I knew little of this book going in, except that some people were describing it as a cozy fantasy. I think it's an accurate definition, since it shares a lot of imagery and themes typical of the sub-genre: an isolated setting, an old house, cozy meals, and found family. Compared to many books in that sub-genre, however, this one had a lot to say and did it in an effective manner.

It explores difficult themes (mainly grief and how it changes people, but also disability and trauma), with care and an emphasis on community and healing together, while maintaining a certain whimsical quality that lightens the tone and keep it hopeful.
The interactions between the characters felt believable, earned, and therefore compelling. There were a lot of secrets and miscommunication between them, but they made sense for their personalities and didn't feel forced.

Moving to the negatives, I found the writing a little plain for my taste. I think something more lyrical would have been better suited for this story.
I also thought some elements didn't quite click with the rest (for example the treatment of Bee).

Despite my small grievances, throughout the reading I was committed to see these characters find solace and peace. Several moments (especially the main character's flashbacks with her sister and the ending) made me tear up a bit.
I recommend House of Frank to folks looking for a cozy fantasy with some depth, and anyone who wants to read a quiet exploration of grief.

Saika, a witch, arrives at the famous Ash Gardens to plant her sister's ashes. Saika is full of trepidation: her sister was her best friend, and though it's been some time since her Fiona's death, Saika is still deeply grieving. She made some decisions when her sister initially fell ill that continue to haunt and affect her, and that have left her without her parents' love, magic-less, and no way forward with her life.

Ash Gardens is run by a kind, mythical beast named Frank; his beloved, and dead wife (and witch) Kye and he established the gardens as a way for people to plant their loved ones' remains, which would then magically grow into a tree.

Much as Saika likes the idea of the trees, she's not ready to go through with a ceremony for Fi, and Frank, noting her reluctance, offers her a place to stay and a way to work at Ash Gardens. The other occupants of the house each have their own losses, and welcome her into their ranks. Saika, though lacking her magical abilities, gradually begins helping as best she can, and when Frank comes to her with a problem that he feels only she and the resident, cranky elf can work on to fix various magical issues cropping up, such as the crumbling parts of the house, Saika gladly jumps in.

As things go from small irritants to big, even catastrophic problems, Saika becomes a member of the house and its diverse family: two cherubs, a fairy, a mute ghost, the elf, a witch and a half witch. Saika begins contributing in every way she can, and though she isn't even aware of it, she begins healing as she's shown love and kindness.

Author Kay Sinclaire had me in tears repeatedly. Saika is stuck in overwhelming pain and sadness, and though her choices, some quite harmful, led her to some not great places mentally and magically, and she doesn't always tell the truth to her fellow staff when it's necessary, she's on a journey and Sinclaire carefully charts this. Saika must dismantle one mental barrier after another over the course of this emotional and satisfying novel, choosing to trust others, opening herself up and giving care and kindness in return. She also manages to find some romance in this sweet story.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Sadly DNF 16%. Im finding the narrative style quite cumbersome, although I’m sure it’s meant to be charming and whimsical. I enjoyed the magical and cozy components of this. I love that it has a wide variety of representation. I think for some this could be a story they find solace in. I’m just having a hard time getting into the writing style.

House of Frank was a beautiful story of grief and the power of found family that brings about a new reason to live and persevere.

The characters were so beautifully developed and following Saika’s jounrney through her grief was hard yet beautifully done. Saika navigates the stages of grief while working at the arboretum and we see how her inability to address her loss, of her sister and her powers, drives her determination to fix and save Ash Gardens.

The representation of different identities, different love, and found family truly made this book radiate acceptance and ever lasting love. I truly could not put it down.

Absolutely a warm hug, dealt with some deep emotions, but sometimes you need that in a good story. Definitely a wonderful re-read, and cannot recommend enough!

This was kind of a cozy fantasy but also didn't feel very cozy at the same time because it explores grief and loneliness so deeply. I knew going in that this book would cover those topics so I was mostly ready, but I was not expecting to feel every page and every line so much. These characters are now so close to my heart, and I think I'll be ruminating on this book for a long time.

The story was beautiful and atmospheric. The characters were so complex and defined. I never worried about mixing any of them up as I was reading. I wanted to be part of this found family so bad. I can't wait for more from this author!

I think everyone should read this book but I would tell those who have recently lost a loved one to wait a little while before picking it up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

I’ll be honest I put this book off for a while because the other Bindery book I read disappointed me and I’m sad to say this one is the same. This book is comped to The House in the Cerulean Sea, likely for found family and whimsy reasons, and it just doesn’t reach the same heights. The characters were all strangely aggressive toward each other, excluding Frank, and it made for an uncomfortable reading experience. I think having one abrasive relationship could have worked but there were far too many characters that were introduced as antagonistic.

The world building was also clunky and a bit of a mess. What really stood out to me was a moment where Saika was explaining some magical lore to a character who would be from this world and would know the lore. To me that shows some poor writing that should have been fixed in the editing phase. Overall I thought the lore was kind of nonsensical, like why is it weird that Oli is purple and has fangs but not that Frank is a Minotaur thing. I think that the concept of a magical arboretum and the grief storyline could have worked, but I think a magical realism setting would have been better.

For all of his faults I think you’re better off reading The Whispering Door by TJ Klune if you want to see these themes explored.

Again I’m bummed to have not liked this because I really loved Bindery’s mission. This was part of the first group of releases that they put out so it’s possible the editing just wasn’t there yet. Since I feel so strongly about the mission I’ll keep trying to find the book of theirs that really works for me.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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!