Oh, my goodness, what an emotional read this was! I think the author has managed to take my heart, mess it up a bit and then hand it back to me a little bit broken! We meet Colm O’Flynn five years before. Colm is dying and decides to record messages for his loved ones on his phone. Fast forward to the present day and his wife Shauna is still struggling to come to terms to life without him. She never found the messages which Colm left on his phone, and because he was taken from her so quickly she couldn’t find the closure she so desperately needed. She has a great group of close friends who are so supportive, but are also going through their own personal problems too.

This was a warm-hearted read which tugs at your heartstrings but makes you smile at the same time. Even though, in the present-day story it’s been years since Colm died, you really get to know him through his recordings and you realise he’s the kind of guy you would have liked. Shauna was equally just as likeable and her and her friends, Jess, Dan and Lulu made a great team and I loved their friendship together. The book tackles some difficult subjects revolving mainly around different kinds of grief, but as usual with this author, it’s dealt with sensitively with a little light hearted spin every now and then.

I’ve read many books by this author, and am always treated to warm, genuine reads where by the end of the book you feel like the characters are old friends. This book was no different and I was captivated by Colm and Shauna’s story very early in the book. The storyline flowed well, and I worked my way through the book quickly, with the occasional pauses for wiping the tears from my eyes! The book consists of a dual timeline of Shauna’s present-day story alongside Colm’s story some years before and this is done wonderfully uncomplicatedly. It’s a lovely read, with some great characters, and one which I would recommend.

This is definitely my favourite Shari Low novel and one of my favourite reads of this year. It’s perfect for fans of PS I Love you and is a complete and utter emotional roller coaster of a book – so prepare the tissues before you start!
This books is simply gorgeous! It’s a homage to love, friendships and all that is right and wrong with relationships. No relationship is perfect and no person is either and Shari explores all of these flaws that make some relationships so perfect in their own right through the combined grief and memories of 4 people who each hide their own secrets.
Each character is developed so well and despite having flaws and not always making the best choices, they are real. The way they interact with each other and the relationships all bound by Colm is simply a beautiful way to tell such an emotional story.
I love/hate the frustration a reader feels when they know something the characters don’t and it’s something so big that would change the course of everything. This feeling was strongly evoked whilst reading and it added some tension to the narrative too.
There are various romance elements to this novel but for me the friendships and how the different aspects all interacted with each other was the highlight.
This is such a fabulous novel and so heart-breaking And heart-warming at the same time. I cannot recommend it enough.

Shari Low is one of my absolute go-to authors. I don’t even need to read the blurb before I agree to review one of her books.

Yet again, she has managed to write a book that is both poignant and emotional, but to sprinkle it with her trademark humour.

Her characterisation is just superb. Her authentic dialogue makes for characters that feel so real. They’re not all perfect or loveable, but they feel as if you know them.

Colm leaves a series of video messages for his loved ones, and the use of various narrators and a dual timeline makes this story flow so well.

An emotional read but one that manages to tackle grief in an uplifting and heartfelt way, this beautifully written book will have you smiling through your tears.

OK, to be honest, I didn't finish. Usually I do not write a review if I leave a book unfinished, as it's unfair share my views without really reading but in this case, I wanted to say a few things (only on Netgalley).

The book starts well and I like the writing style, it was engaging in the beginning. But then it gets very slow and repetitive. We read the story from Shauna's perspective, which gets a bit boring. I liked Jess's character though, she's interesting.

The main problem was the blurb. It's a major giveaway. Why would you mention such important revelations in the blurb, which can be surprising elements of the story?

Thank you for the ARC, and sorry I didn't enjoy.

The Story of our Secrets is an emotional rollercoaster; it pulls at your heart strings whilst being peppered with humour throughout.

It’s a journey through the lives of four friends, all hugely different in personality, but all with one common thread- the loss of husband, ex-husband, and close friend Colm O’ Flynn.

Unbeknownst to the group, while Colm was in a hospice receiving treatment for his incurable brain tumour, he recorded a series of videos for each of them, explaining moments from the past as well as advice for the future.

As the story unfolds, prior to the discovery of these videos on his mobile phone, it seems that despite the mistakes he may have made in life, he has sound words of wisdom for them all.

Heart-warming, witty and thoroughly engaging, this latest novel from Shari Low is one not to be missed!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

A story of how a group of people are still mourning the death of Colm O'Flynn, five years after a brain tumour took his life prematurely. It's a gripping insight into the lives of those Colm left behind and how they've been coping with their lives.

Pragmatic characters, claustrophobic relationships, living in each other's pockets; a group of adults trying to make sense of their lives. Grief affects them all differently, therefore they don't all see eye to eye when confronted with controversial information because they've kept secrets from each other. It's a roller-coaster ride with brakes because somehow, these people could talk through their problems when confronted with them.

The narrative centres around Shaunna's deceased husband Colm and the video messages he left to his wife and those close to him; his ex-wife, Jess, Dan, his business partner and Lulu. Told from Shaunna and Colm's point of view, the timeline flits between the present and 2016, the year Colm died.

Although this is a stand-alone novel, those who have read The Story Of Our Life will be familiar with Colm and Shaunna. It isn't necessary to have read the earlier book as events from the past are part of the story covered within this novel. Therefore I'm curious to know what Colm's appeal was because I didn't really understand how this man, with so many flaws, could be such a loss to so many people. As a reader, there's nothing wrong with not liking a character, as his inclusion was only part of the sequence of events and the fallout and recovery. However, his messages to his friends are insightful, emotional and straight from the heart.

I've read other books by the author and I enjoyed this one too. Sometimes, it felt like the characters were going around in circles and when I was impatient to keep the story moving. Yet, the author still managed to keep my interest right to the end. I'm not a big fan of epilogues and although it was upbeat and happy, it didn't reveal any surprises.

Overall, a well thought out and written novel by an author whose work I admire.

***arc generously received courtesy of Boldwood Books via NetGalley***

🍁Shari Low is a new to me author, but with 21 other 4+ star books published (thank you GoodReads) I was excited to read this one!
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🍁This contemporary romcom was a great read. The writing had me hooked from the beginning, and it was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. For me this book was Nicholas Sparks meets Friends.
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🍁Colm O’Flynn has passed away unexpectedly. His family and friends are left reeling and trying to figure out how to live life without him, all the while dealing with their regrets of things they didn’t deal with while he was alive.
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🍁I don’t cry over books, but this book sure did make it a close call. I got so attached to all the characters and I wishing and hoping that it would all work out in the end. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I hadn't read the first book, but still enjoyed reading this book. Great characters and storyline, and I'd recommend it to all who enjoy character driven books.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having read a book by this author before I did have high expectations and oh wow this story went above and beyond them!

We have some wonderful characters in this book with lots of different things in their life but the one thing that they have in common in the passing of Colm O'flynn , he is the ex husband of Jess , the widow of Shauna and the best friend of Dan. They are all holding secrets from the past and present, what they don't know is that before he passed Colm left notes that will set them free from the secrets . Can they find them before it's too late for love?

The book has so much in it that just draws you into it , I'll admit I read this book fairly quick as it is so addictive, I just couldn't put it down. The way Shari uses words makes it a pleasure to read, it paints the pictures in your mind , it is fast paced and I honestly loved all the characters in the book in different ways they all added so much depth too the story. Another cracking read by a talented author!

Thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I should say right at the outset that I could not finish this book. Not because it was badly written or that the story wasn't interesting, but I realised about half way through that I was picking the story up too late. I probably should have read the first book so that I understood the characters and their motivations better.

The thing is, my husband is Irish and A LOT like Colm. He recently went through some health issues and this was just too close to home. No offence to the writer, who is obviously well-loved. What I read of the book was interesting and emotional - just a little too emotional for me at this time.

Added to that, the fact that I needed to read the first book to familiarise myself, and immerse myself in this world, was a little too much for me. Also, I really have to be in the mood for a tear-jerker and this book was ramping up to be a doozy.

I'm still rating it 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)

MY REVIEW: BLOG TOUR NOV 11 RACHELS RANDOM RESOURCES

The Story of Our Secrets
by: Shari Low
Boldwood Books

Shari Low's book is a story of healing and moving forward in life after the death of someone close. Her characters are real, honest, and flawed. Low captures the depth and range of emotions and actions during and in the aftermath of losing someone to a terminal illness.
At the center of the book is Colm, who documented messages to loved ones as he neared the end of his life. His first wife Jess, his second wife Shauna, his best friend Dan, and Dan's ex-wife Lulu round out the ensemble cast. The unique connections, conflicts, and closeness of this group are explored through dialogue, interactions, and flashbacks as they each process Colm's death. Marriage, parenting, divorce, dating, and friendship are extensively observed within the characters, as time passes. Mistakes are made along the way, and the themes of forgiveness and support shine through.
Low's writing is warm, candid, and often humorous. She offers an original story of people bonded by their relationship with Colm, and with complex and powerful ties with each other.
Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the advance reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#TheStoryofOurSecrets #NetGalley

I have been a fan of Shari’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written to date but I am getting there. I have read, reviewed and loved several of her books to date. I read the synopsis for ‘The Story Of Our Secrets’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Shari- a gripping and emotive read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Story Of Our Secrets’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me next to no time to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page I knew that although I would find parts of the story tough to read, I would find it almost nigh on impossible to put the book to one side for any length of time. Parts of the story were tough to read as one of the characters dies of cancer and my own father died of cancer nearly 17 years ago and I think that I was comparing what happens to Colm to what happened to my Dad. I soon got over that though and I became totally wrapped up in the story. From then on, I became addicted to the story and I used whatever time I had spare to read a bit more of the book and feed my story addiction a bit more. I soon seemed to charge through the book and before long, I got to the end of ‘The Story Of Our Secrets’. I found ‘The Story Of Our Secrets’ to be an emotive read for sure but also a gripping and interesting read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Story Of Our Secrets’ is superbly written but then that is also true of Shari’s books in general. Shari has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of her stories feels more like a chat between friends than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly gentle pace throughout. The story is narrated by the characters and each chapter is ‘voiced’ by a particular characters. Two timelines are used in the story – one timeline focusses on what happened during Colm’s diagnosis and subsequent death in the past and the other timeline focuses on what is happening in the present day. This way of telling the story works, the chapters interlink and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I felt as tough I was part of the story myself which is all thanks to Shari’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Story Of Our Secrets’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Shari’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

It’s five years since Shauna lost her husband Colm to a brain tumour – and there are still those nights when she’s unable to do any more than sit on the utility room floor with a bottle of prosecco, desolately watching her washing going round. Although they had plenty of opportunities, they could never bring themselves to talk about the future and what would happen after he was gone – and they never discussed those moments of guilt and betrayal that now figure large in her memories.

This book is largely about friendships – the friends they both shared have rallied round, and continue to do so, providing support to both her and her young daughter Beth. She now lives in the flat above Dan, after moving out from the home she had with Colm to escape the painful memories. Dan’s former wife Lulu is another close friend – she’s now remarried, indecently quickly, to a man she thinks will keep her in the style she feels she deserves, leaving Dan heartbroken. And then there’s Jess – she was Colm’s first wife, and through the years of sharing parenthood of Colm’s twin sons the women became firm friends.

There’s a degree of revolving doors about their various relationships, each having keys to each others’ flats, dropping in on a whim, sometimes looking for refuge with a suitcase in tow. Although the relationships between them all are volatile – and become increasingly so when Jess decides that both Shauna and Dan need her skills as a life coach, and even worse when a few deeply held secrets surface and complicate things further – the supportive friendships they all have are what keep them going.

And as we watch their relationships ebbing and flowing, all accompanied by jokey banter covering up the moments of sadness and heartbreak, we revisit Colm in the days before he died – making videos for them all, dealing with all those issues that they were never able to find the right time to talk about.

Every character in this book is exceptionally well drawn, and all their exchanges – the plot of this book is largely carried by the dialogue – have tremendous crackle and fizz and a lot of humour. And there’s also a lot of poignancy – I could really feel Shauna’s loss of the love of her life, and the depth of her regrets. But I must admit that I did struggle to take to either Lulu or Jess – the book’s pace was just a touch too frenetic for me (I’m sure many readers will love it), with a little too much banter and backchat, and I did find empathy and engagement just a little bit difficult. But I loved the deeper emotional content – the book’s conclusion is a real heartbreaker, and so very well-handled and cleverly done.

I did rather prefer her last book, with a wider and more diverse cast of characters – but I do really like Shari Low’s writing, which is certainly very different with a style that’s very much her own. I’ll very happily put my slightly less enthusiastic praise for this one down to wrong day, wrong book (hey, it happens…) – and I’ll still be very much looking forward to seeing what she does next.

Warm, witty and wise, The Story of Our Secrets is the addictive and compulsively readable new novel by the fabulous Shari Low.

Colm O’Flynn’s death came as a huge shock to all of his friends and family who simply weren’t ready to say goodbye to him. Loved by every single person who knew him, Colm was a large personality who left a very big void behind him. Three people who loved him deeply find themselves struggling with a maelstrom of heartache, guilt, sadness and regret that leave them wondering whether they will ever be able to unshackle themselves from the overwhelming pain that is threatening to consume them.

His second wife Shauna was head over heels in love with Colm. She worshipped the ground he walked on. However, Shauna has a secret: one night she had broken her marriage vows and Colm had died before she could ask for his forgiveness. Is Shauna destined to spend the rest of her life tormented by grief and regret? As she mourns the man she loves while trying to deal with her guilt, will Shauna ever manage to move on with her life? Or will her demons continue to follow her wherever she goes?

His first wife Jess wants to fall in love again. She has her heart set on somebody else and hopes that she will find the happiness that she has been seeking. However, will a one night stand that she had shared with Colm continue to haunt her? Meanwhile, Colm’s best friend Dan is recently divorced and has also decided to take a shot at happiness. But what price will he have to pay to find what he is seeking? Will his happiness mean betraying somebody who had meant everything to him?

What neither Jess, Shauna or Dan know is that Colm had left them messages that could lead them closer to the new beginnings they are seeking – but only if they have the courage to let go of the past and take a chance on love and themselves…

Shari Low’s The Story of Our Secrets is a wonderfully uplifting read that deals with serious subjects with a light touch that will keep readers turning the pages and have them laughing and crying – often on the same page. What I love about Shari Low’s books is that she creates characters that are flawed, believable and real. They are not perfect and they sometimes do things and make choices we don’t always agree with, but we take them to our hearts and are with them every step of the way and miss them when the book comes to a close and that is certainly the case for Jess, Shauna and Dan.

Intelligent, emotional and feel-good, Shari Low’s The Story of Our Secrets is an enjoyable, incisive and heartfelt tale readers are going to love.

I am a massive fan of Shari Low as her books always take me on an emotional journey and in the first few pages I knew this one would steal my heart.

We meet Colm straight away and know from this point on that this story won’t be straight forward and that there will be emotional highs and lows throughout as we learn about his relationship with Shauna and his gorgeous daughter Beth.

Set across a dual timeline 5 years apart we get to know Colm and then also what life was like for Shauna, Jess and Dan when we spend time with them in the future. I quickly learnt to love Dan and Shauna as they were easy going characters who are both trying to put one foot in front of the other. I took longer to warm to Lu and Jess as found them both to be prickly and they both take an emotional toll on Dan and Shauna.

This is a story that just keeps on giving as secrets come to light as they share their highs and lows in a bid to move on and I absolutely loved it

Told in the past, and present The Story of Our Secrets unfolds emotionally and insightfully. Colm, a reticent man, reveals his true feelings to his extended family through a series of messages made in his final days. It's both confessional and motivational. Shauna, his wife, shares her life experiences five years after his death. The reader learns the characters' deepest motivations and thoughts and the family/friendship dynamics that define their lives.

The complex relationships and flawed characters bring the story to vibrant life and make it relatable. Sensitively explored, death and loss are central themes, as are family and friendship. There are touches of humour to balance the poignancy, and it's an engaging read.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This read manages to weave together an underlying sadness and emotional moments with genuine humour. The protagonists are all vividly drawn, each with a distinctive personality. Drawn together through Colm, they are like a family which can never sever the ties. Complicated is an understatement as a word to describe their relationships. Running through the story is the voice of Colm from his hospice bed. You feel his desperation to live but anguish at time running out.
Family and friendships are totally at the centre of the story. Be prepared to shed some tears. I loved the pacing of the story, punctuated by Colm's inner thoughts. Driven to let his friends know his feelings at last, he has paused the avoidance tactics he usually hides behind. Through his daughter, Beth, you feel some normality and realise that as a family, the group of friends has done a good job at bringing her up. So much of the inner turmoil has been hidden beneath a veneer of carrying on. For warm, comforting writing with a huge slice of humour and great repartee, check this one out.
In short: A moving, endearing read.

Shari Low imagines some incredible characters and manages to bring them to life so that the reader becomes involved in their lives. This book is no exception.
Best read in long chunks to get the full Low experience.

Like a handful of other readers I struggled with this. The story seemed to meander along, I’m not sure if this is the author’s writing style or down to the theme of the story. A well written book but just not for me I’m afraid.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

This book covers the whole spectrum of human emotions. I laughed, cried and everything in between. A happy story, despite being centred around the death of a central character. Set six years after Colm O'Flynn's death from cancer, we meet his widow Shauna and her friends, who are her extended dysfunctional family. Colm's friend Dan, ex-wife Jess and Shauna's best friend and Dan's ex-wife Lulu. They make relationships work, they love each other, they have each other's backs. Until they don't. As always, Shari Low delivers a read that packs a punch and left me smiling through my tears. #netgalley #thestoryofoursecrets