What a fun adult fairytale. This book transports you to the fantastical world of Shanandoah with unicorns, valkyries and the villain “Bright Boys.” If you enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia as a child or if you loved this author’s previous novel, The Wishing Game, you will love this one. I especially enjoyed the “Storyteller Corner” interruptions which added important information throughout the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this book!

Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing my review copy!

The Lost Story is romantical, fantastical and all around adorable. It feels like a mix of middle grade fantasy with adult themes thrown in. I am not a big fantasy reader but loved that I could easily follow this story with the help of the storyteller. I admit at first I didn’t love the interjections but by the end they really helped move the story forward. I wonder if we will see more from this new found family!

3.5 stars...and not quite sure if I should round up or round down. The first half had me hooked, the way the story was told and that it was an adult fairy tale. I liked the Wishing Game because it brought me back to reading as a child, and this did the same which I appreciated. However the second half of the book was a bit to cheezy for me and wish there was more depth to this book.

As much as I enjoyed this author’s debut, I felt lost within this story (pun intended). The plot has good bones and it should have left me enchanted as a reader, but I struggled through it.

Jeremy and Rafe survived six months lost in a West Virginia state forest. How they survived and how they came to be found was a tale they shared with no one. Fifteen years later both are still lost and trying to find their way back to a magical kingdom and each other. Emilie finds Jeremy and offers him the simplest solution to returning. Their journey back to that lost time in their lives is filled with magical realism and opportunities to forgive.

2.5/5⭐️

I loved Shaffer’s debut The Wishing Game, but unfortunately this fantasy/romance just didn’t hit the same note for me.

The first half was an OK as the storyline/characters were developed (two boys go missing into a fantasy realm, return 6 months later, return again 15 years later for a missing girl).

The second half let me down. There wasn’t enough depth of detail to the fantasy realm, some of the plotline went off track and felt convoluted, and the dialogue became noticeably more stilted. I felt like the author needed more room to fully realize what could have been an enchanting and sprawling story…things just felt too condensed (more telling than showing).

One other aspect that I found a bit disconcerting was that this started off feeling very YA (the boys were 15 at their disappearance). But the majority of the story is set 15 years in the future when they were 30 and yet they both still seemed too immature. I found myself pulled out of the story thinking about the fact that these men were essentially acting/sounding like teenagers.

This is being compared a bit to the Chronicles of Narnia, but I really just didn’t see it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for providing the free early arc of The Lost Story for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC that did in fact make me cry.

What an absolutely heartwarming heart-break of a story. I absolutely loved it, and anyone who enjoys a modern take on fairytales will love it too. The writing was enchanting, the plot magical, and the characters completely huggable.

It was so comforting and whimsical. It doesn’t take itself too seriously; it’s here for a fun time, and a fun time you shall have!

This was a wonderful fairy tale type story about love in all its forms. I enjoyed this one very much. I adored Rafe and Jeremy’s relationship.

**Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for this free digital review copy.**

This book was, as promised, very clearly Narnia-inspired, which I loved! I appreciated all the allusions to Narnia (especially "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"), and honestly I'm sure I missed some, and also appreciated that the Narnia books were actually mentioned and quoted in the story – that nod to the inspiration was a little meta and very fun.

That being said, I feel like I have to caveat this to say "The Lost Story" is essentially Narnia, but what if the characters weren't siblings and so were all romantically involved with one another in various (never explicit but definitely very adult) ways. I was expecting the male/male relationship to unfold, but when the woman was tossed into the mix too I was very much caught by surprise; it didn't affect my love for the magical story that this was, but I think it could dampen the enjoyment for some people.

Jeremy and Rafe disappeared in the woods when they were 15 years old, reappearing six months later somehow healthier than before. Rafe can't remember anything and Jeremy isn't telling, for reasons that are made clear later in the story. Fifteen years later, Jeremy has made a name for himself as a finder of lost people, and Emilie comes to him with a request: Will he help her find her half sister, whom she's just discovered and who disappeared in the same woods five years prior to Jeremy's own disappearance/reappearance? Jeremy agrees, but he needs Rafe's help, and since they haven't spoken in 15 years, securing it from the reclusive Rafe is going to be a bit tricky.

Rafe agrees to help after securing a promise from Jeremy that he will finally tell him everything he can't remember, and the truth turns out to be full of magic. When the boys were lost all those years ago, they stumbled upon the the magical realm of Shanandoah; when they left, the only way to secure the ability to return was for one of them to forget everything but retain the knowledge of how to return (Rafe), while the other could remember their time in Shanandoah but be unable to remember how to get there (Jeremy), necessitating them to reunite in order to return. Along with Emilie, the boys (now men) return to Shanandoah, maybe for the last time.

It was really sweet seeing Rafe regain his memories, both good and bad, and how the other characters supported him through his grief. The magic in this story was very fairytale-esque, with bad guys that were truly bad but also very defeatable, absurdities that only a kid would think of, and an ambiguous ending that left room for plenty more magic in their futures. The whimsical feel of this novel was certainly reminiscent of Shaffer's first novel, "The Wishing Game," which I gave five stars last summer.

When Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell were young boys, they disappeared into the West Virginia state forest, seemingly out of thin air. Six months later, hikers in the same forest come across the boys again, who provide no indication of where they'd been or how they'd survived. Only Jeremy left the forest with his memories of those six months, and he left Rafe at his hospital bed with little explanation of when they'd see each other again. Fifteen years later, Jeremy is famous for finding mission people, "a lost boy who'd gone on to find lost girls." When former vet tech Emilie Wendell tracks him down to ask if he could help find her missing half sister, a girl who had gone missing in the same forest as Jeremy, he is reluctant. But in the end, Jeremy knows what he'll find in that forest, and, after some much needed coaxing, he recruits Rafe to return to the forest where they disappeared, and, if they're lucky, they'll disappear into the world of their dreams that's waiting fifteen long years to welcome them home.

I don't know how Meg Shaffer does it, but every time I pick up one of her books I feel like I've been transported to a magical place where your wildest dreams can become a reality. The Lost Story has everything from queens, knights, princes and princesses to golden apples, unicorns, and crows. But where there are dreams there must also be nightmares, and Shaffer does not shy away from the inclusion of difficult topics, such as attempted child abduction (in the past), parental abuse and familial loss (not on page but referenced), and wondering if those close to you will ever accept you for who you truly are, and who you love. [Please take care of yourself and if anything I've mentioned can be triggering for you please seek out other reviews or skip this read, your mental wellness is always more important than a book.] Each character is incredibly distinct, has their own motivations and reasons for their actions, and the banter between them, even when they first met, made it feel like they'd known each other for years. And in terms of Jeremy and Rafe specifically, a lot is explored and explained in terms of why Jeremy left all those years ago, and kept himself away from Rafe even though that is the last thing he ever wanted. There is also a sweet and tender romance, as any good fairy tale should, that I wasn't quite expecting (at least, I wasn't sure in the beginning who it was going to involve) but it was incredibly welcomed and flowed seamlessly throughout the actions of the book. There were some twists I wasn't expecting, so big-bads I had to decipher, but overall this isn't really an action and plot heavy book - it's a character driven story that explores what it means to be lost, and how good it feels to finally be found.

There is an aspect to this story that I really loved but I feel like others might not. There are occasional interlude chapters from the perspective of the storyteller, that address the audience directly, give clarifying background information on characters' lives or important prior events, and sometimes move the plot forward by summarizing certain events that are less important in the grand scheme of the story. The identity of the storyteller is not revealed until the final interlude chapter, however there are context clues that allow the reader to guess who is writing them. Personally, if it's done well, I really enjoy when books can address the audience, and it really felt like those chapters were telling me a story. They gave the book an extra whimsical feel, and made me feel like I was reading a fairy tale. I can see how other readers can disagree, though, as these occasionally will fall into the "telling not showing" category of writing, and can make the book feel disjointed. It is certainly a matter of preference, and while I loved their addition I can see how other readers might disagree.

While I will admit that I did enjoy The Wishing Game just a tiny bit more, Meg Shaffer's The Lost Story is an incredible sophomore novel, full of whimsy, magic, headstrong characters, and so much more depth than meets the eye. It is truly the best kind of fairy tale story for adults. I feel like she writes the perfect books for me, and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. The Lost Story is set to be released on July 16th, 2024, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and consider picking up a copy if you're interested! *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

"lost to the lost boys, chapter of your life!!" (my sister-in-law will be so happy I'm quoting that song lol)

Jeremy and Rafe go missing in the woods of West Virginia and almost magically reappear six months later with no explanation as to what happened to them. Now, as adults, Rafe is an artist; reclusive and hesitant as he still has no memory of their missing months. Jeremy is a prominent missing person's investigator. When he learns of a girl who went missing in the same woods, Jeremy, who remembers what happened, knows the magical place is where she is. Rafe timidly goes along with Jeremy to finally recall and face what happened to them all those years ago in that magical forest.

Yes - the plot summary sounds a little cheesy, and it is! It's a little fairytale book for grown ups.
The writing style and format is very similar to The Wishing Game (which I enjoyed), but it isn't for everyone. It's lyrical with whimsy and flowers, but not too verbose. My only complaint regarding the writing was the dialogue felt strange and unnatural at times. It is a slow beginning until we arrive in the magical Shanandoah. The world building, and uniqueness of the magical world were so fun. The romance felt a little clunky at times, but overall I was rooting for them.

If you want a short story that gives you some warm fuzzies read this!

Thank you @Netgalley for the advanced review copy!

It pains me to write this review because I LOVED this author's debut novel. But unfortunately I just didn't like this. I've seen a lot of people loving it so I'm thinking part of the problem may be I'm in an older demographic. Her last book felt a little YA to me but I still enjoyed it. But this one felt SUPER YA with immature dialogue and I just couldn't get over it. The characters are grown adults so I wasn't prepared for that. That said, the story itself was also lacking for me. The first 40% or so bored me to tears while they prepared to go on the journey to find Emilie's sister. After they leave it picks up but I was never really able to picture the magical world in my mind so I didn't enjoy the back half fully either. The characters also felt two-dimensional. Overall just disappointing but I'm happy to see others loving it. I do appear to be in the minority so definitely still give it a try, especially if you enjoyed The Wishing Game.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Fifteen years ago, best friends Jeremy and Rafe (like “safe”) went missing for six months in a state forest in West Virginia. Jeremy returned with memories of the whole disappearance, but Rafe came back with no memory of anything. Now an expert on finding missing girls and women, Jeremy is approached by Emilie to help find her missing sister, who went missing in the same forest the boys did. The three of them agree to search the woods, Jeremy knowing full well they’re headed into magic and danger.

I loved this story. If you’re looking for a summer read that takes place in queer Narnia and is full of fairy tale magic, this is the book for you. I absolutely loved the love story told in it. I loved The Wishing Game by the same author and gave that 5 stars, and this one came close to it.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalleyand Penguin/Ballantine for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Be still my Narnia-loving heart. This book is pure charm, so obviously a love letter to the kids who inhaled fairytales and weird fantasy books. After all this time, I’m still looking to slip into a magical world with unicorns and rainberries and journeys of self-realization.

This book is a lush, colorful fairytale for grownups. Friendship, loyalty, love, sacrifice. I loved the storybook tone and the whimsical world. This story could have coasted on that alone, but the characters really made it special. Emilie, Rafe, and Jeremy made me smile the whole way through.

If you are looking for a quick and cozy little book to lift your spirits, look no further.

Thank you so much net galley and meg Shaffer for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review! I truly loved this book and gave it four stars on good reads! But it was more between 4-5 stars

Wow, this book deserves to get crazy popular upon publication. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loved The Raven Cycle but is looking for something a little lighter. I haven’t read fantasy in a little bit, but The Lost Story happily pulled me right back into the genre. I loved the premise of two boys returning from a magical realm into the real world, and I thought Meg Shaffer did a fantastic job of probing the questions surrounding what it could mean to go through an experience like that and then have to live your normal life again. I also enjoyed both the platonic relationships and the romantic relationship in the book.

I was a fan of the writing style, which embraced the fairy-tale elements of the plot. I thought the “storyteller” sidebars were cute and definitely liked the reveal about them at the end of the book. I enjoyed reading from the different points of view (usually Emilie and Rafe, plus sometimes Jeremy) and found myself growing fond of the three main characters.

My one major complaint about the book is the pacing was a little off. It takes surprisingly long to get back to the actual fantasy world of Shanandoah (if I recall correctly, it was about 40% of the way into the book), and once we were back there, the plot felt sort of rushed. I was expecting a bit more of easing into Shanandoah and learning about the world, but the characters were sort of dropped into the middle of a quest, and all the actual enjoyment of the world is saved until the danger has passed.

The ending of the book feels hopeful, and it absolutely leaves things open for a sequel (which I would very enthusiastically read). I hope this book gets the love it deserves from readers!

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer was an excellent follow-up to her book The Wishing Game. It had the same delightful middle grade vibe, in a decidedly adult book. This is a fairy tale with a heavy nod to Narnia and some glances to Oz, and a few others. I really enjoyed the reading experience. Within a very few pages I was pulled into the story and I was eager to see it to its conclusion.
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The story is about two boys, best friends, who are lost in the woods and believed to be dead until months later they suddenly return, in better health than when they left, but they seem to have no memories of what happened. Fifteen years go by with no contact between them. One does not remember anything that happened. The other seems to have a knack for finding missing people and he goes all over the world to help in this way. One day a girl comes to him requesting his help finding her sister who went missing in the same woods that he and his friends were lost in. And with that the adventure begins.
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It’s a lovely story of heroes and villains; friends, loyalty, and sacrifice, and some wonderful sentences that you will want to savor. This is a book that demonstrates why I wear a shirt that proclaims I have, “Non-fictional feelings for very fictional characters!” Books are magic that way.
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Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

i loved the idea of the story but unfortunately this was a miss for me! i struggled with a few things: the pacing, the awkward dialogue & the lack of depth in characters and world building. i really wanted to love this but it just wasn't for me. this read like YA with adult characters. i overall couldn't connect with these characters and the story. the first half and second half felt like two different books. i appreciate what the author was trying to do with this story and am grateful for the arc, thank you random house & netgalley!

Do we ever outgrow our love for fairy tales? There’s something comforting about them. The heroes are heroic, the bad guys are easy to identify, and a little bit of magic goes a long way.

THE LOST STORY is such a tale. Following her success with The Wishing Game, Meg Shaffer returns with a modern day story that bridges the gap between reality and fantasy. It’s best to go into this one blind to preserve the sense of wonder that accompanies each part of the adventure.

Ms. Shaffer crafts characters that steal your heart. The magic she weaves throughout Shenandoah brings the world to life and allows the reader to get swept up in the fantasy. If you are a fan of magical realism and are looking for a literary escape, this book delivers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the premise. It was a sweet story that featured found family elements and being able to live freely. I really like the character of Emilie and her missing filter. Fritz was a great secondary character. I loved that when Shannon, Rafe, and Jeremy needed to escape the most, they found a land that welcomed them. I also loved the narrator sections, they added humor and helped move things along. It makes you think about what you would do if you lived in a world that was perfect for you, but you had loved ones waiting at home.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, and Meg Shaffer for the eARC.

I absolutely loved The Wishing Game last year - but this book far surpasses it. I knew within pages of starting it that it would be a 5-star read that has wormed its way into my heart.

The story is lighthearted and magical but also serious and complex - it doesn't shy away from difficult topics but it doesn't bring down the mood. Shaffer does an excellent job of worldbuilding, creating a fantasy world and giving the reader enough to understand but not so much that it bogs dows the pacing of the story. Rafe and Jeremy's complicated relationship spans decades and is one of the most beautiful love stories I've read in quite some time.

Overall I think this book is absolutely amazing and I will never shut up about it for the rest of my life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Shaffer, and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.