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Suddenly Single
In SUDDENLY SINGLE Sheila O'Flanagan makes readers wonder just what they would do if Alix's situation happened to them...
What do you do when you find yourself suddenly single? Go suddenly suicidal? Suddenly sex-crazed? Or simply slump into self-pity? Alix Callaghan, who thought she was in control of her busy life, feels like doing all three when her long-term boyfriend insists on settling down to a sensible existence - complete with children, proper meals and early nights - but without her. Little by little, though, Alix begins to think there might be more to the single life than the first shock of rejection suggests...
498 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 1999
80 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Sheila O'Flanagan
95 books1,203 followersAs you can see, a Dubliner all my life. My parents owned a grocery shop in the Iveagh Markets, in the Liberties area of the city and I guess city blood runs through my veins.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 19, 2012
I don't know is it because of bad translation or something else, but this book is horrible.
September 8, 2015
The 40% of technical terms about being a dealer in a bank should have turned me off, but as usual, Sheila O'Flanagan is an engaging writer; she has a way of engaging me to the pages even though I have to live through 600 pages of ups and downs financial market jargons to enjoy the story. It is a very enjoyable story. Looking forward to the next one!
April 1, 2020
Het liefst had ik 3,5 ster gegeven, maar dat kan helaas niet. Ik vind het een leuk verhaal. Al heb ik mij wel eens geërgerd dat iedereen tegen Alix zat te vertellen dat er meer is in het leven dan werk en dat ze aan een gezin moest beginnen. Ik snap waarom de schrijfster dit element in het verhaal heeft verwerkt, maar ik had er soms wat moeite mee. Mijn man en ik hebben bewust geen kinderen, maar als je een bepaalde leeftijd hebt, moet je je daar bijna altijd voor verantwoorden. Terwijl ik vind dat sommige mensen beter geen kinderen hadden kunnen krijgen, gezien het feit dat er zoveel kinderen in pleeggezinnen opgroeien. Bovendien kun je ook zonder kinderen een leuk leven hebben.
Ook vond ik het hele technische verhaal van de geldhandel, het werk dat de hoofdpersoon doet, soms wat lastig te volgen. Nu heb ik ook niet heel veel met cijfers. Het beroep past goed bij de hoofdpersoon, maar van mij had het nog wel iets simpeler uitgelegd mogen worden. Nu weet ik dat de schrijfster zelf in de financiële sector heeft gewerkt, voordat ze fulltime schrijfster werd. Daardoor weet ze er zelf veel vanaf, maar is ze zich er misschien niet van bewust dat het voor anderen wellicht wat ingewikkeld is.
Wat ik leuk vind aan het verhaal is dat Alix toch haar eigen pad kiest in het leven, ondanks wat haar omgeving vind. Ook vind ik het leuk dat in het verhaal verwerkt is waar je als vrouw tegenaan kunt lopen als je een leidinggevende functie hebt in een mannenwereld. En hoewel er wel wat romantiek in het verhaal zit, is dat niet het belangrijkste. Vergeleken met andere boeken in dit genre, vind ik het verfrissend en heb ik er van genoten.
Ook vond ik het hele technische verhaal van de geldhandel, het werk dat de hoofdpersoon doet, soms wat lastig te volgen. Nu heb ik ook niet heel veel met cijfers. Het beroep past goed bij de hoofdpersoon, maar van mij had het nog wel iets simpeler uitgelegd mogen worden. Nu weet ik dat de schrijfster zelf in de financiële sector heeft gewerkt, voordat ze fulltime schrijfster werd. Daardoor weet ze er zelf veel vanaf, maar is ze zich er misschien niet van bewust dat het voor anderen wellicht wat ingewikkeld is.
Wat ik leuk vind aan het verhaal is dat Alix toch haar eigen pad kiest in het leven, ondanks wat haar omgeving vind. Ook vind ik het leuk dat in het verhaal verwerkt is waar je als vrouw tegenaan kunt lopen als je een leidinggevende functie hebt in een mannenwereld. En hoewel er wel wat romantiek in het verhaal zit, is dat niet het belangrijkste. Vergeleken met andere boeken in dit genre, vind ik het verfrissend en heb ik er van genoten.
December 21, 2022
Even though this book was such a slow read for me I really enjoyed it. I really can’t say anything bad about this book. It wasn’t completely perfect, 5 stars, but I would most likely recommend it especially to anyone who likes a bit of romance and independent women.
February 12, 2011
I like Sheila O'Flanagan's books and Suddenly Single lived up to expectations. It's about a high-flying career woman who gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend which throws her carefully controlled life into disarray.
No big surprises or plot twists, but then this book is about feelings and emotions. A good comfort read for a dreary winter weekend.
No big surprises or plot twists, but then this book is about feelings and emotions. A good comfort read for a dreary winter weekend.
March 16, 2012
very good readings as usual
May 18, 2012
Very easy read, hard to put down, thoroughly enjoyed
November 28, 2012
Good Read it was.. Too technical with all the financial involvement, but the romance was nice. I liked it and understood it too!! :P
April 24, 2016
good storyline, fast paced..thoroughly enjoyed
February 19, 2017
Absolutely superb. Brilliant read.
August 4, 2018
Loved it...
Happy it wasnt run of the mill. Loved Alix and her story and could identify with it totally. Sheila grows on you
Happy it wasnt run of the mill. Loved Alix and her story and could identify with it totally. Sheila grows on you
November 28, 2018
An easy enjoyable read
February 19, 2019
Brilliant
June 22, 2019
Slough different from the usual relationship and romance books as this one has a very strong female lead. Makes a nice change.
August 7, 2013
Good book.
November 14, 2025
A Sharp Look at Workplace Misogyny, But A Wobbly Personal Journey
[Introduction: Core Focus and Strengths]
Suddenly Single, O'Flanagan's debut, is a book primarily concerned with the high-stakes world of finance and the challenges faced by career-oriented women. You can feel the author's background in banking, as the novel is heavily focused on office politics and the intense atmosphere—I really enjoyed following all the people Alix worked with (Gavin, Dave, Jenny, and Des) and truly felt as if I was in the trading room with them!
[Praise: Workplace Misogyny and Feminism]
The novel excels as a feminist read in some ways by sharply portraying misogyny in the workplace. The character of Gavin is excellently written; his manipulative actions—constantly trying to undermine Alix at work and steal her work—showed a realistic, and frankly, misogynistic male colleague.
Alix's journey to standing up for herself was powerful. Her argument with Gavin was actually funny and awesome at the same time, and I loved her TV interview standing up for women in the workplace. The book tackles the serious issues of choice between being a mum and giving up work compared to men, and the prejudice women face (which Alix's boss exemplified by trying to get rid of her).
[Key Moments and Character Dynamics]
The book has some fantastic relational moments:
The conversation between Alix and Nicola at Sophia's wedding about why you don't need men had me laughing and agreeing at the same time.
The awakening moment for Alix and her sister when they find out about their father was genuinely moving.
I appreciated the turning point for Jenny when she finally stands up to Alix, highlighting how women can feel discriminated against by other women in the workplace.
Matt was such a great guy and really patient with Alix.
[Critique: Financial Jargon and Personal Regression]
While the banking detail added authenticity, the book contained too much financial jargon at times, making the narrative slow in places.
My main disappointment, however, was with Alix's personal arc. Since her identity is her job, I wanted to see Alix loving single life and setting an example. Instead, she spent time pining for Paul. I truly wish she hadn't slept with Paul as it felt like a significant step backward. The book missed the mark on being the "perfect feminist read" because that element of seeing Alix do so well as a single, thriving career woman was missing.
[Conclusion]
Suddenly Single is a relevant and sharp look at office politics, but its message is slightly undercut by Alix's personal struggles and a frustratingly abrupt ending. A solid read, but one that could have benefited from a stronger commitment to its feminist promise.
[Introduction: Core Focus and Strengths]
Suddenly Single, O'Flanagan's debut, is a book primarily concerned with the high-stakes world of finance and the challenges faced by career-oriented women. You can feel the author's background in banking, as the novel is heavily focused on office politics and the intense atmosphere—I really enjoyed following all the people Alix worked with (Gavin, Dave, Jenny, and Des) and truly felt as if I was in the trading room with them!
[Praise: Workplace Misogyny and Feminism]
The novel excels as a feminist read in some ways by sharply portraying misogyny in the workplace. The character of Gavin is excellently written; his manipulative actions—constantly trying to undermine Alix at work and steal her work—showed a realistic, and frankly, misogynistic male colleague.
Alix's journey to standing up for herself was powerful. Her argument with Gavin was actually funny and awesome at the same time, and I loved her TV interview standing up for women in the workplace. The book tackles the serious issues of choice between being a mum and giving up work compared to men, and the prejudice women face (which Alix's boss exemplified by trying to get rid of her).
[Key Moments and Character Dynamics]
The book has some fantastic relational moments:
The conversation between Alix and Nicola at Sophia's wedding about why you don't need men had me laughing and agreeing at the same time.
The awakening moment for Alix and her sister when they find out about their father was genuinely moving.
I appreciated the turning point for Jenny when she finally stands up to Alix, highlighting how women can feel discriminated against by other women in the workplace.
Matt was such a great guy and really patient with Alix.
[Critique: Financial Jargon and Personal Regression]
While the banking detail added authenticity, the book contained too much financial jargon at times, making the narrative slow in places.
My main disappointment, however, was with Alix's personal arc. Since her identity is her job, I wanted to see Alix loving single life and setting an example. Instead, she spent time pining for Paul. I truly wish she hadn't slept with Paul as it felt like a significant step backward. The book missed the mark on being the "perfect feminist read" because that element of seeing Alix do so well as a single, thriving career woman was missing.
[Conclusion]
Suddenly Single is a relevant and sharp look at office politics, but its message is slightly undercut by Alix's personal struggles and a frustratingly abrupt ending. A solid read, but one that could have benefited from a stronger commitment to its feminist promise.
October 5, 2020
I usually love this author’s books, but unfortunately this book didn’t do it for me. The main character, Alex, was the most self-absorbed, cold and emotionally detached person I’ve “met” in a long time! Also, I felt that the author had swallowed a beginners guide to understanding the stock market and share trading and put everything she’d learnt into this book, which was in my opinion overkill; I have a little knowledge of this (other half is involved with it) and could understand what was going on, but for someone who doesn’t, I would think it would be rather tiresome for them. Rather an exhausting and frustrating read in my opinion.
July 15, 2022
I loved the characters in this book. Alix especially, being such a strong character and so likeable. All throughout the book I was hoping that Paul would take her back, and then Matt came into the picture and I could not decide who I liked more in the end. I was not disappointed and loved how she stuck to her guns and did not let society convince her which route she should take. I could not put this book down. I read a huge chunk of this book at the beach, being very unsociable as I literally could not stop reading it. Brilliantly written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2021
I liked this book.
Sheila explores the world of trading via Alix's working life, which I found interesting, although it may have changed due to technology in the intervening years since the book was published.
It was a tad longer than it needed to be, but I found it interesting.
The sexism in her workplace was well described, as were the familial expectations as to how Alix should live her life.
Sheila explores the world of trading via Alix's working life, which I found interesting, although it may have changed due to technology in the intervening years since the book was published.
It was a tad longer than it needed to be, but I found it interesting.
The sexism in her workplace was well described, as were the familial expectations as to how Alix should live her life.
June 5, 2023
Many of us can relate to what Alix has gone through. But life goes on. It is not easy to let go and move on. Suddenly Single is a story that is so relevant even today. This is a long novel but I enjoyed reading every pages of it. Except the part when Alix's work is concerned. There was one particular chapter that talked a lot about this trading process and I skipped it. But overall nice storyline and characters. I always love her books and I have most of them in my collection.
September 9, 2017
It was published in 2016 and yet, whole book is about all characters asking the main character or rushing her - a businesswoman - about eventual marriage and kids. Seriously? It was a subject in Jane Austen's times - XVIII century.
Additionally, it's all much much much much too long, not bright or funny neither.
Additionally, it's all much much much much too long, not bright or funny neither.
Read
July 29, 2018Absolutely awful book. For all the wrong reasons, I couldn’t wait to get to the end. Dull and dreary all the way through. How it got past her literary agent is beyond me. I thought Alix was something approaching, vile. One of those books which, when you close it for the last time, you struggle to remember anything about it.
February 20, 2019
I felt betrayed by the description of this book. Way too much of her work life and things happening there and not enough of the items that the description seemed to imply would happen.
I did not enjoy all the stereotypes that were portrayed in this book. This could have been a great way for the author to try to work against them.
I did not enjoy all the stereotypes that were portrayed in this book. This could have been a great way for the author to try to work against them.
March 6, 2022
A book of 600 pages and the story could have been told in 100. The book’s cover promised a different kind of a story but this was just about trading and family relationships and above all very boring. Not a single witty line and therefore the book wasn’t really entertaining but just dragged and dragged. Now it’ll be off to the second-hand market again.
May 19, 2024
3/5 There is descriptive writers and then there is Sheila O’Flanagan. This is probably my favourite of her novels based solely on the storyline. I find her descriptive ramblings, especially in the beginning of her books, frustratingly long. The financial industry makes for a novel/refreshingly different setting.and surprisingly, I found the jargon laden narrative easy to understand.
January 5, 2018
I enjoyed this even though I have zero interest in money markets. Although there were details that were meaningless to me it was interesting to have a setting that was different. I do get irritated by product placement in novels but I suppose others don,t mind.
August 1, 2020
Disap pointing
Oint
Dissappointing, HotUKDeals ofinsider track
Boring
Detail of financial trading
. A disaPpointing read from a great
author
Sorry I
Know nothing about
Oint
Dissappointing, HotUKDeals ofinsider track
Boring
Detail of financial trading
. A disaPpointing read from a great
author
Sorry I
Know nothing about
December 28, 2017
There where some slow bits but the story was ok
Read
July 15, 2020Another really good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews