UK-based author launches new novel set in local Tipperary village

Claire Frances’ debut book, “To Hell With It”, will be published by HarperCollins, One More Chapter on June 19.

The book is a tribute to her late grandmother, who was born and grew up in Drangan, where half of the book is set.

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The story follows 27-year-old Pearl O’Reilly, who suffers from severe OCD and never leaves her village, and pushes herself outside of her comfort zone in search of a real connection.

Having lived with OCD for most of her life, Frances drew on her own experiences of living with the debilitating condition to help her write the book.

It has always been her dream to become a published author, ever since she read the bio on the back of PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern 20 years ago.

She has been Frances’ inspiration, and she held on to that dream for over 20 years.

She says it was a dream come true when Cecelia said she would read the proof of her book, as it felt like she had come full circle.

She says the book has had amazing early four and five-star reviews on Amazon and a wonderful quote from international bestselling authors, Beth O’Leary and Katie Fforde.

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It is ranking as a Kindle number one bestseller in disability fiction on Amazon and was picked for Amazon First Reads.

The book will be sold in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada.

Frances also got a separate book deal in the Netherlands, so it will be translated into Dutch.

Irish actress Avena Mansergh-Wallace, who is from Tipperary, was cast to read the audiobook.

The blurb reads:

With the warmth and charm of Bridget Jones and a main character as unforgettable as Eleanor Oliphant, this is an irresistible debut about a young woman navigating love, friendship and happiness in a world that doesn’t think like she does.

Pearl O’Reilly is twenty-seven (nearly twenty-eight). She likes salmon pink, the number three and going to the pub with her best friend Una the same night each week. Thanks to her OCD, her other routines – from counting her way downstairs to obsessively washing her hands – pose more of a problem.
But that’s all about to change. Because it’s time for Pearl to say to hell with it – starting with the gorgeous naked man in her bed this morning…