An absolutely BEAUTIFUL story - a fairytale for adults. I loved every minute of this book, except the fact that it was multi-pov and written in 3rd person.

I loved Shaffer’s The Wishing Game so I was eager to read this book. The best thing about The Lost Story is the character building. It’s very vivid and feels real. It’s rare to find M/M (male male) relationships in fantasy and this is one that’s amazingly lovely. Rafe and Jeremy are the reason to read this book.

I dislike the current trend of “reimaging” classics. And while it’s done well here it is still different than reading an original fantasy. I also found the storyteller breaks really cloying as if to mimic The Princess Bride. Those are my only two negatives about the book. The West Virginia locale works beautifully.

I was privileged to receive an ARC e-book. This was an enjoyable story with endearing characters. Gave me Narnia vibes. I wanted more of Emilie's story! Maybe it's coming??

Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Shaffer and Ballentine Books for this book.

I read it in less than one day and enjoyed it greatly.

The world Meg creates is amazing. The characters are captivating and engaging. I became totally immersed in this book.

I highly, highly recommend.

Rounding up from a 3.5. (For me, 3 is good book, 4 a great book, and 5 is something that deeply impacts me)

This was such a fun read, and I always looked forward to getting back into this world. I also really enjoyed adults playing such a major role in a fairytale, which made me feel like I was reading something from my childhood - reinvented. Hoping the story doesn't end here!

This one started out fairly strong, and I was quickly pulled into the story. The first half was intriguing and I liked the mystery of wondering what actually happened to the two boys who disappeared for 6 months in the forest and then turned up looking even better than before. The characters were interesting and I was looking forward to the fantasy portion, especially since this had been compared to the Narnia books.

Unfortunately, for me, the second half of the book fell a little flat. It definitely felt a little on the younger side of YA, which is totally fine, and I guess that makes sense with the Narnia comparison. Kind of low stakes and more of a bedtime story quality to the fantasy. Except for the parts involving the romance between the two male leads, where it felt heavily implied that there was lots of physical intimacy when they were young teens. Honestly, with that being the only romance in the book, I'm surprised that at the time of my review, there isn't a lgbt+ tag to make it easier for people to find this book if they're looking for that content.

I'm sure lots of people will enjoy this book, but it wasn't for me.

Imagine Narnia crossed with Lord of the Flies and you have an idea of what The Lost Story, by Meg Shaffer, is like. Two boys are lost in the West Virginia mountains, and are given up for dead. When they return home, Rafe has no memory of what has happened, and Jeremy has a gift for finding lost things and lost people. Fifteen years later, Emilee hires Jeremy to find her sister, who disappeared twenty years ago in the same mountains. The three of them are transported to another world full of magic.

It’s a very different book from what I usually read. I would have enjoyed it more if Jeremy & Rafe were not lovers. There are also a little bit of bad language in it. If you like fantasy, and don’t mind the homosexual relationship, it’ll be a good read. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Rating: 3.25-3.5 (DNF but picking up at a later point)

When starting The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer, I was automatically drawn to the book based on how much I enjoyed The Wishing Game. Throughout the story, I enjoyed the mystery of how Jeremy was secretive towards Rafe and Emilie and also enjoyed the witty banter between the three. I made it at around 58% when I decided to put a halt on the journey. Not because I didn't enjoy the book, but because I'm not able to live within the world that The Lost Story is.

Will I pick the book up again? Absolutely.

Would I recommend this to others? Most definitely.

My overall thoughts is that I'm leaving this book on a positive note and absolutely plan on picking this one up once more at a later time.

I am old enough for fairy tales and Meg Shaffer is my preferred author.

This book is one part Peter Pan, two parts Narnia and one part pure magic.

I loved everything about this book. The premise, The relationships. The narrator. Everything about this book is perfect. Books are magic, if you believe in them.

A wonderful follow up to The Wishing Game.

Reallly had to push myself to finish this one. I didn’t like the storyteller in this book at all. It felt disconnected from the rest of the story. I would say this is more of a YA book. I feel like the author had a good idea but really wasn’t able to make it work

After really loving The Wishing Game last year, I had high hopes for this Narnia-inspired follow up by the same author. While it did bring the nostalgia of a magical fairytale land with lots of adventure, and was overall an easy, light read, it didn’t quite hit all of the same marks as her debut novel did for me.

The Lost Story follows three main characters whose stories eventually intertwine and lead them into an enchanted land called Shanandoah, where they each find themselves confronting both their pasts and their futures. Emilie is a woman who recently discovered that she has a sister that went missing as a child in the Red Crow Forest, and Emilie is convinced that she is still alive somewhere and determined to find her. Ralph (a.k.a. Rafe) and Jeremy went missing in the same forest when they were teenagers and reappeared about six months later with no memory of their time while ‘lost’, but then soon lost touch with each other. Now 15 years after their own disappearance, they realize that there may be connections between their own missing persons story and Emilie’s sister’s, and the three team up and go on a quest to find the missing woman, Shannon.

While the story suggests that the characters are in their late 20s/early 30s, it read rather juvenile and more YA to me in terms of the dialogue and interactions between the characters. After a slow-burn of a set up for the first half of the book, the pace picked up in the second half with lots of action once the trio made their way to the magical kingdom. In terms of the plot, the story felt a little “baggy” to me, in that there were almost too many storylines and side plots that the author tried to weave in, to the point that it was sometimes hard to pull out the main plotline from all of the side stories and interactions going on at the same time. In addition to the main quest of trying to find Emilie’s sister, there are side plots of Jeremy and Rafe’s relationships with each of the moms and dads, Emilie’s own history with her adoptive mom and birth-family, and romances and friendships between the characters that almost became hard to follow at times.

All of that being said though, there were still some bright points of the story that I enjoyed! Every so often, the “Storyteller” narrating the story breaks the fourth wall and interjects with their own perspective, which added a bit of fun. There were also plenty of funny and touching moments throughout the book that kept me reading, and the child-like magical land was immersive in the best way. I think at the end of the day, my feelings about this one really came down to a mismatch between expectations and reality. I can certainly see this book working for readers who are looking for a light, easy, YA-ish story about enchanted kingdoms, family and found family, self-love and acceptance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I seriously cannot wait for this to be published. Thanks NetGalley, Meg Shaffer, and Ballentine Books for letting me read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is so beautifully written that it made me cry. I cannot recommend this book enough.

15 years ago 2 boys went missing in the woods of West Virginia only to turn up 6 months later without explanation to where they were. Now: Jeremy has become a finder of the lost, particularly lost girls. When Emilie approaches him and asks him to find her half sister, missing for 20 years, she is shocked to hear she is not only alive but Jeremy knows her. What unfolds is a story of magic lands, friendship and love.

I LOVED The Wishing Game and was so excited to receive this advanced copy from NetGalley and Ballantine Books. Sadly, this book didn’t have the magic I was hoping for. I’m sure people will greatly disagree with me but I promised to give me honest review. The book felt childish and maybe more of a YA book despite the characters being in their 20s/30s. I find the author’s writing style as a little unrefined but I thought since it was her second book it would be cleaner.The world of Shenandoah just felt too fake. When I read fantasy I want to really feel the world come to life and this one just felt flat. I felt that the characters were too trusting of each other and too friendly right from the jump than is realistic. The stars were Rafe and Jeremy and Emilie and Skya just seemed to be minimal to the plot. I did love the concept of the external storyteller and the humor infused in their commentary. I also appreciated that the story showed that relationships can be complicated. I just wish it all felt more authentic.

Rounded up from 2.5 stars.

I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel The Wishing Game, but The Lost Story didn’t work for me.

Two teenage boys, best friends, disappear in a forest and reappear months later. One, Rafe, remembers nothing; Jeremy, the other, breaks all ties with Rafe. Fifteen years later, the two boys have no contact. Jeremy has become a finder of lost people, and a young woman seeks his help finding her sister, who disappeared in the same forest years before the boys. Jeremy is willing to look for the sister, but he requires Rafe's help.

The enchanted world that lies beyond the disappearances is based on a child’s imagined fairy tale, but it’s a little TOO “child telling you a long long boring story. ” “And then, and then there were UNICORNS, and Rafe became a PRINCE and Jeremy became a KNIGHT and there was a staircase in a TREE and there were silver tigers and red crows and everything was MAGICAL ….”

If you are going to mold your story around a child’s fairy tale, there has to be something new. Something extra. I didn’t feel like The Lost Story had anything new or extra. It legitimately felt at times like a story a six-year old made up and won't stop talking about.

The story does try to deal with abusive parents and childhood trauma but it mostly just feels like an excuse to aim at adults an ordinary and predictable (I knew who the bad King of Lost Virginia was as soon as he was mentioned) fairy tale for children by throwing in a lot of pop culture references and some wink-nudge comments about Rafe, Jeremy, and the big sexy bed.

The best part was the pet rat, and I enjoyed the West Virginia setting. I will read the author’s next book, but this one was a miss for me. I read an advance reader copy of The Lost Story.

2 missing boys, a magical place and danger! This book was amazing! Meg Schaffer’s books always grab you! Her writing is amazing and immersive! Her stories take you into the book and make you feel like you are right there experiencing them’ I highly recommend this book!!

Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, childhood best friends, disappeared in a sprawling West Virginia forest during their youth, only to reemerge six months later with no memory of their whereabouts or survival.In "The Lost Story," readers are taken on an enchanting journey with a group of friends to a mystical fantasy realm. This narrative blends elements of fairy tales, mysteries, and romance.Shaffer masterfully crafts a tale that balances suspense and revelation, keeping readers engaged without leaving them in the dark for too long. I found myself engrossed, eagerly seeking answers to the characters' myriad secrets. While the story offers delightful and whimsical moments, it also delves into profound and challenging themes. My only regret is wanting more; upon finishing, I yearned to witness the characters' continued adventures.Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this read.

5.0 stars
HIGHEST recommendation

I received a complimentary Kindle e-book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Meg Shaffer; Ballantine Books; and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the second book Meg has written with it being as good as her first book, The Wishing Game! YEAH!!! I loved the book's premise, but don't want to give too much away. I would suggest thinking Narnia meets Alice in Wonderland with LGBT+ characters to make it so real!! Add a splash of Stevie Nicks thrown in for good measure!!

I took a while to read this book as I was trying to ration it. That didn't work as I was getting frustrated!! This is a fun, entertaining, and beautiful book!!

Read this book!!

A whimsical adventure that was different and refreshing. Messages about second chances, magic, forgiveness, found family, with a queer rep romance but not spicy.

A story of two lost boys who found a Narnia like kingdom only to suddenly return home after months away. One can't remember what happened and the other can't forget. Until years later, when a girl asks them to help find her long lost sister who went missing in the same place they did and they agree because somehow they know her. And that's where the adventure begins.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the arc! This was so different from what I usually read and I adored it. The first 40% was so intriguing, building the world, developing the characters, and weaving in the magic. The last 60% sends you into a world of magic and imagination, danger and consequences. The end was well done and I was happy with the conclusion and whispers of what might happen next for our boys.

Meg Shaffer is quickly becoming one of my auto-buys! This book is magic personified with Shaffer’s way of worldbuilding- this story is incredible. I was swept away from the very first page. Perfect for readers who love reading about adventure, love, romance and found family.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Lost Story" by Meg Shaffer is a captivating blend of friendship, mystery, and magic. Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, two boys who vanished in a West Virginia forest, reappear years later with no memory of their ordeal. Jeremy becomes a famous missing persons investigator, while Rafe lives as a recluse artist, still haunted by their past.

When Emilie Wendell seeks Jeremy's help in finding her missing sister, who disappeared in the same forest, the trio embarks on a journey that uncovers buried secrets and leads them back to the magical realm where Jeremy and Rafe spent six mysterious months.

Shaffer's storytelling is masterful, weaving fantasy, mystery, and romance into an unforgettable tale. The immersive world-building draws readers into a world of beauty and danger. The characters are complex and relatable, each struggling with their own demons.

"The Lost Story" explores friendship, memory, and storytelling themes as Jeremy and Rafe confront their past and the secrets they've kept. It's a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that lingers in the mind long after the last page.

Overall, "The Lost Story" is a magical, unforgettable read. Meg Shaffer has created a world and characters that will stay with you long after you've finished the book.