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!

I laughed, cried and loved this remarkable heartwarming story. A story of regrets, forgiveness and learning how to love again. I truly enjoyed getting to know Fred. I could appreciate the person that he was.

This book digs into some tough themes like grief, dementia, regrets and even childhood cancer. But it’s written so beautifully and with such humor that it’s more heartwarming than heart-wrenching. You will both laugh and cry, but mostly you’ll get a kick out of Frederick Fife for his humor and where life ended up for him.

Due to circumstances mostly beyond his control, Frederick Fife ends up in a nursing home living life under the guise of another resident who has passed on. Though he regrets “stealing” another life, he loves the nursing home, the people who care for him and the safety the home provides for him.

I loved every moment of this. It’s a feel-good book, even though parts of it are sad. Frederick Fife will forever be a favorite character of mine and I’ll be sure to wrap this book up and gift it for Christmas to my reading friends. Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC.

Fred is the most charming character I’ve encountered in quite awhile. Old people aren’t usually my jam and hanging out in a nursing home would make me super uncomfortable. However, Fred is such a delight, I loved following his story. His adventure begins when he is mistaken for another elderly gentleman. From the brink of homelessness to a warm bed and regular meals, Fred is no longer alone in the world but how long can he keep this up? Funny, sweet, but also wise, this debut softened my dark heart for a bit. It even made me cry a bit.

Frederick Fife is widowed, 82 and at the end of the day will be homeless.
He’s out walking, trying to figure out where he could sleep that night when he sees a man in a wheelchair. As he approaches, he realizes the man has passed. He determines that the man is part of a retirement home group outing, and as he is trying to push the wheelchair, he loses balance and the man and Frederick’s wallet wash down the river. Frederick is mistaken as the recently departed, and tries to explain he is not the other person. No one listens and he ends up staying at the retirement home.
As the story proceeds Frederick learns a lot about himself, forgiveness for him and the recently deceased.
I didn’t know how this book would unravel, but I ended up living this story.
Thank you to @netgalley for the arc.

4 stars for "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" - a sweet & very heartwarming story about a case of "stolen identity" amongst the nursing home set. Very charming & I also shed a tear or two. Recommend to those who enjoy F. Backman & similar stories. My thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the "read now" advance copy - my pleasure to read & review it!

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.