Perfect for:
- Long-time lovers of Jacqueline Wilson’s stories
- Anyone who wants a heavy dose of reality
- Anyone who’s looking for a realistic portrayal of MS
- Fans of romantic entanglements that have no easy answer
Review:
This is such a strange review for me to write! Firstly, I have to admit that I’d never heard of Jacqueline Wilson before picking up this book and was astounded to find out what a staple she has been in the book industry for decades now, penning books left and right and with all sorts of topics! Nevertheless, it made me really intrigued for Love Frankie. And while I did enjoy the story, it also left me a bit unhappy because I think I am so used to happy endings in fiction for adolescents that the opposite never even occurred to me. But let’s break this down, shall we?
What I thought was handled incredibly well were the friendships Frankie has. It’s true what they say, you’ll never have friends quite like you do when you’re a teen and Frankie’s relationship with her best friend Sam was #goals whereas her friendship and potential romance with Sally is tumultuous and confusing.
I also thought that Sally as a character was really intense. She walked a fine line manipulating everyone around her to like and even love her while making sure she was the one in control, which was definitely wasn’t anything I’ve ever read in adolescent literature before. Sally had me infuriated for most of the book (she’s definitely one of those characters that you love to hate for most of the book, begging for a redemption arc), the way she toys with people and Frankie in particular was heartbreaking, but also rang very true and showed that the hot and cold aspect we’re so used to from older fiction can also happen to younger adolescents with disastrous consequences. It’s hard making a romance with a former bully work; it’s even harder to do so when that former bully is still somewhat of a tormentor to others. But Wilson did a fine job of showing that while Sally wants to change, she’s also confounded by her own actions at times.
On the not so great side, there’s a lot of repetition in this story. Frankie in particular goes back and forth on her feelings for Sally which is understandable, but in general, there is just a lot going on in this book and while some aspects might have not been necessary to mention every chapter, others were a bit neglected. Frankie deals with a lot – her mother’s MS diagnosis, her father leaving and dating someone new, Frankie’s struggles at school where people are bullying her, and her squabbles with her siblings on top of her best friend maybe having romantic feelings for her all of a sudden. It’s a lot to deal with and the narrative showed how overwhelming it can all be, especially when you fall in love with your former nemesis in the midst of all that. The ‘teen speak’ was also trying a bit too hard and at times made me wonder if Frankie is thirteen going on thirty, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment too much.
I will say, though, this was unlike anything I’ve ever read when it comes to addressing queer love and figuring out your identity. Especially in books addressed to younger readers, first loves are usually soft and quiet; Frankie’s and Sally’s relationship feels more like a rollercoaster where you wonder when and how the ride will end. It was different than I expected but that’s not a bad thing.
Focusing on the more painstaking and confusing parts of first love, Love Frankie offers a realistic portrayal of heartbreaks and friendships and navigating tough topics. Whether you’ll grab your hair in agony or cry silent tears for Frankie’s broken heart, this one will stick with you for a while!
Love Frankie is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore as of
Will you be picking up Love Frankie? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
GROWING UP. FALLING IN LOVE. COMING OUT.
Frankie is nearly fourteen and teenage life certainly comes with its ups and downs. Her mum is seriously ill with MS and Frankie can feel herself growing up quickly, no thanks to Sally and her gang of bullies at school.
When Sally turns out to be not-so-mean after all, they strike up a friendship and are suddenly spending all of their time together.
But Frankie starts to wonder whether these feelings she has for Sally are stronger than her other friendships. Might she really be in love?
Frankie doesn’t want Sally to just be her friend. She wants her to be her girlfriend. But does Sally feel the same?
The must-have new novel about falling in love for the first time from bestselling, much-loved children’s author, Jacqueline Wilson.
