''Once Upon a Wardrobe' is a beautiful follow-up to 'Becoming Mrs. Lewis.' It's a love letter to books and stories with a meaningful message. Megs and her family learn that fantastical tales are more than mere ways to appease young children. Stories are nourishment for the souls that need joy the most, and sometimes they're the only thing that can help us understand life.'
The Washington Post
'Full of magic, nostalgia and a sister's love, Coben calls this novel 'a love letter to those of us obsessed with C.S. Lewis's Narnia series.''
TODAY
'Patti Callahan's powerful and captivating new novel ponders how the events in C.S. Lewis' life, particularly his childhood, inspired him to create the magical and mythical world of Narnia and the cast of characters inhabiting it . . . Readers will reach for it again and again, eager to be reminded that love will prevail and imagination leads people down fantastical paths. Some books are read and forgotten soon after; others linger forever in one's mind, popping up from time to time when something relevant sparks the memory. ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is certainly the latter and will be cherished by anyone who reads it.'
BookReporter.com
'This beautiful and soul-touching book is about death and dying, but it also reminds us that new chapters remain for those of us who are left behind.'
Historical Novel Society
'Once Upon a Wardrobe is a poignant meditation on the lengths we will go to for our loved ones as well as a fascinating glimpse into the early life of C. S. Lewis. Patti Callahan's beautiful, life-affirming novel is a reminder that literature lives inside us, and that when we read someone else's story, we understand so much more about our own. A gorgeous, compelling book.' --Janet Skeslien Charles, award-winning author of The Paris Library
'Exquisitely heartfelt, Once Upon a Wardrobe is a love letter to the magic of stories. I call it the Callahan Effect--from the first page to the last, Patti Callahan's wise and beautiful prose draws you in and doesn't let you go.' --Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of First Frost and Lost Lake
'I advise you to read this book, then wait for a while and then read it again. For while it may not be Narnia, there is magic in it.' --Douglas Gresham, C. S. Lewis's stepson
'In this powerful, enchanting tale for all ages, readers uncover the inspiration for Lewis's famous books, while at the same time discovering the way in which stories--and myths--weave through our existences, subtly transforming us in immeasurable ways. Stunning.' --Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
'With a touch of fairy-tale magic, Once Upon a Wardrobe will take you behind the legend and deep into the English and Irish countryside, where you'll encounter not only the inspirations for one of the 20th century's most beloved works but also a tale of heartache, hope, and discovery that will forever change the Narnia you thought you knew.' --Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
From Patti Callahan, the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, comes another enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis.
The Nerd Daily
More than just a clever way to tell the story of Lewis' life, the book explores the power of story and the importance of imagination.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution