The vibes of this book were giving a cozy fantasy featuring a found family of magical beings who are learning how to carry on after the death of a loved one and save their home from unknown forces

I loved all of the characters at the house excluding Saika. Which is unfortunate given that she is our main character. Overall I was annoyed with the way she bulldozed her way into everyone’s life and needed to learn their trauma and why they were at Franks. Given the work that Frank does I think it would be safe to assume that they have all lost someone and that they maybe wouldn’t want to immediately divulge this information to a literal stranger? But the morning after she accepts Frank’s offer to stay she begins interrogating everyone about why they are there, yet she doesn’t want to tell anyone why her sister died. The way she found out about everyone didn’t feel like it was genuine or natural, it felt forced and like she was being nosey.

Additionally there were times that I found the jumps between Saikas inner monologue to her talking to her sister to be jarring in a way that took me out of the story. There were times where it just felt so repetitive and honestly I could have done without it.

Overall I really enjoyed the plot of the book and the journey of saving the house, breaking the curses, and learning to let someone go when they die. I just wish that I enjoyed our main character more.

*Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

In House of Frank, Kay Synclaire tells a touching story that blends themes of grief, love, and the idea of finding family in unexpected places. The main character, Saika, is a witch who feels powerless after losing her sister. She goes to Ash Gardens to fulfill her sister's last wish of planting her ashes there. This magical place, always stormy, is run by Frank, a giant creature in a cozy cardigan, who offers Saika a job as one of the caretakers. This setup opens the door to a journey of healing and connection.

As the story progresses, Saika, still struggling with her sister's death from two years ago, takes Frank's offer. She uses a piece of a fallen star to perform magic, even though she hasn’t been able to connect with her powers since her sister passed away. The gardens become a backdrop for her self-discovery, where she meets a colorful group of characters, including twin cherubs who bicker, a ghost who can't speak, a grumpy elf, and a half-witch who can be quite annoying. Each character brings their own stories and challenges, which Saika learns to navigate as she faces her own grief.

Synclaire's writing is vivid and engaging, creating a strong sense of place in Ash Gardens. The atmosphere feels both magical and a bit sad, with beautiful descriptions of the plants and the quirky interactions among the characters. This combination of warmth and whimsy contrasts nicely with the heavier themes of loss and sadness.

One of the book's strong points is how it explores the thin line between love and grief. Synclaire shows how these feelings can exist together, allowing Saika to find joy again while still remembering her sister. The sweet romance between Saika and Oli adds another layer to the story, making it relatable and heartwarming. Each character is well-crafted, with their own unique backgrounds that make them stand out.

Some readers might find the pacing a bit slow since the story focuses more on character development and emotional depth rather than action. However, this slower pace allows for a deeper connection with the themes of grief and healing, making the resolutions feel more satisfying.

Kay Synclaire's debut novel resonates with anyone who has dealt with loss. Her ability to balance sadness and hope creates a reading experience that feels comforting, encouraging readers to think about their own experiences with love and grief.

House of Frank is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of connection and the healing power of found family, making it a meaningful addition to the fantasy genre.

3,5 stars

I could give a review with endless, flowery words about how beautiful this book is; what I loved about it, what moved me, and what brought me to tears (multiple times). However, I think the best and most honest review I could give is as someone who has read hundreds of books, "House of Frank" is sincerely one of the best books I've ever read. It was a privilege to live in this space and I cannot wait for the world to live in it, too.

Thank you endlessly to NetGalley who gifted me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a nice story about grief and healing. It clearly took some influences from TJ Klune’s books (specifically HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA and UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR) as well as HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE.

Overall it was a moving story. The best part were the characters that lived in the house that Saika, our grieving MC, comes to in order to bury her sister in the ash garden. Their personalities were distinct and lovable, and they brought life into the story.

I wish that the world building has been expanded upon some more though. There are magical creature that live in this world like gargoyles, witches, beasts, dragons, and more, and yet we don’t know how they interact with the wider world around them. In fact, the story is pretty limited to the immediate house, except for one time when they go to town to sell dragon eggs, and even then the town isn’t explained very well.

I want to know more about the creature that inhabit this world. I want to know about its magic system. I want to know about its gods and how that stuff works. I also want to know more about Saika. We don’t actually end up knowing her very well at the end of the story. What’s her goal in life? How old is she actually? What does she like to do? Almost everything we know about her is in relation to her sister.

I also think that the way it was told was mildly off putting. It uses a second-person pov, and I think if it were written like the chapters were letters to the “you” that is being addressed, it would have worked a lot better.

Ultimately though, I think this is a good book if you’re wanting something sweet and cozy and magical.

Thank you to Bindery Books for access to the digital galley on NetGalley. I look forward to seeing what this author puts out next!

I had high expectations for this book because I’m a sucker for a good grief narrative, but this wasn’t it for me. The pacing is all over the place, most of the characters are hard to relate to or even love, and I struggled to stay connected with the story.

The descriptions were lovely, though. I also loved the concept of the arboretum, and I considered it to be one of the most beautifully executed ideas for graves. Personally, I didn't mind the second person POV even if it did take me out sometimes. I guess because I find myself speaking to people I've lost sometimes, and feel it makes it easier to deal with the loss.

I believe Synclaire is a good storyteller, and I'd like to read whatever she writes up next.

This was a cozy fantasy about grief, love, and found family. I really liked the setting and the characters although some of the side characters did not have much depth. I also did not really enjoy how the MC and her love interest fell so quickly, there didn’t seem much basis for their love. Even with these drawbacks, I still really enjoyed the book. The magic and different types of characters and representation was a joy to read.

I wish I had read this book sooner. It was just such a warm comforting book although it does deal with grief and the loss of a loved one. Read it, it is a delight.

I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did!! Each character was so thought out that I by the end of the book I truly felt like I knew everything about them. There were moments in the story when I was slightly confused what was happening but overall it was pretty coherent and the plot was definitely different from anything I’ve ever read!

Thank you to Bindery Books and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #HouseofFrank. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

There were a lot of trigger warnings at the beginning of this book so I braced myself for some really heavy, sad content. Yes, it deals with death, losing the person closest to you who is your whole world. But it wasn't overly sad or heavy. I felt sorry for the main characters - Saika & Frank - but I just didn't connect with them. Which is why this book was just OK in my opinion.

I liked the concept - a magical arboretum where you "plant" your loved ones ashes so they grow into a beautiful, unique tree that continues to live. The world building was good and there was diverse representation in the characters.

But the pacing was uneven - it takes way too long to get he full backstory of what happened to Saika. Many of the characters were one dimensional and seemed written for a younger audience. And the continuous switching from first to second person narrative was distracting.

Wow.

This was a stunning cozy tale of grief, and love. The cast of characters and the overall atmosphere pulls you into a tight hug. The house and the arboretum had a magical feel to it. I feel like if there was an arboretum, we would all love to be planted in it. Saika was the perfect main character, and I loved seeing her perspective and grief grow throughout the story. The romance was great, I love Oli and I feel like she, and the rest, are exactly what Saika needed. Frank broke my heart, It was so hard reading about his curse. Keep in mind that this book deals with a lot of loss, grief, and the things we do because of it.

I feel so honored to have been chosen to read an ARC of this magnificent book, and I can't wait for more people to read it.

Pros: Diversity, found family, the themes, the setting and the premise and the system
Room for improvement or what did not entirely work for me: The characterisation, the POVs and some of the plot.
Mixed bag - quick read, good pacing? Not always - the nuances could be emphasised,

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

<i>House of Frank</i> is a queer, cozy fantasy that delves deep into hearty emotional issues around death and letting go.

Saika is a witch without magical power, a fact that she hides just as she hides her hair and her hands. She goes to the Ash Arboretum to at long last fulfill her sister's final wish that she be interred there, magicked to grow into a beautiful tree. Saika is defensive and angry, resistant to the overtures of the diverse staff of a household headed up by Frank, a unique monster. As Saika's heart softens, she realizes that the house and its residents hold many secrets, and their pasts--like hers--will soon be exposed.

I really like the vibe of this book. I love a good found family story, and this setting is incredibly original: witches are common, as are extraordinary beings. I was frustrated, though, because details about the greater world are teased but never explained. Such as, there is never an explanation for how death and grief are usually handled in this setting (much less how religion works as a comfort, if it does), which means context is nonexistent around the arboretum's beautiful work.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

House of Frank by Kay Sinclaire is a first person-POV Queer cozy fantasy centered around grief. Saika’s sister, Fiona, has passed away and left the task of taking her ashes to the Ash Gardens to be turned into a tree to Saika. The Gardens are run by Frank, who lost his wife years earlier, and a team of witches, cherubs, and more.

One thing that I was not expecting but really loved was how the narrative voice is an internal dialogue of Saika talking to Fiona. Throughout the book, there are lines like ‘You’d make this right, Fi.’ It was a really nice touch that helped to sell the grief narrative as many people do indeed hold an internal dialogue with a recently lost loved one, looking for guidance or just trying to hold on to a connection or even pure habit if you shared everything with that person as Saika and Fiona did.

I loved the falling star aspect and how it related to Saika’s magic and the climax. I love stars and I love the creation of new mythology and folklore around them, so for a star to be a power source and a secret kept between two sisters was very cool. I also loved the Ash Gardens being a way for a loved one to be reborn as a tree, to not only return to the earth but to become something wholly new and beautiful.

We have witches, a half-gargoyle, cherubs, a beast man, a fairy, elves, a dragon, a spirit wearing a bowler hat, and humans running around this world and it never feels like a lot. Sometimes a lot of different species can be overwhelming as you try to remember what each character looks like, but Kay Sinclaire slowly added each character and subtly reinforced their appearances throughout, such as mentioning Evette’s height or Oli’s purple skin. Phil, the spirit, was one of my favorites despite his minimal dialogue because he is a very sympathetic character who cares about everyone at the Ash Gardens.

I would recommend this to fans of cozy fantasy with grief narratives, readers who love casts of characters with diverse species, and those looking for a cozy fantasy in a Queernorm world

Oh my God.. Bring tissues!!! In the very best possible way.

What did you do to me, Kay Synclaire?? Just.. ugly crying/can’t stop reading/so many feelings/end result - completely stripped to the core reader with a heap of tissues. The kind of cry that you don’t ever want to get caught in, but makes you feel 100 times lighter right after. I felt this author to the core, it felt like they put a part of themselves into “The House of Frank”.

Sai is a Music Witch who’s grieving the loss of her sister - Fiona. Fiona’s last wish was for her ashes to be buried by Sai, in a specific place and to be turned into something beautiful after her death. Look for a bright red door, complete your sister’s last wish…

As the story continues you’ll be submerged into the magic that is The House of Frank. I couldn’t help but fall in love with all the creatures whose paths lead to the red door. Each one of them is lovely in their own way and complex and quirky. The story is beautifully laid out by the author and intertwined with the topics that touch us all - loss and grief.

Thank you for the therapy and for allowing your readers to feel it all. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy ahead of the release date.

P.S. Phil is the best.

⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review.

"House of Frank" is about a witch named Saika who has not only lost her power, but also lost her older sister. Overcome by grief, Saika takes off after her sister's death and it isn’t until years later when she decides to come to the House of Frank to fulfill her sister’s last request to be buried there. While there she gets swept up into the magical family who helps keep the otherworldly cemetery alive and soon has to help keep the House of Frank standing in time for her sister's burial ceremony.

Personally, I don’t think that "House of Frank" was the book for me. I thankfully have not yet lost someone close to me so I couldn’t connect to the characters in that way. However, I did adore following all of the cast on their journey of self discovery through grief. The cast of characters was quite diverse not only in species but romantically; the romance between Saika and Oli was quite a cute one to watch develop. I appreciated how real all of the characters felt, with each one having their one backstory and personality. Not one of the characters blended into another, but complemented each other very well.

The pacing of the book was quite slow, which usually I do not care for, however, in "House of Frank" I felt like the slow pacing was needed. Synclaire really took time for the reader to get to know not just Saika but all of the characters, which made saving the House of Frank much more important. It was only towards the end where I felt the pacing just got a little bit too fast.

I think "House of Frank" is for someone who just wants to be wrapped up in a bundle of love. This book would be perfect with a warm hot chocolate during a snowstorm.

This is the story of Saika who is a music witch that lost her sister recently and wants to go to Ash Garden- a place where they plant the ashes of the departed and trees grow from them. That’s what her sister Fiona wanted her to do. But it will prove for her to be hard to do it so she will stay there and navigate her grief.

It was a unique concept that I particularly enjoyed. The characters in Ash Garden were lovely, funny and just a big family that you want to be a part of.

I caught myself almost crying at multiple times during the book. It was well-written and even though at first I had a hard time with the main character using the “you” I grew used to it.

Towards the middle, I thought it was getting a bit long, but it got my interest soon after.

I would recommend it!

The setting of Ash Gardens, with its enchanting arboretum, provided the perfect backdrop for Saika’s journey of healing and self-discovery. The characters, especially Frank (a charming, cardigan-wearing monster), were endearing and brought a lot of warmth to the story. The way the narrative balanced themes of grief, community, and renewal made it a truly memorable read.

The pacing felt just right, allowing me to connect deeply with Saika’s growth. Fans of cozy fantasies with rich world-building and character-driven stories will find this book hard to put down. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy stories that feel like a comforting escape.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this wonderful book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and ‎Bindery Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for review!
5 ⭐️s, utter perfection 🤩

House of Frank follows Saika, a witch consumed by grief as she arrives at Ash Gardens to fulfill her late sister's final wish of having her ashes planted in the magical sanctuary. Sensing her loneliness and lack of direction, the sanctuary's owner, a mythical beast named Frank, offers her a job as a caretaker. Along with a whimsical cast of characters that includes a purple witch, squabbling cherubs, a mute ghost, and a grumpy old elf, Saika rediscovers hope and purpose in the midst of despair.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked up House of Frank. It is a quiet and quirky fantasy novel that is quite different that the action-packed, fast-paced stories I'm usually drawn to. I'm happy to say I was blown away. I think I cried throughout the entire second half. (I was on a plane and two flight attendants gave me concerned looks, lmao.) House of Frank punched me in the heart in the best way. It is a beautiful exploration of grief and love. It doesn't shy away from harsh realities, but manages to demonstrate how love can grow in the middle of the worst kind of pain. The novel makes space for all kinds of dark emotions and mental anguish, while offering hope and a promise that joy can be rediscovered again. I was also delightfully surprised by the sweet sapphic sub-plot.

With one read, House of Frank has become a new favourite of mine. I will definitely be going back for a second (and probably third and fourth) helping. If I were the type to highlight books, my copy would be full of colour. There are so many moments that will stay with me.

Beautiful concept and interesting premise, but a flawed and often jarring execution left me feeling indifferent on this book.
As a queer person, the concept of found family intrigued me. Throw in magic, an eclectic cast of supporting characters, and subject matter that is often difficult to deal with, and I was sold on this book. Unfortunately I felt a little misled. Reading the summary made me feel like I was requesting a cozy book about grief. What I got was an overcrowded novel full of too many characters that I had no emotional attachment to and a plot that dealt with grief in a way that held no emotional weight. I think the flaws with this novel were the fantasy elements. If this were a fictional book grounded in realism, it would have been much better.

Synclaire was so close to the finish line with an idea and writing style that could have given her a great debut novel. Sadly, she just didn't make it to the end for me. I will keep her on my watch out list for future works. There is promise in her work and I am excited to see what she can do with it.

House of Frank is a fantasy about grief and love.
Saika is grieving the loss of her sister, and travels to Ash Gardens to lay her to rest in the magical arboretum
Saika struggles to let go though.. and is invited by Ash Garden’s caretaker Frank to stay for as long as she needs.
I loved all the characters, especially Frank and thought the pacing was super well done.
I read this book over a couple of days and didn't want it to end.
I would recommend House of Frank to any fantasy readers.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC!