This is my first book by Anna Johnston and I can’t wait to read more. I loved this heart warming and genuinely lovely book!! The characters were charming in this warm, funny book about grief, redemption and found family.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Delightful feel good fiction. Perfect for fans of Mrs. Quinn and Harold Fry. I had to suspend belief a few times but overall the story rang true with a lot of great reminders on how to live life with an open heart and mind.

This book is about octogenarian Fred - after a mishap in a local park, he is mistaken for nursing home resident Bernard and brought back to the nursing home. After every attempt to assert his true identity is dismissed as dementia, he figures he doesn’t have much going on in his life so he’ll just stay and pretend to be the dead Bernard. Little does he know how much this will change not just his life but the life of everyone around him.

This book was just so wonderfully charming, funny but also made me cry. Fred is just such a great character and the supporting characters really come to life as well. I enjoyed this one so much I read it in less than 24 hours. Fans of other books featuring quirky older characters are sure to love this one too.

This was a jolly good one. From start to finish, there was never a dull moment. It was a good one and I’m glad I read it.

This follows the story of Fred, who was mistakenly assigned another identity- Bernard. Fred assumes Bernard’s identity, inherits his problems and generally takes over his life.

As much as this was humorous it touches on deep and sensitive topics- cancer, family dysfunctions, aging, dementia and geriatric care. Each topic was treated with the care and sensitivity it deserved.

I enjoyed how the author took us on a journey with the different characters without losing sight of them nor their issues.

If you are looking for a story that touches with a few laughs along the lines then this is your book.

Unable to face the reality of losing his apartment and becoming homeless, Fred decides to take a walk by the river to clear his head. Instead of a nice calming walk, he finds a lifeless body of an old man, and when attempting to take the body to the assisted living personnel nearby, ends up falling in the river. What ensues is a string of humorous misunderstandings and as he struggles to make his situation clear, it soon appears easier to just go with the flow and do what he's told.

Fred is a wonderful character, full of heart and heartache, love and loneliness. After multiple attempts at correcting those around him and trying to make things right, he realizes that it might not be so bad to borrow the life of a man who died. After all - he's not using it anymore. And while Fred never intended to hurt anyone, the next few months living a borrowed life become some of the most enriching times of his last 10 years, and he soon learns how to live again. But when he discovers that his borrowed identity may be hurting someone he has come to love, he has to choose which life to continue living.

This made me laugh, it made me cry, and it also brings all the feels for anyone who has experience working with healthcare and the elderly. What a great inside glimpse into the things they go through and how much life they still have to live, even if their world has become much smaller.

"𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦; 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘺."

Is elder fic a thing? Because I love books with older protagonists - Ove, Eudora, Tova and Margot are just a few of the sassy seniors who've made me laugh and touched my heart. And now I can add Fred to that list.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗘 was our August Read Spin Repeat Book Club pick and it's a great one to discuss. AnnaJ ohnston has crafted a charming and touching story about a lonely, homeless octogenarian who is mistaken for a recently deceased man with dementia and brought back to the nursing home in his place. This may seem far-fetched (definitely read this one with your heart more than your head) but it also speaks to how older people can become almost invisible to those around them. Fred thrives with the found family he discovers at the home, but struggles with his deception - does he really deserve the second chance he's getting? With wonderful side characters and some interesting twists, this debut will pull you in like a big warm hug.

4.5 stars

Thanks to William Morrows for the copy to review.

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" by @annajohnstonauthor follows the story of eighty-two-year-old Fred, who, after a life of kindness, finds himself lonely and on the brink of homelessness. His luck changes when he mistakenly assumes the identity of grumpy Bernard Greer at a nursing home, gaining a warm meal and shelter. As he navigates this new life, Fred's generous spirit and acts of kindness leave a lasting impact on those around him. However, he must maintain his poker face while hoping that Bernard never turns up, leading him to unexpected revelations and a chance for redemption.

I absolutely adored this book. It was such a wholesome and heart-warming tale about healing and redemption. Frederick is such a sweet soul. The combination of humor and poignant moments provided a rich reading experience for me. Not to mention, the inclusion of flatulence throughout the story had me cracking up. It was quite a unique storyline--I have not really read anything like it before. Fred's journey highlights themes of grief, forgiveness, kindness, and the importance of human connections. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone looking for a feel-good novel with depth and insight!

Thank you @williammorrowbooks and @annajohnstonauthor for allowing me access to this beautiful story via @netgalley

I loved everything about this book: the writing, the characters, and the story. This book is heartwarming and a beautiful story about second chances. I would highly recommend it to anyone, but bring your tissues.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

Have you ever met a character in a book that you wish you could sit down with? Have a cup of tea and a cookie? The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston is a book that I didn't want to end. I'm mourning the fact that Fred isn't a part of my reading anymore.

About The Book:

Frederick Fife is an 82-year-old man who has known and lost love. He became homeless, and didn't have any family to help him out. Because of a mistaken identity, he ends up living in the Wattle River Nursing Home. Let the shenanigans begin!

Why I Loved This Book:

This book made me laugh out loud so many times. I don’t know how Anna Johnston did it. She was able to take a serious topic like dementia and turn it into a humorous book. She also showed the difficulties of a sad disease as well.

This is definitely a feel-good book, but it also shows the harsh realities of overworked carers in a nursing home. As a reader, we experienced the lives of some of those carers (or caregivers as they are also called). Fred touches the lives of those carers. His kindness shows that it's never too late to make a difference in someone's life.

The characters that Fred lived with were my favorite parts of the book. Patricia always made me laugh, and the love between Val and Albert is something to strive for in life.

This book reminded me a lot of The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride and A Man Called Ove. They are all heartwarming stories where the main character sticks with you. I wish I had a Frederick Fife in my life.

Do I Recommend This Book?

I HIGHLY recommend this book. It's like a nice, warm hug while reading it. I gave this book five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Anna Johnston for a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

In a Nutshell: A heartwarming contemporary drama with a geriatric lead character. Amazing characters, great storyline, a couple of wow twists along the way. As impactful as Ove, but not at all like Ove. Read with your heart and not with your head to enjoy it better. My heart cooperated, for once.

Plot Preview:
At eighty-two, Frederick Fife is all alone in the world. Lonely, broke, and on the verge of losing his home, Frederick has nothing to look forward to. But in an unexpected turn of luck, a case of mistaken identity leads him to be taken for Bernard Greer, a grumpy resident at the local nursing home. Now Frederick has all that he wanted: a roof over his head, food in his belly, and most importantly, companionship. But how long will this last? What will happen when Bernard is found?
The story comes to us in three third-person perspectives: that of Frederick and of two other key characters: Denise and Hannah. (Discover their identities through the book!)

First things first!
These day, it is de rigueur for any book with a geriatric male lead to be compared to Fredrik Backman’s ‘A Man Called Ove’. While both books are brilliant, the comparison isn’t correct. Frederick is as similar to Ove as an apple is to red bell pepper. This isn’t the story of a grump who learns to open his heart again to love. This is the tale of a man whose heart is overflowing with love but has no one to share it with.

Bookish Yays:
🐨 Frederick. Dear sweet Frederick. The kind of man who makes the best husband and the best dad and granddad. He will warm the cockles of your heart.
🐨 The other characters at the care home. Loved so many of them, especially Kevin and Lin. A special shoutout to Patricia – never seen any senior citizen such as her in any book (and in real life too, thank heavens! 😂)
🐨 Hannah’s perspective – perfect as per her age. Loved how her emotions always come across realistically.
🐨 The themes. Quite a few but never overwhelming. For once, a debut work that does fill the kitchen sink but only up to capacity. My favourite was the found family one, but the others were great as well.
🐨 A separate yay for two of the themes - alcoholism and dementia – for being portrayed in a true-to-life manner. When you see me support alcoholism as a theme, you know the author did an awesome job.
🐨 The connection across the character perspectives. I can’t remember the last time my jaw dropped like that!
🐨 The genuine depiction of the issues faced by senior citizens inside and outside of care homes. (The author’s GR bio will tell you why her writing is so accurate.)
🐨 The myriad life lessons sprinkled throughout the plot. Lots of learnings here on friendship, responsibility, marital commitment, professionalism, and parenting.
🐨 Many emotions gets somewhat maudlin at times. But the writing is such that the sentimentality suits the plot well.
🐨 Though the book is emotional, the approach is balanced by a good dose of humour. The situation of the individuals isn't funny, but it is refreshing to see them approach challenges with a smile.
🐨 The Aussie setting comes out well.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
🦘 The implausibility of the identity confusion and the multiple coincidences later in the plot. It might be better if you pack away your logical side as this book requires much suspension of disbelief. Your heart will find the book better than your head might. My heart adored it; my head liked it a lot.
🦘 The potty humour. Works decently but goes over the top many times. This might not bother many readers, but I found it a bit annoying after a point. It sullied the wholesomeness of the story.

All in all, this is a novel that delivers well on multiple factors. Some might label it ‘sweet’ and ‘sentimental’. Others will call it ‘saccharine’ and ‘schmaltzy’. The book is all of these. If the first pair of adjectives attracts you and the second pair doesn’t bother you, this can be a delightful read with some appealing twists along the otherwise straightforward path.
Much recommended to anyone looking for a *mostly* wholesome read (as long as you don’t mind potty humour.)
4.5 stars, happy to round up as it is a very promising debut. I’d love to read more by this author.
My thanks to William Morrow for providing the DRC of “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Full of humor and heart, this is both a heartbreaking and heartwarming story that centers on grief, community, forgiveness, and the way society treats the elderly. Fred is a gift to those around him and deserves the world.

I give it 4.5 stars and one box of tissues.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book, which reminded me a bit of A Man Called Ove. Definitely gave my tear ducts a workout.

This is a sweet, touching story about a lonely, elderly man who gets a second chance to have love and companionship. I see many reviews comparing Frederick to Ove but I don’t agree. Ove was a cranky, curmudgeon while Frederick is the kindest, loveliest man.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy

4 ⭐️

What an absolutely delightful and heartwarming (and heartbreaking too) book about growing old, the lives of elders, and found family. Even though you know what Fred is doing is inherently wrong, you can't help but root for him. He is goodness to his core, and we need more like him in our lives.

This was such a lovely read. I can't wait to share it with my fellow readers

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston is a delightful book. It brings to light some misconceptions about the elderly.

The fact this is a debut book BLOWS my mind! This story had everything I look for in a novel and deserves literally ALL THE STARS!

Fred is a lonely 82 man who has run out of funds to pay his rent. A huge portion of his money was spent treating his dearly beloved wife, Dawn’s, cancer which she sadly died from.

Facing eviction, he takes a walk; one that will be life changing. Seeing a man in a wheelchair by the edge of a river bed, Fred stops to say hello. Unfortunately the man was deceased. When Fred sees a retirement home van and workers nearby he does his best to wheel the gentleman back to the group to let them know. But 82 year old Fred, and the recently passed Bernard, tumble causing Bernard to fall in the river along with Fred’s ID.

Before Fred knows it, he’s mistaken for Bernard due to the fact they look alarmingly similar. Fred tries to correct the mistake, insisting he’s Fred, not Bernard but it falls on deaf ears as Bernard suffered from dementia.

Determined to stay just for a day or two in order to get a bed and decent food, Fred is surprised when he finds friends in the retirement home and wonders how much harm could be done by pretending to be Bernard.

Then the local TV runs a story about Frederick Fife being found in a river, leaving him no choice but to continue to be Bernard.

All is going well despite a little doubt from some caretakers, especially Denise. And then the unimaginable happens; Fred discovers Bernard has an adult daughter named Hannah. Fred has always lived with the guilt of coming home late one night to find his dear Dawn sobbing, having miscarried their own baby. Maybe the universe has sent this blessing to him. But, Hannah and her father were estranged because he walked out of the home when Hannah’s sister, Sadie, died from cancer at the age of 12.

Should Fred try to mend bridges with Hannah and continue to be Bernard? Will the caretakers doubts lead her to turn him in? And how long should Fred really keep up the charade?

This was one of those unique stories that had me laughing out loud one minute then wiping some tears away the next. I absolutely can not wait to see what Anna Johnston writes next! Again, this one deserves all the stars and is in my top five books I’ve read this year!

A sweet story. Perfect to pick up if you are in the mood for kindness and hope. The premise is a bit difficult to believe but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.

“Dawn, like her name, had made all his days begin. She’d been his only light.”

Oh my heart, I have fallen in love with Frederick Fife! I really can’t say too much about this story without giving too much away, which is usually only something I think about thrillers. However, I highly recommend going into this story blind and just letting Frederick make you believe in the goodness you can find in people.

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Read if you like:
Octogenarian stories
Found family
Flatulence and incontinence jokes
Forgiveness and redemption

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the free ARC ebook.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was a heartwarming story as Frederick goes on a journey that deals with love, friendship, and family but also dementia, death, grief, and cancer. Overall, this was a feel-good story that anyone can appreciate and enjoy! I hope you'll read this story!

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston is perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove. Frederick Fife isn't a curmudgeon, but he is elderly and lonely. His wife and all of his friends have passed away, He and his late wife were never able to have children, so Frederick is truly alone in the world. He is also about to be evicted from his apartment, too. To take his mind off his troubles, he heads to the park. While there, an epic mix-up occurs and Fred takes the place of a nursing home resident named Bernard. Fred tries to tell the staff who he really is, but no one will listen. Fred decides that maybe it would be okay to borrow Bernard's life. What ensues is equal parts humorous and heartwarming. I loved this book! Give it a read and I bet Fred and his friends will steal your heart.

Biggest thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for a review copy of this delightful book.