What an absolutely breathtaking story. I love the vulnerability and emotions this story told. I was expecting more light and cozy but I was wrong and I'm glad.

Saika is a witch who has lost her powers. She lost her sister a couple of years ago, but has not been ready to say good-bye to her. She has finally decided she is ready to enact Fi's final to plant her remains at the famed Ash Gardens. When Saika arrives at the always-stormy sanctuary, she is welcomed by its owner, an enormous, knit-cardiganed mythical beast named Frank. Once there she has second thoughts and Frank invites her to stay until she is ready. With the house falling apart, Frank observes her making a magical repair and offers a job to help with the upkeep of the crumbling home. The problem is that Saika has no intrinsic powers, but uses a piece of fallen star in her necklace to give her the ability to perform incantations. She meets the rest of the inhabitants, a fairy, 2 cherubs, a ghost, an elf, and two other witches that all play a role in managing the house and the planting ceremonies. But what is causing the storms and the house to fall apart? Can Saika finally deal with her grief and fulfill her sister's final wish.

I enjoyed this story of found family that was full of mystery, friendship, magic and mystical stories. Set at a magical abortorium called Ash Gardens, where magical beings go to lay their loved one's ashes to rest. Frank is a widower who built Ash Gardens in memory of his wife. He would do whatever he could to keep it going, including keeping secrets. The diverse cast added a lot to the story for me. The cherubs were a hoot, twins named Merry and Morose, were exactly what you would think from their names. Evette is a light fairy, who just happens to be a wonderful cook. Hilde is an architect witch who seems to have a lot of power, but is older and just a bit sarcastic. She doesn't do anything that she thinks is beneath her. Phil is the ghost, who doesn't seem to have a job at Ash Gardens, but plays a big role later in the story. Olivie (aka Oli) is another witch who does most of the repairs and hard work around the place. The final character is Ignatius who is an elf. He stays in his room doing research and eventually he and Saika work together. As the story progresses we learn about Saika and her family. She has been disinherited by her parents and estranged from her brother-in-law and his children. This is quite a mixed cast that all have issues to deal with, and pasts that brought them to Ash Gardens. This is a book with cozy fantasy vibes and found family, queer representation, and central themes of loss and grief, handled in a unique way. There are issues of disappointing parents, and following your dreams, as well as what you would give up for family. There is mention of suicide, so if this is a trigger for you, be forewarned. This is not my usual genre, but I enjoyed this story and if you enjoy T.J. Klune's books, this might just be one for you. Kay Synclaire is a debut author, and I am interested to see what she comes up with next.

Cozy fantasy at its heart, House of Frank is a book with beautiful layers. It dives deep into themes of grief and shame, and while it could have easily been a heavy, depressing read, the sincerity of the characters, the whimsical magic of the setting, and the warmth of the found family kept it from ever feeling that way.

The protagonist and the diverse side characters were so relatable, and their reasons for coming together absolutely broke my heart. I found myself wishing for more about their backstories because I genuinely cared for each of them. The house and its arboretum struck a perfect balance between solemn and whimsical, creating the kind of place you’d want to lay a loved one to rest after unimaginable loss.

This year, I’ve been navigating grief on a huge scale, and this book hit me right in the heart. It offered such a thoughtful perspective on how we handle and understand death. There was one part where I cried from sheer sadness and a few others where the characters’ words felt like they were comforting me directly.

The story also touches on so many important topics: discovering and embracing your true self, the ethical treatment of sentient beings, vulnerability, trusting others with your whole heart, and the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love.

Kay Synclaire has crafted a wonderful debut, and I can’t wait to see what they write next! A huge thank you to Bindery Books for the advanced copy.

House of Frank by Kay Synclaire is a striking blend of family drama, dark secrets, and sharp psychological insight. Set in a secluded, grand estate, the novel follows the enigmatic Frank family, whose intricate and often fraught relationships unravel over the course of the book. Synclaire excels at creating complex characters whose motivations are both relatable and elusive, making each twist of the narrative all the more gripping.

The story centers around the matriarch, Olivia Frank, whose firm control over her family masks the deep dysfunction that festers beneath the surface. As the family members navigate power struggles, hidden traumas, and unspoken resentments, the reader is taken on a journey that’s as much about personal revelation as it is about the destructive impact of secrets kept too long.

Synclaire's prose is atmospheric, and she has an uncanny ability to craft moments of tension that keep the reader on edge. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for character development while gradually revealing the haunting undercurrents of the plot. There's a quiet, almost hypnotic quality to the narrative that makes it hard to put down once you’re drawn in.

One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is the way Synclaire explores the theme of inheritance—not just in the material sense, but the emotional and psychological baggage that families pass down through generations. This theme provides a rich emotional depth that elevates the story beyond mere melodrama, prompting readers to reflect on their own familial bonds and legacies.

However, the novel’s reliance on a somewhat slow-building plot and its deep focus on psychological nuance might not be for everyone. Readers who prefer fast-paced thrillers or lighter fare may find it a bit dense, but for those willing to invest in the characters and their world, House of Frank offers a truly satisfying experience.

In conclusion, House of Frank is a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant work that will appeal to fans of character-driven fiction with a taste for mystery and family intrigue. Kay Synclaire has crafted a captivating portrait of a family’s dark secrets, and the ripple effect of those secrets on the next generation.

House of Frank by Kay Synclaire is a story of grief, healing, found family, and personal power.
What I loved
-Cozy vibes while tackling serious topics
-queer representation done well.
-Small setting in what feels like a much larger world

What Didn't work for me as well
-Dialogue felt very stilted during the first bit of the story
- I wanted a bit more of who these characters were and their lives before the house.

Who would I recommend this title for

House of frank is ab excellent read for fans of stories such as bookshops and bone dust or Can't spell treason without tea.

Heartbreakingly beautiful!! I loved this book and also cried my eyes out. Thanks to the Author, Publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Kay Sinclaire, Bindery books and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

WOW WOW WOW! I completely underestimated this book (yes, i judged a book by it's cover)!

If you love "The Spellshop" or "House By The Cerulean Sea" than this book will be right up your alley!

It was the perfect read for lovers of found family, magical-realism, fantasy and dealing with big life milestones like the loss of a loved one and the various ways people deal with grief during the process.

A must read for 2025!!

Halloween and All Saint's Day run back to back, and while the one focuses more on ghosts and goblins, the other makes room for grief. House of Frank is much the same; while the cast involves ghosts, cherubs, fairies, and witches, the soul of the story is about a woman whose sister has died—and who doesn't know how to cope with the hole her death left.

Saika is a witch who doesn't ride a broom; she says she prefers walking. The truth is, she has limited magical power remaining, and none of it her own. Instead, she draws on what's left of the magic of a fallen star, using enchantments instead of innate magic like most witches. Though she's on a mission to fulfil her sister's final request—being planted in Ash Gardens, a place where her ashes will grow into a tree—Saika finds it hard to let go, especially as she becomes involved in the lives of the people at Ash Gardens. Something's going on with Frank, the keeper of the gardens, and strange storms threaten to destroy them altogether. In order to help others, Saika may just have to learn to accept help herself. Synclaire creates a loveable group of eccentric characters, all of whom have suffered loss, and all of whom deserve to find joy in the lives that lay ahead of them.

House of Frank by Kay Synclaire is the story of a lonely witch that is grieving the death of her sister. Her sister's last wish was that she was buried at a magical arboretum. So Saika goes to this magical place, and she encounters such a special cast of characters. This story was so beautiful and heartwarming. Here's a section that I highlighted: "I wish you were here, Fi. That way I could talk to you about my feelings of love, and desire, and you'd give me the wisdom that only older sisters can give. Even in your absence, I think I can conjure some advice that sounds like you. Love fully. Speak truthfully. That about sums it up, right Fi?" Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This book made me happy, sad, cry and even hope for what's to come. If you're looking for found family, queer rep, stories of grief and moving forward, this one's for you! Highly recommend!

What an utterly beautiful story about grief and love. I don’t think I can count how many times this book made me well up. Thank you Jaysen for publishing this gem, I would have never got to read it without you.

This is a cosy fantasy style story about grief and death and the process of grieving, building friendships, found family and finding a home

A deeply moving story of grief that manages to be warm and hopeful. I loved the characters and how the supporting cast brings out a journey for the main character without it feeling that they are just there to serve her narrative. This is a master class on found family and manages to feel cozy without feeling empty or low depth.

Thank you NetGalley and BineryBooks!
Exquisite! No other words can adequately describe how well done and emotional this book is. I went into this book expecting it to completely consume me and it did. So far every book I have read from Bindery has been a huge success and it just makes me more excited to see what is put out next.
House of Frank is full of so much depth and reflection on themes like grief, love, and family while being wrapped up in a beautiful and 'cozy' setting. Cozy isn't even the right word but it is as close as I can get to the tranquil and homey but still wistful vibes of this book. Overall this was such a unique story and more people definitely need to check it out!

This novel was a beautiful debut with an equally beautiful writing style. I felt that Synclaire handled difficult conversations surrounding grief sensitively and accurately while maintaining a joyous and hopeful tone. The magical element was interesting and had a simplicity that honestly felt quite refreshing and unique.

I feel there could have been further character development and I would have loved to see the romance blossom more (perhaps in a sequel). Overall though, this was an engaging novel with such a heartfelt storyline and one that I would recommend.

TW: grief, death

A moving and poignant story that moved me and kept reading
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to Bindery Books / Ezeekat Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sadly, I didn't love this as much as I hope I would. At first, Saika was quite unlikeable with her attitude and behavior towards the staff at Ash Gardens in the beginning, but she grew to be nicer and I grew to understand her grief towards the death of her sister. I just don't think cosy fantasy is for me. The world-building was not heavily detailed, which is a plus for cosy fantasy fans, but not for me. The side characters were likable, but I don't think they will be memorable over time for me. Saika's romance with another character was kinda cute and it didn't bog-down the story either, which I was grateful for.

Overall, this was fine with some good elements, but not for me, unfortunately.

Content Warnings: death, grief, dementia, child death (past, mentioned), suicide (past, mentioned), terminal illness, injury

Thank you to NetGalley for an E-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a book about death, love, grief, secrets, and family. It deals with what is left behind after someone dies and what happens when those who are left behind get stuck.

The story is touching, kind, but something was missing. Some of the character actions seem completely unprompted, seem like something no one else in that situation would do. I'm also very tired of the "I have a terrible secret that I can't tell anyone even if it ruins every relationship around me" trope.

I did like the ending. I felt like it was well done and handled with care. I can't put my finger on what exactly was missing, but there was just some aspect of the novel that felt incomplete or superficial.

This is a beautiful exploration of grief and love set in a fantasy world. Synclaire's writing is warm and hopeful, and I adored the strange and wonderful cast of characters in this novel. A perfect "found family" book, this story is perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea.

This was my first book from the publishing company bindery. So as a debut novel I thought it was a well written one, of course there would be better flow but I'm confident that the author will find their stride. This was a cozy fantasy that had some emotional moments throughout.

House of Frank follows a MC who cannot let go of the death of her sister and has been requested to bury her ashes, which the book opens with her attempting to do. She cannot let go at first and so stays as the aforementioned house while she grows to accept her grief and meets the people who live at the house. A main subplot involves saving the house and the magic of falling stars. It is a nice arc of grief, and the subplot holds up well too, but I never really bought into the characters. People compare this to TJ Klune which makes sense with the grieving and quirky house vibes, but everyone felt flatter. There was a side romance that just felt included to be incldued. However, it is a sweet and light read for anyone who likes the description and a nice treatment of grief especially for a sibling.