The Lost Story

I've never read The Chronicles of Narnia because by the time I discovered the series, I was already too old for fairy tales. Fortunately, I've now reached an age where I'm old enough to read them again, and while I keep saving Narnia for the future, I'm always drawn to books inspired by it.

The Lost Story has all the elements a fairy tale needs: princes and princesses, knights, magic, special animals, villains, unicorns, found family, romance, second chances, redemption, and, of course, a happy ever after.

This story has one of the most gripping beginnings I've experienced in a while, and I was ecstatic to dive into it. We follow Emilie, who, in search of her big sister, contacts Jeremy, a formerly lost boy with a special talent for finding girls in need. From there, we are introduced to a cast of lovable characters, learn their stories and secrets, and enter a magical world full of wonder and Fleetwood Mac.

For no particular reason, I was expecting this to be a fairy tale for adults and was anticipating something a bit darker. However, this is a fairy tale for everyone, which is exactly as it should be

A Captivating World of Wonder

Spoiler Alert: This review contains plot details that some readers might prefer to discover on their own .

The Lost Story was my first introduction to this author, and it left quite an impression. The book begins with two teenage boys, Ralph (Rafe) Howell and Jeremy Cox, who mysteriously vanish during a field trip in West Virginia’s fictional Red Crow State Forest. After six months of exhaustive searching, hope fades, and they are presumed lost—until the unthinkable happens: they suddenly reappear.

Where have they been? One of the boys refuses to answer, while the other seems genuinely clueless. Even stranger is their condition—they don’t look like they’ve suffered at all. On the contrary, they appear stronger, healthier, even … changed.

Fast forward 15 years: Jeremy has become a specialist in finding missing girls and women, while Rafe, after a harder recovery, has pursued a career in art. Once inseparable, the two have drifted apart. When Emilie, a young woman searching for her missing sister Shannon, seeks Jeremy’s help, he knows he can’t solve the mystery alone. Jeremy reaches out to Rafe, the one person who might hold the key to unlocking the truth. Their search forces them to confront their shared past—and re-enter the magical, mysterious world they left behind: Shanandoah (yes, that’s the spelling!).

This story is an enchanting blend of heartwarming character development and a vividly magical setting. The author weaves humor and emotion seamlessly, creating a tale that’s as intelligent as it is heartfelt. The relationship between Jeremy and Rafe is especially poignant, and their journey of rediscovery—both of themselves and each other—is as gripping as the central mystery.

If you enjoy books with big heart, delightful characters, and a touch of magic, I highly recommend The Lost Story. The audiobook, narrated wonderfully by Jorjeana Marie, adds an extra layer of charm, though the story shines in any format. It’s such a rare gem that I found myself wishing it were longer—a true testament to the author’s skill.

After reading The Wishing Game I had to get this book. I love this author's writing and story telling. 

I'm from WV and I loved how well the state is represented it doesn't include any stereotypes even in a joking manner from a character. 

This is a slower pace story, but it's a story I didn't want to rush through. Throughout the story we have a narrator commenting on what is happening and there is an option to skip a chapter. I did not skip the chapter and found it helpful in understanding Jeremy better. 

The world created in this story is magical and beautiful. I wish I could visit this world myself. I loved the characters and character growth and how the story develops. 

The last 50 or so pages does lag, but there is quite if a bit story to still wrap up. It's worth it. The ending felt fitting for the story. 

I saw that nod to The Wishing Game in the story. 

If you enjoyed The Wishing Game you'll love this one. Both stories have some similarities, but not in a formula aspect. 

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.