The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan
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  • Published: 28 April 2020
  • ISBN: 9781760895594
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $32.99

The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan

Formats & editions
Tr. Paperback
28 Apr 2020
EBook
28 Apr 2020
Audiobook
28 Apr 2020
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Inspired by true events, follow 79-year-old Shirley's heartwarming final adventure with her husband.

'I want to be Shirley when I grow up.' RACHAEL JOHNS
'Beautiful, breathtaking and heart-wrenching.' AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY

'Elderly. Is that how the world sees me? A helpless little old lady? If only they knew. I allow myself a small smirk.'


A Daring Escape
When Shirley Sullivan signs her 83-year-old husband, Frank, out of the Sunset Lodge Nursing Home, she has no intention of bringing him back.

A Lifetime of Memories
For fifty-seven years the couple has shared love, happiness and heartbreak. And while Frank may not know who his wife is these days, he knows he wants to go home. Back to the beach where they met in the early 1960s . . .

A Final Act of Love
So Shirley enacts an elaborate plan to evade the authorities – and their furious daughter, Fiona – to give Frank the holiday he’d always dreamed of.

And, in doing so, perhaps Shirley can make amends for a lifelong guilty secret . . .

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'With both humour and heart, The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan takes the reader on a (literal) journey – in a Kombi van! – following one couple’s unconventional love story, and examining the lengths a person will go to to right the wrongs of a lifetime. This is Lisa Ireland’s breakout novel for sure.' SALLY HEPWORTH

'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 RIMMER

'This moving story, celebrating ageing and all types of love, will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.' RACHAEL JOHNS
  • Published: 28 April 2020
  • ISBN: 9781760895594
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $32.99
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About the author

Lisa Ireland

After working for many years as a teacher (and a brief stint as a professional organiser – before Marie Kondo made it cool), Lisa Ireland is now a full-time writer.

Lisa lives with her husband in a small town in Gippsland, Victoria. When not writing, she spends her days mentoring aspiring authors, drinking coffee and playing minion to her incredibly spoiled dog, Lulu.

Lisa's eighth novel, The Studio Girls, will be published in April 2024.

portrait photo of Lisa Ireland

Also by Lisa Ireland

The Studio Girls
The One and Only Dolly Jamieson
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Praise for The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan

With both humour and heart, The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan takes the reader on a (literal) journey – in a Kombi van! – following one couple’s unconventional love story, and examining the lengths a person will go to to right the wrongs of a lifetime. This is Lisa Ireland’s breakout novel for sure.

Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Mother-in-Law

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 Rimmer, bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say

This moving story, celebrating ageing and all types of love, will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

Rachael Johns, bestselling author of Lost Without You

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Celebrating Mother's Day with Lisa Ireland

We’re celebrating Mother’s Day with Lisa Ireland! To purchase a copy of The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan, please go to this link https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-secret-life-of-shirley-sullivan-9781760895594 Lisa Ireland is an Australian bestselling author, who lives on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula with her husband and three (big) boys. She loves eating but not cooking, is an Olympic class procrastinator and (most importantly) minion to a rather large dog. The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan is her sixth novel.

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How the discovery of a box of love letters inspired Lisa Ireland to write The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan.

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Cut loose like an octogenarian with Lisa Ireland’s heart-warming romp.

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