The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green

by Laura Kemp

A laugh-out-loud, feel good, romantic comedy, which will take you on an enlightening emotional rollercoaster. Perfect for the fans of Sophie Kinsella and Jane Costello.

Frankie Green’s happy ever after is put on hold when her childhood sweetheart husband complains things are boring in bed.

When he asks for some space, she sets out to win him back by getting herself a sex education.

Little does she know that her hilarious, tender and embarrassing journey of enlightenment is going to change everything...

A story full of humour, heartache and happiness, of friendship, coming of age and overcoming insecurity.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult, Humor, Contemporary Romance

368 pages, ebook

Published June 1, 2016

About the author

Laura Kemp writes tender but hilarious romantic comedies which are unashamed love letters to the everywoman.
Her uplifting message - based on the notion that everything is research apart from the rude bits - is 'You Don't Know How Brilliant You Are!'.
A journalist who has written for The Guardian, The Daily Mail and The Sun amongst others, she is married with a son in Cardiff, where she pretends to be a domestic revolutionary so she doesn't have to do the ironing. Runs to eat crisps and drink wine, adores her mates and loves her dog, Lego and sweary cross-stitch.

What they say about Laura's books...

'Witty, warm and wise with the funniest one-liners - totally loved every page. Laura Kemp delivers another winner' MILLY JOHNSON.

'Warm, funny, sweet *and* spicy, what a fab read' LUCY DIAMOND.

'A warm-hearted, laugh-out-loud story of the things we do (or don't do) in pursuit of love. Sexy, witty and wise, with moments that will steal your heart, prepare to fall for Frankie Green!' MIRANDA DICKINSON.

'Gorgeous! Funny, clever, romantic and real, it's brilliant' Rachael Lucas.

'Read this book while on holiday - and loved it! I would highly recommend!' Rachel Abbott.

'Fun but with real heart' Fabulous Magazine
Fantastically funny - Allison Pearson, I Don't Know How She Does It
Brilliantly funny - Fiona Gibson, Mum on the Run author
Witty, brilliantly written - Fabulous mag
Funny and poignant - The Sun
Funny and gutsy - Sainsbury's mag

Her sixth book Bring Me Sunshine is coming 2019 - ebook in March and paperback in June.
Also published by Orion, A Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness is out now.
Other titles are The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green and Whatever Happened to Vicky Hope's Back Up Man?, with Head of Zeus and Mums Like Us and Mums on Strike, published by Arrow.
She is represented by Lizzy Kremer at David Higham.
For all her book news go to Laura Kemp Books on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheLauraKemp

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book which starts with Frankie discovering that her husband, a childhood sweetheart, wants to take a break on their first wedding anniversary. He thinks their relationship has settled into a rut. She is devastated and keen to come up with a plan to win him back.

It's a lovely tale combining three friends who unexpectedly find themselves at the fork of the road in their personal journey through life. They are forced to look at how they want things to work out and whether they need to make changes.

It has everything- friendships, romances, interesting families, career dilemmas. You feel that you could slot into their friendship group and listen to their gossip. You could pour the wine and settle down to share secrets.

At the beginning of the book I was longing for Frankie to learn to love herself and loved the way she developed along the course of the book.

It was my first book by Laura Kemp and I was delighted to find that there a couple more books that I can seek out and will be keen to read her next book. I loved her writing style- lots of interesting scenarios, lots of humour and you are willing certain storylines to go along the path you'd want for them- and hoping that other characters can see their situations clearly! I was totally absorbed in their lives.

With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
A 5* read for me.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by Laura Kemp, and I am very impressed with the increased maturity in her writing skills. This is a very entertaining story, that had me shocked in some places, at just how inexperienced Frankie really is, but the efforts she goes to, to learn more about sex are hilarious.

She embarks on a journey of sexual awakening, when her husband Jason, walks out as she is apparently boring in bed. Frankie decides she needs to learn how to be better at sex, but as it turns out without actually getting down and doing it with anyone else. The person who steps up to be her teacher, is trying to get over a woman, and is a fabulous teacher.

Frankie's teacher manages to continually put her at her ease, while talking through and a"acting" out some of her suxal bucket list. I loved how Frankie grew as a woman during this story, as her confidence and sensuality become more apparent.

In addition we also learn about Frankie's best friends Em, and Letty. Both of which who are overcoming their own challenges in this story. There is a moment with Leyty that has me laughing out lout, as she finally succeeds at something. Em's story is just as good, and she is a lovely friend to have, and I loved seeing how her own possible relationship develops.

What I really loved was despite Frankie being scared to really try much new at the start, she slowly comes out of her shell with some help from a special friend, and is determined to win her husband back.

There is an enjoyable sense of humour in this book, and although it didn't have me laugh out loud, it did have me entertained for the whole story.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Aria for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Laura Kemp but it certainly won’t be my last. The writing is so refreshing and fun to read. Frankie did come across quite naive in her knowledge on sex and everything surrounding it which made her a touch annoying but she did grow on me as the book progressed. I really enjoyed reading about Frankie’s friend Emma, as the situation she found herself in made me warm to her easily. Letty was an okay character to begin with but she became stronger throughout the book. I loved the person who helped Frankie and wish we could have heard more from him. I can’t say who it is without spoiling the story. I hope Laura Kemp does a follow up on one or more of the characters as I didn’t want to leave them!

Thanks goes to Net Galley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on This Chick Reads

*Copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

‘The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green’ is the latest release by Laura Kemp and one I’ve been so excited to read. Ever since I’ve heard about it and read the blurb, I knew I simply had to read it. It sounded like something I would definitely enjoy and promised loads of belly laughs. As you see I really had high expectations and good vibes for this book and I’m so glad I was not wrong. Laura Kemp delivered and made me enjoy every second of it.

Frankie Green is the typical domestic type of woman. She loves spending time with her husband and the love of her life, she’s not that experienced at bed, doesn’t feel comfortable experimenting and likes living a predictable life. However, Jason seems to want more out of life, and more out of Frankie as a matter of fact. In his own words ‘he wants to live a little’ and explore the world and all the possibilities out there. Maybe they were too young when they got together, maybe they should have experience more in life before settling down. Jason feels it’s only right for them to separate and discover if there’s anything more to life than watching TV shows and have sex (missionary style only) once a week. Frankie on the other hand doesn’t need the change, she’s rather pleased with her life just the way it is. However, Jason doesn’t leave her much of a choice but to accept his decision. Her friend, Em suggests she needs to spice things up by serving Jason his own medicine, and getting a sex education. Once he realizes what he’s missing out on and how Frankie’s improved her …ummm.. skills, he’ll be definitely back begging to be with her. And what starts as a crazy idea, turns into sort of a mission for Frankie, and a way to win back her man.

Doesn’t it sound hilarious? However, don’t be tricked by the title, because as much as we follow Frankie’s story, her friends’ (Em and Letty’s) are equally as important. Em is climbing the corporate ladder and having a baby from a man she doesn’t even date is the last thing she needs. Letty is ambitious and a real man eater. Falling in love is definitely not on her schedule and so is not getting into so much debt. Told from their POVs, we follow these young women’s lives and everything they are going through. There’s loads of drama and laughing while ‘the sisters are doing it for themselves’. Neither of them expects their lives to change so much, but they sure do their best to make a bloody brilliant lemonade when life gives them lemons.

As much as I loved these three girls, the character who simply blew me away was Floyd, Em’s brother and Frankie’s sex teacher. He was simply hilarious and such a great guy. I got the impression everyone feels comfortable around him, he’s just so easy going, never judging and always seeing the glass as half full. I did like Em and Letty’s stories, but I simply couldn’t wait to get to Frankie’s part and see what sex Guru, Floyd had in store for Frankie.

The only reason why I’m giving it 4 instead of the max 5 stars is because I really wish Em and Letty’s stories were as exciting as Frankie’s. While they sure bring loads to the story, they could’ve easily be side characters while the story was fully focused on Frankie. Still, I truly admired their relationship and the whole BFF thing, sharing their highs and lows, advising each other and being each other’s big support.

If you’re a fan of chick lit and rom coms, you definitely should add this book to your (I know, never ending) TBR piles. And even if you’re not, I know you will probably need some good, light and super fun summer reads for your holidays, so strongly advise you to grab it on time.

[Andree]

This is another attempt to read things that have been on my e-reader for years. Turns out there's a good reason it's been there that long. I'm not rating, and it's possible this is just mood, but I got about 40 pages into this, and just didn't feel like continuing. Frankie's just been dumped by her husband/childhood sweetheart. Her two friends seem to be also facing major bends in the road. It may or may not be a good book; I'm not far enough in to make that call. All I can say is that for whatever reason, I'm finding the writing style annoying. I suspect it's aiming for funny. But in my current mood, it's not landing. May very much just be me. Either way, I think I'm better off cutting my losses early.

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green" is Laura Kemp's third release, and the second book by this author that I've read. Actually, as soon as I've heard about this book, seen the cover and read the synopsis I knew that I need to read it - it sounds so daring, unique and different, and provocative as well, and when I spotted that the title is available on NetGalley, I quickly clicked "request" and waited, hoping to be approved.

The story started in a brilliant, funny way and I so hoped it's going to continue like this, but unfortunately soon, very soon, as in the first chapters, it changed the tone a little and went on like this. And by "like this" I mean that the author has concentrated on the smallest details, such like describing how each of the characters looked like, mentioning the last freckle on their noses, for example, and also the story, instead of gaining speed, was held on a very steady level. I also thought that the book is going to follow Frankie and Frankie only, so it came as a little surprise that it also concentrates on Frankie's friends, Em and Letty. I don't mean it was bad or that it didn't suit the story, it just surprised me as the blurb mentions only Frankie.

Our Frankie. She's your normal woman, a neighbour, a girl who loves her husband to bits. She thinks that everything runs smoothly in her marriage. That is, until one day she's surprised by her husband Jason expressing some sexual desires and stating that Frankie is not at all experienced in bed, and that he needs more excitement, and that he needs a break. Because Frankie is not experienced in bed, let me repeat this. And also because their life is very predictable - shortly, he needs to see if there are other options, to explore the world a little. But mostly because of a once in a week sex in a missionary position only. Oh guys, to say that Frankie didn't see it coming would be an understatement! It hurt ME to see how shocked she was, how she didn't expect it, how she was sure that their quiet life is this what they both need. But well, if Jason really means it... Frankie doesn't transform into a vamp or nymphomaniac on the spot, oh no, but she decides on a very courageous step and takes a sex - teacher. She's desperate to get Jason back - well, yes, she is afraid to come out of her shell - but she's determined and won't hesitate to change. I must say, I liked Frankie, and I admired to what extent she's willing to go only to get her husband back. If he's worth it? Well, this is the other thing. If she'll get him back at all? This you must read for yourself.
And so our Frankie embarks on a sexual journey, and the list of things she wanted to learn differentiate between spanking, role playing, erotica and some other interesting things, and when she and her teacher eventually got to their lesson, it was both hilarious and touching, and it felt so genuine when the author wrote about their feelings at those moments, and she also brilliantly captured how difficult it was for both of them.

Frankie's best friends are Em and Letty, and their stories are also very significant for the book. Those two have their own demons to overcome, their lives have thrown a curveball or two at them and they have their own challenges. In their own ways those two women also found themselves afresh, they developed and blossomed and found what it is that they want to do and how they want to do it. The story is told from the three friends' points of view and we are taken on a journey where we learn about the women's lives and everything they are doing. There is lots happening in all of their lives, However, in comparison to Frankie's story, their stories felt a little too bland and too clichéd for my liking and I had a feeling that after delivering the climax in every single one of the three stories, the plot then came to a stop and there weren't any big surprises for us.

As much as the three women are the main characters in the story, it was Floyd, Em's brother and Frankie's sex - teacher who easily enchanted me. He was funny, down - to - earth, easy - going and you could see he feels comfortable in his own skin, and of course him volunteering to be Frankie's sex - teacher had a hidden agenda, which I, personally, found incredibly sweet.

This story in a lovely way shows how the main character slowly but steadily started to come out of her shell and comfort zones, and I don't only mean her sex - life here. It was great to see how she grows in confidence and how she realises what she really wants from life. I loved to see how Frankie starts to see herself, how she starts to appreciate herself and love the person that she is, and not the person that her husband Jason wanted her to be. Also, the other characters were neatly formed, and they also changed throughout the story, which made me rooting for them.

It's a bit flirty, sexy, different and open and written in a very fluent way. While the two sub - plots about Frankie's friends are a little predictable, Frankie's story is unique, quirky and absorbing and on the whole I really enjoyed it. Frankie was really broadening her horizons and I liked how the author described her journey, with all her emotions, dilemmas, feelings - because it was not so easy for Frankie to open herself, as I can easily guess, and even though the idea of having a sex - tutor didn't come easily to her, she nevertheless took the bull by the horns, to overcome her reservations. So if you are looking for a book with interesting, unusual plot, well - developed characters and about discovering yourself, look no further and try "The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green" by Laura Kemp.

Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

[Grass monster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute story. We follow 3 friends, Frankie, Em and Letty. This is told from each of the girls view which i liked. Frankie and her husband Jason are about to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Jason springs it on Frankie that he is bored and feels things are in a rut and believes they should take a break. Frankie is utterly devastated and trys to find a way to win him back.
When Em's brother Floyd, offers to give Frankie some secret sex lessons she jumps at the chance, they have been friends for ages and she totally trusts Floyd. Floyd himself is also trying to win his ex girlfriend back. But can they jus be friends?.
Em is the quieter one of them, having finding herself pregnant after a one night stand with a guy at work. We follow Em as she progress's through her pregnancy but can she get her man?.
Letty having got herself into a situation with a man who is in a relationship, is more outgoing and enjoying life but underneath it all she just wants a normal life like everyone else. Can Letty make this happen?.
This was my first read by Laura Kemp and i really enjoyed her style. I found i was kept entertained and interested from the off. I loved seeing the characters develop and how they all become stronger.
Everyone had a story to tell in their own right. Infact they were so lovable, i am missing their adventures sonce the book ended.

[Peggy Jaeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Recommend This Book

Yes
Best friends since early school, Frankie, Lettie and Em are three gals in need of love, support, and a good man.
When Frankie's husband leaves her because he wants to look for something more exciting, she sets out to remake herself into a sexed-up version of herself in the hopes of getting him back. Em's brother, Floyd, is willing to act as her sex education teacher - purely platonic ( not!) and from there, the two embark on an exploration of Frankie's hidden desires and wants.
Lettie thinks Lance is the love of her life but he comes with baggage - an ex girlfriend with a baby whom Lance adores. Letty must decide of she is willing to take on the new role of step-mum and wife just to get the man she thinks she loves.
Em's one night fling with an underling- co-worker results in a pregnancy that no one expected or wanted, least of all Em. The added problem: she is desperately in love with bloke who impregnated her, but his baggage - an exwife and a toddler - make it apparent her happily ever after won't happen.
All three of these delicious girls are fully formed, funny, and as they grow and mature with each chapter, you will root for them to get exactly what they want in the end.
This was a delightful read.

[Baca Buku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankie Green's name is in the title but this is a book with three storylines, equally divided among Frankie and her best friends Em and Letty.

I like Em and Letty. They're realistic and their stories are believable. Frankie is real too, but for a thirty-year-old in 2016 (when the book came out), I think she's too sexually naive. Especially so when she has friends like the more worldly Letty and Em. And there already exists this little thing called the Internet. She doesn't even know/think oral sex - with ejaculation! - is sex.

My rating is actually closer to a 3.5 because the author addresses the types of issues that real women go through, including sexual harassment and being overlooked at work because she's a woman. Frankie suffers from an inferiority complex, which is quite heartbreaking. She manages to overcome it with the help of the wonderful Floyd, who doesn't only give her sex education lessons but also shows her she doesn't need to feel inadequate in other matters simply by the way he treats her.

There are subplots about the families of each of the women that are also delightful.

[Kourtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book back in 2016, and I started it but could not connect with it. As I clean up my shelves, I thought I would give this one another try.

This story is told with 3 different narrators. Frankie is the main one, where she is learning how to have sex after her husband leaves her because she is boring in bed. Then her 2 best friends, Letty and Em, have their own storyline. I wasn't sure what to rate this as I enjoyed reading about Em's storyline, and even her brother's side story, but I did not enjoy Frankie or Letty's. Both characters were written as though they were still teenagers. Frankie was so naive about everything, it became unbearable to read. Letty had potential into being an interesting storyline, but calling people wet farts all the time is offputting and childish. I can't take anything in her plot seriously after that.

Maybe had I read this book in my 20's, it would have hit differently. Unfortunately, being just shy of 40, this is no longer my cup of tea.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Angela Pirotta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice easy Redding with no emotions
2-3 star Sunday read ...

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Frankie Green. She’s been with childhood sweetheart Jason for 14 years when he surprises and shocks her on their first wedding anniversary by suddenly wanting to spice things up in the bedroom. She is taken aback when Jason announces that he feels things are a bit predictable in bed and that he’s moving out. Devastated, she decides that the only way to win Jason back is to get herself a sex education and finds a friend who is willing to help out! This friend is also in an unusual romantic situation with the love-of-his life having disappeared off on a round the world trip. Frankie has lots of support from her very good friends Letty and Em and their stories are told throughout the book too.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was cheering Frankie on as she began to discover more about herself and grew in confidence throughout the book. She was incredibly naïve for a woman of 30 but putting that aside, she was a sweet and caring person. It was really funny reading about her attempts to broaden her horizons, following a lesson plan of 10 areas she felt she should really know about, roleplaying for example. Her tutor was a great character too and although you might think he was trying to take advantage of Frankie, if you read the book, you’ll realise he really wasn’t. However, their lessons have an effect on each other that they really weren’t expecting! It was great to see Frankie blossom from a woman with little self-worth at the beginning of the book to a much happier, more confident woman by the end. Thank goodness she realised that the problem wasn’t with her but with Jason.

I also enjoyed following the stories of Em and Letty and in their own ways, they blossomed too. Both their stories will keep you engaged though I must say I was more drawn to Em’s storyline than Letty’s until quite near the end. The friendship between the three women was a strong feature throughout the book even though Frankie was keeping rather a large secret from them! I must also mention Frankie’s lovely Dad and one of her clients, Phyll, both of whom had wise words to help Frankie come to accept herself and value herself more.

This book was a lovely, light-hearted read with lots of scenes to make you smile. Laura Kemp has written a very entertaining, witty book about believing in yourself and I'll be looking out for more by this author in the future.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a review of this book on Dear Author and was sufficiently intrigued that I bought the book. Suffice it to say that all my preconceptions/expectations from that review turned out to be wrong, but never mind.

Frankie Green has only had one boyfriend and one lover, her childhood sweetheart and husband of one year, Jason. Frankie lives in small-town Wales and has happily settled into married life, sensible knickers, and very English food. When Jason tried to spice up their sex life Frankie freaks out and harsh words are spoken. Jason tells Frankie he feels they got married before they had an opportunity to do things, travel, explore their options etc and he needs some space. Jason has a point. Frankie is only thirty but she acts like fifty (or more like sixty, since I'm fifty). She is too stuck in her ways to try new things, food, clothes, music, hair etc. During a drunken discussion with her friends Em and Letty someone suggests a sex-tutor to teach Frankie how to be better (less boring) in bed.

One thing leads to another and soon Em's brother Floyd agrees to help Frankie, seeing as he has a different girl every week. This is a British novel, in an American novel the sex-tutor would get Frankie doing all sorts of acrobatics and having tantric sex within two minutes, here Frankie simulates the 69 position whilst they wear swimming costumes!

But this isn't just about Frankie, it is also about her friends: Em the supermarket assistant manager with career ambitions and no time for men and Letty the single girl about town with a shopping addiction and self-esteem issues. So really you get three stories in one.

Laura Kemp has written an engaging story in which three women discover some truths about themselves and their dreams. It was typically British, small-town, quirky, funny and low-key. As a reader I found Frankie infuriatingly parochial and narrow-minded at the start of the book but by the end I was really rooting for her.

I will definitely be looking for more books by Laura Kemp and many thanks to Dear Author for the great review.

[Rachel (Rae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the book:

Frankie Green is perfectly happy in her marriage until her husband drops a bombshell. He doesn't think things are working, especially in the bedroom. Asking for space he moves out and that is when Frankie begins her lessons in sex education. Can Frankie win Jason back and regain her confidence?

My thoughts:

I instantly liked Frankie, she was quite innocent and I felt so sorry for her when her husband walked out. However I also felt anger on her behalf too, I couldn’t believe how awful it was to leave her like that. Her friends Em and Letty are great you can see what a great friendship they all share. Each of the characters stories were interesting and combined together with Frankie's made a great book. I have to say one of my favourite characters was Floyd I took to him straight away.

The plot moved pretty quick with no slow parts and it was so funny at times. I have to admit I ended up giggling to myself quite a lot. My husband kept looking at me wondering what I was reading! The story was engaging and I wanted to see where Frankie would end up along with her two best friends.

Overall:

The characters were well developed and I felt like I got to know them all. The story grabbed my attention from the start and kept my interest. I loved the message of finding the real you, overcoming insecurities and ultimately finding happiness.

I was hooked from the start and it just got better and better. The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green is comical, heartwarming and most of all entertaining!

Five stars from me!

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie is an easy going young lady, happily married with her first love, but her beautiful dream will be broken when at her first wedding anniversary, her husband seems to want a bit more from their marital relationships. 'Don't you ever wonder what else is out there, Frankie?', is the question that broke her stable universe into many broken hearts pieces.
Disappointed but curious to find out what is wrong with her, she is starting an exciting journey of self discovery at the end of which everything will look different because she, the timid and unexperienced Frankie, is finally reaching to be the person she was meant to be.
At the same time, the book is following the stories of her two other girlfriends, Em and Letty, both of them going through lifecrossroads, with hard personal and professional decisions to be taken. At the end, all of them will succeed with a stronger self and more self aware. They will start seeing their lives with completely different eyes and this is part of the normal growing up process.
The writing is humorous and easy going, with a story offering to the reader some extraordinary revelations. I love the smooth play with suspense that happily wake you up from the cozy summer reading mood.
It is a book that makes you think, inspires while keeping a smile on the corner of the mouth for the whole time of reading. A good companion for your summer - or winter - retreats or just for the weekend.
Rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher via NetGalley.com

[Claire Mc Partlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

​I really enjoyed this book. The title and cover caught my eye, but there was a lot more than just Frankie in the book. It was ​about three friends, Frankie, Em & Letty, and their lives, each with separate chapters which made it very easy to read.

Frankie's husband, Jason, had got bored of marriage and their predictable lifestyle, thinking he was maybe missing out on something, and decided to move out. Frankie was distraught and felt she was useless in the bedroom, hence the title. She begins secret sex lessons with Em's brother, Floyd, purely on a friends basis as he was pining after an ex-girlfriend, to try and get her husband back, and it was very funny! Of course things develop and change along the course of the book as Frankie gets more confidence.

Em is the more strait-laced of the trio, but the one who ends up pregnant and decides to keep the baby. And she becomes more relaxed as the book goes on and her pregnancy develops which is great to see.

Letty is the more outgoing of the trio, but is taken advantage of by her boss work-wise - who of course later regrets it when Letty decides she's had enough, great moment!

It was a very amusing and quite emotional story all at the same time, much more than I was initially expecting. It reminded me a bit of Milly Johnson's style of writing and she is one of my favourite authors. I loved it!

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Late Blossoming of Frankie Greene, by Laura Kemp, is the story of three young Welsh women, Francesca "Frankie" Greene, Emerald "Em" Good-Fellow, and Letitia "Letty" Cox. Drawn together in childhood by their unusual names, they formed a deep and devoted friendship thereafter.

Now, as they approach their thirtieth birthdays, they each feel they are off track from the lives they had planned. Although told from each woman's viewpoint, the primary story is that of Frankie. She thinks she has her life all planned out, but then her husband tells her he wants to "take a break." This throws her for a loop, sending her into a spiral of self discovery, using extraordinary means in the quest to win her husband back. While Frankie embarks on this personal journey, Em and Letty are both having their own personal and professional crises.

Laced with engaging characters and told with tongue-in-cheek humor, The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green is an exceptional story. You will laugh, perhaps shed a tear, and root for each of the ladies as they find their ways to the lives they seek. I recommend this book.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie thinks that life is perfect married to her childhood sweetheart Jason and returning to the place of their wedding night for their first anniversary - Jason has other ideas though he wants a separation and says that Frankie was boring in bed!Devastated Frankie is determined to win him back and so decides that she must get herself a sex education - and the perfect teacher comes along!

Frankie is helped by her two best friends from school Em and Letty but they also have their own problems - Em fell in love with a one night stand, someone from work, and discovers that she is pregnant and he made it quite clear that it was just one night, and Letty is a good time girl who never seems to be able to make a relationship last and is worried that men never see past her looks and take her seriously - especially at work.

This book is chick lit at its best - it is told in different chapters by the three girls so that you get all of their stories and has great humour and feel good factor even though it is quite predictable - definitely worth reading

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is not a lot of things that I like better than a chick-lit book where everything ends up roses and the motto is friends, family, love and be true to yourself. Frankie's husband announces on their 1st anniversary that he feels bored, he feels stuck, he wants to try new things. Frankie is in absolute shock. Her one and only goal is to be a good wife to Jason. And so the late blossoming of Frankie starts. She decides with the help of her friends and a sex teacher to broaden her horizons. This is NOT a 'dirty' book, but full of fun and light episodes of Frankie and her sex teacher trying to get her to loosen up a bit, discover herself and what she needs from a relationship. The subplots of Frankie's family and 2 best friends are just as enjoyable as the main. Everyone ends up where they should, not a lot of surprise, but the journey is fun and light-hearted. Would definitely add the author to my to-read list!
Thanks Netgalley for a galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn Belden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green is the hilarious tale of what happens when Frankie decides she needs some sex education after her husband asks for a separation on their one year anniversary, thinking that is all she needs to fix their relationship.

Ok, it's so much MORE than that. It's smart, laugh out loud funny and touching in turns. The story entwines with those of her friend Em, who things she's odd and will never find love, and her friend Letty who always falls for the wrong guy and worries that no one sees past her looks.

Ultimately, it's a story about discovering oneself, changes, and accepting those changes - and seeing that in doing that, it can change the way we see others, too.

And, I confess, that having lived in Wales for almost four years, the language of these Cardiff girls made me a bit sentimental.

I was provided an advanced reader copy by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com

This is a great story. I really enjoyed it.

It is not just a regular contemporary romance story. It is interesting, fun, flirty, warm, and engaging.

Aside from the main plot, involving Frankie's struggle to overcome her husbands need for a break, there are several subplots involving her two best friends that will keep you captivated until the very last page.

This story is about acceptance, friendship, confidence, fulfillment, and true love.

It is very well written. The story is warm, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny. And the characters are quirky, witty, and lovable.

This is an easy, light-hearted, perfect summer read that you won't want to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Aria, for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.

This book is due to be published on June 1, 2016.

[Ann Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about love and friendship - and re-evaluating yourself and your life. Frankie is married and her husband suggests a trial separation. Em is a geeky oddball and believes that she'll never find true love. Letty avoids relationships and believes that sex is all she needs.

Changes occur to all 3 friends and the book follows them as they change and adapt to situations that, in themselves, change.

It's very funny at times and I very much enjoyed it.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Aria Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

This is the first book by Laura Kemp that I have read. Oh what a wonderful story and so well told. I really loved all the characters, poor Frankie though with an inconsiderate husband like Jason finding fault with her when the problem was him all along. I loved the fact that it was not only Frankie's story that was told but also those of her friends. This book is about friendship and finding yourself. I would recommend this book to all lovers of romance and woman's fiction.

[Gina Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the blurb, I assumed this story would be entirely about Frankie and her quest for a sexual education, and I was surprised when I also found myself reading the stories of two of her friends. Initially, I read these additional points of view as fast as I could, to return to that of Frankie but, gradually, they drew me in.

The story is fairly predictable, but it is fun and entertaining. I enjoyed the Welsh setting and the cast of characters. I’d read more about these ladies.

[Frenchorchidea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked the book but unfortunately I really didn't enjoy reading about the main character Frankie - I thought she was totally childish regarding sex despite the fact that she is not a teen nor a child but a full grown-up. So the plot didn't seem realistic. But fortunately this book is not only about Frankie but also about her two best friends Letty and Em and I really enjoyd those two very interesting characters. So I can say that I half-enjoyed this book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book by Laura Kemp. This is the first book I have read by this author and I am looking forward to reading more. This book has a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Cheryl Lomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book ! A lovely nice light easy read about Frankie who's husband wants a break from her because their love life isn't exciting enough. The other two girls Letty and Em are great characters too and we follow their lives too. I loved the setting Cardiff and I loved all the other character especially Floyd. I thought the story was very predicable but it didn't spoil it. This is chick lit at its best !

[Natasha Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really dislike Chick Lit that is far fetched and so silly that you know it could never happen in real life.
This was not like that!!
This had true to life characters, some moments that really made me chuckle and real life happenings.
A great Summer read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria for giving me a chance to read it.

[Kelly Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Perfect escapism...lighthearted, easy going and laugh out loud funny. Will be looking for more books by this author, she writes my kind of books!

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my experience... I'm sure many others will enjoy.

I was expecting a light read, but it took me a while to get through this one. Not because it was heavy reading, but more because I just didn't get sucked into the characters enough to fully care. There were countless missed opportunities to dig a bit deeper. I suspect it had to do with it's round-robin between the three girls, when perhaps three decent books could have been produced? Each from a different woman's POV. Just a thought. I kept reading to find out who Frankie Green ended up with, even though I didn't really care. I didn't know Jason enough to really like/dislike him (I mean, by the end, he wasn't cool, but if Frankie had changed, maybe he could, too? ... with a gentle prod). And Floyd... he had a few one-liners and the like, but I felt like they were hiding the real him, so I didn't fall in love with him, either. I realised by about 70% through that I just didn't care... and that made the rest a bit of a trudge.

On the plus side, I was pleased to see that this was written BEFORE Whatever Happened to Vicky Hope's Back Up Man? because that means Laura Kemp has got BETTER, and I may yet pick up another book of hers.

This was a lesson, though. I've been finding my recent Fantasy reads a bit trudgery, and thought a dip into "chick lit" would lighten the load... And it just goes to show, it's not about genre, it's totally about whether the book clicks for you. And this one didn't for me. Back to Fantasy, for now.