The Story of Our Secrets by Shari Low Blog Tour

 There are some stories that really pull at your emotions and can manage to make you full on ugly cry (that's not a bad thing) and that is just what Shari Low has the power to do.

Her latest novel, The Story of Our Secrets is a poignant story about love, loss and friendship that I think is written to simply make the reader feel everything.

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?

I hadn't read any books by Shari before so I went in with no expectations, came away wanting to read more.

Her writing style is one that slowly draws you in but with each page I felt more and more invested in the characters and where there story would lead them. I guess you could say that I was completely addicted.

Ultimately, this is the story of Colm and his second wife Shauna.

But we also get (a much needed) insight into the supporting character's lives too. I'd love to see a spin-off involving some of them.

There are two narrators.

First we have Colm, through the videos he's recording before he sadly passes away which you'll know from reading the blurb. And then we have narration Shauna in the present day, five years after Colm's death and it is clear to see that although she is getting on with her life, she isn't necessarily truly living it to its fullest.

With the help of lots of dialogue, we delve into both past and present. I love how we are provided with a full picture. Every scene, every person is well defined.

Talking of people. There are are cast of supporting roles, each one bringing something to the tale. There's Dan, Colm's best friend. Jess, Colm's ex-wife. And Lulu, Dan's ex-wife and Shauna's best friends. Their friendship's are at times complicated but their interactions always came across a real, honest.

I loved how Jess and Shauna managed to form a bond. Not just because they both had children with Colm but because they have a genuine connection. This is a blended family that simply fits together as one.

The conversations between all of the characters gave the story a boost of humour and happiness. A bit of banter  and sarcasm amongst building emotions meant that although the over all atmosphere of the story was a sad one, there was light amongst the darkness.

The Story of Our Secrets, although centred around grief, is actually a tale about hope and forgiveness. Dealing with some difficult subjects, as past and present intertwine Shari presents us with something beautifully meaningful.

I'll happily admit that I shed a few tears when reading.

Contemporary fiction that shows that it's ok to be sad, to feel sad and that there is no time limit for your emotions. Highly recommended.

Join the rest of the blog tour for more reviews and insights into this over all charming tale.