George, asks her to read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to him, it changes her perspective. George sends her on a quest to find out about Narnia. Meg ends up visiting C.S. Lewis or Jack, as he is called, at his home. This opens up a whole new world for Meg and George.

I have never been a huge fan of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.. GASP! But, I loved this book! It is truly magical and so well written! I enjoyed reading about Jack’s life and family! It adds a whole new perspective to a writer’s process. Add in George and his illness, and you have a fabulous tale you will not soon forget!

Need a book that will take you an an imaginary ride and possibly bring tears to your eyes…THIS IS IT!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

One of the best Patti Callahan books I’ve read. I enjoyed the storylines of both Megs and her brother George, and C.S. Lewis and his brother. Such a heartfelt story.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook copy of this wonderful story! All opinions are my own.

I loved the fully immersive narrators for this story! The accents and language were more understandable and really helped make this story amazing!