
Secrets Between Friends
'A warm, sensitive story about the power of female friendship . . . and the joy of second chances' Lucy Diamond
Sheila O'Flanagan(Author)
Grainne Gillis(Speaker)
Headline Review (Publisher)
Published on 26. March 2026
Book
Hardback
432 pages
978-1-0354-3235-6 (ISBN)
Description
The extraordinary new contemporary novel, set in Ireland, Italy and France, from the bestselling author of The Honeymoon Affair and The Missing Wife.
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 Bronte with the truth?
An intriguing and sparkling story about women discovering their strength - and loving life.
Love for Secrets Between Friends:
'A warm, sensitive story about the power of female friendship, finding hope amidst the toughest times and the joy of second chances' LUCY DIAMOND
'A poignant, heartwarming read of women supporting and empowering each other through difficult times' PATRICIA SCANLAN
'A heartfelt, well-paced story, full of love and hope and wisdom' NORRIE CLARK
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 Bronte with the truth?
An intriguing and sparkling story about women discovering their strength - and loving life.
Love for Secrets Between Friends:
'A warm, sensitive story about the power of female friendship, finding hope amidst the toughest times and the joy of second chances' LUCY DIAMOND
'A poignant, heartwarming read of women supporting and empowering each other through difficult times' PATRICIA SCANLAN
'A heartfelt, well-paced story, full of love and hope and wisdom' NORRIE CLARK
Reviews / Votes
'A warm, sensitive story about the power of female friendship, finding hope amidst the toughest times and the joy of second chances' -- Lucy Diamond 'Powerful, inspiring, wise, written by an author with a real handle on the fabulousness of women's friendship. I devoured it' -- Milly Johnson A poignant, heartwarming read of women supporting and empowering each other through difficult times -- Patricia Scanlan 'Witty, moving and fully relatable' * Woman's Own * 'A great read, a trio of effortlessly interwoven storylines peopled with authentic and likeable characters, and a testament to the resilience of female friendship' * Roisin Meaney * 'A heartfelt, well-paced story, full of love and hope and wisdom' -- Norie Clark '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 If you want to open your heart up and let three incredibly brave and independent women tell you their story, Secrets Between Friends could be the perfect read for you * Irish Examiner *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 166 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
Weight
654 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0354-3235-6 (9781035432356)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Sheila O'Flanagan
Secrets Between Friends
'A warm, sensitive story about the power of female friendship . . . and the joy of second chances' Lucy Diamond
E-Book
03/2026
Review
€10.99
Available for download
Persons
Sheila O'Flanagan is the author of over 30 bestselling books, including The Honeymoon Affair, which spent three months on the Irish bestseller list, What Eden Did Next, Three Weddings and a Proposal and The Missing Wife. She lives in Dublin with her husband.
www.sheilaoflanagan.com
X @sheilaoflanagan
Facebook.com/sheilabooks
www.sheilaoflanagan.com
X @sheilaoflanagan
Facebook.com/sheilabooks