Easily a 5 star book. It was so captivating and I didn’t want to stop reading. For people who liked Ove, this is for you. The humor and it being an elderly man reminded me a little of Mrs Doubtfire. I loved the storyline, the characters, and how well it was written. There were a few surprises that I didn’t expect coming but in the best possible way. This wasn’t your typical book you could guess where the storyline was going. I cried multiple times, laughed out loud and it had me calling my grandma after I finished to tell her to read it. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

This is a charming novel set in a senior living home in Australia. Main character Fred is sweet as a plate of iced VoVos. IYKYK ;)

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for allowing me to review this book for my honest review. I love this book so much! It gives all the emotions! I love books that are character driven like this one. This book has all the ups and downs of life but ultimately leaves the reader with a feeling of hope and love. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves character driven literary fiction. Thank you again for allowing me to review this wonderful book.

Oh my, I absolutely ADORE this book from the first word to the last, the premise is unique and the characters are so alive. I think I feel in love a dozen times in reading this book. It is the most tender, heartfelt book I have read this year. Its quirky humor felt similar to Fredrik Backman, whose writing I love. Do yourself a favor and gift yourself an immersion into the Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is so heartwarming and funny, with a bit of sadness and mystery thrown in. It's fun getting to know all the quirky characters, all of whom are unique and interesting. If you're looking for a cozy book to brighten your day, this is it.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston was one of the sweetest books I have read in a long time. It made me smile and laugh throughout, while also being so raw and real about the loneliness of being elderly and broke and alone. Frederick accidentally is mistaken for Bernie, who only he knows recently passed. He is swept up into a world of an care center where he makes wonderful new friendships, but also raises the suspicion of one caregiver. I got nervous wondering what would happen to Frederick as he was such a good man. The part of the story that brought Hannah, Bernie's daughter, required a bit of willing disbelief, but who cares. It was a beautiful and uplifting story.

I loved this so much! Fred is one of those characters that will really stick with you. Family, regret, retrospection, love, so many themes in this and it's so well written. Made me cry so much and gave me hope for the future. As long as there are truly good people in the world, are we really doomed?

This was very sweet! The middle lagged a good bit in my opinion, but I still enjoyed it overall. I felt very attached to Frederick by the end! I highly recommend the audio, I ended up listening instead and the accent was amazing :P

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

I adored this book! Who knew a book surrounding the topic of death could be so full of life! Frederick Fife is such a wholesome character and so easy to love. It’s no surprise that he is able to make a whole new life for himself at the age of 82, when he’s just on the brink of losing what little he has left. Tied into Frederick’s story is the story of Denise. Her character is not quite so likable, but with a little (A LOT) of help from a living angel, she is able to redeem herself. If you want to feel all the feels and be reminded of the humanity that is still left, in the world, read this book now. It will renew your hope and trust in the human race at a time we all so desperately need it. I know I’ll carry this story with me forever. I’ll also try to be a little more like Frederick Fife in my daily living, because the world needs people like him, and why not try to embody that ourselves?

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a story about loss, loneliness, forgiveness and found family. It’s heartwarming and humorous and may just restore your belief in humanity. Through a strange accident Fred finds himself in a nursing home assuming another man’s life. Although conflicted by the lie, Fred is safe from homelessness and well fed. He brings joy and encouragement to everyone he encounters in the most generous way. Fred Fife shows all of us how little energy it takes to be a more compassionate person. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket with a cuppa and enjoy this story.

A wonderfully written book by Anna Johnston. I fell in love with the characters. I found it humorous on some pages. Very tragic on other pages. The characters were full of vim and vigor and also sneaking and sexual. Loved this story.

I don't like to write a summary of the book as it is already posted when you chose the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc. What a wonderful heartfelt story. On the verge of homelessness Fred was by the river and accidentally got mixed up with nursing home resident Bernard. Fred tried to tell everyone who he really was but but fell on deaf ears. He brought kindness to all he met and was so different from the real Bernard. We learn a lot about ourselves when given time to reflect. Definitely recommend!

I love a good debut book and Anna Johnston was this years winner for me!

Fred Fife is a wholly empathetic character who quite literally falls into a second chance, and in that second chance his natural tendency to be kind and positive brings out the best in everyone around him. He is a highly likable character. As Fred’s positivity changes the lives around him, their fondness for him, changes his life.

Make sure you have a box of tissues for the last few chapters of this book. I loved this story of mistaken identity leading to redemption. The tenderness with which the author treats her subjects is touching. I was moved to tears several times and her exploration of grief, love, and forgiveness had me thinking as well as feeling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this wonderful author and her Mr. Fife.

The Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife by @annajohnstonauthor was a magnificent read and will live rent free in my head and heart for sometime. Thank you to @auburndawne for recommending this book to me. Everyone needs to add this book to their TBR.

Fred is an elderly, kind soul who finds himself down on his luck. In a strange turn of events and of mistaken identity, Fred finds himself the newest resident at Wattle River Nursing Home. He initally tried to tell the staff that he isn’t Bernard Greer but once he realizes no one is missing Bernard, Fred decides to borrow his life. There’s no harm in that, is there?! Fredrick quickly becomes a resident that is loved by everyone. He shares his wisdom, his humor and love with so many and he starts to feel loved in return. When Bernard’s estranged daughter shows up a the nursing home in a last ditch effort to reconcile with her dad, Fred finds himself painted into a corner.

This book reminded me of a A Man Called Ove and more importantly reminded me of my father. He was a resident at a nursing home for 12 years after suffering a horrific stroke. My dad was the Fred of his home. When he passed, the chaplain said “not only did John make lemonade out of lemons but he was the first to serve it to others”.

Thank you Anna Johnston for giving me glimpses of my father in this heartwarming, emotional story reminding us to visit our loved ones, celebrate the high and lows with them, hug them, and memorize the sound of their laugh. I would give anything to hear it one more time ❤️


#spreadthefred #okayokok #thefrothonthecappuccino

There was not a simple thing in this book that I did not love. The characters were lovable and the entire story was enjoyable. This is an uplifting story about grief, love, loneliness and family.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morris for allowing me the pleasure of reading an advanced e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was a very, quirky book. Fred has lost his wife and feels very alone. He is soon to lose his home for lack of payment. He walks along the river and sees a man (Bernard) in a wheelchair that is off by himself away from the retirement home group. Fred decides to get the man back with his group and as he is wheeling him back he trips and the man falls into the river and gets swept away. Fred looks just like the man who was in the wheelchair so the retirement home people think he is Bernard and take him back to the retirement home. Fred becomes Bernard. The story goes on from there. A very heartwarming story with a few twists and turns. Great story and enjoyable to read.

I was worried about reading this because it’s not in my usual interests for books, but something about it really caught my eye! I think I love the idea of old humans being scandalous. I was interested from the beginning! Very wholesome and emotional!

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. A story that shows kindness, grief, love and togetherness was perfectly written and executed.

This book was heartwarming and made me think about all the things in life that I take for granted! Frederick was so loveable, and while we never actually meet Bernard (alive), his complex character drives the story. We really don’t get enough stories with older protagonists, and I can’t recommend this one enough!