This book was a fun spin on Narnia. I’m not necessarily one for fantasy, but this combined childhood whimsy with adult concepts, and it was entertaining and engaging. The quality of the writing was top notch, and I think anyone who enjoys getting lost may enjoy this novel.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook.

Meg Shaffer creates a magical world and story. I couldn’t put this down. The characters jump right off the page. If you enjoyed any fantasy stories as a child this book is for you!

Very sweet heartfelt story. This author is easily becoming an auto buy. I loved both books immensely

A modern day fairytale with Narnia vibes- sign me up! Meg Shaffer's sophomore novel does not disappoint. I mean who doesn't love a book that makes you remember what is was like to read as a child and immerse yourself in these magical worlds. The Lost Story also gave me some Princess Bride vibes, with the commentary from the narrator interspersed throughout the book. It seems like there will be a sequel....fingers crossed, because I can't wait!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Despite having chapters and storyteller intermissions, this book felt disorganized and not fully planned out. The premise was strong, and I loved The Wishing Game, but this one felt young. The characters are somewhat immature, like YA characters, and the setting/world-building felt incomplete. However, there was a lovely element of romance, fantasy, and familial forgiveness. An okay read, but I would not recommend for folks already in a reading slump.

As boys, best friends Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell went missing in a vast West Virginia state forest, only to mysteriously reappear six months later with no explanation for where they’d gone or how they’d survived. Fifteen years after their miraculous homecoming, Rafe is a reclusive artist who has no memory of what happened during those months. Meanwhile, Jeremy has become a famed missing persons’ investigator. With his uncanny abilities, he is the one person who can help vet tech Emilie Wendell find her sister, who vanished in the very same forest as Rafe and Jeremy. Jeremy alone knows the fantastical truth about the disappearances, for while the rest of the world was searching for them, the two missing boys were in a magical realm filled with impossible beauty and terrible danger. He believes it is there that they will find Emilie’s sister. But the time for burying secrets comes to an end as the quest for Emilie’s sister begins. The former lost boys must confront their shared past, no matter how traumatic the memories.

Thank you so much @netgalley and @meg_shaffer for this ARC! The author of The Wishing Game is back with an other fantastical tale full of heart and whimsy. This book leans more into the fantasy world than the magical realism of The Wishing Game and I really enjoyed it. I really l loved the themes of making your own home, found family, the power of magical believing in changing unfortunate circumstances, forgiveness, and never giving up on fantasy. Shaffer created such a beautiful fantasy world in Shanandoah and I could easily escape into that world while reading! All of the characters were so endearing and I loved how they all worked together. And I REALLY enjoyed all of the Fleetwood Mac references!

As a huge fan of Meg Shaffer’s The Wishing Game, I was so excited to dive into her sophomore novel, The Lost Story.

Best friends Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell disappeared in the vast forest in West Virginia, only to reappear 6 months later in even better physical condition than they were when originally lost. However, Rafe has no recollection of where they were or what happened while they were gone. Years later, Rafe is a recluse and Jeremy has celebrity status due to his uncanny ability to find lost women and little girls. Emilie Wendell seeks Jeremy out and convinces him to help her find her sister - who just so happened to disappear in the same woods as the boys had, only five years prior to them.

What follows is an adult fairy tale inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia - full of adventure, magic, and a spectacularly vivid world that I could clearly imagine. I loved these characters and the depth of their friendships.

Normally, I abhor books with narrators that cut into the story. I didn’t love it in The Lost Story, but I didn’t hate it either. The narrator’s voice was just sassy and short enough that it was okay. However, I think the book would have been just as good without it.

If you are a fan of magical realism, found family, deep friendships and adventure, you just might love this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for the copy I received to review.

#theloststory #netgalley #adultfairytales #alwaysreading #bookstagram #readersofinstagram

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is an absolutely captivating and thrilling new book that will take you on a journey of getting lost, finding a new home, and then getting lost again. Our incredible Storyteller brings the story to life with their enchanting words, adding a touch of magic and wisdom that draws you in and keeps you hooked. Their presence adds light, humor, and depth to the tale, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

I was completely swept away by the heartfelt and emotional journey of this book. The story sucked me in from the very beginning, with its fantastical elements and relatable characters that felt so real and raw. There's something about the setting, the familiar yet mysterious West Virginia backdrop, that just pulls you in and refuses to let go.

Jeremy and Rafe, two best friends with a complicated past, join forces once again to help Emilie find her missing sister. Their journey is fraught with challenges, both external and internal, as they navigate through old memories and forge new ones along the way. The emotional depth and complexity of their relationships make this story truly powerful and moving.

As a paramedic, the quote "you can't save them all, but today we will save one" struck a chord with me on a personal level. It reflects the harsh reality of my job, where some days are filled with triumph and others with heartbreak. But we continue to do our best to help those in need, one person at a time.

I must mention that this book includes some trigger warnings, such as an LGBTQIA+ relationship and mentions of violence and abuse. These themes are handled with care and sensitivity, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, I was entranced by The Lost Story and I would love nothing more than to dive back into this magical world again. Meg Shaffer has crafted a story that will stay with me long after the final page, and I can't wait to see where the journey takes us next.

"When you begin to question your sanity, remind yourself that the fact that something impossible happened doesn't mean it didn't happen."

"Yes, books are magic. Maybe the strongest magic there is."

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out July 16th, 2024!

I loved The Wishing game, so when I got The Lost story I was super excited!
This book did not disappoint! It was just as good as Ms Shaffer’s first one. I found the premise of this story fascinating. Two young boys lost in a West Virginia woods for 6 months, ending up in a magical kingdom. This did give me Narnia vibes.
I also really loved the three main characters, Jeremy, Rafe and Emilie. I would love to read more about them and the magical realm of Shanandoah.
I can’t recommend this book enough! So well written, it grabbed hold of me and would not let go until the very last page!

The Lost Story is a fantastic fantasy/romance story about Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell who went missing in a West Virginia state forest, how they survived, and what happens after. While Jeremy remembers what happened Rafe does not and that causes a massive rift between them. Jeremy becomes this expert tracker that finds almost anything, including people. When a woman approaches him about a sister missing in the same forest that he and Rafe got lost in, it is too coincidental and he takes the case. This opens up the story to Shenandoah the fantasy side of the tale. It is so well written that you will lose yourself at times. The characters were perfect and I loved the relationship between Rafe and Jeremy. They are truly made for each other. I thought I saw a little opening at the end for the possibility of more about their story. I sure hope.

Thank you so much Meg Shaffer, Penguin Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of The Lost Story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Confession: My entire life, I’ve been the person that tests the back of every wardrobe I’ve come across just to make sure it’s not a magical portal to Narnia😂. That being said, it’s easy to see why I had to say yes to a book being promoted as a modern day fairytale for adults who were enchanted by The Chronicle’s of Narnia growing up! 😍

The Lost Story, in my opinion, is a love letter to all of us grownups who wish we could travel to Narnia (or a similar fairytale land). It’s whimsical, emotional, heartbreaking, and so hopeful. From the first page, I was invested in Emilie, Rafe, and Jermey’s search for Emilie’s missing sister, Shannon, who vanished in the mysterious forests of West Virginia 20 years ago.

I couldn’t get enough of the juxtaposition between Rafe and Jermey’s life in the mythical land of Shanandoah as teenagers, and their current situation as adults stuck in the real world. It was like glimpsing what life would have been like for the Pevensie children had the end of their story turned out differently.

Although I loved the realm of Shanandoah and its inhabitants, I think my favorite part of the book was the mysterious Storyteller Corner narrator. I loved all the fairytale lessons, backstories, foreshadowing, and infuriating interruptions the charming character brought to the story. Also, the big reveal at the end was perfection!

In the pages you will find:

🏰A Magical Realm
❤️Romance (just kissing)
🧑‍🧑‍🧒Complicated Family Dynamics
🦄Mythical Creatures
🫥Mysterious Disappearances
🪄Magical Abilities
🌳Portals to Other Worlds
🐀A lovable rat sidekick
📖An unputdownable fairytale for adults!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I really enjoyed this book. I like Meg Shaffer a lot, and she outdid herself with this new book! I highly reccomend!

I loved The Wishing Game so when I saw this book by the same author on #NetGalley I felt lucky to snag an ARC! Two best friends Jeremy and Rafe go missing as boys, only to mysteriously reappear six months later with no explanation for where they’d gone or how they’d survived. You know I LOVE a story will a little magic and this one checks all the boxes! It was such a fun read I couldn't put it down and I am hopeful a second story is in the works! Right now the scheduled pub date is July 16. :) #TheLostStory

There are literally no words to describe how perfect this book was. This is everything I didn’t know I wanted in a book.
I loved the fantasy elements but the found family aspects were amazing. Highly highly recommend and I’m definitely keeping my eye on everything Meg writes in the future!

I was very excited to see this book was coming out because I LOVED Meg Schaffer’s last book “The Wishing Game” and this book “The Lost Story” lived up to my expectations. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me access to this ARC! This book was full of the best parts of all fairytales; a Queen, a prince, a knight and a princess. Not to mention it also had a magical bird, mysterious powers to help others, villains and the most entertaining storyteller.

The story begins with two men, Jeremy and Ralph (Rafe), who were lost as boys in a forest in West Virginia for six months and then reappear. One boy has forgotten all his memories of being lost and the other remembers everything and becomes an investigator for missing women and children. Fifteen years later they come back together reluctantly to help a girl named Emilie who is searching for her sister who also went missing in the same place. This is where the adventure begins because in order to help Emilie, it requires both men to return to the forest to try and reunite the sisters.

If you’re looking for a book that transports you to a place like Narnia and allows your imagination to explore this is the book for you!

As someone who is not a fan of fantasy/fairy-tale type stories, I couldn't wait to read this book based on my experience with Shaffer's last book, so that is saying a lot! Lo and behold, I loved it and devoured it in less than a day. She has a way of writing the most charming stories that also explore deep feelings and just leave you in a better place after reading them.

The book centers on Jeremy and Rafe, who went missing in the woods for 6 months at 15 years old and come back seemingly no worse for the wear, while also not talking about where they were. 15 years later, Jeremy is world-renowned for his uncanny ability to find missing people and Rafe is living a reclusive life near his childhood home in WV. When Emilie tracks down Jeremy in search of her missing sister, it's the perfect opportunity for Jeremy and Rafe to reunite and bring Emilie into the secret of where they spent those missing 6 months.

Every main character in this book was likeable and the dynamics between them were authentic. I rooted for them and felt deeply for the decisions they had to make, knowing how their choices affected those around them. The descriptions of the surroundings were so vivid that I felt like I was there. The ending was perfect for the rest of the story and the whole thing was wrapped up nicely.

Meg Shaffer has made me into a fairy-tale convert and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed and more! For lovers of The Chronicles of Narnia, this was an absolute dream. The narrator, the setting, the dialogue, it felt something out of my favorite books as a child. Did I mention I loved it? Rafe and Jeremy were such a delight to read about. I loved the journey we went on with them as characters. Rafe trying to remember what he forgot and dealing with abuse at the hands of his father and Jeremy gently guiding him. Ugh. It was beautiful. Emilie’s search for her sister and ultimately finding her-it was just too much. I didn’t know I was missing an adult fairytale until I read this book. Delightful!

When I realized that Meg Shaffer book was coming out with a new book I knew I had to read it instantly and this book did not disappoint! The novel follows two best friends in West Virginia, Jermey Cox and Rafe Howell. The two go missing in a forest and return after six months. They come back better when they left and the whole town doesn’t know why. How did they survive for so long? How are they in perfect health? And most importantly how did the whole town search for miles and miles and not find them? Where exactly did those two boys go?

Fifteen years later Jermey becomes a missing persons investigator and Rafe becomes an artist who resides in the woods. Emilie seeks out Jeremys help to find her lost sister. Shockingly, Jermey knows who Emilie’s sister is. The three go on an adventure to find to find the things that they lost.

Inspired by The Chronicles of Narina, Shaffer transports the reader into a magical realm where anything is possible. The story is beautifully written. If you loved Shaffer’s debut novel The Wishing Game, then you will certainly love this!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This gentle YA fantasy references well-loved tales such as the Narnia stories and The Wizard of Oz, while dealing somewhat more explicitly with darker themes, such as addiction, child abuse, sexual predators, and homophobia. The adolescent protagonists are believable and engaging, and the story of their struggles and triumphs in two alternating worlds and lives, the real world in the present-day W. Virginia and the mythical land of Shanondoah, keeps the pace going and the tension high. The style is mystical and whimsical, but the battle between darkness and light, hatred and love, is nevertheless depicted with enough reality to touch the reader's emotions. Those readers who enjoy fantasy and coming of age stories should find a lot to love here.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
(Publishing July 16th)

The Lost Story is an absolutely delightful book that I hope everyone who enjoys fairytales gives a chance to. I was positive I was not going to have a good time reading this book because I honestly did not have a great time reading The Wishing Game. While I can admit The Wishing Game is a good book, it still felt like it took me ages (it was about a month or more) to read. This book is so so much better.

First of all, as someone who lives in West Virginia, it is really hard to find stories/Tv/movies that do not focus on the poverty or stereotypes of the state. The amount of things that showcase the holler with incest, no teeth, etc. is so overdone, I was a little scared going into this. Meg Shaffer nailed the scenery. Rafe was poor, but it wasn’t the same way other media tries to do it. And one of the best things about WV (probably the only real good thing tbh) is the scenery, and it is actually quite perfect for a fairy tale. The woods have magic. The little details were there as well because there is an apple in the book called a Gold Apple or something, and then in the back there is a recipe calling for these apples, but you can use in place Golden Delicious -an apple created here in WV. (It’s our state fruit).

Secondly, I loved every single main character. Usually, I can’t stand at least one of the MCs in a book. The characters in this book? Love. There are gay MCs and I love that, of course. Representation. I love the quirks. The friendship. The romance is just the right amount that gives me heart eyes. I would warn there could be something triggering in this book involving mentions of child abuse because of a character having gay thoughts. I don’t know if that is a spoiler, but I think because of the happier tone of the rest of the book, it’s important to note that trigger is there. I wouldn’t want anyone to be surprised.

Thank you NetGalley & Ballantine Books for this ARC. This is 100% my honest review. This book is magical and you should check it out for mid July!

Fact: There really is a bronze Don Knotts statue in WV. Does your state have any strange statues?