The Ballad Of Ronan McCoy by Colin Morgan

What a book. And what a debut.

The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a tender, deeply emotional coming-of-age story that explores grief, family in all its various forms, friendship, identity, and the painful, inevitable process of growing up. 

Brendan has always lived in the shadow of his best friend Ronan McCoy, who is confident, popular, and fearless until one devastating summer changes everything. As Brendan navigates loss, shifting friendships, and his final year of school, he’s forced to find a strength he never knew he had.

Colin Morgan writes with such warmth, compassion, and quiet beauty that every page feels very special. 

It never shies away from heartbreak, but it’s also full of hope, humour, and the kind of tenderness that stays with you after you’ve turned the final page.

I loved the very authentic Northern Irish dialect throughout the book. I felt that I was listening to very familiar conversations. 

Not many books actually make me cry, but this one did.

A stunning, unforgettable debut that announces a new voice in Irish fiction.

A solid 10/20 for me!

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