An unlikely friendship starts when a curious talkative six year old moves in next door to Frank, a grumpy old man mourning the loss of his wife and hiding away from the world. The story is told from both perspectives and really captures the innocence and endless curiousity of a child, and the hesitation and thoughts of a world weary man who is hiding behind his own grief and fear. The story covers the modern day broken family, bullying and generational differences. Written with heart and feeling.

Brilliant, such a beautiful story of friendship. Hope there's more from the author. I follow him on Facebook, very talented writer, hugely impressed by his story writing Thank you

This is one of the sweetest books I've read in ages. Grumpy old man Frank meets the cutest little 6 year old boy Red and the ensuing friendship changes both of their lives for the better. It's reminiscent of 'A Man Called Ove' with a slightly different set up. Highly recommend. Thanks to Matt Coyne, Wildfire and NetGalley for the ARC.

Beautiful, heart warming and breaking, separation of any kind is hard to navigate at any age, Matt has done a brilliant job, thank you from all the kids who are going through something.

“Sometimes, the friend you need is the one you never saw coming.”

What a lovely debut this was! As Frank finds himself drowning in the depths of grief, six year old Red appears like a life jacket pulling him towards the light. The ghost of Marcie has been Frank’s only companion for months and he finds it harder with every passing day to deal with the world outside his window. That’s until Red’s mop of messy hair appears on the other side of the fence and his relentless curiosity and disregard for boundaries leads to an unlikely friendship. Red is fighting his own battles with the move across town, separation of his parents and a new school with all the social annoyances that come with it. He finds comfort in sharing his troubles with Frank and they end up becoming exactly what the other needs.

Thanks to Netgalley and headlinebooks for an advance copy. This is the heartwarming read you were looking for!

this book has all the emotions!
it’s such a well written heartwarming story of friendship.
i loved how each chapter was written from either franks or Reds perspective. it’s an emotional read but filled with things to make you smile

I really enjoyed this book, it manages to be charming and heartwarming with laugh out loud moments. The relationship between six year old Red who lives next door to grumpy old Frank was quite joyous, even if they didn't always find it to be. Warm, witty and very well observed, you can't fail to be cheered by their story. Highly recommend!

This was an excellent book. A story of 2 people going through difficulties in their lives and how they help one another even if one of them doesn't want to. One of them happens to be 6 years old and the other in his sixties.
This is a heart warming tale of love, loss and friendship told through the eyes of the two protagonists, Frank and Red.

Don't be expecting any twists in this tale as it leads pretty much where you would expect but that's the point.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

This book is so, SO good!

I’ve been following Matt Coyne’s parenting humour blog since Minishine was tiny, so already knew he could make the most relatable stories funny and interesting, but here he proves he can also move readers to anger, tears and more with his tone-perfect capture of those small, everyday human interactions that can turn into the biggest relationships in our lives.

Witty and heart-wrenching, real and raw, the author makes us live the experience of an elderly bereaved man who has given up on almost everything in his life and at the same time experience the life of an enthusiastic young boy who has hope and optimism to spare, despite his current circumstances. Both are struggling with big changes in their life and neither see in each other the potential for a real friend, but it is surprising how contagious one child’s hope and optimism can be and just how far it can take you.

I giggled, rolled my eyes, sighed and cried. I love Frank. I love Red. And I love Frank and Red.

Now I just need to buy a ‘keep’ copy for myself, and for my mum, and my best friend, and…!

A truly beautiful read. There is something very pure about this story. It’s simple, it’s heart warming and it’s impossible to put down. You’ll love Frank and Red from the moment you meet them. Their friendship is uncomplicated and truly special. A thumping great read! Read it, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley

I absolutely loved this book. It’s funny, heartbreaking and a wonderful depiction of the power of friendship and the hardship of grief.
Frank is a devastated widower and Red is a bewildered 6 year old that has had his own life upended too. Against all odds they become what the other needs to start life over again.
Wonderful writing, spot on depictions of what a 6 year old is like (without being childish) and a cast of characters you care about from the start. I loved the alternating narration of Frank and Red as the story never lost its pace. This is a really good book and I will be recommending it to everyone.

I loved the synopsis of this book and could not wait to read it.

I was not disappointed.

I loved Frank as a character and also Red.

It reminded me of a Man named Ove but still such a great read

It is astounding when you like a book so much that even though the year is new, you already know it will be at the top of your 2024 'best' list. "Frank & Red" is just such a book.

It reminded me a bit of another favourite novel, "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman. The similar, curmudgeonly widowed men I guess. Also, it reminded me of a favourite television show, "After Life", featuring Ricky Gervais. So much so that I pictured Frank's late wife Marcie, as looking like Kerry Godliman. But I digress...

Frank is in his late sixties. Since his wife Marcie passed away he is not coping with life. His only son has become estranged from him after a fateful decision to not tell him just how serious his mother's illness was... Now he has become a virtual recluse with more than a touch of agoraphobia. He seldom leaves his house and enlists kindly neighbours to do his shopping etc.

Red is six years old and lives with his Mum who works as a nurse in a care home. His parents have recently divorced and Red is having a difficult time adjusting to life without his Dad. He and his Mum have just moved into the house next door to Frank. He hates his new house, his new school (where he is being bullied), his new life... He misses his best friend from his old school.

The only good thing in his life is his budding friendship with the grumpy old man who lives next door.

This friendship evolves painfully (on Frank's part) and persistently (on Red's part). Along the way we share in their lives. We experience their joys and their sorrows.

If Frank and Red had a recipe, it would be thus:
Take a grumpy and very lonely old man. Add a confused, endearing, intelligent, and very lonely six year old boy. Stir well. Be patient while the mixture melds... The result will be a story that you'll cherish, as I did. A heartwarming 'Uplit' story that made me laugh aloud and shed some tears.

All the stars...

I was really excited to read this because the blurb reminded me of the relationship I had with my late grandfather - grumpy old man made soft by childlike joy. Sadly this one wasn't for me though - I found the voice of the adult protagonist quite over exaggerated which made it difficult to be immersed - this was fine for comical parts but for the parts needing more emotion such as when talking with the ghost of his wife, this was quite uncomfortable. Love the concept, just found it hard to be pulled in on this one.

Frank is in his late sixties and has become a recluse since his wife Marcie died. He fell out with his grown up son, doesn't see his friends anymore and doesn't leave the house. And then one day, six year old Red moves in with his mum Sarah. Red has a trampoline and talks to Frank while he is jumping.

What a gorgeous, lighthearted read between Frank and Red.

I haven’t got words to express my love for this novel, honest to god I adored it and didn’t want it to end. A beautifully written book about love and loss and friendship, a literary gem of a book and I hope to god there’s another one like it on its way soon. Absolutely outstanding!!!!

A really lovely heartwarming read, clearly written by someone who knows children. I knew where it was going but enjoyed the ride and there were some actual laugh out loud lines.

This is the best book I have read in a long time! I loved every page.
Frank has lost his wife and he misses her terribly. He has found himself cut off from the world, and estranged from his only son.
He never leaves the house except to put the bin out, and even then he doesn't set foot off his own property. He sees his beloved wife everywhere, but ony in his imagination. He talks to her all the time, and imagines her replies. She is his only company.
That is, until Red and his mummy move into the house next door.
This is a heartwarming, and (at times) funny story of a blooming friendship between Frank and Red. Full of humor, sadness & adventure (on Red's part).
This is one book not to miss!

A lovely story about a young boy and an elderly man dealing with their own personal troubles. Red’s parents have just split up and he has moved house and school. Frank’s wife has passed away and no longer leaves his house. A really heart warming story with some bits of humour. I would definitely recommend. It reminded be of A Man called Ove and Up.

This novel goes to show that age and friendships don't have to be on the same level. Frank the widower and Red is just 6 but their friendship develops into something special. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC