House of Frank by Kay Synclaire

"Reads like a warm hug." —Rebecca Thorne, bestselling author of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

"A stunning tale of learning to let go." —Shelf Awareness

A heartwarming and hopeful story of a grieving witch who, while battling loneliness, finds solace in a whimsical cast of characters at a magical arboretum—and the healing power of found family.

Saika, a powerless witch, is determined to fulfill her sister's last wish: to plant her remains at the renowned Ash Gardens. Upon arriving at the stormy sanctuary, Saika is greeted by its eccentric owner—an enormous, cardigan-wearing mythical beast named Frank—who offers her a position as one of the estate’s caretakers.

Consumed by grief, Saika accepts the offer, hoping to delay her final farewell to her sister. However, the job requires a witch with true magical power, and since her sister's death two years ago, Saika has been disconnected from her magic. She gets by using a fragment of a fallen star to cast spells, while hiding the truth about her limitations.

As Saika works to distract herself from her sorrow, she uncovers more about Frank, the crumbling house at Ash Gardens, and the quirky staff members—including bickering twin cherubs, a mute ghost, a grumpy elf, and an exasperating half-witch. Over time, Saika learns what it means to love and be loved fully, and discovers how to allow her joy and grief to exist side by side.

House of Frank is a tender and imaginative exploration of loss, healing, and the warmth of love.