SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS, Sheila O’Flanagan’s latest contemporary novel, is an immediate Irish bestseller, hitting the No.3 spot after only three days of sales and retaining the position into this week!
This is the latest in a long line of bestsellers for Sheila – her previous contemporary novel, THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR, was an Irish No.1 bestseller and spent a total of thirteen weeks in the Top Ten. Sheila O’Flanagan’s first historical novel, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE, was also a No. 1 bestseller in Ireland.
SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS, following three women’s stories across Ireland, Italy and France, was published on 26th March in both the UK and Ireland by Headline Books, and is already delighting readers. It was one of the Irish Times’ ‘Best Fiction of 2026 to Look Forward to’ picks.
Ailie, Sybil and Rua can take care of themselves. But when they form an unexpected friendship, they discover new perspectives on old problems.
Ailie is recently widowed, and struggling. At least she can cut ties with her toxic Italian in-laws. Except her teenage daughter is joining them in Trieste. Should Ailie follow, and confront the family who can’t forgive her?
Sybil has learned to be happy alone. But her younger sister, Tansy, thinks Sybil needs to find a man before it’s too late. And she has the perfect candidate. Can Sybil cope with Tansy interfering – again?
Twice Rua has faced the worst, and twice she’s started over. All that matters now is protecting her daughter. Yet she’s kept the full story from her. Is it time to trust Brontë with the truth?
In other bestselling book news, Sheila O’Flanagan’s story ‘Diving for Pearls’ drew particular review praise when published in BANSHEE: Mythological Irish Women Retold, a collection of stories written by renowned Irish writers and edited by agency client Ailbhe Malone. BANSHEE went straight to No.6 in the Irish bestseller list and No.1 in Hardback fiction following its publication by John Murray in February. Sheila’s ‘Diving for Pearls’ was also one of the five stories from the collection broadcast on BBC Radio 4 this month – you can listen here.
About Sheila O’Flanagan
Photo credit: Evan Doherty
Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling author, with more than 9 million copies sold. Numerous novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland and UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and she is widely published around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the 2024 Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award. Sheila was an Ambassador in Bookselling Ireland’s Irish Book Week campaign in 2025.
Praise for SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS
‘A poignant, heartwarming read of women supporting and empowering each other through difficult times. Another engrossing Sheila O’Flanagan bestseller that will entertain and delight her fans’ – Patricia Scanlan
‘A warm, sensitive story about the power of female friendship, finding hope amidst the toughest times and the joy of second chances.’ – Lucie Diamond
‘Powerful and tender, a beautiful story that will make your heart cheer.’ – Milly Johnson
‘A great read, a trio of effortlessly interwoven storylines peopled with authentic and likeable characters, and a testament to the resilience of female friendship. Readers are in safe hands with Sheila O’Flanagan.’ – Roisin Meaney
‘I’ve read every single one of Sheila’s books since the first one. Her stories are always beautiful and thoughtfully written, each one a heart-warming page-turner. This one is no exception.’ – Carole Matthews
Visit Sheila’s website