New Publication Spotlight & Book Review: The Story Of Our Secrets by Shari Low

The Story Of Our Secrets by Shari Low

BLURB

Colm O’Flynn was loved by his close circle of family and friends, however his death came too soon for everyone to make peace with their past.
Shauna, his second wife, adored him. But one night she broke their marriage vows, and didn’t get time to ask Colm’s forgiveness.
Jess was the first Mrs O’Flynn. Her heart is set on someone new, but will the last one night stand she shared with Colm come back to haunt her?
Colm’s best friend, Dan, is recently divorced. Can he take a second shot at happiness if it means betraying the one person who always had his back?
What no-one knows is that somewhere out there Colm left messages that could set them free to start over again.
Can divine intervention help them find Colm’s last wishes before it’s too late to love again?

PURCHASE LINK

https://amzn.to/3DCKmTa

REVIEW

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***

AUTHOR BIO

Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 25 novels, including One Day In Summer, My One Month Marriage, and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.

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