This was such a delight that I liked immediately. It was completely different than anything else I had read recently.

The Lost Story is truly a book about finding lost things- love, family, and ourselves. I adored the relationship between Jeremy and Rafe. The author did an amazing job of slowly revealing their story throughout the book. Much like in The Wishing Game the world is whimsical and cozy, making this book a go-to comfort read. The ending felt a little abrupt and lacking in the depth of the rest of the book but ultimately I enjoyed this book immensely. I’m already looking forward to what she comes up with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this wonderful ARC provided in exchange for my honest review.

Really wanted to love this one but it did fall a little short! Even though it was a fast read, the build-up took quite long and then not very much happens. The characters don't feel like they have a lot of depth and way to much dialogue - not a lot of "showing" and a lot of "telling" left me struggling to imagine this world and the people who lived in it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

I loved The Wishing Game by this author and was excited to see her new book being released. This was a fun reimagining of The Chronicles of Narnia.

I loved the relationships between all the characters, especially Jeremy and Rafe. The banter could be snarky, but in a teasing, loving kind of way.

This was a wonderful story, but it had an abrupt ending. It leaves you with the feeling that the story continues, and you think you know what will happen, but it isn't actually written out. For this type of story, I would have preferred it to be a little more wrapped up.

As expected, this story was enjoyable, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves an easy, whimsical fantasy read. I can't wait to see what Meg Schaffer comes out with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.75 stars -- Imagine a modern, grown-up take on the Chronicles of Narnia that is heartwarming, hopeful, and magical!

This follows the story of Rafe and Jeremy, two West Virginia boys who were lost for months in the wilderness. But what everyone else doesn't know is that Rafe and Jeremy weren't actually lost, they were in a magical land called Shanandoah for six months before they had to return.

Much like The Wishing Game this was such a special read. It covers many themes of acceptance, loss, coming of age, and love. I think the characters were lovely and authentic. Jeremy and Rafe's relationship and the loss of Rafe's memories had me smiling and sniffling in good measure. (The pining, the horses, the drawings, the teasing!) Emilie's journey to find her sister and her courage was sweet. I also loved the narrator/story-teller's interludes so much -- it was a little extra infusion of humor! There needs to be a sequel, I don't make the rules!!! Or maybe our favorite Queen of the realm might pen a sequel? :)

This is out on July 16th and I would totally recommend reading this modern, magical fairytale! I can almost guarantee you'll be enchanted

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Ballantine Books for the advanced readers copy! This did not affect my review in any way.

“Stevie Nicks is my lady & savior.”
I knew I would like this book as soon as I read that line.
This story was whimsical & ethereal, a little fantastical. I absolutely loved Jeremy & Rafe, but honestly cared less for Skya & Emilie’s story.
Also, I could have done without the “Storyteller’s Corner” sections - I didn’t love the breaking of the fourth wall & I feel like those sections served to just “tell” instead of “show.”
I’ll be honest, at about 80% I realized I wasn’t entirely sure of the plot or how we ended up where we ended up, but the vibes were good so I stuck around.
I’m invested in Jeremy & Rafe (love their grumpy-sunshine vibes), so that cliffhanger definitely got me & if there was a sequel I’d read it!

Posted on goodreads on 7/6/24 & Amazon when officially published.

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine Books/Penguin Random House, and to the author for the ARC of The Lost Story!

This book was so cute! For fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Magicians, but make it a cozy fantasy (á la Assistant to the Villian). I have read and loved two Meg Shaffer books now (shout-out The Wishing Game!), and my favorite part about her writing is that the characters really come to life off of the page. There are such warm and fuzzy feelings towards the main characters and their sweet love story, that I have rarely felt in other books, and I think Shaffer is a master in her craft of creating genuinely funny, dimensional, lovable characters, as well as found families that you truly wish you were a part of. I also loved the adorable touch of the storyteller corner, and the twist(ish) at the end regarding the storyteller (I will leave it at that!) I will say that this book is very much a cozy fantasy, and gives high vibes and character building, so if you are an action driven reader, I would go into it knowing this. But, the action that is in it had me on the edge of my seat turning the pages! In summary, Meg Shaffer is becoming a go-to author for me if you are looking for a whimsical, cozy story with wit and magic, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future! ❤️

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for a complimentary copy of this novel!

Whoever said fairy tales are just for kids was wrong! From the author of The Wishing Game comes another magical novel called The Lost Story!!! Jeremy and Rafe are best buddies and when they were younger, they went missing in Re Crow State Forest in West Virginia for 6 months. What was mysterious about their disappearance was that the six months they were gone, they came back looking stronger and healthier than before they disappeared. Now though, 15 years later, Jeremy has made a name for himself by finding missing people and Rafe is a lonely artist who remembers nothing about what happened those six months. Now Emilie needs help finding her missing sister and only Jeremy and Rafe can help her. The only problem is, Jeremy is convinced Emilie’s sister is in another magical realm and Jeremy needs Rafe’s help to go back. Is Rafe willing to dredge up the past and come face-to-face with what happened 15 years ago?
I just love Meg Shaffer’s writing style and how she incorporates magical realism into her novels!!! This truly is a magical tale; one you won’t want to miss.
AVAILABLE July 16, 2024

I simply adore the way Meg Shaffer tells her stories. Her book “The Wishing Game” was one of my favorite reads of 2023; and she did not disappoint with “The Lost Story.”

This story is inspired by the classic Chronicles of Narnia series and it really shows, though it shines in its own light. The writing is like a warm fire on a cold evening- so comforting and inviting. I won’t spoil any of the story, but if you have a heart full of nostalgia and whimsy, please pick up this book. You will be delighted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

5/5 ⭐️

This book feels like a warm hug and I loved it. It is fantasy but in a cozy way, not an epic way. It feels like watching your favorite comfort show (Gilmore girls for me) but in book form. Going into this book without much background is the best experience so I'm just going to give you this - 2 teenage boys go missing in the woods for 6 months, people are assuming they're dead by that point when they suddenly show up again. 15 years later, one of them can't remember a thing (Rafe) and the other has an uncanny talent for finding missing girls/women(Jeremey). Bring in Emilie who is looking for her sister who went missing in the same woods 20 years prior. She seeks out Jeremy's help and a new adventure begins. The characters are so funny and made me fall in love with them. I miss them and this world now that the book is over.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book!

I enjoyed every second of this book! For a story inspired by Narnia, it absolutely lived up to it. The fantasy world was delightful (everything you could imagine a 13 year old girl writing about). Although you could tell most of what was going to happen ahead of time, this book was a cozy read and this fact made it feel even cozier and low-stakes for me.

The writing transported me to the world with the main characters and had me so attached to each of them (even/especially Fitz). I would love to read another book on what happens next!

I think I only wanted to read this book was because of the reference to Narnia. For the most part I enjoyed the story. I think the fairy tale part could have been longer. It was more certainly interesting. There are parts of this book I liked and others I just didn’t care for. Would like to see if there’s a second book in the works

4.5 Somehow Meg Shaffer has managed to up the ante of whimsy in her much anticipated follow up after her successful debut. There are all of the elements of our childhood favorite fairy tales at play, but packaged for the adult reader. I’ve seen some complaints that this felt juvenile but honestly that’s kind of the point. We are taken back to how those old favorites made us feel when we follow Rafe, Jeremy, and Emilie on their quest to find Emilie’s sister.

I must admit my bias about the fact that the WV setting immediately endeared me to this novel. She writes about my home in such a magical, whimsical way that goes against the grain in terms of the stereotypical works usually set here. These mountains are indeed magic and it felt good to see that portrayed. Also seeing Tudor’s mentioned in a novel made my heart happy.

I feel like the ending leaves a little to be desired but I’m hoping that my predictions are true and Meg Shaffer brings us back to this world!!

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia, and crossed with Lord of the Flies, the author gives us a mix of fantasy, mystery with a bit of romance as well. Enjoyable characters and rich plotting, I did feel the alternate world of Shanondoah was not my favorite part, but I am more of a myster reader than a fantasy reader, so it tracks!

For adults that are still looking to get sucked into a Fairytale after they grow up. What if you were able to slip into another world, and become a princess, a prince, or a knight? What if you had to choose between staying or coming back?

I enjoyed this read, about adults looking for that which has been lost. Trigger warnings that there is discussion of history of trauma in this book including child abuse (emotional and physical) as well as child abduction. It’s not super in depth, but these are important to the story being told.

I really liked Shaffer's The Wishing Game and expected another captivating read. This "fairy tale for adults" started out strong, with the mystery about what happened to Jeremy and Rafe while they were lost in the woods for 6 months, and why only Jeremy remembers and no longer speaks to Rafe. But it began devolving when they get to the Narnia-esque world of Shanandoah -- it started to seem like a YA book, with too much going on and an almost caricature-ish depiction of good guys and bad guys. I did like the ending. And Meg Shaffer's writing. Although I didn't love the Storyteller "interruptions."

‘All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by stranger and yet it seems they wrote 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.’

Do I need to say more? "The Lost Story" truly is magic, transporting me from my room into the enchanting world of Shanandoah. With its magical realms, found family, suspense, and a love story woven throughout, this book has it all.

Two Shaffer books to start off July?! What a storyteller! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

This is a fairy tale, or something like a fairy tale. Or it's magic or it's filled with magical moments. I just know I loved everything about it and the way Shaffer weaves magical realism throughout her stories. I was swept away and I adored it. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC of The Lost Story! I was so excited to read this book from Meg Shaffer. I loved The Wishing Game and was hoping I would like The Lost Story. It exceeded my expectations!

The Lost Story is a modern fairytale. It will make you feel nostalgic for the books you read as a child, and has everything a fairytale needs— great characters, a magical world, a love story, and most importantly a fun narrator :)! I think fantasy and fairytale lovers will really appreciate this book. It sucked me right in, and I just had to keep reading to find out what happened. I loved all of the characters, and enjoyed the ending. The way it wraps up left room for a sequel, I would definitely read more about these characters and the world of Shannondoah!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I adored The Wishing Game and The Lost Story was no different. I am a Meg Shaffer fan forever. I recommend this for fans of fantasy and fairytales.