Description

‘Best book of the year!’

‘A fantastic debut’

The brilliant, heart-warming debut novel from the Sunday Times best-selling author of Dummy and Man vs Toddler

‘A lovely feel-good treat’ The Times | ‘Simply perfect’ Daily Mirror | ‘Hilariously funny… and beneath it all really quite lovely’ The Metro | Brilliant, just brilliant’ Huffington Post

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

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.

Readers CAN’T GET ENOUGH of this INCREDIBLY MOVING debut novel:

‘Raw, real and heartrending, uplifting and simply a delicious read’

‘Moving and funny, uplifting and full of hope’

‘Stunningly well-written, warm hearted, incredibly funny and moving story’

‘A beautifully written, warm and empathic read’

Publisher Review

A lovely feel-good treat . . . Matt Coyne’s beautifully crafted, warmly funny book gives us Frank and Red’s perspectives on navigating the upheavals in their lives and their road to friendship. Red’s reckless attempt to reunite Frank with his adult son adds some high-stakes drama, but it’s the little moments of connection, compassion and healing that will melt you. * The Times * Coyne weaves, with warmth and humour, the story of Marcie and Frank’s marriage with Red’s misadventures at school . . . Themes of love, loss and family are beautifully explored in this heart-warming and imaginative debut. * Daily Mail * Warm, tender and very funny. A triumph of heartstring-pulling. — SARAH TURNER, Sunday Times bestselling author Cue an unlikely friendship that will evoke every emotion in you – including much hilarity. This author has funny bones. From the first page you’ll be sniggering at his wry observations until you find yourself crying (even sobbing) at the heart-warming journey these two unlikely characters go on. This does not feel like a debut fiction. Masterfully written, it’s the book you never knew you needed. * Woman & Home * Warm, heartfelt and laugh out loud funny, I adored Frank and Red and couldn’t put this book down. — BECKY HUNTER, author of One Moment Heartwarming. * iNews * Heart-warming, perceptive and empathetic, not to mention very funny, Frank and Red is a genuine joy to read. * CultureFly * It’s properly funny while packing a huge emotional punch. This is one of those books that reminds you of what it means to be human. Highly recommend. — JENNIE GODFREY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things The pair are such wonderful characters and I was utterly charmed by them from the very first page. A very funny story about friendship and acceptance. * Prima * Heartfelt, humorous and hugely entertaining. — SAMUEL BURR, author of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers A warm-hearted, weepy, riotously funny, feel-good novel. * SAGA Magazine * The heart-warming, funny and really rather cleverly woven debut novel. — KATE SAWYER, author of The Stranding Matt Coyne’s novel of an unlikely friendship between a grieving widower and a six-year-old boy has already garnered a heap of five-star reviews for its humour and its warmth. * Scottish Herald * Perfect for fans of Nick Hornby . . . The dynamic between curmudgeonly old Frank and the lively, intelligent Red is a joy to read and the two characters serve up charm in bundles. Loneliness is a central theme of Frank & Red but, set within the context of human resilience and friendship, this theme enhances the heartwarming qualities of an accomplished first novel. * Yorkshire Life * Coyne guides readers from laughter to tear as the duo’s story unfolds – this beautiful tale of unlikely friendship will stick with you for a long time. * MyWeekly * Absolutely brilliant. Anyone who reads it will be highly recommending it!! Bravo — DAISY UPTON, Sunday Times bestselling author Heartwarming, funny, and poignant. I laughed. I cried. I loved it. * Irish Examiner * [A] lovely book. * Bella Magazine * Can’t put this down . . . Honest, heartwarming and woven with brilliant, warm humour. — ANNA MATHUR, Sunday Times bestselling author We loved every line of Frank and Red, Matt Coyne’s brilliant book. * That’s Life Magazine * It’s really hard to write genuine children, and non-stereotypical elders, and Matt does it with real genius. The relationships between Frank and Red is utterly heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny . . . I adored it. — CLARE POOLEY, author of The People on Platform 5