Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.

Sometimes, in between all of the horror and thriller books I read, I need a book that warms up my cold, dead heart 😅 and this one definitely fit the ticket. A sweet, silly story that reminds you of the truly important things in life. I laughed, I teared up, and I rooted for Fred to get his happy ending. I see this being 2024's "Remarkably Bright Creatures" and a big hit!

5 super cute stars

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" tells the heartwarming tale of Fred, an elderly man mistaken for another named Bernard and taken to Bernard's nursing home. Here, Fred finds solace, learns about Bernard's past, and forms deep connections with the residents and staff. Through his journey, Fred discovers the importance of family, forgiveness, and redemption, finding a sense of belonging in his twilight years.

While the ending is uplifting, the book delves into profound sadness and tackles heavy topics (be sure to check the trigger warnings). Although some dialogue may feel forced, the story is well-paced and emotionally-driven. Overall, it's a solid choice for those who appreciate themes of found family, identity, and love and sacrifice, particularly if you enjoy a slower-paced read with a heartfelt message.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This book was a good one! It was incredibly heartwarming while diving into some heavier topics. The wisdom throughout was beautiful. I really enjoyed it.

“Grief’s blunt force could still wind him on bad days.” Frederick Fife’s wife, Dawn, had passed away ten years ago. She was his home, the love of his life. His circle of friends were gone as well. He was penniless and about to be homeless. Walking to the bank of the Wattle River, he noticed a man in a wheelchair feeding the seagulls. A bizarre accident occurred. “Dizzy, queasy…searched for words to protest but found none…the wheelchair lift raised [Fred] into the van. “Did they honestly think he was that poor bloke?”

Fred’s protests fell on deaf ears as he tried to convince staff from the Wattle River Nursing Home that he was not the wheelchair’s occupant. “For a moment, he forgot about his predicament and felt nothing but gratitude…[the cuppa and cookies offered] the flavors coated a delicious memory-they had been his dear Dawn’s favorite…he visited her in his mind…the memory wrapped itself like a warm blanket around his broken heart.”

“Where on earth was he? And why was he in a wheelchair?...Then, like a fast-acting laxative, it all came flooding back…the river…the seagulls…the body…the name.” Bernard Greer, his look-alike, was a grumpy old fart who resided at the nursing home. Fred tried again, “I don’t belong here…I’m Fred”. A caregiver returned with a DVD- The Fred Astaire Collection. “Fred deferred the decision to his tummy…he savored the…long forgotten sensation of being truly full.”

“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.” Fred now had to learn to be Bernard Greer. This included pants wetting, name forgetting, and no fish and chips [food allergy].

The old Bernard had a personality reboot. Once a crusty codger, he now had a heart of gold. His humor, kindness and helping hand were witnessed by both residents and staff. He sprinkled pixy dust, snuck out and visited the mall incognito and orchestrated a magnificent celebration. His quest to learn more about Bernard opened a window of opportunity for a new passenger.

“The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by debut author Anna Johnston is an emotionally drawn, heartfelt novel full of love, longing, regret and redemption. The powerful ending brought this reader to tears!

Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a lovely heartwarming story about an 82 year old gentleman who gets a second chance in life to have a family. Fred is 82 years old, widowed with no family or friends and about to be turned out of his apartment because he can’t pay the rent. Then through a strange turn of events and a case of mistaken identity Fred “borrows” the life of Bernard, a man the same age, and an uncanny physical resemblance who has passed away.
This story is so well done and moves along at a good pace. It reflects on our growing senior population and what many of them face such as loneliness, financial instability, loss of friends and loved ones, dementia, and how to care for these older adults as they enter the later stages of their life. Amidst these tough and sometimes sad topics we meet Fred. He is remarkable! He has a zest for life even though he has experienced great loss and is full of kindness and compassion and humor that he spreads to those around him. As Fred navigates the Wattle River Nursing Home we are introduced to some endearing residents and staff, and a few that especially need some help. Fred is up to the task and looks for ways to make the lives of those around him better. In doing so he enriches his own life and has the opportunity to find community and a new family at a time in life when he least expected it!
I just loved this debut novel by author Anna Johnson! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. This is my honest review.

After reading the synopsis for this (plus former listening to - and loving to the point of buying - audiobooks of The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (❤️Jim Broadbent) and Remarkably Bright Creatures (❤️Marcel)), I knew that I wanted to read this.

When I first started this, I felt like maybe I had made a terrible mistake in requesting this - I was looking for cozy and heartwarming - and this brought up the real global problem of homelessness, an accidental burial at sea, as well as an ill child. So, I was wary.

Needlessly, as it turned out, (and okay, I did really have to work to engage my suspension of disbelief in parts), but I very much enjoyed this; I smiled, I got teary, and I adored Frederick.



Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the DRC

I HOPE this book turns into a movie. I just LOVED this book. I cannot believe that a book about a nursing home would have this effect. This was such a great book I give it five stars. Entertainment 100%. Just when I think I have it all figured out something new popped up. I highly recommend this read for pure entertainment.netgalley gifted this book to me and all opinions are mine and if you read it may also be yours! I will follow this author after this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a heartwarming book! I usually don't go for books that are unrealistic but I felt something about the synopsis was telling me this would be a good book. And it was so charming! Fred really is such a lovable character and definitely has best intentions for borrowing Bernard's life.

This is my favorite read of 2024 so far, and I have read a LOT of books! This novel has everything I look for in an engrossing read- a unique premise, interesting and believable characters, plus a storyline that keeps me turning the pages. I was so tuned in to Fred's character that I HAD to know if he could make it out of his dilemma, and if so- how. The author maneuvered this brilliantly (and I'm not saying anything more!)

The writing is spot-on; there are many, many laughable moments, and also so many touching moments that made my heart smile.

It's rare to find a well-written, intriguing book about senior citizens, and I have to say--- I will remember this one always and will share it with our KaleidoSoul book group.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" is a heartwarming and life-affirming debut about an elderly man. His mistaken identity gives him a final chance to experience family.

Frederick Fife, 82, is kind-hearted but lonely. He stands on the brink of homelessness. His luck changes when he is mistaken for Bernard Greer. He is admitted to the Wattle River Nursing Home. There he finds shelter, food and a sense of belonging. As Fred lives Bernard's life, he uncovers the man's past. He learns how to mend a broken life.

I loved this book! The concept, story and characters were delightful. They made me laugh and cry. It was so enjoyable. I savored every moment. This is one of the best reads I've had in a long time. Without giving too much away, the plot is full of engaging twists. These keep you hooked from start to finish. I will definitely follow this author. I never expected a book set in a nursing home to be so captivating. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow.

This was such a cool book! I loved it so much. It was so thought provoking and I highly recommend it to fiction readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" and all opinions expressed are my own. Heartwarming story. You really have to find out what Fred/Bernard gets into. Very entertaining.

At the age of 82, Frederic Fife finds himself basically homeless. He’s lost the ‘home’ he and his recently deceased wife had lived in, courtesy of the landlord who evicted him. He isn’t sure what he will do now, without anyone to turn to. As he’s walking with no real direction, he ends up near a group of people nearby, all residents of a senior care center. He sees a man in a wheelchair, slumped over a bit, and proceeds to try to get him back among the other residents, but then there’s a mishap, and Frederic Fife finds himself in somewhat of a pickle.

The thing is, Frederic Fife looks almost exactly like the man who was, for a time, in the wheelchair, and all of the staff and residents believe that Frederic Fife is the man who was in the wheelchair, and do not understand even when he tells them otherwise.

This goes back and forth over time, looking back into earlier years, the regrets, the mistakes made, the love, the losses, and the pain of finding yourself all alone in this world, and no one believing in you.

There’s a lot of charm in this story, but there are moments of sadness, as well. After all, it does take place in a senior care center. But even then the feelings and memories are more bittersweet than sad.

This also shares the division that occurs in some families, as well as heartbreaking loss, but is also balanced by the kindness of some of the residents as well as the staff.

If you’ve read and enjoyed / loved Rachel Joyce’s books, you’ll enjoy this one, as well.


Pub Date: 10 Sep 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by William Morrow

This was an interesting read that will resonate with people.
Our character essentially starts a new life and through this he really finds himself.
I enjoyed this one and I think others will too.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I cried no less than 5 times reading this book. It’s sad, heartbreaking but also so incredibly warm and loving. “Grief is love with no place to go.”

Along the lines of a Man Called Ove this is a heartwarming book about another chance at life after the life one built has seemingly come to an end. Having spent a lot of time in a memory care ward over the last two years visiting a loved one this book made me cry. Dementia is different in everyone but it’s no less damaging. Fred brings so much love and understanding to those people around him in this environment that he accidentally finds himself in that we could all learn from him. To me the most endearing quality of his character is that he doesn’t waste his accidental opportunity. He doesn’t take any of it for granted. He spends all of his time trying to make the world a better place than he found it. As sad as it is that those people are in there because of life robbing dementia Fred’s life is even more tragic. He’s in a forgotten group of society. Were it not for his borrowed circumstances he most likely would be homeless and vulnerable. Along with the attention the book brings to the problems faced by the elderly population this book reminds us that a little compassion goes a long way. The elderly are still complicated humans on the inside. Growing older is definitely not for the faint of heart. The ending is exactly as I would want it to be even if it may be a bit unrealistic. Loved this book.

“The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston was an absolutely awesome book! It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel as the story is unique, engaging and deals with the important societal topic of elder care.
The story revolves around an 82 year old man who is about to be homeless after the death of his beloved wife. While out walking, he finds himself among a group of senior citizens from a nearby group home and witnesses the death of a man in a wheelchair who amazingly is his doppelgänger. Through no fault of his own he winds up assuming the man’s identity and gets a second chance at life.

This story is so beautifully written and speaks to the issues of dementia, loneliness, financial instability and depression that many seniors face in the later stages of their lives. The book is sad, funny, hopeful and I predict it will be the runaway bestseller of 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book instantly made me think of "A Man Called Ove" which is one of my absolute favorite books! This 82 Year old man has so much heart and spirit left in him and it was written so well!! It was so easy to fall in love with this story and cast of characters! Honestly, this is easily one of my favorite books of 2024 and I will absolutely be listening to the audiobook and picking up a physical copy! Please make this into a movie!! I's a perfect found family/ second chance at life story!

This story about an 82-year-old man sets all the stereotypes about aging on their collective heads. One by one, this book distills all the myths about aging: how a person set in his ways can’t start over, how Alzheimer’s disease is an unfathomable illness, and how life can have meaning without forgiveness, to name a few.
Frederick Fife has been mistaken for Bernard Greer by the Wattle River nursing home. To make matters worse, the late Bernard Greer was found dead and lost by Fred in the river. Try as Fred might, he could not convince the nursing home he was Fred, not Bernard, because of a startling resemblance.
What’s a man to do? Fred settles in and enjoys the sumptuous food and entertaining clients of the nursing home while impersonating Bernard.
And it works for a while.
The author, Anna Johnston, plunges us into a backstory full of mystery. Where does Bernard disappear to at night? We suspect the worst.
When will his daughter, Hannah, re-surface? Not anytime soon.
This entertaining novel is an invitation to never give up because love can come when least expected and is just around the corner.
My thanks go to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishers for the ARC of this heartwarming story.

This will be made into a film, it is way too good of a story and so cinematic.

Therefore here is my dream cast.
Fred- Robert DeNiro
Dawn- Blythe Danner
Hannah- Amy Adams
Albert- Dustin Hoffman
Val- Sofia Loren

This is one of my top ten books of the year. For fans of A Man called Ove and Remarkably Bright Creatures- in a word, this is HEARTWARMING.

Our hero grows a heart of gold. About Schmidt, but make it Australian.

A case of mistaken identity, Frederick Fife becomes Bernard and lives his life, despite his protestations. You’re gonna love this one, chat. If you roll your eyes at cheesiness, stay away.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow books for the ARC. Book will be released September 10, 2024.

What a joy to read! I have to admit I have a special affinity for books with elderly characters who find joy!! This book was full of humor and hope and love and joy and pain and found family...AND ALL THE FEELS. if you are looking for a lovable character to fall for The Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart!!

What a wonderful, touching, laugh out loud, emotional story taking place in a long term care facility where there is a case of mistaken identity!
Frederick Fife needs a miracle to happen for him.
He has no family, no money and is losing his living quarters all at eighty-two years old.
What did he ever do wrong? He has always helped everyone and tried to be a "good" guy.
While on a on a walk one day, he winds up with a head injury and then finds himself in a nursing home.
He realizes that life may not be so very bad. The food is great and people seem to care.
However... his name has changed and nobody believes who he really is. Could it be dementia?
Now what to do?

I loved Fred and I surely know anyone who picks up this story will truly like Fred and all his "new" friends.
I will add: tissues are definitely needed at times.
Thank you to @NetGalley and @William Morrow for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
I will be looking for more from this author. Well done!

This is one of the very best books I have read in a long time! I was so very sad when it ended!!!! Whatever happens to turn a book into a movie needs to be happening now! This story is far too amazing to only be in print! This book ran the gamut of characters and emotions, drawing you into characters lives with skill and understanding. Such a great book, can not recommend it enough!

I received a free ebook from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I like fiction. Fiction is hit and miss. I don't like when I read a novel and I can figure out what is going to happen from the beginning. The book kept me surprised the entire book. It was a light and meaningful book.

I thought the book was about one thing when I started. The book ended up being about something very different. The characters were multi dimensional. All the characters were perfectly flawed. All the characters had pain and trauma.

I didn't truly understand the book when I started. The book was written from a few different points of view. Most of the time, I don't like books written from different POV. However, in this book it made the story better. .

It's a book written about so much. It's nice to see a book with older characters. A book that makes you think. A book that doesn't demonize our mistakes.

This is a book that I would probably reread. I would look at the book differently from a second read. There are so many themes in this book. It is a book about love, family, forgiveness, happiness, friendship, the elderly, listening, purpose, addition, and more.

I am so thankful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I look forward to reading the authors next book. I would be interested in seeing the author if she does a book tour

A very charming debut novel! Loved the character of Fred, the second half of the this book was wonderful. I wonder if perhaps some of this will get edited as I read an early copy and there were parts that I felt could be edited (mall scene, looking at you). Sometimes you just need a lively heartwarming story about found family, an old guy and a serious turn of luck.

Frederick Fife is 82 years old, without family, and newly homeless. He encounters an elderly man who has peacefully passed away in his wheelchair on his daily walk, and through a series of quirky events Fred accidentally assumes his identity. The man, Bernard, lives at a well-appointed elder care facility where no one believes Fred’s pleas that he is not, in fact, Bernard. As Fred finally settles into the home, making friends with carers and neighbors alike, he finds information that complicates his ruse.

This is giving "a man called ove" with the pull-at-your-heartstrings level cranked all the way up. Fred and his relentlessly positive attitude create happy little ripples at wattle river nursing home - standing in as a devoted brother for a lovely man in the memory-care facility, offering patience and gratitude for the overworked carers, and testing out his matchmaking skills for two young nurses.

This is really such a lovely book to read at times like this, when things out of our control don't have much upside. It's an endearing reminder that we can make our own circles into glens of kindness.

This was an unexpected treasure of octegenarian wisdom, community, and confusion - I loved it. (And for what it’s worth, my 14 year old son read and highly recommends it too!)

Such a delightful romp with geriatric friends. Fred touched lives in many ways despite the circumstances in which he had encountered them. This is one is found family at its finest! It easily compares to “A Man Called Ove” and “All the Lonely People.”

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is universally charming, heartwarming, tear-jerking, and oddly enough, healing. This book had me rolling in laughter at one point and sobbing into my kindle the next. If you read nothing else this year, this is the one.

Anna Johnston is a debut author and she will be on my list of writers to watch from here on out. What a beautiful book about second chances and the power of love and connection. By a series of unfortunate events, Frederick Fife is mistaken for Bernard Greer at a nursing home. Though trying desperately to correct the mistaken identity, he cannot find anyone who will believe him as Bernard had just been diagnosed with dementia. Eventually, as Fred was homeless and had no where else to go, he decides he may as well just live there as not; after all, he isn’t harming anyone by living out his days as Bernard, right? Until one day Fred learns something about Bernard that makes it more and more challenging to continue the ruse. When everything is at stake, how can you choose?

I adored this book. What a powerful story of love and redemption. Bring your tissues.

I’d like to thank William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 *****

This is an absolute gem! An antidote to the negativity of daily life. .If you need a dose of human kindness, read this book!

I assume everyone reads the provided synopsis before looking at reviews so I won’t repeat the plot outline. Major and minor characters were well drawn; I was never confused among them though there were a good number of characters involved. And, they evolved (most of them) and blossomed thanks in no small part to Fred’s good nature.

The story was well written, flowed well. I was never jarred out of the story by an awkward turn of phrase or a poor segué. The plot was well crafted, with key turning points and the inevitable challenges. The complicated pasts of various characters were revealed bit by bit, organically as scenes unfolded. It was very well structured, but more than that, it just flowed. I devoured this story!

I HIGHLY recommend this book. I enjoyed every minute of it and will impatiently await more by this author.

My appreciation to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance review copy; my opinions are my own, and freely given.

I'd like to that NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me access to this book. This book was so heartwarming and I really loved Fredrick's character. I would highly recommend even to people who don't typically read this type of book.

Fred has completely warmed my heart. I was rooting for him the entire time, he was such a delight to everyone who got the pleasure of meeting him. The mishap that brought him to the nursing home was such a blessing to him and to the other residents. I absolutely adored this book, it is the same style of feel good story as those written by Phaedra Patrick. I will absolutely be looking out for the author's next book!

This was the heart warming story of Fred, who mistakenly takes over the life of another older gentleman after an accident. He moves into his home at the senior care facility and the reader gets to see what happens as a result.

Favorite parts:

+ Fred’s character was endearing, quirky, and easy to love.
+ I loved the found family troupe and seeing Fred find “his people”, even if it was later in life.
+ I enjoyed the commentary on the treatment of seniors and the plights that they face that are often overlooked, such as, loneliness, financial instability, loss of purpose, dementia, less than stellar care, etc.

Parts I could’ve done without:

- The pacing felt a little slow to me at times. This is a much more character driven novel; I wish a little more had happened in the plot.
- It definitely requires a suspension of disbelief.
- Lots of senior citizen “potty talk”, sometimes it was funny, sometimes it felt over the top.

Overall: This was a heart warming read with some deeper social commentary on problems that senior citizens face. I recommend it for readers who are looking for a feel good story with a slower pace and a charming protagonist.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital ARC of the book to read and review.

So precious and heartwarming! I loved this story about elderly and homeless Fred, and how he came to "borrow" the life of Barnard, another old guy with a significant case of dementia. Fred, because of mistaken identity, moves into the nursing home where Barnard has lived and assumes his identity, contributing love, help, and guidance to the staff and other residents. A special person enters his life, and he begins to have purpose and dignity. This story is sweet (maybe a little sappy!) and satisfying. Anna Johnston moves the action along at a well-paced clip so I was never bored, and I never needed to reread for details. I read the book in record time - just couldn't put it down. Highly recommend for those who love a sweet story!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.

Australia - Present Day

Life is getting difficult for 82-year-old widower Frederick Fife. Broke, achingly lonely, and on the verge of homelessness, with no family or friends left in the world, Fred has no idea what he's going to do next. Ten years after the death of his wife, Dawn, he still gets hit with a jolt of grief when he least expects it. And now he must somehow figure out how he will survive his last years. Wandering by the river where he finds a bit of peace, he comes across a man in a wheelchair, all alone. Fred approaches and realizes that the man has died. Always one to do the right thing, Fred covers the old man with his own jacket, and proceeds to wheel him away from the shore. But the uneven ground forces the wheelchair to tip over, and the man slides into the river, and is washed away!

As she sees one of her charges out of his wheelchair, Denise, a carer at the Wattle River Nursing Home, panics. Helping the old man back into his chair and then into the transport vehicle, she just hopes she doesn't lose her job! Grumpy old Bernard had insisted on feeding the seagulls, and now he's jeopardizing Denise's position. Settling Bernard back in his room at the nursing home, Denise just hopes nothing more comes of this incident.

Fred wakes up in a strange room, with no clue how he got there. On the table next to him is a photo of him at his 83rd birthday party. But he's sure he's 82, and he doesn't remember this cake! What is going on?

Fred and Bernard could easily have been brothers, looking so much alike that no one in the nursing home has any doubt that it's Bernard being, well, Bernard. Although today, he seems different. He's less grumpy, he seems friendlier, in fact, and that's not the Bernard the staff knows. How will Fred deal with this sudden change in his life? Well, he tries to explain to everyone that he's not Bernard, but the staff was aware of Bernard's growing dementia since his stroke, and no one believes him. What's a man to do but go with the flow? A warm bed, three delicious meals a day, and people to take care of him.

THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE is an absolutely wonderful story of a lovely man who deserved a better life, and the cockeyed way he may have got it. Fred is a kind, gentle soul who has always done what is right, and while he feels a little unsettled about being "Bernard", he is relishing the feelings of being cared for, and cared about. As Fred learns more about Bernard's past, however, he wonders what he would have done in the man's shoes. A story that also shows the plight of the elderly in our world, THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE is so worth everyone of every age reading.

Every now and then, I just need something truly sweet and heartwarming. The Borrowed Life of a Frederick Fife fits that bill.
Things aren’t going well for Fred - he’s being evicted from his apartment and he’s out of money. When through a fluke, he’s mistaken for a man from a nursing home (a man that had the misfortune of dying and floating away in the river) he decides to go with the flow, just long enough to get a decent meal and a good night's sleep. But one thing leads to another and he decides to borrow Bernard’s life.
Fred is the polar opposite of Bernard - sweet, willing to go the extra mile. While no one questions the physical differences, many notice the improved outlook on life. And then, Bernard’s estranged daughter shows up and she’s not looking to forgive. But the story is a great reminder about the power of kindness.
This story has a lot to say about grief, loneliness and the invisibility of the elderly. But it also has positive messages about not giving up on life and finding new friends and family.
There’s a great twist that led to lots of tears on my part. (Have the Kleenex handy.)
My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book.

“The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston
LOVE, KINDNESS, FORGIVENESS and LEARNING
It has been just short of forever since I last read a story that had my tear ducts flowing so furiously and at such a volume. There were so many quotable tidbits that anyone thinking of making a life long commitment to another should read, commit to memory, and agree with their life-partner to live up to. IF you are already in a committed relationship read this story and learn that it takes both partners to be committed and to make a loving relationship a happy and life-long joyous journey (even when the bad, hard, times occur, which they will). This is also a very happy, and whacky fun story. If this is not the best story I have read this year, it is in the top two. Happy Reading ! !

Beautiful, heartwarming, hilarious and precious! The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is an amazing story of love and how we find it in the most unexpected ways. Laugh aloud funny, the book grabbed me from the first line, immersed me in the story and didn’t let go until the uplifting end.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this glorious ARC.

What a lovely heartwarming story! This will definitely be one of my best books read for 2024.

Eight two year old, lonely, widowed Frederick Fife is on the verge of being homeless. He gets in a situation and is mistaken for Bernard who is on a nursing home outing. As Fred borrows Bernard’s life, he starts to have a purpose in life again. The story talks about loneliness, dementia, addiction, found family and finding new family.

Get your tissues ready! This story is funny at times and tear jerking at times. The ending was just perfectly written.

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Johnston and William Morrow for the advanced copy of this wonderful written book.

Honestly this one had me feeling all the feels. I think we all need to reflect on our lives sometimes and readjust if needed. I want to share this with all my patrons at the library because it just SO GOOD.

A delightful, heartwarming story that needs to be read by all! I was either smiling or choking back tears the entire time. The unique premise of "borrowing a life" is such a profound idea and really provoked my thoughts as I followed along with Fred on his journey. What started as an accidental case of mistaken identity turned into a nostalgic, life changing opportunity. A cure for loneliness and grief and lost love. There are so many beautiful messages in this book that resonated with me. What struck me the most was the importance of finding joy in the little things. I think the author did a tremendous job showcasing the shattered innocence of Fred and Hannah in their varying POVs. Hannah, as a traumatized child, and Fred as a lonely old man that time had forgotten. I fell in love with them both, especially Fred, and absolutely adored all of the characters. There's so much more I could say about how much I loved this book, but I will keep it short and to the point. This book is a definite must read and I highly recommend it!!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for granting me early digital access in exchange for my honest review!

What a great surprise! Received this read-now from Netgalley with no info or expectations as this is a new author for me!
What a lovely book!
A lonely 82 yo man, evicted and down in his luck soon takes over another man’s identity. Through a series of coincidences, he is in a nursing home under a new name. Genuinely kind and helpful, he makes friends with clients and staff.
A sweet sweet story! Yes, I shed a few tears along with some laughs. Highly recommend!
Out 9/10/24.

This was such a sweet, emotional story with many layers. Initially, I thought it was going to be a light, laugh out loud read and was quite surprised (almost halfway through) at the turn of events. You can’t help but fall in love with Fred and Albert as well as empathize with Bernard’s story. There are some sensitive and sad topics that brought me to tears but I also enjoyed the continued twists/turns and great characters of this book as well as the wonderful ending.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A delightful feel good Story. Elderly Fred Fife is living a lonely existence missing.His wife passed away and having no other family around. After a mishap at the park one day a caregiver mistakenly identified Fred as their missing patient bernard. Fred decides to take advantage of this mishap.Even though he first tries to explain who he is, but no one listens.He decides that the three meals a day in the lovely room and activities at the nursing home are just what he needs.

The story moves back and forth between chapters about fred and the other patients at the Nursing home with chapters about a young girl named hannah who is losing her older sister to cancer and living through a lot of family trauma.

There are a lot of fun.Shenanigans as Fred meets the other patients and caregivers at the home.And begins to have a new rewarding life. Meanwhile, Hannah has grown up and is looking.
At becoming a single mother in the next three months with none of her family left to help support her.

You will find yourself rooting for fred and hannah and the other characters in the book All while reading forward in the book to find out what the relationship will be between fred and hannah. This was an enjoyable raid with a happy ending.

Frederick Fife is 82, still grieving for his wife, gone these several years. He's run out of money, and his landlord is giving him the boot. He has nowhere to go, when he stumbles into another man's identity.

He's the main POV, trading off with Hannah, some years before, when her family is hit by bad news.

How the two meet, and what Fred does with his new life, makes up this poignant story. Though life sometimes deals cruel blows, there is always room for kindness; the writing is vivid, sometimes painfully funny, especially in dealing with the indignities of age, but the story is imbued with how much being kind to one another matters. Even in little things.

I devoured this book in one day.

You know a book is going to be good when you read the first line, laugh and text your friends about it.

This charming, delightful book gave me all the feels.

Thank you to the author, publisher and. NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This book was so completely sweet and lovely! The main character is so sincere and likable and even the unlikable characters have some satisfying growth and end up likable.

I loved the Australian elements, which were fun and interesting. I learned about some foods unavailable in the US that sound pretty yummy!

This book is like a warm hug nearly all the way through and I loved it. There is some mild peril but just enough to make the story interesting. It has a very similar vibe to Have You Seen Luis Velez by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which I also loved.

I would recommend this book to folks who like relationship stories that aren’t romances. It’s realistic fiction with the vibe of a cozy.

How could you not love a book that has this for its first sentence?
“The single drop of pee made a pitiful splash.”
I sure couldn’t! I loved The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. I don’t want to give too much away because it’s such a delightfully fun journey reading this book. Fred Fife, through no fault of his own, is mistaken for Bernard Greer, a resident in Wattle River Nursing Home. The story turns every which way and back again. It’s definitely a feel good story with lessons along the way. It will make you laugh out loud in places and get teary eyed in others. I would definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley for this wonderful ARC.

If you're in the mood for an incredibly heartwarming book, look no further! I'd love to see it made into a movie. This is a fabulous debut by this author and Fred is sure to provide you with all the feels. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review - pub day is 9/10/24!

“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.”

Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from. At eighty-two, he’s desperately lonely, broke, and on the brink of homelessness.

Fred’s luck changes when, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, he takes the place of Bernard Greer at the local nursing home. Now he has a roof over his head, three meals a day, and, most importantly, the chance to be part of a family again. All he has to do is hope that his poker face is in better shape than his prostate and that his look-alike never turns up.

As Fred navigates life in Bernard’s shoes, he learns about the man’s past and what it might take to return a life in better condition than he found it.

Bittersweet and remarkably perceptive, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a feel-good, clever novel about grief, forgiveness, redemption, and finding family, from an exciting new voice in fiction.

My Take

There is no way this is a debut album! I fell in love with Fred immediately and then cheered his successes, cried his losses and cheered again for other wonderful things that happen! I found the book moved beautifully from the beginning to the end. I was particularly happy with all the characters and how Anna Johnston made each of the lovable with all their flaws. I wanted the book to end so I'd know the story, but then, I didn't want the book to end. My life is a little less hopeful without Fred. Fabulous humor.

About the Author

Anna Johnston is a former baby, aspiring octogenarian and emerging Australian author with a love for the heartfelt and hilarious. She grew up in country Victoria before moving to Melbourne where she lives joyously with her husband and daughters by the beach. Anna left an imminent career in medicine to follow her heart into her grandfather's nursing home where she became the social support coordinator, taking great delight in shaking up the usual program. When injury left her unable to continue working in aged care, she began to write about it, channelling her love for older people onto the page. Anna has enjoyed a lifelong passion for theatre, screenplay, travel, and creative writing.