Frank and Red

A delightful and heart-warming account of the relationship between a six year old boy and an elderly widower.
Frank has been used to a quiet and uninterrupted life at home since the death of his wife. When six year old Red moves in next door, with his Mum, Frank is forced to rethink his reclusive lifestyle. Red is very inquisitive and a bundle of energy and he talks to Frank over the garden fence. Both Frank and Red have things that have upset them and they help each other in different ways. I absolutely loved this book and the narration was perfect. Thank you to Net Galley for an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

The story of grumpy old curmudgeon Frank and Red, the six year boy who moves in next door. Frank is agoraphobic and doesn’t leave the house since the death of his wife Marcie. Red is full of boyish exuberance, but isn’t settling in well at his new school.

You can see where it’s going, as the generation gap and personality clash comedy ensures. Some of the scenes with Red at school, a little lonely then cruelly bullied were a bit uncomfortable though.

It’s heartwarming, bittersweet and often very funny. The narration by James Killeen is excellent, who doesn’t love an Irish accent? Frank is Irish, by the way, I noticed other reviews querying the accent.

One of the best feel-goods I’ve read in a while. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline Audio

A gentle tale very well told. No big dramas but definitely bittersweet in places. The narrator was excellent but his lovely Irish accent made the London setting seem wrong. However it’s really good so give it a listen.

When Frank gets new neighbours, he is not impressed with the squeaky trampoline and over-friendly 6-year-old that came bouncing along with it. He is set in his ways and doesn't want his life disrupted. But Red is not going to be ignored, despite Frank's best attempts, and it might possibly be the most important friendship he will make yet.

This was a warm, funny, uplifting book that sheds a light on normal family situations and the ways we deal with them. Frank and Red and quite literally opposites, but as unlikely as it may seem, they may just be the only ones able to help each other overcome their problems. I have followed Matt for a while now and his humour and down-to- earth approach shines through making this a great fictional debut and I can't wait to see what he does next!

Such a fabulous book, I loved it!

After the sad death of his wife, Frank hasn’t left the house. Marcie’s spirit is still there with him, and he’s terrified that if he goes out, she may not be there when he gets back.

When six year old Red and his Mum move in next door, Frank is forced to be social - inquisitive six year olds don’t take no for an answer!

I LOVED the dry humour that spilled from Red, Sarah and Frank:

“Lying was bad. And lying when you have 12 Jesuses, 8 Marys and Kriss Akabusi watching you all day, well, that just seems doubly wrong.”

“Let’s just say, Red’s dad is a good father, in the same way that Fred West is a cracking landscaper.”

“Yeah, no shit! Thank you for that, officer fucking obvious”

There was a serious side as well and Frank and Red were so similar in how they masked their anxieties and coped with life.

And thus, a wonderful friendship is born.

The audiobook was brilliantly narrated by James Killeen, who completely captured the personalities of these wonderful characters.

Can I give more than five stars? No?
Ok then, 5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Matt Coyne and Headline, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I fell in love with this story at first page and loved it till the last word. I cried, smiled, felt for Frank and Red, loved Marcie and the characters the live in this story and will live in my head.
It's heartbreaking and heartwarming, full of emotions and with some very funny moments.
Frank, the man who lost the love of his life and is refusing any company. Red, the child who doesn't understand what's going on and facing a grief too big for a child to understand.
Their friendship is at the core of this great story, a friendship that will help them to heal and go on.
There's strength in the words I read, there's hope and there's the story of how healing and moving on are also a matter of relationships and love
An excellent story that delivers well rounded characters, well written and relatable.
The author is an excellent storyteller and I can't wait to read another story by this author.
The narrator did an excellent job adding a layer to the story and making me feel like I could talk to the characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Never judge a book by the cover is the message of the opening chapters but like another reviewer I was drawn to the "miserable old curmudgeon" character - perhaps just the word 'curmudgeon'!.
Curmudgeon is perhaps what Frank looks like to outsiders but he is grieving and clearly very broken in need of someone to help put him back together. Sometimes we're all a bit 'Frank'.

Then there's Red who is every bit the enthusiastic 6 year old with a squeaky trampoline and a knack for irritating Frank but also stealing a little piece of his heart. In fact both characters do!

The audiobook is great and add a comfort to this already comforting book.

I really enjoyed the writers style in this - very different to what I have read and exactly what I'm looking for. Happisad throughout you will laugh and be moved. Great book!

Potentially my Book of the Year and it's only January!

Possible spoilers.


Totally pulled in by a mention of "miserable old curmudgeon" character.
And he was , but also wasn't. Frank is just a bit broken. Grieving, and stuck, and lost. I had to feel for him.

Red, hits the perfect mix of enthusiasm, and annoying ness than most six year old do.

I found the plot a little predictable, but that was fine, because it went where I thought it would, with such warmth and charm that it was all good.
Some amazing lines in it that had me smiling widely.
The narration was perfect.
Feel good all round really.

🎧5⭐️

I had the audiobook read by James Killeen, I love his accent.

A feel good humorous book with the formation of an unlikely friendship between Frank a grumpy old man, struggling after the death of his wife and Red a six year old boy who moves in next door, he is struggling after the separation of his parents. There’s a link between Red’s mom and the new neighbours too.

The writing style is just ace!
It had me chuckling and snorting Frank is hilarious, he doesn’t mean to be 😂Red is like the energiser bunny and very persistent.
It’s not just funny, it’s moving too, as the reader learns more about Frank and Red’s lives. I love the presence of Marcie who is the total opposite to Frank.

Just a warning, it’s a funny feel good, but the target audience is very much adult as it contains a fair bit of bad language.
It’s my first candidate in my books of 2024