The Wishing Game was one of my top favorite reads of 2023 so I was very excited to get an ARC of Meg Shaffer's latest release. The Lost Story focuses on two young boys, Jeremy and Rafe, who go missing and mystically reappear six months later with no explanation of where they have been. 15 years later, another girl has went missing in the same forest and it's up to Jeremy and Rafe to find her. While I enjoyed The Lost Story, it wasn't quite as loved as The Wishing Game. Still enjoyable and I would still recommend! 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Loved Meg Shaffer's style of writing! Always feel like I am entering into a magical world that I wished to live in as a kid. This book didn't disappoint (after reading her first debut novel - I was hoping this would be just as fulfilling).
This is a unique fairytale and pays homage to fairy tales we read as kids.

I read The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️(4/5)stars

Synopsis: The story follows best friends Jeremy and Rafe who as boys on a school trip disappear in the woods for 6 months to reappear with no explanation. 15 years later they begrudgingly come together to help a young woman named Emilie find her missing sister and come to terms to what happened to them in the woods in this magical Chronicles of Narnia inspired book.

Review: I absolutely loved Meg Shaffer’s first novel “The Wishing Game” and had this one highly anticipated. Unfortunately I didn’t love the lost story. I still really enjoyed it and the characters but the story was kinda meh. I really liked the beginning to first half of the book and getting to know each character and their dynamics together but when we get introduced to this fantasy “Narnia” inspired world it just felt flat to me. The book is quite short and I think that’s where it hindered as we didn’t really get much with this new world, which I would’ve loved to see more of. Now the characters were amazing in this story I was thoroughly invested in each character and their journey especially with Jeremy and Rafe, their friendship and the journey they take together I mean just beautifully done definitely the highlight for me of the story and what kept me interested. Overall an enjoyable story with beautiful characters but the plot in the second half was just meh for me. I still love Shaffers work and excited to see what she comes up with next.

I went into this novel blind, it was an unsolicited arc, and I am so glad I didn't know what to expect. It added to my enjoyment. The Lost Story hit it all the right notes for me and I enjoyed the read.

MFC character, Emilie, hires Jeremy to find her older sister. A sister who vanished into the very same West Virginia forest, Jeremy and his best friend disappeared into 5 years later. Expect light fantasy and a fairytale feel, but nothing epic. If you're a fan of The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire, you might like this one...


I waffked between 3-4 stars and rounded up because i enjoyed it, even with its flaws. Stop if you want to go in blind to the plot, and I'll explain a flaw that is a tiny bit of a spoiler


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It's portal fantasy, though it takes about 40% of the book to really get to that part. But the found family, a fantasy world being built for your hear, and darker elements of both the real world (ie: child abuse, talk of murder of a child. Kidnapping, etc) and the fantasy world itself have similar feels as Wayward Children. The fantasy world is the haven from the horrors of the real world. My biggest complaint is that Jeremy and Rafe, the other boy who disappeared, where only gone for six months. Yet, the skills Jeremy learned there, and their experiences although briefly touched upon, should have taken years. I understand, as this isn't just a story of the fantasy world, but who is left behind, why the author didn't want more than 6 months to pass. But still, it felt unrealistic, even from a magical world.

I really had fun with this story. It was such a nod to fantasy stories. I loved the message in it and the breaking of the 4th wall. I think I liked this one better than The Wishing Game.

The Wishing Game was my favorite read of 2023… and The Lost Story might just take the title for 2024. Pure Magic and I loved every minute of it. ✨✨✨

4 out of 5 Stars

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer was yet another hit be the author. A fun, good, read with same whimsy, the Chronicles of Narnia as child. Highly Recommend.

The Lost Story is one part portal fantasy, one part coming of age story, one part sisterly love story, one part friends to lovers, and about seven parts storybook fantasy. It's original yet nostalgic and cozy.

This is the second book by Meg Shaffer that I've read and loved and I doubt it's my last.

This isn't my usual type of story, but I did enjoy Meg Shaffer's last book so much that I would give this a try too. It definitely wasn't my usual beach read, but I zipped through reading this in less than one day. I couldn't put it down! What a magical story

While I did enjoy this book quite a bit, I think my expectations were too high going in. I loved this author's first book, and while this one was good I think I wanted it to feel as good as the first one. I like the idea of a fairytale geared for adults, but I think the author could have done more to flesh out the characters and their interpersonal relationships. I wanted to see more of Emily and her sister. I also wanted to see more of the two other main characters, both in back story and present. I'll continue to read this authors work, and look forward to whatever she does next.

“All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by a stranger and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to you? Loving and hating people made out of ink and paper, not flesh and blood? Yes, books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is.” 📚✨

I absolutely adored THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer, so when her second novel came out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Now, I did enjoy THE LOST STORY - but I don’t think it quite captured the magic of her first novel. However, similarly, THE LOST STORY was still an ode to art and our wondrous imagination.

Writing wise, this was magical realism…or maybe light fantasy if that’s a thing. For me, this was a bit slower in pacing, and there were definitely certain characters that I was more invested in than others. I loved the first half of the book - the world building and the backstory - but the second half, where most of the action was…it all felt rushed and too convenient.

However, it was still a magical, uplifting read that I think many would enjoy.

"The Lost Story" by Meg Shaffer - 4 Stars (Out Now!) blends fantasy and reality, making it a must-read with it's being set in West Virginia, particularly Morgantown. The world-building is accessible and engaging without overwhelming the reader with excessive details, making it an enjoyable escape. The characters feel familiar, and the love story is heartfelt, capturing the everyday charm of people you might know.

Good Things: The fantasy elements are imaginative yet approachable, and Shaffer’s focus on West Virginia adds a refreshing layer of authenticity. The story balances lightness with deeper themes, like child abuse, without getting bogged down. It’s a love story that feels fairy-tale-like, with dialogue and settings that bring joy.

Opportunities: While the simplicity makes it approachable, it sometimes feels a bit contrived and leans toward a Young Adult vibe. This may come off as a little cheesy for some, but it’s still a highly enjoyable read with meaningful undertones.

Final Thoughts: The Lost Story is a charming, accessible fantasy with relatable characters and a strong sense of place. It’s an easy recommendation for those who enjoy a lighter read that still packs emotional weight. For my WV Peeps, make sure you read this before you take your next hike at Cooper's Rock and look for likely trees.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #theloststory #megshaffer #countryroads #letsgomountaineers #wv #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

Meg Shaffer is a master at creating magical realism for adults. Last summer I enjoyed her debut, The Wishing Game and her second novel, The Lost Story, has same immersive settings and addictive breadcrumbs of clues. In The Lost Story, two young men who disappeared for six months when they were teenagers. What happened while they were missing remains a mystery and the once best friends have never spoken to each other after. It was such a fun ride and I highly enjoyed it.

I never read The Chronicles of Narnia so I did not pick up on the homage to the children's classic.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this. #TheLostStory #NetGalley

I really liked this one although I was undecided on the writing style, it felt a little like a YA novel with adult characters which I actually kind of liked because it was nostalgic but it also felt too basic. When I got to the end I understood but it made me feel a little unsure of the book while I was reading. Knowing earlier in the book would have solved that but it would have eliminated a twist. Anyway I love the characters the romance was fun and cute the book was lighthearted and fun even with the but of darkness and there was great humor. Kind of hoping for a sequel

The past and present merge in this fanciful and sometimes frightening story from Meg Shaffer. People disappear in Red Crow Forest and it's time that someone figures out why. Years ago, Jeremy and Rafe went missing for six months, but don't remember a thing about it. Fifteen years later, their friend Emilie is asking for help to find her missing sister Shannon. What is going on here? One of the three knows.

This is a whimsical fairy-tale like story with adult themes relating to PTSD, homophobia, abuses, and family dynamics. There is a mystery element as well as the team searches for Shannon while trying to resolve some past issues.

This book has quite a few magical and fantastical elements that made for an interesting story and kept things lively. This is an easy read. I wasn't always invested in the characters though and that's why I'm giving this four stars. In some respects it felt like a storytelling experiment with how the story is told, but that was one of the more interesting aspects of the book. It didn't always work for me.

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I started, I was completely hooked about the adventure I thought I was about to head on. It wasn’t terrible, but I do feel it could have been so much more. A narnia like retelling, a narrator pulling the strings, and a gay romance as the best plot point? But it was missing so much. There was so much potential for me that fell short. The characters felt not very dimensional, the world didn’t really make sense, and often I felt like I didn’t even care to guess what was happening because I would lose interest trying to get to what really happened there. It really did drag on and although this type of book may not have been written for me it with the Narnia fantasy world it still fell short.

Thank you @NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC!

I found myself captivated by the intricate weaving of narrative and emotion. The protagonist's journey through loss and discovery is beautifully portrayed, and Shaffer's lyrical prose draws you in from the very first page. I particularly appreciated the depth of the characters; they felt real and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles.
However, there were moments where the pacing lagged, especially in the middle sections, which made it a bit challenging to maintain my momentum. Despite this, the rich themes of resilience and the power of storytelling ultimately shine through, making it a rewarding read.
Overall, it is a poignant exploration of the human experience that left a lasting impression on me.

3.5 stars rounded up! I went into this book having seen a LOT of verrrrry mixed reviews, so I was a little nervous, but I LOVED The Wishing Game, so I was hopeful. This one is a magical realism about two boys who get lost in a Narnia-esque world and then try to get back to their lives in our world as adults. They are drawn back into the world of Shanandoah and then have to make a lot of decisions about their future. I liked the concept, but I felt like the execution was lacking. I didn’t really love the characters, and the writing almost felt like a middle-grade fantasy (not that there’s anything wrong with middle-grade fantasy, just not what I was looking for in an adult work). I also did not understand the point of the rat (IYKYK lol). The ending was very open-ended, and I can’t decide if I liked that or not; it felt like it could be a series, but I probably wouldn’t continue if it was. 🤷🏼‍♀️ This one just felt like a let-down after The Wishing Game. 😬
TW: child abuse, domestic abuse

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read before pub day! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. THE LOST STORY is out now!

The Lost Story was another excellent novel by Meg Shaffer. I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

I really liked the premise of this one, the characters and the writing. It felt really similar to The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I’m a big fan of portal fantasy, but this one didn’t work as well for me. The pacing throughout the whole book felt very one note with no real stakes. The ending also felt very rushed. I still enjoyed my reading experience and it was a quick read, but it was just ok.