A grumpy grieving old man and a young boy struggling to cope with a change in his life too. Their paths collide across a garden fence and their remarkable friendship blossoms with its own set of interesting circumstances

With characters who will steal your heart and an intoxicating mix of real emotion and humour that will see you with a lump in your throat (and possibly a tear in your eye) along the way, but will also make you laugh out loud at times and leave you with the hugest smile on your face, this is an absolute gem of a book and I honestly couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

It is the story of widower Frank who has struggled to come to terms with the loss of his wife two years earlier and now never leaves his house. But when six year old Red and his mother move in next door, what begins as a fractious relationship between an ebullient and inquisitive child and a grumpy old man soon develops into an unlikely friendship and they each learn from the other.

What makes this book so very special is Coyne’s skill in creating two fabulous and very real characters in Frank and Red. Red is utterly adorable, funny (often unintentionally), full of curiosity and with the lack of filter and innocence of a young child that allows him to remain positive even while facing his own challenges at home and at school. And you cannot help but feel for Frank whilst at the same time laughing at his own peculiar brand of humour and the furious expletives that come out of his mouth at times, ensuring he is a rather wonderful grumpy old man.

This book is the perfect pick me up at this time of year - whilst it deals with some serious issues, it is ultimately an utterly feel-good book that I adored and I can wholeheartedly recommend. I know it is only January but I am pretty sure that this is destined to be one of my books of the year.

LOVE LOVE LOVED this book ! Has got to be in my top five books !! It made you laugh , cry and smile 😊 very emotional but an absolutely lovely lovely story , highly recommend

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

As debuts go, this sweet story of intergenerational friendship was a comforting read. Covering themes of grief, loss, loneliness and change, it is equal parts poignant and heartwarming and doused in a liberal sprinkling of humor. It’s a well-worn trope but one that I always enjoy, however often I come across it.

Meet curmudgeonly recluse Frank, still wallowing in grief two years after the passing of his wife, Marcie. Estranged from his only son and friends, and scared to venture beyond his front step, Frank’s world is confined to his home and conversations with an imaginary Marcie.

Meet six-year-old Red, who’s just moved in next door with his mum following the breakup of his parents’ marriage. He misses his dad and his friends and hates his new school, where he’s the target of the class bully.

What follows, when circumstances force the pair to spend five days together, is entirely predictable. Not that this matters, as it’s Frank and Red, rather than the plot, that carry the narrative forward. I enjoyed both character arcs and the way they developed separately and together; Frank as his grumpiness was worn down by Red’s precociousness, and Red as his friendship with Frank gave new purpose to his life.

That said, I wasn’t entirely convinced by Red’s capabilities as an ‘almost’ seven-year-old, notably the entries in his ‘Reflection Diary and his wizardry with jigsaw puzzles (5,000 pieces in six hours, even with Frank’s help, is far fetched in the extreme). And I may have had to suspend belief for the last quarter of the book, which dampened my enthusiasm slightly.

On the whole, though, this is a solid debut and one I’m sure will appeal to all fans of uplit. .

What a wonderful uplifting read. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel which was both funny and heartwarming. Would totally recommend. The author writes wonderfully and it was a joy to read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to this wonderful novel.

Synopsis
Frank and Red are a mess.

Frank is a grumpy old curmudgeon. A recluse whose only company is the 'ghost' of his dead wife, Marcie. He is estranged from his friends, his son, and the ever-changing world beyond his front gate.

And then Red moves in next door.

Red is six. A boy struggling to adjust to the separation of his mum and dad, a new school, and the demonic school bully. Red is curious, smart, he never stops talking, and he's got a trampoline.
From the moment Red's blonde mop appears over the top of the fence that divides their two gardens, the unlikeliest of friendships is born.

. . . And it is a friendship that will change both of their lives forever.

My thoughts ……!

Franks wife has passed away he is full of grief and she is still with him he is so sad about it. He is grumpy but extremely funny and underneath he is a great bloke ! Red moves in next door and they begin a relationship much to Franks disgust . Red is an absolute delight , inquisitive, constant chattiness and his questions oh love him. The friendship blossoms and there are such great moments, playing guess who is hilarious.
Frank - have they a moustache
Red - no but they have a hat
Frank - you are not surposed to
Say that ask me a question now
Red - have yours got a cat
Frank- bloody hell no they have not got a bloody cat , dog or any other pet .
Red- is it Herman
And so it goes lol
The characters are so fabulous, it’s funny , poignant, and just totally brilliant! It’s only January but it could be one of my books of the year I just totally adored!
I have a kindle copy but the audio is just perfect! Matt coyne this debut is warm , funny ,emotional and makes me totally smile I absolutely loved it! Buy it 1st February you will not regret it !!!

know it seems very early to be saying that I’ve just read my book of the year, but I do believe that Frank and Red is going to be definitely in the top four books for this year.
I listened to the audible when I was not able to read the digital copy, and read the book when I was not able to listen to the audiobook. The 2 accompany each other very beautifully.
The story told through perspectives of a six-year-old boy and an old retired widow is just beautiful.
This is a story of friendship and kindness, and coming to terms with the past and looking forward to the future. But it’s so much more than that, it feels so real. The characters are extremely well developed and extremely relatable.
This book is an absolute must for anyone who enjoyed a man called Ove.
I will be recommending it to many people.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication. I absolutely loved it.

Frank and Red, Matt Coyne

Franks wife Marcie, his reason for living has died (but she’s still haunting him). Red has moved in next door after his parents have divorced. An unlikely bond that changes the trajectory of both their lives.

I had no expectations for this one but it blew me away. Laugh out loud funny and cry out loud sad, Coyne mixes up all your emotions in this stunning read. So many lines really made me stop, Frank describing loving and losing Marcie, the ghost of Marcie describing to Frank why she might be there. Written by an author who really understands grief and love. This will be a standout of the year.

Thanks to #NetGalley for my copy

Curmudgeonly Frank’s life has narrowed considerably since he lost Marcie, his beloved wife. Without her wisdom and support, he struggles to fend for himself and has no capacity for change, so he’s not best pleased by the arrival of new neighbours next door.

Sarah and her six year old son, Red, break into his consciousness and bring out his defensiveness. At the outset, they have no idea of the way his world has been turned upside down or how best to approach him.

But this doesn’t deter Red from trying. His talkativeness and enquiring mind make him actively seek out his grumpy neighbour despite the rebuffs he receives. Yet when Red is on an unexpected punishment leave from school and his mum is stuck for childcare, she warily decides that Frank will have to fulfil that role.

Frank and Red are dubious about spending a week in one another’s company. Frank only reluctantly agrees because whispered words from his now ghost of a wife persuade him he should.

Over the course of the week, they swing from entreaties and withdrawal to developing a grudging routine that temporarily suits them both yet leaves Red lost and bored. Though things improve when Frank decides to include him in various tasks.

These are some of the funniest episodes in this charming book as we see how Frank’s iciness gets thawed and a degree of mutual understanding and respect develop between the unlikely couple.

Frank eventually learns to be more welcoming toward others. When Red confides in him about the school bullying he’s experiencing, Frank opens up and gives him tips on how to defend himself.

This humorous, poignant novel tugs at the heartstrings. Each character is loveable in their own way. It’s a brilliant, touching, unforgettable read. I adored it! Grateful thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the eARC.

I loved this book so much!
Frank is grieving the death of his wife. He is grumpy, has fallen out with his son and now there are new neighbours next door and Frank doesn't like change.
Red is six and his world is confusing. They have had to move house, Daddy doesn't live with them anymore and is always busy when he's supposed to be seeing Red. And he hates his new school.
Frank and Red come together in a way that changes them both.
I loved the maturity of writing in this novel, in the way the author describes grief but also the view of the world from a child. You will cry.

This is such a heartwarming storyline about the blossoming friendship of an older neighbour, Frank, with a 6 year old, Red, who has just moved next door.

I loved grumpy Frank. His wife died recently, but she's still around and talking to her. She's just there in his imagination. When Red bounces, literally, into his world, the friendship between them blooms.

This is a very sweet generational storyline and makes the perfect escapism read. I honestly didn't want this book to end.

A wonderful story of life events sadness and grief coming together from a six year old little boy and a 67 year old man. This really is a heartwarming story to escape into.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

An absolutely beautiful, heartwarming story.

Anyone with young children will relate to little Red and the way he sees the world, and anyone who has unfortunately experienced grief will understand Frank and why he is how he is.

The relationship between the 2 is unlikely yet beautiful.

This was a gorgeous story and I would urge everyone to read, just to escape and feel good about the world for a moment.

What a wonderful read. Frank is a grumpy recluse, who had a falling out with his son after the death of his wife, who is now haunting him, in a very benign fashion. Frank gets a new neighbour, 6 year old Red, who has some troubles of his own.
After an incident at school, Red has to spend a week with Fred and a most unlikely friendship is formed. And then Red tries to fix Frank’s trouble with his son.
I’ve raced through this book in a couple of sittings. It’s as funny as you’d expect from the author, who is responsible for Man vs Baby, but it’s also poignant and completely heartwarming.
A brilliant fiction debut. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.

A warm hug of a book. A well written story covering the issues of grief, loneliness and bullying and of the friendship between six year old Red and elderly widower Frank. With laugh out loud moments and a few tearful ones too I will defiantly be recommending this book to everyone.
Thanks to Netgalley an the publishers for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book

This book was a massive hug and I loved it just as much as I knew I would. Both Frank and Red are going through difficult times and with their age difference, they’re certainly not a pair you expect to become friends but this is the cutest non-romanctic grumpy vs sunshine story. Frank is grieving, isolated, and mad at pretty much everyone. He definitely does not want nosy, noisy new neighbours but Red is outgoing and happy, constantly chatting away until he knocks down some of Frank’s walls (or his fence) and the grouchy old man finds himself reluctantly fond of, and friends with, this endearing 6 year old. These two form an unlikely bond and help each other see things differently - though it’s safe to say Frank’s advice isn’t always sound, or age appropriate. But then, neither is his language.

This book was full of humour, with lots of back and forth between the different characters (adults and children), but you better believe there were some tear jerking moments at the end. So, all in all, I laughed, I cried, and I have a little space in my heart just for Frank and Red.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

What a lovely book. I devoured this in one sitting.
Red and his Mother have moved in next door to Frank. Frank lost his wife a few years before and has become agoraphobic, even struggling with the end of the garden. Red being a typical 6 year old, starts talking to him until Frank is forced to respond. Red's comprehension of Franks life is a little warped and when he decides to "help", things get a little out of control.
I loved the dialogue in this book and the things from a 6 year old's point of view.
More please.

Frank is a lonely old widower. He sees the 'ghost' of his dead Marcie and is estranged from his only son.
Then Red, a six year old, who is as lively as an exploding bottle of pop moves in next door.

How will this unlikely friendship develop and work out.
Told through the eyes of a child - it was absolutely delightful .
I can hear Red gabbling away. I loved it!!

Grumpy curmudgeonly men who appear mean but actually have a heart of gold is my favourite archetype. It's my emotional kryptonite. and Matt Coyne has created one for the ages with Frank. Since his wife died, his life has shrunk as has his patience for people. His new neighbours, 6 year-old Red and his mother, quickly become the bane of his existence, yet their lives keep on colliding.
Alternating between Frank and Red's respective points of view, both characters are so well drawn and expressed, I fell in love with both of them instantly. I couldn't put the book down as I was so desperate to find out what happened next and yet, as soon as I finished, I was bereft at leaving them behind. So bloody lovely!

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.