Very realistic novel about a 17 year old living his teenage years on a small island in Ireland. Embarrassing parents, a new girlfriend, a job and most importantly the local football team fill his days while deciding his future.

John is 17 and lives on an island off the west coast of Ireland. It’s perhaps his last summer at home before college so while he’s waiting on exam results he joins the senior football team & picks up a few shifts at the local hotel. This is where he meets Amber, they start up a bit of a… something. Oh and also his mum’s nudes have (non-consensually!!!) spread around the island like wildfire.

I think this did a really good job of that feeling of being in between, especially at that age. Now for me there was too much football. I just don’t particularly get on with descriptive sporting scenes, a personal preference! But otherwise I enjoyed.

John Masterson is 17, living on what seems like Achill Island, and encountering many concrete challenges and achievements for the first time. And the fruition of most of them looms in the short term, as the danger of non-fulfilment or delay.

As well as being a superb book for all those who enjoy good writing, laced with humour,it’s one of the few literaryish novels that actual 17 year olds would actually enjoy.

His mother, reminiscent of Will’s mother in The Inbetweeners, is the kickoff cause of John’s problems due to a topless photo she sent but the novel branches out rapidly to create a whole community that is convincing. More readable than Sally Rooney, it should feature in many end-tpyear best-ofs.

There are lots of poetic images, too, and the dialogue is top class.

Highly recommended.

This book featured in the 2025 version of the influential and frequently literary-prize-prescient annual Observer Best Debut Novelist feature.

The last two years have included Irish male writers, whose novels featuring young men navigating adulthood among trying family circumstances, both of which went on to win the Nero Book Award Debut Fiction Category (in its first two years): Colin Barrett’s Booker Longlisted “Wild Houses” and Michael Magee’s multiple prize nominated “Close to Home”.

And there is a strong link here – both authors are namechecked in the Acknowledgments (as is Waterstone’s Debut Award winning Ferdia Lennon) and this book too features a young man struggling to find himself in tricky family circumstances (in this case a separation and breach between his parents which was sealed when his mother sent a topless photo which went was passed around and which has given him an unfortunate nickname) – although in this case a younger man coming of age in his last year before college (1 year old John).

And perhaps the best known writer featured on the list is Sally Rooney – and the link here is even stronger, as Rooney’s second smash-hit novel “Normal People” starts its very brief acknowledgements thus: “Thanks, firstly, to John Patrick McHugh, who was with this novel long before I had finished writing it, and whose conversation and guidance contributed so substantially to its development.” – and the acknowledgments here make it clear that Sally Rooney returned the early reading: the two having been friends for years.

And it is surely no coincidence as an aside that a male character is named Rooney, and at least serendipity that Paul Mescal introduced the world to the rather Gaelic Football/GAA shorts for a book whose main character has three overriding pre-occupations: his nascent sex life (and in particular an on-off relationship with Amber an older girl who works at the same small hotel as him – their rather agonised dialogue and text messaging as both navigate their feelings for each other and the scrutiny of others on their relationships, as well as “blow by blow” accounts of their more physical interactions, are a major part of the book), his promotion to the GAA team for the fictional Mayo-County island Achill on which the novel is set and which is competing in the Mayo County Championship (a knock out tournament – the description of the various training sessions and in particular long accounts of some of their games is also a major part of the narrative) and social status among his school-leaver friends.

McHugh – already a published short story writer is obviously a talented writer – and I suspect captures well the life of a 17 year old boy but one caught in what I would call the formative stages of toxic masculinity and so not a life I could either relate to or have much interest in; and neither the humour or the GAA descriptions landed for me (not a sport that interests me and not one it seems suited for literary fiction – and I would say the same about real football – here soccer – which I love to watch but not to read about) – and overall this felt far too much of a young adult novel for my tastes.

But I think this is a novel which many others will enjoy

3,5
'Fun and Games' is set on a small Irish island during the summer before college starts. It’s about friendship, football, first love and sex, and all the insecurities that go with it. John is 17 years old. He's not a child anymore but clearly he's not an adult either. There are many books about growing up from a female point of view, but this is one from a male point of view, and I think it's pretty well done. I would have liked to have seen more ‘show’ instead of ‘tell’ though. A pretty good coming of age debut novel all the same.
Thanks you Fourth Estate and Netgalley UK for the ARC.

Very realistic novel about a 17 year old living his teenage years on a small island in Ireland. Embarrassing parents, a new girlfriend, a job and most importantly the local football team fill his days while deciding his future.

A dark but funny look at a certain way of growing up in Ireland. The messiness and bad decisions of your teenage years. The absolute necessity of your friends, who can also be your worst influences. Trying to navigate relationships and intimacy, all while making these enormous life choices. It's a tough stage of life and McHugh taps into it so perfectly here. John is frustrating at the best of times, hard to root for but very familiar. It made this a read that hit something nostaglic in me but I'm not sure I totally enjoyed it. Nevertheless it's an interesting new contribution from a fantastic writer.

Coming of age story for 17 year old John on the west coast of Ireland in 2009 as he waits to find out his exam results, works at the local hotel, deals with family, plays GAA, hangs out with mates and tries to get laid.
McHugh writes with an acutely aware sense of the awkwardness of the age - unsure of himself, his looks, unable to articulate what he really thinks or wants and inevitably putting it wrongly, and wanting his friends to both succeed and fail in a complex maelstrom of emotions. The female characters are well drawn - the mother humiliated after a sexted photo goes the equivalent of viral in the small town, the ‘sort of girlfriend’ amber who is slightly older and more worldly-wise and appears diffident and uncertain.

My main criticism is that the novel felt over-long and at times a bit repetitive- in theme if not action. I was definitely checking how far I’’d got a lot during the first half which I try to avoid doing, and whilst I got more immersed in the second half i still felt some trimming would have been beneficial

Fun and Games by John Patrick McHugh is a sharply written, darkly comic debut that explores the turbulent coming-of-age of a teenage boy on the west coast of Ireland. Set during the limbo between school and adulthood, the book follows 17-year-old John Masterson as he navigates the fallout from his mother’s leaked nude sext, the pressures of small-town life, and his simmering frustrations with the world around him.

John’s summer is one of listlessness, spent working mind-numbing shifts at the local hotel, joining the senior football team, and getting caught up in fights, parties, and an uneasy relationship with Amber, his slightly older co-worker. He is a character both deeply believable and, at times, deeply frustrating. Immersed in a culture of toxic masculinity and social expectations, he seems determined to resist growth, swinging between apathy and anger as life happens to him rather than because of him.

McHugh’s writing is sharp, observant, and full of cutting humour, vividly capturing the claustrophobia of small-town Ireland. The book excels in its portrayal of the female characters—Amber, John’s sister Kay, and most notably his mother Yvonne, who carries herself with dignity despite the judgement and disrespect she faces. In contrast, the male characters, John included, often feel flat, which may be a deliberate reflection of the narrow, stifling culture they exist within, but it makes for a sometimes frustrating read.

John’s lack of self-awareness and his inability to take control of his own life may be realistic, but it makes him a difficult protagonist to root for. While some readers may find his portrayal an honest reflection of adolescent insecurity and small-town masculinity, others may struggle with his passive, often unlikeable nature.

Despite this, Fun and Games is an insightful and well-crafted novel that offers a raw look at the complexities of youth, class, masculinity, and the struggle for identity. Whether you connect with John or not, McHugh’s prose and a keen eye for social commentary make this a compelling read.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This coming of age story is set on an island off the west coast of Ireland. John Masterson in 17 and at that great crossroads in life. It's his last summer at home before he embarks on the adventure of university. But he's got problems to deal with. His father has moved out of the house after discovering his mother had sent a nude picture to another man. This has earned John the unfortunate nickname of Tits, much to the hilarity of his friends. He's also in a situationship with an older co-worker called Amber and hugely confused about how to navigate it. And he's on the verge of breaking into the local football team, along with all of the pressure that goes with it. It's a turbulent time, no doubt - mistakes will be made and hearts will be broken, but John will come out the other side all the wiser.

I enjoyed John Patrick McHugh's collection of short stories, Pure Gold, so I was excited to read his first novel. And I thought it was fine. As a chronicle of Irish country life it certainly succeeds. A small community where everybody helps out but also knows your business, the prominence of the local GAA club, the general lack of things to do - I appreciated all of these rural attributes and more (I come from the back of beyond in County Galway myself). And I thought that it did a good job of the depicting that awkward journey into adulthood, including the general puzzlement and uncertainty that comes with it. But I'm afraid I didn't find John all that interesting a character, or any of the supporting cast if I'm honest. Maybe it's because I recognized all of these people so well, coming from a similar background - they don't hold any particular intrigue for me. I also felt like McHugh was retreading a lot of the same ground as his previous work. I would like to see him spread his wings and tackle something other than life on a small Irish island, as his talent is in no doubt.

John is a seventeen year old, who lives in a small village in the west of Ireland. His nickname is ‘Tits’, as his mum sexted someone and the picture went viral. As a result, his parents are separated. He’s in a loose relationship with Amber, a slightly older girl. John is still in love with his first girlfriend. The novel plays out over these events, his sister’s wedding and his games for the local Gaelic football team.

It’s a timeless tale, so let me tell you it’s set in 2009. Your shagging playlist on an MP3 is nine songs, an animation of an envelope being folded proves your text is sent. Its main theme however, is not nostalgia but how men relate to men and how they, in turn relate to women.

There’s plenty of teenage shagging between John and Amber - hot, sweaty and furtive. The main themes have been done before though, and as a result the action grows a little episodic. Plus, the relationship between John And Amber takes a turn in the last third and it doesn’t really seem credible and the novel ends on a question mark.

Viewed with modern eyes, however John can be seen as having ADHD and body dysmorphia. However, this is a dark, solipsistic read but lacks narrative pace.

It’s published by Harper Collins on April 24th and I thank them for a preview copy. #funandgames.

A gorgeous coming of age novel that is laced with nostalgia and emotion. Beautiful piece of Irish literature!!

I really enjoyed this, as someone who came of age at the same time it was supremely nostalgic and so a reminder of how excruciating it is being a teenager.
John was so relatable, even though I’m not a boy, nor Irish - but the experience is universal.
I loved the dialect and the insight into the lads and Gaelic football too.
So good on first love, lust, hormones and the sheer embedment of every thing you do at that age.
Will look out for more from this author.

Set in the summer of 2009, Fun and Games follows seventeen-year-old John and his footballing mates, all four determined to play for their club in the Championship. John spends much of his time consumed with social anxiety, second guessing his every move not least with Amber, his colleague at the hotel where he's working while waiting for the results of his exams, definitely not his girlfriend but they seem to secretly hook up more and more. John’s thoughts are fully taken up with himself – his prospects with the team and Amber, what his friends think of him, how horrible his body is in comparison with theirs – leaving little room for anyone else. As the summer wears on, he’s faced with a few home truths, even managing to grow up a little.
I wasn’t sure if I would stick with McHugh’s novel at first; there are some lengthy football passages, not something I’m at all interested in. That said, John’s character drew me in to this funny, poignant coming-of-age story which smartly nails late adolescence with all its excruciating discomforts, and the ending is a masterstroke.

I love a coming of age novel. Fun and Games is a novel which follows John Masterson in his final year of school as he contemplates his life beyond his small island town.

Things at that age are never easy, but decidedly less so for John when his mother sends a picture of her breasts to a man which then goes viral across the island. Added to this John is trying to navigate a relationship with the slightly older Amber, study for his exams and earn a place on his football team.

This was beautifully written and was so bittersweet. Despite wanting to give John a good shake at times, you never give up wanting him to succeed and to fulfil the clear promise that he definitely has in trying circumstances. His relationship with both his parents, as well as Amber, were expertly written and real to all of us who (barely) remember their days as a young man.

I'm not sure what it is about Ireland which spawns so many brilliant writers but long may it continue.

Although a sequel is unlikely, I would genuinely to love to follow John's journey further.

Thanks to Netgalley and 4th Estate and William Collins | Fourth Estate for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Classic coming of age nov that really struck a cord with me. Told in warm thoughtful reflective Irish voice with just the right balance of humour the book really held my interest and I felt invested in the character of John. There was the usual self pity you get with this type of novel but unlike some other books of a similar nature this didn't deflect from the story, drag it out or make you dislike the characters it in fact added to what was a richly multi layered well written character lead reflective novel. I predict prizes for this.

it's 2009. john, a 17 year old secondary school student in ireland, is just waiting to see where he'll go for university, which is hinged on how well he did in his exams. in the meantime, he spends his time playing football with friends who are also awaiting the same news as well as with amber, a 19 year old coworker, who he has a "deal" with (not quite lovers but not quite friends either). not much happens that is surprising (if at all), but mchugh just gets what being 17 is like. all the insecurities of a future that is just in reach, but also the sad reality that many 17 year olds face which is simply growing distant from the people that have been in the same schools and in the same communities all these years. however, even if people like john have the realization that their values aren't aligned in the same way, the sad truth is that many won't act for fear of being ostracized. like so much coming of age media though, the things people spend time worrying about don't tend to be what go wrong. if only characters like john seized the moment, but then life's lessons would be breezed by entirely.

Fun and Games follows John Masterton who is seventeen and has no idea what he wants from life. This book takes place during summer 2009 whilst John waits for his exam results. He is working shifts at a local hotel and trying to ignore the fact that his mother’s sext was leaked to the whole island. John joins the local football team and starts a relationship with his older co-worker called Amber. John struggles with what he wants from life and Amber is a prime example of this as he feels both proud but ashamed of her at the same time.

This was really good and I think this will be one of the best Irish novels of 2025. This reminded me of Normal People by Sally Rooney in the way John deals with his feelings and his relationship with Amber. This also reminded me of Close to Home by Michael Magee in the vibes and the way the characters are just living day by day. This perfectly portrayed what it’s like to be a teenager. John really has no idea what to do with his life and that reflects most teenagers experiences. The way John behaves with his friends and then Amber shows how unsure of himself he is and I just loved that. This felt so real particularly how John realises he cannot control the people around him and that life is out of his hands. This was such an enjoyable read and I read it in one day. This felt very real to me and honest. I am giving this 5 stars and I will be recommending this. I need to pick up a copy of this when it releases. This is such an easy novel to connect with and I loved following John.