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The Ballad of Ronan McCoy
Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26A tender coming-of-age story about friendship, first love, loss, and facing the ultimate who am I going to be? For fans of Douglas Stuart, Michael Magee, David Nicholls and Andrew O'Hagan
Brendan's best friend, his only friend, is Ronan McCoy. He knows things about Brendan that no one else about his job washing the cars at Feeney’s Funeral Home, about the loneliness he sometimes feels even when surrounded by hundreds of others at school. But Brendan never told Ronan about the dark feeling that sits at the bottom of his stomach, the feeling that tells him something bad is coming. It never comes when Ronan's around.
Ronan is smart and sporty and popular, totally comfortable in his own all the things that Brendan himself isn't. But Ronan always makes him feel like a good friend, a good person, a better Brendan.
Standing at the school gates on the first day of term, the dark feeling begins to form in Brendan's stomach. And when Ronan doesn’t turn up, Brendan learns that something terrible happened to his best friend over the summer and he'll never be the same again. Over the course of the final year of school, Brendan will have to learn to navigate the new shape of their friendship and find a place for himself in the world without Ronan to protect him.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a beautifully written, tender coming-of-age story about friendship and first love, loss and letting go, and the hopes and fears of a young man standing on the cusp of the rest of his life.
Brendan's best friend, his only friend, is Ronan McCoy. He knows things about Brendan that no one else about his job washing the cars at Feeney’s Funeral Home, about the loneliness he sometimes feels even when surrounded by hundreds of others at school. But Brendan never told Ronan about the dark feeling that sits at the bottom of his stomach, the feeling that tells him something bad is coming. It never comes when Ronan's around.
Ronan is smart and sporty and popular, totally comfortable in his own all the things that Brendan himself isn't. But Ronan always makes him feel like a good friend, a good person, a better Brendan.
Standing at the school gates on the first day of term, the dark feeling begins to form in Brendan's stomach. And when Ronan doesn’t turn up, Brendan learns that something terrible happened to his best friend over the summer and he'll never be the same again. Over the course of the final year of school, Brendan will have to learn to navigate the new shape of their friendship and find a place for himself in the world without Ronan to protect him.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a beautifully written, tender coming-of-age story about friendship and first love, loss and letting go, and the hopes and fears of a young man standing on the cusp of the rest of his life.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 18, 2026
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June 5, 2025merlin actor writing a gay coming of age novel I said oh im sure 🙂↕️🙂↕️
January 5, 2026
A tearjerker. But in the best possible way.
I lost count of how many times my eyes went blurry while reading this gorgeous book. It already started at the very beginning, when Brendan just knows that something has happened to his best friend Ronan after he doesn’t show up at school following summer break. And when I found out what was wrong with Ronan, tears immediately sprang to my eyes. And they kept coming and sometimes I had to put my ereader down because otherwise I would be a sobbing mess. But every now and then my lips would suddenly pull up, and the more I read, the more that smile grew, sometimes I even chuckled out loud.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a story about friendship, about grief, about love. It’s a book to keep loads of tissues at hand, a story that crawls into your heart and warms you from the inside. The writing itself is pretty simple, Brendan’s voice a little younger than sixteen. But oh boy, set somewhere in the early aughts in Northern Ireland, this is a stunner of a novel in all its simplicity. And it feels incredibly personal.
Brendan and the McCoys had such a beautiful relationship and as a parent, I was in awe of those two people who were so optimistic and had so much love for Brendan despite what had happened to their son.
That last part wrecked me. I read a bit, started sobbing, did some laundry, read a bit more until the dam broke again, did some more chores, tried to read again, but my eyes blurred the moment I started. I finally thought the water had settled in me, and then Brendan suggested something, and the flood came pouring back again.
Sometimes life is so unfair. And sometimes, even in the ugliest moments, it is so beautiful…
Thank you, HQ Stories and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC.
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I lost count of how many times my eyes went blurry while reading this gorgeous book. It already started at the very beginning, when Brendan just knows that something has happened to his best friend Ronan after he doesn’t show up at school following summer break. And when I found out what was wrong with Ronan, tears immediately sprang to my eyes. And they kept coming and sometimes I had to put my ereader down because otherwise I would be a sobbing mess. But every now and then my lips would suddenly pull up, and the more I read, the more that smile grew, sometimes I even chuckled out loud.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a story about friendship, about grief, about love. It’s a book to keep loads of tissues at hand, a story that crawls into your heart and warms you from the inside. The writing itself is pretty simple, Brendan’s voice a little younger than sixteen. But oh boy, set somewhere in the early aughts in Northern Ireland, this is a stunner of a novel in all its simplicity. And it feels incredibly personal.
Brendan and the McCoys had such a beautiful relationship and as a parent, I was in awe of those two people who were so optimistic and had so much love for Brendan despite what had happened to their son.
That last part wrecked me. I read a bit, started sobbing, did some laundry, read a bit more until the dam broke again, did some more chores, tried to read again, but my eyes blurred the moment I started. I finally thought the water had settled in me, and then Brendan suggested something, and the flood came pouring back again.
Sometimes life is so unfair. And sometimes, even in the ugliest moments, it is so beautiful…
Thank you, HQ Stories and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC.
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January 31, 2026
One of the best literary fiction novels I've read.
This book was heartfelt and hopeful with an underlying reminder of the solemnity of the human existence. Ronan and Brendan's relationship was complex and understandable in their new context of friendship with Morgan weaving threads together to pull us into their lives so deeply that they'll leave their marks on us. I was transfixed by this book and honestly just think it's a wonderful story that was told beautifully, it was subtle in its simplicity but was packed with powerful emotion. A five star debut from Colin Morgan.
31/01/2026 - re-read: still a five star read and even more impactful upon a second read, I noticed so many elements of the book that I didn't in the first instance and in fact, noticing them has made me already want to go back to the beginning and take in the story again.
This book was heartfelt and hopeful with an underlying reminder of the solemnity of the human existence. Ronan and Brendan's relationship was complex and understandable in their new context of friendship with Morgan weaving threads together to pull us into their lives so deeply that they'll leave their marks on us. I was transfixed by this book and honestly just think it's a wonderful story that was told beautifully, it was subtle in its simplicity but was packed with powerful emotion. A five star debut from Colin Morgan.
31/01/2026 - re-read: still a five star read and even more impactful upon a second read, I noticed so many elements of the book that I didn't in the first instance and in fact, noticing them has made me already want to go back to the beginning and take in the story again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The best compliment I can pay this book is that I can't currently write a proper review of this as I will just end up in tears. One of my favourite books of the year. Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I may come back and add to this or I may just leave this beautiful book in my now broken heart 💔
June 15, 2025
Knowing Colin, this is going to be depressing af. I’m ready 🙂↕️🥲
October 1, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Firstly a huge thank you to HQ stories for the early proof copy! I’ve always been such a huge fan of Colin Morgan from watching him in Merlin when I was younger so when I found out he was releasing a novel I just knew I had to read it.
What an outstanding debut novel it is. The story felt so raw and real to me, I could picture everything in my head so perfectly and that is one of my favourite things as a reader. Having struggled in high school myself I could really relate to Brendan and wished I had someone like Ronan to lean on during those dark days. Their friendship was so special and it truly captured my heart.
The novel beautifully covers the theme of friendship and coming of age so effortlessly. I found myself tearing up during several moments, whilst also enjoying the heartfelt happy moments, I went through all the emotions while reading this. Another thing I loved was Brendan’s kindness and his connections with the McCoy’s. I just wanted to give him a big hug, he always tried his best to make sure everyone else was okay leaving little to no time for himself! Such a selfless individual, his friendship with Ronan is too pure for this earth and I’m grateful to have been apart of it in some way as a reader.
I will be recommending this to all my friends and family, this book must be on your radar for 2026!
Firstly a huge thank you to HQ stories for the early proof copy! I’ve always been such a huge fan of Colin Morgan from watching him in Merlin when I was younger so when I found out he was releasing a novel I just knew I had to read it.
What an outstanding debut novel it is. The story felt so raw and real to me, I could picture everything in my head so perfectly and that is one of my favourite things as a reader. Having struggled in high school myself I could really relate to Brendan and wished I had someone like Ronan to lean on during those dark days. Their friendship was so special and it truly captured my heart.
The novel beautifully covers the theme of friendship and coming of age so effortlessly. I found myself tearing up during several moments, whilst also enjoying the heartfelt happy moments, I went through all the emotions while reading this. Another thing I loved was Brendan’s kindness and his connections with the McCoy’s. I just wanted to give him a big hug, he always tried his best to make sure everyone else was okay leaving little to no time for himself! Such a selfless individual, his friendship with Ronan is too pure for this earth and I’m grateful to have been apart of it in some way as a reader.
I will be recommending this to all my friends and family, this book must be on your radar for 2026!
October 17, 2025
I couldn’t stop annotating this book! Every few pages there was a line so raw and beautiful that I had to pause and take it in. Colin Morgan writes about grief, love, and friendship with such honesty and tenderness that it lingers long after the last page. This is a story that feels deeply human, heartbreaking, and yet full of quiet hope.
Beautifully written, unforgettable, and profoundly moving.
Thank you so much to HQ Stories for the gifted copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy!
Beautifully written, unforgettable, and profoundly moving.
Thank you so much to HQ Stories for the gifted copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy!
September 24, 2025
This is heavy. Yet there are moments that were so light and lovely that it had me smiling. The Ballad of Ronan McCoy tells the story of friendship, family, love, and above all grief. Grief is explored in so many different variants but at the heart of this book is the tale of Brendan and his best friend Ronan.
Colin Morgan has made my heart ache in both a good and bad way. There are lots of moments I could talk about but specifically there is a scene that stood out to me, Brendan and his Mum are talking about a death in the family and the instant reaction to that was so bizarre and made no sense. Brendan was making a sandwich, he couldn’t stop making this sandwich and it made him and his dad late to the hospital. Something so small and simple, yet it resonated with me so much. The night my dad died, I had this box of chocolates, it was a big box that was gifted for Christmas. I sat after coming home from the hospital just chatting and eating these chocolates and it was so normal but also like what was I doing? Eating my favourite chocolates just after my dad had died. This book made me feel and remember things that I haven’t thought of in so many years. It really touched me and hit in a way very few books do.
I really believe everyone should read The Ballad of Ronan McCoy, it’s touching and painful but there is so much truth and power in the words. It’s truly heart wrenching and beautiful. The journey of grief in this book is a painful truth that is stunningly written. A tremendous debut novel from Morgan!
5/5 ⭐️
Release date: June 2026
Thankyou so much @whatcarolineread / @hqstories for gifting me such an early copy.
Colin Morgan has made my heart ache in both a good and bad way. There are lots of moments I could talk about but specifically there is a scene that stood out to me, Brendan and his Mum are talking about a death in the family and the instant reaction to that was so bizarre and made no sense. Brendan was making a sandwich, he couldn’t stop making this sandwich and it made him and his dad late to the hospital. Something so small and simple, yet it resonated with me so much. The night my dad died, I had this box of chocolates, it was a big box that was gifted for Christmas. I sat after coming home from the hospital just chatting and eating these chocolates and it was so normal but also like what was I doing? Eating my favourite chocolates just after my dad had died. This book made me feel and remember things that I haven’t thought of in so many years. It really touched me and hit in a way very few books do.
I really believe everyone should read The Ballad of Ronan McCoy, it’s touching and painful but there is so much truth and power in the words. It’s truly heart wrenching and beautiful. The journey of grief in this book is a painful truth that is stunningly written. A tremendous debut novel from Morgan!
5/5 ⭐️
Release date: June 2026
Thankyou so much @whatcarolineread / @hqstories for gifting me such an early copy.
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September 21, 2025Merlin actor writing a coming of age literary fiction?? I am SO reading to get my heart broken
November 9, 2025
4,5? zaskakująco dobry debiut Colina Morgana (tak, tego od Merlina)
poruszająca, spokojna, nieefektowna historia o chłopięcej przyjaźni, o stracie, przedłużonej żałobie, samotności, napisana z wyczuciem, bez patosu, bez ckliwości. to nie jest historia o nadludzkiej sile czy o cudzie, tylko o tym, co się dzieje, gdy cud się nie wydarza. żałoba, wina, lojalność, pożegnania i trochę irlandzkiego błota
bardzo dobrze napisana, choć czasem zbyt powściągliwa, ale za to realistyczna — naprawdę udany debiut
poruszająca, spokojna, nieefektowna historia o chłopięcej przyjaźni, o stracie, przedłużonej żałobie, samotności, napisana z wyczuciem, bez patosu, bez ckliwości. to nie jest historia o nadludzkiej sile czy o cudzie, tylko o tym, co się dzieje, gdy cud się nie wydarza. żałoba, wina, lojalność, pożegnania i trochę irlandzkiego błota
bardzo dobrze napisana, choć czasem zbyt powściągliwa, ale za to realistyczna — naprawdę udany debiut
Want to read
November 4, 2025MERLIN WROTE A BOOK!
Want to read
December 4, 2025IS IT JUNE YET 😩
Want to read
June 14, 2025I'm the idiot who got so excited, I rated it before it's even out on my other account 😂😂 Excitement rating then. Sounds fair, right? But seriously ... rewriting my own book now, so this was cool to see. Looking forward!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Ballad of Roman Mcoy
By Colin Morgan
Published by HarperCollins Publishers
This sweet, tender coming of age book is an absolute gem that will resonate with your own growing up years. Full of innocent love, family, friendships, exams and difficult decisions that will pave your future self.
Colin Morgan has packed his debut novel full of -
Moments that will pull on your heart strings.
Moments that will uncover a memory of your own.
Moments that will make you laugh and break your heart.
Brendan has one friend, his best friend, is Ronan McCoy.
He knows everything about Brendan -
about his mums grief after his gran has passed,
about his car washing job at Feeney’s Funeral Home,
about his loneliness he feels even when surrounded by others.
In contrast, Ronan is smart, sporty, Mr Popular and comfortable in his teenage years. And together they are BEST friends.
But when Ronan doesn’t turn up at the school gate one morning, Brendan discovers that a terrible incident has happened to his best friend over the summer.
As the final year of school, exams and friendships unfolds for Brendan, he must juggle his own feelings. What will be the new shape of life after school? How will he find a place for himself in the outside world? Nothing will be the same again. No one can change the path of what happened that summer. But friends, family and love will all play its part.
This beautifully written book oozes with tender, awkward moments, that scream teenage years. It makes you reflect on your own journey in life. What has been. What will come. But nothing can prepare you for the love you will feel and the tears you will shed. A must read but have those tissues close to hand.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery
By Colin Morgan
Published by HarperCollins Publishers
This sweet, tender coming of age book is an absolute gem that will resonate with your own growing up years. Full of innocent love, family, friendships, exams and difficult decisions that will pave your future self.
Colin Morgan has packed his debut novel full of -
Moments that will pull on your heart strings.
Moments that will uncover a memory of your own.
Moments that will make you laugh and break your heart.
Brendan has one friend, his best friend, is Ronan McCoy.
He knows everything about Brendan -
about his mums grief after his gran has passed,
about his car washing job at Feeney’s Funeral Home,
about his loneliness he feels even when surrounded by others.
In contrast, Ronan is smart, sporty, Mr Popular and comfortable in his teenage years. And together they are BEST friends.
But when Ronan doesn’t turn up at the school gate one morning, Brendan discovers that a terrible incident has happened to his best friend over the summer.
As the final year of school, exams and friendships unfolds for Brendan, he must juggle his own feelings. What will be the new shape of life after school? How will he find a place for himself in the outside world? Nothing will be the same again. No one can change the path of what happened that summer. But friends, family and love will all play its part.
This beautifully written book oozes with tender, awkward moments, that scream teenage years. It makes you reflect on your own journey in life. What has been. What will come. But nothing can prepare you for the love you will feel and the tears you will shed. A must read but have those tissues close to hand.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery
January 13, 2026
What a beautiful book.
Brendan is a teenage boy about to take the step from school to adult life. He often feels that the only person who really knows him is Ronan his best friend – to everyone else, he is barely noticeable. Ronan is smart, he is good at sports – and Brendan is average, timid, always in Ronan’s shadow, and struggling with the very early signs of teenage depression. But the boys enjoy each other equally and Brendan is perfectly happy as the quieter friend as he returns for the first day of the autumn semester in their last year of secondary school.
And then Ronan doesn’t appear – and Brendan finds out that something has happened, and while Ronan may come back to school, he is not the same Ronan, he will not be the smart sporty outgoing person again. Everyone else knows what happened, but Brendan doesn’t want to hear; he wants to wait until Ronan is able to tell him himself.
The story winds through the year with Brendan becoming a rock for Ronan’s devastated parents to cling to, and earning a new respect from his own parents, from his employer – he has a part time job washing the cars for the local funeral director – and finds romance for himself at the same time as he remains loyal and steadfast to Ronan.
The novel is a page turner as we watch Brendan change into a strong and dependable young man, navigating school work, part time work, study for his final exams, earning the respect of teachers and becoming recognised by his peers. At the same time our heart is breaking for him as he does his utmost to fix Ronan, and trying to keep the blackness at bay.
It would be difficult to feel unmoved by the story and Colin Morgan has excelled in keeping us hanging on until the end to find out how the characters come through the year
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book
Brendan is a teenage boy about to take the step from school to adult life. He often feels that the only person who really knows him is Ronan his best friend – to everyone else, he is barely noticeable. Ronan is smart, he is good at sports – and Brendan is average, timid, always in Ronan’s shadow, and struggling with the very early signs of teenage depression. But the boys enjoy each other equally and Brendan is perfectly happy as the quieter friend as he returns for the first day of the autumn semester in their last year of secondary school.
And then Ronan doesn’t appear – and Brendan finds out that something has happened, and while Ronan may come back to school, he is not the same Ronan, he will not be the smart sporty outgoing person again. Everyone else knows what happened, but Brendan doesn’t want to hear; he wants to wait until Ronan is able to tell him himself.
The story winds through the year with Brendan becoming a rock for Ronan’s devastated parents to cling to, and earning a new respect from his own parents, from his employer – he has a part time job washing the cars for the local funeral director – and finds romance for himself at the same time as he remains loyal and steadfast to Ronan.
The novel is a page turner as we watch Brendan change into a strong and dependable young man, navigating school work, part time work, study for his final exams, earning the respect of teachers and becoming recognised by his peers. At the same time our heart is breaking for him as he does his utmost to fix Ronan, and trying to keep the blackness at bay.
It would be difficult to feel unmoved by the story and Colin Morgan has excelled in keeping us hanging on until the end to find out how the characters come through the year
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book
January 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
I first knew this author as an actor and had watched him in a few TV series before, so when I realized he had written a novel, I was genuinely surprised. What surprised me even more was how good it is. Finishing this book, I couldn’t help thinking: how can one person be this talented? Maybe the Irish really are born storytellers.
Told from the perspective of a 16-year-old boy, this novel is a deeply moving story about coming of age, grief, friendship, and love. The language is simple and very readable, but the emotional range is impressive — sometimes painfully realistic, sometimes quietly funny, and sometimes almost dreamlike and beautiful. Reading it felt like being gently pulled through a series of vivid, cinematic scenes, and I imagine the author’s background as an actor plays a big role in how visually and emotionally alive the writing feels.
What really stayed with me was watching Brendan’s growth. You can clearly see how he moves from being lost and lonely to someone who learns how to stand up for himself, protect the people he cares about, resist injustice, and begin to find his own direction in life. That transformation feels earned and incredibly human.
The ending absolutely broke me — hopeful, heartbreaking, and beautiful all at once. I was crying by the final pages and didn’t want to let go of these characters. This is an easy five-star read for me, and I already can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Highly recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
I first knew this author as an actor and had watched him in a few TV series before, so when I realized he had written a novel, I was genuinely surprised. What surprised me even more was how good it is. Finishing this book, I couldn’t help thinking: how can one person be this talented? Maybe the Irish really are born storytellers.
Told from the perspective of a 16-year-old boy, this novel is a deeply moving story about coming of age, grief, friendship, and love. The language is simple and very readable, but the emotional range is impressive — sometimes painfully realistic, sometimes quietly funny, and sometimes almost dreamlike and beautiful. Reading it felt like being gently pulled through a series of vivid, cinematic scenes, and I imagine the author’s background as an actor plays a big role in how visually and emotionally alive the writing feels.
What really stayed with me was watching Brendan’s growth. You can clearly see how he moves from being lost and lonely to someone who learns how to stand up for himself, protect the people he cares about, resist injustice, and begin to find his own direction in life. That transformation feels earned and incredibly human.
The ending absolutely broke me — hopeful, heartbreaking, and beautiful all at once. I was crying by the final pages and didn’t want to let go of these characters. This is an easy five-star read for me, and I already can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Last year I read Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald and thought it was one of the best books I would read all year. It went on to win the Carnegie Award.
It is only January 2026 and I believe I have just finished one of the best books I will read all year as I finish Colin Morgan's astonishingly accomplished debut.
Brendan, a young sixteen year old in Northern Ireland takes us through a heart trending year in his life as his best friend, Ronan, returns from the Summer holidays with terrible life changing injuries.
How Brendan deals with this tragedy as it unfolds, is at once heart rending and, ultimately, inspiring.
I defy anyone to remain unmoved by this beautifully written book of grief and rebuilding.
A qualified happy ending for Brendan is the ending this book richly deserves.
In terms of writing style, many of the phrases stuck in my mind long after I finished the book. Colin Morgan is a powerful debut author and I hope to see more of his work in future.
Thank you NetGalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this title
It is only January 2026 and I believe I have just finished one of the best books I will read all year as I finish Colin Morgan's astonishingly accomplished debut.
Brendan, a young sixteen year old in Northern Ireland takes us through a heart trending year in his life as his best friend, Ronan, returns from the Summer holidays with terrible life changing injuries.
How Brendan deals with this tragedy as it unfolds, is at once heart rending and, ultimately, inspiring.
I defy anyone to remain unmoved by this beautifully written book of grief and rebuilding.
A qualified happy ending for Brendan is the ending this book richly deserves.
In terms of writing style, many of the phrases stuck in my mind long after I finished the book. Colin Morgan is a powerful debut author and I hope to see more of his work in future.
Thank you NetGalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this title
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance ebook copy.
This book was so wonderful I ended up reading it within a few days. The story delves into how Brendan (whose perspective the book is told from) deals with the aftermath of his best friend, Ronan having a life-changing accident and how Brendan navigates school, work, family and his first relationship alongside this.
It was hard not to feel teary eyed at moments in the final quarter of the book which is a testament to how moving the story was while also being very easy to read.
This book was so wonderful I ended up reading it within a few days. The story delves into how Brendan (whose perspective the book is told from) deals with the aftermath of his best friend, Ronan having a life-changing accident and how Brendan navigates school, work, family and his first relationship alongside this.
It was hard not to feel teary eyed at moments in the final quarter of the book which is a testament to how moving the story was while also being very easy to read.
February 5, 2026
"To me, every word of a person's own story is like a beat of their own heart."
This truly was a beautiful story. Heart-rending at times, for sure, but if there’s one thing I’ll remember about the novel it’s how much I loved Brendan and Ronan’s friendship. The sudden change in their lives requires a lot of (re)learning for many characters—mainly: how to communicate with one another—yet the boys’ relationship remains as special as it was "before." I really enjoyed Brendan’s narration, from his deeply honest thoughts to his extraordinary dreams with New Ronan. His father’s growth and his mother’s healing journey were also wonderful to follow. I liked the early 2000s atmosphere as well—things felt much more authentic without all those social media… All in all, Colin Morgan captured such complex emotions with true finesse. He is a remarkable storyteller and I cannot wait to read what he writes next (I wouldn’t mind a bit of poetry from him; I just keep coming back to Jennifer’s poem).
Huge thanks to HQ via NetGalley for the ARC!
This truly was a beautiful story. Heart-rending at times, for sure, but if there’s one thing I’ll remember about the novel it’s how much I loved Brendan and Ronan’s friendship. The sudden change in their lives requires a lot of (re)learning for many characters—mainly: how to communicate with one another—yet the boys’ relationship remains as special as it was "before." I really enjoyed Brendan’s narration, from his deeply honest thoughts to his extraordinary dreams with New Ronan. His father’s growth and his mother’s healing journey were also wonderful to follow. I liked the early 2000s atmosphere as well—things felt much more authentic without all those social media… All in all, Colin Morgan captured such complex emotions with true finesse. He is a remarkable storyteller and I cannot wait to read what he writes next (I wouldn’t mind a bit of poetry from him; I just keep coming back to Jennifer’s poem).
Huge thanks to HQ via NetGalley for the ARC!
December 11, 2025
Quite simply, a remarkable book.
In this tender, gentle story 16 year old Brendan and outgoing, popular Ronan are best friends, although they don't see each during school holidays. Brendan is quiet and occasionally has dark feelings. Ronan is able to bring back laughter. But then something happens which changes their lives.
It's ultimately uplifting but you'll need a hanky.
Fresh, powerful writing from Colin Morgan.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital ARC.
In this tender, gentle story 16 year old Brendan and outgoing, popular Ronan are best friends, although they don't see each during school holidays. Brendan is quiet and occasionally has dark feelings. Ronan is able to bring back laughter. But then something happens which changes their lives.
It's ultimately uplifting but you'll need a hanky.
Fresh, powerful writing from Colin Morgan.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A sensationally, emotionally powerful, poetic display of the bonds forged through grief, love and the universe.
Morgan’s writing highlights the all encompassing nature of school age friendship and the importance of it in shaping our futures.
I have a hardened heart yet this book moved me to tears on multiple occasions for a myriad of emotions.
A 5* must read.
Morgan’s writing highlights the all encompassing nature of school age friendship and the importance of it in shaping our futures.
I have a hardened heart yet this book moved me to tears on multiple occasions for a myriad of emotions.
A 5* must read.
November 25, 2025
i. cannot. wait. to. read. this. Colin Morgan you are my new favorite author and its not even out yet!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i'll write a review when i've stopped crying
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly thank you to Netgalley, author and publisher for allowing me to read this beautiful book. 'The Ballad of Ronan McCoy' is a tender coming of age story about friendship, love and grief. Set in Ireland this brilliantly written, at times heart wrenching, story centres around Brendan and Ronan. It will make you cry and laugh, then cry some more. This is a book that stays with you long after the last page and definitely one that makes you so glad that you've read. A book truly worth 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The final 12 months of a schoolboy who is horribly damaged in an accident could be quite a dark read. This book is not that at all. It is an uplifting story of friendships being more deeply forged by facing adversity. A thoroughly compelling story of relationships between school children aged 16-17. Sad but also enjoyable and optimistic.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was sent an advance copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy by Colin Morgan to read and review by NetGalley. What an absolute triumph! This book is beautifully written, heartfelt, poignant, and full of love. The subject is a difficult one but the read is not. It is a story of friendship and compassion and it really makes you question some fundamental things about your own self. Make sure you have the tissues ready but do not let this put you off, this is a book that screams out to be read.
Read
February 10, 2026DNF at 27%. I tried this from 11/01 to 22/01. This isn’t bad at all but I’m just not feeling this. I thought this was going to be a coming of age novel about two young men falling in love with each other but it has developed into something else. I could finish this but it probably won’t be more than a 3 star.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
January 27, 2026
I hope June 18th arrives soon so I can read this book. Colin, with his usual delicacy, manages to touch people's hearts whether it's through the screen, on a stage, or in the pages of a book.
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