Headline secure new two-book deal with bestselling author Sheila O’Flanagan

Photo credit: Evan Doherty

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.

THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR paperback hits the Top 10 in Ireland and Top 20 in the UK

We’re delighted that the paperback edition of THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR by Sheila O’Flanagan is Number 6 in the Irish bestseller charts and Number 13 in the UK mass market paperback bestseller charts after the first full week on sale. Published by Headline on March 13th, the paperback success follows a Number 1 bestselling trade paperback edition which remained in the Irish Top 10 for fourteen weeks.

THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR is a compelling and thought-provoking story about two strong women, one complicated man, and the secrets and dreams that draw them together – with explosive consequences… 

Veronica Henry described it as ‘a glitzy, glamorous rollercoaster of a romance – hugely entertaining escapism and so satisfying. Sheila O’Flanagan at her sparkling best’, while in the Sunday Times Vicki Notaro called it ‘compelling in its intricacy’, adding that ‘the main characters, Izzy and Ariel, will get under your skin.’

Izzy is in the Caribbean on the honeymoon-that-isn’t after her fiancé broke her heart. She’s not looking for someone new. But when she meets Charles Miller, a successful writer holidaying alone, the electricity is undeniable. And what does she have to lose?

In Ireland, Charles’s ex-wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party, glamorous and poised. She’s in constant contact with Charles. They’re very close. Ariel wonders if they should get back together. She’s an independent woman, but she liked being part of a power couple. And she’s sure she only has to say, and they’ll pick up where they left off.

No matter how in control of life you think you are, it can shock and surprise you. As Izzy, Ariel and Charles are about to find out...

Last year, Sheila was shortlisted for the 2024 Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award at the An Post Irish Book Awards. She is currently writing her next novel.

 

Photo credit: Evan Doherty

 About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

 

 Praise for THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR

An Irish Times ‘Fiction to look out for in 2024’ pick

A Belfast Telegraph ‘Here’s everything to get excited about in 2024’ pic

An i newspaper ‘Best new books to read in May 2024’ pick

An Irish Examiner ‘Summer reads: 20 great fiction books to bring on your holiday’ pick

‘I'm in the middle of this and it's scorchio!! Sheila O’Flanagan knocks it out of the sun lounger.’ – Veronica Henry

‘Once again, Sheila O'Flanagan delivers a riveting story, strong characters, great settings and a satisfying dose of romantic adventure, while managing all the while to fly the flag for independent women.’ – Roisin Meaney

‘What a fascinating book, set in the world of publishing. I loved it!’ – Sue Moorcroft

‘A brilliant story’ – Bella Magazine

‘O’Flanagan fans will be entranced.’ – Anne Cunningham, The Connaught Telegraph

‘This slow-burn from Sheila O’Flanagan follows heartbroken Izzy, on holiday in the Caribbean, independent Ariel and the man that connects and frustrates them both: Charles. Another satisfying contemporary novel from the author of THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL and THE MISSING WIFE.’ – My Weekly, ‘The Best New Books’

‘Fell in love with this book and characters’ – 5-star reader review

‘Another fabulous Sheila O’Flanagan book!’ – 5-star reader review

‘This book flowed really well and the characters were so relatable.’ – 5-star reader review

‘This lived up to my expectations!’ – 5-star reader review

‘Definitely didn’t want to put this book down’ – 5-star reader review

A SHEmazing ‘30 best small but mighty stocking stuffers for women’ pick

 

 Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

Sheila O’Flanagan shortlisted for the 2024 Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award

International bestselling novelist Sheila O’Flanagan has been shortlisted for the 2024 Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award. Part of the An Post Irish Book Awards, the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award is given to an Irish author whose works contributed significantly to the reader experience and enjoyment of Irish books during 2024, as nominated by librarians and library book club members. Previous winners include Claire Keegan and John Boyne.

The other authors on this year’s shortlist are as follows: Eoin Colfer, Sally Rooney, Donal Ryan, Jo Spain and Colm Tóibín. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the Convention Centre in Dublin on 27th November 2024 and you can take part in the voting process here.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says: ‘The shortlist for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards is, once again, remarkable, showcasing the immense talent of Irish writers and the strength of our literary community. Each category highlights exceptional writing, with well deserving authors, publishers, illustrators, and booksellers being recognised.’

Previously Sheila won the Popular Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2011 for her novel ALL FOR YOU, and had THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL and WHAT EDEN DID NEXT shortlisted for the same prize in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Photo credit: Bill Waters

 

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

 

Praise for Sheila O’Flanagan

‘One of my favourite authors’ – Marian Keyes

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

‘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

 

 Visit Sheila’s website.

 Follow Sheila on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

Another Irish No.1 bestseller for Sheila O’Flanagan

We are delighted that THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR by Sheila O’Flanagan is No.1 in the Irish Original Fiction bestseller chart! Another chart-topper to add to an impressive list – most recently, Sheila’s two previous two novels, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE and WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, were both Irish No.1 bestsellers, with the latter spending a total of nine weeks in the Top Ten.

Published by Headline in the UK and Ireland on 9th May 2024, THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR follows an unlikely trio – Izzy, Charles and Ariel – whose coming together has some unexpected consequences…

Izzy is in the Caribbean on the honeymoon-that-isn’t after her fiancé broke her heart. She’s not looking for someone new. But when she meets Charles Miller, a successful writer holidaying alone, the electricity is undeniable. And what does she have to lose?

In Ireland, Charles’s ex-wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party, glamorous and poised. She’s in constant contact with Charles. They’re very close. Ariel wonders if they should get back together. She’s an independent woman, but she liked being part of a power couple. And she’s sure she only has to say, and they’ll pick up where they left off.

No matter how in control of life you think you are, it can shock and surprise you. As Izzy, Ariel and Charles are about to find out...

Sheila will be a headline guest at this year’s (already sold-out) Prima Rooftop Book Event in July alongside Kristen Perrin, Laura Kay and Blake Friedmann’s own Norie Clarke. Books Editor Nina Pottell will host the event.

You can listen to Sheila talk about THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR on Ireland AM here.

 

Photo credit: Bill Waters

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

 

 Praise for THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR

An Irish Times ‘Fiction to look out for in 2024’ pick

A Belfast Telegraph ‘Here’s everything to get excited about in 2024’ pick

An i newspaper ‘Best new books to read in May 2024’ pick

‘A glitzy, glamorous rollercoaster of a romance – hugely entertaining escapism and so satisfying. Sheila O’Flanagan at her sparkling best’ – Veronica Henry

‘Once again, Sheila O’Flanagan delivers a riveting story, strong characters, great settings and a satisfying dose of romantic adventure, while managing all the while to fly the flag for independent women.’ – Roisin Meaney

‘What a fascinating book, set in the world of publishing. I loved it!’ – Sue Moorcroft

‘Compelling in its intricacy, and the main characters, Izzy and Ariel, will get under your skin.’ – Vicki Notaro, The Sunday Times

 

Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.