4+ stars!
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife in exchange for a fair review. We all need Fred in our lives it seems! He is the most decent bloke you'll ever meet.
The book starts funny and becomes darling. It was one of those books I really couldn't put down because I wanted to see how it ended! I am really glad to have read this and would recommend it to anyone looking for something uplifting, clean, and fun.
Not quite a 5...maybe a 4.25*

A marvelous debut novel! This is a heartwarming and touching story about second chances, the power of forgiveness, living your life to the fullest, and finding "family" in unusual places.

Unlike the main character, in the book A Man Called Ove, Frederick Fife is far from being a curmudgeon. Fred is the kind of guy that everyone wants for a friend or a family member. He is kind, caring, considerate, and totally lovable.

Down on his luck, penniless, homeless, and grieving, 82 year-old Frederick Fife finds himself smack dab in a case of mistaken identity. He tries to tell the truth and explain to the staff at the Wattle River nursing home that he's not Bernard, but no one believes him. Bernard wasn't a perfect man or a perfect husband or father, but Fred is given a chance to make amends and quite possibly put Bernard's legacy back together again, while helping others along the way. Of course, for Fred, hot showers, regular meals, and a soft bed beat sleeping out on the street any day. You'll be dying to find out how Fred gets out of one sticky situation after another.

I fell in love with Frederick Fife, this story, and several other characters in this book too. If you are looking for a story that will tug on your heartstrings, but also make you laugh, then this is the book for you.

My sincere thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley who made it possible for me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was a bit skeptical going in but was pleasantly surprised at how much I like this adorable book. Frederick Fife, an 82 year old widower who is down on his luck, broke, and soon to be homeless manages to replaced a deceased resident of a retirement home through a series of luck on his part and mistaken identity. He's thrilled with his new accommodations and lux life. But as luck would have it, Frederick feels guilty and decides to own up and confess to all his new friends and family that he is an imposter. It sounds simple and it is but it's well written, heart warming, full of humor and showcases the life of the elderly today. It is better than A Man Called Ove and should be read by all. I loved it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an advanced copy of this book. I'm buying a copy to keep on my shelves.

Another great addition to my favorite made up micro-genre: old people not being old! Frederick has had it rough since his wife passed, but a case of mistaken identity gives him the foundation to rediscover a love of life and himself. Sure you know going in that there is a happy ending waiting for you. But if any character deserved it, Frederick Fife is that man! I loved how he went the extra step so many times to really see the people around him. I also really enjoyed how the story brought other characters into the forefront. We got to see Fred at his finest and it rounded out the book. The ending was a bit genius as well! This is a perfect feel good book for those days when you don't feel so good, the weather doesn't feel so good, or you just want to cuddle up and smile.

From what I read of this book, it was very well written, all the characters had a ton of personality, and I giggled at multiple parts. Humor is difficult to properly portray in novels and the author pulled it off perfectly without it seeming like they were trying to hard.

However, I had to stop fairly early on because, like someone else said, it really hammered home the sad parts of life and I’m just not in the mental place where I feel open to receiving that kind of energy today 😂

I’ll definitely be on the lookout for other books from this author in the future!

“Grief was love with nowhere to go.”

I am absolutely emotional after reading this wonderful debut novel. 😭 Fred absolutely stole my heart. This book makes you laugh, makes you angry, but definitely made me cry. It was such a heartwarming story of a lonely man that borrows a life (after not being believed multiple times).

It makes me sad to think how many older people are alone, not by choice but because they’re the last ones around. It shows how broken the system is for seniors, whether it’s in Australia or anywhere else.

Absolutely recommend this book! Thank you so much NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Fred finds himself homeless and alone at 82 years old he has no clue what he’s going to do. In a twist of fate he comes upon a man in a wheelchair that is deceased and while trying to get him help he gets mistaken for the dead man. Fred finds himself with a home, hot food, and friends. As time goes on it becomes harder and harder to tell the truth.
This was such a heart warming story about found family and the power of forgiveness.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I wanted to like this book more but it was a little slow and hard to get into. The reviews were so good and the book was just ok to me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story about mistaken identity and found family. Frederick Fife, is one in a million. His superpower is kindness and what a different world it would be if there were more like him, even if he is a little bit naughty. But now at 82, he is on the brink of homelessness. That is until a bizarre case of mistaken identity sees him living in the Wattle River Nursing Home, where staff assume he is Bernard Greer. He finally has a chance to be part of a family again, with a roof over his head.

The characters are well written especially Fred as Bernard and the guy he befriends in the nursing home. The plot, while unbelievable, but completely entertaining! I loved the relationship between the daughter and Fred. This is a great story that will make you smile at the end.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife might be my favorite book of 2024!

I loved the characters so much. They were funny and I wanted to hug them the entire time. For a book that has depressing themes it was so ended up being so joyful and lighthearted.

I do recommend having some tissues close by because there are definitely some tear jerking moments.

Highly recommend this for everyone but definitely those who like Fredrik Backman books and Remarkably Bright Creatures (sorry but there’s no fun animals in this one)!

There are some TWs: Death of parents, dementia, child death from illness (briefly discussed)

Thanks to Netgalley and William Marrow for a copy of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife in exchange of an honest review.

DNF @63%

I have had such a struggle with this book--I have been chipping away at it in tiny bits for weeks, starting sections over because I didn't process things enough repeatedly, and then procrastinating finishing it because I just wasn't feeling it for a while now. I think I am just going to accept that it is not for me and move on.

I can understand why this has been a hit for so many people. The early reviews are glowing and I am so glad--I can see how this is a homerun for so many, if it gels with you. My personal trouble was that the humor missed me, and the book is SO so sad that because the humor wasn't hitting, it just felt like I was repeatedly being bonked in the head with the sad stick, over and over for hundreds of pages, with nothing really to break it up. It was very emotionally draining to read; perhaps I've been reading too many other emotional books too lately, perhaps I am just stressed out IRL and was looking for something that wouldn't hurt so bad, I'm not really sure.

This is one that I'm not 100% opposed to coming back to at a later date if I feel up to it, because I firmly believe it is not a bad book and it'll impact many people in a positive way. Maybe at a later date, it'll be more my speed.

Thanks so much to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

William Morrow eARC
This will be one of my favorite books of 2024. I fell for Frederick right away. I just love stories with sweet old men, and this one was so heartwarming. It had the reminder of why community is important, how friends can make such an impact with little thoughts, how grace and forgiveness can change someone's life, and just so much more. I laughed and cried. I was surprised. I felt sad and hopeful. The author created such rich, vivid characters that were easy to fall for and connect with. I just loved this book so much and will recommend it widely. So, so sweet and will be thinking about it long term.

Fred is a nice guy. He always has been. At 82 though he is all alone. Everyone in his life gone and no way to make rent. He's looking at homelessness with no one to turn to.

Bernard is not a nice guy. He's grumpy and hard to deal with. He's alone as well. No one visits him in the home he is living in thanks to recent falls and a stroke.

Fred never meant to lie. But, after a sudden death and an unfortunate accident trying to return Bernard to the home, when everyone mistakes Fred for Bernard he still tries to set the record straight. But what can it hurt to enjoy a few good meals and a warm place to sleep?

Denise works at the same facility where Bernard lived. Her life is going in all of the wrong directions with a husband she cannot trust and a daughter who may have a serious medical condition. Denise is suspicious of the sudden change in "Bernard".

This was such a sweet read. I love a book in which people find exactly what and whom they need at just the right time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
Author: Anna Johnston
Source:  NetGalley
Date Published:   September 10, 2024

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a wee bit predictable and slightly saccharine. This book is not A Man Called Ove, which many reviewers use as a comparison. In a weird twist of fate, Frederick, who is basically homeless, assumes the identity of a nursing home resident who meets an unfortunate and accidental end witnessed by Frederick. It stretched believability that the staff and other residents of the nursing home think Frederick looks just like the deceased. The line between sweet and harsh is very thin in this book, and while Frederick is kind, many people neglect the elderly in this story. I will be in the minority on this book review, but it was just okay. This is not a bad read, just not a great one. #TheBorrowedLifeOfFederickFife #AnnaJohnston #fiction #adults #elderabuse #seniors #kindness #neglect #family #seniorcare @williammorrowbooks #australia @netgalley #feelgood
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#book #books #bookAddict #BooksOfInstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #reader #booklove #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookish

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

This book!! Wow! Tugged at my heart strings! Such a good book. Easy quick read and I could not put it down.

4.25⭐️

This healed my soul 🥹

It reminds me a lot of the storied life of AJ fikry so if you like that, I think you should give the one a try (my personal opinion is that The Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife is actually better)

Fred is a very kind 82 year old man with no friends or family who just got evicted from his apartment and has an empty bank account. While looking for a place to sleep in the park he spots an elderly man who fell out of his wheelchair. Turns out the man is dead but he looks eerily like Fred but in a tragic mix up the nursing home helpers mistake Fred for the man and gets whisked off to the nursing home. As he try’s to tell the nursing assistants that he’s not who they think he is, Fred starts to see maybe there are perks to being here. A warm bed, free meals, and most importantly, he’s able to keep company.

The was just the most tender and wholesome book I’ve read in a while. I think it handlers topics like grief and death really well. It’s kind of a boring read but at the same time it has so much emotional depth to it. All the characters were fleshed out, it’s a small cast of characters but each was done so well. Now I really wish Fred was my grandpa 😭

<i>Thank you Net Gallery for giving me this copy for the exchange of an honest review</i>

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet, tug at your heart strings story with many laughs mixed throughout. The concept is unique and plot is well executed. It borders on being overly saccharine, but it was still a great read with a few plot twists to keep the page turning.

Ideal for fas of Iona Iverson and A Man Called Ove.

This book needs to be far more popular than it is, and BookTok needs to catch up! It's giving A Man Called Ove vibes, but is an entirely unique story all its own. I loved this book with all its quirky characters.

This was a wonderful story!!! I can’t believe it’s the first novel by the author. She really amazed me with this! I read this in one day because I could NOT put it down! Fred’s adventures made me both laugh and cry, and his developing relationship with Hannah was so sweet! I will recommend this book to everyone! Absolutely loved it!

Kindhearted Fredrick Fife is eight-two years old. He’s has lost his beloved wife Dawn to cancer. His life’s savings has been exhausted and he’s been told that he must be out of his current living arrangement due to non payment of rent. He’s lonely and desperate and hasn’t had a decent meal in a very long time. While out walking trying to decide what to do about finding himself with no family and homeless, a bizarre circumstance unfolds. The local nursing home residents are at an outing along his route. Denise is a caregiver who falsely identifies Frederick as one of their residents Bernard Greer because Fred’s likeness to Bernard is uncanny. He tries telling Denise and the other staff members that he is not Bernard but they think he is confused because Bernard has dementia. As the story continues some difficult subjects are dealt with such as childhood terminal disease, abandonment and alcoholism. The author writes in a way that makes these subjects palatable through the eyes of her characters. Yes, it’s a bit predictable but sometimes it’s just the right way of finishing the novel. I needed a heartwarming story and this filled the bill. This ARC was provided by Harper Collins Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.