As someone who grew up in West Virginia, I need to start by saying how utterly pleased I was to see this state portrayed as the beautiful, magical place it is. I was captivated initially by the setting and further fell in love based on the beauty the author uses to describe this wild, wonderful state. Meg Shaffer transported you into a fairytale from your childhood, wrapping you in the warm blanket of the past and allowing you to travel with the characters and fall in love with every aspect of this piece. I loved the twists placed thoughtfully throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged and wanting to know more, more, more. I could not get enough. The pacing overall was very well executed; however, the end felt rushed and the magic seemed to fade. I overall loved every character, even Fritz, and how their character contributed to the overarching plot. I truly cannot get enough of the West Virginia setting and the love seen to this magical state.

I loved The Wishing Game so I had high hopes for this book. It didn’t disappoint. It grabbed my attention room from beginning to end. Yes, it had some clear tributes to Narnia, but it goes beyond that. If you like fairy tales with a twist, read this book!

Fabulous fantasy! I loved the Wishing Game and was excited to read this book as well and it did not disappoint! I loved the world of Shanandoah and I loved everyone that lived there. The relationships that developed and the journey of self discovery for many of the characters was what drew me in and I absolutely loved it! Definite 4 stars.

The Lost Story is an enchanting and captivating tale that seamlessly weaves together elements of mystery, fantasy, and heartfelt human connection.
From the moment Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell mysteriously vanish in a West Virginia forest, the story grips readers with its compelling premise. Fifteen years later, Rafe is a reclusive artist haunted by memories he can't recall, while Jeremy has become a renowned missing persons' investigator. When vet tech Emilie Wendell seeks Jeremy's help to find her missing sister, the stage is set for an unforgettable journey into the unknown.
The author masterfully crafts a world where magic and reality intertwine, drawing readers into a realm of wonder and danger. As Jeremy, Rafe, and Emilie venture into the mystical forest, secrets are unearthed, and past traumas come to light. The dynamic between the characters is richly developed, with each one grappling with their own personal demons and desires.
What sets "he Lost Story"apart is its exploration of themes such as friendship, redemption, and the power of memory. The author's prose is evocative and atmospheric, transporting readers to a place where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide.
As the mysteries unravel and the stakes escalate, the story builds to a breathtaking crescendo that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. With its blend of magic, suspense, and poignant human drama, The Lost Story is a must-read for fans of fantasy and mystery alike. The author's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this mesmerizing tale of loss, love, and the unbreakable bonds that unite us all.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game and was delighted to get an eARC of her new book. The Lost Story, much like The Wishing Game, is an homage to books and people who love them, particularly fairy tales. This one has some flaws, but I couldn't help but find it charming.

The pros:
1. If you were ever that kid who dreamed of escaping to Narnia, Neverland, Wonderland or Hogwarts, this book is for you. It will remind you of what you loved about those stories, and give you a momentary glimpse of how those books made you feel when you were a kid. That feeling is nearly impossible to recapture as an adult, and this book is just about as close as you'll get.

2. It also addresses what was, for me, the most heartbreaking and least explored of the questions raised by those childhood stories: what was it like to come back to your normal life after that? The Pevensie kids had to go back to England and be school kids again, pretending they hadn't just been kings and queens in Narnia. How on earth did they manage that without going mad? Wendy Darling had to grow up and be a functioning adult in a world where no one knew about Neverland. HOW?! My favorite part of the movie "Hook" is getting a glimpse of Wendy's adult life, because as a kid I couldn't even imagine it. Likewise, my favorite part of The Lost Story is seeing what Jeremy and Rafe had to contend with when they came home, and how they did it -- Jeremy by helping other lost souls, and Rafe by becoming a recluse, even though he didn't really understand why. I was fascinated by this brief look into what it would be like to have another, grander life somewhere else and have to leave it behind to be an ordinary citizen again. My heart broke for Jeremy and Rafe just as it did for Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy all those years ago.

3. Jeremy and Rafe's relationship is also a huge mark in this book's favor. It's sweet and unforced, and a gay love story is a breath of fresh air in a fairy tale setting.

4. The references to other fairy tales are a nice touch. We get quotes from Aslan, and even a couple of sly references to the fictional book series referenced in The Wishing Game. "Further up and further in" was like greeting an old friend.

5. The biggest pro for me? A heroine who spells her name like mine. There aren't too many Emilies in the world, and fewer yet in literature. Way to go, Meg Shaffer.

The cons:
1. The fairy tale world is full of cliches, which made me roll my eyes so hard I think I hurt myself. Yes, it's explained why, but still. A little imagination and a lot less unicorns and rainbows would have been nice. The reason we're given is that the whole place was created by a little girl, but to me it just felt like an excuse not to be creative.

2. Jeremy and Rafe's characters are fairly well-developed, but Emilie and Skya's less so. It seems to me that the ending leaves room for a sequel, so maybe we'll get more of them in books to come. As it is, we get very little of the sister relationship between them, and how overjoyed they must have been to find each other all these years later.

3. The Storyteller chapters are an unnecessary interruption. There's no need for a character to break the fourth wall here, and it took me out of the story every time.

4. There's a lot going on in this book -- kidnapping, child abuse, adoption, addiction, the list goes on. It might have worked better not to toss EVERYTHING into the same book. Save some stuff for the next one, Meg, and deal with fewer topics in a more in-depth way instead of writing off serious topics in such a glib way. For example, Rafe's dad didn't deserve that moment of redemption, and if I were Rafe, it would have taken a lot more than that to earn my forgiveness. And don't get me started on this book's stereotypical treatment of adoption and birth parents.

5. The Lost Story can't quite decide what tone it's going for. Is it a true fairy tale, with a Narnia-esque tone to match? Or is it a spoof, meant to be firmly tongue in cheek? In one breath we're getting knights and princes, and in the next we're finding out about the sacred Trapper Keeper. It was a little jarring to be tossed back and forth that way.

6. Nothing actually HAPPENS until the halfway point of the book. That's a long run for a short slide, in my opinion.

Overall this book has several issues that I suspect some readers won't be able to get past. But I found it charming nonetheless Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

If you want to feel like a kid again diving into your fantasy novel, pick up this book. This story gives you all the feels of entering into a new fantastical world that you may not want to come back from. I loved the characters—Rafe, Jeremy, and Emilie and they search for Emilie’s lost sister. I’ve also moved up West Virginia to top ten on my list of states that I need to visit. Meg Shaffer is now an auto-buy for me after the lost story and the wishing game.

I received an ARC from netgalley and the publisher.

This story made my jaw drop, it was beautifully written with fantastic characters. The story will take you on a roller coaster of emotions with a magically element that will warm you heart. I highly recommend this book and will probably buy a hard copy for my shelf!

I just finished this arc of The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer releasing July 16.
This is a fairytale … the most brilliant of all fairytales . It is like Narnia for adults. Two boys get lost in the woods for six months. When they come out, nothing is the same. One has no memory of the event and the other is whisked away by his mother. 15 years, separate them from the day they were found and the day they go back into those woods again in search of a lost girl. there’s a magical land, a palace, a queen, a prince, a knight , a Ghost Town, and adventures beyond your wildest dreams. It will give you so many feelings, and you will not want the story to end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you like fantasy and fairytales, and you wish for a happily ever after this book is for you ! 
Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me an early copy of this book!

I have always been a fan of retellings and reimagining of classic stories so when I heard that Meg Shaffer’s next book was going to inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia series, I was curious to see what the story would be. I had really enjoyed The Wishing Game, so this book was one of my most anticipated reads of this year.

In this story, you are introduced to Jeremy and Rafe who as teenagers went missing in the woods, only to reappear six months later in perfect health but with no explanation of where they have been. The story continues fifteen years later after their reappearance and you see what the boys have been up to and how a girl named Emilie brings them back together after all of these years. I won’t share more of the plot from then on but can promise it is a magical experience.

In terms of the book itself, the story and the characters pulled me in so quickly and I immediately had to know what was going to happen next. I really loved these characters and how they interacted with each other, and they were created it such a way that you cheered for them when they succeeded and cried with them throughout their difficult moments. The world-building was also incredible and was crafted in a way that you could immediately visualize everything the characters are seeing. I also really enjoyed the pacing of the story as there was world-building but it never felt overwhelming and the jumps between characters during some chapters also was easy to follow and I liked how they tied together.

I think anyone who is a fan of magical escapism, found families, and the power of stories will like this book. I know I enjoy those things and I loved this story and already want to reenter the world of Shanandoah.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
If I could give this book a hundred stars, I would. It was such a whimsical easy read. I couldn't put it down. This book reminded me of why I love to read, how important it is to see other perspectives
Seriously, highly recommend picking this up when it comes.
💖Found Family💖
💖LGBTQ+ rep💖
💖Friends to Lovers💖
"Joy is quieter than people think it is. Especially the joy of getting back something you thought was lost forever"

Wow! This is a really good read. Took me in from the first page to the last. Rafe and Jeremy have to travel great distances to find and make each other complete. Storybook tale of real life heartache. Recommend this well written book. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

I was so excited about this book as The Wishing Game was my favorite read of last year. This one was a struggle and I ended up not finishing the book. The book is very juvenile and reads more like a YA adult than anything. I'm sorry to say that this one just wasn't for me.

From the first page I loved this story with its sardonic all-knowing narrator and the mystery that pulled you into the deep West Virginia woods. The characters were complex and unique and their back stories teased you into reading hungrily.
My only criticism was the sexual element which developed gradually but eventually became center stage. The two best friends who are more than best friends is fine. I just prefer my fairy tales with a single chaste kiss to awaken the princess. This definitely turns this into an adults-only story, and I was hoping it would be a family read aloud. And it is not the same sex angle. I would feel that way if either young man paired with a girl..
You may welcome this modern aspect of a classic literary tale, but I wanted to give you a fair warning.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is her sophomore book following her debut, The Wishing Game. I adored The Wishing Game, flying through it and also not wanting it to end. This book involves more magical realism and is inspired by The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. However, it does not contain religious allusions like the inspirational text.

This novel begins with the story of two teenage boys who went missing on a hike and suspiciously reemerged from the woods not worse for wear six months later. Rafe and Jeremy have since gone their separate ways. Now, Emilie seeks out Jeremy who has become a bit famous for finding missing people to help her find her kidnapped sister whom she has never met.

Ramping up at about the halfway point, this novel had a slow start in my opinion and then a rushed conclusion. I would have liked more time with the wonderful cast of characters together and more depth for each of them with tighter exposition to open the story. That said, I had a good time reading and was happy when this book ended in a set up for a sequel or potential series.

CW: kidnapping, child abuse, toxic family relationships

This was such a fun read! It really did feel like a fairytale for adults. Shaffer says the story was inspired by Narnia, and that definitely comes across in the tale! The writing was lovely and the characters were so easy to root for. This story includes found family (a trope I never get tired of) and beautiful representation.

I did find the storyline to be pretty predictable, but it didn't really detract from my enjoyment at all! And it took me a minute to get used to the Storyteller interjections, but by the end I found those endearing as well.

Overall, a wonderful fairytale (unicorns included), and I hope there's another installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you, Meg Shaffer and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

There is a lot to unpack here. The imagination that went into this, the imagery, and the overall story was fantastic. Getting into this, I was wondering where it was going, and I'm so glad I stuck with it till the very end. I loved that there were little interruptions between chapters by the storyteller.' It was just something different I haven't seen yet and really enjoyed throughout the story. It's also cleansing in a way, going from the real world to a world of fantasy the way it did then back.

This book will have you wondering what happens to those who get lost. Do they really disappear, or are they just someplace else? Not only that, but this book explores what it means to fight fear and to believe in one another. Don't let fear bring you down, have the courage to do things, and if you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. This book has so many good teachings in it. Though there is some abuse in it, it's resolved in a wonderful way.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Of course, it's not my favorite by this author, yet I can not wait to see what's in store in the future.

eARC
The Wishing Game was one of my absolute favorite books of last year, so I was so excited to get access to this one. I didn’t read much about it and went for it, and I’m so glad I did. This book was like a warm hug. Shaffer’s writing and storytelling takes me back to my childhood reading days of spending time in stories that completely engross me and are so fun. There is lots of depth and some darker elements here. But I absolutely loved the magical elements and how they played into this story. I loved the narrator portions, how grief was explored, and the relationships between all the characters. I am so jealous of people who get to read it for the first time because it’s a magically wonderful story.

Books are magic! I could not wait to read this book and follow up to The Wishing Game. The cover alone will make you pick it up. What I really loved about this book and Meg Shaffer is that you are transported back to the magic and enchantment of childhood and reminds me of the magic of reading all those childhood fantasy books we enjoyed, and during the story pays tribute to them along the way. Described as a fairy tale for adults, this book did not disappoint. It is magical, beautifully written, telling the story of 3 friends, Rafe, Jeremy and Emilie who take you on a journey to an enchanted world with princes, knights, queens and magic. It has everything you look for in a really good fantasy book: friendship, family, secrets and especially all the of kinds of love we can feel in this world. I particularly enjoyed the whimsy of the narrator chapters along the way, that provided some lightness, wit and humor. You really do need to read this book especially if you are like me and were a lover of Narnia. Again, I will read anything that this author writes.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this unique, beautiful story.

Jeremy and Rafe disappeared fifteen years ago in a large state forest, making a magical reappearance six months later. Jeremy has now become well known for being able to find missing persons, and a young woman named Emilie needs help finding her sister. This leads them back to the forest they disappeared in many years ago.

I would not peg myself as a fantasy reader, but man this drew me in! I loved how this story was told with magical elements, but nothing that seemed too “out of this world” where I second guessed reading. I would love to visit this magical world! I do feel Jeremy and Rafe’s exit from the forest was abrupt and I was sad for them, but the author leaves room for a possible sequel I’d definitely read!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

It's not often, at almost 34, that I muster up the mental and physical stamina to marathon a 330 page book. But I read this in one-sitting, late into the night, like a teen that can afford to be half-asleep during first period.

I've read some great books so far this year, even books that evoked a similar sense of comforting nostalgia. But this is easily my favorite.

For fans of: Terry Pratchett, Dianna Wynn Jones, Douglass Adams, T. Kingfisher, Martha Wells, Neil Gaiman, Lemony Snickett, Seanan McGuire.