I adored this book! Who knew a book surrounding the topic of death could be so full of life! Frederick Fife is such a wholesome character and so easy to love. It’s no surprise that he is able to make a whole new life for himself at the age of 82, when he’s just on the brink of losing what little he has left. Tied into Frederick’s story is the story of Denise. Her character is not quite so likable, but with a little (A LOT) of help from a living angel, she is able to redeem herself. If you want to feel all the feels and be reminded of the humanity that is still left, in the world, read this book now. It will renew your hope and trust in the human race at a time we all so desperately need it. I know I’ll carry this story with me forever. I’ll also try to be a little more like Frederick Fife in my daily living, because the world needs people like him, and why not try to embody that ourselves?

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a story about loss, loneliness, forgiveness and found family. It’s heartwarming and humorous and may just restore your belief in humanity. Through a strange accident Fred finds himself in a nursing home assuming another man’s life. Although conflicted by the lie, Fred is safe from homelessness and well fed. He brings joy and encouragement to everyone he encounters in the most generous way. Fred Fife shows all of us how little energy it takes to be a more compassionate person. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket with a cuppa and enjoy this story.

A wonderfully written book by Anna Johnston. I fell in love with the characters. I found it humorous on some pages. Very tragic on other pages. The characters were full of vim and vigor and also sneaking and sexual. Loved this story.

I don't like to write a summary of the book as it is already posted when you chose the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc. What a wonderful heartfelt story. On the verge of homelessness Fred was by the river and accidentally got mixed up with nursing home resident Bernard. Fred tried to tell everyone who he really was but but fell on deaf ears. He brought kindness to all he met and was so different from the real Bernard. We learn a lot about ourselves when given time to reflect. Definitely recommend!

I love a good debut book and Anna Johnston was this years winner for me!

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. As Fred’s positivity changes the lives around him, their fondness for him, changes his life.

Make sure you have a box of tissues for the last few chapters of this book. I loved this story of mistaken identity leading to redemption. The tenderness with which the author treats her subjects is touching. I was moved to tears several times and her exploration of grief, love, and forgiveness had me thinking as well as feeling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this wonderful author and her Mr. Fife.

The Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife by @annajohnstonauthor was a magnificent read and will live rent free in my head and heart for sometime. Thank you to @auburndawne for recommending this book to me. Everyone needs to add this book to their TBR.

Fred is an elderly, kind soul who finds himself down on his luck. In a strange turn of events and of mistaken identity, Fred finds himself the newest resident at Wattle River Nursing Home. He initally tried to tell the staff that he isn’t Bernard Greer but once he realizes no one is missing Bernard, Fred decides to borrow his life. There’s no harm in that, is there?! Fredrick quickly becomes a resident that is loved by everyone. He shares his wisdom, his humor and love with so many and he starts to feel loved in return. When Bernard’s estranged daughter shows up a the nursing home in a last ditch effort to reconcile with her dad, Fred finds himself painted into a corner.

This book reminded me of a A Man Called Ove and more importantly reminded me of my father. He was a resident at a nursing home for 12 years after suffering a horrific stroke. My dad was the Fred of his home. When he passed, the chaplain said “not only did John make lemonade out of lemons but he was the first to serve it to others”.

Thank you Anna Johnston for giving me glimpses of my father in this heartwarming, emotional story reminding us to visit our loved ones, celebrate the high and lows with them, hug them, and memorize the sound of their laugh. I would give anything to hear it one more time ❤️


#spreadthefred #okayokok #thefrothonthecappuccino

There was not a simple thing in this book that I did not love. The characters were lovable and the entire story was enjoyable. This is an uplifting story about grief, love, loneliness and family.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morris for allowing me the pleasure of reading an advanced e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was a very, quirky book. Fred has lost his wife and feels very alone. He is soon to lose his home for lack of payment. He walks along the river and sees a man (Bernard) in a wheelchair that is off by himself away from the retirement home group. Fred decides to get the man back with his group and as he is wheeling him back he trips and the man falls into the river and gets swept away. Fred looks just like the man who was in the wheelchair so the retirement home people think he is Bernard and take him back to the retirement home. Fred becomes Bernard. The story goes on from there. A very heartwarming story with a few twists and turns. Great story and enjoyable to read.

I was worried about reading this because it’s not in my usual interests for books, but something about it really caught my eye! I think I love the idea of old humans being scandalous. I was interested from the beginning! Very wholesome and emotional!

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. A story that shows kindness, grief, love and togetherness was perfectly written and executed.

This book was heartwarming and made me think about all the things in life that I take for granted! Frederick was so loveable, and while we never actually meet Bernard (alive), his complex character drives the story. We really don’t get enough stories with older protagonists, and I can’t recommend this one enough!

4.25 stars. Loved the heartwarming nature of the story of Bernard/Fred. It made me want to hug my grandparents and also helped me remember the value of the elderly in our society. Fred had such an uplifting, positive nature that impacted all those around him. It reminds me of the type of elderly person I aspire to be. This was laugh out loud, heartwarming and just sweet. Highly recommend. Great book to start the year!

I really, really loved this sweet story of unconventional family. This one was just such a pleasure, with interesting, flawed, but still hopeful characters, and an ending that left you with a good feeling about it all. Life is not perfect, but this conclusion was about as good as it gets! I'll definitely be recommending this one to all my readers who are looking for something emotionally resonant, but hopeful - as well as my readers who are requesting books that center older characters!

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
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“Grief was love with no where to go.”
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Oh my heart. This book was so good.

I’ve read several reviews the past few months that Frederick’s story was so touching and heartwarming, and I can confirm they were all correct.

I love how this story starts out funny. Poor Frederick is having a rough go of things when he, quite literally, stumbles into borrowing someone elses life. Frederick was such a sweet and positive guy and I adored him. His friendship with everyone at his new home warmed my heart.

But his care towards Hannah and Denise really got me. I cried so much. I loved every moment. I just loved how Frederick again and again chooses kindness. We need more Fredericks in our lives.
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5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I highly recommend if you enjoy sweet and emotional stories. Also the audio was excellent.

Fredrick Fife's borrowed life was a blessing to himself and others - primarily from the kindness he shared with everyone he met. He listened, paid attention and stayed present in the company of others. He apologized, waited quietly without fidgeting, and didn't sweat the small stuff.

This is a tale with a twist that Anna Johnston pulls off neatly - although I was sure we were going to land differently than we did. Still, the story wraps up well and I gave myself a little hug afterwards. Her author's note at the end of the book is the perfect bow and for me added weight to the power of the story - it will stick with me, and I went down memory lane looking for comparisons in my own experiences. That's the best kind of of a read, one that adds value to all you know.

Kudos to Ms. Johnston, for this happy surprise. I'll be craning my neck over booklists looking for her next one!

*A sincere thank you to Anna Johnston, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

What a charming, heart-warming read! A case of mistaken identity leads to found family and healing of deep-seated wounds. With just enough humor and reality, it doesn't cross the line of too saccharine.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #WilliamMorrow for a free copy of #TheBorrowedLifeOfFrederickFife by Anna Johnston. All opinions are my own.

A cute read, but not one that is going to top my list in 2024. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A beautiful story filled with love and joy that brought happiness to my heart. Fredrick Fife is an extraordinary character, brimming with kindness and eternal optimism. He spreads joy despite not being happiest person himself, he is a lonely old man with no family or earthly possessions. His acts of kindness a significant impact on many different people in a short period of time.

In a twist of fate, just as Fred is about to become homeless, he is mistaken for grumpiest resident at a senior center. Despite his tries to explain that he is not Bernard Greer, the worker does not listen, as he is known to have some dementia. Thus, Fred assumes Bernard's identity and leads an interesting life at the Wattle River Nursing Home. The residents and caretakers are puzzled by the sudden transformation of the grumpiest resident into one of the friendliest. Fred makes it his mission to improve the lives of the residents, and in doing so, he enriches his own life with many new friends and a new found family when he least expected it.

This heartwarming book is filled with many characters, and I truly loved meeting each one and enjoyed how a story of mistaken identity turned into one of forgiveness, acceptance, and happiness. The plot was well-conceived and brought to life flawlessly with these characters. There was just enough humor to balance the serious issues addressed in the book.

I highly recommend this lovely book! It will pull on your heartstrings, give you some laughs and leave you with a smile on your face.
I am extremely grateful to William Morrow for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this fabulous book through Netgalley. All of the opinions in this review are my own.

This was such a heartwarming read! I loved the way Frederick found himself in the nursing home. What do you do when you suddenly find yourself living someone else's life, especially when yours isn't exactly going well??

The mistaken identity aspect combined with the found family trope is perfect for anyone looking for their next feel-good story!

Overall I really enjoyed this book but at times it felt hard to follow. It took me a bit to get into but after a bit it sucked me. I would have liked more of Denise’s story since she played such a role in the story. Overall I liked the book and would recommend to a friend.