Fun and Games

THE INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARDS 2025

AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST OF 2025

‘A triumph … the funniest novel I've read in years’ 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

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.

‘Welcome to the psyche of a teenage boy in all its humorous and hormonal glory’ Telegraph

‘Brilliantly written; as evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney’ Vogue

‘In 20 years of reviewing, I’m not sure I’ve read a funnier book, or one I’ve enjoyed more’ Antony Cummins, Daily Mail

‘A brilliant and bittersweet ode to young love, friendship and GAA’ Irish Times

‘One of the funniest novels I've read in years … an utter joy to read’ Colin Barrett, author of Wild Houses

‘One of my favourite books of the year’ Julia Armfield, author of Private Rites

‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life’ Colin Walsh, author of Kala

John Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was a Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.