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Solo by Grainne O'Brien

£8.99

Winner of the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards' International Education Services Teen & YA Book of the Year

A lyrical YA verse novel about a teenager’s journey to heal from heartbreak, rediscover her inner strength, and find harmony again – perfect for readers who love emotional, empowering coming-of-age stories.

Daisy can feel like a solo act at home. On the outside of her twin brothers’ intense relationship, she leans towards her parents, particularly her father, for support. As a passionate classical musician, she is not wildly popular at school, but she has one close friend and a life filled with musical performance. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend suddenly breaks up with her, and Daisy is left disconnected from her one true love, music.

When she makes a new friend at school, mysterious Flora, Daisy finds a glimmer of peace in her chaotic life. Just as everything seems to be getting better, they all fall apart. Family tensions heighten as Daisy’s dad falls ill and Daisy needs to decide should she find her way back to who she was or look towards who she is going to become.

Winner of the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards' International Education Services Teen & YA Book of the Year

A lyrical YA verse novel about a teenager’s journey to heal from heartbreak, rediscover her inner strength, and find harmony again – perfect for readers who love emotional, empowering coming-of-age stories.

Daisy can feel like a solo act at home. On the outside of her twin brothers’ intense relationship, she leans towards her parents, particularly her father, for support. As a passionate classical musician, she is not wildly popular at school, but she has one close friend and a life filled with musical performance. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend suddenly breaks up with her, and Daisy is left disconnected from her one true love, music.

When she makes a new friend at school, mysterious Flora, Daisy finds a glimmer of peace in her chaotic life. Just as everything seems to be getting better, they all fall apart. Family tensions heighten as Daisy’s dad falls ill and Daisy needs to decide should she find her way back to who she was or look towards who she is going to become.

About the Author

Gráinne O'Brien is a bestselling author and a bookseller at Kenny’s, Galway. She was a member of the Irish Booksellers Association committee and was named a Bookshop Hero by The Bookseller in 2022. She is the founder of Rontu Literary Service, an agency dedicated to supporting writers of fiction for children as they seek publication. She completed the MA in Creative Writing from the University of Limerick in 2018 and received Arts Council Agility Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Her picture book A Limerick Fairytale was published by The O’Brien Press in 2023. Solo is her first novel.

Praise for Solo

"Limerick-born bookseller Gráinne O’Brien’s verse-form novel digs deep into the uncertainty and self-doubt felt by many on the cusp of adulthood."
–  The Irish Examiner

"An incredible coming-of-age YA novel written in verse ... Solo is honest, raw and utterly heartbreaking with hope shining through." 
– Karla's Bookish Life

"Full of wisdom and music and rhythm with a story as compelling and true as they come, Solo is for anyone who's ever felt lost, or afraid, or misunderstood, or alone. In other words, it's for everybody."
–  Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, author of The Apple Tart of Hope

Publisher: Little Island

Date Published: 9 April 2025

Paperback, 280 Pages

ISBN: 9781915071798

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