Sullivan Farrington is twelve years old. His life in Melbourne has turned upside down. His mother is in hospital, hiding an ever-growing secret. His father lives on the other side of the world. School is a battleground of bullies. But Sullivan is no ordinary boy. He’s set himself a series of goals to turn his life around. The most urgent? Make a new friend. Lola Quinlan is eighty-six. If her time on earth is running out, she’s not leaving quietly. Against the wishes of her son and granddaughters in South Australia, she’s flying solo to Melbourne for a week. They think she’s in search of distraction and entertainment. The truth is, she’s looking for a ghost. In a hotel beside the Botanic Gardens, Sullivan and Lola meet. They instantly hit it off, deciding to help each other with their secret plans. Neither of them knows the trouble that's about to unfold - or how much they'll need one another... Featuring two of Monica’s most beloved characters coming together in a story of their own, When Sullivan Met Lola is a warm, funny and moving story of unexpected friendships, lost loves, family secrets and long-hidden lies, by one of Australia’s favourite authors.