INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST ‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ SALLY ROONEY ‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love’ IRISH TIMES 'One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama'OBSERVER John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up. He should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through, but instead he's desperately trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island. He's doing his best to distract himself with his Gaelic football ambitions, going out with his mates and a blossoming, sort-of, romance with his slightly older co-worker Amber.But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stand out or fit in and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite, or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human. A book of the year in Observer, Irish Times, iPaper, Vogue, Esquire and more ‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ TELEGRAPH As evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’VOGUE ‘Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent’ MICHAEL MAGEE ‘I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ COLIN WALSH, author of Kala‘Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON, author of Glorious Exploits‘A gifted writer’ ANNE GRIFFIN, author of The Island of LongingJohn Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

'One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal People ‘Remarkable, rare and truly brilliant’ MEGAN NOLAN, author of Acts of Desperation ‘Dark, funny, honest and engrossing’ RODDY DOYLE, author of Love ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ LISA MCINERNEY, author of The Rules of Revelation On an island off Ireland’s west coast strange things are afoot: two teenage boys set fires while their worlds fall apart, a couple drive out to the hills in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, a widow seeks a stranger’s help to bury her grief and a horse crashes a house party. Adrift in the treacherous waters of small-town boredom, the residents reach out with love and cruelty, desperation and hope, in their pursuit of connection.Pure Gold is a bitterly funny, surprising and profoundly moving short story collection that crackles with the thrilling energy of a bold new literary voice, John Patrick McHugh. ‘Full of stylish brio’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins ‘Hilarious, shocking, and disturbingly well-observed’ Vanity Fair ‘Searing … John Patrick McHugh joins an illustrious generation of talented writers’ Irish Times ‘Savagely funny’ Nicole Flattery, author of Show Them a Good Time ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ Lisa McInerney, author of The Blood Miracles

''One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal People‘Remarkable, rare and truly brilliant’ MEGAN NOLAN, author of Acts of Desperation‘Dark, funny, honest and engrossing’ RODDY DOYLE, author of Love‘Refreshing and ambitious’ LISA MCINERNEY, author of The Rules of RevelationOn an island off Ireland’s west coast strange things are afoot: two teenage boys set fires while their worlds fall apart, a couple drive out to the hills in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, a widow seeks a stranger’s help to bury her grief and a horse crashes a house party. Adrift in the treacherous waters of small-town boredom, the residents reach out with love and cruelty, desperation and hope, in their pursuit of connection.Pure Gold is a bitterly funny, surprising and profoundly moving short story collection that crackles with the thrilling energy of a bold new literary voice, John Patrick McHugh.‘Full of stylish brio’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins‘Hilarious, shocking, and disturbingly well-observed’ Vanity Fair‘Searing … John Patrick McHugh joins an illustrious generation of talented writers’ Irish Times‘Savagely funny’ Nicole Flattery, author of Show Them a Good Time‘Refreshing and ambitious’ Lisa McInerney, author of The Blood Miracles

'One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal People ‘Remarkable, rare and truly brilliant’ MEGAN NOLAN, author of Acts of Desperation ‘Dark, funny, honest and engrossing’ RODDY DOYLE, author of Love ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ LISA MCINERNEY, author of The Rules of Revelation On an island off Ireland’s west coast strange things are afoot: two teenage boys set fires while their worlds fall apart, a couple drive out to the hills in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, a widow seeks a stranger’s help to bury her grief and a horse crashes a house party. Adrift in the treacherous waters of small-town boredom, the residents reach out with love and cruelty, desperation and hope, in their pursuit of connection.Pure Gold is a bitterly funny, surprising and profoundly moving short story collection that crackles with the thrilling energy of a bold new literary voice, John Patrick McHugh. ‘Full of stylish brio’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins ‘Hilarious, shocking, and disturbingly well-observed’ Vanity Fair ‘Searing … John Patrick McHugh joins an illustrious generation of talented writers’ Irish Times ‘Savagely funny’ Nicole Flattery, author of Show Them a Good Time ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ Lisa McInerney, author of The Blood Miracles

THE INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLERAn Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025‘One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY''One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama''OBSERVER''Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent'' MICHAEL MAGEE‘Growing up isn’t all fun and games’ SERVICE95A stunning debut novel following a teenage boy as he comes of age on the west coast of Ireland, from the author of the acclaimed story collection Pure Gold.Seventeen-year-old John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up and he should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through. Instead, he’s working mind-numbing shifts at the local hotel and trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island.As John joins the local senior football team, gets caught up in fights and parties, and embarks on a tentative relationship with his slightly older co-worker Amber that he feels both proud and ashamed of, he can almost pretend that this summer will last forever. But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stay or leave, to stand out or fit in, and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human.Fun and Games is a darkly comic, beautifully crafted debut novel that is full of feeling both harsh and tender. It takes in social class and its firm borders, manhood and its frailties, family and, of course, love.''Brilliantly written; as evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney''VOGUE''A writer at the top of his technical game''TELEGRAPH''In 20 years of reviewing, I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL''Warmth and sensitivity, and a skillful humour'' GUARDIAN''Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON‘Brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love, friendship and GAA'' IRISH TIMES''One of the debuts of the year''iPAPER''An utter joy to read'' COLIN BARRETT‘A gifted writer'' ANNE GRIFFIN‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life'' COLIN WALSH''A remarkable depiction of burgeoning masculinity'' REBECCA WATSON''Totally brilliant and unputdownable'' IRISH EXAMINERJohn Patrick McHugh''s ''Fun and Games'' was a Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST ‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ SALLY ROONEY ‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love’ IRISH TIMES 'One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama'OBSERVER John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up. He should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through, but instead he's desperately trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island. He's doing his best to distract himself with his Gaelic football ambitions, going out with his mates and a blossoming, sort-of, romance with his slightly older co-worker Amber.But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stand out or fit in and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite, or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human. A book of the year in Observer, Irish Times, iPaper, Vogue, Esquire and more ‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ TELEGRAPH As evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’VOGUE ‘Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent’ MICHAEL MAGEE ‘I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ COLIN WALSH, author of Kala‘Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON, author of Glorious Exploits‘A gifted writer’ ANNE GRIFFIN, author of The Island of LongingJohn Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST ‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ SALLY ROONEY ‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love’ IRISH TIMES 'One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama'OBSERVER John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up. He should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through, but instead he's desperately trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island. He's doing his best to distract himself with his Gaelic football ambitions, going out with his mates and a blossoming, sort-of, romance with his slightly older co-worker Amber.But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stand out or fit in and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite, or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human. A book of the year in Observer, Irish Times, iPaper, Vogue, Esquire and more ‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ TELEGRAPH As evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’VOGUE ‘Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent’ MICHAEL MAGEE ‘I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ COLIN WALSH, author of Kala‘Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON, author of Glorious Exploits‘A gifted writer’ ANNE GRIFFIN, author of The Island of LongingJohn Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST ‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ SALLY ROONEY ‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love’ IRISH TIMES 'One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama'OBSERVER John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up. He should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through, but instead he's desperately trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island. He's doing his best to distract himself with his Gaelic football ambitions, going out with his mates and a blossoming, sort-of, romance with his slightly older co-worker Amber.But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stand out or fit in and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite, or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human. A book of the year in Observer, Irish Times, iPaper, Vogue, Esquire and more ‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ TELEGRAPH As evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’VOGUE ‘Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent’ MICHAEL MAGEE ‘I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ COLIN WALSH, author of Kala‘Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON, author of Glorious Exploits‘A gifted writer’ ANNE GRIFFIN, author of The Island of LongingJohn Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

'One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal People ‘Remarkable, rare and truly brilliant’ MEGAN NOLAN, author of Acts of Desperation ‘Dark, funny, honest and engrossing’ RODDY DOYLE, author of Love ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ LISA MCINERNEY, author of The Rules of Revelation On an island off Ireland’s west coast strange things are afoot: two teenage boys set fires while their worlds fall apart, a couple drive out to the hills in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, a widow seeks a stranger’s help to bury her grief and a horse crashes a house party. Adrift in the treacherous waters of small-town boredom, the residents reach out with love and cruelty, desperation and hope, in their pursuit of connection.Pure Gold is a bitterly funny, surprising and profoundly moving short story collection that crackles with the thrilling energy of a bold new literary voice, John Patrick McHugh. ‘Full of stylish brio’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins ‘Hilarious, shocking, and disturbingly well-observed’ Vanity Fair ‘Searing … John Patrick McHugh joins an illustrious generation of talented writers’ Irish Times ‘Savagely funny’ Nicole Flattery, author of Show Them a Good Time ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ Lisa McInerney, author of The Blood Miracles

''One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal People‘Remarkable, rare and truly brilliant’ MEGAN NOLAN, author of Acts of Desperation‘Dark, funny, honest and engrossing’ RODDY DOYLE, author of Love‘Refreshing and ambitious’ LISA MCINERNEY, author of The Rules of RevelationOn an island off Ireland’s west coast strange things are afoot: two teenage boys set fires while their worlds fall apart, a couple drive out to the hills in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, a widow seeks a stranger’s help to bury her grief and a horse crashes a house party. Adrift in the treacherous waters of small-town boredom, the residents reach out with love and cruelty, desperation and hope, in their pursuit of connection.Pure Gold is a bitterly funny, surprising and profoundly moving short story collection that crackles with the thrilling energy of a bold new literary voice, John Patrick McHugh.‘Full of stylish brio’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins‘Hilarious, shocking, and disturbingly well-observed’ Vanity Fair‘Searing … John Patrick McHugh joins an illustrious generation of talented writers’ Irish Times‘Savagely funny’ Nicole Flattery, author of Show Them a Good Time‘Refreshing and ambitious’ Lisa McInerney, author of The Blood Miracles

'One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal People ‘Remarkable, rare and truly brilliant’ MEGAN NOLAN, author of Acts of Desperation ‘Dark, funny, honest and engrossing’ RODDY DOYLE, author of Love ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ LISA MCINERNEY, author of The Rules of Revelation On an island off Ireland’s west coast strange things are afoot: two teenage boys set fires while their worlds fall apart, a couple drive out to the hills in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, a widow seeks a stranger’s help to bury her grief and a horse crashes a house party. Adrift in the treacherous waters of small-town boredom, the residents reach out with love and cruelty, desperation and hope, in their pursuit of connection.Pure Gold is a bitterly funny, surprising and profoundly moving short story collection that crackles with the thrilling energy of a bold new literary voice, John Patrick McHugh. ‘Full of stylish brio’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins ‘Hilarious, shocking, and disturbingly well-observed’ Vanity Fair ‘Searing … John Patrick McHugh joins an illustrious generation of talented writers’ Irish Times ‘Savagely funny’ Nicole Flattery, author of Show Them a Good Time ‘Refreshing and ambitious’ Lisa McInerney, author of The Blood Miracles

THE INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLERAn Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025‘One of the most exciting writers working in Ireland today’ SALLY ROONEY''One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama''OBSERVER''Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent'' MICHAEL MAGEE‘Growing up isn’t all fun and games’ SERVICE95A stunning debut novel following a teenage boy as he comes of age on the west coast of Ireland, from the author of the acclaimed story collection Pure Gold.Seventeen-year-old John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up and he should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through. Instead, he’s working mind-numbing shifts at the local hotel and trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island.As John joins the local senior football team, gets caught up in fights and parties, and embarks on a tentative relationship with his slightly older co-worker Amber that he feels both proud and ashamed of, he can almost pretend that this summer will last forever. But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stay or leave, to stand out or fit in, and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human.Fun and Games is a darkly comic, beautifully crafted debut novel that is full of feeling both harsh and tender. It takes in social class and its firm borders, manhood and its frailties, family and, of course, love.''Brilliantly written; as evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney''VOGUE''A writer at the top of his technical game''TELEGRAPH''In 20 years of reviewing, I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL''Warmth and sensitivity, and a skillful humour'' GUARDIAN''Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON‘Brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love, friendship and GAA'' IRISH TIMES''One of the debuts of the year''iPAPER''An utter joy to read'' COLIN BARRETT‘A gifted writer'' ANNE GRIFFIN‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life'' COLIN WALSH''A remarkable depiction of burgeoning masculinity'' REBECCA WATSON''Totally brilliant and unputdownable'' IRISH EXAMINERJohn Patrick McHugh''s ''Fun and Games'' was a Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST ‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ SALLY ROONEY ‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love’ IRISH TIMES 'One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama'OBSERVER John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up. He should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through, but instead he's desperately trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island. He's doing his best to distract himself with his Gaelic football ambitions, going out with his mates and a blossoming, sort-of, romance with his slightly older co-worker Amber.But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stand out or fit in and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite, or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human. A book of the year in Observer, Irish Times, iPaper, Vogue, Esquire and more ‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ TELEGRAPH As evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’VOGUE ‘Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent’ MICHAEL MAGEE ‘I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ COLIN WALSH, author of Kala‘Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON, author of Glorious Exploits‘A gifted writer’ ANNE GRIFFIN, author of The Island of LongingJohn Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.

INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST ‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ SALLY ROONEY ‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love’ IRISH TIMES 'One of my favourite books of the year’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama'OBSERVER John Masterson has no idea what he wants. It’s his last summer on the small island where he has grown up. He should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through, but instead he's desperately trying to keep his head down after his mother’s nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island. He's doing his best to distract himself with his Gaelic football ambitions, going out with his mates and a blossoming, sort-of, romance with his slightly older co-worker Amber.But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stand out or fit in and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite, or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human. A book of the year in Observer, Irish Times, iPaper, Vogue, Esquire and more ‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ TELEGRAPH As evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’VOGUE ‘Gorgeous … a writer of immense talent’ MICHAEL MAGEE ‘I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ DAILY MAIL ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ COLIN WALSH, author of Kala‘Funny and heartbreaking’ FERDIA LENNON, author of Glorious Exploits‘A gifted writer’ ANNE GRIFFIN, author of The Island of LongingJohn Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.