I finally did it — I read a Jaime Jo Wright novel, and I loved every single second. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is an outstanding story. I was hooked from page one, and hated having to put this book down. The reason it has taken me forever to read a Wright novel is because I’m a baby. I have a hard time with books that are creepy or horror-like, and many, many people told me that Wright’s books fit the bill. I didn’t feel creeped out by this story at all. Rather, I felt enthralled by the mystery and suspense. Pages flew by because I had to know whodunnit…in both timelines. The structure of the story is my favorite aspect. I love how the mystery of the 1915 storyline permeated into the suspense of the 2023 storyline. Absolutely brilliant! Usually, when a story has two timelines, one timeline stands out as my favorite. In The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater BOTH timelines were my favorite equally. I was excited to be in the timeline I was reading, but I also eagerly anticipated getting back to the timeline I had just left. What talent to be able to write two unique storylines at the same time that both make me want to devour pages. The characters are all excellently crafted. I love how the 1915 storyline made me feel like I was watching characters from an Edward G. Robinson flick. The characters felt gritty and real and complicated. My heart hurt hard for Greta. I wanted so badly to enter the pages of the story and hug her and tell her everything will be OK. My tiger-mama instincts reared pretty hard with Greta. And that made me love Oscar all the more. My heart will always swoon for a man whose #1 goal is to protect, and, boy, did Oscar protect Greta. I also love how the 2023 storyline felt so realistic. I could easily be friends with Kit. I respect how deeply she cares for others, especially the downtrodden, the poor in spirit, and those who are just a touch different from “normal.” Evan is a great hero. I heartily enjoyed his banter with Kit, but I also liked how he was not afraid to tell Kit truth even if it hurt to hear it in the moment. I appreciate how this novel ends for Kit and Evan…with possibility. When one finishes a story, the story is typically finished. But leaving The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater is different. I am leaving this story feeling like it could still go on for Kit and Evan. I like the idea that these characters aren’t done yet. Like they could be out there in the world, growing into a happily ever after.

There is so much more to say about The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. I barely cracked the surface with this review. I didn’t touch on the lost boys, the abandonment issues of adopted children, the penchant in today’s society for “real-life” tv and ghost hunting, or the gaslighting people have always done in order to manipulate masses and masses of people. There is all that and so much more with this highly engaging, totally engrossing novel. If you are a fan of Wright’s work, if you love a good mystery and suspense story, and if you are a fan of characters that grip your interest from page one and refuse to let go, then you have to read The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater. This story is SO, SO good!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on October 9, 2023, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.