Fiona McCann *Writes

Debut Novel
Out Now!

Winner of the RNA Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers

:::

Winner of the RNA Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers :::

When a financial crisis drives emotionally-armoured accountant Lily Barrett back to Inish Ruin, the tiny West Cork island of her childhood, she has one goal: sell her late Nana’s cottage and get out fast. No nostalgic strolls down Memory Lane. No cosy reunions with the locals who once felt like family. And absolutely no contact with the boy who broke her heart.

But Inish Ruin has other plans.


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  • "It's warm, fun and romantic and I enjoyed it hugely."

    Marian Keyes

  • “This book felt like a hug I didn’t know I needed. Gorgeous. Fans of cosy escapes are going to eat this up.”

    — Goodreads review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • "A joy to read... a romance full of charm, heart and emotional depth, with characters who stayed with me long after I turned the final page."

    Bestselling author and President of the Romantic Novelists Association, Carrie Elks

  • "It's wonderful, warm and uplifting, with a fabulously quicky cast of characters I'd love to meet in real life."

    Judges comments, Joan Hessayon Award 2026

  • "A beautifully written story about second chances, community and finding where you truly belong. Utterly delightful."

    Judges comments, Joan Hessayon Award 2026

Photo of the author Fiona McCann sitting in a house with a notepad and pen, smiling to camera.

About Fiona

Fiona McCann lives with her family in the leafy foothills of the Dublin mountains but her summer holidays growing up were all spent on a very special West Cork island which inspired the setting for her debut novel.

Over the years she has worked in a non-creative capacity in the animation field, in a creative capacity in the accounts field and in both capacities in the motherhood field!

She’s pinching herself to be joining the Poolbeg Press family whose iconic lighthouse logo has graced the back cover of so many of her favourite novels over the years.

Contact Fiona