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The Ballad of Ronan McCoy
Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26Brendan's best friend, his only friend, is Ronan McCoy. He knows things about Brendan that no one else does: 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 skin: 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.
Ronan is smart and sporty and popular, totally comfortable in his own skin: 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.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 18, 2026
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Want to Read
June 5, 2025merlin actor writing a gay coming of age novel I said oh im sure 🙂↕️🙂↕️
March 26, 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 🙂↕️🥲
April 6, 2026
I am very tight fisted with my 5 star ratings, but this book totally got me. What a devastatingly poignant book from beginning to end. It’s a gorgeously written story of unconditional teenage friendship, loss and grief. I lost count of the times I cried, and spent most of the book with a lump in my throat.
I wouldn’t recommend this to everybody at any time, because it is just so heart shattering and sometimes the sadness is overwhelming. However, if you’re in the mood for a book that is character driven and devastating, and need a really good cry, this is fantastic.
Two of my favourite quotes:
“Coffins are made from great tall oaks. I think I’d choose oak. Out there, somewhere in the world, there’s a tree and it’s growing. It’s growing for me.”
“Promise less, give more.”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this outstanding book. I’ll be thinking about it for a very long time.
I wouldn’t recommend this to everybody at any time, because it is just so heart shattering and sometimes the sadness is overwhelming. However, if you’re in the mood for a book that is character driven and devastating, and need a really good cry, this is fantastic.
Two of my favourite quotes:
“Coffins are made from great tall oaks. I think I’d choose oak. Out there, somewhere in the world, there’s a tree and it’s growing. It’s growing for me.”
“Promise less, give more.”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this outstanding book. I’ll be thinking about it for a very long time.
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.
Want to Read
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
May 13, 2026
Update: I can’t stop thinking about this book. I urge anyone who reads this review to grab a copy when it’s out.
Oh my goodness, this was so beautiful and heart wrenching. I couldn’t get enough of this book and found myself looking forward to reading just one more page at any given opportunity.
This book depicts the purest, most beautiful friendship between two teenage boys about to end secondary school. I don’t want to divulge more than that because knowing too much would ruin the magic.
Be warned, there is a lot of heartbreak and grief involved. Your own heart will probably be broken several times too. But it will also be put back together and you’ll come out the other side with your heart full and all the better for having spent time with the boys, their families and their friends.
If you want a story of friendship, love, grief, family and community, this one is for you. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for this e-ARC.
Oh my goodness, this was so beautiful and heart wrenching. I couldn’t get enough of this book and found myself looking forward to reading just one more page at any given opportunity.
This book depicts the purest, most beautiful friendship between two teenage boys about to end secondary school. I don’t want to divulge more than that because knowing too much would ruin the magic.
Be warned, there is a lot of heartbreak and grief involved. Your own heart will probably be broken several times too. But it will also be put back together and you’ll come out the other side with your heart full and all the better for having spent time with the boys, their families and their friends.
If you want a story of friendship, love, grief, family and community, this one is for you. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for this e-ARC.
Want to Read
November 4, 2025MERLIN WROTE A BOOK!
March 22, 2026
I loved this book so much. What a beautiful story. I read this in 24 hours. I felt so invested in the story, and like I actually knew the characters. Brendan and Ronan’s connection was so special. I teared up a few times and I even properly cried while reading. Loved!
March 7, 2026
I knew this was going to be special when I found myself laughing and crying in just the first few chapters! It’s been a while since a story really had such an impact on me. I’ve just finished and struggling to gather my thoughts through the tears, but what a beautiful and intricate exploration of grief. Some of the quotes from Mr Feeney will stay with me forever I’m sure. 'Grief,’ Mr Feeney always said, ‘is a strange thing. No two people ever feel it the same way and no two people ever feel the same afterwards.’
I got an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
I got an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
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!
Want to Read
December 4, 2025IS IT JUNE YET 😩
Want to Read
March 11, 2026I can't wait to read my favorite actor's writing!
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
This was so close to being a five-star read and is in most of its entirety.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a stunning story, of friendship, grief and growing up. Starting your final year of high school is already a daunting task, the questions of your future overwhelming you entirely, this was portrayed perfectly throughout. Brendan didn’t just have to deal with this new school life, terrifying exams and facing school without his best friend, he also had to learn how to be friends with Ronan all over again.
Overall, it was a beautiful book. Exceptionally well written for a debut, with a range of characters who act to situations differently, and humanly. No one was perfect, and that was the point. We all must learn to get used to different situations, we may make mistakes, but what matters is how we overcome them.
As Brendan said, grief is goodness. We grieve because we loved that person so much. How lucky we are to have had them in our life.
Final rating; 4.5 stars.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a stunning story, of friendship, grief and growing up. Starting your final year of high school is already a daunting task, the questions of your future overwhelming you entirely, this was portrayed perfectly throughout. Brendan didn’t just have to deal with this new school life, terrifying exams and facing school without his best friend, he also had to learn how to be friends with Ronan all over again.
Overall, it was a beautiful book. Exceptionally well written for a debut, with a range of characters who act to situations differently, and humanly. No one was perfect, and that was the point. We all must learn to get used to different situations, we may make mistakes, but what matters is how we overcome them.
As Brendan said, grief is goodness. We grieve because we loved that person so much. How lucky we are to have had them in our life.
Final rating; 4.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Contains Thematic Spoilers**
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I mean, I adore Colin so was excited when I saw he'd written a novel. I've seen him on TV in Merlin and on stage in Mojo. But "celebrity" books aren't always befitting of praise. But this is a definite exception.
I was concerned because it sounded quite literary - you know the type of books. The ones that are intelligent but difficult to read. But this wasn't. That's not to say it's not intelligent, because it is, but it was surprisingly easy and quick to read.
It was so beautiful but sad but hopeful.
I have professional and personal experience with disability and it can be hard for an able-bodied person to write about it without it coming across as a bit insensitive and cliché. But Colin has handled it so well. It's so sensitive but he hasn't gone down the aw-bless route.
It's so layered. It's about friendship, grief, loss, love, and fear. It doesn't sound like the happiest of books but somehow it manages to keep some lightness. It's bundled up with so much hope that you can't help but smile through the tears. And yes, there will be tears. Oh boy will there be tears.
As someone who has been through her fair share of bereavement, I found his writing of grief near to perfect.
If there was one criticism I'd say that Brendan's language sometimes feels younger than his 16 years, and if I didn't know, I would put him down as younger. It's not a big thing, it doesn't affect my rating, because his voice is so strong that it doesn't matter. You can see these boys, their relationship is so beautiful. You don't often see relationships between teenage boys in fiction like this. They're either all buddy-buddy, tough guys, or its in a romantic setting. This is just a beautiful friendship that's been tested.
I don't know if writing is something that Colin is interested in doing more of in the future but my God I hope so. This is such an accomplished debut. Everything about it is first rate. I don't tend to re-read books because I have so many new ones to read, but this one feels special and it may have to go back on the shelf for another day - even if I feel too fragile to think about reading it again yet. This is definitely going to be on my Best Books of 2026 List.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I mean, I adore Colin so was excited when I saw he'd written a novel. I've seen him on TV in Merlin and on stage in Mojo. But "celebrity" books aren't always befitting of praise. But this is a definite exception.
I was concerned because it sounded quite literary - you know the type of books. The ones that are intelligent but difficult to read. But this wasn't. That's not to say it's not intelligent, because it is, but it was surprisingly easy and quick to read.
It was so beautiful but sad but hopeful.
I have professional and personal experience with disability and it can be hard for an able-bodied person to write about it without it coming across as a bit insensitive and cliché. But Colin has handled it so well. It's so sensitive but he hasn't gone down the aw-bless route.
It's so layered. It's about friendship, grief, loss, love, and fear. It doesn't sound like the happiest of books but somehow it manages to keep some lightness. It's bundled up with so much hope that you can't help but smile through the tears. And yes, there will be tears. Oh boy will there be tears.
As someone who has been through her fair share of bereavement, I found his writing of grief near to perfect.
If there was one criticism I'd say that Brendan's language sometimes feels younger than his 16 years, and if I didn't know, I would put him down as younger. It's not a big thing, it doesn't affect my rating, because his voice is so strong that it doesn't matter. You can see these boys, their relationship is so beautiful. You don't often see relationships between teenage boys in fiction like this. They're either all buddy-buddy, tough guys, or its in a romantic setting. This is just a beautiful friendship that's been tested.
I don't know if writing is something that Colin is interested in doing more of in the future but my God I hope so. This is such an accomplished debut. Everything about it is first rate. I don't tend to re-read books because I have so many new ones to read, but this one feels special and it may have to go back on the shelf for another day - even if I feel too fragile to think about reading it again yet. This is definitely going to be on my Best Books of 2026 List.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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
May 14, 2026
5⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT
A gracefully poignant coming-of-age and must read novel! 😭😍
The fact that this book is Morgan’s debut is outstanding! An ode to friendship, discovery and first love, this book masterfully takes you on a journey with Brendan and Ronan as they navigate the complexities and modifications of a life-altering event.
Transformative in its prose, and equally raw and tender, I loved the topics in this book and how the characters dealt with them. Brendan was naive, yet full of optimism and his character grew wonderfully throughout the progression of the book. His friendship with Ronan was remarkable and I love how beautifully this was portrayed.
I had a few subtle tears here and there and I sobbed at other moments, as the delicateness blossoms into hard hitting events which Morgan does not shy away from. How Brendan was grieving a friendship that was still alive was brought to life so vividly and I felt every single part of his frustration, his sadness and ultimately his comprehension of the situation.
Mr Feeney was an excellent addition in this book and I loved the McCoy parents too. This book is about facing new beginnings and battling challenges and I loved how it was told. Truly a ballad in style, Morgan has written such an impactful novel and my review will never give it the justice it deserves.
A huge thank you @whatcarolineread @hqstories for this proof copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy, publishing in June, which is a story that I’ll treasure for life! 💚
I urge everyone to read this book. My absolute favourite of the year so far, and a strong contender for book of the year!
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
A gracefully poignant coming-of-age and must read novel! 😭😍
The fact that this book is Morgan’s debut is outstanding! An ode to friendship, discovery and first love, this book masterfully takes you on a journey with Brendan and Ronan as they navigate the complexities and modifications of a life-altering event.
Transformative in its prose, and equally raw and tender, I loved the topics in this book and how the characters dealt with them. Brendan was naive, yet full of optimism and his character grew wonderfully throughout the progression of the book. His friendship with Ronan was remarkable and I love how beautifully this was portrayed.
I had a few subtle tears here and there and I sobbed at other moments, as the delicateness blossoms into hard hitting events which Morgan does not shy away from. How Brendan was grieving a friendship that was still alive was brought to life so vividly and I felt every single part of his frustration, his sadness and ultimately his comprehension of the situation.
Mr Feeney was an excellent addition in this book and I loved the McCoy parents too. This book is about facing new beginnings and battling challenges and I loved how it was told. Truly a ballad in style, Morgan has written such an impactful novel and my review will never give it the justice it deserves.
A huge thank you @whatcarolineread @hqstories for this proof copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy, publishing in June, which is a story that I’ll treasure for life! 💚
I urge everyone to read this book. My absolute favourite of the year so far, and a strong contender for book of the year!
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
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
Tender and coming of age are not usually terms that spark my interest but The Ballad of Ronan McCoy may have converted me.
On the first day of his final year in high school Brendan, a quiet teenager who mostly exists as a wallflower, is shocked to find out his only friend Ronan has suffered a traumatic brain injury over the summer holidays. A natural follower, Brendan has always comfortably lived in the shadow of the more popular, confident and charming Ronan but this is no longer possible as Ronan can no longer communicate as he once did, much less attend school as before.
What follows is a deeply emotional and reflective story of friendship and brotherly love as Brendan bravely tries to navigate the changing dynamics of their relationship. To be what Ronan once used to be for him. All while navigating his own complicated home life, emerging romance with his first crush and the anxiety of finding a path for his own future and career as high school comes to an end.
Incredibly written and powerfully told, I found myself lost in the story and wishing it would never end. A smashing debut that is both painful and hopeful in equal parts. An early front runner for my favourite read of the year. I cannot recommend it more but be warned, there will be tears.
This book was provided as an advanced reader copy through #NetGalley.
On the first day of his final year in high school Brendan, a quiet teenager who mostly exists as a wallflower, is shocked to find out his only friend Ronan has suffered a traumatic brain injury over the summer holidays. A natural follower, Brendan has always comfortably lived in the shadow of the more popular, confident and charming Ronan but this is no longer possible as Ronan can no longer communicate as he once did, much less attend school as before.
What follows is a deeply emotional and reflective story of friendship and brotherly love as Brendan bravely tries to navigate the changing dynamics of their relationship. To be what Ronan once used to be for him. All while navigating his own complicated home life, emerging romance with his first crush and the anxiety of finding a path for his own future and career as high school comes to an end.
Incredibly written and powerfully told, I found myself lost in the story and wishing it would never end. A smashing debut that is both painful and hopeful in equal parts. An early front runner for my favourite read of the year. I cannot recommend it more but be warned, there will be tears.
This book was provided as an advanced reader copy through #NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don’t go around dropping 5 stars Willy nilly but I wasn’t even far into this story when I just knew it had 5 stars waiting to be announced.
I don’t know exactly what ballad the author had in mind to befit Ronan, but Brendan’s voice had me hearing Beautiful Boy over and over again.
This is such a special book, every character is written with such care. Brendan absolutely stole my heart, we don’t often hear the voice of an average, quiet often lonely and confused teenage boy, let alone get a peek at the giant that a gentle nature has the power to become. The story itself it powerful, its emotive its personal and it’s a big subject matter, but the real power is written in to every character, the author really managed to shape each and every one of them beautifully.
Just wait til you meet them all, you’ll love them, special mention to Mr. Feeney.
Beautiful in every way, it’s a hard task to have you smiling while the hearts ripped right out of you.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
*** approx 8 hours post review, I’ve just caught myself wondering how Brendan’s getting on ***
I genuinely can’t stop thinking about this story, I’ve recommended it to EVERYONE I’ll be stopping strangers in the street soon. I wish I could spend the rest of the year with only stories as good as this. I’m just calling it now, my book of the year.
I don’t know exactly what ballad the author had in mind to befit Ronan, but Brendan’s voice had me hearing Beautiful Boy over and over again.
This is such a special book, every character is written with such care. Brendan absolutely stole my heart, we don’t often hear the voice of an average, quiet often lonely and confused teenage boy, let alone get a peek at the giant that a gentle nature has the power to become. The story itself it powerful, its emotive its personal and it’s a big subject matter, but the real power is written in to every character, the author really managed to shape each and every one of them beautifully.
Just wait til you meet them all, you’ll love them, special mention to Mr. Feeney.
Beautiful in every way, it’s a hard task to have you smiling while the hearts ripped right out of you.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
*** approx 8 hours post review, I’ve just caught myself wondering how Brendan’s getting on ***
I genuinely can’t stop thinking about this story, I’ve recommended it to EVERYONE I’ll be stopping strangers in the street soon. I wish I could spend the rest of the year with only stories as good as this. I’m just calling it now, my book of the year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After Brendan’s best, and only, friend Ronan doesn’t show up on the first day of their last year of school. Brendan is thrown into a whirlwind of of emotions as he tries to figure out how to piece their friendship back together, and what to do with his life.
Morgan does a fantastic job narrating his own book, you really feel the hard hits of the emotional beats through his narration. It’s hard to imagine anyone else narrating this so I’m glad he did.
This was a strong debut really focusing on friendship and relationships in difficult situations. Brendan is a great MC to be following as he is quite selfless, though he doesn’t make all the right choices all the time he’s effortlessly human and is truly trying his hardest throughout the novel.
I particularly liked how everyone’s grief was portrayed differently throughout the novel. Either, completely shutting down, carrying on like normal in a somewhat manic way, or aggression, it all felt very realistic.
I will say I’ve been seeing a lot of people saying this is a queer novel, I think there’s definitely some queerness within it but I did not think it was a super central element to the story. If anyone is going into this thinking it’s going to be an epic queer story I think they’ll be sorely mistaken.
Thank you HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the ARC
Morgan does a fantastic job narrating his own book, you really feel the hard hits of the emotional beats through his narration. It’s hard to imagine anyone else narrating this so I’m glad he did.
This was a strong debut really focusing on friendship and relationships in difficult situations. Brendan is a great MC to be following as he is quite selfless, though he doesn’t make all the right choices all the time he’s effortlessly human and is truly trying his hardest throughout the novel.
I particularly liked how everyone’s grief was portrayed differently throughout the novel. Either, completely shutting down, carrying on like normal in a somewhat manic way, or aggression, it all felt very realistic.
I will say I’ve been seeing a lot of people saying this is a queer novel, I think there’s definitely some queerness within it but I did not think it was a super central element to the story. If anyone is going into this thinking it’s going to be an epic queer story I think they’ll be sorely mistaken.
Thank you HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was SO raw and beautiful. It deals with grief and love and learning who you are in such an incredible way and there's a few quotes I will hold with me which I'll post at the end so avoid if you don't want spoilers.
I don't typically read coming of age stories with male main characters, especially teenage ones so it was interesting to be inside Brendans mind and see his awkward first teenage crush and his school life and his beautiful friendship with Ronan.
The way they described remembering a lost loved one will stay with me.
"So, if you weigh it all up and you picture yourself at the end of your life, on your deathbed, and you ask yourself the question, would I regret it? Really picture yourself lyin’ there takin’ your final breaths – would I regret it? If you do that with anythin’ in life it’ll put it in perspective and give you the answer you need. Life,’ he said,‘ too short.’"
"It’s like . . . have you ever noticed that when you look into the black spaces between stars? Like if you really focus on the black it makes the stars look brighter? Much brighter than if you looked at them directly? Well, it’s like that sort of . . . I think that’s what grief kind of is or maybe just my weird view of it."
I don't typically read coming of age stories with male main characters, especially teenage ones so it was interesting to be inside Brendans mind and see his awkward first teenage crush and his school life and his beautiful friendship with Ronan.
The way they described remembering a lost loved one will stay with me.
"So, if you weigh it all up and you picture yourself at the end of your life, on your deathbed, and you ask yourself the question, would I regret it? Really picture yourself lyin’ there takin’ your final breaths – would I regret it? If you do that with anythin’ in life it’ll put it in perspective and give you the answer you need. Life,’ he said,‘ too short.’"
"It’s like . . . have you ever noticed that when you look into the black spaces between stars? Like if you really focus on the black it makes the stars look brighter? Much brighter than if you looked at them directly? Well, it’s like that sort of . . . I think that’s what grief kind of is or maybe just my weird view of it."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, @netgalley and @hqstories, for the eARC of Colin Morgan’s debut book, The Ballad of Ronan McCoy.
The book follows Brendan in is final secondary school in Northern Ireland around 2004 (Year isn’t mentioned but going off something mentioned in it) as he deals with the uncertainty of what to do in the future as a career, but also his best school friend’s situation that happened during the summer (his only friend as well) it follows him and the emotions of still dealing with the grief of his grandmother’s loss in January, how that has effected his home life as well.
We see the inside of this 16-year-old dealing with so much but keeps going; he finds love & a new friend (aww), finds out how to be a friend to Ronan now and then, and everything that happens around that, dealing with the feelings, learning to open up more.
Colin has written a wonderful, emotional coming-of-age story that had me laughing, crying and all in between. Well played and can’t wait to see what you write next!
One of my favourite quotes ‘Not knowning the truth can make things worse. I have a vivid imagination, so if i don't know the truth I'll imagine the worst possible scenario’
The book follows Brendan in is final secondary school in Northern Ireland around 2004 (Year isn’t mentioned but going off something mentioned in it) as he deals with the uncertainty of what to do in the future as a career, but also his best school friend’s situation that happened during the summer (his only friend as well) it follows him and the emotions of still dealing with the grief of his grandmother’s loss in January, how that has effected his home life as well.
We see the inside of this 16-year-old dealing with so much but keeps going; he finds love & a new friend (aww), finds out how to be a friend to Ronan now and then, and everything that happens around that, dealing with the feelings, learning to open up more.
Colin has written a wonderful, emotional coming-of-age story that had me laughing, crying and all in between. Well played and can’t wait to see what you write next!
One of my favourite quotes ‘Not knowning the truth can make things worse. I have a vivid imagination, so if i don't know the truth I'll imagine the worst possible scenario’
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