I found this book to be an easy read but I felt like I just wanted more from it; I felt like I wanted there to be more of a story. Although the story of Frankie was interesting (particularly the earlier parts set in Ireland) I just found some of the middle New York timeline a bit dull. Maybe this type of book just isn’t for me, but I have read other books by Graham Norton that I enjoyed more.

This is the first Graham Norton book I have read and I loved it. The book is written in three time lines. Frances (now Frankie) and her childhood, and early adult life which is traumatic and set in Ireland. Frankie’s life in New York and then once she had returned to the UK. Frankie is now old and living on her own in London. She falls and damages her ankle and needs help. Then comes Damian into the story. He is a carer from Ireland who stays with Frankie through the night in case she needs help. This has been organised by her long time friend Nora (Nor). The book explains the relationship between Damian, Frankie and Nor but also the relationship between Frankie and Nor which goes back to Ireland. As Damian is with Frankie for a few weeks the story of Frankie’s life since living Ireland until now is told. She shares her world with him and he knows he will be sad when he is no longer needed to stay with her via the Agency. They have a special relationship. Frankie has a hard life. An estranged husband, working hard in a restaurant and the reason she left America. The book flowed so well and I really enjoyed the ride – fantastic story

I loved this book from the very first page. The characters are so loveable, especially Frankie herself.
It tells the story of Irish girl Frankie growing up in 1950’s Ireland but told in the past tense.
Frankie is telling the story to her carer who has become her friend.
I loved the way it was told in third person, both in the past and present, rather than in Frankie’s own voice. She has led a colourful life and it is told in the most brilliant way by Graham Norton. Even though this is a work of fiction, I could imagine it happening in real life. Perfect 5⭐️

I loved Frankie from the start. I was completely caught up in her life, and I felt like I was living every moment alongside of her. The book has such an enormous scope, in trying to tell us her life story. I hadn't read anything about the story before I started and I'm glad that I didn't know anything because it was good to discover things alongside of Frankie. By the time I got to the end, it did somehow feel that Frankie's early life had been something I'd read years ago!

The art world described within the story is intriguing, and I enjoyed the wide range of characters, events and situations. If I had any criticism, it would only be that I felt the conclusion to Frankie's story wrapped itself up a little too quickly. I wanted to know more of her life at the end, and I would have happily read another 100 pages to find that out properly. Maybe I was just enjoying the book too much, and I didn't want it to end.

This was my first experience of reading a Graham Norton novel and I was really impressed. Frankie has injured her foot and needs a carer. In comes Damian, an Irish carer. On hearing his voice, and discovering they come from nearby towns in Ireland, Frankie warms to him and starts to reveal stories from her past.
In this way, we find out how Frankie has come to live in a jam packed flat in London and the story of her life.
This was beautifully written and the characters really came to life. I would have liked a bit more in the present day and felt the ending was a bit rushed but this was a really good read. Would recommend.

A captivating and beautiful book - I read it in almost one sitting. Story comes from a simple idea - a carer from an exclusive private agency goes to give temporary help to a lady who has fallen (or "had a fall", if we want to be insulting) and doesn't really welcome his help. Damian is from West Cork and is highly professional, getting even those reluctant to be helped, to accept his aid. He's curious - Francis' home is not in his usual exclusive catchment area or as luxuriously furnished. We meet Francis, 84 and fiercely independent (until she broke her ankle) and her friend Nor.

After an initially cool introduction she begins to thaw. They get talking and Francis (Frankie) tells him her story. A simple plot but such a wonderful journey of a lifestory. (I saw 'NY' and 'Art Scene' in another review and hesitated, thinking it'd be yet another Andy Warhol revamp. It's not; he's more of an irritant than anything else, lol). From her dire late childhood, and an early horrific marriage Frankie blossoms but I don't want to give too much away.

A generous life, not without crises and heartbreak. You'll love her. Read this and be transported. A couple of stretches of the imagination are required (eg a rather graphic description of something that happens in her first marriage to a complete stranger at the time, is somewhat unlikely for someone her age - though when you get to know her, perhaps not!) A later escape from certain lawsuits is probably wishful thinking and truncated - but then it all adds to the magic - and keeps that flow. Highly recommended. I loved this. I will be buying this for friends; I can't bear that fellow friend-readers might miss this one!

Graham Norton has now become a well established writer of engaging fiction, and his latest character driven story displays sensitivity, whilst containing oodles of warmth and charm. We become immersed in the life of Frances 'Frankie' Howe, a resilient elderly woman in her 80s trying to live a independent life in her London flat. She is not keen on carers, but she begins to open up and recount her memories to the kind and compassionate Damien, seeing as he comes from the same part of Ireland as she does. In a narrative that covers decades of turbulence and change, Frankie relates in installments the life she has lived and experienced.

In a richly descriptive and atmospheric tale that goes back and forth in time, we become aware of the people the remarkable Frankie encountered, the shifts in culture and social norms and attitudes, the good and the bad times, and how she had to draw on her inner strength and resilience. We learn of her unfortunate early marriage and subsequent escape to London, followed by a move to a vibrant New York with its colourful characters, progressive ways, the art, literature, writers, the pushing of boundaries, the freedom, the intensity of the times, and the bleak horror and heartbreak of the Aids Crisis. Frankie has certainly lived her life to the full, a life you want to know about.

It covers Frankie's enduring friendship with Nor, it is not a life that Frankie could have forseen, walking a path of surprises and coincidences, the impact that she would end up having from the places she occupied, it speaks of identity, hardships, love, tragedy, changing circumstances and times, connections, and so much more that life can encompass. I think this will appeal to a wide range of readers who are likely to adore Frankie, Norton has crafted a marvellous character with care, and appreciate the humour, locations and the extensive period the novel covers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Graham Norton's latest novel is a quantum leap up from the small town tales of West Ireland to an accomplished life-story novel. Frankie is an adopted by her uncle and aunt and hurried into an early marriage to an austere older clergyman. He has a mistress and can't consummate the marriage but throws her out when she is seen kissing a local farmer. She flees to her friend Nor, in London and begins a job in the art world which will take her to America, to find love, wealth, heartbreak and loss. The story is narrated by Frankie to her young carer as she recovers from a broken ankle. Its a compelling read and the portrayal of the fear and constant bereavement in the gay community in New York in the eighties is especially touching.

Obviously I know Graham Norton the talk show host and former stand up comedian and I’ve heard good things about Graham Norton the author, but this is the first of his books that I have read and I must say I’m hoping it won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
The story is written as a series of reminiscences told by Frankie to Damien her new overnight carer. These comfy overnight chats start with Frankie’s childhood and trace her whole adult life through flat shares in London and a very arty thirty years or so living and loving in New York. A tale that is sad in parts and joyful in others all brilliantly written.
Loved it!

The story centres on Frankie who's broken her ankle and Damian who comes to care for her. Frankie then starts to tell Damian all about her life from she was a young girl from Ireland and then when she went to New York

This is the first book I have read by Graham Norton, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is about Frankie, an aging old lady remembering events throughout her life and recounting to Damian, her new carer.

Frankie is determined to be independent though circumstances make it difficult. Damian is from the same part of Ireland and there is an immediate connection between the two.

This sensitively written story is told between two timelines, as Frankie is growing up to present day, and the cultural changes that have evolved throughout that time. Her life has taken her from the small village where she grew up, to London, then New York.

Graham Norton really gets inside his characters and Frankie’s spirit and resilience shine through some difficult times. Although sad in places, there is also a touch of humour. There are various larger than life characters who are well described, especially Nor, who is a constant, helpful friend. Damian is compassionate and likeable, but I felt his character could be further developed. Perhaps Graham Norton’s next book!

An enjoyable story which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, it’s about family and relationships in all their forms. Looking forward to reading more books written by Graham Norton.

I really enjoyed this novel: we see the fabulous Frankie as she tells her story from childhood to old age. She is an intriguing character who sometimes has life happen to her by circumstance rather than design but you really root for her to succeed and for life to be kind to her. I quite like the medium of Damian to share her story with and I would have actually liked to see a little more of their relationship building.

This novel is character led but also gives us glimpses into significant periods in history, including the aids crisis and the cruelty those suffering had to face at that time. Norton really knows how to balance character and setting so that the reader is completely immersed in the character's world. A thoroughly enjoyable read! I have enjoyed all of Graham Norton's books and will look forward to the next one in the future. Get writing - you have impatient readers waiting!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

This is the fictional story of Frankie, born Frances Howes in West Cork in 1940ish, from her becoming an orphan at a young age, to her ill-advised marriage at 18 to an older man, to her escape to London and her time in New York with artist Joe, as told to her young Irish carer Damian, back in London in 2024. I really don't want to say too much about the story - best let it impact on you without too much prior knowledge.

What an amazing, well-told story this is about love, success and friendship. So here is another celebrity that can actually write! Just a shame Graham Norton can't invite himself to his sofa to promote this.

This story has so much heart. Frankie and her best friend Nor are wonderful characters to live through the swinging 60s, the artsy 70s and the AIDS-ridelled 80s with. There is, unsurprisingly, good LGBTQ+ representation, written with insight and empathy.

This book is unputdownable - I read it in one sitting. The writing style is easy and skilfully pulls you in from the start. It's a life-affirming story filled with gentle humour about making your own way - whatever life throws at you, you can get through it.

I have to say though, I wondered half the book about the thing that got her to come back to London - it had to come out at some point and it's good to know the author hadn't forgotten about it!

Just a shame the story more or less stopped in 1987, apart from the retelling in 2024. I would have liked to read more about her interesting life. And it's rare for me to say I want a book to be longer! Highly recommended.

"Love. It’s like ordering food you know you’re allergic to."

This is far and away Graham’s best novel to date. In Frankie, he has created an unforgettable character with an incredible story. I was glued to this from start to finish. Bravo.

To say I was a mess by the end of this novel, complete with ugly crying and messed up make-up, is an understatement. Graham’s latest novel is saga like, detailing the rise and fall of Frankie Howe, a young woman whose life was full of twists and turns. When recounting events to Irish carer Damian, Frankie gets to relive life in a Irish town, a move to England after the strangest of romantic entanglements, and finally, a move to New York where she found herself and a way to live. Now back in London, she’s got a lot to say about love in all its guises. Bittersweet, funny, astute, it’s got it all. Welcome Frankie into your life with open arms.

I don’t know what I expected when I requested this book by Graham Norton, but it wasn’t this! I’d heard he writes good books, and I love his TV programmes, so I thought let’s see if he can write too. There are lots of celebrities who turn to writing - some do it well, others not so much.

I didn’t even remember what the book was about when I started reading it and I’m glad about that, I actually think the less you already know the better in this case, so if my review seems vague, it’s deliberate!

The book drew me in very quickly and just never let go. It’s cleverly written, as it’s Frankie (sort of) narrating her tale bit by bit to Damian, who is enthralled by her stories. He wasn’t the only one, I was too and read this book in about two days! The characters are well developed and quite intriguing as they travel through the decades from 1950 to 2024! It’s fascinating reading about the changes in lifestyles, in viewpoints, in openness and freedom.

It’s awfully sad, in parts, tragic even, then there’s happiness, success, disappointment, heartbreak, sickness, abundance, poverty, hedonism………and sadness…….it’s all in there!

I’d definitely recommend it! As for the plot, don’t read it first……….just dive right in! It’s worth it!

Graham Norton back to his brilliant best!
A heart-warming, heart breaking engaging story that captivates from beginning to end. I could not put it down and read over a couple of days because I had to know what had happened.
Thank you to NetGalley and Graham for the opportunity to read this ARC.

An absolutely brilliant book! I loved the main characters and the description of Frankie’s life throughout the years was amazing. Highly recommended.

Graham Norton is a great story teller. Frankie's life story is told to her carer Damien, when she is in her 80"s.
It's certainly a colourful life. From County Cork in the 50's to present day East London
Well written. I didn't want it to end.

I have read and enjoyed all of Graham Norton’s books and this was one no different. While his earlier books tended to centre around one event, a bit of a mystery, this one instead tells the life story of Frankie, an elderly Irish woman, and unravels slowly over the course of the book as told to her at first unwanted carer. The story ranges from a tragic childhood and unhappy early marriage in Ireland, to growing self confidence and success in London and New York and is beautifully told.

Norton, like many Irish writers, has the lovely gift of making his story telling flow very naturally and all his characters come to life, so I was completely engrossed in finding out more about Frankie from the start. He has himself lived in all the places that she lives which helps them all feel very authentic and his writing has really developed over the years so sections such as life in New York during the AIDS epidemic are very moving. A really wonderful read.

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