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The Galway Girl
The Galway Girl A coming-of-age romance set in Ireland — Book One of The Galway Girl Trilogy
It's the summer of 1986. Tom Carter is fifteen, Edgware-born, and absolutely convinced that three weeks in Galway will be the worst of his life. He's packed his Walkman, his notebook, and his late grandfather's camera. He has not packed an open mind.
Then he spills chips on a girl outside a chip shop, and everything gets considerably more complicated.
Niamh Flynn knows every hidden beach, every cobbled back street, every secret worth knowing about the west of Ireland. She walks fast, talks straight, and keeps a biscuit tin full of small things that matter. She is not interested in being anyone's holiday romance. Tom is not interested in admitting that's exactly what he's hoping for.
Set against the wild Atlantic coastline of Galway, this heartwarming coming-of-age love story is about a camera, a notebook, a blue bracelet, and what it costs to let someone truly see you — maybe for the first time.
Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Mike Gayle, Cecelia Ahern, and Jenny Han.
If you love feel-good romance novels, emotional coming-of-age fiction, Irish settings, or uplifting summer reads that stay with you long after the last page, The Galway Girl is the book for you.
A warm, funny, and deeply felt first novel in a trilogy that spans decades — following one unforgettable summer and everything it sets in motion.
Some summers end. Some don't.
It's the summer of 1986. Tom Carter is fifteen, Edgware-born, and absolutely convinced that three weeks in Galway will be the worst of his life. He's packed his Walkman, his notebook, and his late grandfather's camera. He has not packed an open mind.
Then he spills chips on a girl outside a chip shop, and everything gets considerably more complicated.
Niamh Flynn knows every hidden beach, every cobbled back street, every secret worth knowing about the west of Ireland. She walks fast, talks straight, and keeps a biscuit tin full of small things that matter. She is not interested in being anyone's holiday romance. Tom is not interested in admitting that's exactly what he's hoping for.
Set against the wild Atlantic coastline of Galway, this heartwarming coming-of-age love story is about a camera, a notebook, a blue bracelet, and what it costs to let someone truly see you — maybe for the first time.
Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Mike Gayle, Cecelia Ahern, and Jenny Han.
If you love feel-good romance novels, emotional coming-of-age fiction, Irish settings, or uplifting summer reads that stay with you long after the last page, The Galway Girl is the book for you.
A warm, funny, and deeply felt first novel in a trilogy that spans decades — following one unforgettable summer and everything it sets in motion.
Some summers end. Some don't.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Steve McCarthy
5 booksSteve McCarthy is a contemporary fiction author, as well as a landscape, sports & events photographer and podcaster, based in Wiltshire (often found chasing light along Cornwall’s north coast). Whatever the medium, Steve is obsessed with stories—especially the small, everyday moments that change everything.
In his novels, he writes warm, hopeful, heartfelt stories about time, second chances and the lives we almost lived: contemporary fiction that treats ordinary people and their emotions with care, humour and honesty. I love exploring how a single decision—a missed train, a delayed moment, a chance encounter—can ripple through a life.
That same storytelling instinct drives his photography. On the sports and events side, he shoots with energy and empathy—clean, accurate and fast.
His landscape work is slower and more reflective. Drawn to places where weather, tide and terrain collide, and he aims to make images that feel like scenes from a story—prints that bring back not just how a coastline looked, but how it felt to stand there.
In his novels, he writes warm, hopeful, heartfelt stories about time, second chances and the lives we almost lived: contemporary fiction that treats ordinary people and their emotions with care, humour and honesty. I love exploring how a single decision—a missed train, a delayed moment, a chance encounter—can ripple through a life.
That same storytelling instinct drives his photography. On the sports and events side, he shoots with energy and empathy—clean, accurate and fast.
His landscape work is slower and more reflective. Drawn to places where weather, tide and terrain collide, and he aims to make images that feel like scenes from a story—prints that bring back not just how a coastline looked, but how it felt to stand there.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 17, 2026
‘The Galway Girl’ is a beautifully written slow burn romance, I loved everything about this book. The book has had a positive impact on me, teaching me to enjoy the moment and not to count down the clock and it’s so true.
15 year old Tom agrees to go on holiday for 3 weeks with his family to Galway and there he meets 15 year old Niamh. I really adored both characters, both of them are guarded but they let their walls down for each other in a way which I found precious. I love the way the author has portrayed both of these characters and how both characters care for one another and eventually learned to focus on the moment.
As a whole, I found this read to be wholesome. I enjoyed the concept of the book being based in the 80s and how it’s focused on photography and how photography captures the most important moments, the moments where you want to remember them for life. Everything was described in such depth, now putting Galway on my destination list for the future. I felt relaxed and calm whilst reading this and I would recommend this read if you’re into contemporary fiction. Steve McCarthy in general is a brilliant author, definitely check out his books.
15 year old Tom agrees to go on holiday for 3 weeks with his family to Galway and there he meets 15 year old Niamh. I really adored both characters, both of them are guarded but they let their walls down for each other in a way which I found precious. I love the way the author has portrayed both of these characters and how both characters care for one another and eventually learned to focus on the moment.
As a whole, I found this read to be wholesome. I enjoyed the concept of the book being based in the 80s and how it’s focused on photography and how photography captures the most important moments, the moments where you want to remember them for life. Everything was described in such depth, now putting Galway on my destination list for the future. I felt relaxed and calm whilst reading this and I would recommend this read if you’re into contemporary fiction. Steve McCarthy in general is a brilliant author, definitely check out his books.
May 14, 2026
Genre: Romance | Contemporary
Pages: 337
Rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh, to be young and in love! I have read a lot of romances through the years, but nothing warms my heart more than a teenage summer love. Steve McCarthy has a way with words and making them come alive on paper. I felt like I was watching a movie (hmmm..maybe you should seek production Mr. McCarthy 🤔). The way I felt like I was getting a front row seat to this love story makes my heart beam. The storyline is completely relatable if you have ever vacationed somewhere and met a special person there that holds a special place in your heart for all time. Tom is a London teenage boy, vacationing with his mom, dad, and little sister to Ireland, for 3 weeks. You can tell he is anticipates the holiday to be boring and uneventful. But what he didn't predict was meeting a girl that would teach him a life lesson is appreciating the little things in life, like sea glass found on a vacant beach. This gem of a read checks all the boxes of what a coming-of-age romance should have. Funny, kind of quirky, and the innocence of young love blossoming. I could read this again and again. In fact, I will put this book under my list of books to read when I feel like I need a good hopeless romance moment. Beautifully written work of art.
Pages: 337
Rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh, to be young and in love! I have read a lot of romances through the years, but nothing warms my heart more than a teenage summer love. Steve McCarthy has a way with words and making them come alive on paper. I felt like I was watching a movie (hmmm..maybe you should seek production Mr. McCarthy 🤔). The way I felt like I was getting a front row seat to this love story makes my heart beam. The storyline is completely relatable if you have ever vacationed somewhere and met a special person there that holds a special place in your heart for all time. Tom is a London teenage boy, vacationing with his mom, dad, and little sister to Ireland, for 3 weeks. You can tell he is anticipates the holiday to be boring and uneventful. But what he didn't predict was meeting a girl that would teach him a life lesson is appreciating the little things in life, like sea glass found on a vacant beach. This gem of a read checks all the boxes of what a coming-of-age romance should have. Funny, kind of quirky, and the innocence of young love blossoming. I could read this again and again. In fact, I will put this book under my list of books to read when I feel like I need a good hopeless romance moment. Beautifully written work of art.
May 9, 2026
"What happens to a photo when the person in it is four hundred miles away?"
Not a lot happens, and yet, it feels like everything.
It's a summer romance that holds a lot of nostalgia. Whether its a holiday you've felt and lived first hand or a holiday you've longed for. The new beginnings, feeling lost and finding what feels like your purpose in another while exploring somewhere new/ sharing your thinking spot, your special hidden haven. The intimate feeling of trust without actually being intimate. And it was refreshing to read a swim scene that didn't reflect on their bodies.
It's a very lovingly thought out and well written read. A beautiful light shining on Galway. And a sweet reflection on photography, keepsakes and holding those special in our every day.
----
"I think my grandad and your gran would have got on," Tom said.
"I think they'd have been best friends. They'd have sat on a beach somewhere and he'd have taken photos of the things she found and she'd have put his prints in a biscuit tin and neither of them would have needed to explain anything."
---
Thank you so much for the ARC in exchange for honest review
@LoveBooksTours
@LBT.Crew
Not a lot happens, and yet, it feels like everything.
It's a summer romance that holds a lot of nostalgia. Whether its a holiday you've felt and lived first hand or a holiday you've longed for. The new beginnings, feeling lost and finding what feels like your purpose in another while exploring somewhere new/ sharing your thinking spot, your special hidden haven. The intimate feeling of trust without actually being intimate. And it was refreshing to read a swim scene that didn't reflect on their bodies.
It's a very lovingly thought out and well written read. A beautiful light shining on Galway. And a sweet reflection on photography, keepsakes and holding those special in our every day.
----
"I think my grandad and your gran would have got on," Tom said.
"I think they'd have been best friends. They'd have sat on a beach somewhere and he'd have taken photos of the things she found and she'd have put his prints in a biscuit tin and neither of them would have needed to explain anything."
---
Thank you so much for the ARC in exchange for honest review
@LoveBooksTours
@LBT.Crew
May 14, 2026
ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderfully cozy story of teenage life, love and lose. Will keep you turning pages. Read ot start to finish in one day. Definitely love Steve McCarthy's description and details of not only characters but places as well. Described everything so perfect you felt like you were in Galway yourself. Will be adding this author to my TBR author permanent list.
London. Grey, cold, noisy and smelly. Those are the 4 main qualities of London for 15 year old Tom. Nothing ever happens there. Nothing ever makes him feel like he belongs. He doesnt even feel like hes living just surviving. The only comforts Tom has in life is his notebook of lists, his favorite hoodies and a camera his Grandpa gave him before he died. "You have a good eye, use it." When Tom's family decides to head to Galway Ireland for a 3 week holiday Tom starts making lists in his head and rating how terrible this trip will be and how long until hes home. Tom never expected to find beauty in Ireland let alone a friend. All of a sudden 3 weeks isnt long enough and Tom has decide to control the pain of caring or control it which wont help it hurt less.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderfully cozy story of teenage life, love and lose. Will keep you turning pages. Read ot start to finish in one day. Definitely love Steve McCarthy's description and details of not only characters but places as well. Described everything so perfect you felt like you were in Galway yourself. Will be adding this author to my TBR author permanent list.
London. Grey, cold, noisy and smelly. Those are the 4 main qualities of London for 15 year old Tom. Nothing ever happens there. Nothing ever makes him feel like he belongs. He doesnt even feel like hes living just surviving. The only comforts Tom has in life is his notebook of lists, his favorite hoodies and a camera his Grandpa gave him before he died. "You have a good eye, use it." When Tom's family decides to head to Galway Ireland for a 3 week holiday Tom starts making lists in his head and rating how terrible this trip will be and how long until hes home. Tom never expected to find beauty in Ireland let alone a friend. All of a sudden 3 weeks isnt long enough and Tom has decide to control the pain of caring or control it which wont help it hurt less.
May 17, 2026
📆 single timeline.
👀 3rd person
🐢 -🐇 slow-paced
💬 "That was what the viewfinder did, he supposed. It made the world small enough to keep."
This is the kind of book that creeps up on you, wraps itself around your heart, and refuses to let go. There's just something so beautiful and relaxing about the writing. It was so wonderfully descriptive in a way that didn't feel over the top, but was enough to make Galway feel as if it were in touching distance.
The story itself was a lovely show romance between a couple of teenagers one summer. Throw in a camera and a notebook and you've got a story that I couldn't put down.
Steve is definitely one of my must read authors.
👀 3rd person
🐢 -🐇 slow-paced
💬 "That was what the viewfinder did, he supposed. It made the world small enough to keep."
This is the kind of book that creeps up on you, wraps itself around your heart, and refuses to let go. There's just something so beautiful and relaxing about the writing. It was so wonderfully descriptive in a way that didn't feel over the top, but was enough to make Galway feel as if it were in touching distance.
The story itself was a lovely show romance between a couple of teenagers one summer. Throw in a camera and a notebook and you've got a story that I couldn't put down.
Steve is definitely one of my must read authors.
May 16, 2026
The Galway Girl is one of those sweet, teenage, summer vacation romances where one travels to where the other lives, they meet cute, and then spend time with one another. Not to keep using the word sweet to describe this story, but it was such a sweet story. Steve McCarthy crafted a wholesome, coming of age romance that takes you back to a time of innocence and youth. I became a fan of his after reading Tracks in Time, and The Galway Girl was another great read! 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews