When Frederick Fife is mistaken for Bernard Greer (they look like twins!), his life takes unexpected twists and turns. This novel tells the story of Fred/Bernard and is really a story of redemption and second chances. The portrayals of people living in a home for senior citizens are hilarious (and some quite true to life). It is both bittersweet and heartwarming. Anyone desiring to read a story about senior citizens and starting a new life after grief and loss will relate to Fred/Bernard. The story also points out the ways in which senior citizens can sometimes be stereotyped or ignored and the results of these actions.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I LOVE a story with an elderly protagonist. This one was fine, but it didn't wow me like some of my other favorites (looking at you, Missy Carmichael). It kind of meandered along for me for quite some time, I didn't love the Denise storyline, but I did enjoy the way it wrapped up in the end.

This book was such a treat! It gives A Man Called Ove vibes except that Fred is actually lovable the WHOLE time, while Ove’s layers had to be really peeled back before you warmed up to the curmudgeon. I love that the main character in The Borrowed Life… is a geriatric man in an assisted living facility - just not something we see often enough in modern novels - very refreshing.

The characters in this debut novel are lovely and well fleshed out, the storyline equally heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the resolution exactly what you are hoping for as you become more and more invested in the story.

Can’t wait to read more from Anna Johnston!

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Johnston, and William Morrow for the advanced copy!

Humorous. Engaging. Optimistic. Bittersweet...

Introducing one of my favorite characters of my 2024 reading year: Mr. Frederick Fife!❤️Fred is 82, kind, caring, and inches away from homelessness. His luck abruptly changes when he is mistaken for Bernard Greer, a curmudgeonly resident from a nearby care home. Fred tries to tell them he is not who they think he is, but how can he refuse a comfortable bed, prepared meals, and a private room?

And so, reluctantly yet gratefully, Fred plays along, borrowing Bernard's life while hoping his doppelgänger never surfaces...

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" was the perfect book at the ideal time for me; Fred's journey as Bernard was both uplifting and thought-provoking. However, this story is not just about Fred; other characters have sizable moments in this book, too.

It explores themes of loneliness and found family, grief and forgiveness, and redemption and second chances. Finding a sense of purpose and importance of community are at the core of the story.

This was an immersion read with the gifted DRC and the Audible audiobook narrated by Tim Carroll, who recounts the story in an upbeat tone with gender voicing that is fun and entertaining.

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" is a book I enjoyed spending time with, and Frederick Fife is a character I will not soon forget!

4.5⭐

Thank you to William Morrow and Anna Johnston for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me and it was a DNF. I just really couldn’t connect with the characters or the writing so I didn’t finish this one.

I hope others love this one but it wasn’t for me.

Wow, what an incredible debut novel! This book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, capturing a sense of realism that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. It reminded me a lot of A Man Called Ove, but with a unique twist—imagine Ove, but without the grumpy edge.

Frederick is an octogenarian struggling through life, with no money, no family, and no friends. Just as he’s about to face homelessness, fate intervenes when he stumbles upon the body of Bernard, a man from a nearby retirement home, and unexpectedly takes over his life (trust me, you’ll want to read the book to understand how!). Frederick steps into Bernard’s shoes—a man who wasn’t particularly loved—and slowly but surely, he wins over both the residents and staff, rekindling old relationships and forging new ones along the way.

This story moved me to tears. When a book can evoke such deep emotions, it earns a solid five stars in my book. It beautifully reminds us that family isn’t just about blood—it’s about the connections we make along the way.

To say this book is heartwarming sounds cliche. But it really is. It’s a story about family and friends and how lonely life can be as we get older. Frederick is a character that you immediately feel a great deal of empathy with, even if you wouldn’t necessarily make the same choices that he made. The impact that he has upon those around him is what kept me reading. From Denise to Hannah, he touched everyone that he came into contact with. I’m glad that Hannah and her passenger have such a great dad and grandpa!

Frederick Fife is a lonely widower, having buried his beloved wife 10 years ago. In his golden years, the money has run out, as has his will to go on. When an accident happens at a river involving a resident at a nearby nursing home, a case of mistaken identity ensues. The two men look very similar, so Fred slips into becoming Bernard, so he will have a place to live. Despite his efforts several times to tell the staff who he really is, they don’t believe him, as “Bernard” has dementia. Further complicating matters is the estrangement Bernard had from his only surviving daughter. As Frederick tries to right past wrongs that Bernard made, this is such a sweet story of love, hope, and forgiveness. And I appreciate how the author treats these older characters with compassion and empathy. Absolutely loved this book! Fans of A Man Called Ove will really enjoy this book! This is Anna’s debut - can’t wait to see what’s next for her!

After witnessing the death of a man named Bernard from a local nursing home, down-on-his-luck Fred finds himself mistaken for Bernard and taken back to the nursing home himself. Eighty-two-years-old, lonely, and broke, Fred keeps trying to tell the nursing home that he is not in fact Bernard, who he looks eerily similar to, but the staff simply think “Bernard” is forgetting himself. As Fred begins learning more about Bernard’s past, he might just find a more hopeful future for himself. This debut fiction read is filled with humor and heart, a great group of characters, and is perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and those who love stories of found family. Definitely recommend!

I LOVED this debut book by Anna Johnston - so well written! It will touch your heart in so many ways!

Some themes in the book that I felt were done really well: Found family (a favorite of mine), Dementia (thought that she explained and told this story really well) and redemption. There are really great moments of humor in the book where I laughed out loud.

The setting of the nursing home isn't unique, but I thought the author's use of the setting to move the story forward was the best I have seen - and actually gives a look inside at some of the not so pleasant parts of the home.

Some may say it's not a realistic, but I bought into the whole story and loved it from the beginning!

I look forward to reading the next Anna Johnston book!

Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through Net Galley. All Opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this story- Fred is a wonderful character, as are the supporting characters. I have talked to others a lot about this book and how it shows the value of reaching out to those around us. This was a great, heart-felt novel.

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.