This book! I want to hug it!

Can I just say, Go read it. Now. Yes, right now.

THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE will easily be one of my top 5 books this year. To put that in perspective, I’m on track to read 250+ books, and I always struggle to pick favorites. This is one I don’t even have to think about. The story will live in my head forever.

So many emotions! The writing, the characters, and the content all held me captivated.

I don’t want to tell you anything else. This is a story each reader should experience on their own, with no preconceived expectations. Once you meet Frederick, you’ll understand.

*I received an eARC from William Morrow, via NetGalley. And now I desperately need a hardcover copy for my shelf!*

This is the story of Fred, an elderly man who has lost his home and through a twist of fate ends up taking the place of Bernard at a local nursing home. He tries to correct the mistake that landed him there but no one will listen to him as he is elderly, and his explanations are dismissed as dementia.

The book is about the struggles of getting old but also about love, forgiveness and found family. I enjoyed the relationships he formed and the healing he and others went through in the story.

Thank you to the publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my goodness y'all - Talk about a book with a heaping helping of beautiful feels. This was such a unique premise about such a wonderful guy, and it just warmed my heart. Frederick Fife is 82, lonely, and broke. In a freak happening, he ends up being mistaken for Bernard, a local nursing home resident. He takes on Bernard's life, and he finds Bernard is very different from him, but he finds connection in Bernard's life - connection he's been needing and craving, and he soaks it up. I don't want to share too much because the joy in this story is how the connection Fred finds in many different people. Just trust me that you need this book in your life, and you will fall in love with this story and these people, too. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this September 2024 release.

Fred is a widower, never truly recovering from losing the love of his life, Dawn. As he is approaching the prospect of homelessness, he is taking a walk in the park when he comes across a man in a wheelchair who is dead. Noticing a nursing home group, he tries to move the man but ends up losing him into the river. Fred bumps his head, and when he wakes up, the nursing home group assumes he is Bernard, the man he tried to rescue. Fred is a good man, tries to tell the truth, but as he begins to live Bernard’s life, his impact on the other characters in the book reveal his decency. Will the sham fall apart? I loved this heartwarming story, with appealing and relatable characters. Highly recommend this wonderful uplifting story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I mean, I know you're not using it, you see, and it seems a shame for it to go to waste. I promise I'll take excellent care of it "

This book is a delight! Such a unique, compelling premise and lovely, complex characters. It is reminiscent of Ove, for those who enjoyed that one. Just a wonderful read.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the eARC!

It all begins on the day 82-year-old Fred is about to be evicted from his megar rental. He comes across a dead man in a wheelchair along an ocean walkway, and while moving the recently deceased toward the sounds of voices, Frederick trips and the dead man (along with Fred's jacket and I.D.) goes over the cliff. As all elderly people look alike (cough, cough) the caretaker (with problems of her own) assumes that Fred is Bernard (the deceased). Fred tries to set everyone straight, but since Bernard had dementia, no one believes him. Back at the nursing home he is fed, cleaned up, and sleeps in a warm, comfortable bed. So why not borrow this life? Bernard certainly doesn't need it any more. But not only does Fred's live change, but so do the lives of all he meets.

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" by Anna Johnson is a charming, feel-good story that will have readers smiling and crying at the same time. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful tale. My opinion is my own.

Frederick Fife is 82, broke, and soon to be homeless. Until a case of mistaken identity lands him in a facility under someone else's name. Can he continue to live life here? Or will people, like Denise, a caregiver at the facility, figure it out and send him packing?

This is a sweet story of found family, hope, and kindness. You should read it.

Fred is down on his luck, out of money, and soon-to-be homeless. He finds himself in a local park and in an unfortunate twist of fate, is mistaken for one of the nursing home residents who has disappeared. Resistant at first, he settles into his new identity. This heartwarming story was the perfect palate cleanser after some recent heavy reads. Fred is kind and good-humored, the complete opposite of the man he is pretending to be. He deftly navigates his situation, which at times made me laugh out loud. If you are looking for a pick-me-up, <i>The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife</i> is just the thing!

An open letter to my favorite octogenarian:

Dear Frederick Fife,

I know you’re lonely and broken-hearted after the loss of your beloved bride, but listen here my friend: life won’t always look so bleak.

In a strange case of mistaken identity your world will look a bit brighter. The lively found family you’re about to meet will buoy your spirit and help you realize that is joy to be found after loss. You can’t imagine it now, but you will even be a source of light and kindness for others.

I adore that your big-hearted character was based on the grandfather of debut author Anna Johnston and the people she met working in the nursing home he resided in. Through your story, the author’s deep affection for people in their sunset years is so evident.

Frederick/Bernard, there is hope for you yet. Through your story, readers will surely find a slice of hope too.

Your biggest fan,
Kelly

READ THIS IF YOU:
-have a soft spot for octogenarians
-could use a big hug in book form
-have ever received a new lease on life

PUB DATE: September 10, 2024

Frederick Fife is our lovable protagonist who, through mistaken identity and a stroke of good luck, finds himself living in place of Bernard Greer. Bernard lived in an old age home where he often is the cause of grief for Denise, a caregiver whose own personal troubles are depleting her of happiness and leaves her distrustful of men.

As Fred leads life impersonating Bernard, it is his kindness and positive impacts that leave Denise suspicious of his true identity. However, the two are able to rediscover their sense of purpose.

While the book was slow to start, it was overall a feel good story about chosen family and I believe this would translate on film/tv beautifully.

I started off absolutely loving this book and instantly fell in love with Fred. This story is best to go into blind so I won’t share too many details, but I’ve definitely never read anything like it. There’s a twist right from the beginning that lands Fred into quite the predicament. It’s a story of loss, heartache, joy and finding your people. My only complaint is that the heavy issues in the story were wrapped up a little too perfectly for my taste. Overall, it was still an enjoyable read if you love books with elderly characters.

3 stars.
In the beginning I thought this was going to be a sweet novel in the vein of "A Man Called Ove", but by the end it had tipped from "sweet" to "cloyingly saccharine". Fred ended up being such a one-dimensional "good guy" that it was tedious.

I adore this book. I laughed, I cried, it gave me everything I needed. It made my heart melt. I want Fredrick Fife to be a bonus grandfather for me. I loved how the idea of this novel is far-fetched, but also believable. I loved the complex relationships and dynamics. This is a beautiful story of love and forgiveness. The love portrayed in this book and the love I have for this book is indescribable. The voice/narration of the characters was perfection. I see no flaws. Love, loss, regret, forgiveness, and new beginnings.. with an 82-year-old male main character!! is a perfect mix for a laugh-out-loud tale that will have your heart leaping for joy and your eyes bawling.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins Publishers Inc., for this gorgeous, brilliant, and masterpiece of an ARC!

If you are looking for a heartwarming read and not an intense thriller situation, pick this book. This book has been said it's in the same lines as Ove and A.J. Fickery and I'd have to agree, but with a few more characters that we care about. If you are looking for something to get you all cozy on these long fall days, this book would be a great one to pick up!

After seeing so many glowing early reviews of this one, I knew I had to read it! I was gifted a copy from @williammorrow and @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is a heartwarming, hug of a story about Fred, a sweet 82 year old man who is rather down on his luck. Due to a strange and unexpected situation, he is given a second chance at finding love and family.

This one was at times laugh out loud funny with the antics of the nursing home, then it would turn tender or sad. This one gave me so many feels and I really enjoyed it!. Another great story with an older protagonist, and one that wasn't a crumudgeon either. Read it this Fall if you need a feel good story with found family!

Thank you William Morrow for allowing me to read and review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston on NetGalley.

Published: 09/10/24

Stars: 4.5

Delightful from the first page to the last.. The author touches on the elderly, loneliness, childhood illness, death, widows, divorce and much more throughout the story seamlessly. The characters are likeable. There are funny lines/moments as well as incredulously awkward periods. However, it all works.

Why does it work? The borrower and borrowed are elderly and live in a nursing home. The patients have dementia. In any other setting the story would not work.

This is reminiscent of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons. Both books touch on societal shames, however, while not sugarcoated, they do represent best case scenario.

I recommend this for all readers.

This latest addition to the feel good genre featuring older characters is solid, but not all is light and frothy. Poverty is not a common topic in adult fiction. Due to the cost of Fred’s wife’s cancer treatments, he is left destitute in his retirement. As the story progresses, a bit slowly at times, Fred deals with guilt, regret, and hope. He turns out to be a friend and ally to all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

X ♾️

This book is positively wonderful and heartwarming. I cried so many happy/sad tears. We have found family, also a twist that had me gasping out loud. A fantastic well written book that hooked me immediately and I had to finish it in one day.

If you liked Tuesday’s with morrie or aj fickery you’re going to love this book. Written from two perspectives-Fredrick and Denise- this touching bstory of found family will make you feel all the feelings. I loved the character development and the blossoming friendships. It made me laugh and cry. Fast read and so worth it. Thank you net galley for the digital copy. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Heartwarming' is an understatement for this thoroughly charming novel about an elderly man who lucks into a strange case of mistaken identity, only to use his new, 'borrowed' life to spread joy. Is this book believable? Absolutely not. First, Frederick is impossibly lovely. While I'd like to believe there are people like him who exist in somewhere in the universe, I can't say I've ever met anyone like him. And the only thing less realistic than his kindness is the manner in which he finds himself taking over Bernard's life. However, author Anna Johnston manages to convincingly suspend disbelief with clever crafting of plot, a whimsical tone, and emotionally engaging characters. In a politically polarized and economically tumultuous times, this book is like a nice little vacation, allowing an escape to a happier, less jaded world.