Now – Finlay is dark-eyed, quiet, shy and awkward, but now he’s at university with a scholarship under him, he knows he must step up and be the adult he’s expected to be. The scholarship is the only thing holding him up however, as he has no family support or friends to speak of. The nursing training he’s about to embark on is part of a dream of who he wants to be.

Banjo is red haired, fiery and full of energy. His last year of school yawns ahead of him – not easy, as he is the new kid. Again. His foster parents are kind, give him the space he needs and the things for school. He’s grateful for that at least. Banjo is a runner, and is good at it. He’s found over the years it is an easy way to expend some of his pent up energy and often boiling anger. If he runs, he doesn’t hit anything. He knows all about hitting.

Finlay grew up with his mum, and never knew his dad. He believed she did the best she could, until she couldn’t.

Banjo remembers his dad the most from his parents. He was the one who dished out the harshest discipline – just for being in the way.

Three years ago – When Finlay and Banjo ended up in a boy’s home at the same time becoming room mates, they are both wary and unsure of each other. But it’s not long before a brother-like-bond is forged, one day, and one act of loyalty at a time. But suddenly that bond snaps and they lose the only security they have.

Now – Building new lives and fledgling relationships, both Finlay and Banjo still struggle to trust other’s smiles, friendships and even love. There is school, university, work to follow and futures to find. But both know there is something missing. Someone. The most important person of all.

This astonishing debut novel is so many things. It’s a coming of age novel. It’s a tale of two boys surviving parental neglect and the foster care system. But it’s essentially a story about love. Finding it, trusting it and accepting you are worthy of all kinds of it. There are uni friendships, work friendships, There is romance, both straight and gay, and the brotherly bond forged between two very different boys who met by chance in a boy’s home.

Glasgow Boys has both toxic masculinity, and kind, empathetic, understanding, masculinity woven through the narrative, which brings confusion and character struggles of where it all fits within them. These teens have been through a lot, alone and together, and their stories are told in alternate chapters. Within these chapters there are jumps back in time to three years ago when they first met.

Written seamlessly, I particularly loved the voice of Banjo, hearing his strong Scottish accent from the page.

Glasgow Boys is simply… beautiful.

Tissues required.

Author – Margaret McDonald

Age – 15+

(2025, Faber, Foster Care, Grief, Family, Friendship, Conflict, Growing up, Love, School, Suicide, Understanding, Boys Home, Crohn’s disease, Hospital, Loyalty, Cafe work, Dishwasher, University, Nursing, Study, Elderly Care, Tender, Emotions, Anger, Anxiety, Scottish, Coming of Age Tale, Ageing out, Acceptance)