When Damian, a young Irish man living in London takes up a position as.a carer for an elderly Irish lady who is recovering after a fall, he little imagines a friendship will develop which will transform his life forever. But as Frankie talks and Damian listens, the strange story of her busy, eventful life which takes us from her childhood in 1940s Ireland to the highs and lows of 1980s New York unfolds before our eyes. A compelling and ultimately very poignant novel from the wonderful Graham Norton.

I have read all of Graham's books and enjoyed everyone but this is his best so far.
This is the story of Frankie and it goes back and forth from the present time to the past as the story unfolds. I found it fascinating and couldn't wait to pick the book up again to find out about the next chapter of Frankies life.
Most of it is set in New York and Graham's time there in the 80s when he worked as a waiter was obviously used as the inspiration for this part. I feel that quite alot of this part of the story was taken directly from his own experiences. It is also set partly in Ireland and has many characters from the LGBT community, so has many aspects mirrored in Graham's own life. This gives the story a real backbone and feels solid and real because of this. Such a wonderful story. I was so sad when it ended.
I will most definitely be buying this for my Mum when this comes out as i know she will love it too. Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I feel very lucky to have had this book for free and in advance of publication from one of my favourite authors.

I love this book! I read it non-stop during a sleepless night and thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has such a wonderful way of bringing characters to life and I loved the relationship between Frankie and Damian, which is how the story unfolds. Damian is working as a carer for Frankie, with them both belonging to the same small town in Ireland, Frankie begins opening up about her childhood there. A wonderful friendship develops between them and we hear Frankie's life story.
This book was moving, funny and tragic, just a wonderful life affirming book.

Thanks for the opportunity of reading Graham’s book prior to publication. I must admit that I’d resisted Graham’s previous books, thinking they wouldn’t be for me - how wrong I was.

I loved this book about the life of Frances (Frankie) Howe, growing up in 1950s Ireland and, through life’s traumas, her travels away from Ireland. Her friendship with Nor was something special and we all dream of having a lifelong friend.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book! I look forward to reading more of Graham’s books.

FROM THE COVER📖


Always on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie Howe was never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage - after all, life had already judged her harshly. Now old, Frankie finds it easier to forget the life that came before.

Then Damian, a young Irish carer, arrives at her London flat, there to keep an eye on her as she recovers from a fall. A memory is sparked, and the past crackles into life as Damian listens to the story Frankie has kept stored away all these years. 

Travelling from post-war Ireland to 1960s New York - a city full of art, larger than life characters and turmoil - Frankie shares a world in which friendship and chance encounters collide. A place where, for a while, life blazes with an intensity that can't last but will perhaps live on in other ways and in other people.

Frankie is a dazzling, decades-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.

REVIEW⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is book written by a true story teller what a joy it was to given a chance to read this novel pre publication. Thank you so much.

Told over spanning time frames in the third person POV we hear the story of Frankie’s life as she tells it to her young carer Damian. What a life it was full of rich, tender and sad experiences taking place all over the world it is an engaging life story. It is well written and told straightforwardly, between chronologically ordered flashbacks from when Frankie, then Frances, is 10 and present time narrative. All very clear and easy to follow, this makes the plot and pace flow brilliant this for me shows what a talented writer Norton is. By having Frankie tell her life story to Damian you take a step back through time into the life of Frankie each period of time is captured so well moving with the mood of the times, the 80’s sections in NYC were very poignant told with tender care and really showed the devastating impact the Aids crisis.

The characters were fantastic. Damien probably wasn't really needed and initially I felt I'd missed a part where suddenly Frankie was telling him everything after a very lukewarm reception but he was a good device and a link to the present day. Nor was a great character to read but Frankie made it. She was so well drawn and the reader can really see her growth and change and how different things affect the person she is. She was written with such care I loved her, She was inspiring, witty and courageous.

I really loved the concept of the book, I found it very charming it was written in true Norton style full of heart and humour, Norton gets people so well and that shows in his writing he manages to get the nuances of people perfectly this makes her characters jump off the page. The conversations between Frankie and Damian reminded me long afternoon teas chatting with my Gran which was a lovely feeling to have.

This book is very readable it keeps your interest all the way to the end,it’s uplifting and heartwarming you will laugh and cry in equal measures.

As a long term fan of Nortons writing I did find this book was slightly different in tone while it had some sad bits it lacked the darker underbelly of his earlier works which I truly loved and I also felt that there a slight lack of sass and Irish humour which again I love and expect in bucket loads from Norton furthermore I felt some of characters were not padded out so well so that brings it to four stars rather five.


That being said this book more than lives up to the big famous name of Norton

Frankie is Frankie’s story. Is this truly Frankie’s story? Yes, indeed, it is. It is written in the third POV, which I often enjoy a bit more than other POVs.
Our MC is an old woman who has lived a life full of rich, tender and sad experiences.
Her story spans across decades and continents, and she tells her young carer about her life. Frankie was my favourite character in this book because of how Norton crafted and developed her personality and story. She was inspiring, witty and courageous.
I am glad that this book was over 200 pages, which allowed us to get to know Frankie properly.
I find Graham Norton quite a pleasing persona, even though I do not watch his shows much. This is to say, although I knew he was the author of Frankie, I picked it 98% for the Ireland, New York, elderly character and young mentee aspects, and I was not disappointed.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Here’s a breakdown of my remarks;
Plot: 4
Concept: 4.5
Characterisation 5 for Frankie, 3 for others
Prose: 4
Mood and themes: 5
This is a life-affirming book and I highly recommend it to all adult readers.
Thank you, #netgalley and #coronet for an ARC. This was a privilege.

What a wonderful read Frankie is. I loved it from the first to the last page.

I really like Graham's writing style and this is evident in this novel. We hear about Frankie's life as she is telling her life story to Damien.

All the characters were real and everything is described without over describing.

I think I must just own up to being a Graham Norton fan.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Hodder books for the ARC for which I have given my unbiased review.

Graham Norton is a fabulous story teller and this is a wonderful story from 1950s Ireland to present day East London .

His main character, Frankie, tells her story to a young Irish carer as an old lady. The story is compelling but some of the minor characters are not fully fleshed out.

I really enjoyed this book which engaged and engrossed me given the strength of the story told.

What another fantastic read by Graham Norton. Nothing fancy just a fantastic book telling a great story. Normally I am not a lover of books that jump back and forth in time but this time it worked brilliantly as it helped tell Frankie's story. I so loved the main characters of Frankie and Nor, they sounded like they'd be such a hoot to know in real life! I can't but highly recommend this excellent book!

This is a very enjoyable story by Graham Norton that I read over two afternoons.

Damien is a carer for 84 year old Frankie. Gradually, as they get to know each other, she tells him her life story. And it is an engaging life story. Maybe a bit fortuitous at times but the goodness of naive Frankie shines through. And Damien is a willing listener.

It is well written and told straightforwardly, between chronologically ordered flashbacks from when Frankie, then Frances, is 10 and present time narrative. All very clear and easy to follow. Heart warming too.

I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher but my opinion is that of an honest reader. Recommended.

This book pulled me in and held me to the very last page. Damian is a young person that goes in and supports this is where he came across Frankie and Nor.

Frankie had a very full life of friendships and love. Telling her life story to Damian you take a step back through time into the life of Frankie and Nor

So beautifully written. I cried I laughed and I felt. An amazing art to be able to draw a reader in so fully into a story.

Thank you for giving me the privilege to read this advanced copy.

Really looking forward to reading more from this writer it was a pleasure and a joy to read

I love a good yarn and this is storytelling at its best. The book follows the conversation between an elderly lady and her carer as she recounts her life to him. I both laughed and cried, adored the characters and will gladly recommend this book.

With thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for ARC in return for an honest review

This is the first book I’ve read by Graham Norton and immediately bought 2 more to start this evening. A terrific raconteur

Damien is a West Cork boy working as a night carer in London tending to the needs of the old and infirm.

One day,he gets a new assignment,Frances Howe, who is in her 80's and has broken her ankle.

Frankie is reluctant and truculent to accept help until she discovers they're from the same part of Cork.

What unfolds, over a series of nights, is the rollercoaster of her life which has brought her to this London apartment.

Graham Norton is a fantastic author who paints pictures with words and this book is no exception.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Coronet Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.

What a fabulous story. I really loved this. It pulled me in straight away and I kept picking it up every chance I got. The characters were fantastic. Damien probably wasn't really needed and initially I felt I'd missed a part where suddenly Frankie was telling him everything after a very lukewarm reception but he was a good device and a link to the present day. Nor was a great character to read but Frankie made it. She was so well drawn and the reader can really see her growth and change and how different things affect the person she is. The locations were also really strong elements, from Ireland to London to New York. They all came alive. I've enjoyed all of Graham Norton's books but always felt his first one was my favourite - I think this one has just beaten it. A gorgeous, whirlwind of a read, very sad at times but very real and colourful.

Oh wow I really loved reading this book there were so many ups and downs just like a true love story Very sad in places but also very uplifting and I never saw the ending at all . Frankie was an amazing character what a life. Thankyou to the author I have read all his books but think Frankie is by far for me anyway his best work Also thanks to netgalley for allowing me to read and review

Loved this book. Haven't read any other of Graham Norton's books but I will now.
Lovely feel good story told by Frankie through her young carer Damian. Spans her life beginning in Ireland and her unsuitable marriage to her life in New York. The highs and the lows. Great read. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC