Some books just touch your heart, y’know?

Such is the story of Frederick Fife, a lonely, almost homeless widower and all the people whose lives he makes better.

Fred has just been evicted and is out walking when he comes upon a deceased man in a wheelchair. Through a series of events, he ends up being taken to a nursing home and told his name is Bernard. He tries to correct them, but Bernard had dementia. No one even listens to what he’s saying.

Faced with homelessness even if he could make someone believe him, he begins to lean into his new life as Bernard which comes with plentiful meals, something he hasn’t had in many years. Honestly, the parts where he discusses his food insecurity are probably the hardest for me to read even though the author handles it deftly.

So, while there are many serious topics within, including the food insecurity, potential homelessness, cancer, dementia, and grief, there is also so much humor and light. It feels a lot like life.

Fred is so incredibly likable and sweet, you fret for him and want nothing but joy for the rest of his time on earth. You’ll also meet other residents and staff of the nursing home and love them too.

I’m just overall delighted by this book which brings a lot of chuckles and a few tears too.

I received this book via #netgalley and @williammorrowbooks. All thoughts are mine alone.

#theborrowedlifeoffrederickfife #annajohnston #contemporaryfiction #books #bookrecs #bookreview #fivestars #fivestarbooks #bookstagram

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is an intriguing concept, and I wanted to love it, but it didn’t live up to its potential for me. The idea is compelling, with themes of second chances and mistaken identity when Bernard is mistaken for his doppelganger Frederick. While some moments pull on your heart strings, the pacing is slow, and the supporting characters lack dimension. I thought some of the twists were predictable, but there was just enough originality to keep me reading. Overall, it’s a decent read with some memorable and heart-warming moments, but it fell short for me. Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a heartwarming, feel-good novel about Fred, an 82-year-old man who, through a case of mistaken identity, ends up at a nursing home and takes the place of a grumpy resident. As he brings kindness and joy to those around him, Fred's life intertwines with Denise, a caregiver struggling with her own challenges.

Charming, funny, and bittersweet, this book explores themes of human connection, redemption, and second chances. Fred is a wonderfully endearing character, and his journey will make readers laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of kindness. A must-read for fans of quirky, older characters.

I absolutely loved this little gem of a book! Frederick is a sweet and lonely old man. At 82, he finds himself broke and almost homeless but still has a heart filled with kindness. A case of mistaken identity lands Frederick in a nursing home with the identity of a disagreeable man named Bernard Greer. At first, nobody seems to listen to him that he is not Bernard. But after a few days of warm meals, new friends and kind staff members, Frederick seems to think this new life might not be so bad after all. And as is true to his nature, he just can't help but be his kind lovable self, bring joy and positivity to the lives of all those around him.

Thank you so much to William Morrow for an early digital copy and a physical review copy of this delightful story.

This filled me with all the warm fuzzies. It’s great if you like a story with quirky characters, overcoming family trauma with a bit of humor thrown in, and happy endings. This is my wheelhouse for sure and so I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

82-year-old Frederick Fife is on the brink of homelessness due to medical debt incurred from his wife’s cancer treatments. While contemplating his next steps, he encounters a deceased man in a wheelchair who he attempts to assist, but instead Frederick stumbles, causing the man and Frederick’s wallet to wash away in the river. Bernard Greer, the deceased man, was suffering from dementia, and so despite Frederick’s objections, the group whisks him back to the nursing home, thinking he is Bernard. This utterly delightful book demonstrates what a difference a kind person makes in the lives of others, and readers will be wanting a Frederick in their lives. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife hits all the right notes; it is funny, hopeful, poignant, touching, and engaging. It will appeal to fans of stories about found family and older protagonists.

It took me two tries to really get into this debut story featuring 82 year old widower, Frederick Fife who finds himself evicted and with no where to go and no money. When he's mistaken for Bernard, and unintentionally assumes his identity and place in a care home, Frederick finally finds a group of friends and a found family he had always been wanting. This heartwarming story touches on some difficult topics, from gambling addiction, death of loved ones from cancer, miscarriage, grief and homelessness and loneliness (among others). Highly recommended for fans of books like The brilliant life of Eudora Honeysett or The Autumn of Ruth Winters. I am really enjoying the popularity of stories told with older main characters! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Heartwarming, lovely hug in a book. I loved spending time with Fred and the others at the home. This was a fast read and enjoyed my time reading it. Gave it 4 stars

If, for any reason, a reader did not see this book when it first came out, take a look now. I imagine that there are people on holiday gift lists for whom this would make a perfect read.

Life has not been going so well for this novel’s older protagonist. Frederick is lonely and alone. When a chance event, allows him to take on the identity of Bernard, he is grateful. This takes Frederick to a care home where he is delighted to, in fact, be cared for. He also uses his lovely personality to offer some joy to others.

One employee at the home, has many reasons to be unhappy and mistrustful. Will Frederick successfully cast his magic over her? What will happen to these two and others in the home? Will Frederick’s deception be discovered? Find out in this book. It does take on some difficult issues but also offers an emotional and uplifting read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

One of the best stories I’ve consumed all year. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others completely devastating, but wholly heartfelt. I did not want my time with Fred to end. He’ll forever have a home in my heart next to Ove and Marcel.

This was the happy, hopeful read I needed after some more difficult reads.

82 year old Frederick Fife is widowed after his wife dies from cancer. He doesn’t have money for rent and goes for a walk by the river. When he gets there, he notices a man in a wheelchair who looks like he has died. Fred tries to wheel him back to the caretakers, but the man falls in the river and floats away. Fred is assumed to be this same man (they look remarkably alike) and is hastened back to the retirement center. He quickly befriends some residents in the most quirky ways. He learns the man he replaced, was not as friendly and made some mistakes with his family. What life will Fred live now?

The plot, when I started, seemed so over the top, but Fred is so lovable and I enjoyed every page of this book.

I can sometimes be talked into a sweet book about an elderly person, and I am glad I was in this case. Frederick was so endearing- if you like character driven stories that slowly unpack more about their lives and about life in general, this could be a win.

"I never understood how a heart so broken could go on beating and I never understood until now. It was so I could love you."

Thank you to Netgalley for a free ARC and for giving me an excuse to ugly cry in public lol

Please excuse any typos in this review, I'm currently attempting to write it behind a waterfall of tears lol this book was incredibly beautiful and it just makes me want to give my own dad a big hug.

It's a story about second chances, found family, forgiveness, and how a parent's love for their child exceeds all limitations including distance and death.

This book had me laughing out loud (an extra 10 points because we love a good fart joke lol) and then balling my eyes out the next. The quotes in this book were like a gut punch and it made me pause to reflect constantly.

I knew this book would hurt my feelings and I don't regret a damn thing lol I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Ps. Patricia is the most underrated side character lol I want to read her story next 🤣💅🏻

#IndigoStaffMember

I loved this book. Homeless, an 82 year old man takes finds himself unwittingly now living at a nursing home in a case of mistaken identity. Trying to convince others about his true identity is futile because who believes someone that old when they think he has dementia? What ensues is a sweet story of how one man's approach to friendship and kindness can affect the lives of others. Rich in character, this was a heart warming story and a true delight. Many thanks to #netgalley #the borrowedlifeoffrederickfife #annajohnston for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I am absolutely enchanted! This book is a beautifully crafted tale that explores identity, love, and the unexpected twists life can take. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into Frederick's world. His journey of self-discovery and the way he navigates the complexities of life had me hooked. Johnston’s writing is both poignant and witty, making it a joy to read. I found myself laughing, crying, and reflecting on my own experiences along the way. What I loved most was the depth of the characters. Each one felt so real and relatable, and their interactions were filled with warmth and authenticity. The themes of connection and the impact of our choices lingered with me long after I turned the last page. If you’re looking for a book that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a sense of hope, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a must-read!

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is one of the very few books that has an outrageous premise, yet you can absolutely immerse yourself in it without having to suspend belief. Sweet and warming, yet painfully emotional.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, but it was a bittersweet read.

This was one of those books where I sometimes found myself laughing and just as quickly found myself tearing up. There are so many funny situations that Fred finds himself in throughout the book. However, there were also so many places where the plight of the elderly came through. I struggle with nursing homes. Culturally, they aren't really a thing for me, although the prevalence is increasing in recent years. In high school, I regularly volunteered at nursing homes, so I've seen the realities of what life can be like there. And while everything isn't all bad, it's sometimes a very sad tale. I appreciated that we got to see a mix of people who are sad and lonely because of their actions earlier in life and those who are still supported by their loving families.

There are a lot of places where you have to sort of suspend belief. Sometimes I find that hard to do, but I urge you to do that here because the story is so much more compelling if you just let it flow over you.

This was a beautiful book that I'll remember for a long time.


A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. it was really nice to have a book with an elderly main character and not be a miserable, done with life type of character. there was humor and a joviality to the character and it made the story not as depressing as it could have been.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy.

This book was full of charming characters and had such a creative plot. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to follow Hannah and Bernard/Fred until her daughter was much older to see what adventures they could have.

Fred is about to get evicted from his apartment for back rent and goes for a walk. He comes to a man sitting in a wheelchair by the edge of the river. He is attempting to get the man back to his group from a care home when the wheelchair falls tips and the man falls in. Fred realized that the man was deceased, but no one else had noticed. Fred's wallet and his jacket end up with the man.

Fred is quickly helped into the wheelchair by Denise one of the staff from the care home and he is pushed into the van back to the home. Fred doesn't understand what is happening for several hours. He sees some photos of Bernard who he was trying to help and realizes they look almost identical.

Fred panics for several days that the police will come for him and they never do. He settles into his life in the home and makes new friends. He has many adventures with his new friends.

He also has a visit from Hannah Bernard's daughter when she comes to share the news of her pregnancy and try to reconcile with him after years of no contact. Hannah struggled through the loss of her older sister when she was only 9 and the family fallout resulting in Bernard's poor choices during the stressful time of her sister's illness.

Fred helps so many people in his time as Bernard and then he learns that Hannah is struggling to pay bills. He checks Bernard's bank balances and finds there is a large account with a co-owner. He contacts the lawyer and makes a plan to make Hannah's life richer than it is.

The ending was bittersweet, but still sweet in the end when the truth of everything comes out.

I look forward to more books by this author.

I loved this book so much. Fred may now be one of my new favorite book characters! I couldn't put it down, definitely recommend.