After having read Meg Shaffer’s previous book, The Wishing Game, this was such a disappointment to me. A lot of emotionally challenging aspects included: abandonment, child abuse, domestic abuse, kidnapping, grief, mental illness, etc. Touted as a fantasy, it dealt with too many adult issues to be considered in that genre. But even considering that, it was written as more of a young adult book because it was very juvenile. I did not connect with the characters. And the comparison with the Narnia books is not realistic.

But, there are plenty of 4- and 5-star reviews, so I would encourage you to decide if you would be interested in reading this book. Sadly this one did not work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books 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!

Adult
Contemporary
Fantasy
Fiction
LGBT
Magic
Magical Realism
Mystery
Romance

Found family, subtle magic, and high stakes adventure — what's not to love?!

I fell in love with Meg Shaffer's writing after reading "The Wishing Game," so I was very excited to read another magical story of hers! "The Lost Story" is a delightful story full of love and adventure, and I really enjoyed reading it! It truly read like an adult fairytale and reminded me so much of the books I read as a child.

The book starts off with Jeremy and Rafe disappearing only to reappear six months later. Fast forward to fifteen years later where the two no longer speak and Jeremy is working as a missing persons' investigator. We meet Emilie, who is looking for her sister who went missing in the same forest as Jeremy and Rae. The tale that follows is emotional, fun, and unexpected.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the storyteller who guided the story! It added to the whole fairytale feel and I love when the narrator talks directly to the reader. This is the perfect story to get lost in.

I'm a big fan of Narnia so The Lost Story really appealed to me. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the magical realm they went to. It was well written and kept my attention and made me care about all the characters.

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

I think my hopes were just too high for this book... I can see the elements inspired by The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe... But that comparison maybe set the bar too high.
I expected some religious subtext with it being inspired by the work of CS Lewis but yikes. The religious overtones were loud and did not resonate with me at all. It felt very forced and not what I signed up for.
I wish this had been Jeremy and Rafe's first experience in Shannandoah. Maybe the magic would have felt a bit more accessible.
I didnt have a bad time, but with this being my most anticipated book of the year... Im left a little disappointed.

Oh goodness, this book was everything and more! Magically and mysterious. I adored the characters and the world. I loved the bits of action and romance. Please oh please let there be more to this lost story!!

A whimsical fairy tale that has a mystery inside! Themes of found family, deep friendships and enduring love!

My second Meg Shaffer book - and I loved it! There is beautiful imagery, great characters and plot twists enough to keep you on your toes.

I will say that the first part of the book starts slow but hang in there and you will soon enter a wonder fantastical world that sweeps you away!


My heartfelt thanks to Net Galley and Quercus Books | Arcadia for the arc in exchange for an honest review. This book has been published and is available to read now.

I loved Meg Shaffer's THE WISHING GAME, so I was very excited to pick up THE LOST STORY! Described as a "Narnia for adults," THE LOST STORY was truly magical and imaginative.

4.5 stars. I really loved this book. I didn’t give it 5 stars given minor elements about the narration that weren’t for me (I don’t particularly like the narrator breaking the fourth wall AND commenting on story structure). But The Lost Story gives me fairy tale warm and fuzzies. It declares outright that it’s inspired by C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia (which I loved), but it also has Wendy, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys vibes, and also feels referential to TJ Klune’s magical island world, and even gives a little Snow White and Cinderella nod with all the magical creatures of the forest providing much needed assistance and information. Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is a beautifully written blend of mystery, fantasy, and emotional depth. With echoes of classic storytelling adventures, Shaffer weaves a tale of lost friendships, hidden truths, and the magic of stories themselves. The dual timelines add richness, slowly unraveling the mystery while deepening the emotional stakes.

While some plot points feel a bit predictable, the lyrical writing and heartfelt characters make it a captivating and memorable read.

A charming, bittersweet tale perfect for fans of books about books and the enduring power of stories.

I absolutely LOVED Meg Shaffer’s novel the Wishing Game. I could not wait to dive into The Lost Story. The story is reminiscent of the Narnia but is a unique story unto itself. For adults that love fairy and fantasy as a child this story feels like a nostalgic throwback. Meg Shaffer’s writing reminds me of how much I loved reading as a child and why I have been a life long lover of magical stories.
I could not put this book down, a portal fantasy that tells a powerful story of love, friendship and forgiveness.

This was a sweet and fun story. It reminded me a bit of the Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoyed it and Meg Shaffer is an author I will keep in mind when I'm looking for a feel good read

Thought provoking and an easy page turner. This book sucked you in to the plot and left you wanting to continue reading. Relatable characters, well written. Although I liked their first book better- this author has a unique way of retelling fractured common day stories.

This was such an enchanting read! The world I felt transported to while reading it was just pure magic and reminded me so much of Narnia! I’ll be looking for more from this author because the writing is top notch!

2.5 ⭐️. I felt like this book/story had so much promise but fell short. Rather than being whimsical, magical, and nostalgic…it felt juvenile and immature. I can see the author’s intentions (which would have been outstanding had they been realized), but it didn’t quite work for me.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for providing me with the arc. This was a brand new to me author and I loved the story. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

This is my 2nd book by Meg Shaffer and she is becoming a favorite author. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the story and the magical land. There were a few things that I wasn't a big fan of but it wasn't enough to make me not enjoy the story. I look forward to reading more from Meg in the future.

I got lost in this beautiful, magical, fairytale world! I loved being in this place that was filled with danger, adventure, action, secrets, love, friendships, and amazing creatures - unicorns, dragons, and a bright red cow. The vivid descriptions made the story come alive! Meg Shaffer is an amazing storyteller!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance copy of The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer. This was my first time reading a book by Meg Shaffer, and I’m already excited to read more from her! Her writing is truly magical, evoking the wonder of discovering a favorite fairy tale for the first time. From the very first page, I was hooked and transported to an enchanting world.

The story follows two lost boys whose journey leads them to the faraway, enchanted land of Shenandoah—but there’s so much more to this tale! Shaffer weaves a beautifully immersive narrative, blending adventure, mystery, and a touch of Chronicles of Narnia nostalgia, making this a truly unforgettable read that I can't wait to recommend to others.

This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed this one. I thought the story and writing were wonderful! I look forward to more from this author!