Frank and Red

'Frank and Red' is an assured debut novel of an unlikely friendship across generations.

Frank is a surly widower who wants to be left alone by everyone, but is accompanied by the ghost of his dead wife Marnie. Red is the 6 year old who has moved next door with his mum when they had to leave his childhood home on the other side of London.

Frank doesn't want to have anything to do with anyone, let alone a chatty inquisitive 6 year old, but Red is persistent and optimistic, drawing pictures for Frank and inviting him to join him at various occasions. Slowly, Frank has to come to terms with the loss of Marnie and the fallout that this caused in his wider circle whilst Red has to learn to navigate new friendships as well as bullies at his new primary school. The burgeoning friendship between the two of them is so tenderly written, and with great humour; both of them learn more than they ever thought from the other one. I loved Marnie's character too, she treated Frank with such love and tenderness whilst steering him in the right direction, and constantly reminding him that he shouldn't shut himself off from everything forever.

I have been following Matt Coyne's parenting blog for a while so I was keen to see how his writing would translate into a longer story. He has written a great book; 'Frank and Red' is a fantastic debut which is light-hearted without being slapstick and still packs an emotional punch. There were parts of the story that had me welling up and a page or so later, I was laughing out loud or wanting to shake Frank in frustration.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Fantastic read and very warm insight into a beautiful relationship.
Red moves next door to Frank.
Frank has recently lost his wife and finds comfort imagining she is still here. Red starts by annoying Frank always pestering him.
Love how this book explores the budding relationship between Red and Frank .
Brilliantly written

Frank and Red is the debut novel from the author and I found it to be a beautifully written, warm and empathic read.
Six year old Red moves in next door to 60 something Frank who is grieving the death of his beloved wife Marcie. Frank doesn't leave the house, he's estranged from his son and his friends and his only company is the presence of Marcie. Red has his own problems, he's moved home with his mum after his parent's separation and is being bullied at his new school.
This is the story of the developing relationship between Frank and Red- it's not an original idea but it is done so well and I found myself completely immersed in the lives of Frank and Red who are characters that will stay with me for a long time. The author covers issues such as grief and loss, loneliness and bullying with sensitivity and empathy and so avoids making this a cliched read. I adored both characters and loved the flashbacks to the younger Frank and Marcie which helped my understanding of Frank and his grief.
A recommended read. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Brilliant! I absolutely loved pretty much everything about this book. I especially loved the characters and the attention to detail that makes Red, in particular, so real.

I was frequently reminded of several books as I read this, but I don't mean this in a negative way at all. These are some of my most favourite books and it will be lovely to add this one to the pile when it is published. If you have enjoyed About a Boy - Nick Hornby, Dog Days - Ericka Waller, Lost and Found - Tom Winter or Swimming for Beginners - Nicola Gill, this is definitely a book for you. It's a proper feel-good story. It's comfy. You kind of know where it's probably going but the characters and how they're going to get there will keep you wanting more. As with some of the best books, I couldn't put it down but I didn't want it to end, not necessarily because it was fast-paced or high-action, but because I wanted to stay in that world with the characters for as long as possible.

Oh, this book. It brightened every day I was reading it. So funny and yet with a heartwarming, touching theme running through.

Two fantastic characters in Frank and Red. Frank widowed and missing his wife had become something of a recluse. Anxiety coupled with grief made him too anxious to leave the house and couldn’t venture beyond his front door.

Enter Red. Six year old Red moves into the house next door to Frank with his mum, after she splits up with Red’s Dad. The author Matt Coyne captures a typical six year old boy perfectly. Inquisitive, innocent, very chatty, he’s a lovable character who makes the perfect double act with Frank a little later in the book.

I’m not going to go into the plot as this is most definitely a book you just have to read yourself but I promise you this, it’s an absolute joy of a book to read that will have you laughing out loud most of the way through, but occasionally there could be tears. I loved it, a fabulous story that brings with it lessons in the spontaneity of youth and the stubbornness stemming from the older person who has had ‘a bit of a falling out’ that’s gone a little too far, and where pride stands in the way of reconciliation. If only as we age, we could recapture some of that simplicity of thinking that only a six year old does so well, we might all be a little happier. Fab book. Go read it!


**to be added to my blog around publication date**.

Frank and Red is the book you didn’t know you needed.
Frank is an elderly gentleman who is grieving his wife, is estranged from his son, and finds it harder and harder to leave his house. His anxiety is turning him into a recluse.
Red is a 6 year old boy who has just witnessed his parents split up, and now he has had to move away from everything he's ever known. New house, new school, new friends, and new neighbours.
Matt Coyne captures Red perfectly. He's chatty, inquisitive, annoying, innocent, helpful and naive. He just can’t understand why his new neighbour doesn’t want to get to know him.
I won’t give away the storyline, but it’s an absolute delight to read. It’s one of those books you think about for days after you’ve read it.
I read this is just two sittings, pretty much ignoring my family as I couldn’t put it down! My husband looked confused as one minute I was giggling away , the next I had tears in my eyes.
“Frank and Red” by Matt Coyne is published on 01.02.24 and is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Waterstones and all good book stockists. Order yours now!

This is an engaging, compelling and heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship between a six year old boy, Red and his elderly neighbour, Frank. Both are dealing with major life changes - Red with his parents’ divorce and subsequent house move and new school, Frank with agoraphobia linked to his wife’s death and estrangement from his only son. The story is funny, poignant and well observed. The writing evokes both tears and laughter in an authentic and believable way.

With thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”

The most unlikely of friendships, but somehow, two people who are decades apart in age, are thrown together by circumstance and what follows warms the heart to see just how the relationship develops.

Six year old Red has had to leave the only life he’s ever known after his mum and dad separated. So he’s in a new home with his mum, miles away from his friends, and he doesn’t see much of his dad anymore either since he met Tits and Teeth (well that’s what his mum and auntie call dad’s girlfriend when they think he’s not listening).

He hates the new house, it’s tiny compared to his old house, he hates his new school, none of the kids speak to him, excluding him at playtime, and one boy in particular is a real bully. It’s no better at home, no one to play with, and then there’s Frank, the grumpy old man next door who’s really mean.

The only good thing about home for Red is the trampoline - not so for Frank however, from the minute he sees the blonde head jumping above the fence he senses trouble, and that’s not to mention the darned squeaking noise that accompanies the face appearing every second, especially as Red insists on talking to him and constantly firing questions at him.

It’s fair to say that things get off on the wrong foot - both Frank and Red are lonely, though Frank isn’t interested in anyone or anything any more, he’s become reclusive and doesn’t leave home since his wife Marcie died, he’s even fallen out with his son Mikey. He talks to Marcie constantly when she appears, but isn’t sure if she’s really there or whether it’s a figment of his imagination. Anyway, he doesn’t want a nosey little brat bothering him that’s for sure!

It was an absolute joy to see how this unlikely relationship blossoms. It was an emotional journey, but was peppered with lots of humour along the way and I loved it. Definitely recommended!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Headline, Wildfire for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

This was a lovely read about two troubled souls learning to adjust to their lives as they now are. Six year old Red is coming to terms with his parents separation which has meant he had to move house to a completely different part of London where he doesn’t know anyone and has to adapt to being the new boy at school whereas sexagenarian Frank has struggled to cope since his wife died and is now living a small life within the confines of his home which he finds disrupted when Red and his mum move next door. The dynamic between the two characters is great and there’s a lot of humour in this but each has quite a moving story too which adds so much depth to this thoughtful read. I do like multigenerational reads but I do think that Red’s own troubles make this a much stronger story than many I’ve read before and I really loved this fictional duo.

A treasure of a read with more than a story- one of my books of the year
Franklin lost his wife a while back and has been living next to an empty house which suited him as it was quiet. The neighbours on the other side got him his shopping as he hasn't been further than the garden gate since. One day he hears a noise and finds a young boy bouncing on a trampoline, just what he didn't need, his peace is now shattered. Add to this, the other neighbours have gone away without telling him and his day is really made- not! Frank has been seeing his wife Marcie as a sort of a ghost. Occasionally she gets mad at him for his curmudgeonly ways and disappears for a few days. They have a son, who sadly blames Frank for not telling him that his mother was dying- something which was Marcie's choice and now they are estranged. Red, the young boy is curious about Frank and gets him talking and so sparks an unlikely friendship, one of mutual benefit, as both are lonely in different ways. The combination of experience and youth provides a wonderful platform for discussion and laughter and an adventure for Red who is just doing his very best.

Oh what a treasure of a book. I loved Frank, Sarah and Red each in their own individual very different ways. Frank has got himself into a rut, something Red also sees himself in and life has been difficult for Sarah but she is the person who does her very best to be positive, especially where Red is concerned. She nursed Frank's wife and so knows a little of his back story and is pulled between her work at the hospice and doing her best for Red. I smiled, I nearly cried, I wanted to read Frank's books. If you need a heart-warming story this could be the one- its one to restore faith in human nature. A brilliantly stunning debut novel I cant recommend highly enough.


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I first heard about this book in the publisher's 2024 sneak peak showcase, and it immediately grabbed my attention, so when it became available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance the read it.

I instantly loved Frank. I' not sure we're meant to, especially at first. He's a miserly, miserable, grumpy man who seems to hate everyone and everything, but there was something about him that just clicked and I couldn't wait to go on this journey with him. And then we have Red, who is the complete opposite - which isn't surprising given that he's a six year old boy. Because of that, I struggled to connect with him on a personal level, but he was equally as good a character creation as Frank, and I think they bounced off each other well. I think they each made the other character even better.

They give each other something: innocence and fun and wonder, trust and love.

Red teaches Frank to love again and to be brave, and Frank teaches Red to be understanding and, again, be brave. They're like the same soul at two ends of the spectrum of life, and they're just delightful.

We see chapters from Frank's perspective, and then from Red's. Some chapters are long, and some are a sentence long, it's like their inner thoughts. The scenes from Frank's perspective do go back and forward in time, but it wasn't confusing skipping in and out of it, and it felt like the perfect way to explore just what has happened to make Frank the way he is now.

I won't go into too much detail for fear of spoilers, but there are some difficult topics such as terminal illness, death, grief, loneliness, and bereavement, which I found very sensitively done. It felt very real and relatable but not over the top. It can be difficult to write what grief feels like, because there just aren't the right words, but Matt has done a pretty fine job in this book, and got as close as anyone I have read before.

Even though I heard Matt speak about the book, and I'd looked it up, I didn't 100% know exactly what I was expecting in terms of genre or feeling etc. but whilst it has its difficult points, it is like a cuddle, there's a warmth to it that doesn't always come through in novels.

I wasn't completely sure if this was Matt's debut book or not. Eventually I found out that whilst he has published non-fiction books before, this is his debut novel, and it is blooming fabulous for any author, let alone a debut one, to achieve something so utterly fabulous. It is one that you will definitely want to add to your TBR list and I feel very honoured to have been trusted with an early copy.

It is such a lovely book. There's lots more to it than that, but at the very basic level, it is lovely to read. Overall it's a book about friendship and caring, and it just leaves you with such a warming and cuddly feeling. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants an uplifting story of redemption and love.

It's just so gorgeous and heartwarming and sad and joyful and life affirming, and I couldn't recommend it higher. Definitely one that'll make it on my 2024 best books list!

4-5 stars rounded up

What a debut from Matt Coyne!
Frank is a curmudgeonly loner since the death of his wife, Marcie, whose ghost does her best to cheer him along or put him straight on a few things. His house and garden are now neglected and he’s turned his back on the world. Then Red and his mum Sarah move in next door. Red, which is not his real name as he’ll inform you, is six. He’s had to leave the security of his old home which he loves, his school and his best friend, when his parents marriage fell apart after his dad left for another woman. I’ll leave her description to Sarah as she sums her up so well. To say Red is a curious child doesn’t do him justice, his questions and thoughts defy description. Will Frank and Red be friends, or will Frank continue to turn his back on the friendly overtures?

Oh Red, Red! I fall in love with you as soon as I meet you on these pages. He’s a glorious child, creative, inquisitive, he asks baffling questions, his liveliness, his rhinoceros hide when it comes to Frank are all just a sheer delight. What a creation Matt Coyne!! His wonderful malapropisms from his childhood innocence are a joy to behold! He makes me hoot with laughter on more than one occasion and when he comes up against the class bully in his new school, I want to hug him and shake the bully. You really feel for him joining a new class, he’s an outsider and his loneliness at this point breaks your heart.

What of Frank? Yes, at times, he’s a pain in the proverbial as he’s so grumpy yet he’s also funny in his own unique way. The poor fella is deep in grief for the loss of his beloved wife and the unfairness of that which he feels it in every fibre of his body. His sadness seeps off the pages. Yet he is brought back to life in this fabulous story of an unlikely friendship.

It’s a terrific, emotional read, it’s moving and sad and my eyes do fill with tears on a couple of occasions but it’s peppered with delicious humour and definitely leaves me with a daft smile on my face! Despite the issues that the book deals with, it’s a wonderful and joyful book. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline, Wildfire for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

When a mother and her young son move in next door to Franklin Hayes, a widower who has given up on life, little does he realise how much his life is about to change.

Frank And Red by Matt Coyne has got to be the most uplifting and joyful book I read in 2023. This was a pretty high bar, particularly as it came immediately after Helen Fisher’s novel Joe Nuthins Guide To Life.

The story itself has been done before; grumpy old man brought out of his shell by young child/children. We’ve read about it in books or seen it on the TV. What really makes Frank And Red stand out is the way in which author Matt Coyne has created and voiced two very distinct characters.

Frank is debilitated by grief, he’s retreated from friends and family and is frightened to leave his home. Frank relies on neighbours to do his shopping for him and he has one remaining friend who pops in to see him occasionally. We’re not immediately sympathetic towards Frank, he goes out of his way to alienate those who want to help him and he absolutely refuses to contact Mikey, his only child, and try to rebuild their broken relationship.

As we get to know more about Frank we begin to understand him a little better. Frank and his recently deceased wife Marcie were a happy couple, they enjoyed life to the fullest. When Marcie died Frank simply gave up on life himself, now he’s just going through the motions, progressing from one day to the next. Marcie’s “ghost” begins visiting Frank and it’s this apparition that makes Frank refuse to leave his home, he worries that if he goes out Marcie will disappear and never return.

Six-year-old Red is the heart of this novel, he is such a joyful character. With recently divorced parents he’s had to move away from the home, school and friends he loves. A new home and school in an unfamiliar area are daunting. Red is a little kid with a big imagination and being six he has no filter, saying exactly what he thinks. He’s also one of those kids that never stops talking.

When Red spots Frank in the garden he immediately starts talking to him. No matter how many times Frank ignores him or refuses to engage in conversation Red persists with “Mister”…….”Mister”……”Mister”. Red eventually wears Frank down and an unlikely friendship (in the loosest sense of the word) is formed. The interactions between the pair are sublime, it would be far easier if Frank just surrendered to the force of nature that is Red, rather than ploughing on trying to win a battle against an unbeatable opponent. I couldn’t stop laughing at the conversations between the pair.

It's obvious from the start that Frand and Red are going to help each other. Frank is going to help Red be a little bit braver, whereas Red is going to help Frank see that he still has a life to live and people who love him.

Frank and Red are both wonderful characters- Red totally encompasses the personality of little kids with his inquisitive nature, abundance of questions and inability to temper his need to talk!
Frank is more complex, as befits an older man who has suffered a great loss.
Together the pair are adorable and the book is a lovely read!

What an absolutely beautiful book.
Oh my. I laughed out loud so many times, and I even had to wipe a few tears. Matt Coyne’s fiction debut is a complete work of art! His character building is absolutely divine and I fell completely in love with both grumpy Frank and adorable Red. This is going to be huge, and I will be recommending it to all my friends. Thank you NetGalley and HeadLine, this was a total delight.

Simply delightful! A truly lovely story of a very special friendship. Frank and Red is a story of grief and loss, family separation and learning to live again - I loved the characters in this story.

Loved this book.

Frank's new neighbour has a trampoline. Frank can hear that it needs oiling. He sees the boy's head above the fence as he jumps.
Red has moved in next door to Frank after his parent's split up. It's a new start for him and his mum. But he hates his new school, he doesn't like their new house, he definitely doesn't like his dad's new girlfriend.
I raced through this story of Frank and Red, loved both of them. Would recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review

What an absolute delight of a book! Frank, an older widower who hates to leave the house since losing his beloved wife, and Red, the small boy moving in next door after his mum and dad have split up, are an odd couple but a completely charming one. Both Frank, the old curmudgeon, and Red, the chatty little boy, could have been very hard to like in the wrong hands - it can be especially hard to write small children without making them either unbelievable or insufferable - but Matt Coyne has done an amazing job of making them not just likeable but loveable. All their actions make sense, the dialogue is natural, all the characters are sympathetic and the plot is really involving - the way their relationship builds is believable and lovely to see.

I just loved this book from start to finish and would love to meet up with the characters again in the future!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

#FrankandRed #NetGalley

Absolutely loved this book. Not many can make me laugh out loud but this one did, The two main characters Frank and Red are brilliant. Red is a typical 6 ( nearly eleven) year old, Always on the go and asking questions. Frank on the other hand is a miserable old man who hasn't yet come to terms with his wife's death. Marciec appears now and then to pass on advice or suggestions. An absolute joy to read. Highly recommended

What a lovely read. Frank, a grieving widow caught up in the hell of loss, and Red, the six year old boy next door who brings him out of his shell. Red saves Frank, Frank saves Red.
Really enjoyed this book. Easy to read, funny and incredibly warm. Just what we all need right now. Five stars. Recommend.

This book is a truly delightful book! Frank and Red are the most charming of characters making this the perfect snuggle up with a good book read 🥰

Frank and Red is a real feel good book. It was a joy to read. It reflects that special relationship that can occur between the young and old and how they can help and heal each other in a way no-one and nothing else can. A superb book I'm happy to recommend to anyone. Matt Coyne is definitely on my authors to be read list now.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Frank and Red, well what can I say? Different ends of the spectrum Red a six year old learning about life and friendship Frank an elderly widower living with sadness and loneliness thrown together to help each other out and learn from each.
This book covers every emotion and is so well written Frank the grumpy old man ……but is he really and Red the beautiful innocent boy who just wants to get things right.
Read it and enjoy

Frank and Red is an absolutely delightful book, filled with emotion and humour. Red is is six years old. Frank is 67. Their unlikely, yet beautiful friendship develops as both of their worlds have been turned upside down. Red has had to leave his family home, his friends, his school and his dad to move with his mum to an unknown place and live next door to a grumpy old man, Frank. Frank, is consumed with grief, he feels unable to continue with his life after losing Marcie, his wife (although she is still with him almost every day ‘in spirit form’). Frank is tied to the house, cannot venture beyond the gate, often not further than the front doorstep. When Frank and Red meet, they seem destined to be good friends and to help each other adjust to a new way of life, but the path to their new lives will not be smooth...
I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This has been one of my favourite books this year. Matt Coyne has created 2 brilliant characters in Frank and Red who could easily be people who live in your street. He has captured the workings of an imaginative 6 year old and an elderly, grumpy, widowed man really well . Amusing following the logic(!) of Red and sad seeing how losing your soul mate can leave you feeling bereft. Well written, good story line. A thoroughly good read.

I didn’t publish my top reads of 2023 until the last day of the year and thank heavens I didn’t otherwise I’d have missed this one which is definitely going to go on my top 5 list despite the fact that it’s actually published in 2024.
The story looks the relationship between a grieving, older man and his new neighbour, a small boy. When we meet Frank, he is being visited by the ghost of his beloved wife,this is a great way for the author to allow us to see his inner thoughts and feelings.
The novel is witty and sharply observed , it is highly emotional at times and it had me in tears on several occasions. The story looks at grief, loneliness and divorce quite weighty topics, but despite this, the novel has and optimistic lightness and it’s a joyous read The characterisations were perfect.
The setting of the novel make it a a particularly British read , most of us would be easily able to visualise the houses that Frank and Red live in for example
The author has a lyrical flowing writing style, and the book was a pleasure to read.
I would recommend this novel to those who like a relationship and character based novel If you liked a man called Ove I Fredrik, Bachman, A quiet Life by Ethan Joella or Isaac and the egg by Bobby Palmer then you might like this book

I read a copy of the novel on NetGalley, UK the book is published in the UK on first of February 2024 by headline books.

This review will appear on NetGalley, UK, Goodreads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com
After publication the review will also appear on Amazon, UK

This book is an absolute delight. The relationship between Frank and Red is just lovely and I didn’t want it to end. Highly recommended.

This was a wonderful, emotional read. Funny and moving, this story of a grieving widowers relationship with a young boy is beautifully done, the humour offsetting the sadness in a way that makes it a joyful experience.

Easily one of the most enjoyable & memorable books I have read this year!

A story of a very unlikely friendship across generations.

Frank is a 'more than just miserable' surly man who is still reeling and raging at life after the loss of his beloved wife Marcie. No longer able to leave his own home past his front gate, he is not impressed when the new neighbours move in, especially when he hears the springs of a trampoline whilst he is trying to complete his daily crossword.

Red is the gorgeously curious 6 year old boy who has just moved in next door with his Mum Sarah after the break up of his parents marriage. Not only is it a new home it's a complete new start which includes a new school.

Like any small child, Red is hugely inquisitive and has questions... lots and lots of questions. Not put off by Frank's unfavourable manner, he decides they will be friends!

After an 'incident' that leaves Red in Frank's care for a few hours each day, a rather unlikely but timely friendship ensues. A friendship that made my heart happier, whilst reading, than any other book I'd read in a long time.

Matt Coyne's writing style is just spot on. Bringing humour and emotion together is such a way it felt like I knew the characters in real life. The whole way through I was smiling insanely, giggling away to myself and in the next heartbeat feeling myself well up.

I absolutely adored the characters, they were so well executed and the storyline just flowed perfectly. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

'Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything'

Huge thanks to netgalley and Headline, Wildfire for the ARC.

What a fabulous book. I loved every page. A real feel good story about two wonderful characters, six year old Red and Frank, an elderly widower, estranged from his only child and agrophobic since his wife Marnie died. Red has moved in next door with his Mum following his parents split and he is determined to be friends with Frank. This is so well written I believed every word of it.

Briefly, Frank has become more and more cranky since his wife passed away, however she isn’t ‘gone’ as he still talks to her and doesn’t want any other interaction with anyone. Red is having a hard time at his new school and he shares his woes with Frank with dire consequences. However, there are consequences for Frank too…

Red is just a brilliant character. Chatty, dogged, inquisitive and caring he want to help Frank. He want to be his friend. He doesn’t want to worry his Mum. Just a wonderful if slightly precocious child with a good heart. I loved how the relationship between the Frank and Red grew, it filled me with warm feelings. I also loved the Frank and Marnie relationship, she was there to help him, as she had done through their marriage. I couldn’t put this down and read it in one sitting. It was a joyful and heartwarming read and I wish I could read it again for the first time. Brilliant.

This book tells us the story about how Frank, a grumpy old man who is deeply missing his wife who has passed away and an unexpected friendship with Red, a 6 year old boy that moves in next door.

It’s not a new storyline but it is brilliantly written with moments that will make you laugh out load and shed a few tears.

A lovely heartwarming story.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HeadineBooks for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely surprise this book turned out to be. It’s the story of Frank a cranky curmudgeonly widower who is just existing since his wife Marcie died. He has absolutely no interest in what’s happening outside his home and relies on his neighbours Mark and Joe to pop to the shops for him. That’s how things have been until the arrival of Red and his mum Sarah, the new inhabitants of the house on Franks other side. Red is six years old and has as much energy as a duracell bunny. His mum is a nurse in the hospice where Franks precious Marcie died. But it’s Red who seems to cause Frank so much stress. Like most little boys Red has a quest for knowledge that just can’t be sated. He sees Frank as someone he can talk to, play with, generally just be his friend, Frank on the other hand sees the boy as a torment and tries his best to avoid him, easier said than done. And so the tale of Frank and Red begins. This is a gem of a story, although it covers a lot of serious topics it’s a gentle, warm story. For me it’s a five star book and I’d like to acknowledge #NetGalley and #headlinebooks for my ARC of this super book.

Wow this was an absolutely fantastic book. I loved it from start to finish and loved all the characters. It made me laugh out loud and also shed a few tears. Cant ask more from a book! I totally adored it and can’t wait to tell everyone about it.

Beautiful book, I laughed, I cried, I loved it!!

It's the sign of a great book when you stay up far too late reading, because I just wasn't ready to leave the world created in 'Frank and Red'. I've followed Man vs Baby since the post about his newborn went viral; I was pregnant at the time so it really hit home. Therefore I was excited to get an ARC of this book to review. Matt Coyne has a fantastic way with words and always makes me laugh, but he also nails emotional content so I was unsurprised when I found tears filling my eyes throughout.

Frank is in his late 60s and hasn't left his house since his wife died. She visits him often, but Frank wonders if she is a figment of his imagination, or if she is really visiting him from beyond. He is grumpy and antisocial.

Red is 6 and has just moved next door. His world has been turned upside down since his Dad left his Mum for 'Tits and Teeth' and now lives with her and her twin girls (who are the devil incarnate). He's moved house, moved school leaving all of his best friends behind, and now he is being bullied. I loved Red, and Matt nailed the voice of a 6 year old, perhaps proving that he is really an overgrown child himself (I'm sure he's said as much in his blogs).

The only niggle, if you can call it that, was that the timeline didn't match up for me. How was Frank "just short of [his] nineteenth birthday" in 1983 if his son is now nearly 40; and yet: "Marcie looked across at him for a longtime, and for a long time he looked back. At the eighteen-year-old girl he'd first met, the twenty year old woman he'd married, the thirty-year-old woman who'd carried their son..."

But that wasn't enough to knock a star off for me, so it's a 5/5 read, and one I'd read again. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend. The relationship between the characters is so heart warming that it made me cry in parts. I would love to read another book by this very insightful author.

Absolutely brilliant book which will have you in stitches one minute and then almost in tears the next.
Without giving too much of the plot away the story is about the relationship between a really young boy who is going through the personal trauma of parental divorce and a pensioner who is going through his own trauma as a cantankerous widower dealing with life without the love of his life to hold.
This book is extremely well written from both perspectives and I highly recommend it.

What a lovely book. Red and his mom move into their new home after divorce and their next door neighbour is Frank. Frank lost his wife to cancer and it happens that Red’s mom, Sarah, nursed her. Frank has not come to terms with his loss at all and Marcie appears to him in his home. Deep down he knows that this is an apparition but he is comforted by her presence. When Marcie was diagnosed she refused to allow their son, Mikey, to know as the upset would be good great. Consequently when he found out and their lost his mom things between him and Frank became fraught to the point of no communication between them. Red is 6 and full of chatter. He becomes the nuisance next door as Frank has decided. Red tries very hard to engage with Frank and eventually breaks down Frank’s reserve. Red is unhappy at school especially with a boy called Jake, the class bully. Frank tells him to stand up for himself which Red does but this backfires and Red gets into trouble and is excluded for a week from school. Sarah decides as Frank started this he would have to babysit Red. While at Frank’s house he finds an invitation to a christening from Frank’s son and then the questions start. Red in his mind puts two and two together and decides to go on a mission to Mikey’s home. Red found a letter Frank had written to his son but never posted and this makes Red determined to get them back together. The trouble with this plan is that Mikey lives the other side of London and Frank being a man who does not leave his house and garden, he cannot persuade him to go with him. The story continues in such a lovely way. Marcie still appearing to Frank and telling him to be kinder to Red. Red still determined to carry out his mission. Things go wrong, then right for all concerned and as I have said before a lovely book

If you enjoyed 'A Man Called Ove' then you will adore this humorous but tender book which explores the power of friendship. Frank is grieving the loss of his wife, Marcie, and has become a recluse. Red, a six year old boy, and his mum move in next door; he too is grieving the loss of the family life he has known and his friends. When circumstances force Frank and Red together, an unlikely friendship ensues. Matt Coyne got Red just right - as a teacher I am often irritated by the children in books as they aren't well represented. This was a 'feel good' read underpinned by hope and the need to be part of a community - a message perhaps we all need to hear! Will be recommending this book to everyone.

This story will have you laughing out loud one minute and grabbing for tissues the next.

Widowed Frank’s life turns upside down when a young boy named Red moves in next door.

From dealing with grief, to children making friends and generally family fall outs this book has captured it all remarkably well.

You would never believe this was Matt Coyne’s first fiction book. I can’t wait to see what the future brings for him

Frank and Red is a gorgeous book. It is told chapter by chapter from the perspectives of Frank, (cranky, sweary) a widower struggling to continue with life after the death of his wife and Red, (innocent, funny) a six-year old boy who, with his mother, has just moved in next door to Frank after his parents relationship has broken down. This description makes it sound as though the book is kind of depressing and if I read it as a blurb on the back of a book, I probably wouldn't pick it up.

HOWEVER, this book is anything but depressing! It is hopeful and provides some great laughs as it describes how Frank and Red try to understand each other and the growing relationship between them. This book will make you feel good (at least that's what it did for me) and I was sorry when I came to the end. Red and Frank are both great characters. I would definitely read more from this author.

An absolutely beautiful book that made me laugh and cry. This book had it all for me, fun, happiness, sadness, friendship, loss and love. If I could give 10 stars I would.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Frank and Red, where do I even start? I’ve not read such a beautifully tender and heartwarming book since Sarah Turner’s Stepping Up. Matt has managed to write friendship in all its forms, love and grief in such a personable and touching way, whilst still having his trademark witty humour weaved through. It’s a perfect balance and I loved every word. You cannot fail to fall in the with the characters and laugh and cry with them. A triumph of a first novel and a must-read for 2024.

Red is six years old and lives in London. His parents have separated and he’s just moved with his mum next door to Frank, a curmudgeonly old man who desperately misses his dead wife and has sunk into the pits of despair.

And so follows a story about getting to know others, getting to know yourself, doing the right things, the wrong things and all the bits in between.

This is such a beautiful book; I went through every emotion possible and I’m calling this as one of my books of the year. There are laugh out loud moments, tears in eyes moments….what a delightful rollercoaster…

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for an arc. 'Frank and Red' is an extremely delightful debut novel that will leave you with all the warm and fuzzy feelings needed for cold winter days. Frank is almost a recluse after the death of his beloved Marcie when 6 year old Red moves in next door. As the book continues we are treated to a beautiful story that will make you laugh,cry and everything else in-between. I loved it!

If I could give this more than five stars I would.
Absolutely loved this wonderful story it left me with a contented smile on my face.
It was funny at times yet a very heartwarming moving story that touches your heart,
Well written with superb characters this touching story will make you laugh out loud yet bring a tear to your eye too.
Frank is a grumpy awkward old man since the death of his wife.
He had become a recluse & doesn’t interact with anyone.
He doesn’t even speak to his own son.
Red is a boy of six & has recently moved in next door.
Red is not adjusting well to his parents separation & also his new school.
Red is a bright lad & a very curious one at that.
He absolutely never stops talking.
He has a trampoline in the garden & the moment he spots the old man next door things will never be the same again.
This is a book I would definitely recommend I absolutely loved it .
Great story & well put together.

I absolutely loved this book! Already I am looking forward to Matt Coyne's next! This is the story of Franklin or Frank as everyone calls him and his new neighbour Red (real name Leonard). Frank lives alone since becoming a widower and when Red and his Mum move in next door, Frank's quiet, ordered life begins to change. I love this story of two people, one old and one young, who have seen their worlds turned upside down. It is funny but also a beautiful engaging story of how we cope with change and the frustrations of our lives. This book is also about relationships (both of friends and family) and how fragile they are but also how they can be healed. I really couldn't put this book down but then again, I didn't really want to come to the end either. Many thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this beautiful and engaing book.

I read this book in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. It is a lovely story of a six year old boy who’s life is turned upside down when his parents divorce. He moves into the house next to a grumpy 67 year old man still grieving the death of his wife 2 years previously. I started it when I went to bed and finished it at 4am. My only gripe is the bad language from the old man. Well worth reading though.

In Matt Coyne’s debut novel Frank & Red I may have found a contender for book of the year already. It will most definitely be on my Top Reads list this year. I actually had both a digital and audiobook copy of the book and decided to listen to the audio version. I’m so glad I did as the narrator, James Killeen, was superb. Like the characters of Frank and Marcie, he’s a Dubliner so really brought the characters to life. He was also so good at capturing the spirit of six year old Red. Having said that, I have also looked at the digital version and really like the way it was formatted, particularly some of Red’s chapters showing his childish way of thinking or writing.

Right from the beginning of the book when the exuberant Red met his new neighbour, curmudgeonly Frank, I took both these characters to heart and that’s somewhere they will stay. They are such memorable creations and Matt Coyne brought them to life on the page in a way that made them feel very real to me. Frank’s life has shrunk since the death of his beloved wife Marcie. Red has moved following the separation of his mum and dad and he’s finding it very difficult to adjust to his new circumstances, a new home and a new school. The unlikely friendship that developed between them was just beautiful to read about. It’s fair to say that Red considers himself Frank’s friend long before Frank reciprocated the feeling.

The book is so brilliantly written. Matt Coyne has managed to combine humour with emotion beautifully and it’s genuinely a book which could have you giggling one minute and with a tear in your eye the next. Red’s innocent and straightforward way of looking at the world chipped away at Frank’s resistance and they were both just what the other needed. I also liked the inclusion of Marcie, Frank’s wife. At times, we meet them in their younger years and at other times, Frank believes he sees and hears her around his house, offering advice and opinions on how he should be living his life. I felt like she was almost the voice of his conscience.

I can’t recommend Frank & Red highly enough. It’s such an uplifting and heart-warming read and with characters I won’t forget. If you don’t fall in love with Frank and Red then we can’t be friends any more! I unreservedly loved this book from start to end.

I absolutely loved this and would give ten stars if I could. I’m still in awe that it’s a debut as it captured and easily held my attention. Yes it’s funny, yes it’s poignant but sometimes you just want to read something that’s full of heart and this book has that in spades. I think the only slight issue some readers might have is the fact that it’s a very British story so perhaps occasionally references might be confusing. I’m English so fully understood such things as Nobbly Bobbly ice lollies etc but honestly I could easily see this on a bigger screen and not just my kindle. I laughed out loud several times and even felt emotional but that ending was perfect and I recommend this book to absolutely everyone !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

What an absolute treasure of a book! This is definitely going to be one of the contenders for my book of 2024!
When Red and his mum move into their house, he could foresee the unlikely friendship that would blossom with the grumpy old man next door. But Red is lonely and more than that, he’s persistent. He’s not about to give up on Frank. Red absolutely stole my heart with his innocence and his courage and his determination to make things right. I cried for him, I laughed and my heart melted. Matt has captured the perfect six year old in Red. Then Frank, oh my… so many times my heart broke for everything he’d been through. I adored his reincarnation of Marcie, his dead wife’s ghost and loved their conversations. Full of so many themes, many often serious and hard hitting, this book shows us the power of love and friendship, kindness and compassion. Tissues at the ready! But you will finish it with a big joyful smile and warm fuzzy feeling. This is going to be the book I’m recommending to everyone!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Headline for an arc in exchange for a review.

This is a great first fiction book by this author. Very emotional it tells the story of Frank, a reclusive widower, and Red, a 6 year old who has moved in next door with his mother after her split from her husband. They form an unlikely friendship after Red has to stay with Frank after being suspended from school due to an incident where he had followed Frank's advice. There is a ghostly presence by Marcie, Frank's wife, who tries to help him to repair his relationship with their son following a disagreement years before. Overall a book that I really enjoyed and can definitely recommend to those who enjoy an emotional story.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This book somehow managed to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, and the unlikely friendship between Frank and Red both funny and moving. Brilliant.

This was such a sweet, funny book. Frank and Red make the perfect pair and I thoroughly enjoyed all their interactions. I laughed every time Kris Akabusi got mentioned too!

I loved this book. The interaction between Red and Frank was heartwarming. An unlikely pairing of a young boy and a retired man make for an interesting read. The book had me laughing and crying in equal measures. It was lovely to see how each age group could still understand the others problems and thought they knew best on how to fix them. Highly recommend this book.

This novel recounts the unlikely friendship that develops between Frank, a miserable lonely widower, and the 6 year old boy who moves in next door. Matt Coyne injects just the right amounts of humour and pathos into this familiar plot outline to give it a new lease of life. The characterisation is well handled and we’re given great insight into how a bright 6 year old makes sense of the difficulties that ensue from his parents’ divorce. I do think Matt should have got someone to check his Maths though - if Frank was a 19 year old in 1983, that wouldn’t make him 67 now!

What a beautifully observed and written book. All of the characters are so well drawn and their viewpoints feel so genuine. I loved the gentle humour throughout and was surprised by how quickly my emotions could be switched from laughter to sadness. Frank and Red have their own reasons for sadness and the development of their understanding of each other and their growing friendship is just perfectly described. Really a rather magical book. Congratulations and thanks to the author for writing such an enjoyable and well crafted novel.