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The Story of Our Life
Unwind, laugh, cry ... but feel uplifted with this bittersweet love story. Perfect for the fans of Jo-Jo Moyes and Marian Keyes.
So what would you do if your ‘happy ever after’ was stolen from you?
Colm strolled into my life fifteen years ago. If there's ever such a thing as love at first sight, that was it for us both. A few weeks later we married, celebrating with those who cared, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the cynics.
We knew better. This was going to be forever. The dream come true. The perfect ending. Until it wasn't.
Because a couple of months ago everything changed. We discovered a devastating truth, one that blew away our future and forced us to revisit our past, to test the bonds that were perhaps more fragile than they seemed.
So now I ask you again, what would you do if your ‘happy ever after’ was taken from you?
Because this is what I did.
I'm Shauna.
And this is the Story of Our Life...
So what would you do if your ‘happy ever after’ was stolen from you?
Colm strolled into my life fifteen years ago. If there's ever such a thing as love at first sight, that was it for us both. A few weeks later we married, celebrating with those who cared, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the cynics.
We knew better. This was going to be forever. The dream come true. The perfect ending. Until it wasn't.
Because a couple of months ago everything changed. We discovered a devastating truth, one that blew away our future and forced us to revisit our past, to test the bonds that were perhaps more fragile than they seemed.
So now I ask you again, what would you do if your ‘happy ever after’ was taken from you?
Because this is what I did.
I'm Shauna.
And this is the Story of Our Life...
316 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2016
1582 people are currently reading
1298 people want to read
About the author
Shari Low
76 books1,462 followers*No1 Best Selling Author*
In January 2001, Shari Low's Low's first novel, What If? was published. Since then, Shari has published over 35 books, and sold three million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. In 2023, she had three consecutive #1 best sellers - One Day With You, One Moment in Time and One Christmas Eve. Her first release of 2024, One Year After You, also hit the #1 spot.
In late 2020, her first novel, What If?, was updated and re-published, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.
Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.
In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.
For all the latest news, visit her on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at www.sharilow.com
In January 2001, Shari Low's Low's first novel, What If? was published. Since then, Shari has published over 35 books, and sold three million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. In 2023, she had three consecutive #1 best sellers - One Day With You, One Moment in Time and One Christmas Eve. Her first release of 2024, One Year After You, also hit the #1 spot.
In late 2020, her first novel, What If?, was updated and re-published, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.
Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.
In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.
For all the latest news, visit her on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at www.sharilow.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 29, 2016
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I am not really sure how I want to rate this book. On one hand, the story held my interest, but on the other hand, the blurb really had nothing to do with the book. I am clearly in the minority since there are so many glowing reviews...
Let me start by saying that the blurb is what drew me in and what compelled me to request this. The writing style of synopsis, the way the question is phrased "what would you do if your husband slept with another woman" the whole "here's what I did". It just drew me in and I was expecting a story about a couple dealing with the aftermath of an affair. Read the synopsis and tell me you are not with me.
Let me just say that this book, quite truthfully, has nothing to do with Shauna's husband sleeping with another woman and how she handled it. It is barely a blip on the radar. Now, true to the title, it is the story of Colm & Shauna's life. And it was an engaging story of their life together, it certainly kept me entertained enough not to abandon it. But I just feel so thoroughly mislead. I know it shouldn't affect my enjoyment of the book, but it really did. The entire time I kept thinking that I wish the book had been written in the same styling of the synopsis and that I couldn't understand what any of the story had to do with what Shauna did.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and I really wish I could give it a better star rating, but I really feel that there is a huge disconnect in the way the book is presented and what the book is really about. Therefore, I can only give it 2 stars. Perhaps if my expectations hadn't been so different, I would have enjoyed it a lot more because usually enjoy family dramas. I would recommend that the publisher rethink the synopsis so that it reflects the actual story.
I am not really sure how I want to rate this book. On one hand, the story held my interest, but on the other hand, the blurb really had nothing to do with the book. I am clearly in the minority since there are so many glowing reviews...
Let me start by saying that the blurb is what drew me in and what compelled me to request this. The writing style of synopsis, the way the question is phrased "what would you do if your husband slept with another woman" the whole "here's what I did". It just drew me in and I was expecting a story about a couple dealing with the aftermath of an affair. Read the synopsis and tell me you are not with me.
Let me just say that this book, quite truthfully, has nothing to do with Shauna's husband sleeping with another woman and how she handled it. It is barely a blip on the radar. Now, true to the title, it is the story of Colm & Shauna's life. And it was an engaging story of their life together, it certainly kept me entertained enough not to abandon it. But I just feel so thoroughly mislead. I know it shouldn't affect my enjoyment of the book, but it really did. The entire time I kept thinking that I wish the book had been written in the same styling of the synopsis and that I couldn't understand what any of the story had to do with what Shauna did.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and I really wish I could give it a better star rating, but I really feel that there is a huge disconnect in the way the book is presented and what the book is really about. Therefore, I can only give it 2 stars. Perhaps if my expectations hadn't been so different, I would have enjoyed it a lot more because usually enjoy family dramas. I would recommend that the publisher rethink the synopsis so that it reflects the actual story.
August 5, 2017
So emotional. RTC.
December 22, 2016
Colm and Shauna loved each other at first sight. They married a few months afterwards and can't imagine a life without one another any longer. Fifteen years later things are different, the unexpected has happened to them. They won't get a happily ever after, because of something devastating and there's nothing they can do to prevent it.
Colm and Shauna's relationship was easy at first. They mainly had fun together and that's exactly Colm's area of expertise. When after a few years of being married things started to get difficult they faced their first problems. They went through happy and sad times together and fifteen years later they are still married. They're working hard to give their daughter as much love and joy as they possibly can. The news they get changes all the plans they have for their future. Will Colm and Shauna be strong enough together to face what's happening to them?
The Story of Our Life is a beautiful heartbreaking story. I shed plenty of tears while I was reading it. Colm and Shauna are authentic characters, they aren't perfect, they have their flaws and they struggle through life just like everyone else. I loved that about this book. It's real, raw and honest. That's also why it made me sad, because it's so realistic. I was mad at the main characters quite a few times. They sometimes make stupid decisions or don't think at all which leads to complex situations. I often liked them, but disliked them every now and then as well, because they're human and they make mistakes, which is exactly the reason why this book is so special.
Shari Low has a vivid writing style. She's good at expressing emotions and for me it was easy to both understand and feel them. The Story of Our Life is gripping and incredibly moving. There were wonderful moments and grief at the same time. There's a lot of depth and Shari Low thoroughly describes the feelings of her characters. I always understood their way of thinking. Both Shauna and Colm are trying to make sense of the rollercoaster that is life and Shari Low has written about that in a creative and compelling way.
The Story of Our Life is a fantastic book. Sometimes a book doesn't have to bring happiness. I felt the sadness in my heart and there is a lot of beauty in that as well. The Story of Our Life is a novel that has definitely left a lasting impression and I highly recommend it.
Colm and Shauna's relationship was easy at first. They mainly had fun together and that's exactly Colm's area of expertise. When after a few years of being married things started to get difficult they faced their first problems. They went through happy and sad times together and fifteen years later they are still married. They're working hard to give their daughter as much love and joy as they possibly can. The news they get changes all the plans they have for their future. Will Colm and Shauna be strong enough together to face what's happening to them?
The Story of Our Life is a beautiful heartbreaking story. I shed plenty of tears while I was reading it. Colm and Shauna are authentic characters, they aren't perfect, they have their flaws and they struggle through life just like everyone else. I loved that about this book. It's real, raw and honest. That's also why it made me sad, because it's so realistic. I was mad at the main characters quite a few times. They sometimes make stupid decisions or don't think at all which leads to complex situations. I often liked them, but disliked them every now and then as well, because they're human and they make mistakes, which is exactly the reason why this book is so special.
Shari Low has a vivid writing style. She's good at expressing emotions and for me it was easy to both understand and feel them. The Story of Our Life is gripping and incredibly moving. There were wonderful moments and grief at the same time. There's a lot of depth and Shari Low thoroughly describes the feelings of her characters. I always understood their way of thinking. Both Shauna and Colm are trying to make sense of the rollercoaster that is life and Shari Low has written about that in a creative and compelling way.
The Story of Our Life is a fantastic book. Sometimes a book doesn't have to bring happiness. I felt the sadness in my heart and there is a lot of beauty in that as well. The Story of Our Life is a novel that has definitely left a lasting impression and I highly recommend it.
March 2, 2017
The story of our life really pulled at my heart strings and may have even made me shed a tear or two.
A bittersweet love story of a couple throughout their married life together. You come to really know the characters and fall in love with them as you share with them all their memories and moments and learn that nobody is perfect and either are their relationships. We all make mistakes but we can either let them tear us apart or use them to grow.
A very well written story that will captivate you.
A bittersweet love story of a couple throughout their married life together. You come to really know the characters and fall in love with them as you share with them all their memories and moments and learn that nobody is perfect and either are their relationships. We all make mistakes but we can either let them tear us apart or use them to grow.
A very well written story that will captivate you.
January 6, 2018
Lies, cheating, and a lot of drama.
June 8, 2016
Deeply moving, insightful, and sweet.
This is a heartwarming story that, ultimately, reminds us how precious life really is.
It has a wonderful cast of characters that are strong, real, and empathetic. And the plot is written in a past/present, back and forth, style that gives a wonderful depth and appreciation to all the personalities and relationships within it.
The writing is extremely well done, and you will not only laugh, but cry, as this tale of love, heartbreak, friendship, hardship, and loss unfolds.
It truly is a lovely, bittersweet novel that was a pleasure to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Aria Fiction, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
This is a heartwarming story that, ultimately, reminds us how precious life really is.
It has a wonderful cast of characters that are strong, real, and empathetic. And the plot is written in a past/present, back and forth, style that gives a wonderful depth and appreciation to all the personalities and relationships within it.
The writing is extremely well done, and you will not only laugh, but cry, as this tale of love, heartbreak, friendship, hardship, and loss unfolds.
It truly is a lovely, bittersweet novel that was a pleasure to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Aria Fiction, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
July 22, 2017
Loved it!! Couldn't put it down!!
October 25, 2019
Special Thanks must go to @Aria_Fiction @sharilow and @NetGalley for allowing me to review this wonderful book.
This really was a lovely book to read, heartwarming and a really enjoyable story. It had everything friendship, tears, laughter.
But believe me, you will not want to put it down.
Waterproof mascara on the commute a must!!
https://thereadingshed.wordpress.com/
This really was a lovely book to read, heartwarming and a really enjoyable story. It had everything friendship, tears, laughter.
But believe me, you will not want to put it down.
Waterproof mascara on the commute a must!!
https://thereadingshed.wordpress.com/
August 10, 2020
Very emotional! 😔
March 27, 2019
Whilst the story held my attention I think the blurb on the back of this does need reviewing. Initially I thought it would be how a woman deals with the aftermath of her husband cheating.
Not the case!
It's more to do with an illness and the story is played out in current and past moments.
I really liked the love story of Shauna and Colm. True sweet hearts, married within months. Seemed the perfect love story, don't they all for a while?
I think this is more about appreciating what you have in your own relationship and how short time can be.
Not the case!
It's more to do with an illness and the story is played out in current and past moments.
I really liked the love story of Shauna and Colm. True sweet hearts, married within months. Seemed the perfect love story, don't they all for a while?
I think this is more about appreciating what you have in your own relationship and how short time can be.
September 14, 2016
The tag line of this book 'so what would you do if your husband slept with another woman' is a little deceiving. This is not the story of the book only a little snippet.
Apart from that little niggle I really loved this book, great story and really likeable characters. Would be a great drama on TV.
Will be looking out for other books by Shari Low.
Apart from that little niggle I really loved this book, great story and really likeable characters. Would be a great drama on TV.
Will be looking out for other books by Shari Low.
May 13, 2017
The tag line was misleading but I absolutely loved this book. Characters were realistic, flawed, and relatable. I cried more than a few times. Wish there had been a bit more at the end about how the actual event went down, but still loved it.
November 27, 2020
The Story of Our Life is set around the Richmond area of London. Twickenham, Kew, Heathrow, Notting Hill, the River Thames and numerous London locations all get a mention.
The story goes back to when Shauna and Colm met in 2001 to present day 2015/6. This style of story is not normally my preferred read but credit to the author for making it pleasant to follow and easy to make sense of.
As with all other Shari Low books that I’ve read so far, this story is very emotional and full of real characters and relatable life scenarios. Friends, family, romance, leisure, work and death.
It had several laugh out loud moments, and others that made me cry. People don’t always set out to hurt others, but for whatever reasons they do. It was easy to put yourself right in the story and it certainly makes you think about your own life and loved ones.
Another highly recommended emotive read from Shari Low.
You can read more from these characters in the One Day in Winter series.
The story goes back to when Shauna and Colm met in 2001 to present day 2015/6. This style of story is not normally my preferred read but credit to the author for making it pleasant to follow and easy to make sense of.
As with all other Shari Low books that I’ve read so far, this story is very emotional and full of real characters and relatable life scenarios. Friends, family, romance, leisure, work and death.
It had several laugh out loud moments, and others that made me cry. People don’t always set out to hurt others, but for whatever reasons they do. It was easy to put yourself right in the story and it certainly makes you think about your own life and loved ones.
Another highly recommended emotive read from Shari Low.
You can read more from these characters in the One Day in Winter series.
September 25, 2017
To term this a ‘bittersweet love story’ is to undersell this book - it is so much more than that. A whole range of issues and emotions are explored;
relationships with friends and family, the highest and lowest moments in life, and from one tragedy to the next. My heart soared, and broke. I laughed and I cried.
Told from both Shauna’s and Colm’s viewpoint, Shari Low has cleverly kept the reader in tune with who was doing the talking at the start of each chapter. I generally don’t like it when the story flicks between past and present, however I think in this instance it has worked well to bring the story and characters together.
relationships with friends and family, the highest and lowest moments in life, and from one tragedy to the next. My heart soared, and broke. I laughed and I cried.
Told from both Shauna’s and Colm’s viewpoint, Shari Low has cleverly kept the reader in tune with who was doing the talking at the start of each chapter. I generally don’t like it when the story flicks between past and present, however I think in this instance it has worked well to bring the story and characters together.
January 29, 2018
not a book that will profoundly change my life but it opens up a new perspective and the way it's written is just so heartfelt that you can't help but feel what the characters are feeling as they go through their moments, as they wait for news, as they hope, as they worry.
I just loved it
I just loved it
February 6, 2018
4.5* rating
Another great and at times heart wrenching read from Shari Low.
Another great and at times heart wrenching read from Shari Low.
February 9, 2017
An easy and enjoyable book to wind down and relax with but be sure to have a tissue handy!
April 20, 2019
Another exceptional Shari Low book! I laughed, I cried, I too quickly got to the end! An absolutely beautiful and real book. For fans of Me Before You.
March 10, 2017
It's not often that a book makes me cry and laugh and become so enthralled that I can't put it down but this one did... it's a beautifully written story with twists and turns and characters that you fall in love with. A wonderful read....
June 13, 2017
Ok, I have to admit, I read a slightly different blurb online to the one I’ve included here, which is on the back of my cover. The blurb I read online was, I think, a bit misleading which is perhaps why this one is different. I went in expecting the story to go in a certain direction and although it does eventually go in that direction, it’s only a very small part of what’s going on and most of the focus is elsewhere.
Shauna had commitment issues due to being raised by self-absorbed parents completely and utterly disinterested in their only offspring…until she met Colm. The attraction was immediate and they fell into a relationship and married just weeks later. It was love at first sight and for many years, their relationship and life, was idyllic. It had its ups and downs and money worries like just about every other married couple but they remained in love and devoted to one another. Only Shauna’s longing for a child and Colm’s ambivalence about whether or not it happened provided a real blight on their marriage.
Fifteen years later, their world is rocked by horrible news, something that changes everything about who they are as a couple and what the future holds for them. I find books like this quite hard to read because they force me to address what I’d do in these sorts of situations and it’s never really a pleasant thing to think about.
The book is told in a back and forth manner, beginning rather vaguely in the present and then taking the reader back to 2001 when Shauna and Colm meet. The book jumps back and forth in time constantly, with chapters giving the year in which they take place as well as a relevant title, like 2001 “When Shauna Met Colm”, 2009 “The Revelation” and 2016 “Balancing the Books”. This works pretty well because you get a chance to really have the background of Shauna and Colm established (as well as their friends’) but in a way that allows more of the present day to feature evenly throughout the story, rather than having it chronological and all of the things currently taking place at the end of the book.
I found this book very realistic, from Shauna and Colm’s whirlwind courtship, to the dramas they faced in the present day – it just felt very genuine. They went through things that many couples do, they struggled to get businesses off the ground and just get ahead. But even though they had their difficulties and both of them had their faults, they still managed to maintain this really wonderful relationship underneath all of that. It went through ups and downs, ebbs and flows and wasn’t incredibly idyllic all of the time. This book was a very bittersweet portrayal of a lasting romance and relationship and it definitely left me with some emotional reactions.
When the biggest challenge of all was revealed, that felt realistic too. I don’t want to spoil what it is because I think the book works better if you don’t know – the clues are there before the reveal but it unfolds in a way that feels right, like how it would if you were living this yourself. Colm and Shauna both make mistakes and I’m not sure how I feel about the same mistake that they both make. I felt like in a way it sort of took away from the main part of the story because I spent a lot of time thinking about those mistakes and wondering if it was really realistic – it felt like the only part of the book that was a bit jarring for me and I can’t work out if that’s because of my personal feelings about it or if it was just unnecessary to the story. Going to have to ponder on that one a bit more.
Apart from that though, I did really enjoy this book – it was a great introduction to Shari Low and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more of her books as she has quite an extensive backlist to explore.
Shauna had commitment issues due to being raised by self-absorbed parents completely and utterly disinterested in their only offspring…until she met Colm. The attraction was immediate and they fell into a relationship and married just weeks later. It was love at first sight and for many years, their relationship and life, was idyllic. It had its ups and downs and money worries like just about every other married couple but they remained in love and devoted to one another. Only Shauna’s longing for a child and Colm’s ambivalence about whether or not it happened provided a real blight on their marriage.
Fifteen years later, their world is rocked by horrible news, something that changes everything about who they are as a couple and what the future holds for them. I find books like this quite hard to read because they force me to address what I’d do in these sorts of situations and it’s never really a pleasant thing to think about.
The book is told in a back and forth manner, beginning rather vaguely in the present and then taking the reader back to 2001 when Shauna and Colm meet. The book jumps back and forth in time constantly, with chapters giving the year in which they take place as well as a relevant title, like 2001 “When Shauna Met Colm”, 2009 “The Revelation” and 2016 “Balancing the Books”. This works pretty well because you get a chance to really have the background of Shauna and Colm established (as well as their friends’) but in a way that allows more of the present day to feature evenly throughout the story, rather than having it chronological and all of the things currently taking place at the end of the book.
I found this book very realistic, from Shauna and Colm’s whirlwind courtship, to the dramas they faced in the present day – it just felt very genuine. They went through things that many couples do, they struggled to get businesses off the ground and just get ahead. But even though they had their difficulties and both of them had their faults, they still managed to maintain this really wonderful relationship underneath all of that. It went through ups and downs, ebbs and flows and wasn’t incredibly idyllic all of the time. This book was a very bittersweet portrayal of a lasting romance and relationship and it definitely left me with some emotional reactions.
When the biggest challenge of all was revealed, that felt realistic too. I don’t want to spoil what it is because I think the book works better if you don’t know – the clues are there before the reveal but it unfolds in a way that feels right, like how it would if you were living this yourself. Colm and Shauna both make mistakes and I’m not sure how I feel about the same mistake that they both make. I felt like in a way it sort of took away from the main part of the story because I spent a lot of time thinking about those mistakes and wondering if it was really realistic – it felt like the only part of the book that was a bit jarring for me and I can’t work out if that’s because of my personal feelings about it or if it was just unnecessary to the story. Going to have to ponder on that one a bit more.
Apart from that though, I did really enjoy this book – it was a great introduction to Shari Low and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more of her books as she has quite an extensive backlist to explore.
August 1, 2017
Such a poignant picture of life it all its shame and glory. These characters span the spectrum from odious to broken to resilient, courageous, and beautiful. Events that shatter, yet love triumphs.
June 18, 2016
Who doesn’t love a good, old fashioned love story? I know I do, but The Story of Our Life is not your typical love story. Boy does not meet girl, get married, have 2.5 kids and they live happily ever after. No, this is real and raw, yet it is still a touching love story.
The pace of this book is perfect. It skips back, touching on important moments in Colm and Shauna’s lives fifteen years ago, all the way to the present. Shauna is the main narrator but a few times the story is told from Colm’s perspective. This works fantastically as it keeps the reader engaged and ready to find out more. You know if one of them begins telling a story about a night in 2009 that it is an important part of their story and you need to pay attention. It is not confusing at all, as every chapter tells you what year it is and a brief title description tells the reader what is coming up.
What I loved the most about this novel is that Colm and Shauna are completely relatable, especially if you have been or are married. Yes, these two love each other deeply, but they are human and they make mistakes just like the rest of us. They are stubborn, selfish, funny, but most importantly they are real. They deal with heartbreaks, grief, divorce, drama amongst a tight knit group of friends, infidelity, betrayal, illness. Everything that we all face through the course of our lives.
The secondary characters in this book are fantastic as well. They too are raw and honest and Low forces the reader to care about what is going on in their lives as well. There are Shauna’s uncaring and cold parents, their beloved daughter Beth, Colm’s twin boys from his previous marriage to Jess, their best friends Dan and Lulu, Rosie, who has been Shauna’s closest friend most of her life, Vincent, Shauna’s business partner, and my absolute favorite, Annie, Shauna’s grandmother. This colorful cast of supporting characters adds warmth and humor throughout the book.
Without spoiling anything, I only wish I could change the ending. I desperately wanted Colm and Shauna to get their much deserved happy ending. But that is just selfish on my part, as Low clearly wanted to tell a true, modern love story where life is not even close to perfect, but yet is truly beautiful.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Thanks to Netgalley and Aria for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Full review can be found on www.novelgossip.com
June 13, 2016
The sub section of the title on Amazon for promotional purposes says A bittersweet love story, and just for once it is spot on. I can't think of any better way to describe this brilliant book other than bittersweet. It is full of emotion in some places, had me welling up with tears many times during the book, but in amongst it, were light hearted moments, back in the early days of Colm and Shauna's story.
The book alternates between the story of how Colm and Shauna met and their early years, while the other chapters deal with the most recent year of their lives, with all the ups and downs that it entails.
Although from the start you are 99% positive of the final outcome of the story, just from the way it is written, but despite that I found myself rooting for a different outcome. I was convinced there was no way the book was going to surprise me, but it did, but I can't talk about that, as it would give away some of the conclusion.
This is in a lot of ways a hard book to review as so much of what I possibly would have wanted to say, would potentially give away the plot, so I am going to keep quiet. The writing is beautiful and emotive, and I must say that Shauna's parents have to be in one of the most dysfunctional relationships I have read for years.
As you would potentially expect there does need to be some light relief in this book to counter act just some of the emotion, and Annie is just that character. She is Shauna's gran and is a breath of fresh air, with how she treats Shauna, and also some of the lines she comes out with . For a ladies in her 70s she is active and fun, and continually eyeing up younger men!
We also get to know Shauna's best friends very well, especially Dan and Lulu who are another couple who I just can't understand their relationship...but history sort of repeats itself, as is also evidenced by Lulu's parents. Seriously the parentals relationships in this book are confusing , I don't fully agree with them but they will get you thinking, or being thankful they aren't your own.
An incredibly well written story, that I found my thoughts turning towards, even while I wasn't reading, and probably one of the most mature books I've read for while and definitely by Shari Low.
Thank you so much to Aria and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
The book alternates between the story of how Colm and Shauna met and their early years, while the other chapters deal with the most recent year of their lives, with all the ups and downs that it entails.
Although from the start you are 99% positive of the final outcome of the story, just from the way it is written, but despite that I found myself rooting for a different outcome. I was convinced there was no way the book was going to surprise me, but it did, but I can't talk about that, as it would give away some of the conclusion.
This is in a lot of ways a hard book to review as so much of what I possibly would have wanted to say, would potentially give away the plot, so I am going to keep quiet. The writing is beautiful and emotive, and I must say that Shauna's parents have to be in one of the most dysfunctional relationships I have read for years.
As you would potentially expect there does need to be some light relief in this book to counter act just some of the emotion, and Annie is just that character. She is Shauna's gran and is a breath of fresh air, with how she treats Shauna, and also some of the lines she comes out with . For a ladies in her 70s she is active and fun, and continually eyeing up younger men!
We also get to know Shauna's best friends very well, especially Dan and Lulu who are another couple who I just can't understand their relationship...but history sort of repeats itself, as is also evidenced by Lulu's parents. Seriously the parentals relationships in this book are confusing , I don't fully agree with them but they will get you thinking, or being thankful they aren't your own.
An incredibly well written story, that I found my thoughts turning towards, even while I wasn't reading, and probably one of the most mature books I've read for while and definitely by Shari Low.
Thank you so much to Aria and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
July 20, 2016
I was given the opportunity to read this book thanks to NetGalley and Aria and I am so glad that I was able to. The tagline for this book mentions "a bittersweet love story" and those four words could not describe this book any better. It is truly the best way to describe this story. It is definitely one of my favorite books I've read recently.
This story alternates between telling about Shaun and Colm's early years to their most recent years dealing with the highs and the lows of a love story. We also get to meet their very best friends Dan and Lulu who have an interesting relationship in itself. They are with Shaun and Colm from the very beginning and have a great friendship. Shaun and Lulu grew up as best friends because of their parents and Dan and Colm own a business together.
We also get introduced to their other best friend Rosie who wants so desperately to be in love and start a family but she can never seem to find a guy to settle down with and who can make it past the "two-year mark". Wait until you see how her story ends!
We meet the "beloved" parents of Lulu and Shaun as well and that is certainly an interesting dynamic. Their parents were never the loving and doting parents as children so desperately long for but the light at the end of the tunnel in that dynamic is Shaun's gran, Annie. She is a lively character who tells it like it is and is always Shaun's biggest fan. She is in her 70s but still so active and fun!
This book had me wanting to do nothing but read all the time to find out more and more. It will definitely keep your attention and you won't be sorry that you picked this book up.
Thanks again to Aria for allowing me to read this book and to Shari Low for writing such a great story!
This story alternates between telling about Shaun and Colm's early years to their most recent years dealing with the highs and the lows of a love story. We also get to meet their very best friends Dan and Lulu who have an interesting relationship in itself. They are with Shaun and Colm from the very beginning and have a great friendship. Shaun and Lulu grew up as best friends because of their parents and Dan and Colm own a business together.
We also get introduced to their other best friend Rosie who wants so desperately to be in love and start a family but she can never seem to find a guy to settle down with and who can make it past the "two-year mark". Wait until you see how her story ends!
We meet the "beloved" parents of Lulu and Shaun as well and that is certainly an interesting dynamic. Their parents were never the loving and doting parents as children so desperately long for but the light at the end of the tunnel in that dynamic is Shaun's gran, Annie. She is a lively character who tells it like it is and is always Shaun's biggest fan. She is in her 70s but still so active and fun!
This book had me wanting to do nothing but read all the time to find out more and more. It will definitely keep your attention and you won't be sorry that you picked this book up.
Thanks again to Aria for allowing me to read this book and to Shari Low for writing such a great story!
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June 28, 2016This book made me laugh, and made me shed a tear (or two!)
The main characters, Colm and Shauna, appear to have everything going for them in life, happily married, and very in love, until one day they are faced with the biggest curveball that life could throw at them.
What makes this book a little different from your regular love story is how they opt to handle their predicament.
The book flows back and forth throughout the years, (each chapter is dated to make it easy for the reader to follow), outlining Colm and Shauna's relationship from when they met, until present day, and detailing significant events and moments throughout their relationship.
There are a few other characters in the story, including friends and family of Shauna's and Colm's, and each are relatable, though not all are likeable, particularly Shauna's father. But they could be your neighbour or work colleague or partner, because they are all so real, and add so much to the overall storyline.
The ending, although not quite what I was expecting, was written well, and had me reaching for the tissues.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It's a lovely, bitter-sweet romantic story that really tugged on my heartstrings.
I was given an ARC of this through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters, Colm and Shauna, appear to have everything going for them in life, happily married, and very in love, until one day they are faced with the biggest curveball that life could throw at them.
What makes this book a little different from your regular love story is how they opt to handle their predicament.
The book flows back and forth throughout the years, (each chapter is dated to make it easy for the reader to follow), outlining Colm and Shauna's relationship from when they met, until present day, and detailing significant events and moments throughout their relationship.
There are a few other characters in the story, including friends and family of Shauna's and Colm's, and each are relatable, though not all are likeable, particularly Shauna's father. But they could be your neighbour or work colleague or partner, because they are all so real, and add so much to the overall storyline.
The ending, although not quite what I was expecting, was written well, and had me reaching for the tissues.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It's a lovely, bitter-sweet romantic story that really tugged on my heartstrings.
I was given an ARC of this through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2017
Thank for the opportunity to read The Story in of our Life by Shari Low. I have to say I really enjoyed the book and the story of Shauna and Colm!
Shauna and Colm fall in love – at first sight – and after a very short and whirlwind romance they marry. It feels likes happy ever after………and for years it is apart from some ups and downs like any relationship.
They seem genuinely and blissfully happy, Shauna loves Colm’s twin sons from his previous marriage and is the perfect stepmother. But the desire for a child of her own and Colms creates tensions as does them both running their own businesses.
The book moves between the story of Shauna and Colms relationship from when they first met to the troubled present day. Interspersed are their close friends, particularly Lulu and Dan, Vincent, grandmother Annie and Shauna’s very ‘interesting ‘ parents. And it works – understanding the past makes understanding the story so much richer! There are indiscretions and tears.
Overall I really loved this book! Shari Low has created a great story that charmed, entertained and kept me reading when I shouldn’t have been. Highly recommended.
Shauna and Colm fall in love – at first sight – and after a very short and whirlwind romance they marry. It feels likes happy ever after………and for years it is apart from some ups and downs like any relationship.
They seem genuinely and blissfully happy, Shauna loves Colm’s twin sons from his previous marriage and is the perfect stepmother. But the desire for a child of her own and Colms creates tensions as does them both running their own businesses.
The book moves between the story of Shauna and Colms relationship from when they first met to the troubled present day. Interspersed are their close friends, particularly Lulu and Dan, Vincent, grandmother Annie and Shauna’s very ‘interesting ‘ parents. And it works – understanding the past makes understanding the story so much richer! There are indiscretions and tears.
Overall I really loved this book! Shari Low has created a great story that charmed, entertained and kept me reading when I shouldn’t have been. Highly recommended.
May 1, 2017
I chose this book based on the description. I had just finished a string of intense reads so was looking for something light and easy. Unfortunately I have to agree with another reviewer that the book description was misleading and therefore not what I was hoping for. All I will say is that I thought the plot would be driven by the aftermath of infidelity but it's actually not. It kind of felt like the ugly cousin of Jojo Moyes Me Before You - and I say that in a light hearted way. In my opinion, it fell a little flat trying to tackle all of the the issues it set out to tackle. This caused the book to feel kind of muddled and lacked depth. The highlight of the book was it's ability to explore relationships and challenges in a less complicated and down to earth manner. The read was an easy one and didn't require much investment from the reader to get it's story across. I think folks wanting to turn off their thinking caps and just "be" would probably enjoy. I guess I was expecting something much different than what I got and as a result felt cheated.
December 31, 2022
Omdat de Shauna en Lulu ook terugkomen in een ander boek van Shari Low en ik dit jaar onbewust deel 2 van de serie over Shauna en Colm heb gelezen, heb ik dit boek herlezen. Ik heb er weer van genoten. Al blijft mijn mening over Colm hetzelfde.
Dit boek is deel 1 van een tweeluik. The Story of Our Secrets is deel 2. Deel 2 van de Winter-trilogie is met onder andere Shauna en Lulu. Qua chronologie hoort dat deel tussen deel 1 en 2.
Dit boek is een stuk serieuzer dan veel chicklits. Toch is het een interessant verhaal. Wel had ik soms wat moeite met Colm. Ik vind dat hij wat egoïstisch overkomt. Daarom snapte ik niet altijd waarom Shauna hem toch steeds weer voorgaf voor zijn gedrag. Natuurlijk doe je veel voor de persoon waarvan je houdt. Maar er zijn grenzen. Ondanks dat heb ik wel van het verhaal genoten. Het is een mooi verhaal over de liefde die standhoudt ondanks alle tegenslagen die Shauna en Colm meemaken. Een aanrader als je op zoek bent naar een chicklit met iets meer diepgang.
Dit boek is deel 1 van een tweeluik. The Story of Our Secrets is deel 2. Deel 2 van de Winter-trilogie is met onder andere Shauna en Lulu. Qua chronologie hoort dat deel tussen deel 1 en 2.
Dit boek is een stuk serieuzer dan veel chicklits. Toch is het een interessant verhaal. Wel had ik soms wat moeite met Colm. Ik vind dat hij wat egoïstisch overkomt. Daarom snapte ik niet altijd waarom Shauna hem toch steeds weer voorgaf voor zijn gedrag. Natuurlijk doe je veel voor de persoon waarvan je houdt. Maar er zijn grenzen. Ondanks dat heb ik wel van het verhaal genoten. Het is een mooi verhaal over de liefde die standhoudt ondanks alle tegenslagen die Shauna en Colm meemaken. Een aanrader als je op zoek bent naar een chicklit met iets meer diepgang.
July 21, 2016
Oh, boy. I can't like this book. I can only say it was OK. This deals with subjects that I don't usually like to read about. I find them depressing and this book made it even more depressing. Wow, this was a sad read. I did not feel joy or particularly interested in these characters because I already knew what was coming by the description of the book-and sooo much more happens. I was actually mad at this book a lot and that is the only reason I give it 2 stars. Because it made me feel-it made me mad and sad and depressed for these characters. If a book is well written and can make me feel so much, it deserves at least an "OK" rating from me, but I did not enjoy it or would recommend it unless you really, really want a downer of a book to read. Seriously.
I was given an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2016
Between 3.5 and 4 stars. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is the story of Colm and Shauna's 15 year relationship - it jumps back and forth from when they first met and through their past to the present day events in their life. The blurb doesn't really do the book justice - it leads you to believe it's all about the consequences of Colm sleeping with another woman but that really is a very small part of the book. It really is the story of their relationship as they navigate all the problems that come with marriage - infertility, finances, death, friends and family. The beginning was a little slow for me and I could not see why Shauna continued to stay with Colm - he came across as very self centered and not very supportive. But I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good beach read.
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