I first came across this book when I saw it on Instagram before it was even mentioned in the US and I just knew I had to have it. The blurb alone was enough to draw me in.

In THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE you have Fred who is broke, homeless and alone. This tugged at my heartstrings and it should tug at everyone’s. How one can be 82, having lived a long and honorable life and even with being broke, with no home, and no family…. And still be just…. Kind.

Somehow Fred stumbles into the life of Bernard after being mistaken for him. This part was hilarious. I laughed so hard I cried. Almost woke the kid up. Suddenly Fred has things a lot of people take for granted. A warm meal, the security of a place to sleep, friends, and maybe even family. It was about humility, family and the kindness of strangers.

I don’t usually get attached to characters simply because I know they’re not real but Fred was very real for me. I just wanted to hug Fred.

This book also shed light on the reality of people in nursing homes. How sometimes they’re forgotten. The loneliness. Even when they’re not forgotten there’s a lack of human contact and companionship.

I primarily read thrillers because they’re such an escape and who doesn’t love an escape? The thing is sometimes you just have to let yourself feel. It’s okay to feel. It’s inescapable. This is a book I’ll carry in my purse simply because it’s a reminder of so many good things. It’s like a security blanket. It makes me happy.

This book is for readers of all genres. I dare you not to love Fred.

A special thank you to Netgalley, William Morrow, Tess and Anna Johnston for providing me with this ARC, and allowing me to shamelessly beg for this book.

This novel begins with an absurd premise - an elderly man being mistaken for another whose dead body just washed away, now forced to take his place in the nursing home - and then with humor and sincerity, it addresses some of the most real and heartbreaking aspects of aging. I certainly fell in love with Frederick, the protagonist, but I loved the other characters in this story, too. The plot felt a bit forced by the end (which makes sense given the bizarre starting point), but overall, this book was entertaining and heartwarming.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC!

Sometimes, a book finds you just when you need it. Such is the case with Anna Johnston's debut novel, "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife."

Charming, sweet, funny, heartbreaking, and always hopeful, the story revolves around Frederick Fife, an 82 year old, down-on-his luck widower. Through a serious of comical, yet serious mishaps, he finds himself going from evicted and homeless, to living a better life in an assisted living home within the space of an afternoon. There's only one little, teensy-weensy problem with this. Everyone now thinks his name is Bernard, and no matter how hard he tries he simply can not convince them otherwise!

Quite assuredly, the most original "second chance love story" that I've read in a very, very long time! We should all be so fortunate to have a Fred Fife in our lives!

This novel has a publish date of September 10, 2024.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston was such a beautiful story.
This character driven story was very thought-provoking.
Such a heartwarming and endearing read that I very much enjoyed reading.

Thank you Netgalley & William Morrow Publishing for an eARC ♥️

Get ready to have your heart both broken and warmed by the incredible story of Frederick Fife. At 82 years old, Fred's life has been marked by loss and loneliness. He's outlived his wife, his friends, and even his purpose. But in a stunning twist of fate, Fred is given a second chance when he's mistaken for another man who's passed away.

As Fred navigates his new life at the Wattle River Nursing Home, he's surrounded by people who are struggling to find meaning in their own twilight years. There's the feisty ones, the forgotten ones, and the ones who are just trying to hold on to what's left. And then there's Fred - a man who's been given a rare gift: a chance to start over.

With his quick wit, his generous heart, and his irrepressible spirit, Fred sets out to make the most of his borrowed life. He befriends the misfits, comforts the grieving, and brings joy to those who thought they'd never smile again. And in doing so, he finds a new family, a new purpose, and a new reason to keep going.

This story will break your heart in the best possible way. It'll remind you of the beauty and fragility of life, and the power of human connection to transform even the darkest of times. So if you're ready to laugh, cry, and have your heart warmed to the core, then join Fred on his unforgettable journey.♥️

Thank you @netgalley for an ARC of this sweet book! I truly enjoyed the story of Fred, a man who accidentally “borrows” the life of a man he finds passed away by a river.

Fred is an octogenarian who has a very sunny outlook on life, even though he has been dealt some heavy blows. After trying to help Bernard (a deceased man he finds in a wheel chair) back to his nursing home, Fred ends up mistakenly taking the place of Bernard because no one believes he isn’t Bernard! Fred, a ray of sunshine in a bleak world, ends up finding his true found family in the nursing home while also trying to maintain that he is Bernard.

Mistaken identity, putting other people first and always trying to do the right thing are the main themes of the book. I loved Fred’s view on life, even if many of his inner monologues are about the tough times he has had. He is a beacon for everyone! I did find the writing style to be a little quirky at times, and there could maybe have been a little more depth for some of the characters, but overall I loved being with the characters and wanted only the best for them.

First I want to thank the publisher for the advanced reader copy. I was excited to be approved for this book because the concept sounded really interesting and I don't see many stories focusing on much older protagonists. I loved Fred and I think the author did a wonderful job making us fall in love with him and understand the situation. I also loved the other characters and their interactions with Fred. The story felt very real in the interactions and relationships. My one criticism and the reason I gave it a 4.5 instead of 5 stars is you can tell the author is not an older person. There are many times the characters are the butt of the joke because they fart or smell or have trouble with their bladder. These are genuinely apart of getting old but it is played too often for laughs that it feels disparaging of the older characters.

All the stars!

I wish I could give this wonderful book 100 stars, it was so very special. When Fred finds himself in a terrible situation, after also finding out he’s homeless by day’s end, he still tries to do the right thing and not let people mistake him for Bernard, recently deceased. But the powers that be refused to believe him, so he assumed Bernard’s place in the nursing home and his belongings, though guilt is a constant companion.

The friends he makes, the discovery that Bernard had an estranged daughter, and his selfless acts show Fred as a really good, honest man. I wish there were more Freds in the world. Please read this book, you won’t be sorry.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Frederick Fife finds himself in a case of mistaken/confused identity instantly changing his life from one of loneliness to one full of love and connection. But for someone so pure of heart- the duplicity weighs on him. The longer he walks in another’s shoes and is touched by friendship and love, the harder it becomes to keep this secret.

Told in multiple points of view, this book takes on topics of poverty, death (spouse/child), addiction, betrayal, dementia, and geriatric care. (As an OT I specifically applaud the sensory processing mention and the impact that has on a family). It’s filled with heart, some nice twists, and the Patricia cameos will keep you on your toes.

@annajohnstonauthor details the full spectrum of what nursing homes and their staff experience each day. From Linh to Denise, she tells the tale of the care our loved ones experience, and highlights how our personal experiences impact our relationships and success in the professional setting. She also fully celebrates the longevity of love- in all its pain and beauty.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for this #advancedreaderscopy - pub day is 9/10/24

#2024bookchallenge82of75
#netgalley
#theborrowedlifeoffrederickfife

From the bleak first sentence to the very upbeat final sentence, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Ffie is a charming journey . Author Anna Johnston explores the invisibility of the elderly, grief, loneliness, and the power of kindness and positivity.

Fred Fife is a wholly empathetic character who quite literally falls into a second chance, and in that second chance his natural tendency to be kind and positive brings out the best in everyone around him. He is a highly likable character. Albert, Val, Kevin and Linh are secondary characters who stood out. As Fred’s positivity changes their lives, their fondness for him, changes his life.

When Fred “borrows” the life of Bernard, he gets a much-needed place to stay, but in return he is able to mend a few of Bernard’s broken fences. While a couple of Fred’s antics seem highly unlikely given his age, overall I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely story. I very much needed a dose of Fred’s positivity and kindness.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is Anna Johnston’s debut novel, and I expect it will not be the last book of hers that I read.

4.5 stars

I feel a bit torn with this book. While I felt that parts were too long and found myself skimming pages, it was also a heartwarming book and the ending was nice.

I honestly don’t even know what to say. This is one of the best and most heartwarming books I’ve read in a long time. When the premise of the synopsis played out early in the book, I was worried it was going to be so slow and was losing a plot. However, I was incredibly wrong. The plot only got better… and better. I have zero critiques and fully recommend this book if you want to read something real, something inspiring, and something heartfelt and uplifting.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

Extremely difficult to stay interested in- poorly written, boring characters and a bad plot line make this a pass.

The book starts with our protagonist, Frederick Fife, in dire straits. In his 80s, Fred finds himself being made homeless. The medical bills for his much loved, late wife Dawn, have left him unable to pay his rent, unable to afford food, and desperately wondering where he will sleep the night. Fred is lonely and hungry. This is when he stumbles upon Bernard, a man having a worse day than even Fred is enduring.

There are a few parallel storylines running. All of which show love and life, in its glory and it’s darker, more trying times. The characterisation is deep and rich, I genuinely felt I knew all of them so well. Fred stole my heart more and more as each page turned. One beautiful, poignant line really stood out for me. “Grief was love with nowhere to go”. A perfect description of that all encompassing, overwhelming emotion.

This gorgeous book has made me think about so many things. The treatment of the vulnerable in our society, both the homeless and residents cared for in nursing homes; both of whom can become invisible, and lose their voice, in different ways. It also might make some consider the meaning of family. What makes a family? Is it blood, or those we choose to love, those who earn our love and loyalty.

This is a delightful debut by Anna Johnston, I’m sure the gentle spirited Fred will win many hearts. I have been brought to tears several times. It is an emotive read for a few reasons, but utterly heart warming too. It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and hope in my heart. Very easily, 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me. Everyone needs a Fred in their life.

An astute reviewing friend on Goodreads (I see you, Jayme!) compared this to A Man Called Ove. You know what? I totally agree with her. This is a gem of a book that will (I hope) get the attention it deserves from readers and book groups. 💎

Frederick Fife is a lovable character who has fallen on hard times. An unexpected encounter on a riverbank leads to a totally new life. This is one he would really love to borrow. Could he? Should he? He does not always make perfect decisions. Who does? Still as we read his story, we see a man who sows seeds of kindness that grow into a flourishing garden. He blooms where he is planted. Such a life-affirming story.

Most certainly there is conflict and there are consequences. Will our book end with a happy life for Frederick? You must read it for yourself and find out. I am sure you will enjoy spending time with Frederick Fife. 🤗

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was delightful. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a heartwarming story that is sure to be a hit with fans of A Man Called Ove. I truly enjoyed the storyline and the sweet friendships detailed throughout the story and the interesting cast of characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and to William Morrow for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

Deeply moving and tender. I did find it difficult to read as the state of elder care is so depressing and abysmal. There were truly sad bits about senior care and living. Overall, incredible debut!

This is one of those books that I'll forever wish I could read again for the first time.

In a mix-up on a Nursing Home outing, Fred gets mistaken for Bernard, a resident who happened to just pass away and float down the river. Fred tries to correct the mistake, but between Bernard's dementia diagnosis and Fred's shockingly similar appearance, no one listens. Fred is widowed and facing homelessness, so he decides to stay at the nursing home, living life as Bernard.

Everything is going well until Bernard's estranged daughter comes back into "his" life and Fred is faced with the daughter he always wanted, but never had. Bernard's daughter needs closure from her past issues, while Fred is caught between his growing feelings toward her & telling her the truth about her identity. It's a masterclass about found families.

This book was everything I was hoping for and MORE. It's fantastic for readers who enjoyed A Man Called Ove, since Fred gives off the same grumpy old cinnamon roll vibe.

5 HUGE STARS for The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife!

A delightful and funny book about a wonderful man in a precarious situation. I loved Fred much and his joy and kindness jumped from the pages. Some of the scenarios he got himself in were tricky but a pleasure to read. I enjoyed this story tremendously!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

This is a great, heartwarming yet heartbreaking book. It definitely gave me “A Man Called Ove” vibes. Many parts of the book made me sad as I think about my own aging parents or any loved one that has aged in a society that views octogenarians as a disease to hide away. With that said, this was a wonderful novel!