Member Reviews

It's no secret that we were huge fans of The Wishing Game, but I know we weren't alone in that sentiment. The novel now boasts over 110K reviews on GoodReads. To say my expectations were high would be putting it mildly.

But, somehow, Meg Shaffer has written an even more magical and cozy story than her last. This novel deserves space on your bookshelf simply for the premise that seamlessly blends all my favorite fantasy worlds, especially if you were a fan of Chronicles of Narnia or The NeverEnding Story.

The book concept took shape at a Key West Literary Seminar with Richard Russo. Shaffer had recently re-read The Lord of the Flies when she contemplated how interesting it would be to know what happened to Ralph & Jack twenty years after they left the island. Knowing this work wasn't part of the public domain meant it was not an accessible story to tell, but as she shelved this book next to her copy of Chronicles of Narnia, a new story pitch was hatched.

To keep the magic alive, I'll keep the pitch short and sweet. In West Virginia, two boys go missing during an end-of-school field trip to Red Crow State Forest. They have been gone so long that people no longer refer to them as "missing" but only as "lost."

A nurse is on a local hike when she sees the two boys descending the trail. The boys are wearing pants six inches too short, no shirts, and no shoes, which is unseasonably strange for November.

As she begins to assess them and initiates a routine patient check, she's baffled that they seem relatively okay. They are not malnourished or seemingly troubled. One could say their return feels like a fairy tale, but as the narrator coyly sets up, "They didn't have fairy tales in West Virginia. They were lucky to have a Target."

The story unfolds as an atmospheric love letter to the beauty of West Virginia with an enchanted portal to another world entirely. The world-building is light but offers a gorgeous love story with beautiful surprises as you uncover where the boys have been, what holds them to this world now, and why they feel called to return.

In short, this book is magical, which is Shaffer's intention. One passage beautifully captures this bookish sentiment, sharing: "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."

While certainly cozy, readers should know this story is for adults and explores darker themes of childhood trauma in its passages. But, it is a thoughtful and warm narrative that assures you that there will be joy on the other side and maybe a warm slice of apple cake.

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MEG! Meg, Meg, …. Meg.

Easily becoming one of my top favorite authors if she keeps writing these beautiful stories.
I wasn’t sure if she’d top The Wishing Game- which was my *only* 5 star read when it first came out, but then she came in like a story telling wrecking ball and crushed it with this one.


The Lost Story is that- a story. A beautiful story of connection, friendship, love, loyalty and sacrifice. Mixed in with whimsy, mystery, and fighting mystical creatures- it was gorgeous. I smiled, laughed, gasped, shed a tear or … many.

Thank you, meg for a beautiful book. This stays in my recommendation arsenal forever now.


Thank you tenfold to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review- all thoughts are my own.

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4.5 - thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

This book is the definition of a feel good read; I found myself smiling half the time I was reading it. For anyone who read Chronicles of Narnia or other fantasy worlds as a kid, this will make you so nostalgic for the times when you imagined it was a real place! Great characters, great plot, great writing, looking forward to see what Meg has up her sleeve for her next book!

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⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded down for GR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC of The Lost Story in exchange for my honest review.

Teenage Jeremy and Rafe are lost in the woods for months.. and presumed dead, until they reappear in better shape than they left in. Rafe has no memory of where they were, and he and Jeremy do not speak for 15 years following. Until Emilie approaches Jeremy, who has the ability to find the lost, in search of her missing sister.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning and the end of this, it did get slow for me between 40-80%. I loved the concept of “the storyteller” & I enjoyed each of the MCs. I do wish we could have gotten another small tidbit from Emilie’s POV at the conclusion but I wonder if there may be a book #2 in the works.

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Thank you to Net Galley, Meg Shaffer and Random House for giving me access to my very first ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a joy this book was! I absolutely loved The Wishing Game so I had high expectations based on that and the premise of the book. This book delivered.

I love the way Meg Shaffer writes. It’s so easy to digest but thoughtful and endearing. The characters had depth and baggage but were ultimately so kind and loving it was so easy to root for them.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a possible sequel. I would love to visit this world again.

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I really enjoyed this book, but gave it four stars as I felt some of the writing/plot was child like and that there was unnecessary fluff. However, the characters were likable and well developed and the story line was interesting and fun

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First, I would like to thank Ballantine corp for accepting my request on NetGalley for this ARC.

I went into this book with an open mind. I say that because I don’t read magical realism/fantasy; but when I read the synopsis for this book, I was intrigued. I also love the cover and I will admit, I do judge a book by its cover. So, I requested it and I am so glad I was approved.


• Synopsis •
Fifteen years after their miraculous homecoming, Jeremy is a famous missing persons investigator with an uncanny ability to find the lost, while Rafe is a reclusive artist unable to stop creating otherworldly paintings and sculptures he shows to no one. He bears scars inside and out from his disappearance but has no memory of what happened while they were gone.

The story reminded me of The Never Ending Story, Hook, and Robin Hood all in one. The authors inspiration was The Chronicles of Narnia.

I grew to love Jeremy and Rafe, along with Emilie and Skya. However, Jeremy and Rafe held a special place in my heart the entire time. It was interesting how the story flowed. You were introduced to the characters, they go on their mission, they fight evil, then you learn more about the main characters Jeremy and Rafe. You get a small window throughout the book, but it comes full circle in the end. I really do hope there is a sequel to this. I’d be the first one in line to pick up the book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magic, magic realism, fantasy, and mystery!

And last, West-By God-Virginia!

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Such an unexpected journey! I was thoroughly entertained by Meg's latest novel. It reminded me of reading the Narnia novels as a child. So fun and whimsical. The journey that Rafe and Jeremy take and how they meet up with Skya and Emelie! What fun!! What heartache!! There are serious notes in here, don't let me fool you into thinking it's just a happy little fairytale... because even the narrator doesn't know if it's a fairytale or not. The narrator bits were my favorite! Is it the end, or is it just a beginning??? Come on Meg, let us know!!

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Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC! 15 years ago, best friends Jeremy and Ralph "Rafe" went missing in the forrests of West Virginia during a class field trip. Six months after their disappearance, they were found, with Rafe severly injured, but neither able to say where they had been or how they survived. Present day, Jeremy travels the world finding the lost and bringing them home. A young woman, Emilie, seeks Jeremy out with a simple request, help her find her sister, who disappeared in the same forrest of West Virginia nearly 20 years before. Jeremy recognizes Emilie's sister, but in order to find her, they will need the help of his former best friend, Rafe. What follows is a magical and romantic tale of fantasy worlds, epic quests, family ties (whether birth or found), and the power of love. This is the perfect read for fans of portal fantasies like Narnia or the Magicians and is a fantastic second book from Meg Shaffer (The Wishing Game).

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From the author of The Wishing Game, The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is an easy story to fall into. This adult fairy-tale inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia takes you on a journey to an enchanted world: Shanandoah.

There is a time when missing children become Lost Ones.

Jeremy and Rafe were once best friends who went missing in a forest in a West Virginia State Park. After being declared lost, they returned six months later much changed. Afterwards they went their separate ways with Rafe having no memory of the time during when they were lost.

Fifteen years later, Rafe, an artist, and Jeremy, a famous missing-persons finder, are returning to that magical land with the hopes of reuniting Emelie with her missing sister Shannon and Rafe with his lost memories.

Escape into this beautiful book. You will be glad you did.

Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books
To be released July 16, 2024

Review Posted on Brightbookreviews and
Goodreads

#WestVirginia
#Fiction
#Fantasy
#LGBTQIA+
#Romance
#Adult Fairy Tale
#Arc
#Netgalley
#Magic
#Brightbookreviews

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“Once upon a time”...
4 words that not only set the stage to a fairytale but warms your heart with the knowledge that you are going to go on an adventure. I adored the Wishing game by Meg Shaffer and was so looking forward to the Lost Story. This book was utterly delightful and I got anticipation tingles for how magical this story would be and where it would take me.

At 15 years old, best friends Jeremy and Rafe went missing in the Red Crow forest in West Virginia. 6 months later they returned, but were stronger and healthier. Rafe doesn't remember anything from his time in the woods and Jeremy is very tight lipped about what happened.

15 years later…

Emilie recently lost her mother. Being adopted she has never had any other family but with the loss of her month she seeks out to see if there is anyone out there. What she discovers is that she has a half sister Shannon who was kidnapped and presumably murdered 20 years ago in the Red Crow Forest. While she was never found, Emilie makes it her mission to recover the body and give her a proper resting place. She seeks out the help of Jeremy Cox, now an expert at finding missing women.

Jeremey takes an interest, since it's related to his own disappearance but needs Rafe’s help to navigate the forest and what's beyond. What happens next is a magical fairy tale for adults that is filled with wondrous joy and adventure.

I loved the organization of this book. It reads exactly like a fairy tale in terms of the pace and flow. The chapters from the Storyteller fill in small gaps and keep the momentum. The world of Shenandoah is a place I would love to explore again and Meg Shaffer leaves the door open for another possible adventure. This book truly reminds you that books are magical

“Heroes on a quest aren't trying to find an actually object, but to find themselves on the journey”

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for sharing this book’s digital review copy with me. Let me know if you are planning to read this book!

Notes:
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Meg Shaffer
Genre: Portal fantasy fiction

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Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

TW: abuse, homophobia, violence

Fifteen years ago, two best friends, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, went missing in a vast West Virginia forest, only to be found six months later with no explanation for where they were and how they survived. Now, fifteen years later, Jeremy is famous for his ability of finding lost girls and women and Rafe a reclusive artist with no memory of what happened and they are not part of each other's lives anymore.
When Emilie Wendell asks Jeremy help to find her sister, vanished in the same forest they were lost in, Jeremy accepts and involves Rafe. Something happened there and while Jeremy is the only one who remember the place they found themselves in, Rafe is the only one who can find the path there. Years ago they were missing and found themselves in a magical world, filled with magic and stories, dangers and love and Jeremy is sure they will find Emilie's sister here and Rafe could gain his memory back. The time to unbury the secrets is near and Jeremy, Rafe and Emilie are ready to face another world and to find a missing sister and missing memories, by facing their fears and pasts. Only in the realm, they will get back what they have lost. A sister. A love.

The lost story is wonderfully inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia and it's a brilliant, funny and sweet story.
Two teenagers escape in the woods and find themselves in a wonderful magical realm with unicorns, mermaids, dangers, love and princes and queens. Now that they are adults, they have to face this world again in a constant comparison between what their lives are and what they lost by leaving and what they gained.
The lost story is a story about a missing sister, a wonderful realm, missing memories and missing love and the power of stories and love. Split between the storyteller's POV and the chapter, the story is intriguing and funny and filled with dangers, art, stories, found family and lost and found love.
It's a story, also, about violence in a family and bad relationships, about missing and loving someone, about a love able to weather time and space and realms, about being lost and finding one other.
It's a story about queer love, missing sisters and memories, about finding one's place and how the stories have the power of changing everything.
I loved this book with all my heart. It's like a warm hug, the kind of book you wanna find yourself in, because it would be so amazing being part of that world.

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5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!!!!!!

"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."

This book was (as Emilie would say) Chefs Kiss 🤌🤌🤌
I loved loved loved "The Wishing Game" and for me personally, Meg Shaffer did not disappoint with "The Lost Story"! I wasn't ready for the story to end 🥹 I could have easily read another 200 pages 🩷

Also, let me just say that the book cover is absolutely beautiful!!
I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY PHYSICAL COPY IN JULY!!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books/Random House for allowing me to read and review this ARC!!

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The Lost Story is a fairy tale for adults, or at least it's marketed that way. In all fairness, it could be a fairy tale for all ages. Shaffer definitely puts modern spins on it - Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac get name dropped multiple times, as do other pop culture references like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Chronicles of Narnia, James Bond and Batman. But in true fairy tale form, it has many elements a reader can expect like villains, a love story, reunited sisters and unicorns. Sadly, the dragons exist but don't make an appearance. It gets a little bit goofy at times but there was a part of me that enjoyed it being so ridiculous. If you expect it, it's like a warm fuzzy blanket you curl up under. The book centers around Jeremy and Rafe, who went missing years ago and returned home different from before, and Emilie, who recruits Jeremy years later to help her find her sister Shannon, who went missing in the same forest. Turns out Shannon is now Skya, Queen of Shanandoah, which Jeremy and Rafe stumbled upon years ago when they disappeared. Jeremy has his memories of the place, and Rafe has the instinct to help find the way back (but not the memories of the place or his relationship with Jeremy), so Jeremy recruits Rafe to get the trio there. Once there they encounter the villains, one of which is very personal for Rafe, and they have to make the difficult decision whether they want to stay in a place that's (mostly) rainbows and sunshine, or go back to home in West Virginia. Shaffer definitely leaves open the possibility of a sequel, and I want to know more. This isn't overly complicated on plot or character development, but if you're looking for the warm fuzzy version of a book with just a titch of darkness, this is the perfect fit. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I had such an enjoyable time reading this book. The fairytale world was so creative and unlike so many books I've read recently. It was captivating, engaging, fresh, and just so dang CUTE. I highly, highly suggest picking this book up when it releases in July! The subtle romance in the story was just everything I needed and more. It was truly a whimsical tale.

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5 stars holy cow! I loved this book, this context, the characters … Who wouldn’t love an adult version of Narnia?

This story kept me wondering, and I feel like I can barely leave a detailed review without spoiling any of the story. I found every character endearing and my only complaint about this book is that I wish it was longer. I hope and pray there’s a sequel and I’ll be the first in line to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I really liked the author's The Wishing Game and although this is similar, I liked Wishing Game better. First we're introduced to two teens who disappear in the woods only to be found 6 months later. Rafe has strange scars on his back and no memory what happened to him. Jeremy keeps quiet about where they were. Years later, Emilie approaches Jeremy to help her find her missing sister. It seems Jeremy has a knack for finding lost people. He says the only way to find her sister is to have Rafe go with them. Similar to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, there is a secret entrance to a fantastical world that holds the secrets Emilie and Rafe have searched for. While I liked the concept, the story felt a bit unbelievable to me. Also at the beginning I felt that Emilie and Jeremy had a spark but I was wrong about that!

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Meg Shaffer's "The Lost Story" is a poignant and gripping tale that seamlessly intertwines the past and present, weaving a narrative rich in history, mystery, and heart. Set against the backdrop of a small New England town, this novel captures the imagination with its compelling characters, intricate plot, and evocative prose.

At the heart of the story is Anna, a young woman who inherits her grandmother's old bookstore and discovers a hidden manuscript that unlocks a long-buried family secret. As Anna delves into the history of her ancestors, she uncovers a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that spans generations. With the help of a charming local historian, Anna sets out to uncover the truth behind the lost story and, in the process, discovers truths about herself and her own place in the world.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is Shaffer's masterful storytelling. The narrative unfolds with a lyrical elegance, drawing readers into the world of the story with its vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters. Shaffer effortlessly navigates between the past and present, seamlessly blending the two timelines to create a narrative that is both engaging and immersive.

The characters in "The Lost Story" are beautifully rendered and deeply human, each with their own hopes, dreams, and struggles. Anna is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery is both empowering and inspiring. The supporting cast adds depth and complexity to the story, with memorable personalities that leave a lasting impression.

In addition to its captivating plot and well-drawn characters, "The Lost Story" also explores deeper themes of family, identity, and the power of storytelling. Through Anna's journey, Shaffer examines the ways in which our pasts shape who we are and the importance of understanding where we come from in order to find our place in the world.

Overall, "The Lost Story" is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page. Meg Shaffer has crafted a timeless tale of love, loss, and redemption that reminds us of the power of the stories we tell and the connections that bind us together across time and space.

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For fans of The Wishing Game, the beautiful writing style and whimsy returns with author Meg Shaffer. This is based on Chronicles of Narnia and I couldn’t have loved it more! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

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Great book, really enjoyed the twists and turns that this took me on and I would definitely recommend to a friend.

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