In a Nutshell: A heartwarming story of the bond between an old man and a little boy. Loveable characters, a straightforward yet unusual plot, and some touching themes. A compelling debut to be read with the heart!

Plot Preview:
Frank is a curmudgeon who lives alone in his house, estranged from family and friends after the death of his wife Marcie two years back. He is a recluse and can’t stand anyone or anything tampering with his routine. Little does he know that his peaceful life is soon to be turned upside down by a new neighbour.
After his parents’ separation, six-year-old Red, along with his mother, has moved into the house next to Frank’s. He isn’t happy with the house nor with his new school. The only good thing about the house is that his mother has bought a new trampoline for the back garden.
As Red is a curious chatterbox, he is eager to make friends. And who better than the old man next door who seems sad and lonely? As Red trampolines his way into Frank’s life, the old man tries his best to avoid the nuisance. But can a determined six-year-old be stopped?
The story comes to us in the alternate third-person perspectives of Frank and Red.

Bookish Yays:
🌷 Frank: Grumpy, adamant, obnoxious from the outside. But once you get to know him, you realise how that coconutty exterior hides a heart of gold. His love for his late wife shines through in almost every scene.
🌷 Red: Imaginative, mischievous, precocious, born with no filters in his mouth or mind. Red is an adorable child whose innocence and incessant talking turn this story into a winner.
🌷 The connection between Frank and Red is so beautiful! Usually, such books show how only the senior character needs help and how the child character brings light in their lives. But the bond between Frank and Red works on a mutually beneficial basis. Both of them have sadness in their past as well as their present. Their relationship is organic and it’s nice to see how each one helps the other.
🌷 While the basic plotline is straightforward and fairly guessable (as this genre is supposed to be!) I like how the author added the unexpected to the predictable. For instance, Red isn’t an introvert but he is still struggling to make friends in school – I found this so realistic! (It’s not only introverts or socially awkward children who struggle in new environments!) Frank’s wife has passes away but he still sees her around and has conversations with her – is that her ghost or just his imagination? There are many such plot elements that make this story special.
🌷 Some of the secondary characters are interesting as well. Chief among these are Marcie and Susan, Red’s mom. I love how the women in the story have strong roles despite the plot essentially belonging to Frank and Red.
🌷 There are some great themes tackled in the book, and none of these seem extraneous. (In other words, no “kitchen sink dumping” of themes in this debut!) I especially loved the portrayal of the impact of divorce/separation on children, the struggle to deal with the death of a loved one, and the difficulty of apologising to a loved one after a rift. The book also handles the found family trope well.
🌷 There are several humorous scenes that actually made me laugh. Most of these are thanks to Red, and the repartee between him and his “very old” friend Frank.
🌷 Most fictional “grumpy old men” cannot escape being compared to Ove. Frank will remind you of Ove, that’s for sure. With his churlish behaviour, his reclusiveness, his annoyance when neighbours come barging in, and his never-ending love for his late wife, Frank and Ove have a lot in common. So if you love Ove, you will certainly love Frank. That said, the two stories have enough of individuality, so this won’t feel like a déjà vu version of Backman’s work.


Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 The adults in Red’s life have no major qualms using bad language in front of him, and as a result, his vocabulary often breaks the age barrier, not necessarily in a good way. Frank also cusses too frequently, with some curses in God’s name. While the language simply depicts the characters’ tendencies and is true to life, I wish the cussing could have been a tad toned down. It is even more jarring to hear on audio, and might annoy some readers.

Bookish Nays:
🌵 The final resolution of the bullying issue faced by Red is too smooth to be believable. No real-life bully changes colours that quickly. This part was too simplistic.

🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 35 min, is narrated by James Killeen. I don’t know why, but it took me some time to get into his performance. He’s not bad, but something was missing in the initial chapters. As the book progressed, his narration grew on me. He was great at voicing Red and his exaggerated reactions. The narrative perspective alternates between the two characters all the way till the end, but this never gets confusing on audio. So, no regrets reading the audio, but a tiny part of me feels like I would have enjoyed this even better had I read it.

Overall, I enjoyed this lovely story with two endearing characters. Frank helps Red as much as Red helps Frank, and that makes this book extra special.
This is author Matt Coyne’s first fictional novel. He is known for his parenting blog and social media profile 'Man vs Baby'. He has earlier penned two nonfiction books based on his parenting adventures. I hope he writes more fiction, because I’d definitely love to read more such stories.
Definitely recommended to all readers looking for a story with a heart, written for your heart.

4.5 stars.

My thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Frank and Red”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I love a good read like this one. Cute characters who you can really imagine. The lonely man and annoying neighbour is a well told story, but this one was different as it also focused on love, loss and humour.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Spoiler: This book feels like a hug, or a mug of hot chocolate on a winter night.

Is it too early to talk about the best books of this year? Even if it is, the book will make the cut. It was happy and sad, emotional and heart-warming.

Red hates his new house. He was forced to leave his life behind and move to a new place, away from his friends and everything he knew, when his parents divorced. The new house is smaller, he hates his new school and he doesn't have any friends. He is being bullied and contemplates running away. The only upside is his trampoline.

Frank is a grumpy, old man, who keeps to himself ever since his wife, Marcie, died. His only friend is her ghost, who helps Frank get through day after day. He doesn't need friends, or his son, or anyone else. Or at least he doesn't think he needs anyone else. He hates people, and most of all he hates the new kid who just moved in next door. He hates how he doesn't shut up, and he hates the squeaking noise coming from that trampoline.

Of course, things go wrong and they are forced to spend time together. Red thinks Frank is overcomplicating his life, while Frank thinks Red is too young to understand anything about life. Slowly but surely, the most unlikely friendship blooms, and it is life-changing. It saves Frank's life and shapes Red's. It is such a beautiful friendship, because of the differences.

For me, the audio version brought so much to the story. The narrator captured both characters so well: Frank's anger with life, and Red's passion. It was an absolute delight.

There is so much depth in this story. It is full of humour, heartache, hope, and despair. It was a journey in itself, and it put me through so many emotions. One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I was wiping my tears. I feel like my review doesn't do it justice. It is, truly, a wonderful debut from Matt Coyne.

Wonderful audiobook!
I adored the narrator, the characters, the humour, the emotion.
All of it.
This is such an easy listen, I read it in 2 days. I love those audiobooks where you find any reason to listen. The narrator is fabulous and I would definitely listen to more of his work. He personified Frank and Red perfectly, and added to the humour and emotion of them superbly.
Red has to be one of my favourite characters so far this year. He is adorable, funny and so lovable. The author has excellent writing skills to make both Red and Frank so believable. The relationship between them, and the growth in their characters through the book is just lovely.
I'll read anything by Coyne, or narrated by James Killeen if this is the standard they have!

This is a sweet, big-hearted contemporary novel following two characters who become unlikely friends across their garden fence: Grumpy old Frank, an old recluse who is estranged from his family and friends after the death of his wife, and six year old Red, recently moved into his new home and school, and struggling to adjust to the separation of his mum and dad.

This was exactly what I hoped and expected it to be; character focused, well paced, satisfying plotted, and deeply emotional. I really enjoyed reading from both Frank and Red's perspectives, finding both to be endearing, humorous and interesting in their own ways.

This gave me the warm feelings I hoped it would, and I found it very easy to read. That being said, it didn't blow me away - I didn't find any element to be exceptional, I'm not sure how long it will stay with me.

Ultimately, this was very endearing and enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a tender and easy read, and would highly recommend the audiobook specifically.

Frank and Red are very unlikely friends, but sometimes, those make the best friendships. Frank is a widower, who became a recluse, in fact an agorophobe, when his wife Marcie died. He barely goes outside and when he does, he sits on his porch. He depends on his neighbours for groceries etc. His only company is Marcie's ghost, who he talks to, but doesn't take much of her advice. New neighbours move in next door, Red and his mother. When Red's parents split up, they moved to a new house and Red is not happy. He has a new trampoline and when jumping on it, not only does it make a lot of noise to bother Frank, it helps Red meet his neighbour. Red is struggling at school, he has no friends and is the target of a bully. He is smart and very loquacious, almost driving Frank crazy, but he grows on him and they develop quite a friendship.

I loved this book. If you are a fan of multi-generational friendships like I am, then you will want to pick up Frank and Red. There are some reminders and similarities between this book and others such as A Man Called Ove or even The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, but this story has it's own charm, characters and story. The story takes a bit to build as we meet the characters and Frank fights any kind of relationship with Red, but when it picks up, I couldn't start listening. When Frank is convinced to spend time with Red after he is suspended from school, the story picks up and their friendship takes off. I don't want to say anymore about this delightful story except to recommend it. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration by James Killeen. He voiced young Red and older Frank as well as the other characters so well, that I could see what was happening and had a picture of the characters as I listened. If you enjoy audiobooks, then this is one you will definitely want to listen to.

What a cracking debut novel. Thus high quality audio tells the story of two unlikely characters who become good friends. Frank a troubled elserly man who is axares to go outside and sees his deas wife,and Red the little boy who moves next door after his parents seperate. Each character is pergectkt voiced and the story is told in alternative chapters from their pov. . There is real emotion in the barration. The story is suxh a feel good as it deals with complex issues in a lovely way. It has moments of laughter, sadness and happiness. Its in essence a story of how loat souls can find a way forward tgrouh life challenges and emerge better and more conplete just by the snallest ibteraction. Such a cracking listen. After it finished I felt left with a sense of having listened ro a classic.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator for this highly recommended 5 star lisyen. Perfect for anyobe who needs to believe in sonething more

An accomplished debut with an unlikely friendship at the heart. The characters of Frank and Red are easy to enjoy and I'd recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle. I listened to the audio version and would recommend this as a heartwarming easy listen.

Red, a young, spirited boy who has moved into a new area, started at a new school and navigating the breakup of his parents and how that settles (if ever). Frank, a grieving ‘old’ man who see’s little point in life without the love of his life that made it all palatable and who oiled the path of making him companiable. Suddenly both live next door to each other and regardless of how Fank wishes to ignore him, is unsuccessful.
Sometimes the most random of friendships just work, the reasons why they do work either through luck or the constant comfort zone that is being challenged forcing us to look beyond what we had gotten used to and clearly was not working for us.
It was funny, endearing, extremely charming and full of character.

What an uplifting listen this is! 'Frank and Red' is a heart warming story about loss, human connection and friendship. The 2 main characters couldn't be more different - Frank is an elderly man who lost his wife a couple of years previously and Red is a 6-year old who has to suffer the consequences related to his parents' relationship ending - a move to a new part of the city, a new house, a new school. Frank and Red strike an unlikely relationship which will benefit them both. Red in particular is delightful!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

A lovely story of a young boy and an old man, both helping each other, reluctantly, through their troubles.

I liked both characters and their voices felt very real. The story was lovely too. Perhaps overly long, as we all know how it is going to end.

So a sweet simple read if you are looking to feel for a couple of lost characters and are happy to have a slow read.

the setup…
Frank Hayes lives a very lonely and solitary life, never leaving his home since the death of his beloved wife Marcie who “visits” him regularly. He’s estranged from his only son, Michael, with no hope of reunion. Then his new neighbors move in. How does he know? Because the six-year old boy everyone calls Red begins jumping on his new (and noisy) trampoline. When Red discovers Frank sitting outside his back yard, he’s determined to become friends. Frank is equally committed to not going there but is no match for this bright and engaging child who, despite struggling with his parents’ divorce, a new school and a new home, doesn’t give up.

the heart of the story…
If you’ve read the book about Ove, this might sound familiar and indeed it does read like him initially. But soon the distinctions arise and Frank is a completely different character. He’s not only grieving the death of his wife but is depressed and agoraphobic. The “presence” of his wife is all that saves him and keeps him alive. But the heart of this story is Red. In addition to all the change he’s undergone, Red is having to cope with a bully at his new school who makes sure he has no friends. Frank is the only one he can talk to about this and that sets off a series of actions that lands him in Frank’s care for a week.

the narration…
I really enjoyed the narrator who had the tough task of giving voice to a child who is one of the main characters. He gave Red all the heart, personality and charm, endearing him to me from the onset. He was a wonderful storyteller, too.

the bottom line…
There’s so much depth to this story, full of humor, heartache, hope and despair. Red is a precocious child without being overly so, his naivety combined with his smarts producing the most charming mix. But it’s his relationship with Frank that’s the most captivating. It’s honest, authentic and cathartic for both. This is truly a diamond in the proverbial rough and if you can treat yourself to the audio version, be prepared to get lost in this magical story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Matt Coyne and Headline Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for free in return for an honest review.

My heart still aches a little bit for Frank. Once a grumpy old man - by the end though...he captured my heart and I have no doubt he will have done to many others. The similarities to A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman are obvious. Just this starts so much slower than that. Frank is grumpy and lonely, his wife has past away and he has no contact with his son anymore. And that it where the story evolved and differed from the well-loved favourite by Backman. Red for me was neither likeable or endearing but necessary for the story to evolve - his portrayal of a 6 year old (nearly 9) is largely realistic - bullying at school, incessant and inquisitive.

As the story developed, I definitely found the story grew on me. The narrator was a perfect touch for the story - it helped make it. The accent was fabulous - and made Frank even more grumpy.

4 stars from me! I will look out for more from the author in the future.

Red (otherwise known as Leonard), age 6, moves in to the house next door to Frank. Red’s mum is separated from his father and his father is more interested in his new girlfriend. In order to ease Red into his new life, his mum has bought him a trampoline and the groaning and squeaking of the enthusiastic jumping alerts Frank next door, who responds in his typically gruff way. Frank is a curmudgeonly man, who lost his wife Marcie and has no real contact with his grown-up son. His single friend (the others have all been alienated by his rudeness) tries to keep him socialised but fails.

Red, in his inimitable way, isn’t put off by his neighbour’s grumpy ways and persists on the course of friendship, even when rebuffed. He chatters to Frank about school (including the school bully who, of course, has singled out the newbie), about his father and about his daily concerns and routines. The man doesn’t melt until there is an incident at school and Red has to stay at home for a week to reflect upon his recent actions. His mother has to work and, given the backstory for his suspension from school, she entreats Frank to look after Red. After a wobbly start, the two manage to find a level of togetherness that is charming.

Hovering in the background is the ghost of Frank’s dead wife, Marcie, who talks to him, tries to get him to understand how narrow his life has become. This is a very nice dimension of the novel. And when Red arrives for the week with his bits and pieces, she is on hand to guide and chivvy her husband into connecting with Red and with life

This is such a charming story, written with warmth and humour. A straightforward and enchanting novel that will stay with you. Setting isn’t particularly strong but this is a very English kind of story.

When 6 year old Red and his mother move to a new house he meets an unlikely friend in his neighbour Frank.
This was a beautiful story of the growing friendship between these two and how they help each other through the troubles they are facing.
This book had me laughing out loud and crying as well at times. A genuinely heartwarming lovely story that was told brilliantly from each of their perspectives.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of the audio book in exchange for my honest review.

Heartwarming, hopeful and beautiful. The story of how a young boy moving in next door can awaken you from your sorrows. How friendship can be found in the most unlikely places.
Frank’s wife has passed away, but that doesn’t stop him from seeing her everyday. When new neighbours move in next door, Frank is irritated by the sound of their new trampoline. But if there’s one thing five year old boys are known for, it’s their nosiness, their never-ending list of questions, and their unrelenting idea that yes, you will be my friend.
Red has moved to a new school, and when Frank gives him some well-intentioned advice on how to deal with a bully, Red finds himself suspended. Red’s mother can’t take two weeks off from her new job, so Frank is begrudging forced to look after Red, it was his idea that got them into this situation after all.
In that two weeks Frank and Red form a beautiful friendship. Where Frank slowly remembers what it’s like not to be alone. But when Red learns of the estranged relationship Frank has with his own son, he wants nothing more than to fix it, because that’s what friend do!
So Red sets off to find Franks son, after all he’s taken the tube with him mum lots of times! And so in a panic, Frank is forced to face his fears and leave the safety of his house and drive across London to find Red before anything happens to him.
This truly is a beautifully written book. It describes the kindness of strangers, the mending of relationships, healing from the death of a partner and personal growth. It reminds you of all the good a person can do and It makes you want to be that person. I cannot recommend this book enough.

If you get the chance, listen to this on audiobook. I reviewed it for NetGalley and I think listening to it, added an extra angle which you might not get by reading text. I absolutely adored this book, and I spent every spare moment listening to it. Such a beautiful story, so many ups and downs in it, and lovely characterisation – even Frank's wife, who had passed away before the story began!
10 stars, absolutely recommend it to everybody.

Franklin Hayes sees dead people. Most specifically his dead wife Marcie.

No, it’s not a sixth sense. Maybe she’s there to help him, to fix him.

Or is that Leonard Gavin Adair’s job? Does six-year old ‘Red’ see Frank as he once saw Miles the pigeon – something injured, to be rescued and in need of repair.

So here begins a tale that’s perhaps been told before but never, in my reading experience, in such a heartwarming and laugh-out-loud kind of way.

When you actually think about this book you’d wonder why there are so many laughs. We have a dead wife, a semi-reclusive grumpy old man in his late sixties – with an estranged son, then a young boy whose family is going through a divorce, as well as the trauma of starting a new school and being the boy who is bullied for no reason. But laughs there are. In abundance.

The author has pulled off a masterstroke of a debut novel here. Matt has the ability to make you laugh one minute then rip out your heart the next. There’s passion and emotion in the tale and indeed the writing. Even if this isn’t your normal type of read I implore you to pick it up and just feel the warmth resonating from it. And with the audio version you can feel that added dimension to the two main characters and their personalities.

Headstrong Red wins out for me – he is an absolute joy with all the characteristics of your normal young lad. Asks lots of questions, gets words mixed up (cycle path for psychopath for instance), is shark-obsessed (he’d rather watch Jaws than Paw Patrol), is passionate about Pokémon and mad about Minecraft. And don’t get me started on his culinary tastes.

Frank & Red is an absolute joy from start to finish and sometimes – just sometimes – the book you need is the one you never saw coming.

I loved this audiobook so much, I’m not surprised so many people are loving it!
Set in London, it’s told from both Frank and Red’s points of view, as the story of their unlikely friendship is slowly revealed.
I loved both Frank and Red two, completely different characters who ended up needing each other more than they wanted to admit. Red moves into the neighbourhood after his parents have spilt up, so he has no friends nearby or at the new school he starts going to. Frank is a grumpy widower who lives next door and talks to his dead wife Marcie all day, and she seems to speak back to him!
They are thrown together when Red is suspended from school and needs someone to look after him for a week. Red’s Mum can’t get the time off work and so Frank reluctantly ends up doing it. I loved how they adapted to each other and I got to know more about both of them as they spent that time together. There were some very funny moments, especially when Frank’s friend Fat Ken turns up to help mend the fence.
The story then takes a bit of a dramatic turn when Red decides to help Frank with a delicate situation, which ends up with him getting lost on the London Underground. I won’t say anything else as I don’t want to spoil it for you.
I loved the narration by James Killeen, a new-to-me narrator whose voice talents were perfect for this story. I’m definitely keen to listen to more audiobooks read by him.
Highly recommended if you enjoy books about unlikely friendships.

Long story short: you NEED to read this book!

Every now and again I read a book that hits me like a freight train with all the feels. FRANK & RED is just that book. I absolutely loved it and was overawed by its beauty, humour and tenderness. Coyne writes with compassion, sensitivity and eloquence, which meant I found myself completely wrapped up in Frank and Red’s worlds. I loved how the book was told from both of their perspectives and the story unfolds in an engaging, heartfelt and funny way. Both viewpoints are incredibly believable and Coyne writes convincingly as both a 6 year old boy and and a 60+ man. It makes for wonderful reading moving through these two different outlooks and experiencing things from two very different mindsets. This book is hugely about its characters, who have all etched themselves into the very fibre of my being. Frank is irascible, broken with grief, tormented with guilt, and barely existing. Red is finding his place in the world and his new home/school, he’s experiencing anxiety, disappointment and frustration, as well as seeking friendship and making a huge effort to maintain a positive outlook. They seem like polar opposites, but sometimes you need to adopt a little of your opposite to move forward. From the first moment Red boings on his trampoline and clocks Frank over the fence, an unlikely friendship is born. A friendship that gives the other exactly what they need in life. However, the road to such a meaningful relationship is never smooth and there’s a whole host of hysterical and deeply emotional potholes the pair must navigate.

The audiobook is very well produced and narrator James Killeen perfectly captures the gruff and uncouth nature of Frank, as well as the wide-eyed, inquisitive innocence of Red. All of the humour is flawlessly delivered and I found myself laughing out loud at a number of points. This novel builds to a really tense and exhilarating conclusion and the audiobook really expressed the change in pace and the heightened drama well. I was on the edge of my seat listening to the final few chapters and Killeen got the tempo just right. Similarly, all of the heavyweight emotional themes came through perfectly too. This wonderful book is very much about life’s journeys. Both Frank and Red embark on different journeys that end up colliding, setting them both on a course to a new life. Frank journeys through grief, loneliness and fear. Red journeys through upheaval, loneliness and fear. Both arrive at new beginnings and all the better for having meat each other. This is a story to touch your heart and I can’t recommend it enough.