Frankie... Oh how I love thee

Frankie
Written by Shivaun Plozza
Contemporary, Mystery
Published March 23rd 2016
320 Pages
Thank you to Penguin Teen Australia
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★★★★★
Frankie Vega is angry. Just ask the guy whose nose she broke. Or the cop investigating the burglary she witnessed, or her cheating ex boyfriend or her aunt who's tired of giving second chances...

When a kid shows up claiming to be Frankie's half brother, it opens the door to a past she doesn't want to remember. And when that kid goes missing, the only person willing to help is a boy with stupidly blue eyes... And secrets of his own.

Frankie's search for the truth could change her life, or cost her everything.
Textbook weapon wielding, sassy and smart mouthed. Meet the princess of Collingwood, seventeen year old Frankie Vega who finds herself on yet another suspension.

It's always been Frankie and her Aunt Vinnie against the world, having taken in then four year old Frankie after her mother had abandoned her. Now Frankie spends her days working in Vinnie's kebab shop, suspended over yet another violent outburst when she receives a call that will change her life.

Artistic, sarcastic and criminally minded fourteen year old Xavier is Frankie's half brother, sharing the same self absorbed mother tha abandoned her all those years ago. He now lives with his father in a small, run down suburban home while being beaten, neglected and forced into crime in order to make ends meet. Frankie knows all too well what it's like to be abandoned and despite her inability to trust others, she feels a familial connection to Xavier and the two half siblings form a tentative relationship. Then Xavier disappears.

While the search continues, Frankie's about to be expelled, her best friend refuses to speak to her and Vinnie no longer trusts her, yet again disappointing her aunt who has raised her as her own. With his father more concerned with his missing credit card funds and a gruff detective refusing investigate his disappearance, the last person to have seen Xavier is the blue eyed, petty criminal Nate. Reluctantly, Nate decides to help Frankie but as the two delve deeper into Xavier's disappearance, Frankie's will need to pick up the pieces of her fractured life or risk losing it all.

Kelly's Thoughts

Frankie is without a doubt, the most compelling debut in young adult since Stolen by Lucy Christopher. It's an utterly enchanting blend of attitude, sass and an engaging storyline as told through the eyes of one of the most likable protagonists in young adult today. Although she's always lived with the hurt of abandonment, Frankie is incredibly fierce and doesn't allow the failures of her mother to define her. She and aunt Vinnie live above Vinnie's kebab shop in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood, with an eclectic mix of diversity and crime. It's here that Frankie now finds herself working, having been suspended from school after another violent outburst, when she is contacted by Xavier claiming to be her half brother.

Xavier too has his own issues, the fourteen year old just having moved to Melbourne from Queensland with his abusive, gruff father. The very same man that Frankie's mother had abandoned her for all those years ago. Perhaps Xavier is the only person who may understand how Frankie is feeling but then Xavier vanishes. The local detectives see Xavier as just another runaway, the Vega name not worthy of their time so Frankie takes the investigation into her own hands and enlists the help of local neighbourhood burglar Nate. Possibly the only person to know of Xavier's whereabouts... Or who cares.

My heart ached for Frankie as she felt she had nowhere to turn for help. Vinnie, although such pillar of strength and support in Frankie's life, was tired of her antics. Suspended for a violent incident at school, to return Frankie is forced to plead her case. In between her therapy sessions with the infuriatingly passive Daniel, the only calming presence in Frankie's life is her best friend in Cara but lately their friendship is also at breaking point. Frankie's sole focus is that of finding her brother which means breaking curfew, disregarding Vinnie, school and visiting the seedy underbelly of the northern suburbs of Melbourne to find him. What struck me most was how genuine Frankie's character felt and realistically flawed.

The romance was barely there, but the attraction between Frankie and Nate was intense and dangerously sexy. Nate's character smoulders, but underneath his couldn't care less bravado lies a boy does what he can to survive, rather than just another petty thief. Although both were dealing with their own issues, they slowly begun to rely on one another for support and companionship.

The Final Verdict

Frankie is Melbourne. From the language, diversity to the uniqueness of the northern suburbs. During my teen years, these were my people. From the streets of Reservoir to Victoria Park, the Preston Market to the factory outlets along Smith Street Collingwood, it was so incredibly vivid and beautifully written with such an honesty of how fundamentally flawed life in general is.

Shivaun Plozza, you are a force to be reckoned with. Shivaun is an author who brings stories to life through her characters, her intensity and honesty. A remarkable debut from an author who captured me from the very first page.

31 comments

  1. Oh Kelly, as you know I don't read a lot of YA fiction, but this sounds great. I love the sound of Frankie's 'voice'.

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    1. Frankie is truly amazing. One of the most genuine characters in young adult with real issues, not just first world problems. It's so packed full of attitude and I absolutely loved it. I hope you grab a copy soon, would love to see what you think of it.

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  2. I MUST get my hands on this ASAP!!!!! Loved your review. Off I go to Amazon.

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    1. You must Sarah. Without a doubt it's been one of my favourites this year. So sassy and wonderfully written.

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  3. That's great you felt this represented your city so well. This seriously sounds amazing. I must read it!

    -lauren

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    1. It really did Lauren. I grew up around the same areas depicted in Frankie and they were so incredibly true to life. I love how realistic it was, it wasn't glossed over but showed Melbourne and it's characters, flaws and all.

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  4. This sounds great! And even better that it's something you identify so much with.

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    1. It was brilliant Christy and such a pleasure to read. It's most definitely year of the Aussie young adult contemporary.

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  5. AHHHHHH. I really need to schedule a trip to Dymocks because I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE. And also The Sidekicks. Aussie YA for life <3 <3

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    1. This is one book that demands to be read but be prepared for all the feels with this one.

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  6. Wow! This sounds SO FANTASTIC!!! I really need to read this book now! :)

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    1. It really is brilliant Lisa. I'd love to see it picked up by an international publisher. It's something everyone should be able to read.

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  7. This. Sounds. AMAZING. I've already heard amazing things about this from other reviews, but you have sold me, Kelly. I love how you described Nate as smouldering - omg, I need to get a guy like that (lol).

    It seems like the author really captures the atmosphere of Melbourne quite perfectly here! Yet another reason why I need to pick this one up. And Frankie just seems like the type of girl I would LOVE to read about. That sass and her all-too-real problems seems like it would really resonate in a reader like me.

    Wonderful review, Kelly. I must pick this one up when I get the chance.

    - Aila @ Happy Indulgence

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    1. Thanks Aila and I think that's what really engaged me most, how realistic Frankie was with real issues and not just typical first world problems most protagonists are faced with. It's amazing.

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  8. This sounds like such a wonderful book, I love how it's iconic for Melbourne and that Frankie sounds like such a genuine, flawed and realistic character as well. The diversity in here seems like it was addressed really naturally too! Thanks for the lovely review Kelly!

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    1. It really was Jeann. From passing characters as well as the sounds and sights of Melbourne. it was so vivid and wonderfully written. One of my favourite reads so far this year.

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  9. I love the fact that Melbourne and Frankie had so much chemistry (I wish they would have acted on it in the book) I don't know Kels, I guess it's just the hopeless romantical in me? Teehee! Either way, I feel like I can relate to Frankie because she is so strong and she will fight for what she believes in, no matter what the cause or how hard it is! <3

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    1. She's determined and her strength of character was incredible. I loved her fiercely.

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  10. Oh, this sounds absolutely fantastic. I had no idea it was set in Collingwood and the northern parts of Melbourne. I NEED to read this. Frankie sound like such a fierce and authentic character as well. Will definitely grab this one if I see it at the local bookstore!

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    1. You need this book Aentee, especially being a Melbournite yourself now too. Frankie was such an incredible character and her storyline and development were truly amazing. I loved her and her determination, even while her own life was falling apart. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  11. Frankie sounds AMAZING, Kelly! I want to meet this girl and fall in love with her as you did. I love realistic and flawed girls and I'm always looking for more in YA. And the fact that it captures your city so well? I'M IN!
    Even though the romance is barely there, I'm totally loving the sound of it. I think I'm going to love Nate too.
    Gorgeous review, Kelly!

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    1. The romance was this sexy, intense attraction and I loved seeing both Frankie and Nate start to warm to one another. You'll fall head over heels for Frankie. I heart her so much.

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  12. I want this book. I want it so much I can taste it in my mouth. Aussie authors know how to create mesmerizing characters - boy or girl. That's why I love you all so much. <3

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    1. They really do Joy. Pretty sure you could grab a copy on The Book Depository now, as they're shipping Aussie titles directly from here now. It's incredible.

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  13. I really want this book! It sounds so good and I can't wait to get my hands on it. We have so many amazing YA reads coming out this year my poor wallet can't handle it, but this is on top of my list. I glad you enjoyed it so much, Kelly. Thanks for the review.

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    1. You need this book in your life Rochelle. It's such an incredible read and so many feels. I loved Frankie from the very first page and have no doubt you'll adore her as well. can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  14. Lovely review, Kelly! I also gave this one 5 stars. It was just the most captivating and honest read, and it completely took me by surprise and blew me away! I loved how sassy and fierce Frankie was, and the fact that she bashed a guy in the face with a hardcover copy of Macbeth! I also absolutely loved Xavier and wished things had turned out differently. I was really looking forward to the reunion and them having more dumplings together. I wasn't sure about the romance when it first started unfolding but it ended up working out really nicely and I loved how Nate was there for her at the end. I just want to hug the hell out of this book!

    Jenna @ Happy Indulgence

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    1. It's completely huggable and so, so emotional wasn't it. I loved it fiercely too, but it wasn't until those final few chapters where it hit me how much I'd invested in Frankie and her story. Definitely one book I'd like to read again and again.

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  15. Beautiful review, Kelly. Frankie sounds like an amazing character. And thanks for you comment that this book is Melbourne. I guess it wouldn’t be the same experience for me, since I’ve never been in Australia, but I like that this book is authentic, and the author managed to capture the atmosphere of Melbourne.

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    1. I think with Melbourne being so culturally diverse, even international readers will adore this one too Ksenia. It was so wonderfully written and a debut author as well. Just astonishing!

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  16. Oh wow, I have to read this --- I love your description that Frankie is Melbourne!

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