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

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

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Headline Publishing Group has just announced a new two-book deal with multi-million-copy-selling author Sheila O’Flanagan. Executive Publisher Marion Donaldson acquired World English Language rights to SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS and one untitled contemporary novel from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of an extraordinary 32 bestselling books (all published by Headline), most recently the No. 1 Irish Times bestseller THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR. Headline has sold over 9 million Sheila O’Flanagan books, and Sheila’s work is available in more than 20 languages. She is published in the US by Hachette’s Mobius division.

SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS, scheduled for publication in March 2026, is a superb new contemporary novel. Set in Ireland, Italy, and France, the story follows three women, all at a pivotal moment in their lives. They’re brought together by chance through an incident on a Dublin street where they form a supportive intergenerational friendship. In her unique, insightful, life-affirming way, Sheila weaves their stories together, creating the perfect mix of light and shade for her audience.

Marion Donaldson said: ‘I’m thrilled that we have two new Sheila O’Flanagan novels to look forward to. Sheila and I have worked together for over two decades, and it’s been truly remarkable to watch her sustain the high quality of her wonderful books with each new outing. SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS is one of the most involving, thought-provoking, beautifully written and entertaining novels Sheila has written to date, and I’m very proud to be continuing as her editor with this new contract.’

Sheila O’Flanagan said: ‘I'm delighted that my next two novels will be published by Headline, whose enthusiasm and support for my books has brought them to so many readers over the past twenty-five years.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘It’s a joy to ink another deal with Marion Donaldson for two glorious new books by Sheila O’Flanagan, continuing a long and happy relationship with the great team at Headline. SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS features an intriguing trio of women sharing their stories and finding their own strength and path, in ways that will delight Sheila’s fans and reach even more readers around the world. We look forward to more bestseller success ahead.’

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No. 1s in Ireland, as well as UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award and was also shortlisted for the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award.

In October 2025, Sheila was one of the author Ambassadors in Bookselling Ireland’s Irish Book Weeks campaign, encouraging people to visit bookshops across Ireland. This reflects Sheila’s long-term commitment to promoting literacy, and her novels’ focus on women’s empowerment aligns with the campaign's goals.

Praise for Sheila O’Flanagan

‘One of my favourite authors’ – Marian Keyes

‘Exploring family relationships is what this bestselling author does so well’ – Choice

‘O’Flanagan weaves an inspiring tale of strength, love and self-discovery’ – Sunday Express

‘One of our best-known, best-loved and most prolific women’s fiction authors’ – Irish Independent

‘Brilliantly written and with plot twists popping out like prosecco corks.’ – Woman & Home

‘Reading a Sheila O’Flanagan novel always feels like sitting down for a cup of tea with a friend – she writes with such warmth and empathy.’ – Beth O’Leary, author of THE FLATSHARE

‘Sheila writes with such verve and positivity and emotional intelligence.’ – Veronica Henry

‘To me, what is worthy of canonisation, though, is Sheila’s ability to illustrate the complexities of female friendship… part of the reason Sheila transcends boundaries and expectations so successfully is because she writes with courage… I think we all need a Sheila O’Flanagan in our lives. She’s the woman Woolf wanted us to be. She is Judith Shakespeare. She is Mary Carmichael. She is the anonymous woman. In a world still quick to dismiss certain stories, especially the quiet ones, Sheila O’Flanagan is a fierce reminder of their strength.’ – Azmina Sohail, Write On! Magazine

Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on BlueSky and Instagram.