I've seen a lot of readers compare this book to Ove, but let me tell you, this is no Ove! Sure, it's similar in theme, but Frederick is so much more likable than Ove! Most of the characters were likable in this story. One thing to note is that I didn't realize there were different story/timelines happening at the start of the book and I couldn't quite tell if that was intentional or not. Things worked themselves out and it wasn't too confusing.

I will say that the amount of "dad" talk at the end of the book got to me, but I was already 75% of the way through with the book when it became a heavy topic for me to read, so I pushed through and I'm glad that I did.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston in exchange for my true thoughts.

One of the best books I read in 2024, Frederick Fife is an unforgettable character. I could not put it down, the plot was incredibly moving and had enough twist and turns to keep me guessing. Mostly, the authors deep empathy and talent created an experience that had me laughing and crying. It’s a rare book that evokes deep emotion! Most highly recommended…

Well if this didn’t entitles break my heart. In a… good way? I connected to fully with these characters, fell in love with them all, and had my heart broken alongside them. At times it felt almost too melancholy, but I do think it redeemed itself in the end in a way I can appreciate.

I definitely got Frederick Backman vibes, which I quite enjoy. And there were many lessons wrapped up in bows here but my god do not go into this with a weak heart. As someone with a soft spot for the elderly, and someone who has a less than ideal relationship with my own father, some of this was tough to read - but man am I glad I did.

The writing itself was well done of a bit on the basic side, but it was sweet and charming and the characters were well written which I can appreciate along with the overall themes of found family.

Very enjoyable book! I loved the premise of lonely and desperate Frederick assuming the life of Bernard! Character-driven and heartwarming, this is a book I will gladly suggest to (especially) my older patrons. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I can't say enough to express how much I loved this book and Frederick. I can't get him out of my head. In a case of mistaken identity, Frederick is believed to be Bernard Greer, a patient at a mental care facility. Of course, when Frederick tries to explain that he's not Bernard, they think his dementia is preventing him from remembering clearly. What transpires from this point is a heartwarming tale that will make you fall in love with Frederick Fife. I truly wish I could experience this again for the first time. I can not recommend it enough!

I am finding it hard to believe that The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is Anna Johnston's debut novel and this feel-good read left me with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes at the same time. I loved the silly and sometimes cheesy humor that permeates the story, and I adored our 82-year-old MMC Fred! I don’t read too many books that have an older main character like this and he along with so many others stole my heart. There are multiple viewpoints along with an occasional past timeline thrown in, and I did get a little confused over characters at first but then I was fine. I do wonder what it would have been like to only have Fred’s POV, but I did enjoy getting to know a couple of the other characters a bit better.

I listened to this on audio, and I thought it was so lovely with Tim Carroll as the narrator. I like when there is a full cast for multiple viewpoints, but Carroll did such an amazing job that I didn’t mind it was just him. He was especially fitting as Fred, and he brought so much life and personality to his narration. While it isn't listed, I'm pretty sure Johnston read her acknowledgments section which was a treat and made me even more teary than the author's note. I would compare this to Backman’s A Man Called Ove to a certain extent, but our Fred is not a grump and instead a beautiful beacon of light and love throughout the storyline. I really hope I get to see The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife onscreen someday. Read this if you are looking for a hug in a book, don’t mind a bit of off-color humor, and are fascinated in that crazy little thing called doppelgängers.

This sweet, sweet story is definitely a heart-warmer. If you're a fan of up-lit, you will enjoy the story of Frederick Fife who accidentally ends up taking over the life of Bernard and then proceeds to change the lives of everyone around him, including his.

It's never too late for forgiveness, family, and friendship.

with gratitude to netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Heartwarming story about an elderly man who is homeless, broke, and has no family. Through a surprising twist of fate, he is mistaken for a nursing home resident who has disappeared and starts to live this other man's life. While I found the situation to be somewhat implausible and I disapproved of some of the characters' decisions, in the end everything worked out for the best for everyone--so I can't complain too much! Also, I just enjoyed the story as well as the characters and their development.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

What a fun book! I definitely would recommend as a light hearted book that will take over a busy mind. Relaxing, rewarding. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

Fred is going for a walk one day, after finding out he's about to be evicted, when he comes upon another elderly man seemingly asleep in his wheelchair. While pushing the man back toward the group of people from the nursing home nearby, he not only realizes the man has died but also has a mishap that leads to him being mistaken for the dead guy and whisked off to the nursing home as Bernard. He tries to make himself understood, but Bernard's history of dementia means no one believes Fred and since Fred had nowhere to go anyway…he becomes Bernard. Somewhat unbelievable but a nice, feel-good sort of story in the end. 3.5 stars rounded to 3.

This book was like reading a warm hug. The characters are wonderful and it is a feel good about life book. I cannot wait to read more books by Anna Johnston! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

I loved everything about The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. Sometimes a book comes along with a character that just touches your heart. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was that book for me. As I read this brilliant story, every one of my emotions were awoken, challenged and put on high alert. I was very impressed with Anna Johnston’s ability to weave such a deep story and create such a meaningful and memorable character. It was hard to believe that The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was her debut novel.

Frederick Fife was an eighty two year old man that had hit rock bottom but was in the right place to be offered a second chance at a better life. No one was more deserving than he was. Although the circumstances that led to his life altering changes were far from conventional, I was glad that he had been in the right place at the right time to make them work. Fred had recently suffered from Dawn’s, his wife and love of his life, death from cancer. The costs that were incurred as a result of Dawn’s illness were astronomical and had resulted in making Fred homeless. He wouldn’t have had done it any differently despite its outcome if there was the remote possibility of saving his Dawn. Fred had no regrets. Needing a place to contemplate his next move, Fred ended up down by the river when he noticed a man in a wheelchair at the river’s edge. Fred decided to see if the man needed any assistance. The next thing Fred knew, the man had fallen into the river along with Fred’s wallet. Before Fred had a chance to explain what had happened, one of the caregivers from the facility that had brought the man that had fallen into the river’s current and was heading downstream, mistakenly mistook Fred for Bernard Greer. The two men looked uncannily similar. Bernard Greer had recently been diagnosed with dementia so the caregiver ignored Fred’s efforts to explain that he was not who they believed him to be. Fred was taken to Wattle River Nursing Home. His life was about to change drastically but the impact he was about to have on so many others was to become a blessing in disguise.

Anna Johnston, in my opinion, is a masterful storyteller. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. She did an excellent job including the topics of dementia and alcoholism within the confines of her book in such a realistic and believable way. Besides the character of Frederick Fife, the other characters were engaging and well developed. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife touched on family, loss, grief, friendship and the acts of kindness, patience, and selflessness. It was one of those books that is hard to forget. I must have recommended it to every one of my friends. I am highly recommended it to you as well.

Thank you to William Morrow for allowing me to read The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get through this one, but the payoff was worth it. Lots of heartwarming scenes and unconditional kindness that feels simply quaint these days.

The compassion that Fred shows even after years of heartbreak is inspiring, and I found myself in tears several times toward the end. (Good tears!)

Warning: Lots of body “humor” buried in these pages. Seemed unnecessary, especially the frequency.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an early review copy!

A beautiful, heart-warming story of mistaken identity, this book will make you laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page. The author uses humor to push the reader to examine the way we as a society treat our elderly citizens, while also exploring themes of forgiveness and redemption. A must-read and a most enjoyable one.

Looking for your next cozy read? Frederick Fife to the rescue. In fact, that’s just the kind of thing that Fred…um Bernard… would do. This reads as the most charming case of mistaken identity ever written, and you will finish the final pages reaffirmed in the goodness of humanity, and the kindness that exists in the world. While it is not always an easy read (some of the subjects handled are quite difficult, but handled with tenderness), it ranks among the most charming books I’ve ever read. Five big stars for Frederick Fife! Thank you to William Morrow Book and NetGalley for my gifted ARC!

This was a heartwarming book that follows an old man, Frederick Fife, after he loses his beloved wife to cancer along with all of their money. Fate intervenes when he finds a man deceased on the beach who just happens to look like him. Due to a misunderstanding, Frederick finds himself adopting this man's identity. He struggles with his conscious while he enjoys the simple pleasures of food and sleeping in a warm bed. The story is well written and the characters likeable. There were some nuggets of advice and words of wisdom throughout that really touched me. Overall, a great book from the author. Thanks to the publisher, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a heartwarming tale of mistaken identity and finding meaning while making others’ lives better in ways big and small. I enjoyed this quirky tale from start to finish.

Thank you Anna Johnston, William Morrow, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is just the type of book that I love. A cast of quirky characters that come together and realize that life is better together.

Frederick is down on his luck and is lonely since the death of his beloved wife, Dawn. On the brink of eviction, Frederick takes a walk along the river and notices a group from the local nursing home out on an excursion so to speak. Frederick notices a man who is in a wheel chair off by himself and is slumped over and sadly has passed away. After a series of events, the man in the wheel chair, who looks freakishly like Frederick, falls in to the river and is swept away. When the nursing home discovers Frederick, who they mistake for their resident, they quickly brush off his repeated attempts to tell him that he is Frederick. The staff believes that Bernard, who has dementia, is just confused and won't listen to Fred.

After many attempts to correct the staff, Fred finally decides to continue to live the life of Bernard because it isn't hurting anyone and he is lonely. Thus begins the tail that is The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.

Anna Johnston has a devoted reader in me. I highly enjoyed this book. It made me laugh out loud and made me get a knot in my throat.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Some books just touch your heart, y’know?

Such is the story of Frederick Fife, a lonely, almost homeless widower and all the people whose lives he makes better.

Fred has just been evicted and is out walking when he comes upon a deceased man in a wheelchair. Through a series of events, he ends up being taken to a nursing home and told his name is Bernard. He tries to correct them, but Bernard had dementia. No one even listens to what he’s saying.

Faced with homelessness even if he could make someone believe him, he begins to lean into his new life as Bernard which comes with plentiful meals, something he hasn’t had in many years. Honestly, the parts where he discusses his food insecurity are probably the hardest for me to read even though the author handles it deftly.

So, while there are many serious topics within, including the food insecurity, potential homelessness, cancer, dementia, and grief, there is also so much humor and light. It feels a lot like life.

Fred is so incredibly likable and sweet, you fret for him and want nothing but joy for the rest of his time on earth. You’ll also meet other residents and staff of the nursing home and love them too.

I’m just overall delighted by this book which brings a lot of chuckles and a few tears too.

I received this book via #netgalley and @williammorrowbooks. All thoughts are mine alone.

#theborrowedlifeoffrederickfife #annajohnston #contemporaryfiction #books #bookrecs #bookreview #fivestars #fivestarbooks #bookstagram

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is an intriguing concept, and I wanted to love it, but it didn’t live up to its potential for me. The idea is compelling, with themes of second chances and mistaken identity when Bernard is mistaken for his doppelganger Frederick. While some moments pull on your heart strings, the pacing is slow, and the supporting characters lack dimension. I thought some of the twists were predictable, but there was just enough originality to keep me reading. Overall, it’s a decent read with some memorable and heart-warming moments, but it fell short for me. Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.