The astonishing, lyrical and ambitious second novel by the winner of the Irish Book of the Year Award.

‘Gripping, completely compelling . A sublime talent’ – Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart

‘Captures what it is like to be young in Dublin with grace, subtlety and sympathy’ – Colm Tóibín, author of Long Island

Catherine and James are as close as two friends could ever be. Witty, talented and charming, James is unlike anyone Catherine has encountered before, and she finds herself hungry to explore with him all that Dublin in the ‘90s has to offer – even as James struggles to find his place in it.

But as their connection intensifies, Catherine discovers that there’s a fine line between longing and love, friendship and obsession .

From the author of the multi-award-winning debut Solace, Tender by Belinda McKeon is a dazzling exploration of the complexities of sexuality and human relationships, a novel about friendship and youth, about selfhood, about the lies we tell ourselves and the lies we are taught to tell.

‘A superb and sophisticated writer’ – The Times

‘Richly nuanced and utterly absorbing’ – The Guardian

Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.