To answer your question about Francesca (No Spoilers)…
She definitely loves John, and in the books her character is not bisexual or gay, but a quiet person who doesn’t feel they fit into their family or social settings completely.
However, John’s cousin Michaela (who she was tongue tied by) is Michael in the books.
So I think there must be a reason Shondaland gender swapped the character…🤔😉