No woman is ordinary...and neither is her story.
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HAVE YOU MET SHIRLEY?
HAVE YOU MET Shirley?
The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan
When Shirley Sullivan signs her elderly husband out of the dementia ward, she is determined to take him on one final not-exactly-legal road trip.
On the run from the police and free from Frank’s memories of who she once was, will Shirley finally let go of the past and embrace her true self?
what are readers saying?
"If you read nothing else this year, read this book!
This is Lisa Ireland’s breakout novel. You will fall in love with Shirley as Ireland takes you on a journey through her life as a young woman, to her life now as an elderly woman, her husband suffering from dementia. It’s a story about the complications of life and love, and the ways we redeem ourselves. A stunning read."
“Lisa Ireland’s writing is simply magical, and Shirley’s charming and heartfelt story brought me to tears again and again. 'The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan' is one of my favourite books, ever.”
"A beautiful and moving tribute to love, family, relationships and ageing is bestowed on the pages of Lisa Ireland’s new novel. 'The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan' is equal parts heartwarming, heartbreaking and poignant. What an unforgettable journey this novel presented from start to the finish."
"This book will take you on a journey unlike any other, but it’s a journey that will stay with you for a long time to come. I absolutely loved this book and I cannot highly recommend it enough to anyone who is looking for their next read."
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what are readers saying?
"If you read nothing else this year, read this book!
This is Lisa Ireland’s breakout novel. You will fall in love with Shirley as Ireland takes you on a journey through her life as a young woman, to her life now as an elderly woman, her husband suffering from dementia. It’s a story about the complications of life and love, and the ways we redeem ourselves. A stunning read."
Sally HepworthNYT Bestselling Author
“Lisa Ireland’s writing is simply magical, and Shirley’s charming and heartfelt story brought me to tears again and again. 'The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan' is one of my favourite books, ever.”
Kelly RimmerNYT Bestselling Author
"A beautiful and moving tribute to love, family, relationships and ageing is bestowed on the pages of Lisa Ireland’s new novel. 'The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan' is equal parts heartwarming, heartbreaking and poignant. What an unforgettable journey this novel presented from start to the finish."
AmandaMrs B's Book Reviews (Goodreads Review)
"This book will take you on a journey unlike any other, but it’s a journey that will stay with you for a long time to come. I absolutely loved this book and I cannot highly recommend it enough to anyone who is looking for their next read."
SharonGoodreads Review
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ACCESS HIDDEN CHAPTERS
Do you really know what happened to shirley at the end?
The
story
behind the story
The Story Behind the Story...
Two separate events led to the development of the novel.
Many years ago, I came across an article about an elderly couple who had escaped from their nursing home and gone on the run. They evaded authorities for days – even slipping out of police custody at one point! I was captivated by this story. I kept wondering where they were running to. I knew I wanted to write about these gutsy octogenarians one day and I kept the idea percolating away at the back of my mind for almost a decade.
Then, in 2018, I discovered a box filled with my parents’ old love letters. These were written in the early 1960s and were filled with fascinating details of day to day life at that time. It occurred to me that I could use these letters as the inspiration for the elderly couple’s back story.
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